Published July 05, 1999   Ribbon cutting with a new twist Lac La Ronge Chief Harry Cook cuts through a freshly-produced two-by-four to formally open Wapawekka Lumber, Ltd., a sawmill company jointly owned by three Woodland Cree First Nations and Weyerhauser Canada. The sawmill has been in operation since May 10 but the celebration of the official opening was held at the site of the new plant (just north of Prince Albert) on June 24. Saskatchewan Sage was at the opening. Story and pictures are here. Photo Credit: Paul Barnsley Joint venture seen as success in the making by Paul Barnsley Taypotat enjoying life of rodeo cowboy by Paul Sinkewicz Popular Aboriginal parenting program expands by Paul Sinkewicz FARA: New release on its way by Christopher Tyrone Ross Aboriginal Day across the province by Paul Barnsley Travelling the north country by Denis Okanee Angus Here is a full list of additional stories featured in the July, 1999 issue of Saskatchewan Sage. If you are not receiving your own copy of Saskatchewan Sage, then you have missed all this information. Click here for Saskatchewan Sage subscription information. It's no joke: He just wanted to be on television Supreme Court's Corbiere decision making waves Cree Nation plans run to promote cultural unity Onion Lake Elder passionate about the old ways Historic meeting during Musical Ride celebrations Aboriginal Youth get a taste of how police work Two women in search of their unknown culture Joint venture seen as success in the making By Paul Barnsley Sage Writer PRINCE ALBERT Chief Perry Bellgarde presents Wayerhaueser CEO and president, Bill Gaynor, with a gift marking the opening of the sawmill. Chief Ron Michel looks on. All photos: Paul Barnsley The list of dignitaries who made a point of attending the official opening of Wapawekka Lumber, Ltd. on June 24 at a site adjacent to the Weyerhaeuser Canada plant outside Prince Albert, was long and impressive. Several chiefs, including the Grand Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, Perry Bellgarde, a provincial cabinet minister, representatives of several federal departments, local municipal and regional leaders and senior company officials - including George Weyerhaeuser, Jr. - joined the employees and their families in a two-hour celebration of the newly-opened sawmill that is owned jointly by Weyerhaeuser and three First Nations. In a tent set up outside the newly-constructed $22.5 million sawmill, more than 100 people marked the occasion. Eldon Lautermilch, minister of Energy and Mines, spoke on behalf of the provincial government. He was enthusiastic about the partnership that created Wapawekka. "I think it signals the kind of arrangements and the kind of partnerships that will create a Saskatchewan that will look much different in the 21st Century," he said. "When I look at the employee component - about 50 per cent of the employees of this corporation are of Aboriginal background. That's what our province needs to look like in the 21st Century." Lautermilch said casino profits helped the First Nations invest in the project and he added that the province's gaming policy was designed to create such opportunities. George Wayerhaeuser Jr. travelled to northern Saskatchewan for the opening. The First Nations partner are excited by the opportunity to get into business with the help of an industry leader. "The technology in use here today is the most modern there is in use in any sawmill," Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation Chief Ron Michel. "The employees have been trained as well as any employees in a forestry workshop can be and that makes us very proud." Michel said the three First Nations each own 16.3 per cent of the sawmill which means Weyerhaeuser has kept a 51 per cent controlling interest. He also said that 18 of the 41 jobs were held by First Nations people. Lac La Ronge Chief Harry Cook thinks Wapawekka is an idea whose time was ripe a long time ago, but he's thankful the opportunity has finally arrived for his people. "We occupy a very rich environment within our traditional areas and I think it's only fitting that we be given the opportunity to harvest some of the resources that are there in partnership with big industry. I think that's the key," said Cook. The funeral of a respected Elder prevented representatives of the third First Nation partner, the Montreal Lake Cree Nation, from attending. Everyone who attended the ceremony seemed enthusiastic and genuinely excited to be involved. That included Weyerhaeuser's top executive in Canada. "Fifteen months ago, I stood here at a press conference announcing this project," said Bill Gaynor, president and CEO of Weyerhaeuser Canada. " At that time, I talked about how much Weyerhaeuser had learned from working with our partners to create Wapawekka and I spoke of the excitement all of us felt because of the opportunities that all of that created. Today, I think we're even more excited and certainly the Weyerhaeuser people that have been involved in the building, the staffing, the training of Wapawekka Lumber have gained just excellent, valuable knowledge and experience and understanding in how to work together with our partners towards a common goal." Chief Bellegarde was equally excited by the partnership. Chief Perry Bellegarde of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, congratulated the owners of Wapawekka. "Today is a very, very historic day and a great day because to me on behalf of the FSIN, this is an example of how to do it. An example of how to create and bring together the private sector, the public sector and First Nations people and leadership," said Bellegarde. "We know the unemployment rate for our people is high, and the welfare. We don't need better welfare. We need better partnerships and opportunities. This is a prime example. Taypotat enjoying life of rodeo cowboy By Paul Sinkewicz Sage Writer ARCOLA Darrell Taypotat wants to spread the joy of what he likes doing most - competing in rodeos. The Broadview cowboy is one of the top steer rodeo performers in Saskatchewan. He's been a runner up for the World Indian National Finals in calf roping, was the 1992 champion steer wrestler in the Indian Professional Rodeo Association and in 1988 was the Canadian Cowboys Association calf roping champion. Taypotat recently instructed at a rodeo school in Duck Lake with his brothers Curtis, who calf ropes and is a bareback rider, and Sam, who is a bull rider. The school was for young people aged 14 to 20 who were interested in finding out about the activity that still has Taypotat passionate at the age of 37. Broadview cowboy and movie wrangler Darell Taypotat with wife Christa Wilson. Photo: Paul Sinkewicz Approximately 100 young people came to the May rodeo school which was sponsored by the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority and the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations. "We feel there should be more schools going on in the country to promote rodeo," Taypotat said. "That's where it starts, with the youth." The participants were mostly from the northern part of the province and were mostly inexperienced in rodeo. Some had to be taken right from the first step of learning to ride. "So we were pretty busy for four days there," Taypotat laughed. Despite the inexperience of the youths, Taypotat noticed several that took to the sport and look like they may stick with it. "If the parents help and keep them encouraged, they have the potential to go a long way," he said. "This should have been started years ago for the youth." The school looks like it will be an ongoing thing. Both the town of Punnichy and the Gordon's First Nation have expressed interest in hosting another one in 1999. Taypotat has been keeping himself very busy. He ranches near Broadview with his wife Christa and his two brothers, and is usually on the road from Friday to Sunday in the summertime, hitting as many rodeos as he can. To top it all off he's taken on a new sideline. Taypotat is a special skills extra in the movie business. He began working in the movies during the filming of CBC's made-for-television movie Big Bear. As a wrangler on the set he keeps the animals in control and is there as a safety measure to make sure things go smoothly. Taypotat said Big Bear was a great introduction into the movie industry. "I met a lot of actors and a lot of new people, and that's something I like doing," he said. Since Big Bear, Taypotat has formed Saskatchewan Stunt's - Wranglers and Special Effects. The association has about 20 cowboys on its list who are available to work on movie sets. Taypotat himself is currently working on Shanghai Moon, a Jackie Chan movie being filmed near Cochrane, Alta. He's also slated to begin work in July on Texas Rangers with Randy Travis and Dylan McDermott in the Brooks, Alta. area. The association is working on getting more cowboys experience because Taypotat feels more movies will be coming to Saskatchewan in the future. And the work seems to go hand-in-hand with the cowboy lifestyle. "It's long hours, but it's something you love to do - which is working with animals," Taypotat said. Popular Aboriginal parenting program expands By Paul Sinkewicz Sage Writer SASKATOON A new location has meant added strength for the KiseWaToTaToWin Aboriginal Parent Program now that it is more closely allied with seven other child and parent organizations. The organization, which promotes pre-European contact parenting methods for Aboriginal parents, held a grand opening celebration for its new location on June 17. It joins the other organizations in forming a kind of one-stop shopping center for parents. "There's a lot of networking going on here," said KiseWaToTaToWin executive director Terry Chapman. "We've grown to be a team." Chapman's organization holds parenting workshops throughout Saskatchewan to train parents and educators about the traditional ways of parenting before Europeans came to the Prairies. Concepts like the circle of life, the importance of kinship, storytelling and song are just some of the traditional parenting method and tools discussed in the course. Eileen Buffalo, president of the group's board of directors, said the course is general enough to apply all across Saskatchewan. "It's designed very basic because there's different tribes and they can have their own Elder," she said. The idea for the program originated with five different nations that realized to keep their culture alive, they had to work to reach the young people who will be raising the next generations, she said. The knowledge passed along in the program comes from Elders from five First Nations to meet the needs of First Nations and Métis families. Originally funded in part by Health Canada, the non-profit group now relies solely on its workshop fees to finance its operation. Chapman said the workshops have proven to be extremely popular wherever they are held. "All I know is when we get our evaluations back the evaluations are phenomenal. They say everyone should take his workshop," Chapman said. "And they really appreciate having an Elder there and the ability to get some of their culture back." Elder Edward Baldhead, of the One Arrow First Nation, said he found his experience at one of the workshops to be very interesting. "The Aboriginal people are very strong in our way of living," he said. "As an Elder today, I am very happy to give some of my thoughts to the children. It's quite interesting. We learned quite a bit - even me as an Elder." Baldhead feels this type of program is a good complement to the existing European-based model of education. The program has been in operation since 1992 and started with the development of a manual and handbook for facilitators and parents. Chapman used the grand opening to unveil an updated version of the manual. "It's a lot more user-friendly," Chapman said. "It's much more professional looking. We've polished up some of the ideas in it, too, so it's easier to follow." During the ceremony, young artists Mitchell Poundmaker, 17, and Calvin Frenchman, 14, both of Saskatoon, were honored for their contribution to the new manual. "The neat part of this is we decided we wanted youth to participate by doing the pictures for the manual," Chapman said. "We saw a lot of potential in these kids to further their gift." The two young people were awarded scholarships to be used toward art classes and supplies. Anyone interested in the KiseWaToTaToWin Aboriginal Parent Program can find out more by calling 665-3337. FARA: New release on its way By Chris Tyrone Ross Sage Writer SASKATOON Who is Fara? If you don't know she's Saskatchewan's own Native pop diva. At only 26, she has made a career out of singing and has become quite successful. Here is an interview that reveals the beautiful woman behind the beautiful voice. She has found singing as a way to send a positive message to First Nations youth. For example, listen to 'Walk Away' on her first album, This is my World. "It's a song about never walking away from your dreams and your beliefs, standing up for what you believe in and sharing that with others. And following a path that's true to your heart," explained Fara during the beginning of the interview. Born in North Battleford, raised in Vancouver, and now residing on the Saulteaux Reservation, Fara has lived a life where singing has become her career. Her first album received great reviews when it first came out. She has performed at the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards, and for many National Basketball Association games in the past two years. In the summer of 1999 her second album, Pretty Brown, is expected to be released - Sage received a copy just before press time. A review will be available in a future edition. In the months to come, people should expect to hear a lot more about Fara. She is soon to be in the spotlight as a nationally known Native artist. Sage: Would you date someone younger than you? FARA: No, because I'm already taken. Sage: During the production of Pretty Brown what did you do differently as opposed to your first album? FARA: Last album I wrote 80 per cent of all the songs and co-wrote the rest. This album I only ended up writing 4 songs, the other ones are written by my producers. The reason for that is because I ended up liking the songs they were giving me. Sage: What kept you motivated to pursue your singing career? FARA: Well, I loved singing so much that it's always been dream and that fire has never really died. There's times I've put a lot of energy and focus into my work, and there's times that I don't where I lose my focus and I dream about it. The major motivation is just that I love singing so much, that I'd never wanted to give up. Sage: Let's talk about the way your music sends positive messages across the native youth. The next album is dropping soon, how is it different from your first? FARA: It's more mature, the first album was very experimental. I wasn't exactly sure of the sound I wanted yet. I wanted to reach the community and share my voice too, but the second album I put more energy and focus into it. It's more persuasive and it's more to my taste. My second album has two songs that touch on Native issues which are 'Pretty Brown' and 'To Bring Back Yesterday.' 'Pretty Brown' is my personal experience of growing up in a community where there was a majority of non-Native people and how I overcame my feelings of lack of pride. The second album has inspirational messages, there's a song called 'Beautiful Spirit', there's songs of heartache, laughter, rejoicing, healing, fun dance songs. It's a very positive album. Sage: Are there any other artists that you or others compare your music to? FARA: Oh, of course, one person said that I sound like k.d. lang. Another said I sound like Celine Dion or Whitney Houston or Toni Braxton. Sage: What about Cher? FARA: Nope, never heard anyone say Cher. Sage: Did you hear her last song, 'Believe'? FARA: Yah, she's actually No. 1 everywhere. I just read Billboard Magazine. Sage: What do you think of Lauryn Hill? FARA: I like Lauryn Hill. Sage: So are you going to drop a new video soon? FARA: I have a video that's ready to be released, it's still promoting my first album. We're in the process of finishing my second album so we can have the final project, and based on that, we can decide what single and what video to release first. Hopefully the first single will be, 'Pretty Brown.' As of now, we are still not sure of how things are going to happen. Sage: Where do you see yourself in five years? FARA: In five years time, I'll probably have released five albums, be on the Juno nominations and get a couple of those instead of just getting nominated. Travel all over Canada, break into the States, that's five years time, that's possible. If I put in three years of hard work, I think I can accomplish all of that. Sage: Do you value education? FARA: For sure, I think education is great. It's good to get an education, but not everyone is gonna use that education. But our Native people are going to have to survive on in the future in order to maintain a stronger nation. Sage: Have you ever considered another field of work? FARA: Of course, after I finish with music, I want to be a teacher and teach music and my own history or get a degree in music and teach it out of my home, teaching it to other youth coming up. I'd teach them singing lessons as well as the business itself. I really wouldn't mind having my own studio and just being a writer, writing music and then shopping it to other artists. Sage: Finally, do you have any positive messages that you would like to share with the youths? FARA: I'd say, believe in yourself, believe in your dreams, don't let anyone stop you. Follow your heart, try to search for the truth in all things. There's a lot of awareness that needs to be raised out there and myself . . . I looked at life, not really looking at things roughly. In regards to career and ambition living your life. The best thing for me has been to follow my heart and try and live the best way I can. I would say to the youth trying to be singers, actors, chiefs, doctors . . . is to surround themselves around positive people who will tell them how to succeed. If you can have perseverance and persistence and really try hard, that's another good thing. Another thing I would like to say to youth trying to pursue a dream is . . . don't stop dreaming, wake up and do it. This interview originally appeared in Generation X. It is reprinted with permission. Aboriginal Day across the province By Paul Barnsley Sage Writer REGINA Celebrations occurred in every corner of Saskatchewan this month as Native and non-Native people alike marked June 21 - Aboriginal Day. Sage correspondants took in the festivities on several fronts. Mervin Brass filed his story and pictures from Regina. Pamela Sexsmith Green did likewise from Lloydminster. Everywhere you looked, the young and the not-quite-as-young were in the mood to show off their culture, their heritage and - most important of all - their pride, at each site. Hundreds gather in border city to celebrate together By Pamela Sexsmith Green Sage Writer LLOYDMINSTER Hundreds of people gathered to celebrate National Aboriginal Day at the Lloydminster Native Friendship Center. For many of the real traditionalists among the crowd, it was also a way to mark the sacred day of the summer solstice, a ancient ceremony celebrated for tens of thousands of years on the plains by the original inhabitants of these lands. June 21 was officially declared National Aboriginal Day in 1996 by Governor General Romeo LeBlanc to recognize the outstanding contributions Aboriginal people have made to the growth of Canada, as well as their rich cultural diversity, heritage and achievements. As well as drawing a large crowd from both Lloydminster and Onion Lake First Nation, over 200 students from local schools joined in the festivities.   Chelsey Dillon, showed exceptional poise, excellent traditional form and was much admired by the students attending the day's activities. Photo: Pamela Sexmith Green The students were very enthusiastic about the program held inside and outside the Friendship Centre which featured an art show, craft demonstration, tipi raising, story telling, fiddle music and traditional dancing. The celebration started with a prayer and blessing in Cree and included a special ceremony honoring high school graduates and a feather ceremony to thank board members of the Friendship Centre for their dedication and hard work. During the lunch break, elk and bison burgers, along with freshly baked bannock made by some local Elders, were sold to raise money for the new Youth Outreach Program. Twelve-year-old hoop dancer Desmond Opikikew entertained the crowd during the lunch break. His performance was followed by a demonstration of Métis fiddle music by Alan Cook and 12-year-old Ryland Bernier from Prince Albert. The real highlight of the day was a large open-air Round Dance lead by Richard Thunderchild and members of the Onion Lake Dance Troupe including jingle dancer Delia Harper and fancy shawl dancer Chelsey Dillon. It didn't take long for a large, enthusiastic crowd of students to join the Round Dance circle, spread out around the corners of 49th Ave. and 46th St., which had been blocked off for the festivities. "It was very gratifying to see so many children from different cultures join hands and dance together, sharing the sound of the drum and traditional singing. It was the best part of the day," said commentator Brent Dillon. A day to remember the first people By Mervin Brass Sage Writer REGINA Hundreds of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people gathered together in various venues around the province to celebrate a day set aside for Aboriginal people. One of the biggest gatherings took place in downtown Regina at Victoria Park on Monday June 21. Songs and dances representing the various Aboriginal peoples and cultures echoed throughout the seven acre park. Hundreds of children took advantage of face painting and the games provided by volunteers from the Committee for Advancement of Native Employment. The informal committee is made up of Aboriginal federal, provincial and City of Regina employees who promote Aboriginal employment initiatives. "Everything that's going on today is in recognition of all the contributions made by Aboriginal people, Indian, Inuit and Métis have made to Canada," said Lisa Nidosky, C.A.N.E. spokesperson. "It's a day to come together and celebrate. A day to educate non-Aboriginal people about the different cultures and diversity." Nidosky, grew up in St. Louis, Sask., said as a Métis person, it's nice to get together with the other Aboriginal groups and be recognized for the contributions Métis people have made to Canada. The theme of this year's celebration - Our Future is in our Past - focussed on the relationship between young people and the Elders. Peggy Stonechild, an Elder from the Peepeekisis First Nation, attended the celebrations at the Four Directions Community Health Centre in Regina's north central neighborhood. Stonechild said she enjoyed watching the young people perform with their pow wow dancing. "Aboriginal people have come a long ways," said the 76-year-old Kokum. "It's not for nothing that I have grey hair." Sitting in a shaded area, Stonechild decided to share some insight into some of the problems that plague her people. She says young Aboriginal people need to get away from the alcohol and drug lifestyle that she sees them living. "I pity people when I see them drunk," said Stonechild who's been sober for 30-years. "I could see myself, I use to be like that." She says celebrations like National Aboriginal Day are positive because they show society not all Aboriginal people have problems with alcohol and drugs. Saskatchewan's Aboriginal population numbers around 111,245 people with about 14,000 calling Regina home. On May 23, 1996 the government of Canada declared June 21 - the first day of summer - as National Aboriginal Day. "Long, long time ago our ancestors asked the government to put a day aside to celebrate First Nations and Métis groups," said Noella McKay, director of the Four Directions Community Health Centre. "Finally it's been honored almost a century later." The celebration at the centre is about informing people in the community what the health center is about, said MacKay. One of the biggest changes in Aboriginal people is in their education, she said. "Education is a big plus," she said. "A lot of our students are into the different professions." Most of these people are encouraging their children to continue their schooling, MacKay said. The celebrations at the centre included traditional pow wow singers and dancers as well as Métis-style fiddle and guitar tunes. Travelling the north country By Denis Okanee Angus Sage Columnist From June 21 to 24, I had the good fortune to be able to accompany a group of Saskatoon city police officers and a group of Aboriginal youth on a canoe trip on the Churchill River near of La Ronge. The trip as I understand it is the vision of Constable Craig Nyifra. Craig is the Native Liaison Officer with the Saskatoon police force. The trip is intended to break down the stereotypes between Aboriginal youth in trouble with the law and the police officers. With me, was my eight-year-old son Blake. Craig has been organizing this trip for at least two years now. Maybe it's three. It may seem like just a little project. But after being on the trip, it has a lot of potential for changing lives of not only the young Aboriginal men and women who go, but also the police officers who attended. When I first went there I was really nervous. I did not know the people. And frankly, I have had several of my own experiences with police officers. Most of these experiences do not make it to my list of favorite things to remember. I was invited on this trip as a role model. I guess it would be safe to say that I had some stereotypes of my own. Blake on the other hand, is a very sociable little guy. He drew no distinctions between the police, the kids and the other adults attending. He soon had them all charmed. By the end of the trip, Blake had clearly won the "best fisherman" distinction. I am sure that everyone left with a good story or two to tell about Blake. His presence and the lack of judgments he made about both the youth and the police shows me that stereotypes are learned and not natural. It also reminds that a lot of healing comes through the children. They are closer to the spirit world than adults. They remember more. Many of the youth on the trip did not know much about living in the bush. They did not know how to fish. I was really surprised about how much paddling those kids could do. I think there is a lesson in this as well. A lot of the difficulties our youth face is because they do not have positive choices available to them. It's not because they are "bad" kids. The weather on our trip was quite challenging. It rained and rained. And the wind blew and blew. Franklin, the young person I spent time with on the trip, and I never got to go fishing together because of the weather. And I feel a little like I let this young man down. And I think there is a lesson in this. A lot of the problems our youth face regarding lack of opportunity are not really their responsibility. We as adults need to step up to our responsibilities and see that they have choices. It does not matter that they are not our kids. It does not matter if we are not even related to them. Those are distinctions that I do not think are part of our culture. Those children our are future as Indian people. We need to consider if we have our priorities in the right place.