The Aboriginal Newspaper of Alberta
Sturgeon Lake to host conference
Banff plans May programsEdmonton hosts women's summit
Call for youth nominations
Royal Bank award goes to AlbertanDavid Crowchild Day approaches
Data base matches women and careers
The Sturgeon Lake School will be hosting a youth conference for the students in Grades 1 to 12. The conference has been designed to help the students plan their careers and to increase their awareness of social issues such as drugs and alcohol. Sessions will also be offered that have been designed to stress Native beliefs and traditions, such as drumming and Aboriginal dancing. Most importantly, according to organizers, this conference will introduce Sturgeon Lake students to a program the school is undertaking with the University of Texas-Houston. Two students from Sturgeon Lake will be going to spend the summer in Texas working within a summer internship program. Gill Castro of the University of Texas-Houston will be at the conference to talk about the program and its many benefits. Sturgeon Lake School is the first school in Canada to be taking part in this educational program. (JW)
The Banff Centre for Management will be playing host to Aboriginal leaders, businesses and governments in May at three programs: Jurisdictional arrangements between Aboriginal and Canadian governments will run from May 5 to 8; Aboriginal natural resources: Rights to water, fish, forests, minerals, oil and gas will run from May 12 to 15; and Understanding the Aboriginal land claims process in Canada will run from May 26 to 29. These three sessions will continue the tradition of excellence for which the Banff Centre is famous. For information, call Andrew Bear Robe, program director, at (403) 762-6327 or 1-888-255-6327. (RJH)
Some 65 Aboriginal women from around Alberta came together at Edmonton's Canadian Native Friendship Centre for an Aboriginal Women's Summit last month. They dealt with their feeling that Aboriginal women are being bypassed and ignored, at the same time as they are struggling to survive in a racially biased society. The format of the summit consisted of plenary sessions in the morning, followed by afternoon and evening workshops to come up with a strategy to change the present system of funding Aboriginal organizations, which are faced with ever-steeper cuts. "It is now time to take hold of the power we have and have always had," said Muriel Stanley Venne, president and founder of the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women, which put on the summit. Resolutions called for unified action on a number of fronts, and for the participants to follow up on initiatives from the Beijing (China) Women's Conference and the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples report. (RJH)
The Calgary Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee has called for nominations for its 1997 Aboriginal youth achievement award. The award is open to all Aboriginal youth, "including status, non-status and Métis individuals." Nominees must be between the ages of 14 and 24 by the submission deadline, they must be attending a junior or senior high school or a post-secondary facility and must be living within the Calgary city limits or be attending a Calgary school on a full-time basis. The winner will be announced in July, and will receive a $500 student bursary and a personal memento. The deadline for submissions is April 30, and more information is available by calling Calgary social services at 268-5188. (RJH)
One of the five winners of the 1997 Royal Bank Native Student Scholarships is from Alberta. One of the awards, which were announced in Toronto on April 3, went to Jennifer Smith from Medicine Hat. Smith will receive $4,000 annually for her educational expenses to a maximum of four years at university or two years at college, in a discipline relevant to the banking industry. All five winners, if they are interested in a banking career, will be considered for summer and post-graduate employment at Royal Bank. An independent committee comprised of Native teachers and professors reviewed all the applications and made its final selections based on each student's personal and academic achievement, as well as the individuals' financial need. For further information on next year's awards, contact the program coordinator Kathryn Webber at (416) 955-5824. (RJH)
Calgary's Chief David Crowchild Day Aboriginal Agency Fair will be held on May 21, with an award ceremony and reception to follow. This, the 11th annual go-round, will be coordinated by the Calgary Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee, and will feature the participation of more than 40 Aboriginal agencies and services. The recipient of the 1996 Chief David Crowchild Award will be announced in the late afternoon at the Calgary Municipal Building Atrium, 800 Macleod Trail SE. (RJH)
The Native Women's Association of Canada announced on March 4 the creation of a new employment initiative called "CareerPlace." The program will assist Aboriginal women in securing careers within the corporate sector, and will also feature a mentorship component to help women make a smooth transition into their new careers. Application forms for the program will be widely available, said Luigia Cistera, the project's manager, at such facilities as friendship centres and band administration offices. For information, Cistera can be reached at 1-800-461-4043. (RJH)
By Mary Hewson
Sweetgrass Writer
GROUARD
History was made March 7 as the Kapawe'no First Nation in Grouard became the first First Nation in Alberta to operate a First Nations drug and alcohol treatment centre. The agreement, signed by representatives from the federal government's Medical Services Branch in Edmonton, the Kapown Centre and the Kapawe'no First Nations in front of about 50 band members in the Kapawe'no hall, gives the band control over the Kapown Rehabilitation Centre, a 30-bed residential centre for those suffering from drug and alcohol addictions.
The five-year agreement means the Kapown Centre will no longer have to fight year-to-year for money.
"It will give more freedom in implementing treatment programs because it will be under the auspices of the chief and council," said Barry Nisbet, executive director of Kapown. "It will give more flexibility to program for the Kapown Centre staff. It's something we've been fighting for years and years."
With a five-year commitment, and the possibility to renew every five years thereafter, Nisbet can make long-term plans for expanding programs such as their program to work for cultural wilderness.
They also no longer need to return any money remaining at the end of a year to the government. If they are frugal one year and save, the centre can put that money into extra programs for the next year.
Ruth Jongerius, director of community-based planning and development with Medical Services, was instrumental in arranging the transfer of ownership. She was one of several representatives from Medical Services on hand for the signing ceremony.
She said that the agreement is a recognition of how well-known and respected the Kapown Centre is across Canada and in North America, and how well it has been run since its inception in 1983. It shows trust that the Kapawe'no First Nation is committed to maintaining the high quality of the centre.
"They should be very proud," she said.
There are six treatment centres on First Nation in Alberta. Although Kapawe'no is the first to have ownership transferred to the band, others have their applications in the works, said Don Leduc, acting zone director for Treaty Eight medical services branch.
Chief Frank Halcrow, who is also chairman of the Kapown Centre board of directors, said the agreement has been a long time coming.
"This was not a very easy achievement," Halcrow said. "It took many hard years and lots of negotiations to reach this signing here today. I think it's a great achievement for Barry and his staff and a greater achievement for the clients who have come through the centre. I must emphasize without the staff and the clientele we wouldn't be here today," he said.
The Kapown Centre has 18 full-time and six part-time staff who work with clients from all over Canada over a six-week treatment period. While it serves mainly Aboriginal clients, the centre often takes non-Aboriginal clients as well. It is recognized as one of the foremost treatment centres of its kind in Canada, said Halcrow.
He praised the working partnership the band, the government and the Kapown Centre have always had.
"We've reached a goal. We've built and laid the cornerstone for other centres to achieve this same goal. It is a great historic moment," Halcrow said.
By R John Hayes
Sweetgrass Writer
SADDLE LAKE
The Saddle Lake Warriors fell at the final hurdle to the North Eastern Alberta Junior "B" Hockey League champion Lloydminster Bandits, losing games five and six of the best-of-seven final by scores of 5-4 and 6-5. The Bandits had taken a two-game lead with wins of 9-6 and 4-3 in the first two games, but the Warriors stormed back into it with a huge 8-1 win in game three and a 6-3 victory in game four.
Ryan Trottier and Kevin Lewis led the team offensively, while goalie Clarence Sparklingeyes came up big between the pipes when it mattered. The heart-breaking losses ended a great season for the Warriors club, who had swept the quarter-final series with the Lac La Biche Clippers 4-0, and done the same thing to the Vermilion Tigers in the semi-final.
In the past, it was difficult to get players to commit to Saddle Lake for the hockey season, but 1996-97 was a turn-around year for the Warriors. Instead of having to recruit, coaches Dean Smyl and Ted Grayling sat by the phone and took calls from hopeful players.
"It's a lot easier to sell a team that's winning that a team that's losing," assistant coach Grayling said. "Everybody who got cut from junior "A" called us this year."
The Warriors used that strong player base to become a contender this year. Going into the final series, the Warriors were perhaps the hottest junior team in the province, with only a couple of losses in the second half of the season.
"We had a good group of returning guys," Grayling continued. "In junior 'B,' 11 returning players is a lot. One of the advantages we have is that we, as coaches, are able to put in so much time into coaching the team."
"We talk about what we did and what we didn't do," said head coach Smyl. Grayling and Smyl are room mates.
"We made one major change this year," Smyl continued. "Last year, half way through, we had about a 65 per cent dedication rate, but we got it up to, say, 90 per cent this year. That made a lot of difference."
The big difference, though, may be the two coaches themselves. League president John Kelly credits Smyl and Grayling with turning the Warriors franchise into a winner.
"Since these two guys have been here coaching," he said, "the Warriors can suck it up when they're behind and win the game. The kids haven't just learned about the game in the ice, they've learned about it in here," he said, tapping his chest. "This club has a lot of character with Smyl and Grayling behind the bench."
On the ice, Saddle Lake was fortunate to have the league's leading scorer in captain Robin Gilbert, a 21-year-old left winger from Williams Lake, B.C., who came to the Warriors last season from the junior "B" club in Golden, B.C.
"I think we were going to finish second in the regular season," Gilbert said, "but Lac La Biche protested the last game of the season, and we lost some points because one of our [midget] players had been technically ineligible to play. But everybody just wanted to win, and the protest just kind of pulled the team together a bit more."
"We had a good overall season, and we have to be satisfied with what we've been able to do," said 19-year-old Mark Steinhauer from Saddle Lake. He finished second to Gilbert in team scoring, and fourth in the league. "I'm just happy to be able to contribute, and I played right wing, defence, centre - whatever's been needed during the game."
"This season in Saddle Lake has been good for the league," Kelly said of the Warriors' success. "They've had a tough time of it in the past, but they probably draw the best of any team in the league."
"We were sold out for all of our semi-final and final games," Smyl said. "That's got to help us out for next year.
"I think that everybody will want to play here next year,"
he continued. "We'll probably lose 10 or 12 of our players
over the summer, but I expect that we'll put together a good competitive
team in 1997-98."
By Marilyn Partington-Richer
Sweetgrass Writer
SLAVE LAKE
Chief Walter Twinn, on behalf of the Sawridge Band and First Nation and its members, is suing the Town of Slave Lake, Northwestern Utilities Limited, as well as the federal and provincial governments, for more than $5 billion. This was revealed by a statement of claim registered with the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta in Edmonton.
"It's really just a notice to negotiate" an agreement for land that's owed to the band, he said. "The town has owed us land for 25 years, and so has the province, and we just filed [the court documents] to give notice."
The root of the problem, Twinn said, is proposed provincial legislation which threatens to put 10-year limitations on any land negotiations. He said that the band has tried to get payment from the province for land which was expropriated when Highway 88 was built through the reserve, "but time and time again, the province has given us a bureaucrat" instead of an answer. This is "just a notice that they can't do this." The province has failed to follow through on promises for land or financial remuneration to Sawridge.
Twinn is suing the Town of Slave Lake for land to replace the reserve land used by the town when it built portions of Caribou Trail and Airport Road, he said. Northwestern Utilities is targeted because the band didn't get paid for a pipeline carrying natural gas from Mitsue Industrial Park, east of the town, to Slave Lake.
"I'm extremely optimistic about the tone of the talks" between the town and the band, said Slave Lake mayor Gerry Allarie, "and about the fact that both sides want to negotiate a settlement - and quickly."
Allarie said that he plans to make good on the town's debt to Sawridge before his term of office expires. The town took 0.25 hectares when it was building the roads. Allarie expects that negotiations will focus on how the town will replace reserve land.
"There is definitely a difference between reserve land and non-reserve land," the mayor said. There are several options, "but it all has to be weighed out and considered."
Other elements of the suit, originally served March 29, 1996, and amended Jan. 20 of this year, date back to problems almost 100 years old. Specifically, the suit alleges that the band "did not receive the land which Treaty 8 provides will be laid aside for them."
The treaty, drafted in 1899, promised that the federal government would set aside one square mile for each family of five, it says, and also pledged to deliver up 64 ha of land "to each Indian for such families or individual Indians as may prefer to live apart from band reserves . . .."
There's a shortfall of 2,460 ha of land which should have been set aside for the band under Treaty 8, it adds.
As well, the statement of claim says "between 1910 and 1912, 12 individuals were transferred by the [Indian Affairs Department] from the Alexander Band and First Nation to the Sawridge Band and First Nation." Those individuals, it says, were not counted when Treaty 8 was enacted, and therefore "plaintiffs claim entitlement to additional reserve lands of approximately 1,920 acres [768 ha] . . .."
Also, the claim says, financial compensation - in the amount of $2,294.23 - which should have accompanied those individuals, was inadvertently sent to the Driftpile Band "in approximately 1912."
The plaintiffs have never been compensated for this error and are therefore claiming the "$2,294.23 plus interest from the date of the transfer of these moneys . . .."
Further, the band says it handed about 19 ha to the province in 1974 when Highway 88 was being built. The province allegedly promised to transfer 19 ha of reserve land or 56 ha of non-reserve land to the band as payment, but "no lands were transferred by Alberta to the plaintiffs." The province later agreed to compensate the band for the delay, the statement continues, but to date no compensation is forthcoming.
The document says loss of rent and interest from these lands has cost it $4 million.
The Town of Slave Lake's actions cost the band further when the town built "two streets which encroach upon or cross the plaintiff's reserve." The streets were built without the band's permission or proper surrender of lands, it claims.
Further, it says, somewhere between 1970 and 1986, "the town constructed utility pipelines which encroached upon the plaintiff's reserve." The lines, it adds, carry gas, water and sewer. Again, the statement alleges, the "utilities were built without the permission of the plaintiffs and without a proper surrender by the plaintiffs."
It's claiming $1 million in damages for the province's and town's alleged failings in taking land for streets, and another $1 million for loss of "beneficial use of these lands, including loss of rent."
For the destruction of wildlife and other resources, as well as the conversion of natural resources, and for "interference with the Aboriginal use of the land including traditional activities, trap lines . . . and for interference with religious and burial sites and with culture, traditions and spiritual values" it's asking the courts to award $6.5 million to the band.
The band is also asking for $5 billion for long-term suffering as a result of the breaches by defendants over the years, and for the courts to award it interest payments on all the alleged infractions and court costs.
Some adventures in Vegas
Oki. How is everyone, in this slow-to-thaw spring? A friend of mine, Joanne, had a good point about this 1997 spring. She said that Mother Earth and Old Man Winter are having an affair, and they don't want to part ways. Actually, I can't say that it's only happening in Alberta - I heard that Manitoba was another place they'd taken a liking to.
As I told you before, I went to Las Vegas, Nevada, the city that never sleeps. It was kind of scary, especially when you're a woman and you are all alone. I went and looked around the casino. I mean, if you're not a gambler, a casino can get boring after awhile. I went to watch a basketball game (on TV) and this man approached me. At first, my guard was up, thinking what does this guy want? After I finally relaxed, Andy told me he was the "great American" person, with many kinds of blood running through him. Originally from Texas, with the accent of a true southerner. He invited to take me to several casinos along the strip. I know if my gut feeling had been sending me other messages, I wouldn't have gone.
Several casinos later, we arrived at one of newer hotels called "New York New York." The hotel looked liked all the monumental buildings in New York squished together. We walked through a market place, which was designed like the streets of New York. I asked Andy, if they have a place where customers can also get mugged, New York style.
We made our way to the Motown Cafe - they had impersonators of the old Motown stars. Andy started a conversation with two women, Marilyn and Sally, both from Las Vegas. Marilyn looked like Elizabeth Taylor in her younger years. She had a personality that would attract anyone. I think Andy saw that. We went driving around, ending up at the Sahara. We were listening to a band that sang a variety of music from the '50s to '90s. Andy "coerced" me into going up on stage to sing a verse with the band. I told one of the singers I didn't know the song. She told me to sing anything. So, I did. We all had a good laugh over it. All of my newfound friends had to work the next day, so we bid good night. I didn't see them after that. But I do have their phone numbers, in case I may show up again.
I didn't go down to Las Vegas for a vacation - I went down for a conference, a bingo conference. In my opinion, the conference was geared more for the bingo halls. I represented a new kind of bingo, which is radio bingo. I met all different kinds of people from every walk of life but we all had one thing in common: bingo. I collected information about every kind of bingo there is and I have many daubers.
I have to introduce you to this one lady I met; her name is Helene Day from Wisconsin. She also was at the conference. She is from the Ho-Chunk Tribe. After all the sessions were over, I was sitting there wondering what to do. After introducing ourselves, we decided to go to bingo. We ended up sharing each other's company throughout the conference. She also saved me on the last night in Las Vegas. I was making my money stretch all week; I did have a bit in my bank if I needed it. Anyway, I had about nine bucks left, so I decided to go to the bank machine to take out more money. It wouldn't give me money. I thought to myself, "here I am in Las Vegas with no money." I kept seeing myself on the street panhandling. I told Helene my dilemma. She told me, not to worry, she'll think of something.
We had made plans to attend a show at the Stratosphere. One of her friends met us to give us the tickets. She told him my dilemma and he handed me a hundred dollar bill. I was floored. My opinion of the American people changed from that moment on.
We did have a great night, thanks to Victor. Before we left to our home towns, we promised to visit again.
See you next time!
Tansi! How's your left hip? With all the round dances going on, it would not be unusual for some to complain about sore hips, eh?
Several round dances have gone by since the last issue of Sweetgrass - Alexander, Enoch, Hobbema and Slave Lake, Edmonton's Abbottsfield community and Britannia High School. I got to five of them and people have really enjoyed them. So, don't quit now and, no, my hip isn't hurting at all.
By the time this issue reaches most people, April 12 will have come and gone. Nonetheless, Evelyn Willier, president of the Sucker Creek Cultural Society, informs me that the public is invited to an appreciation and honoring celebration in which 43 of their 55-and-over band members will be acknowledged. They will receive gifts of moosehair tufting and the event will include a pipe ceremony, a feast, a performance by the Driftpile Dancers and, yes, yet another round dance. It all happens at the reserve's recreation centre.
It appears like the Lesser Slave Lake region is in for some good times. On April 26, the eight member-bands of the Lesser Slave Lake Indian Regional Council will honor their own at the second-annual Golden Eagle Awards at Slave Lake's Sawridge Hotel. These are similar to the Regional Aboriginal Recognition Awards that occur annually in Ft. McMurray and are a fine tribute to those who achieve. Call Tiffany Badger at 523-4426 for tickets, which are $25 each.
Then, on May 30, the very same regional council hosts a graduation party for all sorts of grads - from schools, colleges, university, etc. It, too, will happen at the Sawridge with the Sturgeon Lake Band being this year's specific host. The grad party has been around for several years now. Congrats to all!
That ever-popular fiddle great, Calvin Volrath, recently had a humongous new CD release party over in Sherwood Park that packed the house. It involved numerous celebrities, including a number of fiddling champions from other provinces. How many is that now, Calvin? Fourteen? Fifteen?
We'll be watching with interest a newly evolved commish at the Edmonton Public School Board offices. Organizer T.J. Roy is optimistic that good things will come of it. There are, of course, a number of issues at stake, and those must be given priorities as not all of them can be tackled at once. Good luck to all.
Speaking of schools, the Blood Tribe down at Stand Off is busy with a new school extension and a major refurbishing of the existing school facility. The education board on the reserve is also in the process of constructing a new cultural facility.
As well, according to Blood councilor Charlie Weaslehead, a new $8- to $9-million health facility with about 50 beds is being built near the present clinic. It will be geared to long-term and post-acute care, and is scheduled for completion around September of 1998.
One additional new structure on Blood lands is a new human resources building that they hope to move into by late June or early July of this year.
Just recently, I ran into Dene leader Bill Erasmus from Yellowknife. He and Merv Templeton were in Edmonton as coaches for a hockey team they'd brought south to compete at the Whitemud West Hockey tournament which had no fewer than 202 participating teams. Last year, there were 112 teams. And you know what? In their own division, the bantam Yellowknife Co-op Chargers placed second over all! So, guess who placed first? It was another home team, the Yellowknife Hacks! Way to go guys! Oops, the Chargers also have a female player. Sorry.
Organizer Len White exclaimed: "Yellowknife walked away with it." The tourney ran over a period of four consecutive weekends, from mid-March to April 6, with 70 of the teams from out-of-town.
Tall Cree Chief Bernard Meneen informs us that his band has put up a brand new grocery store in Fort Vermilion. It's bound to make money for them, given the fact the Hudson's Bay store is their only competition. They have a few other things in the works and we hope to get some ink on it in our next issue?
The annual Dreamspeakers Festival is looming on the horizon, but still I don't know who some of the main acts are. Do you?
Did you know: Walter Twinn, on behalf of the Sawridge Band, has launched a lawsuit involving more than $5 billion against the town, provincial and federal governments and Northwestern Utilities over lands and land-related matters pertaining to the Sawridge Band.
By Barb Grinder
Sweetgrass Writer
LETHBRIDGE
Dolly, the cloned sheep who recently made headlines, is typical of the interests of white society, according to Tony Hall of the University of Lethbridge.
"We're always looking for someone's idea of the one best animal or the one best way of doing things, then trying to reproduce it," he said. "In Indian country, there is no one best way. Diversity is much more valued."
Trying to maintain such diversity in culture, language and ways of thinking is one of the goals of Hall and the Native American studies department in which he teaches.
"I don't see our department as just a place where Native people go to learn about themselves," he said. "Non-Natives have a need and a responsibility to learn about the Indigenous cultures that were here before Europeans came. As a society, we really know next to nothing about Native culture, history, land claims and language.
Hall said that there are now about 50 students majoring in Native American studies, more than half non-Natives. Opportunities for graduates are excellent, with government and many companies looking for people with a knowledge of Aboriginal cultures.
Because it's one of the few such departments in Canada, the program gets a lot of media attention. Unfortunately, Hall added, it wasn't enough to convince the university to establish a Blackfoot library and archives.
"A knowledge of Native culture should go beyond this department," Hall said. "Knowledge of the Indigenous people who lived here for many thousands of years before us should be a responsibility and requirement of everyone in the community. Blackfoot language and culture is an immense resource. It's an issue that goes beyond education.
"One of the problems in our society, especially in our education system, is we tend to think of Aboriginal culture as history, not as a living culture," Hall said. "I think you'd have to say that our schools reflect society's view that Aboriginal culture belongs to the past - that it has no relevance in the present or future.
"We don't view Indian country as a living society," he continued. "In a way, it's a kind of ethnocentrism. It's racism, and we see the results in our prisons, in abuse programs, institutions and unemployment lines. The costs of these ethnocentric attitudes are enormous, for Aboriginal peoples and society as a whole."
Hall said that these are assumptions we should be challenging through education, but our school systems also treat Indian cultures as history.
"The modern Hutterite culture in Alberta is much better known, and it's not even Indigenous to this continent," he added. "Almost all of the information in our standard textbooks deals with the history of Native people, not how they live today."
While critical of our society's treatment of Native cultures, Hall said that Canada was definitely on the right track during the constitutional discussions of the late 1980s and early '90s. A graduate of the University of Toronto, with a doctorate in Canadian history, he was involved in the constitutional conferences that led to Meech Lake.
"The first four years of meetings were historic," Hall said. "We were trying to re-invent Canada, beginning with the Indigenous people and focusing on the principle that Aboriginal self-government was an inherent right. Unfortunately, the fifth meeting was a betrayal of everything that went before it.
"If the issues that were discussed in the constitutional meetings had been resolved following the Charlottetown consensus, Canada would have contributed something vital to the world, instead of just being a satellite of the United States," he continued. "As Ovide Mercredi said recently, you can't build a decent country if its principles are founded on genocide.
"Our society tends to think of civilization only in Greco-Roman or Judeo-Christian terms," Hall said. "The Indigenous people of the Americas had thriving civilizations before the Europeans obliterated them. There were beautiful cities, good governments, a well-developed agricultural economy and a rich, diverse horticulture - squash, corn, sweet potatoes, tomatoes."
Hall feels that the dominant non-Native society is uncomfortable with the idea of cultural diversity, and would prefer a North American mono-culture, with all people acting and thinking the same way.
"In a way, it's like saying it's useless to act in any other way than my way," he said. "It's an aggression denial of any other heritage and, as such, it legitimizes genocide."
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