Published August 16, 1999 Lac St. Anne Aboriginal people came to Lac St. Anne to find healing on many different levels in the cool waters of the lake. Leonard with Veronica Wood in amoment of personal interaction is a scene that takes place for the thousands of the people who come to the annual pilgrimage. see story... Photo Credit: Brad Crowfoot Lac Ste. Anne pilgrimage draws 40,000 faithful by Terry Lusty Pipes for sale by Marie Burke Native Selects play well in invitational tournament by Terry Lusty New minister appointed for Indian Affairs by Paul Barnsley Education is a family affair by Yvonne Irene Gladue Talk to the Feather: A letter to remind us by Marie Burke Terrying About - Powwows and Rodeos by Terry Lusty Here is a full list of additional stories featured in the August, 1999 issue of Alberta Sweetgrass. If you are not receiving your own copy of Alberta Sweetgrass, then you have missed all this information. Click here for Alberta Sweetgrass subscription information. New law is working for children Shelter is a safe place for women Run for unity brings a nation together Funds received for health promotion project will bring CHRs online Chinook winds move dancers Tough year on Aboriginal cowboys at Calgary Stampede Indian cowboy sings a traditional story with passion Unique shelter for Elders opens March remembered Three firearms officers hired Lac Ste. Anne pilgrimage draws 40,000 faithful By Terry Lusty Sweetgrass Writer LAC STE. ANNE They come in search of a miracle or at least help of some sort. It is said Manitou Sakahikan (God's Lake), possesses rare healing qualities. That is the belief of many despite the fact no one has ever actually witnessed a miracle. The faithful arrived by the tens of thousands, an estimated 40,000 this year, to the Lac Ste. Anne Pilgrimage, which is approximately 70 km west of Edmonton. Some arrived on foot, some by car or truck and others made the sacred pilgrimage in fancy RVs. Whatever their mode of transportation, it was with one objective in mind, to arrive at the lake where they would pray, sing, and appreciate the company of others. One of the pilgrimage organizers, Father Fred Groleau, said he could not provide any one answer as to why so many are attracted to the huge event. He claimed there are a variety of reasons which differ from one person to the next. For most of the people that come to Lac Ste. Anne, they come to find comfort for what is ailing them. There are those who make the journey who are physically impaired by severe arthritis, cancer, HIV/AIDS, lupus, impaired hearing or eyesight. There are the mentally handicapped. All have one thing in common, they seek relief. Many of the visitors traveled to the lake from all parts of western Canada, some from the northern States and west coast regions, with a few from the east and northern territories. There were Cree, Blackfoot, Stoney, Chipewyan, Dogrib, Dene, Slavey, Métis, and a smattering of Assiniboine, Iroquois and Ojibway, as well as many non Natives too. Different groups of people took their turn playing host for religious services under the large arbor: Enoch, Hobbema, Little Red River and Tall Cree, St. Paul Diocese, and more. In the lake, there were always children playing in the water, adults and youth collecting water that was later blessed by one of the clergy before being taken back home. While some made their way around the stations of the cross, one could always find a hundred or more people congregating in front of the food and souvenir booths, sipping hot coffee or pop, eating an ice cream, chatting with friends and relatives. Still others made the rounds of the camp grounds to visit friends and relatives, or they could be seen strolling from one sales booth to another in search of religious objects, clothing, used items such as cooking pots and utensils, or children's toys. On the lighter side, the majority of visitors departed with a seemingly spiritual calm and contentment. They had done what they came to do-bath in the lake waters, collected some of it to take home and return to their homes safely with renewed spirits. Many of these people will return next year and many who have never attended, will join their ranks. Thus, will the cycle continue. Pipes for sale By Marie Burke Sweetgrass Writer EDMONTON Traditional pipes sitting in a display case in a pawnshop raises the concern that nothing is sacred anymore for one Aboriginal Edmonton resident. "When I saw those pipes in the pawnshop it made me feel sad and hurt. I've been thinking about that for days now and I wonder if there is a way for us [Aboriginal people] to stop this from happening," said Alfred Bonaise. Bonaise is talking about his recent stop at a Westaskiwin pawn shop called Discount Pawn. Bonaise was shocked the store was selling pipes and he has noticed that more and more pipes and other items, like drums that are considered sacred, are being sold to pawnshops. "I've noticed it's getting worse in the last few years and I think we are starting to abuse these sacred items because of money. I am concerned about the young people and how they will consider these things being sold. This is not just a rock and a tree-it is a spirit in there," said Bonaise. Bonaise is the elderly Cree man who often is seen as the emcee at round dances. He takes part in many of the ceremonies that a pipe is used in a very sacred manner and is left wondering why pipes are being sold in stores. He is also very concerned that the meaning of ceremony and spirituality will be lost for future generations and that a very important connection to Aboriginal culture is being lost. "A lot of the old people know what these things are for and it is through our sacred ceremonies that we are suppose to pass the knowledge of the pipe along to those people who are suppose to have it," said Bonaise. While he could not go into details of how a sacred pipe is to be used in ceremony with Sweetgrass Newspaper, Bonaise described the responsibility of someone who holds a pipe. "It's like carrying a big mountain, to carry a pipe. That's the responsibility of someone who carries the burdens of our people and to pray for us," he said. Bonaise feels it is very important for Aboriginal people to remember the sacredness of some of the items that are used for ceremonies that connect Aboriginal people to the source of their identity - their spirituality. He wants to see people not only discussing the proper handling of a sacred pipe, but to finding a way to stop these items from being sold. "The next step is to ask the Elders how we can stop this from happening. It might take some time, but people need to have some kind of message to remind them. It's healthy to be aware of these things and to try teach those who don't understand the right way," said Bonaise. Bonaise is hoping to get a message out there for people to come up with a way to deal with the selling of Native ceremonial items and that will keep Native culture alive and well. For Discount Pawnshop owner, Perry Bartoshwk, selling ceremonial pipes at his store is handled in a way that respects the values behind it. "Any of the pipes on display here are new and, in fact, 98 per cent of the pipes that we take in here are never used. The odd time a person will come in with one that is used and they are not put out on display," said Bartoshwk. The owner of Discount Pawn will explain to anyone who wants to ask why he feels it is all right to sell pipes in his store, he said. He tells Sweetgrass that after 20 years of working in a pawn shop in a community with a lot of Native people, that he has come to understand the significance of the pipe and other ceremonial items he sells. "I became very good friends with some Native people who explained things to me about the pipe and it's meaning. I understand and I am pretty conscientious about it. I don't sell the pipes that are used. If someone comes in and tells me he needs some money and why, then I will hold it for him in a special place in the back. I kept one pipe for two years and the guy was grateful when he came back to get it. Those ones never get sold," he said. Bartoshwk believes he is helping people who get caught short of money by providing the service he does in his business. The pipes he does sell are new and hand carved. Usually the artist who makes them brings them in to sell to Bartoshwk, who in turn sells them to anyone who comes in his store. What people do with them is their business, he said. Most of the pipes for sale are priced from anywhere in between $100 to $300, depending on the quality of craftsmanship of the pipe and stem. He said after seeing so many of the pipes, that he has come to recognize good craftsmanship and worth. Bartoshwk agrees with some of the Elders who come into his store concerned that selling pipes may take away from the meaning behind them, but he feels that he does not disrespect them. "Once I explain to them what I believe and how I treat them, usually they can understand. I've had a couple of Elders say 'you shouldn't have these things on display, but it's not only the Native culture that is doing these things that are wrong, it is in most cultures....you can't stop that from happening," said Bartoshwk. Some of the pipes on display at Discount Pawn are not for sale. They are there to give the artists who make them exposure. Bartoshwk not only sells pipes but also Native art work and hand drums, but there is one thing he won't sell and that is someone's powwow outfit. That is too personal, he said. Native Selects play well in invitational tournament By Terry Lusty Sweetgrass Writer EDMONTON They are only nine and 10 year olds but members of the Western Canadian Native Selects hockey team demonstrated maturity and composure beyond their years despite five consecutive games to visiting hockey teams that were in the city to participate in the Brick Super Novice Invitational Hockey Tournament at the Ice Palace in West Edmonton Mall. The losses, however, were far closer than they appeared to be on the surface as the four-day tournament drew to its conclusion on, Aug. 8. In all, the 12 teams from major North American cities that took part included: Vancouver, Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Detroit, Boston, Los Angeles, Minnesota, Seattle. Selects head coach, Taylor Harnett, was not totally dismayed with his players' performances. "The efforts that our players put in to each game was phenomenal; the skills really showed," he stated. The upshot, he added, was that, "we just got tough breaks." In their opener, the Selects lost 3-1 to Seattle, and were then blanked 7-0 by Winnipeg who went all the way to the finals, outshot the eventual winning team, Toronto, 25-15 and were very impressive. In fact, Winnipeg blew out Seattle 8-1. The Selects, which have now been in existence for four years, also succumbed to Calgary and Detroit. Harnett admits to some short comings on the part of the team, especially in terms of defence, zone coverage, puck passing and offence (shots on goal), but praises the kids for their strengths. "We're fast, we got hard shots and we work hard," said Harnett. Assistant coach, Gary Cardinal, is proud that the kids get along so well even though some come from different communities and cultural backgrounds. He is additionally proud that they are to make a European tour in the year 2,000. Both Cardinal and Harnett concur that the geographic distances and economic circumstances of the Selects pose something of a problem. Even in the area of scouting, Harnett says there are possibly "a lot of better Native players" out there that they are not aware of. Development of players and the team as a unit is, of course, a major concern to Beatrice Funk, the team manager and off-ice trainer. Providing the opportunity and promotion of Aboriginal heritage are two key elements to Funk who echoes the fact that there are a lot of Native kids with talent and ability, but who lack the support systems, particularly financial. She'd like to see that increase with more people getting involved and more financial input. At present, only Peace Hills Trust is financially contributing to the cause. The team players are chosen when the Selects conduct their tryouts, says Funk. This year, she explained, no team member has been with them more than a year. The one exception is her son, Damian. He turned nine in February, plays centre and is the team captain. Young Damian is one of those very few in the sport who is already gaining a degree of attention. He's been featured in the magazine Saturday Night and was a personal guest of Walter Gretzky when he was in the city for a charitable fund raiser. Pride, too, is a big thing explained Funk, who said that they go out of their way "to instill Native values and traditions . . . right from their jerseys to playing Native music during their warm-ups and presenting dreamcatchers to their opponents." The Selects began formal preparations for the tournament in early May with Edmonton as their base. Funk credits the many parents for their superb commitment in getting players to practices and games. It is never an easy task she states, given the distances for some, the lack of finances and the fact some are single parents. If ever someone wished to assist a worthwhile Aboriginal cause, she pleads, contributions to the Selects would go a long ways to the development of the players and the team as a whole. She and her husband Ron, who serves as a team scout, are looking to also develop higher age levels, especially in Edmonton. All-Native teams are a good prospect and a good investment in kids they say. That's why they are giving the concept very serious consideration. In the interim, the Western Canadian Native Selects will continue to set a fine example that can do nothing but good as an encouragement and inducement to future and aspiring Native hockey players. Much of this, thanks to the existence of the Selects. New minister appointed for Indian Affairs By Paul Barnsley Sweetgrass Writer OTTAWA Just days after Jane Stewart told the Assembly of First Nations Vancouver convention that she was still personally committed to the idea of an independent specific claims tribunal, the former minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development was granted what Ottawa insiders say was her expressed wish to move up in the federal cabinet pecking order. Robert Nault is Stewart's replacement. In the Aug. 3 cabinet shuffle, the 11-year political veteran was appointed minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, his first cabinet posting. Stewart moves on to become minister of Human Resources Development Canada. The Liberal Party's website biography of Nault says he was first elected to represent the federal riding of Kenora-Rainy River in Ontario in 1988. Prior to entering the House of Commons, Nault studied at the University of Alberta and the University of Winnipeg, specializing in recreational administration and political science. He went to work for CP Rail in 1980 as a trainman. In 1986 he was elected chairman of Local 431 of the United Transportation Union, and he also served as the union's vice general chairman of CP Lines West. During this time, Nault became involved in politics, heading the Kenora District Liberal Association from 1984 to 1986, and serving on the Kenora town council from 1985 to 1988. Nault has held numerous portfolios since his election to the House of Commons. While in Opposition he served as chairman of the northern Ontario Liberal caucus, Opposition critic for Labor, associate critic for Aboriginal Affairs, and associate critic for Energy, Mines and Resources. After the 1993 election, Nault was elected chairman of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Natural Resources, and was named chairman of the government task force on CN commercialization. In September 1995, he was named parliamentary secretary to the minister of Labor. In Feburary 1996, Nault was named parliamentary secretary to the minister of Human Resources Development. He currently serves on the Standing Committee on Health. Nault resides in Ontario. He and his wife Lana have two children, Samantha and Daniel. His constituency office is in Dryden, Ont. Since his appointment came so close to our publication deadline, attempts by Sweetgrass to contact the new minister for an interview were unsuccessful. Talk to the Feather: A letter to remind us By Marie Burke Sweetgrass Writer Tansi, My 18-year-old daughter, Wannitta Leeanne Wolfe, was murdered violently by a senseless tragedy. She was a very beautiful young Native woman who had a lot to live for. I ask this letter be printed as a reminder that senseless violence must be stopped and that it starts with Native people healing each other. All my relations, Kevin Clifford Henry As the editor of an Aboriginal community newspaper that focuses on some of the more positive community news and events for our people, I really had to think about printing the above letter. I understand there is enough senseless violence in this world against Native women and Native people and that not too many of us would need a reminder of how we must work together to end such senseless tragedies. However - there it is, 'the big however' - each person who reads this letter may have his or her own interpretation of what it means. It is a message that the writer wanted to share and sometimes it takes a painful message to make us hear. Thank you for the stories I have had the honor to tell in this newspaper. I am leaving the position of editor of Sweetgrass to further my education and I hate saying good-bye . . . so epsimago-ka wapamitinasemena . . . . Dreams are what keep us going in this world. The kind of dreams that you get from the source that keeps you alive. Our people have always kept their visions sacred and close to their hearts for themselves, for their families and for their people. The excursion I am taking in this life is not about needing to get there, but more like what I will use during the trip. The journey is the dream and the dream is the journey. The road we travel on is not to the place of dreams, because that is unreachable and untouchable. It is an intangible thing; something like the kind, teasing love of an Elder who understands the journey. Every step we take in our journey is part of the intricate map of dreams that every one of us continues to explore and define. But dreams are nothing without the courage needed to act upon them and to fulfill your journey. And courage comes from the heart that has travelled far to reach out and from the mind that has travelled far to reach the heart. It is only when we stop believing in our dreams and in our visions that they will seem to vanish like a vapor of heat that rises off a road on a hot summer day. There will be tests and obstacles and it might seem like pushing rope uphill sometimes. Those kinds of tests make a person strong and durable and you learn a few rope tricks as a bonus. I once asked a writer what scares him the most about his craft. He said it's the thought of putting his work out there-baring his soul and letting his *** hang out to dry for the world to see. He added that in some of his dreams he is naked. Analyze that, why don't you. Education is a family affair By Yvonne Irene Gladue Sweetgrass Writer EDMONTON Among the University of Alberta's graduating class of more than 5,000 students, two graduates share a life long bond. Laura Morin, 46, and son Guy, 30, both donned caps and gowns to graduate together in June. The Morins, both of Enoch First Nation, were proud of each other's accomplishments. Laura, the mother of three children and a grandmother, decided four years ago to go back to school. "It took a long time for me to actually go back to school to get my degree. While the kids were growing up, I put my career on hold. I always wanted to finish school and further my education, so at the age of 42, I finally decided to go back," she said. Before attending university she worked as a corrections officer and a child welfare worker. Getting her degree wasn't without difficulty. "During the four years I attended the university I went through some hardships. My mother has congenital heart disease, so that was hard on me," said Laura. "I was happy that my husband and daughter were supportive as I attended school," she said. Although mother and son attended the same university at the same time they both graduated from separate programs. Laura graduated with a bachelors degree in sociology and political science, and Guy graduated with a bachelors degree in education. "I was always encouraging Guy to go back to school, so I was happy when we both started to attend the university at the same time," said Laura. Laura plans to use her degree to work in the criminal justice system or in social services. Guy is presently working as a full-time Native student counselor and teacher at the St. Joseph High School in Edmonton. "It was an extraordinary feeling to go to school with my mother," said Guy. "It strengthened our bond with each other. While at the university we helped each other out," he said. He claimed that attending university has taught him discipline. "It is a lot of work when you go back to school. An awakening," said Guy. "Just when you think you know it all, you find out you do not know everything. You are always learning," he said. Terrying About - Powwows and Rodeos By Terry Lusty Tansi! Hope you are all having a wonderful summer. One of my own summer highlights was getting to meet one of country music's "living legends" in the person of Loretta Lynne, also known as the "coal miner's daughter." The lady, of Aboriginal ancestry, was a featured performer at this year's Big Valley Jamboree in Camrose. There, I ran into quite a few of our Native brothers and sisters who were also on hand to see several of the big names in country music. And, I was fortunate enough to obtain an autograph by Lynne on the back of my media pass. Did that make my day, or what. Another Aboriginal entertainer was Terry Ree of Williams and Ree fame. They're those hilarious comedians from the Dakotas who have opened for numerous big name artists. They had the crowd in stitches. What a pair! Frog Lake is soon to host it's 6th Annual Powwow. Coordinator Irma Whitstone reports that it's a competition powwow that goes August 27 to 29 and includes a $10,000+ hand game competition as well as a drum contest. Our Métis chuckwagon buddy from Paddle Prairie, Glen Ridsdale, was at it again, cutting his circle eight around the barrels and burning up the track like there's no tomorrow. He did quite well at both the Calgary Stampede and Edmonton Klondike Days Chuckwagon Derby in which he wound up fifth best (of 36 wagons) in the aggregate standings. Last year, he managed to make the final heat and placed second in the Dash for Cash. He also raced for nine consecutive days, penalty free, at the '98 Calgary Stampede which is something else! The Indigenous Sport Council of Alberta has set Oct. 30 for a fall conference and recognition of Team Alberta athletes who had qualified for the 1999 North American Indigenous Games, but could not participate in the event after it was cancelled. The council encourages team members to contact their local sports reps, or Ted or Barb at the council's office at Enoch if they don't know about the tribute. Muskwa, a.k.a. Fr. Paul, is a gentleman who gets around quite a lot in northern Alberta communities. In a recent phone conversation with him, he informed Sweetgrass paper that they're going to have a prayer weekend, Aug. 14 to 15 at an old gathering spot where Treaty 8 was signed at Little Red River. On the following weekend, Aug,. 21 to 22, a Healing Workshop is planned over at Jean D'Or Prairie. A week later, Aug. 27 to 29, the same community will conduct an Elders and Youth Gathering. Warren Crowchild at Calgary says his summer Prospect Camp for young hockey players involved 28 youngsters. The July 29 to 31 event, now in its fourth year, produced several Aboriginal players who will move on to the Western Hockey League at Red Deer, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Kelowna, Tri-city, and Swift Current. Through the Calgary-based Pro-Rep Group, he says they now represent over 100 hockey clients, including the likes of Sandy McCarthy, Reg Pilon, Jason Smith, Jeff Odgers, etc. Some areas they deal with are: life skills, education, discipline, keeping straight, dealing with bias, and adapting themselves because of stereotyping. When it comes to people, others automatically think "alcohol" when it involves a Native person, says Crowchild. Bryan Johns, coordinator of the Kayas Cultural College at Fox Lake says it took six years but they finally got provincial certification which means they can now proceed with programs this fall in adult basic education and university entrance program.