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Climate change
effects felt
By Cheryl Petten
Sweetgrass Staff Writer
THE HAGUE,
The Netherlands
The effects of global warming are no longer just fodder for
theoretical debate among scientists - they are already affecting
people around the world.
This is the message delivered at the Sixth Session of the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference
of the Parties (COP-6), held in The Hague Nov. 13 to 24. UNFCCC
participants were trying to reach an agreement on implementation
of the Kyoto Protocol of 1997, which established targets for
reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Evidence of the dramatic effect climate change is having in Canada's
Arctic was presented in the form of a video produced by the Winnipeg-based
International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). Sila
Alangotok: Inuit Observations on Climate Change chronicles the
experiences of the people of Sachs Harbour on Banks Island in
the northwest Arctic, who are being directly affected by warming
temperatures. Permafrost is melting, ice is thinning, the autumn
freeze-up comes later and the spring thaw arrives earlier. Thunder
and lightning storms are occurring for the first time.
Hunting is becoming difficult, with venturing out on the thinning
ice in search of seals and polar bears growing treacherous, and
melting permafrost hindering travel on land.
New species of birds, fish, mammals and insects are moving into
the area, while behaviour, growth and numbers of those traditionally
in the area are being affected. The foundations of many buildings
are shifting because of melting permafrost, and land is slumping
along the coast and lake shores.
Jennifer Castleden, a project officer with IISD, was in The Hague
for COP-6. She said the video project got started about a year-and-a-half
ago, when Rosemarie Kuptana, an IISD board member and resident
of Sachs Harbour, brought the dramatic climate changes to their
attention. A decision was made to initiate the project as "a
very good way to communicate to southern audiences and to audiences
around the world that climate change is a reality," Castleden
explained.
Castleden said Nov. 16 there were a lot of requests from COP-6
delegates for copies of the video to take back home to show to
their ministries, which is something the IISD hoped would happen.
"We were hoping to get the video in front of decision-makers
and policy makers who are dealing with it, so that they know
that the issue is real, and it's happening now."
Despite initial optimism among delegates, the COP-6 talks were
suspended without an agreement being reached. A seventh round
of talks have been scheduled for Morocco next fall to continue
negotiations.
"I think there was a lot of disappointment on everyone's
part," Castleden said during a second interview following
suspension of talks.
With any international agreement on implementing the Kyoto Protocol
likely at least a year away, the IISD will continue to use Sila
Alangotok to get the message out about the effect climate change
is having in Canada's far North.
"We're definitely looking into the next year, and strategizing
how we're going to continue making sure the video has a lot of
visibility," Castleden said. The IISD is trying to make
arrangements to have the full-length video broadcast. So far,
only the 14-minute version has been aired (on APTN Dec. 14).
It is on-line at: http://www.iisd.org.casl/projects/inuitobs.htm.
Red Power Squad
releases long awaited album
By Chris Tyrone Ross
Sweetgrass Writer
EDMONTON
This past October, the Red Power Squad released their highly
anticipated debut album, Total Kaos. For those unfamiliar, the
Red Power Squad (RPS)is an independent Native rap group from
Edmonton that has performed at many youth conferences across
Canada and has opened for many star rappers.
Conway K, the group leader, recruited another rapper, Redd-E,
along with some powwow and break dancers-James, Jordan, Vincent,
and Leo-to the Red Power Squad in the mid-1990s. Since then,
they have promoted the release of Total Kaos at every performance,
and now fans can finally pick up their new CD after waiting more
than three years.
Total Kaos is an 18-track album, with productions from Dumage
and RPS that tend to give the same concept on each song-partying.
People will enjoy their first listen because of the RPS anthem
which starts the album with a catchy hook: "If we have the
flows that you like, say oh yeah, the Red Power Squad is in the
house tonight, say hell yeah!"
People familiar with RPS will know the hit song, Confidence,
which has Conway K rapping another catchy hook: "Coming
in style, we versatile, you got what, you got what!"
Most of the songs on Total Kaos speak for themselves, such as
Ride (Like I Do) and Rock Da Mic and R2R (Ready 2 Rumble), which
are all party favorites.
However, not all the tracks on Total Kaos are meant to rock the
party. The RPS also deals with Native social issues on some tracks
like Be Aware and Hidden Truth and Look to the Sky.
One song that stands out is Be Aware, which warns Native youth
about the dangers of society with an interesting story about
a young couple who meet at a powwow: "He makes up some lies
so you can sympathize/ why you're so naive why can't you realize/
that all he wants with you/ is for u to give it up/ he didn't
wear a condom/ but that's aright with you/ the sex was irresponsible/
but both of you knew." The message: be responsible.
The track Hidden Truth talks about "the crooked politicians
and not enough Indians" on First Nations communities. It
also talks about how politics can hurt a community, and how Native
people should unite to become a stronger nation. Sadly, people
may not take them seriously because rarely is there an adult
who listens to hip hop. Native youth, however, will enjoy this
album for its party songs and Native pride theme songs that give
a good representation for self identity.
The production is next to average, and since it's an independent
album, it's expected to have a sound that is not engineered to
perfection. However, each song is a good song, especially the
ones that push the envelope, like Keepin it Raw where they warn
the haters to back off with lyrics like: "If you want war/
you better bring it raw/ cause I'm much more hard core/ drop
you to the floor." The highlight of the album is the booty-shaking
song. Shake That A$$, which gives a good beat, a great hook,
and great lyrics, and is sure to be a hit single. This is one
particularly for the clubs, which is a much needed track for
Total Kaos.
Total Kaos is RPS' first offering, and the group will only get
better as it gets more experienced. Some people may criticize
RPS for not keeping it "positive," but much change
is needed in the Native music industry, and someone needs to
push the envelope to take Native music to the next level. The
Red Power Squad is proudly leading the way for up-and-coming
Native hip hop artists.
You can listen to Total Kaos at their website: http://zipline.to/octavo/cd/rps/
Eighteen
receive prestigious role model award
By Terry Lusty
Sweetgrass Writer
EDMONTON
"If you are a role model, you are also a servant of your
family, of your community, of our people," said Senator
Thelma Chalifoux.
Chalifoux was in Edmonton as the keynote speaker at the fifth
Aboriginal Role Models of Alberta Awards that honored 18 individuals
for their contributions and achievements.
A 1998 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award herself, Chalifoux
informed the audience that her role models were, in many cases,
ordinary people. Some, she explained, were people like her Aunt
Millie, who taught her all about herbal medicines, and her granny
Kipling, who encouraged her to always be kind, patient and caring
with the elderly.
Role models, she added, are people "who make a difference,"
people who make others' lives "a little better."
The awards, originated in 1995 by Irene Morin from the Enoch
First Nation near Edmonton, were presented at a formal banquet
Dec. 1 at West Edmonton Mall's Fantasyland Hotel.
As each recipient came forward, he or she was presented with
a beautifully framed dreamcatcher, along with an accompanying
eagle feather and an inscribed bronze plate acknowledging the
individual's contributions.
The affair lasted well past midnight. The Lifetime Achievement
Award was given to Herb Belcourt, founder, president and CEO
of Canative Housing Corporation.
Belcourt was largely recognized for the part he's played in providing
housing for urban Aboriginals and for financially assisting Aboriginal
university students and programs.
Additional categories and people recognized were the following:
Justice - provincial court judge Tony Mandamin from Calgary,
and Brad Enge, director of the Indigenous Law Program at the
University of Alberta.
Business - Curtis Ermineskin, owner of the Bow 'N Arrow Convenience
Store and Gas Bar at Hobbema.
Media - comedian, entertainer and wellness promoter Don Burnstick
from the Alexander reserve.
Art - Alex Janvier, an internationally acclaimed flat artist
from Cold Lake First Nation.
Politics - Enoch First Nation Chief Ron Morin, and Randy Parenteau,
president of the Metis Settlements General Council in Edmonton.
Humanitarian - Edmonton's Georgina Donald, president of the Edmonton
Métis Cultural Dance Society.
Health - Ken Ward, international speaker and workshop presenter
on AIDS/HIV, from the Enoch reserve.
Public Service - RCMP Corporal Cam Alexis from the Alexis First
Nation, and Jim White, a Métis with the Edmonton Police
Service.
Volunteer - Ralph Bouvette of Edmonton, for his work with United
Way and the Canadian Native Friendship Centre.
Community Development - Heart Lake First Nation Chief Morris
Monias, and Canadian Native Friendship Centre president, Martha
Campiou.
Education - Joyce Goodstriker from Cardston, the Kainai Board
of Education superintendent.
Sports Under 30 - Shane Peacock, from Enoch First Nation. He
played for the WHL, NHL and Team Canada, and now lives and works
in Europe.
Sports Over 30 - Dean Louis of Hobbema is a hockey player, steer
wrestler and now an administrator with Peace Hills Trust.
Standing ovations during the lengthy presentations went to Ken
Ward, Alex Janvier and Herb Belcourt.
Travelling
art exhibit aims to break new ground
By Bev Rudolfsen
Sweetgrass Writer
EDMONTON
Jane Ash Poitras feels pride when she reflects on the modest
collection of Native work that helped signal the arrival of the
Aboriginal experience into Canada's contemporary art world.
Though the world-renowned Cree artist has travelled an impressive
career path over the past two decades, a piece of her heart will
always remain with the Alberta Collection of Aboriginal Art.
The little collection, which got its start with landmark artists
like Poitras in the early 1980s, led the way for these same gifted
people to continue on with their work.
"It was an enzyme for them to continue on," Poitras
said. "It was the first time Native artists came together
and were actually getting recognized. For Native artists to be
able to have an audience was very important."
Far from the romanticized versions of Native life that popular
art has always embraced, the vibrant, sometimes bruising collection
was done by Native artists, giving a new truth to society's image
of them.
"The non-Native person is always romanticizing (Natives),
but there's nothing romantic about it. It's a harsh reality about
the plight of our people," said Poitras. "It's an issue,
it has to be addressed."
Pulsing with anger, sadness, humor and pride, the 25-piece display
of paintings and sketches is making the rounds in Alberta over
the next year.
Created by members of the now defunct Alberta Indian Arts and
Crafts Society, the art had to be sold to pay off the society's
debts in 1992.
Concerned about keeping the pieces together as a collection,
the artists approached the federal Department of Indian and Northern
Affairs to buy the artwork.
It was a good investment in giving Aboriginal art a legitimate
voice, said Barry Ace, a spokesperson for Indian Affairs. "Indian
art history has never really been written in this country. The
contribution and recognition of Indian artists has not been written
about. That's why it's important to keep these works together,"
Ace added.
Permanently housed in Ottawa, the Alberta collection's first
stop in the province was at Edmonton's Harcourt House Gallery
in November 2000.
When the gallery was offered the chance to display the collection,
it quickly accepted and made plans to have the exhibit travel
around the rest of the province, said co-ordinator Christal Pshyk.
Its strength makes the exhibit powerful, she said.
"I was really pleased when I got the work. I don't see a
lot of contemporary Aboriginal artwork."
From Dec. 8 to Jan. 8, the exhibit was at Rudolph Hennig School
in Fort Saskatchewan.
Fourteen artists are represented in the show, with pieces ranging
from Poitras' raw, color-soaked graffitti, to the provocative
stylings of Alex Janvier, whose work, Cultural Orphan Annies,
has Aboriginal girls lined up as clones under the stern eye of
a nun.
Perhaps most unforgettable is the gently heartbreaking imagery
of Vancouver artist George Littlechild, whose painting Indian
Princess shows the gradual disintegration and death of a Native
woman falling victim to alcohol.
The pain in each stroke of the brush and turn of the pencil still
exists for Canada's Aboriginal community, even though the collection
is almost 20 years old, said Poitras.
"People are still worried about the residential school system.
They're going to court and want to be reimbursed for atrocities
in residential schools. People are still fighting for hunting
and fishing rights. We still have way too many people in jails."
Though painful to look at, there is an important message in the
exhibit for Native people, said Poitras.
"The message is prevention. Stay with your culture, have
pride in who you are."
Watch for new
business awards
By Terry Lusty
Tansi!
Happy New Year everyone!
Hittin' pay dirt
The Tsuu T'ina First Nation, on the outskirts of cowtown Calgary,
have all sorts of reasons to be whooping it up.
The latest from there is that the reserve has struck oil.
They hit the vein up west, in the vicinity of Bragg Creek in
late November and one small line is already producing about 350
barrels a day. Could be they'll become the latest oil-rich nation.
As was their usual, the band held a Christmas feast and evening
powwow at the Seven Chiefs Sports Arena on Dec. 29.
New Maskwachees on hold
A recent update on Hobbema's Maskwachees Cultural College's new
facility has John Crier investigating additional possibilities
of fundraising.
Now in it's 26th year of operation, the college is long overdue
for new digs. At present, they offer university-level courses
in early childhood development and social work.
Powwow packs 'em in
It was a packed house at this year's Montana First Nation Chief
and Council Powwow at Hobbema.
The powwow drew hundreds of visitors and dancers to the Dec.
29 and 30 event. With Frances Greene serving as the emcee and
the Blackstone Singers making a feature appearance, Northern
Cree filled the role of host drum.
Ice fishing derby
One of two major winter activities slated for February is the
Kikino Metis Settlement's annual fishing derby.
So, grab onto your hats and vests, pull out the rod and reel
and head on down for the Feb. 19 derby, which features all-day
competition for a number of gift certificates.
Skidoo rally
The other major activity is the Wabasca-Desmarais Lions Club's
third annual poker rally rodeo and dance on Feb. 17 and 18.
Day one action is a competition for a 2001 Polaris Indy Super-Sports
snowmobile. Second and third prizes are $600 and $400. The rest
of the evening listen and dance to the local band, Last Call.
Day two will bring gymkhana games and a rodeo which is, of course,
open to all.
Contacts are Silas Yellowknee (891-0461) and Elaine Leeuw (891-3778).
New awards announced
For the first time, the Alberta Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring
two new business awards for First Nation companies and projects.
The finalists for the Aboriginal Relations Best Practice Award
are Alberta Pacific Forest Industries out of Boyle, Flint Energy
Services Ltd. from Sherwood Park and Syncrude Canada Ltd. from
Ft. McMurray.
The second category, reserved for First Nation entries only in
the category First Nation Owned Businesses, has short-listed
Peace Hills Trust Co. from Edmonton, Pimee Well Servicing from
Bonnyville and RKM Logging Ltd. from High Level.
The awards will be presented at a formal banquet at Edmonton's
Shaw Conference Centre on Feb. 27 beginning at 6 p.m.
Handgames playoff
Playoffs for the Siksika Handgame League go on Feb. 3 at the
community centre. There are 11 teams in competition with a lot
of of skill and pride at stake. So get out there you people who
don't care for bingo but love to gamble.
Deadline looms
People wishing to get into the picture for the next round of
the Urban Multi-Purpose Aboriginal Youth Centre programs are
reminded that the application deadline is the last day of this
month.
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Published
January 15, 2001
