From Aug. 30 to Sept. 2, St. Albert will be a hot spot, as host for Alberta Metis Heritage Days. The four-day-long event will include competitions in Red River jig, square dancing, old-time fiddling and a Metis voyageur strong-man contest. For the public to watch - or for the intrepid to participate - there will be pony chuckwagon races, chariot races, a slow-pitch tournament and storytelling. There are also plans afoot for a fashion show; details to be announced. For more information, call Reg at 944-9288. Craft and concession booths and refreshments will be available during the weekend. For information about them, call Laura at 451-0465.
Stephane Wuttunee paddled across Canada - from Edmonton to Quebec City in 1991 - in search of his roots. During his trip, the then-22-year-old Wuttunee contributed a series of bi-weekly articles to Windspeaker, telling readers about his successes and setbacks. His feat is now celebrated on a recent Ripley's Believe It or Not! scratch 'n win lottery ticket, but without much accuracy. For starters, the Western Canada Lottery Corporation people spelled Wuttunee's name wrong. And the ticket says that he did the trip "solo." Long-time Windspeaker readers may recall that he was joined for a large section of the trip by his brother Leslie. Oh, well. The tickets are, presumably, still capable of bringing in the big money.
Members of the Calgary Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee considered and approved the recommendations of its sub-committee on the Nose Hill historical site on June 12. The committee agreed that the site identified as the historical resource - the south end of Nose Hill - be municipally designated as a historical resource, and that the bylaws identifying the land use allowed in the area be consistent with the preservation of the spot. Nose Hill dominates much of north Calgary; much of the hill has been designated as park land, to be used in a variety of ways.
The launch of the first-ever national Aboriginal Export and Trade Directory was announced June 18 by federal Industry Minister John Manley. Produced by Aboriginal Business Canada, the directory is designed to promote Aboriginal export capabilities to potential customers around the world. It will be available in a traditional print copy, as well as on the internet. Tsuu T'ina Chief Roy Whitney, who is chairman of the National Aboriginal Economic Development Board, said: "More that 100 companies have agreed to be listed and we foresee considerable expansion of the directory. The fact that the directory is on the internet will, I am sure, get the word out and encourage businesses to count themselves in." Check it out at http://www.vli.ca/abc or at http://strategis.ic.gc.ca.
Alberta Vocational College, Edmonton, will celebrate the return of its students to school on Oct. 4 with a round dance. After 30 years as an active institution, which has a high percentage of Aboriginal students, AVC Edmonton is an active leader in Native liaison programs. The school's Native liaison office encourages and facilitates cultural events, like the round dance, and students view these events as a way to reaffirm their commitment and their ties to their Aboriginal community. Donations of food or raffle items would be appreciated by the students and Native liaison officer Donna Leask, who can be contacted at (403) 427-7827.
And Alberta may have a large supply of forever under the ground. The Alberta Geological Survey has released the results of a comprehensive study into the potential for diamond-bearing deposits in Alberta. It appears that this province is underlain by large areas of thick Precambrian crust, contains major faults and other tectonic features that may have provided conduits for the intrusion of diamond-bearing kimberlitic or lamproitic diatremes and, in simpler language, might have plenty of the world's most valuable gemstone. Considering the impact of the diamond finds in the Northwest Territories on Indigenous people there, this study may have considerable impact on Alberta's Native communities.
A national study, with a specific Alberta component, was released on June 19 by the Canadian Centre in Substance Abuse in Ottawa. It revealed the impact of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs on productivity, health care and law-enforcement costs statistically. Of a total bill for substance abuse in Canada of $18.45 billion, annually, Alberta's share was estimated at $1.6 billion. The majority of the costs derive from alcohol use ($749 million) and tobacco ($728 million). In addition, 3,092 deaths in Alberta were attributed to substance abuse in 1992, more than 21 per cent of the total mortality in the province. The impacts in Aboriginal communities is significantly higher than the provincial average.
More than 300 Alberta fire fighters, many of whom are Native people, as well as support staff, traveled to Ontario and Quebec in late June to fight forest fires burning there. To Ontario went 90 fire fighting and ground support personnel from Beaver Lake, O'Chiese and Sandy Lake. Quebec received seven 28-person crews: one each from Bonnyville, Calling Lake and High Prairie, and two each from Wabasca-Desmarais and the provincial forest fire centre. This is part of an ongoing mutual aid program, and Alberta has been, knock on wood, not very busy because of the wet spring the rest of us have been complaining about. Last year, crews from all over came here to help out our forest fire fighters.
Oki (Blackfoot for hi). Ho-leee, it's been a long time since we talked.
I feel like a genie in the bottle. After you rub, I come out, but I have
no wishes. For many of you who don't remember me, I used to be the "gossip
column" of Windspeaker newspaper. Now, I figure it's better to be in
the newspaper of my home province - not so many people to gossip about (joke).
I'll start by re-introducing myself to you. My name is Ethel Winnipeg. I
am a Chipped foot (joke). I say this because I'm half Chipewyan and half
Blackfoot. Or even a black chip (instead of "black sheep," it's
black chip in my family). Tee-hee.
My father is from Siksika down south and my mother is from Cold Lake up
north. I thought about where I should live and the only place I could think
of was Edmonton. Sort of smack dab in the middle of everywhere in Alberta.
I like Edmonton, because I meet some Natives who are like me, a Heinz-57
Indian.
As you probably know by now, many Natives have different bloodlines running
through them. When you look at the histories of families, somewhere in the
chronology you find either German, French, Scottish or other European descent
mixed in there. The non-Native bloodline in me is Scottish, French and even
a bit of Negro or African-American. There I go again - babbling.
I love to laugh and talk about anything. I love meeting people and going
places. I feel great when even one person has a good chuckle on my account,
or has difference of opinion, or even has a story for me. This is where
I ask you to write or call me sometime to tell me "what's up?"
I'll tell you a joke that a friend of mine told me back in the winter months.
It goes . . .
There was this zebra one day that wondered: "Am I black or white?"
Hmm . . . he thought for a long time.
He came across Moses and asked him: "Moses, am I black or white?"
Moses answered: "Gee, I can't tell you. Maybe, you should go and ask
God."
So the zebra went on his way. He figured that he should go see God because
He knew everything. So he did. He approached and asked: "God, am I
black or white?"
God told him: "Zebra, you are what you are."
With that answer, the zebra decided that he was what he was and that was
it. Soon after, he saw Moses and he asked: "What did God say?"
Zebra answered: "He told me, you are what you are."
Right away, Moses told him: "Then you're white, because if he said
'you is what you is,' you'd be black." Tee hee.
If you didn't like that one, then write and tell me a good one. BUT . .
. it has to be good and clean! Anyway, till next time.
Tansi! How are ya all?! By now, you should be getting hot feet what with
all that powwowin', and writer's cramp from votin' at the election polls.
Just a few First Nations elections that have transpired this year are those
at Ft. Chipewyan, Ft. McKay and Alexis. The Cree band at Chip returned incumbent
Archie Waquan, whose opposition came from Steve Courtoreille, Theresa Tuccaro
and Shirley Dunning. How's that for gender equality, eh?
At Ft. McKay, a former chief, Jim Boucher, won out over incumbent Melvin
Grandjamb, and earlier this spring, the Alexis First Nation installed Rod
Alexis. He replaces former chief Howard Mustus, who chose not to seek re-election.
By the way, Alexis Powwow rolls around July 12 to 14.
The Bigstone Band just had their first powwow, which went well. Saddle Lake
Powwow on June 28 to 30 attracted huge turnouts, including hundreds and
hundreds of teens and adolescents. The Saddle Lake princesses are: Senior
- Shauna Moses, Junior - Matasha Cardinal, and Tiny Tot - Vanessa Quinney-Prior.
The flooding over at the Driftpile Reserve in northwestern Alberta has left
many homeless, with ruined furniture, appliances and personal effects. If
you wanted a worthy project to contribute to, why not give Irma Willier
a call at the Driftpile Band office (403) 355 - 3868.
Two major events upcoming in Calgary are the July 5 to 14 world famous Calgary
Exhibition and Stampede, which has Aboriginal rodeo contestants, chuckwagon
drivers, an Indian village and powwow and, sometimes, entertainers and exhibitors.
The second event is the July 13 to 17 eighth-annual International Native
Arts Festival, which occurs in Calgary in Bankers Hall, at Penny Lane and
at the Glenbow Museum, as well as along the downtown portion of Stephen
Avenue Mall. It includes flat art, sculptures, carvings and photography.
The next North American Indigenous Games is only a year away. Is your community,
team or family member preparing for it?
The Indigenous Sport Council (Alberta) met June 25 in Red Deer and is well
on the road to bringing about a fall conference in that city, which will
feature special guests and former Olympic gold medal winners Billy Mills
and Alwyn Morris, and Jack Thorpe who, though not an Olympian himself, will
be there representing his late dad, Jim, who was not just an Olympian, but
was also voted The Greatest Football Player of the Half Century (1900-1950)
and The Greatest Athlete of the Half Century. The conference goes Oct. 17
to 20 at Red Deer's Black Knight Inn. They may also acquire former Olympic
skier Sharon Firth and even runner Angela Chalmers who, incidentally, was
forced to drop out of the games in Atlanta due to a recent injury.
The Metis Nation of Alberta has finally established August 9 to 11 for its
annual assembly at Medicine Hat. Why they are holding it there seems to
be a mystery to most people who are asked the question, but Ron Harrison
from the Metis administration in Edmonton says it was the decision of Zone
Three. In addition, the Metis Nation of Alberta is plugging away with preparations
for their involvement in the St. Albert Heritage Days celebrations on the
summer's last long weekend, Sept. 2 to 5.
WATERTON PARK - Despite bad weather and a bad bear, British Columbia golf
pro Larry Ramstead not only won the sixth-annual North American Golf Championship,
at Waterton Lakes National Park, but he also scored a course record. This
year's tournament, run June 20 to 23, attracted more than 125 participants
from all over Canada and the United States.
According to Lloyd Gauthier, who with Andy Fox organizes the event, the
relatively poor weather didn't keep anyone from enjoying themselves.
"We always have a good time in Waterton," Gauthier said. "Even
though the players come from all over, the event brings people close together.
The people here are very friendly and the service is excellent. The greens
may have been wet, but they were fast and immaculate."
Though Saturday remained damp and overcast all day, players rose to sunshine
on Sunday. Gauthier said several eagles seen flying over the course were
a symbol of the auspicious occasion, especially after he scored an eagle
himself on the last hole to finish sixth in the championship flight.
Located in the extreme southwest corner of Alberta, the Waterton golf course
- and the whole Waterton area - is subject to wind and typically changeable
mountain weather. In fact, snow delayed the start of the tournament Saturday
morning, necessitating a shotgun start in the afternoon.
"The weather wasn't a major factor. There was some excellent playing,"
Gauthier added. "I'd say it was our strongest field ever."
Larry Ramstead, winner of the two-day tournament, scored 138 overall, firing
a final round 62 Sunday to set a course record. Tied at 143 were second-place
winners Arnold Hawkins of San Francisco and Willie John of northern Alberta.
Delmar Jones of Arizona was alone in fourth with 146.
Ramstead's win wasn't his only excitement over the weekend. A bear maurading
through the Waterton townsite campground damaged the family's tent, causing
them to move into the Bayshore Inn, where most of the players were staying.
Fortunately, the family wasn't in the tent at the time and no one was injured.
An assistant pro at 108 Resort, near 100 Mile House, B.C., this was Ramstead's
third year in the tournament. But it definitely won't be his last.
"We all like coming here," Ramstead said. "The whole event
is well run and Andy and Lloyd do a great job organizing things. What I
like most is that there's no pressure here. Everyone's really laid back
and just comes to have a good time.
"I'd like to attend some of the other Native golf tournaments in Canada,"
he continued, "though I usually can't find the time for them. But I'll
probably always make time to come here."
After more than four-and-a-half years, the Northern River Basins Study final
report to the ministers was released last month. In the 287-page document
are dozens of recommendations which will affect the people who live in the
drainage basins of the Peace, Athabasca and Slave rivers. That includes
most of the Native people of northern Alberta.
The study presents a picture of the aquatic resources of northern Alberta
in the past, present, and likely futures. It was commissioned to examine
the relationship between industrial, municipal, agricultural and other development
and the river basins. The study contracted some 150 research projects under
eight categories, including contaminants, drinking water, nutrients, traditional
knowledge, hydrology and hydraulics, synthesis and modeling, food chain
and other river uses.
Significant input was received from the Aboriginal people of the region
in the category "traditional knowledge." The information from
of the people who actually live on or near the rivers was essential in getting
the historical data from which to draw conclusions.
"Traditional environmental knowledge refers to the body of experience
that is derived from years of living off the land," the report reads.
"In the study area, much of this information is found in Aboriginal
cultures, passed down from generation to generation in their oral traditions.
Because of their long-standing experience with the land, Native Elders in
particular possess an intuitive ability to distinguish subtle patterns,
cycles and changes within the ecosystem."
The sensitivity to the ecosystem is also based in no small part on the fact
that Aboriginal people living along the rivers are dependent upon them for
many, if not most, of the necessities of life.
Recognition of the knowledge in Aboriginal communities, especially vested
in the communities' Elders, is a major departure from the usual scientific
measurement of all things.
"The board recognized that this qualitative knowledge could be used
to complement and enhance the largely quantitative information provided
by contemporary biological and physical sciences." It should also be
observed that, without the traditional knowledge, there would be little
information available, measurable or not, about the northern rivers until
recent years.
From the traditional knowledge, the study gathered together patterns - in
the water, the wildlife and the traditional societies. The first and, in
many ways, foremost pattern was in the water.
"Residents have witnessed a number of changes in both the quality and
quantity of waters in the northern portion of the basins," the report
says.
Simply put, the water upon which the lives of the residents depends is not
as good as it once was. Water quality declined in terms of algae growth,
color changes, drought, low water, pollution and "thin water,"
which was noted north of Fort MacKay on the Athabasca. More than 40 per
cent of those who commented on the water quality said that the water was
polluted - either dirty, muddy or oily, or all three.
Wildlife has generally declined in the basins, and species that have a defined
population cycle have longer gaps in the cycles, according to residents.
This decline isn't limited only to fish and game, but also includes such
things as songbirds. The declines seem especially marked along the Peace
River near John D'Or Prairie, Garden Lake and Fox Lake.
"In 1791, Peter Fidler noted that flocks of geese on the Slave River
were so thick 'they appeared at a little distance as if the river was quite
choked up with floating driftwood,'" the report says. "This abundance
has not been observed in many years."
The patterns in traditional societies are considerably more complex, and
more difficult to measure.
"Elders commented that their children are losing interest, understanding
and respect for the traditional ways of their people," the study says.
The report's conclusion in this area is that there is a belief that development
is coming between Native people from their traditional lifestyle, "a
lifestyle that they believe still holds great value for present and future
generations."
Elders did not call for zero development, but asked that it be carefully
monitored and that consideration be given to the impact of development not
only measured in terms of profit, but in terms of a healthy society.
The report outlines the study board's recommendations to Sergio Marchi and
Ron Irwin, respectively the federal Environment and Indian Affairs ministers,
Alberta Environmental Protection Minister Ty Lund and Stephen Kakfwi, minister
of Renewable Resources for the Northwest Territories.
The 24 recommendations of the study include a few of special interest to
the Native communities along the rivers. For example, the impact of drinking
and using untreated water is serious in the smallest communities. The board
recommended that the governments increase efforts to see that water processed
meets health standards and that unsafe water (from dugouts, etc.) is carefully
treated.
A much larger recommendation contains the twin goals of reclaiming the Peace-Athabasca
Delta, which has suffered serious drought for the last 30 years, since the
construction of the W.A.C. Bennett Dam in B.C., and the integration of the
dam into planning for the maintenance and reclamation of the whole Peace
basin.
Further recommendations will encourage proper public participation over
the next five years and the development of "successor organizations"
to the Northern River Basins Study, to carry on their work. First Nations
and Metis groups also made a series of recommendations which were included
in the report, but they weren't included in the full recommendations of
the study.
The complete report is available from the Alberta Environmental Protection
Information Centre, 9920 - 108 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T5K 2M4, or by phone
at (403) 422-2079.
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