Published July 5, 1999 Treaty 8 Commemoration The re-enactment of the signing of Treaty 8 took on a realistic feeling as the actors who protrayed the original signatories are direct descendants. The re-enactment play took place on the final day of the Treaty 8 commemoration and seemed fitting. Photo Credit: Terry Lusty Cree Nations plans to run and gather for cultural unity by Yvonne Irene Gladue Native art and artifacts to tour by Marie Burke Stan Daniels Centre first Aboriginal Awareness Day a success by Terry Lusty Métis dance society opens new studio in Edmonton by Marie Burke Youth conference participants in Calgary hear wake-up call by Brad Crowfoot Talk to the Feather: An exercise in trust by Marie Burke Terrying About - History making all over again by Terry Lusty Here is a full list of additional stories featured in the July, 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. Boxing showdown in Edmonton will lead to Slave Lake card Métis super woman leaves legacy and memories Travelling diabetes program popular in rural Alberta New contract could provide more jobs at Peigan Crafts Treaty 8 Commemoration Photos Aboriginal health grads are positive role models Grads from three high schools Deaf school continues good work started in the 1950s Cree Nations plans to run and gather for cultural unity By Yvonne Irene Gladue Sweetgrass Writer EDMONTON Excitement filled the air as this year's organizers gathered to plan the Cree Nation Confederacy's fourth annual Cree Nation Gathering. The meeting, held at the Canadian Native Friendship Centre on June 9, was attended by a group of elders, organizers and guests of the confederacy. The gathering is scheduled for July 26 to 29 and will take place at the Muskwachees Cultural and Powwow Grounds at the Erminskin reserve in Hobbema. The Cree Nation Confederacy is an organization that is committed to the support of the people of the Cree Nation who want to preserve and promote the Crees' distinct identity. The Crees are one of the largest tribes in Canada. The tribe extends from Hudson Bay in eastern Canada to the base of the Rocky Mountains. The Cree people are divided into four basic groups: the Plains Cree, the Woodland Cree, the Swampy Cree, and the Moose Cree. The Plains Cree live mostly in central Alberta, while the Woodland Cree live in northern Alberta. The Swampy Cree are from northern Manitoba and the Moose Cree are found in the Hudson Bay area. The confederacy wants to focus on preserving the culture, the language, traditions, customs and traditional lands. The gathering is organized with the intent to preserve the Cree customs for the benefit of future generations. "As Cree people, we've lost a lot over the years. We basically want to bring back what we lost," said Alex Ahenakew, chairman of the Cree Nation Confederacy. "Some of the issues we want to look at is how to get along and get know your extended family. In the past everyone knew who they were related to. Somehow we've lost that connection. The other one is how to be kind to everyone and how to get along with each other. And finally child rearing, how to raise the children. Basically we want to bring these back. The loss of these values is probably what is affecting our youth," said Ahenakew. The event's organizers invite everyone to take part in the gathering, to share ideas and to strengthen the Cree culture. The four-day event will include traditional activities such as sweatlodge ceremonies, feasts, a round dance, hand games, addiction workshops, plus Cree language presentations, and activities for the youth. "We do not want the youth left out, so we are going to bring in high profile, positive, inspirational spokespeople to set up workshops that will encourage and bring positive ideas to the youth," said Rhonda Lapatac, public relations coordinator of the Cree gathering. Last year's gathering was held in Saddle Lake. "To determine what reserve will host the next gathering, each year the Elders go through a meeting process," said Lapatac. "The Elder's knowledge in customs and traditions will lead the discussions during the gathering," she said. For the last two years the gathering has included a run. This year, Run for Unity '99, will begin in Grand Rapids, Manitoba and go on to Saddle Lake, Alberta. The run will then finish at the Ermineskin Cree Nation in Hobbema. The run will be a distance of more than 1,000 km. During the run a traditional sweatlodge ceremony will be held in each province. "I find this run is an opportunity for the youth to go out and meet other youth and to give them a sense of belonging to their culture," said Winston Lapatak, one of the co-ordinators for the run. "So far we have about 75 youth running," he said. "All First Nations people are invited to join in the celebration and run," said Lapatak. "Fundraising for the gathering and the run is still ongoing," he said. Native art and artifacts to tour By Yvonne Irene Gladue Sweetgrass Writer CALGARY The work of Saskatchewan Metis Artist, Bob Boyer can be seen along with the Powerful Images exhibit . Photo courtsey: Glenbow Museum Decorated cradleboards, an eagle feather bonnet, southwestern pottery and numerous other artifacts will be showcased during a unique presentation at Calgary's Glenbow Museum. Powerful Images, an exhibit of Aboriginal art work, will run from July 3 to Sept. 26. The presentation will feature the traditional and contemporary works of regional and internationally-recognized artists. Materials such as paintings, sculptures and children's toys that date back hundreds of years will also be featured. "There will be Aboriginal interpreters at the museum during the display," said Gerry Conaty, senior curator of ethnology at the Glenbow Museum. "Local storytellers and speakers will be on hand," he said. All of the presentations are a collaborative project of Museums West, a consortium of 10 museums located in western North America. The 10 museums are dedicated to the history, art and cultures of the West. They exhibit both non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal western displays and each of these museums hold permanent collections of historically and aesthetically important art and artifacts. They showcase a wide variety of western-related educational exhibits and public programs. The Powerful Images exhibit will be travelling to eight of the 10 contributing museums. The exhibit will visit the Glenbow; the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming; the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in Indianapolis, Indiana; the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma; the Heard Museum of Phoenix, Arizona; the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; the National Museum of Wildlife Art of Jackson, Wyoming; and the Autry Museum of Western Heritage in Los Angeles, California. The Powerful Images exhibit has already been on display at three of the seven museums. Calgary's Glenbow Museum is the only museum in Canada that will be showcasing the artifacts. "We are the only Canadian museum of the Museums West consortia," said Nancy Cope, media relations specialist at the Glenbow Museum. "It is going to be an exciting exhibit. We will be having a whole bunch of activities during the exhibit," she said. A wide range of public programs will be offered during the run of the exhibition to give families the opportunity to enjoy the displays. Programs include the discovery cart, a rotating art-making activity for children, X-Ray Paintings with Norval Morrisseau, and Beautiful Beads, where students get to create their own accessories based on traditional designs. Workshops with the Broken Knife Drum Group from the Tsuu T'ina Nation in southern Alberta will teach traditional songs and drumming, games, traditional stick games and other activities will also be available. The museum's opening celebration will be held on July 3, with a performance by Tom Jackson. "Connections to Collections", is a four-part series that will also be showcased during the exhibition. The series will include a collection of work by Norval Morrisseau, an Ojibway artist who began to show his work in the early 1960s. He was the first artist to develop a modern pictograph style, often referred to as the Woodland Style of Native art, or legend painting. Another exhibit will be a contemporary First Nations art collection. It invites artists to explore the museum's rich collections and to create new works based on their explorations. Artist Bob Boyer, a Saskatchewan-based Métis who is a renowned artist, sculptor, teacher and curator, will also be featured. An exhibit titled Moccasins: Art and Sole, will also be on hand. This exhibition will feature the many decorative methods and motifs that were used by First Nations people. The men's, women's and children's moccasins showcased will come from communities across Alberta. The differences in design and decoration and the stories behind the moccasins will be highlighted. All four exhibitions will complement the theme of Powerful Images. "We are really excited to have this exhibit at Glenbow. It is a way for the people in Western Canada and tourists to learn about Native culture," said Cope. Stan Daniels Centre first Aboriginal Awareness Day a success By Terry Lusty Sweetgrass Writer EDMONTON It's been eleven long years since Native Counseling Services took over the Grierson Centre, but Edmonton's Stan Daniels Healing Centre now hosts an Aboriginal Awareness Day. More than 200 people turned up at the centre on June 23, to celebrate the first annual Awareness Day. A special feature of the evening was the recognition given to the late George Kehewin who, for many years, served as the centre Elder during its earlier days when it was called Grierson Centre. The gymnasium on the second level of Building 2 was named the George Kehewin Ceremonial Room. It will be used for social, and ceremonial purposes as well as a gym. An initiative largely conceived and effected by acting director Robert Davies and Henry Houle, those who were in attendance billed Awareness Day as a long overdue activity. Following an opening prayer by Elder Frank LaRose, were a few presentations including large, framed pictures of the late George Kehewin and the late political leader, Stan Daniels. The picture of Kehewin was presented by his surviving wife, Julia, while the picture of Daniels was offered as a gift by his wife, Christine Daniels. Some of the other gifts presented was a large stone carving of a bear that was given by Randy Sloan from Native Counseling Services, and a blanket containing a 4 directions design from the National Parole Board, that was presented by Robert Davies. The carving, said Davies, will serve as an altar piece in the ceremonial room. Vicky Whalen from NCS paid a special tribute to George Kehewin whom she said she first met in 1990. He helped many inmates go through their pain, said Whalen. "He was kind, soft, gentle . . . like a light bulb - glowing, shining," she said. He would offer encouragement and always said to never forget the basic teachings, such as praying to the Creator and burning sweetgrass, said. Whalen. She looked upon George as a psychologist, even though he didn't have a degree. The strength, goodness and impact left on the Native community by others, like the late Stan Daniels was aptly addressed by his wife of 33 years, Christine Daniels and their daughter, Joanne. His widow explained that the centre was initially named after her husband because he was the first to provide the much needed funding for it. More importantly, she stated, this dynamic individual opened a lot of doors that helped both Metis and Indian people since 1966 when he and Johnny Samson hitch-hiked to Ottawa with two pounds of stinking sausage to protest the high cost of meat in northern Alberta communities such as Fox Lake. Along with Harold Cardinal and the late Eugene Steinhauer, Daniels remembered how they worked together to accomplish the many things needed to start organizations. That made people aware of what was happening around them and how they could overcome barriers in such areas as poverty, unemployment and education, said Daniels. It's important for people to know this history because Native people have contributed a lot and aren't known for their contributions, she said. There is enough in this country for everyone's needs but not enough for everyone's greeds, said his daughter Joanne quoting one of Daniels favourite sayings. He was a real fighter who did whatever it took to help Native people and causes, she said. A man who cared, he started up all kinds of programs - student awards, dollars for Native Counseling Services, hot lunch programs for schools and more. Overall, the evening proved to be an education for a good number of people. It was an education though, as expressed by Christine, that needs a place in schools so Native and Canadian children can become aware of Native people's contributions to this country. Métis dance society opens new studio in Edmonton By Marie Burke Sweetgrass Writer EDMONTON The dream of the Métis Cultural dancers is a reality with the opening of their new dance studio where they will continue to build on years of dancing while keeping the Métis culture alive through teaching others. The dance studio walls feature the artwork of Morris Cardinal and lots of room to learn how to do the Duck Dance, Reel of Eight or the Red River Jig. Upstairs is the boardroom where the meetings of the Edmonton Métis Cultural Dance Society are held. The group of dedicated Métis dancers have been together for more than 10 years, but the society was only formed a year ago, said Georgina Donald, who is the president of the society. Four-year-old Elizabeth Potskin demonstrating one of her jigging steps. "We are a non-profit society and the centre is a dream finally come true for us," said Donald. The society fundraises through selling posters, Métis sashes and plans to market a video that will teach Métis dancing to anyone is in the works, said Donald. The dancers have traveled across Canada and to parts of the United States promoting the traditional dances and music of the Métis. Brent Potskin, who is 23 years-old, learned about the traditional Métis style of dancing from his family on both sides. Potskin will be teaching at the centre and he is one of the original members of the dance group that started out at the Friendship centre. "I've been jigging since I was in pampers and now both of my daughters jig," said Potskin. His two daughters, Elizabeth and Paige Potskin, who are four and three years-old respectively, have developed a keen interest in Métis dancing. The dances are about Métis traditions and the history behind the culture. The Métis sash comes from the French Canadians in Quebec who were called voyageurs. The roots of Métis dance steps have come from Celtic and Scottish cultures. Some of the steps are recognized by the Métis Elders and their origins and meanings are explained to the young dancers, said Potskin. "Our dancing as Métis people is distinct, that is what is taught to us from our Elders. We are going to tell a story about the Métis people through dance-something like River Dance. That will happen sometime next year," said Potskin. Potskin is looking forward to working with people at the new Métis dance centre. He maintains Métis dancing is not difficult to learn and beginners are basically walked through the steps. The Métis dancers from the centre will also be working with other groups from places throughout Canada and the United States. "Last year was our best year for dancing. We danced in Ottawa for Canada Day and up until then no one from around Ontario saw traditional Métis dancing the way we do it. We just blew them away," said Potskin. The Métis dancers have developed several dances that profile their stepping ability, The Orange Blossom Special, the Sash Dance, the Broom Dance and the Cotton-Eyed Joe. A personal goal of Potskin's is to teach the world about Métis culture and what better way to do it than through dance. Talk to the Feather: An exercise in trust By Marie Burke Sweetgrass Writer There are many who wander in this world searching for the rightful place and the truth of who we are as Aboriginal people. It is these people that are spoken to by the Chief and the psuedo warriors of the people when they point to the hundreds of lives destroyed by the hungry diseases that took lives and swallowed up families. Our families, even though they were sick and thrown off the path of their own people, are still our families and our link to survival here. The burden Native people carry is, by far, too heavy. They look like they have a light load, but they carry a load that is as heavy as the mountains that carry the knowledge of the ancestors. The wandering of the people is causing confusion and isolation that comes and stays for many of the Native people of this land. That is a result of transition - a transition from any old way of life. The Native people stuck in that transitional place will move, but only when the ones who are moving from the transitional place start to create a space in the future for them. Sometimes it might be easy to forget that they are looking at their own people from their place. There seems to be an understanding that there are some who are from different worlds, but we live in the same space. It seems sad and ironic that the only time we feel alive is when we have the chance to touch each other, even if it's only for a short time. Yet, trust in each other must be earned once again amongst Native people. We have almost stopped earning the respect of our Elders. Trust is like a feeling of someone finally touching the life force in a soul. The heart is awake. All the colors in the world seemed to come alive and sing their medicine songs. Then, as suddenly as that world can open up for Native people, the door closes when we remove our touch from each other. It can drop someone down into the depths of that disconnected world again like the force of a star rock falling from the sky. It may take a period of darkness to realize that some of our people have found a way to use the people who are stuck in transition, for their own needs. Some say it is a weakness, a doorway for those who choose to do so, use this transition to gain power. Some say it is the human's way of touching the desperate to remind them of the brilliant human life they might attain. The answer may lie somewhere in between. They must find a way into the future world.We are no longer the people who are set to carry the burdens of those destined to lead the nation. And to make the transition easier means building trust amongst ourselves once again. Youth conference participants in Calgary hear wake-up call By Brad Crowfoot Sweetgrass Writer CALGARY The Siksika First Nation hosted the National Youth Adolescence Conference '99 entitled Wake Up Call in Calgary on June 10 to 13. The conference, was host to more than 430 delegates, who came from as far away as British Columbia to Nova Scotia. William Sharphead Jr., one of the facilitators, traveled from his Navajo Reserve home in the United States to talk about how he dealt with his addiction to alcohol and drugs. The conference workshops covered serious issues that many young Native people face today: suicide, violence, emerging gangs, discrimination, education and jobs. Organizers want to bring out awareness and some resolutions to the issues raised during the workshops. The workshops involved youth participation where young people were able to speak about their own experiences. Troy Rupert, a Winnipeg ex-gang leader, gave the participants his thoughts and experience on gangs. Rupert talked about his teen years and how he was always in and out of an institution between the ages of 13 and 32. He considered himself as an opportunist criminal who always did robberies, usually break and entering, to support his drug habit. He warns the participants that the life of a gang member is not cool, but one of fighting the addiction of drugs and alcohol. He pointed to the high probability of prison time and to the worst case scenario of getting killed. "The City of Calgary needs to accept the fact that there are gangs and it's everyone's problem, not just the cops," said Rupert. The youth need to work with ex-gang members and leaders, he said. He suggested an alliance be formed much like the one in Winnipeg. Rupert is the executive director of the Winnipeg Native Alliance. Stand-up comedian Don Burnstick entertained workshop participants with his Indian humor. Burnstick has an upcoming appearance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and an audition for the cast of Saturday Night Live. Burnstick's show was followed by a DJ dance and social. Powwow hip-hop recording artists, War Party, from the Erminskin First Nation at Hobbema made an appearance on Saturday evening and the Star Light Comedy Hour by the Tsuu T'ina First Nation and Red Power 49er Round Dance topped the conference for everyone. The conference delegates were very pleased with the results of the workshops and discussions. A resolution to follow-up in six weeks in Calgary with Troy Rupert to develop a strategy to deal with issues was made. Most delegates strongly believe that there are outstanding issues pertaining to Native gangs, suicide, and violence that could not be discussed in the conference environment. "These issues, as well as discrimination, must be death with quickly so we do not have another summer of discontent," said conference chair Redmond Little Chief. "The next step is how to deal with the problem, then try to figure out how to help, and find out who's going to help." There's even plans for an annual conference and who knows, maybe even a World Conference year 2000," he said. Terrying About - History making all over again By Terry Lusty Tansi! If ya weren't there, ya missed being part of history. I'm speaking, of course, about the Treaty 8 Commemorative that transpired June 17-21 at Grouard and Sucker Creek Reserve. It was a wonderful occasion for many who took the opportunity to make their way to this, the last treaty that was signed in the 19th century and, believe you me, you'll have to wait another hundred years for such a festivity to happen again. Well, not quite. They'll likely have a big celebration to mark the 150th anniversary. A couple of competitions one might want to consider is the annual Peace Hills Art Contest, their 17th annual contest. The deadline for submissions is September 10. The other contest is for a logo for the Red Road Healing Society (780-471-3220) in Edmonton. Deadline for this competition closes on July 31. There have been a few more elections recently. Up at Ft. Chipewyan, there was a bit of an upset June 28 with young George Poitras getting in as the new chief. He garnered 151 votes to out-distance his nearest rival, Steve Courtoreille, with 135. Next closest was Alice Martin with 125 votes, followed by Margaret Whiteknife with 91. New council members are; Alec Courtoreille, Vitaline Jenner, Matthew Lepine, Roxanne (Simpson) Marcel, Charles W. Simpson and Theresa Tuccaro. All terms are for three years. Poitras said he felt "pretty confident" about the elections, especially since a lot of the band members had told him they supported him. One of his main priorities falls in the area of education and training. "A lot of our people, he explained, "don't have the skills" to compete for jobs. He'd like to see that picture change. Poitras, for those who don't know, used to live in Edmonton where he was the executive director for the Feather of Hope Society. July 26 to 29 are the dates for the 4th Annual Cree Nation Gathering at the Ermineskin Reserve at Hobbema. As well, they have their powwow on July 31-August 1. At a recent meeting on the Enoch Reserve, the Indigenous Sport Council of Alberta formed a special sub-committee that will look into the potential of establishing an annual provincial winter and/or summer games for the province's Aboriginal population. These might possibly serve as a replacement for the usual qualifiers to the North American Indigenous Games. The council welcomes ideas and suggestions from any of the Métis or Indian communities around the province. They also welcome nominations for their sports Hall of Fame. Canadian cruiserweight boxing champion Willard Lewis was named the Canadian Boxer of the Year by the Canadian Professional Boxing Federation. The unanimous decision saw Lewis, who lives at Hobbema, beat out such highly rated individuals as Olympic silver medalist David Defiagbon and Fitzroy Vanderpool. If you want to see young Lewis in action, he'll be the headliner on the August 14 fight card in Slave Lake at which he will be duly acknowledged for being named Canadian Boxer of the Year. Yet another congratulations goes to Tom Ghostkeeper and his wife Martha. The couple just celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary at Muir Lake Community hall and a fun time it was with relatives coming in from all over the province as well as from British Columbia. The happy couple renewed their marriage vows and folks danced up a storm. Tom is the former assistant to MLA Mike Cardinal and is now Senior Appeals Advisor/Tribunal Secretary for the Métis Settlements Appeal Tribunal.