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Published June 11, 1998 Stand and deliver RCMP Cst. Bryan Mucha was on hand at the O'Chiese First Nation Treaty Day on May 8. Once band membership numbers were confirmed, representatives from Indian Affairs gave Mucha a $5 bill to hand deliver to each band member. Photo Credit: Rob McKinley Wind power could provide more than economic benefits by Shari Narine Family resource centre has funding problems by Paul Melting Tallow Distinguished women honored by Marie Burke Abbie Awards presented Photos by Kim Zervogel On the streets, help can sometimes be just out of reach by Rob McKinley Events take place throughout week by Paul Melting Tallow Terrying About - There's a busy summer coming by Terry Lusty Here is a full list of additional stories featured in the June, 1998 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. Not-so-shabby Abbies Push is on for re-creation of Blackfoot Confederacy Native firefighters are in hot demand throughout the province New rehabilitation pilot project gets funding to fly Conference on women's violence wants hitting to end Tribute to a Métis man Group chalks up 30 years of activism Quadripalegic's art comes from the heart Treaty signing acknowledged Still searching for peace Only three rounds needed National Aboriginal Day is getting longer Wind power could provide more than economic benefits by Shari Narine Sweetgrass Writer PEIGAN NATION There could soon be more windmills dotting the skyline in southern Alberta thanks to a joint venture between the Peigan Nation and a First Nation in Ontario. The Peigan Nation, located west of Lethbridge, has become the latest group to embrace green energy by agreeing to a partnership with Advanced Thermodynamics, a company from the Batchewana Band, in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., in a wind power manufacturing deal. The plan could see the Peigan Nation building and erecting more than 100 wind power turbines. The community could then rely on wind power instead of conventional power sources on the reserve. Wind propelled turbines could translate into money savings for the cash-strapped reserve. The plan that's been in the works since December 1996 and wind energy project coordinator William Big Bull is hopeful that the results for the Peigan Nation will be measured in more than economic benefits. He hopes it will lead to more Aboriginal business ventures in the future. "For First Nations, they have to start looking within their own jurisdiction for their power base instead of looking at government for solutions," said the former band councillor. "We can't maintain the type of lifestyle we have today, because it doesn't do anything for our future." This joint venture, called Weather Dancer Wind Power, will manufacture, erect and maintain Nordex turbines. Weather Dancer will also handle distribution of the turbines in the western market. Already, the company has sold four turbines. Two have been purchased by the Peigan Nation, while the other two have "tentatively" been spoken for by an outside interest. Big Bull would not reveal the name of the second purchaser. In total, the Peigan Nation is working toward erecting 101 turbines, each producing a single megawatt of power. Big Bull sees the partnership as a step toward better sufficiency of Native people. "We're dealing with another First Nation, which is important here," he said. "The more we support each other as First Nations, the more realistic our interests are." The band council will be putting a referendum to the Peigan people within the next couple of months asking for their input as to where the turbines should be located. The preferred location at this point, said Big Bull, is 1,400 acres of land in the northeast corner of the Peigan reserve, about 12 miles from the town site. "It's community pasture land, right now used for horses and cattle," said Big Bull. "There's no individual land interest, that's why we chose community property." If the members give the go ahead, the first turbine could go up by August, followed by three others by the end of October. Initially, this will operate as a test site. Negotiations, which "look favorable", said Big Bull, are presently taking place with TransAlta, which has a major substation and major transmission lines on the reserve. "At the end of the day, we'll become a (power) generator as well as TransAlta," said Big Bull. There are presently 35 power generators in Alberta, he explained, with the Peigan Nation hoping to becoming the 36th. All generators sells into a power pool. Big Bull isn't saying that the reserve can do without their current power source. He said TransAlta isn't being squeezed out of the picture by the windmills. "Wind power doesn't work every day. When wind power is down, TransAlta kicks in, so we have to partner up with TransAlta." There is still a lot of preliminary site work that must be carried out, as well as regulatory approvals to be received and environmental and historical impact assessments to be completed. Financing must also be put in place. Discussion for funding is ongoing with banks and private investors, as well as federal government sources. "It's a long term project, no doubt," said Big Bull. In time, Big Bull said the small manufacturing plant on the reserve will make way for a 3,600 sq. m factory, employing an estimated 30 full-time staff. With the Peigan Nation's unemployment rate modestly estimated at 55 per cent and nearly 90 per cent of its 3,000 members on social assistance, Big Bull is confident that Weather Dancer Wind Power can provide some of the answers his people are searching for. "We're trying to curb that economic leakage and use our direct interest to turn that money around, to turn it back into Peigan." With the newly signed Kyoto Accord pushing developed nations to use green energy and with more assistance available for First Nations taking the environmental path, Big Bull is hopeful that Weather Dancer Wind Power has found its time. "We've developed this project from the ground up so we have ownership of this project," he said. "We want to become a real player in the market." By the time all 101 turbines are erected, the estimate cost of the project could reach between $160 and $200 million. Family resource centre has funding problems By Paul Melting Tallow Sweetgrass Writer CALGARY The province is investigating a Calgary Aboriginal assistance group's claims that their funding has been unjustly cut. Since Jan. of this year, the Society for Calgary Aboriginal Community Services has been operating the Aboriginal Family Resource Center out of the Calgary Indian Friendship Center. The centre was designed by the society to assist Aboriginal people in dealing with the different agencies in Calgary. It gave them direction and information about agencies in the city where they could find varying assistance programs. The programs at the centre were geared at helping people deal with life in a large city. The program was also being used to strengthen family units. Mike Heron, the society's president, said the assistance programs wre helping the individual and the family. He said the helping hand offered was making the city's growing Aboriginal population stronger. An estimated 1,300 walk-in clients have used the resource center for referral service since it opened its doors in January. To develop the center, the society received funding from the Commissioner of Services for Children and Families. The funding was to be evaluated at the end of a three-month period. The funding enabled the society to secure office space at the Friendship Center, office equipment, staff and begin developing programs. The continuation of that funding, which was to be reviewed at the end of March was granted, said Heron. However, now, news had been received that the funding won't be coming. Problems with the newly formed Calgary Rocky View Child and Family Services Authority may have put the program's future in jeopardy. Bill Meade is the chief executive officer of the authority. Earlier this year, Meade was with the Office of the Commissioner of Services for Children and Families. It was in that capacity the Heron said Meade confirmed the funding would be continued for another three months. Then, according to Heron, Meade reneged on the extension when he became acting CEO for the Calgary Rocky View Child and Family Services Authority. Adding insult to injury, Heron alleges that the program will continue, but it won't be done by the Society for Calgary Aboriginal Community Services. Another group has been invited to take over the project, said Heron. He said his society's performance hasn't even been evaluated by the funding partners. Huron said something isn't right. "On Mar. 27, we got a letter from Bill Meade indicating that the contract is completed on Mar. 31 and that it was his intention to give this contract to another organization that was incorporated on Mar. 10 of this year," Heron said. Meade confirmed that another group is ready to take over the program, but disagreed with Heron about a contract extension. He said there has been a misunderstanding. "That's [Heron's] opinion but certainly not my opinion," Meade said. "My understanding is they are no longer involved with the operations. [Heron} wrote me a letter saying that they didn't want to do it anymore." . Heron, however, said he has correspondence to Meade indicating their acceptance of the 90-day extension dated Mar. 4. He said the centre was ready to go ahead with their latest initiative, which is a detailed evaluation sheet of each client. The information gathered on the client is based on the principle of the Medicine Wheel and modern philosophies. The data is stored into a computer, enabling referral agencies to contact the centre for copies of the information. The system was to save time and effort as a client travelled to one agency after another. "What we wanted to develop here at the resource center, was a one-stop shopping deal where we would do the holistic assessment," said Pat Cardinal, the creator of the assessment program. The future of that program is now in question. The society has faxed letters of concern to Premier Ralph Klein and Klein has forwarded the matter for investigation to Dr. Lyle Oberg, Minister of Family and Social Services, and Pearl Calahasen, Minister Without Portfolio under Family and Social Services. Whatever the outcome will be, Heron said that the society and the resource center remain committed to the Calgary Aboriginal community and that they will seek alternative funding. Distinguished women honored By Marie Burke Sweetgrass Writer EDMONTON Jane Woodward, MP Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Premier Ralph Klein, Colleen Klein and Muriel Stanley-Venne stand behind this year's Esquao Award recipients. The third annual Esquao Awards banquet was held on May 16. The special event, hosted by the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women, pays tribute to women who have, and continue to, make a difference in Aboriginal life. Three of this year's recipients have been involved with the Voice of Alberta Native Women's Society, an Aboriginal women's awareness association, which had its start over 20 years ago. Esquao recipient Christine Daniels from Saddle Lake First Nations was a founding member of the Voice of Alberta Native Women's Society (VANWS) in 1967. Daniels was a integral part of the society and provided the groundwork for the leadership courses for Aboriginal women. Daniels has received Mayor Cavanaugh's Health & Welfare Award and the distinguished Premiers Excellence Award for her work which has inspired many community members. Alice Steinhauer from Saddle Lake First Nation was the first president of the VANWS in 1967. Steinhauer earned her Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Alberta at age 48. She has contributed to her community through her teachings about Aboriginal culture and history. Steinhauer is a determined and dedicated preserver of Aboriginal women's history and teaches part-time at the Blue Quills School. Rose Yellowfeet from the Blood reserve near Standoff was the first Vice-President of the VANWS. Yellowfeet is a strong advocate of healthy lifestyles. She has committed much of her time to the betterment of community through her work programs and services in the community. Yellowfeet assists other seniors in maintaining a healthy lifestyle by teaching proper exercise and nutrition. She is a positive role model to all. Victoria Macdonald from Fort McKay received her award as a respected Elder in the community. She has lived a traditional lifestyle and passes her knowledge along to others. Macdonald saw the construction of the Syncrude plant next to her community and became involved in the many community meetings where her voice is still heard. Macdonald is sought out by the young and old, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, for her knowledge and wisdom. Elsie Quintal from Lac La Biche is considered one of the best traditional teachers in that community by her students. She has been teaching traditional ways such as hide tanning for 20 years. Quintal is currently teaching at Alberta Vocational College in Lac La Biche. She is described by her students as a strong woman with a quiet sense of determination. Not-so-shabby Abbies Photos by Kim Zervogel Sweetgrass Writer EDMONTON   Jimmy Herman had his hands full accepting best actor awards for absent North of 60 stars Dakota House and Tom Jackson.                 CBC producer Renae morisseau and North of 60's Micheal Horse were all smiles at the post-awards mixer.       On the streets, help can sometimes be just out of reach By Rob McKinley Sweetgrass Writer EDMONTON It's about 6 p.m. on a downtown street in Edmonton. On one side of the road is the swanky Westin Hotel. The other side features Rice Howard Way, with trendy nightspots, restaurants and outdoor patios. People walk on the sidewalks, stand outside the hotel or sip beers on a patio while watching a young Native woman stagger into the light traffic on the normally busy roadway. No one moves to assist her until Bob Churchill, an office worker with the Salvation Army just happens by on his way to the bank. Churchill steers the woman from the road and sits her down on the sidewalk. Bob Churchill tries to talk to the young Native woman he pulled from the lanes of a busy downtown street. Churchill's friend looks on. He wants to get her off the streets. She is obviously intoxicated and could hurt herself or others. Churchill makes a call to 9-1-1. His idea is that police or some other emergency unit could take the young woman to the safety of a shelter. Churchill said he doesn't have any transportation and a downtown homeless shelter doesn't have a vehicle for a pick-up service. He waits. Now, as Churchill stands over the young woman, making sure she doesn't move away, people begin to stop. Churchill said he can see it in their eyes. They think he's up to something. "There was even one who said, 'I'm keeping an eye on you,'" Churchill said, amazed because just moments before, no one seemed to bat an eye toward the Nativewoman in the middle of the road. "It's a weird world sometimes," said Churchill. He waited with the woman for more than two hours for help to arrive. He called 9-1-1 again and was told he would have to wait. "I couldn't spend three hours there with this lady," he said. "I couldn't try to restrain her for three hours." In the end, Churchill took the woman away from the street and reluctantly left her in a sheltered space between two buildings away from any main roads. Churchill called Alberta Sweetgrass the following day to vent his frustration with the system. "I can just see this lady slipping through the cracks," he said. Churchill's frustration isn't solely because he waited for emergency assistance for so long, he is also frustrated about the lack of funds and resources available to organizations like the one he works for and shelters who are there to help people in need. He was there to help this woman, but the connection to further assistance, although within reach, just couldn't be made. Lorette Garrick, the executive director at Edmonton's George Spady Centre - a shelter for people in need of assistance - said the city police often bring people to their facility, but added that they can't reach everyone. "There are more and more people out there, it seems," she said. The centre, which offers 24 hour a day shelter, coffee, sometimes food, shower facilities and a detox centre for the city's less fortunate, is the only place in Edmonton that will accept intoxicated people for the night. The women's shelters will not admit anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol. "We are the most common place that people come to," Garrick said. The centre operates on a shoe string budget. Garrick would love to see a special transportation unit available to pick up people or assist the police in bringing people in, but "we don't have that kind of service, we don't have that kind of money and we don't have that kind of manpower." She said the reality is, that it's a pretty tough world out there, and there are a lot of barriers for people. The system does break down and it is because of that break-down that some people end up on the streets. The staff at the centre do the best for people while they can. "Our number one mandate is to keep people alive, and if we can help them make some changes, then that's great too," she said. City police spokesman Sgt.. Rick Boulanger said the department is sensitive to the needs of the people on the streets. People have to realize, however, that police manpower can also be stretched pretty thin. That can result in calls coming into the department and being placed on a priority list. He said the priority of the call is based on the information given by the person making the call. "It is your information which is going to assist us in our priorization of this call," he said. Without referring directly to Churchill's phone call, Boulanger said if a person is intoxicated and putting themselves or others at risk, then the priority is moved up. If the person is out of harm's way, the priority is reduced. Boulanger said the calls for similar assistance come in on a daily basis, and officers often pick up people and take them to a shelter. "We will take them to the Spady Centre if they are intoxicated and passive," he said. If there are higher priority calls, however, the officers must address them first. "We only have so many resources available to us at a certain time," he said. Boulanger cautioned the public about doing more than making a phone call to the police if a similar situation was to occur. "You've got to be very careful because you just don't know what people in that condition will do," he said. A "good Samaritan" could easily be injured trying to help someone, he said. Even offering a ride to a person who seems to be in trouble can be dangerous. "They may have medical concerns," said Boulanger. "That person you invite into your car might be an active TB carrier who is now hacking and coughing in the confines of your car." Despite instances where it may take some time for police assistance, Boulanger said it is best for people to be helpful, but not to intervene physically. "Some people want to be helpful and they are good Samaritans, but the best advice for anyone who encounters this, is to call the police" The Salvation Army, youth hostels, women's shelters and the Spady Centre can better serve the community if the community is supportive. Donations are always welcome. Events take place throughout week By Paul Melting Tallow Sweetgrass Writer CALGARY The Calgary Aboriginal Awareness Society will be celebrating 10 years of hosting Native Awareness Week from June 15 to 21 with art exhibits, plays and other events at various venues throughout the city. The society began its first awareness week with the hopes of bridging cultural and social gaps between the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities in Calgary and the program manager feels the society has been successful. "Our mandate is promoting goodwill between native and non-Native communities and fostering co-operation and I think we've been very successful in achieving that," Carole Carpenter, program manager, said. Carpenter said Awareness Week began as a joint venture between a few interested individuals, the Calgary Friendship Center and the Chamber of Commerce. "It started out as Native Awareness Days and then it seemed to grow and became more successful," Carpenter said. "The interest was there so they developed the Native Awareness Week Society then the name changed in 1991 to the Calgary Aboriginal Awareness Society." The society, Carpenter said, keeps the both communities informed and aware of educational, cultural and business undertakings in the Aboriginal community. "We're established, people know who we are and what we do," she said "People will call us for other information besides our Native Awareness Week." Carpenter said that despite the efforts of the society there will still be people who won't want to learn or will be afraid to learn about the Aboriginal community. "If they come out to some of these events and see what really good things are happening in the Aboriginal community that will eliminate a lot of the stereotypes." A blessing by an Elder, an official opening by Mayor Al Duerr and a Grand entry will kick-off the week at the Olympic Plaza on June 15. Among some of the events that will take place during the week will be a debut theatre production by the Native theatre group, 4 Roadz Artists, a group was formed by two young men from the Blood Reserve, Troy Emery Twigg and Karl Melting Tallow. The play, entitled Lewis and Hugh, depicting the struggles of two young men who have just moved off the reserve into the city will be presented at the Pumphouse Theatre from June 12 to 20. Terrying About - There's a busy summer coming By Terry Lusty Tansi! Whoo-ee boy! It has sure been one busy time lately. I've just been gettin' "conferenced out." There's all kinds of things happening. On the flip side though, it has all been good, upbeat stuff. You know, that positive stuff. In the deep south, Brocket is praying that the rains stop and the river waters recede as the good people there are in danger of flooding, especially since the Old Man Dam gates were opened up. The Peigan are presently constructing a new health centre that is scheduled for completion this fall. At Heads-Smashed-in Buffalo Jump, Louisa Crowshoe reports she is busy coordinating the July 17 to19 Buffalo Days Powwow and Tipi Village. Last year was the first time they put up "tipis for rent" at $40 a night. It proved fairly successful, so they are going to have them again this summer. Travis Meguinis, president of the Tsuu T'ina Nation Golf Club (238-8682) is walking around pretty proud these days. The reserve officially cut the ribbon for their nine hole course with Chief Roy Whitney in attendance. Meguinis figures they will probably start construction of "the back nine" sometime in the near future. The reserve has it's annual powwow, slow pitch, rodeo and golf tourney slated for July 24 to26 at Bragg Creek. The golf tourney gets over 200 entries and they'll have two new trucks up for grabs to anyone who gets a hole-in-one. Glen Carriere and KO Boxing hosted a fight card May 2 in Red Deer. Red Thunder Rock, also known as Willard Lewis, defeated Nathaniel "Notorious Tex" Miles from Tacoma, Washington, in a four rounder. Another Aboriginal fighter, Sherman Merasty from Saskatoon, did a number on Hurricane Hydar El Ghelabi who was KO'd at 2:49 of round three. Ever heard of Red Power? Red Power Squad is a 12-member group working from Edmonton that puts on a high-energy program of powwow, rapping, break dancing and workshops that promote living a drug and alcohol-free lifestyle. Their basic message says leader Conway Kootenay is, "we can follow our dreams without drugs and alcohol." Interested parties can contact him at 420-1555. The Slave Lake Friendship Centre executive director, Lynne Bird, reports they had 16 people in their firefighting Initial Attack 2 course that lasted 19 days. . The centre is also ready for the 5 to12-year-olds who wish to be part of their summer Fun in the Sun program that starts the first day of July. The community-minded organization has summer youth on staff mowing lawns and performing other helpful services for Native seniors through the Seniors Assistance Program. The centre is also busy fundraising and planning for a program of dancing, storytelling, craft sales, tipis, bannock, tea and soup for June 21 National Aboriginal Awareness Day. Sounds like a good time! Way up north, Dixie Kohut at Peace River's Sagitawa Friendship Centre says they had a great crowd of about 800 turn up for a May 13 concert by Tom Jackson and Michelle Thrush that focused on suicide awareness. The centre's Heritage Village this summer will be at the Lions Park. The centre is also holding an Animal Crackers Program aimed at 3 to 5-year-olds. It's sort of a afternoon drop-in for kids. They have programs for 6 to 11 year-olds as well. June 12 is their annual general meeting with all board positions up for election. On June 20, they host National Aboriginal Day and they plan to have traditional Indian dancing with the Hawk Valley performers on hand.