Published November 14, 1999   Tsuu T'ina Chief Roy Whitney and new Provincial Court udge Tony Mandamin took part in an Oct. 15 ceremony that opened a new court on Tsuu T'ina territory. The court will use traditional Aboriginal justice methods to deal with offenders. Photo Credit: Paul Melting Tallow New court employs Aboriginal traditions by Paul Melting Tallow Study points to need for seat belt education by Joan Black Boyle Street Thanksgiving dinner serves 800 by Yvonne Irene Gladue Community bids farewell to a Peigan Elder by Paul Barnsley Aboriginal education programs living on the edge by Shari Narine People and Places: This is for the youth by Ethel Winnipeg Terrying About - Business good on the rez by Terry Lusty Here is a full list of additional stories featured in the November, 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. Youth conference draws nearly 2,000 delegates Elders say young people should take control AIDS Awareness Week brings people together Take a different path Three babies a big surprise Success comes in small steps, says foster mom Travel with Red Man Caravan Media Club and Showcase '99 featured Laura Langstaff Inner city ball team hosts ball tourney Bands take resource development into 21st century Aboriginal officers recognized for exemplary work New court employs Aboriginal traditions By Paul Melting Tallow Sweetgrass Writer TSUU T'INA FIRST NATION Justice took a new path when First Nation traditionalists, an Aboriginal judge and the provincial court joined in partnership to open a new court on the Tsuu T'ina Nation on Oct. 15. Harley Crowchild and Rodney Big Crow were inducted as peacekeepers in a ceremony to open a Tsuu T'ina provincial court. Appointed to the provincial court was L.S. "Tony" Mandamin, an Ojibway from Ontario. "For centuries [First Nations] had a way of dealing with problem kids or people," Crowchild said. "The Elders used to put the people in the middle of circle and talk to them and lecture them." He said the new peacekeepers and court will employ similar traditional methods of involving the community and the Elders to resolve disputes and find appropriate sentences for offenders. "There's quite a few people in Alberta that are using that concept now," Crowchild said. He said non-Aboriginal communities are using traditional First Nation methods of administering justice as well. Crowchild hopes incorporating First Nation tradition into the court system will inspire the revival of other aspects of Tsuu T'ina culture within the community. However, Crowchild realizes it will involve re-educating people about their culture and language, which is in danger of dying. He hopes the younger generation will keep it alive. "They didn't go through the boarding school system where they have this thinking the Indian way is the evil way," Crowchild said. "Some of the people who went through boarding school have that concept." Chief Roy Whitney also believes that bringing Tsuu T'ina traditions into the court system will keep the culture alive. "From the world view of Native people it will give greater confidence in the system," he said. "I'm sure it will instill hope in our people." He believes the court will find different solutions to problems other than sending offenders to jail. "That [jail] isn't going to help anyone," Whitney said. Dave Hancock, Alberta's minister of Justice, said the court returns the responsibility for justice back to the community where it belongs. "Justice is more than just the courts. It's the community being involved in it," Hancock said. "This is a very good initiative to help achieve that." Hancock said the credit for establishing the partnership between the provincial court and Aboriginal traditions goes to the Tsuu T'ina Nation for taking the initiative and presenting a proposal to his predecessor. "There are different concepts of justice," Hancock said. "The traditional [provincial] court system provides an adjudicator role and the traditional First Nation process involves more of a community involvement and healing circle process." Hancock said the court joins the two systems in a very unique way. However, should there be any conflict between traditional First Nation and provincial views of justice, the provincial court will take precedence. "In this particular model Judge Mandamin is a member of the provincial court of Alberta operating that court on the Tsuu T'ina First Nation," Hancock said. "It's part of the normal court process. It's not a separate court. It's part of the provincial court." Judge Mandamin, from the Wikwemikong First Nation in Ontario, has been a member of the Alberta Law Society since 1983. He said that, although he feels honored to be involved in bringing an Aboriginal perspective into the provincial system, he's still sworn to serve the interests of the provincial court. "In taking the oath I'm undertaking to strive on behalf of the court." The court will not begin proceedings until early 2000 and, until a new courthouse has been built, will convene in the Tsuu T'ina Nation council chambers. Study points to need for seat belt education By Joan Black Sweetgrass Writer DESMARAIS The Alberta Centre for Injury Control and Research in the University of Alberta's department of public health sciences has released the report of its first injury prevention project conducted with a First Nation. The pilot project, designed to increase the seat belt wearing rate in Wabasca/Desmarais, about 120 km from Slave Lake, was conducted with Bigstone Cree Nation at the store and gas station in Desmarais at the end of August. It revealed the seat belt wearing rate for all vehicle occupants in Wabasca/Desmarais is 34.4 per cent, whereas the provincial rate is 87 per cent. Approximately 2,000 nation members live on reserve. Assistant Professor J. Peter Rothe supervised the study, while research associate Josie Cardinal drafted the questions, obtained the First Nation's support and hired the interviewers. Tina Cardinal and Lyla Brule were the Bigstone Nation's research assistants who interviewed drivers and vehicle passengers and recorded data. They asked 12 questions of 167 interviewees over four-hour periods for six days. Josie Cardinal said they chose Wabasca/Desmarais because the community was "accessible." Cardinal is a Bigstone band member and had the support of her community for the study. "The people were shocked at the low rate of seat belt wearing," she said. Rothe instructed the interviewers only to record data for front seat occupants. This is because they felt it was too hard to see whether rear seat occupants were wearing lap belts. Most significant in their documented findings was that nearly all drivers knew about the seat belt law and that they risked getting ticketed for not wearing them. But more than one in three people thought there was little or no chance of getting caught. While 90.4 per cent of the drivers said they "were aware" seat belts could save lives, only 82 per cent said they believed it. The observed seat belt wearing rate for all drivers was 36.5 per cent; for all passengers only 30.1 per cent. Yet nearly 50 per cent of the drivers said they would make sure their passengers wore seat belts "all or most" of the time. Male and female drivers had about the same rate of compliance with the law. Drivers aged 40 to 60 wore seat belts 50 per cent of the time, but the youngest drivers were least likely to wear them - only 31.3 per cent. Only one in seven children under age three was in an infant seat. Conversely, 61 per cent of drivers with more than 11 years' driving experience wore seat belts. The lowest rate of seat belt wearing was documented for pickup truck drivers (31.6 per cent), and significantly more males (55.4 per cent) than females (41.9 per cent) said they would allow passengers in the box of a pickup truck. Almost the same number of males (56.9 per cent) said they would pick up more passengers than they had seat belts for, while only 40 per cent of the females said they would do that. Forty per cent of all drivers said they would pick up family and friends at the side of the road, regardless of how many seatbelts were in the vehicle. Drivers in the 16 to 24 age range were most likely to allow passengers in the box of a pickup truck, but only 44.4 per cent of over age 60 drivers would. Francis Gladue, associate health director at the Bigstone Health Centre says the study is a good start to try and promote more safety in the community. "This is only the first part, seatbelts," he said. "With the help of other community organizations like the RCMP, our leadership, probably the Keeweetinok Lakes Regional Health Authority - that kind of support as a community - I think with the interagency community concept, the more the better to try to develop a safety feature for our community. And I think the leadership were quite supportive in that matter too, so I think we got the ball rolling in the right direction on safety." Gladue says they'll continue to promote seat belt awareness "from the health perspective, the point of view of the law, the point of view of education." Josie Cardinal says Gladue is getting costs from Public Works for signs to remind people that seat belt wearing is the law. She says they'll probably hold off until the ground thaws next spring to put up the signs. "I think sometimes these things take a little more time than a three-month study can measure," she said. She indicates they'll do another survey when the signs have been up a while and more education has been done. Const. Elissa Purvis of the Desmarais RCMP detachment was present when the results were released to Bigstone band members. Soon after, she said the community may get a demonstration of an educational tool called a "seatbelt convincer." This apparatus demonstrates the force and results of a collision when someone is not wearing a seat belt. "I have noticed an improvement [in seat belt wearing] over the year and a half that I've been here, but there have been a lot of accidents in the last little while" said Purvis. "It's proven that seatbelts do save lives. It's just a matter of enforcing that and getting people educated and I believe that's what Josie's trying to do with this survey." Boyle Street Thanksgiving dinner serves 800 By Yvonne Irene Gladue Sweetgrass Writer EDMONTON Along with pumpkin pie, ice cream and a selection of pastries more than 800 people were served hearty helpings of turkey and all the trimmings at the Boyle Street Co-op on Thanksgiving Day. The long line of people waiting for the centre to open its doors continued around the block as families, men and women attended the third annual Thanksgiving dinner.   It was a friends and family affair at the third annual Boyle Street Co-op Thanksgiving Dinner. Volunteers put together a meal to serve 800 people in Edmonton's inner city.   Photo Credit: Yvonne Irene Gladue     "We're having more people this year because a lot of people are moving into the city to look for jobs and a better future," said executive director, Hope Hunter. "The dinner is working out great," she said. Inside tables were set up and arrangements of flowers filled the dining area. The dinner's Elder, Grandma Grizzly, gave the prayer and entertained guests by playing a hand-held Native drum. Karen Bruno, young adult and youth worker at the centre, wore a turkey costume that brought smiles to the faces of children and adults. Over the last three years the centre has served Thanksgiving dinner to the community. It all began when community members asked the principal of Boyle Street Education Centre, Shirley Menard, about co-ordinating a dinner at the centre. Menard, who was a journeyman chef before becoming a teacher, co-ordinated the cooking. "I was asked to co-ordinate the first Thanksgiving dinner. There were dinners at the co-op before, but not to this scale," said Menard. "I enjoy cooking for the dinner," she said. Everyone was welcome to attend, said Hunter. "We look forward to seeing everyone enjoying Thanksgiving," she said. The dinner that was sponsored by local businesses, including the Westin Hotel, Klondyke Flowers, and the Edmonton Journal, was prepared and set up by more than 60 volunteers. The impressive grocery list for the dinner included 87 turkeys, 45 kg of ham, 180 kg of potatoes, 90 kg of vegetables and 45 litres of gravy. The volunteers included employees from various agencies in the community, Grant MacEwan's nursing students and members of the co-op and their families. "It is great being a volunteer. You get to meet a lot of people," said Fred Weller. "A lot of people from the community came together to put this dinner on," he said. The Boyle Street Co-op in Edmonton is a centre that houses several programs for inner city residents, including the Health for Two nutrition program for pregnant women, Employment Resources, which helps people with employment readiness and job searches and the Drop-In Activity Centre, which offers a safe and welcoming environment for people to participate in activities and socialize.

Community bids farewell to a Peigan Elder By Shari Narine Sweetgrass Writer BROCKET Joseph Crowshoe Sr., with wife Josephine, in 1998 performing a ground blessing ceremony for the addition to the Napi Friendship Centre in Pincher Creek. Photo Credit: Shari Narine In a combination of Blackfoot and English, of Christian and Indian tradition, the two communities that Joseph Crowshoe, Sr. spent his life sharing his wisdom with joined to bid the Peigan Elder goodbye. The Peigan Nation flag flew at half-mast as about 600 people packed the Brocket Community Hall on Nov. 2. Inside, Crowshoe's tipi hung as a backdrop and his headdress was laid in front. Crowshoe passed away at his home on Oct. 29, surrounded by his family. He was 93 years old. Joe was a man of charity. He never boasted of his accomplishments, said Rev. Sidney Black, who presided over the service with Margaret Water Chief. "Joe had every right to boast, but in humility, he didn't do that. His goodness was exemplified in this way." Crowshoe's accomplishments were felt in both the Native and non-Native worlds. In his eulogy to Joseph Crowshoe, Leonard Bastien, one of Crowshoe's adopted children, told of the traditions Crowshoe helped keep and revive. In a time when the government and church made the Peigan people feel ashamed of their heritage and language, said Bastien, Joseph Crowshoe was farmer by day, but leader of the Blackfoot ways by night. "Joseph Crowshoe stays firm in my mind. He said, 'We will never be white,' and he kept the Medicine Pipe Bundle ceremony alive," said Bastien. Crowshoe, who held one of two pipe bundles necessary to perform the Sun Dance ceremony, was successful in petitioning the Provincial Museum in Alberta to return the second bundle. In 1977, the Sun Dance ceremony was reinstated after a 25-year absence in the province. Joseph and his wife Josephine led the ceremony. "He brought knowledge from our past and today it's still with us," said Bastien. "Joseph Crowshoe went above and beyond the call of duty." Crowshoe's "call" took him beyond the boundaries of the Peigan Nation. He worked to help bridge the gap that existed between the Native and non-Native cultures. It was in this work that Christine Silverberg, Calgary City police chief, was befriended by Crowshoe and his family four years ago. Indeed, the awareness and respect grew to such a point that last year Crowshoe bestowed the name of Bluebird Lady on Silverberg. He also designed a tipi for the Calgary Police Force, which was transferred in Silverberg's name. Crowshoe was also a part of annual cultural awareness camps that were held on the reserve and offered to such organizations as the Calgary City Police. "I learned from Joe one must never give up what one has, one must always stay true to oneself," said Silverberg. "He was a person who believed resilience and strength come from within. You fail only because you set up your own barriers in your mind," she said in her presentation during the service." The recognition of Crowshoe's strengths - and resilience - have been many. In 1991 he was presented with the Order of Canada. He was also a recipient of the Canadian Citation for Citizenship (1989), the Alberta Achievement Award (1989), and, along with his wife, a National Aboriginal Achievement Award (1998). He was also presented with two honorary doctorates. Crowshoe, who had been instrumental in the creation of the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Interpretive Centre near Fort McLeod was honored by the centre. It closed its doors to the public on the day of his funeral. Aboriginal education programs living on the edge By Terry Lusty Sweetgrass Contributor EDMONTON Members of the Aboriginal community are bracing themselves for news that could prove to be a hard pill to swallow. After 25 years of the Native Communications Program and 22 years of the Native Women's Career Preparation Program at Grant MacEwan Community College in Edmonton, word is circulating that both may be phased out. Although there has not been any official word from the departments involved, the fears and rumblings are escalating. Also threatened is the six-year-old Aboriginal Education Centre, the hub of Aboriginal student life on the campus, and the Ben Calf Robe Adult Education program, which is three years old. Lewis Cardinal, who graduated from the communications program in 1987, expressed shock and dismay when he got wind of the possibility the programs may disappear. If that happens, he contends, "it would take away a wonderful program that has been the starting point for many Aboriginal students on the road to higher education and professional occupations." He further stated that it would "remove the only learning place for communications in the city for Aboriginals." Cardinal presently serves as the co-ordinator of the University of Alberta's Native Student Services and is no stranger when it comes to Aboriginal students' needs. If all the programs go, "where will we turn to in the future?" he asked. As for Doug Longmore, a past graduate of the college's social work program, the news is no surprise. "We saw that coming a long time ago because the word was out that the women's career program, the Ben Calf one were going down." He thinks part of the problem is the money in that the programs generate very little revenue for the college. He was critical that the college is able to find all kinds of dollars for expansion programs, but when it comes to Aboriginal matters, there's nothing available. Further to that, he states that while the programs may go, they'll likely continue the annual Dreamcatcher conference because it's a money maker. Longmore feels it's time anyway for Aboriginal people to have their own institution at the college level, similar to Blue Quills at St. Paul, and the Indian Federated College and Gabriel Dumont Institute in Saskatchewan. "Even these could be expanded to fill the need created by the void that would occur if and when the college phases out Aboriginal programming," he added. A staff member who did not wish to disclose his identity shook his head at what appears to be the end of Aboriginal programs. "It's too bad it's come to this," he said. Another said an official memo from the college was received stating, "they'll not receive any new intake in September 2000." That message, according to the staff person, "effectively ends 25 years of the [Native Communications Program]" which originated with the Alberta Native Communications Society, the forerunner of the Aboriginal Multi-Media Society in the mid-70s. The program has turned out a number of successes, achievers and role models, including actress Tantoo Cardinal, actor Jimmy Herman, university administrator and PhD candidate Lewis Cardinal, artist Dale Auger, singer Art Napoleon, and filmmaker Dorothy Schrieber. A former Aboriginal music student at the college, Kathy Sewell, was astounded by the news. She feels the programs helped "ease Aboriginals into the post-secondary stream." She claims it helps rural students wanting to enter and adjust to mainstream systems without having to go directly to university, which is so imposing for many. It provides a buffer to culture shock, she explained. With projections that Edmonton's Aboriginal population is destined to mushroom, where will Aboriginal people go for education, especially in communications and career preparation? To Maggie Deranger, a former student and past director of the Aboriginal Education Centre, options are necessary. "If the college is going to discontinue developmental programs, then they should look at meeting the needs of science and technology, leadership training and social sciences for Aboriginal people," she said. "Aboriginal people have cultural needs that are distinct from mainstream society that aren't going to change. If the college tries to mainstream us, it won't work. It hasn't in the past, it won't in the future," she charged. The women's career program, co-ordinated by Lynda Ferguson, was designed to educate in career planning, job searching, computer skills, self-development, balancing work and personal life, and providing work experience, explained Luella Massey. She and co-worker Josie Oltrop say it "gives women support and hope that they can go on and do something with their lives." Hundreds and hundreds have gone through the program explained Oltrop. Many went on to post-secondary education, she added. "We're creating independence, empowerment and pride." One of the wonderful aspects of those who go through the program, she added, is that the majority return to their community. There, they are highly valued for their understanding of the people, community and issues. Following numerous phone calls to the college, Sweetgrass finally tracked down the dean for community education, Peggy Quinney. In a telephone conversation, she admitted that the Aboriginal programs "played an important role," are unique, successful and filling very definite needs at the community level. She also confirmed that, "the college has developed a new vision and mission statement." The mission, she said, "focuses on career studies, certificate/diploma programs and our university studies program." The college is undertaking a review of how this mission will affect programming right across the college, she explained. The board of governors, she added, "supported these directions of emphasis on career studies." Apart from Native Communications not receiving any new intakes in September 2000, the Ben Calf Robe program may not either. When questioned about it, Quinney refused to answer Sweetgrass' question regarding this. Melanie Busby, the college's Director of Marketing and Communications, tried to paint a somewhat brighter picture. She said, even if the Aboriginal programs were phased out, "it would be over a transition period . . . perhaps over a five-year period." She challenges the prevailing rumor mill that spells the probable demise of Aboriginal programs, she maintains," I don't think anybody has said yet these programs will not be offered." She's also not saying that they will. There are no guarantees. There are also no guarantees that the Aboriginal programs at the college would be picked up by any other institution. Busby explained Grant MacEwan would be working with other organizations, like NorQuest (previously Alberta Vocational College), to address the matter. This is for the youth By Shari Narine Sweetgrass Writer LETHBRIDGE Oki. Can you believe that it's November? This year, time has really flown by. I have a general theme for my column this month. It's for all the youth across Indian Country. They are our future. We must teach them respect, trust and love for themselves. I understand the feeling of peer pressure and insecurity of not knowing who they are or what they should be. I have a poem I wrote many moons ago. I wrote this for the lost youth. It's called Where have all the children gone? Where have all the children gone their eyes are imposed blackness their tongues severed leaving no words Where have all the children gone leaving us lonely and empty leaving us with questions and giving no answers Where have all the children gone in a world with no respect or trust they live with the unknown they live in chaos Children are the future but why oh why do they leave with bitterness and hate listless for no ears that will listen no eyes seeing them as they are A child, a small adult with a mind and spirit as you and me needs teaching from you needs love from you child, will you need me as I need you? This brings me to the first stop I made. I talked with a lady from the Nishnawbe Aski Nation in northern Ontario. In the New Year they are organizing a conference on suicide prevention. In Indian Country there is still the epidemic of suicide among our people. I think this conference would help the youth boost their esteem and for us older people to understand what the youth need to say or be. In my own youth, I have had thoughts of suicide. I thank my Creator for putting people in my path to give me the strength to overcome those thoughts. If you want more information on this conference, you can call Ethel (nice name) at (807) 623-8228. I've headed down south to the mesas and desert of Tucson, Arizona. I met up with Fred Synder who is one of the organizers of the New Millennium First Peoples World Fair and Powwow. This is a celebration of the First Nations from all over the world. He told me of some of the events that are going to held. Before the stroke of midnight on Dec. 31, they are going to have a concert with many different Aboriginal artists. Starting at midnight, they are going to have the world's biggest round dance. Throughout the following week, there are many different themes for each day, including the Seventh Generation Youth day, Golden Age and Veterans' day. There will be symposiums for arts and entertainment and forums on education, economics and tourism. This event is focused on the youth, letting them know their culture is still strong and will be for many generations ahead. To end the week, there will be a powwow. He also asked me if I could let the word out to drummers and dancers to go down and represent their tribes. So, if anyone decides to go down and needs company, ahem ahem. If anyone out there wants more information about this great event, you can call Fred at (520) 622-4900 or if you know anything about the internet, they have a website: http://www.usaindianinfo.org/ Hey, I've got a joke for you. Actually I wrote this joke in one of my old columns from Windspeaker. I mean, this joke is very old. I hope you like it These two old women were going to the Indian agency to pick up their treaty money. Back in the old days, many Native people didn't know how to write, so the Indian agents let them use an X for a signature. These two women were up to get their money, when one of the ladies was looking over her cousin's shoulder she exclaimed, "Wah, cousin, I didn't know we had the same name!" Business good on the rez By Terry Lusty Tansi! Charlie Chisaakay from the Dene Tha' First Nation proudly reports they do not have a deficit. In fact, the economy is alive and well as they presently lobby Trans Canada Pipeline from Liard, N.W.T. for construction contracts. He explained that with good oil prices, there'll be a lot of drilling and "we hope to tap into the boom." The band has also called for proposals for oil and gas development on the reserve and has received four or five good ones. Dene Tha' housing with a $5.5 million budget is on the upswing also, reports Housing Administrator, Garry Yablonski. He says there are 46 new units this fiscal year compared with 23 last year, in addition to 15 major housing renovations and 40 houses being serviced with water, sewage and plumbing. The chief up at Fort McKay, Jim Boucher, is pleased with the economic boom and recent developments on the home front. Board administrator Bonnie Evans expressed delight over the Oct. 8 opening of the Dorothy McDonald Learning Centre. Congrats. To you, too, Dorothy. Previously, adult education ran out of the band office. McDonald, a former chief, has been quite ill but mustered enough energy to attend the opening. The band hopes to offer computer skills in evening classes via Keyano College. There's a lot of buzz about the Trans Canada Trail 2000 that will extend from Fort Chip, through McMurray and on to Grouard. Surrounding the trail will be a March 14 celebration by Fort McKay residents, who will also conduct other millennium events at that time. Speaking of McMurray, the Athabasca Tribal Council plans to sponsor Christmas activities for the surrounding Aboriginal communities, said Evans. Yes, winter is almost upon us . . . time to work on your powwow regalia. Be prepared. With the new millennium hype there are sure to be some memorable powwows. One of them will be the 2nd annual National Canadian Competition Powwow in Edmonton. Henry Moosepayo from Kehewin, James Gladue from Beaver Lake and Randy Metchewais of Cold Lake are already rallying the forces for the next one. The "Mighty Chicks" hockey team from East Prairie Métis Settlement is holding a fund-raiser cash raffle for $1,000 and $500. Actually, the community is conducting a variety of raffles. Their local sewing group is preparing a double-sized quilt to raffle and a Nov. 10 bake sale will go at the Communiplex. The National Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program co-ordinator for Little Red River, Allan Beaver, says they are planning a week-long chain of events Nov. 14 through 20 that will include a community parade, sober walk, candle light memorial, Gospel jam, pancake breakfast, health fair, youth empowerment workshop, and more. Sounds great! Most activities will be at the Jean D'or School and the community hall. A couple of highlights will be a visit by Gizmo Williams and Willie Pless of the Edmonton Eskimo Football Club and the first annual Role Model Awards Gala at the hall on Nov. 18. Keith Lapatac, chairman of Saddle Lake Housing Authority, reports they are building 36 new houses, and making major renovations to eight and minor ones to 34. Also, nine abandoned ones are being considered for restoration. "We need about 300 new houses to adequately address housing problems," claims Lapatac. With a population of 5,300 people and growth at 3.3 per cent, "it means we're falling further and further behind" as time moves on.