Calgary Child Conference

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Aboriginal delegates meet to discuss child welfare issue

More than a thousand delegates from all parts of the world gathered in Calgary to compare facts and discuss strategies for the care of Aboriginal children Oct. 7 to 10.

After the opening ceremonies well-known Native singer, Winston Wuttunee dedicated his song, 'I am an Indian,' to the conference. Wuttunee recently told Windspeaker , he would not sing for the Olympic Winter Games because of the Lubicon Lake land claim, but was very happy to sing for the delegates at the conference.

A powwow organized by the Blackfoot band then took place and dancers from all over the country took part in the traditional dancing and festivities.

During the three-day conference a series of workshops on subjects ranging from Indian child welfare agreements to family violence and abuse were conducted. Several overseas aboriginal people attended the conference including Australian aboriginal, Margrett Gibson who is the coordinator of the aboriginal advisory unit at Australia's Wollongong university.

Nigeria's Adebowale Adeola gave a lecture on the problems facing her African country's children. She also informed delegates of the culture and heritage of the former British colony which gained self-rule more than 20 years ago.

On the second evening Winston Wuttunee entertained the audience with his songs and his own wry sense of humor. Wuttunee's sister, Yvonne and her modelling agency then showed off some of the best Native fashions from well-known designers such as Doreen Healy from Calgary, Eulalia Running Rabbit from the Blackfoot Reserve and Millie Gottfriedson from Kamloops, British Columbia.

The conference came to a close on the final day with a speech from Margrett Gibson who spoke of her commitment to children.

Gibson opened her speech with a welcome in her own language which means "I see you my family."

Gibson needed special permission from her tribe, the Waka Waka tribe to use this greeting as no person from another tribe is allowed to share their language.

The podium, which had been set on the stage was moved to floor level because Gibson's traditions dictate that all people are equal and no one person is above another.

Gibson called upon the conscience of all the delegates and asked them to ask themselves if their ancestors would be proud of "where you are today."

"Even if you only know one world of your language ? teach it to your children. Even if you only know a small little thing of your culture ? teach it to your children," she urged delegates. "I know my ancestors would be proud of me and what I am doing."

"Remember your country doesn't owe you anything. You owe your country and if you don't think that, you don't deserve the title of Cree, or Blackfoot who were and are mighty nations."

After the workshops a discussion was held on and resolutions and recommendations were invited. During the discussion it was announced that the next international conference will be held in Mexico next year.