An annual event of the United Church of Canada is evidence that it has started moving forward with reconciliation between the church and Aboriginal communities. The Banff Men’s Conference will focus on partnerships with First Nations and finding harmony together.

Aboriginal youth from Edmonton were among those benefitting this summer from a decade-old program called Sport-in-a-Box.

Developed in 2005 by the United Nations Association in Canada, SPOX is an education program that encourages youth to think globally, act locally and share what they know about the values of social skills, fair play and respect for rules.

SPOX was created as a legacy of UN’s International Year of Sport and Physical Education.

Ethan Bear knows he will be riding the busses again this coming season in the Western Hockey League with the Washington-based Seattle Thunderbirds.

But the 18-year-old, who is from Saskatchewan’s Ochapowace Cree Nation, is hoping that soon after that he’ll be ready to suit up in the National Hockey League with the Edmonton Oilers.

Edmonton selected Bear in the fifth round, 124th over-all, at the NHL Entry Draft, which was held in Sunrise, Fla., from June 26-27.

Suicide Prevention coordinator Telly James uses his past to educate community members about the risks and signs of suicide.

“I suffered with suicidal thoughts from when I was 17 until… to be honest…I’m being extremely real… up until now,” he said.

James tells his story for two reasons. First, it helps him come to peace with his life.

Secondly, James believes troubled youth spend too much time thinking they are alone in their experience of pain. 

The Friends of the Royal Alberta Museum Society is giving a young Aboriginal student a head start. Hanako Nagao, an arts and cultural management student at MacEwan University, is spending her summer working for the museum’s marketing department as part of FRAMS internship program.

“I’ve been surprised by how much is directly relatable to what I’m doing in school. I’ve taken some marketing and publicity classes, and it’s different seeing a press release for a fake organization and then seeing an actual one here,” said Nagao, of her experiences so far this summer.

Aboriginal Day celebrated in style

(From left) former Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine, arena director Scott WolfLeg, and Kathleen Ganley, Minister of Aboriginal Relations, address the crowd at Aboriginal Day celebrations in Calgary.

Bellegarde addresses Calgary business community

The Shaw Conference Centre has created a place on its property intended for people to meet, share, and connect. The Community Medicine Wheel Garden was officially unveiled on June 18.

Located on the rooftop of the Riverview Room, the garden overlooks Edmonton’s river valley. It was created with the guidance of local Cree Elder Francis Whiskeyjack, and features four sections within a circular shape filled with specially-chosen plants and flowers. The medicine wheel is a powerful symbol of Aboriginal culture, often a part of sacred rituals, ceremonies, and blessings.

When Coun. Brian Pincott stood up to bear witness at Words & Actions: A Roundtable Discussion of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Indigenous Women’s Rights at Mount Royal University earlier this year, he spoke powerfully. 

“We will carry your pain, share your pain, take some of your pain away and move forward. We have to. It’s as simple as that,” he said. “By not being silent, we will do our best to honour you.”

The Shaw Conference Centre has created a place on its property intended for people to meet, share, and connect. The Community Medicine Wheel Garden was officially unveiled on June 18.

Located on the rooftop of the Riverview Room, the garden overlooks Edmonton’s river valley. It was created with the guidance of local Cree Elder Francis Whiskeyjack, and features four sections within a circular shape filled with specially-chosen plants and flowers. The medicine wheel is a powerful symbol of Aboriginal culture, often a part of sacred rituals, ceremonies, and blessings.