(From left) Elders Clarence (Agar) Wolfleg Sr., Reg Crowshoe, and Sykes Powderface tell traditional stories at the Calgary Spoken Word Festival.

Elders and youth project pays homage to the land

Kelsey Wolver performed a hoop dance in Churchill Square during Earth Day celebrations in May.

The universality of sign language

To receive recognition from Métis Nation 3 and his peers for giving back to the community means much to Matthew Kinderwater, recipient of the inaugural Humanitarian Award.
“It’s wonderful to receive. It’s one of those places that you put yourself in other people’s shoes to understand what they’re going through. It makes me feel privileged,” he said.

The impact sexual exploitation has on the community has been recognized in a significant manner.

“A proclamation in a public space makes a statement that addressing sexual exploitation is a priority in Edmonton and recognizes the suffering caused by sexual exploitation,” said Kate Quinn, executive director of the Centre to End All Sexual Exploitation.

The proclamation was signed in downtown Edmonton on April 22, kicking off the week that was declared the Sexual Exploitation Week of Awareness.

Sexual exploitation has particular relevance for the Aboriginal community.

Ceremonies and information sharing sessions are becoming key parts of the Royal Alberta Museum returning the Manitou Stone to the First Nations.

Anna Faulds has been organizing meetings concerning the repatriation of the stone.

“There are still many people to hear from about their experiences with the Manitou Stone, and those that heard about it from their Elders,” said Faulds, who is Dene Suline from Cold Lake First Nations. “All of this must be taken into consideration before movement can take place.”

Del Graff is hopeful that a report specific to the needs of children leaving care will get the attention it deserves from politicians.
Last month, Graff tabled the Special Report on Children Aging out of Care in the Legislature, which included five recommendations to better support children leaving government care.

First Nations are not impressed with the province’s newest draft policy on consultation.

“I suspect the Chiefs are going to reject it because it’s father-knows-best again,” said Alberta Regional Chief Cameron Alexis, with the Assembly of First Nations. “The provincial government is deciding they want to move on this but they’re deciding what content is going to be in there and that’s what the Chiefs don’t agree on. It’s supposed to be cohesive, collective, agreed-upon approach, and that’s not what we’re seeing.”

It is not only a matter of not being consulted on the draft First Nations Education Act, it is a matter of only warranting a telephone conference call from federal Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister Bernard Valcourt.

“It was somewhat insulting to have a phone conversation… on something as important as this and at a stage of crisis, in my opinion, on education overall… and legislation being imposed on us,” said Driftpile Chief Rose Laboucan.  “Notification is not consultation.”

There is an important piece to the issue of murdered and missing Aboriginal girls and women that Mikisew Cree First Nation Chief Steve Courtoreille wants to see addressed.

“We have to educate our children,” he said. Educate girls on being safe and educate boys about treating girls and women with respect. “We want to send a strong message to the youth.”