Grandmother’s kindness and wisdom helped a nation

As Nov. 8, the birth date of her late grandmother, came and went a few weeks ago, Tanya Kappo reflected on the words written on her mentor’s gravestone.

“She passed away last March. This month, she would have been 94 years old,” Tanya said. “I was thinking a lot about her and came to a realization. If I want to leave any kind of an impression in this world, it is to have people remember me as having had the same qualities as my grandmother.”

Tasza Tarnowski has already had her share of hockey highlights in 2015, and she’s now waiting for some news that hopefully will make her year even better.

Tarnowski, a 17-year-old whose mother is Ojibwe, is hoping to get a positive call from Hockey Canada officials. She’s waiting to hear whether she’s earned a spot on the national girls’ under-18 squad that will participate at its world tournament. That eight-nation event will be staged Jan. 8 to Jan. 15, 2016 in St. Catharines, Ont.

Honorary degree for sports leader

A First Nation sports leader has received an honorary degree from the University of Victoria. Baptiste Harry (Skip) Dick was presented with an honorary doctor of education degree on Nov. 10 in recognition of his First Nations advocacy work.

Dick, who was born in Victoria, was taken as a youngster from his home and placed in a residential school in Kamloops, B.C. He was recognized for his work over decades in education and youth athletics. He has been a positive influence for countless Songhees Nation youth.

Day pledges to bring attention to national health concerns

At its annual fall convocation on Nov. 14, Carleton University conferred an honourary degree upon Justice Murray Sinclair, chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Sinclair received a Doctor of Laws honoris causa in recognition of his stellar career in the judiciary as well as his dedication, care and service to Aboriginal and First Nations peoples and to all Canadians in leading the TRC.

Three works in Ontario are among six inaugural reconciliation projects† to receive funding through the Canada Council for the Arts, /the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation /and The Circle on Philanthropy and Aboriginal Peoples in Canada. They are the Reconciliation Film Project for the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada and Productions Cazabon  in Ottawa; Project Charlie by Terril Calder, Joseph Boyden, Jason Ryle, and Geeta Sondhi in Toronto; and Opening the Doors to Dialogue by Samuel Thomas in Niagara Falls.

Alberta’s cultural industries sector receives additional funding

Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child and Family Services signed a revised protocol concerning the delivery of Child and Family Services. This is the first time that DBCFS is a signatory to this agreement. The signing of this protocol signifies the renewed commitment between the seven First Nation communities, DBCFS and the five children’s aid societies in that jurisdiction to continue to work cooperatively when child welfare concerns arise within one of the First Nation territories. It extends to members who live outside the First Nation community.

A monument commemorating Shannen Koostachin, a young Cree activist from Attawapiskat First Nation, was unveiled on Oct. 24 at the New Liskeard waterfront. Koostachin led the struggle for a new school in Attawapiskat, and was nominated for the International Children’s Peace Prize.

Conroy Poucette, 20, of Morley, pleaded guilty†to†arson in connection with the Morley Recreation Centre complex. He also pleaded guilty to charges of break and enter to commit arson and being unlawfully in a dwelling house. Charges stem from incidences that occurred on July 12 when Cochrane RCMP were investigating two fires on the Stoney Nakoda Nation. The second fire was a grass fire a short distance from the recreation centre. Two suspects were located after an RCMP service dog tracked them to a residence not far from where the arsons occurred.