Aboriginal spirits soar in capital city

Page 1

This city's celebrations for National Aboriginal Day kicked off on June 18 with opening ceremonies held at city hall. Festivities continued for more than a week as Aboriginal people across Canada celebrated their heritage.

Ward one councillor Karen Leibovici read the proclamation for National Aboriginal Day. The Boyle Street Hip-hop Performers entertained the crowd and the four winners of the Nellie Carlson Youth Awards were announced.

"We're honoring Aboriginal youth for achievements, not only academic but athletic as well, and community service, volunteerism. A whole gambit of criteria," said Lewis Cardinal, chair of the Edmonton Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee. "The winners this year are just astounding."

The four winners were Stephanie Gouda, Jonathan Bird, Eric Calvert and Angela Gladue. Each won for overcoming adversity and showing achievements in many categories ranging from academics to performing arts and leadership abilities.

Gouda is involved with many school activities, including a peer teen panel where she helps other students make positive life choices.

Bird is a role model for other students and works hard in his Grade 11 academic studies.

Calvert, who plans to go to university or become a welder, became a role model for others through his talents in music and his work with his school's band.

Gladue, who is a member of the Boyle Street Hip-hop Performers and a former powwow dancer, has a love for dancing that she plans to turn into a career as a dance instructor.

"I think it's important for capacity building of the Aboriginal community to recognize our youth," said Laura Auger, Aboriginal community development co-ordinator for the urban affairs committee.

Other festivities in Edmonton included powwows, the Dreamspeakers Film Festival, an Aboriginal music festival and many other events that celebrated and showcased Aboriginal traditions and talents.

"It's a celebration of being Aboriginal, but also recognizing what we have gifted Canada. It's an opportunity for us to reach out to fellow Canadians and say thanks," said Cardinal about the celebrations.

"The major thing is that there is a lot of contribution that Aboriginal people have given to Canada. I'm talking about our commitment in times of war, our commitment to working in peace and friendship within the community and contributing to the socio-economic fabric of Canada. There's a lot of contributions that we can take pride in from sports to medicine to politics."

The weather was great for the Aboriginal music festival held at the legislature grounds on June 27. Organizer Ann Nipshank said she was pleased with the success of the event, but the tough part was getting the lineup of bands. There were 10 bands performing at the festival, which was down from last year's 40.

"It's an important event because we want people to promote awareness to our Aboriginal community and our non-Aboriginal community so that they know we're celebrating National Aboriginal Day as Aboriginal people of this country," said Nipshank.

"We're important members of this country and we should celebrate this important day together," said Ann Nipshank.

Actor Ryan Black was the emcee for the music festival, where bands played many types of music including jazz, country and rock.

"I love things like this. It's wonderful. I think it's great when you go to powwows and things like that, but it's just as great to see Aboriginal people and non-Aboriginal people coming out to see the festival," said Black, who's known for his roles in Dance Me Outside and The Rez. "One of the major things we've lost over the centuries is a sense of pride and I think festivals like this, and celebration of days like this, help to promote that. Some of the youth that I see are just bursting with talent, but they can't even look you in the eye, so it's important to make them proud of who they are. What we're trying to say is 'I'm Aboriginal and it's okay or me to be proud of that.'"