Around the town

Page 6

More than 200 students graduated from the Composite high school in Wetaskiwin, including 17-year-old twins Danielle and Danika Lightning of the Ermineskin First Nation. Parents Inez and Rick were among the hundreds of family and friends that attended the ceremony. More than 50 people gathered at the Lightning's for a barbecue to celebrate the occasion. Danika, who is planning on being a medical doctor, has been accepted into the science program at the University of Alberta. Danielle, who is planning a career in design, is trying to decide on what school to attend.

So what is the key to having not only one child graduate at 17 years of age, but two? I asked Rick if they did anything extraordinary to keep the girls interested in getting an education. He said that having Inez stay home to raise the children since 1996 was what made the whole thing possible. He said that she was always available for them whether at home or if they had a problem at school. "I'm not saying anything about mothers who work, because some of them do not have the option of staying at home. If they do, who is going to pay the bills? We were fortunate enough for us to survive on my income alone. Family is important to her and she is always saying that school or work is a hobby and that her children are her life," he said.

He said that they both made a firm commitment to their children. Rick said that his dad always said, 'The children did not ask to be born. They were brought into this world by you, so when you bring these gifts into the world you need to treat them right.'

South Tall Cree

Wagon and horse riding through 80 kilometres of north country is scheduled to take place in this community on June 27 and organizer Lloyd Auger is looking forward to the three-day event. He said that this is the second year that the community has hosted this event through an historical trail that was used for many years by his great-grandparents and maybe even their parents. Last year they had six teams take part in the trail ride. This year they are hoping to have 12 wagons. They will be travelling 20 kilometres a day and then set up camp for the night. Auger said that trail riding is mostly a get-together for people who like horses, and is open to whoever wants to join them.

He said that the group should arrive in Fort Vermilion the night before Canada Day and then join in the parade and in the Canada Day events. The trail ride is free, but Auger said people have to bring their own gear, saddle horses or wagons and horses. He said that they are expecting people from Whitefish Lake and Loon Lake. Tall Cree First Nation is located South of Fort Vermilion. Auger said that it may be challenging for people who've never been on a trail ride before, especially on the 40 kilometres of road that will take them through, creeks, bridges and muskeg.

"The trail is only wide enough for the wagons and hopefully we will not have any trikes or trucks coming out to meet us and getting stuck," he said. For further information you can get a hold of Lloyd Auger at (780) 927-4371

Edmonton

It was a beautiful Sunday on May 25. Almost everywhere you looked people were enjoying the afternoon at city parks, outdoor community events or in some cases indoor events such as the Through Their Eyes: Art of Aboriginal People art display at city hall. The event, which was part of the city's annual Art District Open House, showcased more than 40 works by a number of local artists. Gary Dyck, the City of Edmonton communications co-ordinator, said that more than 2,000 people visited the display. Entertainment included dance performances by the White Buffalo Dance Society, and Metis music and dancers.

"It was very successful. A very good turn-out, not only for people to come in and enjoy the art, but to come in and enjoy the entertainment as well" he said.

Every year the city does an art show as part of honoring the art district in downtown Edmonton. The art district includes the Citdel Theatre, the library, the Winspear Centre, city hall and the Edmonton Art Gallery.

Calgary

Cora Voyageur, Delila Young, Marlene Matchewais and Patricia Colosimo, stopped by our office on May 30 to update us on the progress of the book The Great Aboriginal Albertans, which is to be completed by 2005. The book is to feature Aboriginal people, their achievements and positive contributions to Alberta communities.

This summer Voyageur and the three university students will review archival materials and obtain stories to go in the book. Matchewais, who is from Cold Lake in northern Alberta, said that she's been talking to a lot of the Elders and actually coming across quite a bit of background information and family history. Delila Young who is in her final year as a history major at the university said that she is having a great time in her research.

Patricia Colosimo, who was born and raised in the Northwest Territories, is focusing on the Metis side of things.

To contact Cora and or one of the students for more information you can call them at (403) 220-6507 or e-mail them at voyageur@ucalgary.ca.