Calgary Aboriginal News Year-In-Review-2013

In Calgary in 2013

Calgary companies including Shell, Suncor, Enbridge and BMO Financial showed their ongoing support of initiatives that focused on the training and education of Aboriginal students. Young Aboriginal students exhibited leadership by fundraising for local causes while others learned about the history of residential schools. Events such as the Canada Day pow wow, the celebration of Aboriginal culture at Heritage Park, and the Aboriginal Youth Explosion at Mount Royal University have become annual events, exhibiting a growing awareness, understanding and appreciation of the richness of Aboriginal culture and customs in Calgary.

Calgary ring road gets Tsuu T’ina approval
On Oct. 24, 644 Nation members of Tsuu T’ina voted in favour of swapping their land for provincial Crown land along with a monetary settlement from the province to give the Calgary ring road the go-ahead. “If this had been just about the road it never would have been approved,” said Tsuu T’ina Chief Roy Whitney, speaking the day after 993 ballots were cast. “(Members) voted for a better, more secure future for their children and grandchildren and great grandchildren.” That brighter future came along with a guarantee for land that wasn’t present in the 2009 agreement that Tsuu T’ina members overwhelmingly rejected. Whitney said the “language” of the 2013 final agreement provided the First Nation with the certainty that wasn’t included in the 2009 version. Alberta Transportation Minister Ric McIver agreed that was the case. The new agreement has Tsuu T’ina transfer 1,058 acres of land to Alberta for the creation of a transportation and utility corridor, which will complete the southeast portion of the Calgary ring road. In return, Alberta will provide 338.1 acres of new reserve land. Payment of $275 million is to be made to Tsuu T’ina’s capital account in Ottawa. The agreement also calls for an additional payment of close to $45 million to be made for the replacement of First Nation housing, buildings and infrastructure on the land that is sold to the province and another $21 million to be used for improvements to Tsuu T’ina’s existing roads.

Last Tsuu T’ina War Vet Dies at 97
Harold Crowchild, the last member of the Tsuu T’ina Nation to serve in the Second World War, died on Jan. 12 at age 97. He served with the headquarters 4th Canadian Armed Division in active duty. He also served in the United Kingdom, France, Holland and Germany as a trooper. A heavily decorated soldier, his medals and decorations from the war included Star, France/Germany, Star and Defence medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp, War Medal 1939-1945. He will be remembered as the warrior "Iron Shield.” Crowchild was also a revered Elder and true cowboy who loved the rodeo and his horses which he rode and broke into his 80s.

Indspire Institute launched with Suncor funds
In March, Suncor announced a contribution of $1.7 million from the Suncor Energy Foundation to support the Indspire Institute, a new online meeting and sharing place for educators of Indigenous students in grades K to 12. Hundreds of educators were on hand for the launch at Indspire’s National Gathering for Indigenous Education. Suncor’s funding will support the institute’s programs including Nurturing Capacity: Building Community Success, a program available to communities across Canada that have challenges with student achievement.

Strathcona-Tweedsmuir students honour spirits of residential school children
Thirty-two Grades 4 to 6 students from Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School visited the site of St. Joseph Industrial School, south of Calgary which operated from 1884 to 1924, also known as the old Dunbow School grounds. As part of the school’s Human Outreach Project, the experience built on their study of Aboriginal education. Almost 1,000 students had been housed at the residential school, losing their identities when their Native names were changed to Christian names and then numbers for easy tracking. Numerous children succumbed to illness or died in the fire that destroyed the school house in the 1920s and were buried in the cemetery. When the Highwood River flooded in 1996, many of the coffins that floated into the river were retrieved and reburied. With small suede moccasins hanging from their necks, the students also spread ceremonial tobacco on the graves of the 75 children. They released butterflies from tiny boxes, each bearing the name of an Aboriginal child, symbolically freeing the spirits of the students.

Southern becomes honourary member of Tsuu T’ina Nation
Calgary businessman Ron Southern was crowned with a feathered headdress when he was given the name “Chief Sorrel Horse,” at a ceremony on July 27 at which he became an honourary member of the Tsuu T’ina Nation. Southern said he was honoured to be recognized in this way, recalling how the people of Tsuu T’ina helped with planting trees at Spruce Meadows, the international show jumping centre Southern founded in 1976. Co-founder of the ATCO Group, Southern, a recipient of numerous awards and honours, and his wife Marg have been recognized for their philanthropy. Spruce Meadows hosted a First Nations Village during a visit from the Queen. The Southerns have also supported Aboriginal education for Tsuu T’ina youth.

Aboriginal students ensured success with ongoing support
On Oct. 22 Mount Royal University announced a $1.25 million donation from BMO Financial Group for scholarships, bursaries and a peer mentorship program. The unique gift is intended to provide continuous financial and cultural support to Aboriginal students from the beginning to the end of their educational experience at Mount Royal. Through the BMO Financial Group Aboriginal Student Fund, 20 new scholarships and bursaries will be established. The gift includes a peer mentorship program in conjunction with Iniskim Centre, the Aboriginal students support centre at Mount Royal. Students will qualify for bursaries prior to entering a degree program to enable them to upgrade their skills in preparation for university classes. The scholarships and bursaries will be available to the students throughout their studies. The peer mentorship program will begin in 2014, with third and fourth year Aboriginal students serving as guides and mentors to younger students helping them to navigate through the educational system, with emphasis on cultural and spiritual support.

Compiled by Darlene Chrapko