Calgary Briefs - February 2012

Aboriginal students gain insights into entrepreneurship

On Jan 31, Chief Clarence Louie of the Osoyoos Indian Band delivered a special Insight Lecture on business leadership, risk-taking and entrepreneurship at the University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business. Louie’s lecture provided insights into entrepreneurship within the context of First Nations communities and the significant role of mentorship and community pride. When he was elected Chief of the Osoyoos Indian Band, part of the Okanagan Nation, in 1984, Louie focused on economic development to improve his band’s standard of living. Since, the band has become a multi-faceted corporation, managing nine businesses that employ hundreds of people. The Osoyoos Indian Band Development Corporation was formed to manage and provide strategic direction to these businesses and to seek new economic opportunities. The presentation was part of Haskayne’s TD Aboriginal Education Enhancement Program, which focuses on supporting first year Aboriginal students in business through academic and peer support and mentorship. “Employing and partnering with Aboriginal communities is a smart business strategy,” said Monique Bateman, SVP TD Canada Trust, Prairie Region. “But it’s much more than developing a competitive advantage. Being an inclusive culture is fundamentally who we are, and want to be, at TD, which is why we’re proud to support Aboriginal education.”

4th Annual Valentine’s Day Women’s Memorial March

On Feb 14, the 4th annual Valentine’s Day Women’s Memorial March was held to honour the lives of the missing and murdered women of Southern Alberta. The organizers created and blessed march banners to honour the women. The event began at Scarboro United Church with guest speakers kicking off the gathering. The march was followed by a light meal.

Siksika Nation teen shines on basketball court

Malayah Bruno, a Grade 10 student from the Siksika Nation and honour student attending St. Mary’s High School, has set her sights on playing college basketball in the future. At a height of six feet, she is starting centre for her high school basketball team. She started this season playing for the Calgary Selects Under 17 girls basketball team. Bruno is “mentally tough, aggressive both offensively and defensively,” said Calgary Selects coach Ray Raymond. “Malayah averages 12 to 14 points a games, eight for 10 from the field, and I always encourage her to shoot a lot.” Bruno’s accomplishments include playing for Team Alberta’s Under 15 with a fourth place finish at the nationals in Winnipeg this past August. Not only is she a talented athlete, but Bruno has also consistently been on the Honour Roll in both junior high and now high school. She also enjoys playing volleyball, watching college games and powwow dancing. Both her parents, Lyle Bruno and Janelle McMaster, were basketball players as were her siblings, aunts and uncles.

Count shows people experiencing homelessness down

The Calgary Homeless Foundation reports that the 2012 homeless count shows an 11.4 per cent decrease in the number of homeless people since 2008. If the 1992 trend had continued the count would have been up to 4,200 in 2012, instead of the 3,190 counted. In 2008, 3,601 homeless people were counted. “These results show the 10 Year Plan is working,” said Tim Richter, president and CEO, CHF. “The hard work of front-line agencies, as well as government and donor support, has turned the tide of homelessness in Calgary.” The 2012 homeless count, sponsored by Burnet, Duckworth and Palmer LLP, carried out on Jan. 18, included people sleeping outside and data gathered from 85 facilities. The 2012 count reclassified emergency, short- and long-term facilities, removing permanent housing facilities from the 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2012 counts to get a better representation of those who are actually homeless. Migration is also having an impact on family homelessness. Early data indicates more Aboriginal and immigrant families relocating to Calgary are in need of housing and support. There is also a lack of affordable housing for families needing two- or three-bedroom residences.  These trends suggest that the CHF needs to develop regional partnerships, especially with surrounding Aboriginal communities. The 10 Year Plan aims to end homelessness by Jan. 29, 2018. The end of homelessness means that no individual or family will stay in an emergency shelter or sleep outside for longer than one week before moving into an affordable home with a sustainable support system.

Compiled by Darlene Chrapko