Calgary Briefs - June 2012

Stardale girls model fashions by Mealan and hats by Zsa Zsa.

Urban Aboriginal girls showcase local fashion
With family, friends and a lunch hour business crowd on hand to cheer them on, young Aboriginal women participating in the Stardale Charity’s “Honouring the Girls Stories” program exhibited their poise, elegance and confidence in a fashion show in the lobby of Transcanada Pipelines at noon on May 10. Showcasing fashions by local designer Mealan, timeless hats by local designer Zsa Zsa and make-up and hair by Delmar College, the young urbanite Aboriginal girls strutted their stuff on the red carpet, entertained with acting vignettes and showed off their synchronized hula hoop skills. Stardale’s unique program, run by Helen McPhaden, encourages life skills, literacy and accomplishing goals through story telling. Expressing themselves through acting, dancing, hooping and modelling helps the girls gain self-awareness and self-esteem. Many devoted volunteers dedicate time and contributed expertise to ensure the girls’ success in the after school program and in life. These include fashion photographer Cory Hicks, who taught the girls to pose for the camera, Syreeta Molsberry, acting coach from Jubilations Dinner Theatre and hoop instructor/performer and professional entertainer, Sharon Falconer. “Modelling is 15 minutes of fame,” said Leah, a Stardale girl, “but what we learn is everlasting.”

Equine history explored in Stampede production
This year’s Calgary Stampede will feature TAILS, a 45-minute live show using video, music and more than 24 horses to trace the history of the coming of the horse to southern Alberta.  The largest production ever undertaken by the Stampede, TAILS is told through the eyes of three horses and their journey to the first Stampede in 1912, representing the three key elements of the Stampede: First Nations, agriculture and ranching, and the cowboy. Linda Finstad, equine photographer and historian, has traced the origins of different horse breeds found in Alberta. “Every horse came here for a reason and was brought here by somebody, a bit like the people,” she said. TAILS will be included with admission entrance and will be performed daily during the Stampede.

Rosies celebrate best in television and film
On May 13, the 38th annual Alberta Film Awards were held at the Hyatt Regency in Calgary, the first time in 10 years the Rosies have been presented outside of Edmonton. Calgary actress Michelle Thrush, who won a Gemini for her role as mother Gail Stoney in Blackstone, took home the Best Actress Award. She was up against Edna Rain in Just Cause: Police Interaction, Mandy Stobo from Not Far from the Abattoir, Pattie Dwyer of Awaken, Roseanne Supernault of Blackstone and Aimee Beaudoin of CAUTION: May Contain Nuts. In her acceptance speech, Thrush said, “I’ve always been taught by the Elders that our stories are contained within the land and our songs are contained within the Earth. Every single time that Alberta makes another film, we’re waking up those stories.” Thrush, originally from the Neekanet First Nation in Saskatchewan began acting at a very young age. With over 20 years experience in film, television and theatre, Thrush has over 40 entertainment credits and a number of awards and recognitions.

Aboriginal consultation from industry, First Nations perspectives
On June 7, representatives from industry and Aboriginal communities will come together at the Westin Hotel to discuss consultation expectations and requirements for industry when developing natural resource projects with Aboriginal communities. Premier Alison Redford has indicated that one of her top priorities is to finish review of the First Nations Consultation Policy. The existing policy has raised concerns for both industry and Aboriginal communities. Former federal minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada Chuck Strahl will deliver opening comments and insights through the discussion. The panelists are Thom Stubbs, partner with Integrated Environments and Lee Francouer, a Taku River Tlingit First Nation lawyer. Stubbs has recently worked with the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers to create a coordinated industry position on the Alberta First Nations Consultation Policy and lead Aboriginal engagement strategies on the Alaska Highway and the Mackenzie Gas Pipeline. Francouer works primarily with First Nations in Aboriginal and Treaty law, Natural Resources and the Environment and Human Rights. The event is the seventh in the Calgary Chamber’s Aboriginal Business Connections Series.

Medicine Bear Comes to Calgary International Childrens’ Festival

In May, Toronto’s Kaha:wi Dance Theatre brought Medicine Bear to Calgary’s International Children’s Festival at the Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts. Co-produced with the Woodland Cultural Centre, Medicine Bear, a multi-media dance production, tells two traditional Iroquoian stories through dance, music and story-telling. The two stories, how the Bear Alan became “keeper of the Medicines” and how the hunter discovered the “gift of Medicines,” teach compassion, gratefulness and respect for the natural world. Created by artistic director Santee Smith of the Mohawk Nation, Turtle Clan, who trained at Canada’s National School of Ballet, the production fuses contemporary and Aboriginal dance styles, a hallmark of Smith’s choreographic style. Her renowned performances have taken Smith to many countries including the United States, Mexico, New Zealand, Japan and Indonesia.