Calgary News Briefs - April, 2015

Olympic athletes inspire youth

Almost 150 Aboriginal students, Grades 6 through 9 from Morley, Eden Valley, Bighorn, and Kikino Métis Settlement gathered at the Canmore Nordic Centre on March 11 to experience sports activities, cultural sharing and camaraderie. Led by Olympic medallist Beckie Scott, a team of Olympic heroes spent the day with the students, encouraging them to learn cross-country skiing. Two-time Olympic bobsledder and CFL star running back Jesse Lumsden delivered a motivational keynote address at lunch. Cross Country Alberta and Cross Country Canada’s Ski Fit North Alberta program developed the initiative to give Aboriginal kids a chance to increase their physical and mental well-being through sport. During the past four years, Scott has travelled throughout northern Alberta communities inspiring students in remote areas. This year Statoil became a title sponsor of the program with Ski Fit North Alberta, targeting Aboriginal youth ages six-14 in Northern Alberta regions of Statoil’s core work. Scott, of Vermillion, is an ambassador, recruiting youth to cross-country skiing, supporting them and strengthening the junior athletic pool.

ASIRT seeks public assistance in shooting

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team is investigating a Calgary Police Service officer-involved shooting on March 21. At about 11 a.m. a handful of people in attendance at an anti-racism rally in front of City Hall were approached by Morgan Thompson, 30. Thompson taunted the crowd with cries of “white power,” which resulted in verbal exchanges. Police on the scene monitoring the rally approached Thompson, who began walking away. The police dispatched a description of Thompson and his direction and a uniformed CPS officer in a marked police vehicle, accompanied by three CPS recruits-in-training, located Thompson. The officer intercepted, pulling his vehicle in front of Thompson and then pursued Thompson on foot, with the recruits at a distance behind. A brief confrontation ensued between the officer and Thompson, with Thompson brandishing a pipe and the officer initially using his baton. The officer fired on Thompson, critically wounding Thompson. ASIRT is investigating the incident.

Ring road completion delayed

The province has delayed construction of the final leg of the ring road until 2024 or 2025. The southwest section that cuts through Tsuu T’ina First Nation will begin as soon as this year, but Alberta Transportation has delayed the west leg from the Trans-Canada Highway to Glenmore Trail until 2021. As a result, traffic on Sarcee Trail is expected to continue to worsen in the upcoming decade. Alberta’s drop in revenue resulted in $1.5 billion cut from the ring road budget affecting earlier plans. The land deal with Tsuu T’ina requires that the southwest section be built within seven years of approval following enactment by the federal government.

We Are Coming Home launched at the Glenbow Museum

Athabasca University Press will hold a launch of We Are Coming Home, Repatriation and the Restoration of Blackfoot Cultural Confidence, edited by Gerald T. Conaty, at the Glenbow Museum Theatre on April 10. In 1990, Conaty, hired as senior curator of ethnology, was given the mandate of improving the Glenbow’s relations with the Aboriginal community. At the time the Glenbow had taken early steps by returning sacred object to the First Nations’ people. In 2000, the Glenbow returned 251 sacred objects to the Blackfoot. Despite criticism from members of the provincial government, Conaty oversaw the return of more than 50 medicine bundles to the Blackfoot and Cree communities from 1990-2000. Then the First Nations Sacred Ceremonial Repatriation Act, the only repatriation legislation in Canada, was passed. We Are Coming Home tells the story of this highly complex process, as described by the Piikani, Siksika and Kainai Elders, who provided insight and guidance. The Glenbow Museum’s president and CEO at the time and a Provincial Museum of Alberta archaeologist give insight into the creation of FNSCORA. Their accounts are framed by Conaty’s reflections on the impact of museums on First Nations, the history and culture of the Blackfoot and the path forward. The book is a tribute to Conaty’s relationship with the Blackfoot and is timely with his passing in August 2013.

New Blood Performance Inspired by the Makers of Making Treaty 7

Inspired by the performance of Making Treaty 7 at Heritage Park last fall, the naming ceremony for Mayor Naheed Nenshi and his declaration of 2014 as the year of reconciliation for Calgary and area, Deanne Bertsch, a Strathmore choreographer/teacher, created New Blood, a dance performance presented at Calgary’s Big Secret Theatre on the March 14 weekend. Over 75 Blackfoot students from Siksika First Nation, who attend Strathmore School, participated in Bertsch’s class to portray historical moments that changed the lives of the Blackfoot people. Elements of the performance included poems by Chief Dan George and Siksika Chief Vincent Yellow Old Woman. The evening of dance, music, and poetry also featured paintings by George Littlechild. The late Michael Green had connected Bertsch with First Nations communities, helping the show take shape. New Blood was dedicated to Green and the late Narcisse Blood, whose cousin played the role of narrator.