Calgary News Briefs - August 2013

Alvin Manitopyes leads the Grand Entry into Olympic Plaza.

First Nations celebrate Canada Day on Olympic Plaza

Despite the flooding of Prince’s Island in late June, Canada Day celebrations went ahead at Shaw Millenium Park, on Stephen Avenue and at Olympic Plaza, beginning with the Grand Entry of the pow wow. Hundreds of Calgarians packed Olympic Plaza for an afternoon of First Nations’ dancing, drumming and competitions, representing all Nations from Treaty 7. Autumn Eagle Speaker, of the Blood Tribe, who coordinated the powwow and Aboriginal celebration, said, “The City of Calgary, willing to bring forward, this idea is so tremendous for the city and the First Nations.” Due to the flooding of Municipal Plaza, however, the event was scaled back. For Eagle Speaker, some of the highlights were world champion hoop dancer, Eric Pipestem, who has worked with Cirque du Soleil, the Métis jigging of Kristen Acuna and the solo men’s hand drum contest. Eagle Speaker is looking forward to next year’s celebration, which will be enhanced with the learning elements and public education to teach about significant elements of First Nations’ culture.

Valcourt opens Indian Village

On July 5, the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, along with Provincial Minister of Aboriginal Relations Robin Campbell opened Indian Village at the Calgary Stampede. “I am extremely moved and proud to be in Calgary today at the Stampede to not only participate in the opening of Indian Village, but also to witness the incredible togetherness that has taken hold of this community and others affected by the recent flooding,” said Valcourt. In what seemed to be nothing short of a miracle, the Stampede community pulled together to present Stampede 101. Although Indian Village itself is on higher ground and was relatively unaffected, some of those who set up tipis for the 10-day event were. When flooding swept over homes on the Siksika reserve, Gerald Sitting Eagle, who has been part of the village since 1977, not only lost his house but also numerous precious artifacts passed down from previous generations. Treaty 7 tribes came together offering everything Sitting Eagle from tipi gear, beaded artifacts, buffalo hides and other regalia for his Indian Village tipi.

Benefit concert held for flood victims

Aboriginal artists Tom Jackson and Susan Aglukark were among the headliners of the Halo High Water Benefit Concert held at the Southern Jubilee Auditorium in Calgary on Aug. 4. “Whether it’s rural communities like High River, urban neighbourhoods in Calgary, or the southern Alberta First Nations, thousands of people have been impacted by the flooding. However, as with any great tragedy, the power of the human spirit is evident in the way communities and individuals have rallied to support those that need it most,” said Jackson, who served as executive producer for the concert. Joining Jackson on stage were such notable names as Juno award winners Paul Brandt and Jim Cuddy, as well as Canadian Country Music Association winners Dean Brody and Carolyn Dawn Johnson. The concert was made possible through donations of corporate sponsors, and broadcasters CBC and APTN. Proceeds from the concert ticket sales, along with donations collected online and over the phone, went to the Calgary Foundation’s Flood Rebuilding Fund. The fund will focus on the long-term community needs related to the devastating flooding that turned thriving communities into disaster zones.

Tsuu T’ina dispute over Weaselhead resolved with Ottawa

For decades the Tsuu T’ina Nation and Ottawa have been in legal talks over an area of land near the Glenmore Reservoir. Originally part of the reserve, the Weaselhead was sold to the federal government for $29,675, which passed it on to the City of Calgary in 1931 to construct the Glenmore Dam. In 1996 Tsuu T’ina filed a claim to the land, saying they did not receive fair market value. Following years of negotiating, a special ceremony was held on July 6 where Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister Bernard Valcourt announced a formal settlement with Tsuu T’ina Chief Roy Whitney. Under the settlement agreement, Canada is providing the Tsuu T’ina Nation with $20.8 million in financial compensation. The claim did not seek a return of the land, but rather appropriate compensation for the 240 hectares that now protect the Glenmore Reservoir’s headwaters. Valcourt said the agreement was part of an ongoing claims tribunal the Canadian government established in 2008 to make binding decisions in unresolved cases.

Fleury assumes role of business development manager for UIC First Nations

Theoren Fleury, former Calgary Flames player, has assumed the role of business development manager for UIC First Nations, which forges partnerships with Aboriginal communities across the country to build schools, water treatment projects, housing and other community projects on reserves. While on speaking tours for his 2009 memoir, Playing with Fire, Fleury visited nearly 70 reserves and observed firsthand many incomplete community housing project and schools, he believes to be the result of construction deals gone wrong. “We’ve seen a lot of projects that have been incomplete because the construction company that came and promised, promised, promised later says we ran out of money,” Fleury said. He discussed his concern with general manager Patrick McCallion of UIC First Nations about finding an established company that could help Aboriginal people learn skills to find jobs and become self-sufficient. Alaska-based UIC Construction Services agreed to open a Calgary subsidiary. Fleury will seek out deals with Aboriginal communities to ensure successful completion of projects.