Calgary News Briefs - August 2014

Valcourt Participates in Indian Village Grand Entry

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada Minister Bernard Valcourt was among the political figures and honoured guests, which included Alberta Minister of Aboriginal Relations Frank Oberle and Parliamentary Secretary Mark Strahl, to participate in the Grand Entry powwow at the opening of Indian Village. “It is with great respect that I acknowledge the Elders from each of the First Nations in attendance here today, who, with strong knowledge and belief in the value of their long standing traditions, have made our history come alive. By passing your knowledge onto the younger generations, you have kept these traditions sacred, and they will remain an important part of Canada’s past and present and an integral part of our future,” said Valcourt.

Calgary Police Service is not responding to allegations of police misconduct levied against it by the family of Colton Crowshoe. The family says CPS did not take their initial reports of Crowshoe’s disappearance seriously. In a statement, CPS said, “Our deepest condolences go out to the entire Crowshoe family…. Our focus remains on the homicide investigation and in bringing the person(s) responsible for Colton’s death to justice.” The body of 18-year-old Crowshoe was discovered in a water retention pond in northeast Calgary on July 24, 20 days after he went missing. CPS does not know how long Crowshoe had been dead. Crowshoe’s family held vigils July 27 at the Abbeydale Community Centre, in Calgary, and July 31 at the Piikani Nation Community Hall. Crowshoe, a member of the Piikani First Nation, lived in Calgary most of his life.

Brian Blackkettle, 35, was found unconscious at Century Gardens downtown on July 27. He was taken to hospital where he was later declared dead. Blaine Manywounds was charged with manslaughter. It is believed Manywounds and Blackkettle, a father of five, originally from the Siksika First Nation, knew each other. Blackkettle’s death marks Calgary’s 22nd homicide, which equals the total of homicides in the city in 2013.

Noelan Twoyoungmen, from the Stoney Nakoda Nation, has been sentenced to a two-year federal prison term for setting fire to the Chief Chiniki restaurant at Morley, which burned to the ground in fall 2012. On July 9, Twoyoungmen pled guilty to one count of arson. Three young offenders were also charged. The loss was estimated at over $1 million. Although there are plans to rebuild the restaurant, a hub of the community and gathering place for local residents, progress has been slow.

As part of its new initiative, Gang Reduction, Intervention and Prevention, the Calgary Police Service has launched a new website to aid gang members, who wish to exit a life of crime. Replacing its previous program, “Get a Life,” the GRIP initiative provides resources to raise awareness and to help those who want to communicate with gang investigators. It also includes a Gang Helpline. The website publicizes programs such as Start Smart Stay Safe and the Youth at Risk Development, which help to deter youth at-risk from joining gangs. The overall strategy encompasses several elements, including education, prevention, disruption and investigation. “Leaving gang life is not always easy,” says the CPS. “There is often pressure to stay and penalties for getting out.”

Beginning this fall, an additional 25 students and social work practitioners will have the opportunity to achieve their Bachelor of Social Work degree online. By 2017-18, the number is expected to increase to a total of 100 seats. The Master of Social Work will also increase its intake by 25 students in January 2015. The Alberta government is also striking a task force with the university to focus its efforts on child protection, formalizing the partnership between the Ministry of Human Services and the University of Calgary. “One of the pillars of our plan to improve the child intervention system is to focus on enhancing education, training and support for workers to help prepare them for the complexities of the child intervention practice. Developing new programs focused on child intervention will reinforce our frontline workers and their ability to achieve positive results for vulnerable children and families,” said Manmeet S. Bhullar, Minister of Human Services. The province is providing $1.3 million for the expansion as part of the $3.7 million the university received in Budget 2014 to increase access to programs that are in high-demand.

Compiled by Darlene Chrapko