Calgary News Briefs - June 2013

Aboriginal youth from throughout southern Alberta gathered in Calgary for the second annual Aboriginal Youth Explosion.

Second annual Aboriginal Youth Explosion

On May 12, Bridges Social Development presented its second annual Aboriginal Youth Explosion at Mount Royal University. Aboriginal youth from throughout southern Alberta celebrated and shared their personal wisdom and stories with the Calgary community. An art exhibition showcasing young Aboriginal artists in a variety of traditional mediums opened the event. Elder Randy Bottle’s opening prayer followed the Grand Entry. Twenty-four youth participants then performed for an audience of over 200. The event creates a space for Aboriginal youth to share stories, to celebrate, and to explore their leadership aspirations while education and inspiring others to realize their dreams. “I felt a real bridging of both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities at the 2013 AYE event. Communities came together to share and celebrate the voices and stories of our youth. It felt real, very real; real in a way that can only be felt through the building of strong and resilient relationships, over time and with care,” said Siri Bright, program coordinator of Bridges Social Development.

Strathcona-Tweedsmuir students honour spirits of residential school children

Thirty-two Grades 4 to 6 students from Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School recently visited the site of St. Joseph Industrial School, south of Calgary which operated from 1884 to 1924, also known as the old Dunbow School grounds. As part of the school’s Human Outreach Project, the experience built on their study of Aboriginal education. Almost 1,000 students had been housed at the residential school, losing their identities when their Native names were changed to Christian names and then numbers for easy tracking. Numerous children succumbed to illness or died in the fire that destroyed the school house in the 1920s and were buried in the cemetery. When the Highwood River flooded in 1996, many of the coffins that floated into the river were retrieved and reburied. “This is a really solemn place, an emotional place. The kids that went to school here went through so much, and we want to pay tribute to them,” said Grade 6 student Alice Yates. “It helps us all to learn about Native culture and history, so that when we see Natives in the city now, we know what their people had to go through.” With small suede moccasins hanging from their necks, the students also spread ceremonial tobacco on the graves of the 75 children. They released butterflies from tiny boxes, symbolically freeing the spirits of the students. Each butterfly box bore the name of an Aboriginal child. “My Aboriginal name? It was Jonny Blood,” said Grade 6 student Ben Coleman. “We want to bring back the dignity of the kids that were here, because in many ways they are all just like us.”

Monkman depicts First Nations ties to Calgary Stampede

To honour the Stampede’s 100th anniversary in 2012, the Glenbow Museum commissioned Cree artist Ken Monkman to create a work to reflect the Stampede. Titled “The Big Four,” Monkman’s piece consists of four junk cars containing videos, sculptures and other related items from the Glenbow’s collection, including the passes First Nations needed to leave the reserve then. The “res cars” derived from the autobiography of Native American activist Leonard Peltier represent aspects of reservation life. “He talked about how they were looked down upon by white people,” said Monkman.” “He talked about their value in terms of mobility, first of all, for freedom to leave the reserve, but also how they were intrinsically part of Native culture. They were valuable, mined for parts to keep other cars going so the father could leave the reserve and get a job and feed his family. Somebody’s Auntie might be living in one of the cars. You could open the glove compartment and find sage or sweetgrass. He actually talked about the cars as being sacred.” The “res cars” also symbolize the economic disparity between Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals. The intent of the exhibit, said Monkman, is not to criticize the Stampede. “The Calgary Stampede really stands out as a rodeo that supported First Nations people,” he said. The Big Four runs until Aug. 18 at the Glenbow.

Program draws Aboriginals and new Canadians to the trades

For more than 20 years, Momentum, a Calgary-based organization has been operating its free trades training program that helps students learn trades-related language, safety codes, language, math, science and life skills and the Canadian job site. Since 1991 over 800 people have graduated from the program, sponsored by the provincial and federal governments and Cenovus Energy. Students receive hands-on technical training and a seven-week placement. “The placement period is a great opportunity for employers in a lower-risk situation, to test out this idea of taking on a person from Momentum,” said Carolyn Davis, community relations associate director. The program offers trades training in pipefitting, carpentry, plumbing, heavy duty technician, and study in green building.