Calgary News Briefs - June 2014

Dan Christmas (centre), senior advisor with Membertou First Nations Economic Development Corporation, receives the inaugural Economic Development Corporation of the year award from Dean Johnson (left), of Sodexo’s senior team and Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business CEO JP Gladu at the gala held in Calgary.

On May 13, at the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business annual gala at Calgary’s Hyatt Regency, Membertou First Nations Economic Development Corporation was recognized as Economic Development Corporation of the year by CCAB and Sodexo Canada. The community of Membertou, located near Sydney, Nova Scotia, successfully overcame economic challenges over two decades from 1995-2014. Faced with high unemployment and low morale, Membertou has seen economic growth and a commitment to culture and heritage. By incorporating Indigenous principles of conservation and sustainability of land and waters, the community built a new economic frontier. The Membertou Development Corporation partnered with private sector companies, establishing a strong corporate office. These partnerships created education and career training programs for community members. The AECD award is a first for Canada, illuminating the role that Aboriginal corporations play in business and First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities.

June 15-21, Calgary will be celebrating Aboriginal Awareness week. The annual celebration acknowledges the history of the Inuit, First Nations and Métis people by designating a week for all to participate in and experience Aboriginal culture. The overarching theme, “Keeping the Circle Strong,” celebrates and recognizes the traditional teachings that keep past and future generations strong and healthy. The celebration kicks off with opening ceremonies on June 16 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Olympic Plaza. Mayor Nenshi, representatives of City Council, First Nation leadership from Treaty 7 and community Elders, corporate Calgary and Aboriginal community members will all be in attendance. “Honouring Mother Earth,” an extension of last year’s theme recognizes community, unity and humanity for response to last year’s floods. Events are held at different venues throughout the city. The week-long celebration culminates with a Family Day Pow Wow Festival at Shaw Millenium Park. Festivities include a story corner, visits with Elders, traditional games and the 10th annual Aboriginal Youth Hoops tournament. The day wraps with the grand entry of the pow wow, drum groups and dancers from Tiny Tots to Buckskins.

The Calgary Urban Aboriginal Initiative is throwing a party to celebrate 15 years in the community on June 25 at the Alexandra Centre Dance Hall. Listening circles will discuss the past, present and future of CUAI and the CUAI youth group. Coffee, snacks, lunch, a Bundle ceremony, soap stone carving, beading and many more family-oriented activities are planned. CUAI, founded in 1999, began with a multi-phase community consultation to identify barriers faced by urban Aboriginals. Multiple partners including the City of Calgary Community and Social Development, the Calgary Homeless Foundation, Treaty 7 Economic Development Corporation, the Métis Nation of Alberta, Human Resources Development Canada and Justice Canada’s National Strategy on Community Safety and Crime Prevention identified eight key issue areas in their work, “Removing Barriers:  A Listening Circle.” The eight Domain Areas formed the foundation of CUAI.

Inspired by the Canada-wide Me to We conferences, the second annual Calgary French and International School Mini We Day conference was held on May 2, hosting speakers to encourage students to act upon bullying, human rights and oppression. This year the school expanded its event inviting neighbouring schools, Calgary Connects Charter School and École Sainte-Marguerite-Bourgeoys to participate. Among the speakers and guest presenters were illusionist and motivational speaker Scott Hamell, Cree singer-songwriter Walter MacDonald White Bear, young actor Angelique Berry, Duff Gibson 2006 winter Olympics gold medalist in men’s skeleton, and Kaleigh Jo Kirk, musical vocalist and recording artist.

Eden Valley women Ronine Ryder and Celine Dixon have become independent sales consultants for cosmetic company Empower International Inc., hosting their first open house at the Stoney Adult Education Centre. Darlene Cox, a resident of Black Diamond, established Empower International Inc., a social selling company similar to Mary Kay, with fellow Métis friend, Wendel Haugen last year. Haugen, one of the four principle owners, suggested to Cox, who had been working out of Eden Valley, that they involve First Nations women in the cosmetics and skincare business. Ryder was one of the original 13 Empower founders involved in the creation of the cosmetics line. The products range from skin to hair-care and are based on aloe and other natural ingredients such as saskatoon berries. Empower delivers the products directly to Eden Valley residents who often face transportation difficulties. Currently, Empower has 30 consultants,
including 14 Aboriginal women from Alberta, B.C. and the Yukon.