Calgary News Briefs - November 2014

Renaissance man performs

Siberian Canadian artist Zinour brought his unique dance style to the Aboriginal Awareness week gala. Zinour is often referred to as a “Renaissance Man” as he has achieved excellence in both dance and fine arts. 

Harper government funds job creation for Calgary Aboriginals

 On Oct. 14, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister Bernard Valcourt announced a contribution of $355,000 to the Calgary Urban Aboriginal Initiative to support increased jobs and economic development opportunities. This funding will help CUAI identify and find solutions to barriers urban Aboriginal people experience in finding employment. The funding is provided as part of Canada’s Urban Aboriginal Strategy that supports programs that align with the government’s priority of improving economic participation of Aboriginal people in the Canadian economy. CUAI brings multiple agencies and stakeholders together to develop solutions to issues such as employment, health, housing and education. The Urban Aboriginal Strategy recognizes the role organizations such as CUAI play in promoting community engagement, partnerships and planning to increase Aboriginal economic participation in Canada’s economy.

From Nov. 24-27, approximately 200 young Aboriginal entrepreneurs from across Canada will participate in the 2014 Young Entrepreneur Symposium in Calgary. The event will bring together business leaders, role models and speakers, creating an opportunity for young entrepreneurs to increase their profile by highlighting their skills, determination and innovative ideas. They also have the opportunity to connect with their peers and seasoned entrepreneurs and build relationships with business leaders. Teams of delegates will participate in competitions that will help build their skills and increase their business knowledge. The top three teams will be awarded cash prizes, with $5,000 going to the first place team. Confirmed keynote speakers include Erin Meehan, CEO of ESS North American Compass Group, and former Montreal Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo. Treaty7 Management Corporation has partnered with New Relationship Trust to cohost the annual symposium.

RCMP Sgt. Yvonne Niego recently received the International Association of Women Police 2014 Community Service Award at an awards luncheon attended by police women from around the world in Winnipeg. Niego is the first Inuit woman from Nunavut to be promoted to the rank of corporal and then sergeant. She attended the University of Calgary, the first person from her remote community of Baker Lake, Nunavut, to go to university. After studying at the U of C she pursued a career in law enforcement. In 1989 she was recruited as a summer student to work as a guard matron at the local detachment. In 1991 she attended the RCMP Training Academy, becoming the first female Inuk from Nunavut to become a full regular member. She was posted at Iqaluit before she returned to work in her home community. Widely recognized as a leading expert in Inuit policing, she has spearheaded numerous community initiatives including firearm safety; family violence, child abuse and child sexual abuse; suicide prevention; cultural orientation and conflict resolution; and media relations.

On Oct. 25, Inuit singer Susan Aglukark was the keynote performer at a national Music Care Conference to address the healing capacity of music. The daylong event at the Rosza Centre at the University of Calgary explored music care in the areas of dementia, palliative care, Parkinson’s disease, stroke recovery and singing and wellness. Aglukark was joined by leading experts in various aspects of music integration care, including Robin Rio, professor of music therapy from Arizona State, and university presenters Dr. Bin Hu on music and Parkinson’s and Melanie Boyd, co-ordinator of the Arts and Humanities for Health and Wellbeing Research Group, which partnered with Room 217 Foundation to sponsor the Music Care Conference. Calgary music therapist Jennifer Buchanan spoke on music for health and Paul Rumboldt, of Hospice Calgary, addressed using music in palliative care.

Compiled by Darlene Chrapko