Calgary News Briefs - October 2013

Over 250 performers, dancers and drummers celebrated Aboriginal culture at the 2nd annual Heritage Park Powwow.

Treaty 7 hosts pow wow at Heritage Park

Treaty 7 Management Corp. hosted its second annual “Sharing our Culture” pow wow at Heritage Park Historical Village on Sept. 15. The pow wow showcases the history and culture of the Siksika, Blood, Piikani, Tsuu T’ina, Wesley, Chiniki and Bearspaw bands with a display of colourful regalia, traditional dance and drum circles. This year’s pow wow was expanded to include an arts and crafts market and traditional food. Corbin Provost, of Treaty 7, said the pow wow attracted over 2,300 visitors, with the first 1,500 receiving complimentary admission, courtesy of Treaty 7. The event was one of three that received grants totalling $80,000 from the provincial government. The grants reflect the province’s efforts to increase tourism through investment in events and festivals. “Aboriginal people are an integral part of the province’s history, society and culture,” said Aboriginal Relations Minister Robin Campbell. “Funding these events is another way to offer Albertans the opportunity to become more aware of and enjoy Alberta’s Aboriginal heritage and people.” An International Peace Pow Wow that will be held in Lethbridge, Feb. 1 and 2, 2014, also received support as well as The Making of Treaty 7 event that will be held in Calgary in September 2014.

Southwest Ring Road deal awaits Tsuu T’ina vote

Although an exact route has not yet been revealed, the Tsuu T’ina Nation has been presented with new plans to complete the southwest stage of Calgary’s ring road by entering the Tsuu T’ina reserve from its southeast end. Band members will vote on the project on Oct. 24. According to Alberta Transportation Minister Ric McIver, the proposal is similar to that made in 2009. If the deal is approved by Tsuu T’ina band members it will need further approval from the Canadian government which McIver said could take anywhere from two weeks to two years. McIver said the deal is in the best interest of the Tsuu T’ina Nation, Calgarians and Albertans. It is the final leg in completion of a ring road, with the southeast leg recently opening. With the expansion of Tsuu T’ina’s Grey Eagle Casino, more traffic is expected to flow into the First Nation.

Calgary men walk in heels to help end family violence

On Sept. 19 Calgary’s YWCA hosted its eighth annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes fundraiser. Teams of participating men walked, wobbled and strutted two laps around Olympic Plaza in high heels as a show of solidarity to women and children seeking refuge from family violence. The 275 participants raised over $402,000 to help the YWCA with its programs that provide emergency shelter, counselling, housing and education for women and children experiencing violence. Presenting sponsor Pengrowth Energy Corporation took the “Top Team” award for the third consecutive year for raising the most money, $166,000 and their CEO and captain Derek Evans, who raised almost $130,000, himself, was the “Top Walker.” The YWCA partners with a number of agencies including the Aboriginal Friendship Centre, Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters, Alpha House and Homefront.

Certified Aboriginal Business platform launched

With support from patron sponsor Suncor Energy, the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business has launched the “Certified Aboriginal Business” platform. The Canada-wide directory of pre-qualified Aboriginal businesses is available to the public on www.ccab.com. Work opportunities for Aboriginal business will also be publicized on the website. “Increasingly, corporations have begun to realize the value that Aboriginal businesses bring to the table, but it’s not always obvious where to find Aboriginal contractors and suppliers,” said JP Gladu, president and CEO with CCAB. “By creating a searchable country-wide database for certified Aboriginal businesses, we are providing a starting point for those looking to source a new supplier.” Gary Hart, senior vice president of Supply Chain and Field Logistics, Suncor Energy, said, “Aboriginal businesses know the customs, environment, and needs of their communities better than anyone else. We’ve found that knowledge to be invaluable in our relationships with Aboriginal suppliers in the Wood Buffalo region of northern Alberta, and we hope the Certified Aboriginal Business platform can help us engage more Aboriginal businesses right across Canada.” The platform, which included approximately 250 businesses at its launch, has been under development for about one year.

Beyond Section 35: building relationships symposium

On Oct. 22 and 23, the Institute on Governance and Treaty 7 Management Corp. will host an event to bring together Indigenous and non-Indigenous leaders to inform stakeholders on the latest legal issues and standards in consultation and accommodation. Similar conferences have been held in Ottawa and Vancouver. Increased resource extraction and development, together with legislation changes, have created a greater need for consultation between Indigenous communities, government and industry. The two-day symposium will focus on building capacity needed to have discussions and agreements that identify community priorities. It will also focus on ensuring implementation of provincial and federal government policies of consultation and accommodation as well as increase the private sector understanding about the duty to consult and accommodate while developing mutually beneficial relationships with Indigenous communities. The keynote speech will be delivered by former Supreme Court Justice, The Honourable Justice Ian Binnie. Other confirmed speakers include Aboriginal Relations Minister Robin Campbell and former Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine.