Dancing in the New Year

Page 5

Tansi:

TSUU T'INA-Wow! It was quite a deal at the Tsuu T'ina First Nation. I am speaking of course about their two-day New Year's powwow that drew people by the hundreds. In fact, dancers numbered close to 600! Included in these figures were participating visitors from such distances as Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona and Washington. The event had 15 registered drum groups with Red Bull as the host drum. On opening day, two Elders, a youth and a visitor prayed to the four directions and at midnight, explained band researcher Cheryl Big Plume, the people circled the arena for a round dance to signify the unity of the people.

Honoring their best

FORT MCMURRAY-This northern city is scheduled to host its annual Regional Aboriginal Recognition Awards (RARAs), which pays tribute to Aboriginal people who have personally excelled in the arts, business or any one of a number of other categories. They will also recognize individuals who have contributed to the betterment of the quality of life in Alberta's northeast. The Feb. 12 event will be held at the Mackenzie Inn with the hilarious George Tuccaro as the master of ceremonies. More information can be had by calling (780) 791-3045.

Come on down

EDMONTON-There is an open house slated for Jan. 21 from noon until 3 p.m. at the Native Healing Centre located at 18813-123 St. It will feature a variety of entertainment, including the Red River Wheelers (jigging, square dancing), powwow dancers, flutist Eagle Child and others.

Chow for literacy

EDMONTON-Co-ordinator Sarah Skwarchuk and Dr. Cora Pillwax, both with the Metis Literacy Project in Edmonton, were surprised when their last meeting attracted 22 individuals. The monthly get-togethers are held in the basement of Sacred Heart Church and this last one included a pot luck supper. It went so well, the organizers are considering doing it again. Sarah, incidentally, is available to meet with individuals or groups who have any interest at all in Metis literacy. She can be reached at (780) 944 - 9288. The next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 19 and the third Wednesday of every month after that.

No surrender

FISHING LAKE FIRST TION-The people over at Fishing Lake are looking very closely at a situation dear to their hearts and souls. They recently held a meeting to discuss their pursuit of 13,200 acres of additional lands through a land entitlement claim. It stems from a land surrender of 1907. This promises to be a long, drawn-out process of reclaiming land owed. Interested parties can call Lynette at (306) 338-3460 or 1-888-931-2211.

Roasted senator

ST. ALBERT-Irene Morin, executive assistant to Senator Thelma Chalifoux, informs me that they are planning a Jan. 25 roast of the Metis woman who has been busier than all get-out since assuming her duties with federal government. The roast is slated for 6 p.m. at the Canadian Native Friendship Centre in Edmonton. For further information, call Irene at (780) 459- 3312.

EDMONTON-Earth Magic Media Inc., which is operated by Raymond Yakelaya and Bill Stewart, got the official green light to begin televising a new series entitled "Earth Voices " which will come to your home via ACCESS TV beginning April 1. The first series will be in 13 parts, a half-hour long and run every Saturday from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Next door, in Calgary, a furious Muriel Stanley Venne, who had been denied the right to speak on Dec. 9 before Judge Thomas Goodson who is conducting the Connie Jacobs Fatality Inquiry, finally got her way on December 16.

Mind you, she had to tone down her message. Nonetheless, her point was certainly made and Stanley-Venne held fast to the fact that she had earlier been granted intervenor status. Her main gripe as explained in a Jan. 5 press release, is that Aboriginal women often encounter "discrimination, racism and hurtful stereotypic labels and attitudes" from law enforcement officers.

Stanley-Venne is a known factor in the Edmonton area - in particular for her work in the aren of human rights. As well, she is president of the Alberta Native Human Rights Committee.

For those who do not know, Jacobs and her son, Ty, were felled by a shotgun blast from RCMP Const. Dave Voller's rifle on March 22, 1998 at the family's home on the Tsuu T'ina Reserve.