Edmonton Aboriginal News Year-In-Review-2013

In Edmonton in 2013

Edmonton continues to push ahead in Aboriginal relations.
Figures from the latest National Household Survey indicate that Edmonton has the second largest urban Aboriginal population (behind Winnipeg) at 60,000. The city moved forward by signing memorandums with both the provincial government and the Métis Nation of Alberta, as well as proclaiming Aug. 23 as Treaty 6 Recognition Day, holding a special ceremony at City Hall and raising the Treaty No. 6 flag. These urban Aboriginal agreements have set Edmonton ahead of any other city in the country and the Canadian Federation of Municipalities has held these agreements up as a benchmark for other municipalities. UNESCO has also noted the work undertaken by Edmonton in moving Aboriginal relations forward. However, 2013 marked the end of Mayor Stephen Mandel’s time as he resigned after serving three terms. “We’ve tried to do lots. We would have liked to have done more… but it took a little bit of time to get going,” said Mandel. Don Iveson took over in October in a decisive mayoral victory.

Innovative partnership to housing recognized
In March, Habitat for Humanity Edmonton won the Recognizing Outstanding Organizations and People in Housing award for Outstanding Service for the Aboriginal Community. Habitat was recognized for its partnership with the Métis Capital Housing Corporation in a winning initiative that saw Aboriginal families earning home ownership. Alfred Nikolai, president and CEO of Habitat, credited MCHC for the brainchild. “It’s a brilliant solution to a housing situation in urban communities where we have hard-working Métis families who work from paycheck to paycheck and a lot of their money goes to paying rent. It doesn’t allow them to build any equity for themselves and their children.” The ROOPH awards are handed out annually by Homeward Trust Edmonton.

City, province join forces to improve urban Aboriginal opportunities
In May, the city and the province signed a memorandum to improve the quality of life and opportunities for urban Aboriginals. “I think that the most important thing that (this Memorandum of Coordination and Collaboration) does is that it recognizes the urban aspect of the Aboriginal community. I think for those living in Edmonton, or those living in other major urban centres, that’s something long overdue,” said Mayor Stephen Mandel. The memorandum called for the establishment of an action plan in the areas of youth leadership and development; economic development; transitions from rural to urban communities as well as transitions from one stage or place within the city to another; supporting opportunities for Aboriginal women; and, safe and secure communities. However, no additional money was set aside to meet these goals. Aboriginal Relations Minister Robin Campbell expected other Alberta cities to follow suit.

Sainte-Marie inducted into the Walk of Honour
On May 31, singer/songwriter and performer Buffy Sainte-Marie was inducted into the Walk of Honour at Beaver Hills House Park downtown while she was in Edmonton for the Dreamspeakers Film Festival. Sainte-Marie’s career, which spans more than 40 years, has established her as more than a performer, but also as an activist and educator. “Because we have a stage, sometimes we can reach more people at one time but that is not to take away from people who are working in their communities every single day to make change happen. Little by little I think the human race is ripening and getting better,” said Sainte-Marie, who is Cree of Canadian and American background. She has recorded 17 music albums, scored movies, raised a son, earned a Ph.D. in Fine Arts, and received numerous awards.

EPS moves forward on Aboriginal policing strategy
A tipi hand crafted by Wolfchild Tipis and Tents and bearing the EPS crest was dedicated on National Aboriginal Day as part of the Edmonton Police Service’s new Aboriginal policing strategy. “We’ve become more visible out in the community and as a result we’re making strides within government, within the police force, within different sectors of society. There’s been different initiatives being developed over the years trying to encourage the participation of the Aboriginal community and that’s a good step,” said Papaschase First Nation Chief Calvin Bruneau, who spoke at the dedication ceremony. EPS Chief Rod Knecht said the new strategy, which is currently under development through the newly-created EPS Aboriginal relations unit, will take a three-prong approach: to foster positive relations with the growing urban Aboriginal population in Edmonton; to recruit both police and civilian employees to the EPS; and, to increase the cultural sensitivity and awareness towards Aboriginal community within the EPS.

MNA marks strong relationship with memorandum
In September, outgoing Mayor Stephen Mandel culminated a strong nine-year relationship with the Métis Nation of Alberta in the form of a Memorandum of Shared Recognition and Cooperation. “We’ve had a lot of … positive working relationships that have produced results over those nine years,” said MNA President Audrey Poitras, “and it was very important certainly to me that somewhere along the line we cement that relationship (and that) we ensure that it is part of what becomes history between the City of Edmonton and the Métis Nation.” Poitras said it was rewarding to be entering into an arrangement that did not involve court rooms. The memorandum is a formal agreement to engage and empower Métis people in the city.

Compiled by Shari Narine