Edmonton Briefs - June 2012

The Rubaboo Festival, into its fourth year, was started by Alberta Aboriginal Arts co-directors Christine Sokaymoh and Ryan Cunningham.

Festival hits fourth year of celebrating Aboriginal arts
The Rubaboo Festival is a multi disciplinary arts festival, showcasing Aboriginal theatre, music, dance, art, food, family and youth events, artist workshops, cultural workshops and an Aboriginal Crafts Fair. This year is dedicated to dance and some of the highlights include World Champion hoop dancer Arik Pipestem (of Cirque de Solei’s Totem), Raven Spirit Dancer (Vancouver), Untitled|Collective (NYC), the second development of the contemporary dance piece, They Shoot Buffalo, Don’t They? new international collaborative project between Alberta Aboriginal Arts and Untitled|Collective.. The festival runs from June 6-17 at the Catalyst Theatre in Old Strathcona.

Plan to end homelessness shows results
Year 3 update of Edmonton’s 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness shows that nearly 1,800 Edmontonians are now housed in 1,237 units, which is 150 per cent of the plan’s target for the first three years. Other results include 85 per cent of individuals have held onto their housing; 319 new units completed or under construction; three quarters of housing units secured were distributed across the city in the private rental market; 111 Housing First teams, including the first dedicated Aboriginal team, helped people transition into a new life off the streets; outreach services expanded for homeless people with intensive needs; and, the Welcome Home program launched, matching volunteer companions from faith communities with newly-housed people to offer social interaction. “Collaborating in the goal of ending homelessness sounds easy,” said Anne Smith, chair of the Edmonton Homeless Commission, in a news release. “But the reality is more complicated.” Homeward Trust and other frontline agencies have worked with the city and the province to address the issue in Edmonton.

Memorial service for those who died homeless
May 11 marked the 7th annual memorial service for those who died as a result of being homeless. A contingent marched to Edmonton’s Homeless Memorial Statue, where prayers and music to celebrate the lives of those who have died, took place. The event was organized by the Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness Society. “Although the numbers are down, it is an absolute tragedy that so many people are dying homeless, and the service is a way for us to reach out into the community to show our clients that we care,” said ECOHH Homeless Memorial spokesperson John Acheson. A report by Charity Intelligence Canada showed that the average age of death of a homeless person in Canada is 39.

Winner in NAHO fact sheet writing competition
Daniel McKennitt, of Edmonton, was one of five winners in the National Aboriginal Health Organization’s fact sheet writing competition. McKennitt, who gathered statistics on Self-Rated Health of Métis Adults: Findings from the 2006 Aboriginal Peoples Survey, used the Métis Centre statistical database to develop his fact sheet. Developed in collaboration with Statistics Canada, the database is the most comprehensive national database on Métis statistics in the country. McKennitt received $1,000.

Homeward Trust gets new board member
Kristina Midbo, director of First Nations and Urban Initiatives with Alberta Aboriginal Relations, is the newest board member for Edmonton Homeward Trust. Midbo has a strong record of achievement and a proven ability to meet responsibilities and build partnerships, said Homeward Trust in a news release. She has more than five years litigation and general law experience, with an emphasis on Aboriginal and constitutional law. In her current role with the provincial department, Midbo provides leadership in the development and implementation of strategies and initiatives to address urban Aboriginal urban matters.

NorQuest confers first Honorary Diploma
NorQuest College conferred its first Honorary Diploma to Judge Gurcharan Singh Bhatia at the spring Convocation Ceremony May 10.

“NorQuest College has been privileged to work with Judge Bhatia for several years,” said Dr. Jodi L. Abbott, president and CEO of NorQuest, in a news release. “We are proud to honour his contributions to Canadian society.” The Honorary Diploma recognizes distinguished citizens who have made an outstanding and significant contribution to NorQuest, the communities the college serves, or who have demonstrated excellence in the values and/or mission of the college. Earlier in the year, NorQuest put out a call for nominations for the Honorary Diploma.

Compiled by Shari Narine