Edmonton Briefs - November 2012

One-stop location to help the homeless
Homeless Connect, hosted by Homeward Trust Edmonton, took place Oct. 21 at the Shaw Conference Centre downtown. This bi-annual event provides free services, such as haircuts, to people experiencing homelessness and those at risk of becoming homeless.

Inaugural awards include Edmonton recipients
Aboriginal youth leader and mentor Jamie Coutorielle is one of five recipients of the Lieutenant Governor’s Circle on Mental Health and Addiction inaugural True Awards recognizing exceptional service to the cause of reducing stigma and suffering for those with mental illness and addiction. Coutorielle, of Edmonton, received the True Grit Award, recognizing “his journey to recovery (which) followed a troubled childhood and problems with drugs and crime.” Other Edmonton recipients were the Mental Health Foundation (True Leadership Award), Prosper Place Clubhouse (True Service Award), and iHuman Youth Society (True Imagination Award). Dr. Norman Costigan, of Red Deer, won the True Compassion Award.

Samson business celebrates 30 years
Peace Hills Insurance, which began as Samson Cree Nation’s seedling business venture, celebrated 30 years in operation in September with a gala event at the Oasis Centre in Edmonton. Today, the company has 196 employees, offices in Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Brandon, and Prince George, and writes over $170 million annually in personal, commercial and farm insurance premiums. Peace Hills Insurance was established by the Samson Cree Nation while looking for business opportunities to diversify and invest their oil and gas royalties. “Building a company takes so many people working in the same direction; so much so that just one person cannot take credit for our success,” said Diane Brickner, Peace Hills president and CEO, in a news release.

New dean for U of A Native Studies
Dr. Brendan Hokowhitu began has position as dean of Faculty of Native Studies for the University of Alberta in September. This is a five-year position. Prior to his position at the U of A, Hokowhitu served as associate professor at Te Tumu, the School of Mori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies, and as the inaugural associate dean (Mori) for the Division of Humanities, at the University of Otago, New Zealand. Hokowhitu considers the U of A Faculty of Native Studies to be a leader in Indigenous Studies, with an accomplished faculty and impressive students and alumni. In a news release issued by university Provost Carl G. Amrhein, he stated that Hokowhitu “imagines his contributions will be to increase recruitment and collaboration, to help in continuing to define what indigeneity is, and to broaden the focus on the plurality of Indigenous Studies.”

Translators of syllabics to present
Patricia Demers, Naomi McIlwraith, and Dorothy Thunder, three translators of a Syllabics text printed at Lac La Biche in 1883, will explore the role of interpretation in the act of translating as presenters of the monthly Speaker Series for the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Alberta. Working together on The Beginning of Print Culture in Athabasca Country; A Facsimile Edition and Translation of a Prayer Book in Cree Syllabics by Father …mile Grouard, OMI (University of Alberta Press, 2010) involved grappling with the complex grammar of the Cree language, recognizing its changing representations between the late nineteenth century and today, and facing the heated issues of mission history and communities. What buoyed the work by the authors which took many years was the conviction that they were creating a path and choreographing moves for others to follow. The session, free and open to the public, will take place Nov. 14 at the Stanley Milner Library.

Open house introduces services
Over 20 Edmonton service agencies recently partnered with Tribal Chiefs Ventures Inc., Tribal chiefs Employment and Training Services Association, and the YMCA to offer residents and newcomers to the city the opportunity to see what is available. Information included health and wellness services, food bank services, housing and shelter, transportation, seniors programs and services, education and school information, and safety and Edmonton Police Services. The event took place Oct. 29 at Edmonton City Hall.  

Compiled by Shari Narine