Edmonton Briefs - October

Métis design showcased in museum

The Musée Héritage Museum, in St. Albert, is presenting Patterns in Glass: Métis Design in Beads until June 2011.  The exceptional beadwork shows how Métis have taken their inspiration from nature, needlework designs and a variety of cultural traditions.  The exhibit features artifacts from the Musée Héritage Museum and pieces from several other collections that illustrate the lives of the makers and the variety of designs used to decorate clothing and personal items.  Patterns in Glass: Métis Design in Beads highlights the work of several women who were connected with this part of the province, including Victoria Callihoo, Suzette Swift, Mary Gray and Mary Desjarlais.

Jury selection not prejudicial

Justice Patrick Sullivan ruled Sept. 24 in the Court of Queen’s Bench that the jury selection process is fair and that Aboriginals are not systematically excluded. Lawyer Tom Engel argued on behalf of his client Rene McCarthy, of the Enoch reserve, that jury selection was prejudicial. Engel claimed that only people living within a 20-kilometre radius of Edmonton’s courts are called to jury duty in the city. Although the Enoch reserve falls within that boundary, no one from the reserve is ever summoned for jury duty, Engel said during the four-day hearing. McCarthy was charged in 2008 with committing various offences against a police officer who was trying to arrest him. McCarthy’s case will now proceed. The Edmonton Journal reports that Engel said if his client is convicted, he will appeal the case to the Supreme Court of Canada, if necessary.

Storysacks culminates after three years

“Sharing the Aboriginal Storysacks Experience” is the culmination of the three-year Storysacks project of the Centre for Family Literacy. On Oct. 7th, representatives from Aboriginal agencies involved with the Storysacks project shared their stories, showed their storysacks and answered questions. Richard Van Camp, Dogrib writer, teacher and poet extended the discussion about stories in the afternoon. The following day, a workshop for people to be trained and certified as facilitators in the Storysacks program was held. The entire event took place at West Edmonton Mall at Fantasyland Hotel.

Career fair for Aboriginal youth

Blueprint for the Future, Canada’s largest Aboriginal career fair, will be held Oct. 26 at the University of Alberta. The event will bring hundreds of Aboriginal students from all over the province to Edmonton, delivering educational resources and giving students access to career professionals in government and corporate sectors. Suzette Amaya, entrepreneur, radio host, producer, events coordinator, and Aboriginal role model, will be hosting the career fair with musical entertainment provided by Aboriginal hip-hop star Joey Stylez. The fair consists of a specific set of modules containing hands-on activities and presentations to inform Aboriginal students of their post-secondary options and the diverse career paths in the Canadian job market. The goal of the fair is to keep students on track and in school for a more successful and happy future. BFF career fair is an event of the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation.

Federal funding for after school program

Métis Child and Family Services, of Edmonton, is the recipient of $150,000 through the Cultural Connections for Aboriginal Youth initiative (formerly known as the Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centre Initiative) of the Canadian Heritage’s Aboriginal Peoples’ Program. This funding will help the society deliver the project Choices - A Partnership, which is designed to provide Aboriginal youth with one-on-one support, talking circles, and after-school activities. The Cultural Connections for Aboriginal Youth initiative provides Aboriginal young people aged 10 to 24, living in urban settings across Canada, with programming that incorporates Aboriginal values, cultures, and traditional practices in projects and activities designed to improve their social, economic, and personal prospects and to strengthen their cultural identity.

Compiled by Shari Narine