Edmonton News Briefs - December 2013

Collaboration produces history-making graduates

History was made in November when 22 people graduated from the University of Alberta and Blue Quills First Nations College partnership program with master’s degrees in education, specializing in Educational Policy Studies, and with concentration in Indigenous Peoples Education. The graduates, 21 of whom are Aboriginal, are the first to receive a parchment with two institutions’ names attached. They are also the largest cohort of Aboriginal graduates from the Faculty of Education and Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research as a result of this collaboration.

Riel commemorated during Métis Week

Métis leader Louis Riel was commemorated during a special noon hour ceremony at the Alberta Legislature on Nov. 16, the date of his execution. Other celebrations occurring during Métis Week included Métis Night at an Oil Kings game as the local WHL team took on the Moose Jaw Warriors on Nov. 14. The night was marked with a Colour Guard and Métis entertainment during intermissions. The city also raised the Métis flag on Nov. 12 at City Hall.

Two bridges on new LRT line given Cree names

Two bridges along the southeast portion of the future LRT Valley Line will have Plains Cree names. The City of Edmonton’s naming committee recently announced Tawatinâ Bridge (meaning ‘valley’) and Kâhasinîskâk Bridge (historical Cree reference for ‘Mill Creek’) will be two of the names along the line that will connect Millwoods and downtown. The Kâhasinîskâk (referencing the nearby creek) pedestrian bridge will be at Connors Road and the Tawatinâ Bridge will cross the North Saskatchewan River. “The committee felt this was a very important opportunity to honour some major components of our city’s geography as well as the Cree language that has been part of this area for many centuries,” said committee chair Jeffrey Nachtigall.

Boo rabbit and characters come comes to life

Works by Jason Carter were the focus of attention on Nov. 30 at The Bearclaw Gallery. Who Is Boo 2: The Continuing Adventures of One Trickster Rabbit, written by Bridget Ryan and illustrated by Carter, was launched along with Carter’s special gallery art show, ‘The Trickster Series.’ Who is Boo 2 is the follow-up of the 2011 release of Who Is Boo: The Terrific Tales of One Trickster Rabbit. The title character is inspired by Nanabozho, a trickster figure in Ojibwe mythology, but the story itself is inspired from the trickster characters prevalent in all ethnicities. Carter is one of Alberta’s most prolific visual artists. ‘The Trickster Series’ takes a step into the world of this trickster character with brand-new stone and canvas works inspired by the Boo books. Included in this series are 10 new rabbit sculptures in various forms of soapstone, wonderstone, chlorite and alabaster, as well as 20 new paintings depicting the scenery and friends of Boo. ‘The Trickster Series’ was on display until Dec. 5.

Indigenous youth come together in career conference

The downtown Shaw Convention Centre on Nov. 6 was the site for the Indigenous Youth Career Conference sponsored by Indspire. Approximately 1,000 Indigenous students from Edmonton and surrounding area were in attendance to take in the event which was hosted by Sto:lo singer-songwriter Inez Jasper and hip-hop artist Conway K. The high-energy event engaged students through 50 interactive workshops, 43 tradeshow booths, and inspiring messages from Indigenous leaders and entertainers. Indspire is the former National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation. Its new name combines the key notions of Indigenous and inspiration to highlight its exciting mandate. Indspire is best-known for its many programs that help Indigenous youth succeed.

Compiled by Shari Narine