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Turning a negative experience into positive action
Chevi Rabbitt (second from right) recently received the 2014 Hate Crime Awareness Youth Award from Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Jonathan Denis. In response to being assaulted in the university area in 2012 by three men who yelled anti-gay remarks at him, Rabbitt organized the first “Hate to Hope March and Rally,” which has now become an annual event. Shortly after the assault, Rabbitt joined Edmonton’s Sexual Minorities Committee which works with Edmonton’s Police Services to further promote community safety.
Accomplished Métis Elder to receive honourary degree
Fourth-generation Métis Elder Elsie Yanik will be one of 11 recipients of honourary degrees from the University of Alberta this spring. It is not the first time Yanik, from the Wood Buffalo area, has been recognized. She is past recipient of the Governor General’s Commemorative Medal, the Stars of Alberta Volunteer Award, an honourary diploma from Keyano College and an Esquao Award. She was also blessed by Pope John Paul II for her work within the Catholic Church. “It is my hope that these outstanding individuals will inspire our graduates to consider leadership roles in the many local, national and international communities our university serves,” said U of A Chancellor Ralph Young.
Inner city newspaper celebrates long history
Boyle McCauley News, Edmonton’s inner city newspaper, is celebrating 35 years. That milestone marks the BMC News as one of Edmonton’s longest-running community newspapers. BMC News has been a way for the community to celebrate the successes of the neighbourhood and its residents, to foster communication, and to discuss issues relevant to the area. BMC News also provides a forum for the concerns and challenges of living in an area of the city that is currently in transition, with McCauley’s Revitalization process and the development of The Quarters in Boyle Street. “Hard to believe the Boyle McCauley News has often entertained, occasionally outraged, but always informed the residents of the Boyle Street and McCauley neighbourhoods for that long,” said John Kolkman, long-time McCauley resident and volunteer with the paper. “The newspaper is an indispensable source of news and opinion in our community.” Boyle McCauley News has grown with the two neighbourhoods it serves. It started off as a newsletter produced sporadically, with minimal production. Now, it is a 16-page newspaper published 10 times a year, complete with colour, style, and a professional production team. The paper also has a fully developed website.
Blackstone recognized once more
Prairie Dog Film + Television’s dramatic series Blackstone has received seven nominations at the 2014 Leo Awards. Along with being nominated for Best Dramatic Series, it is competing in five acting categories: best lead performance for both male and female; best supporting performance for both male and females; and, best guest performance for a female. It has also been named in the Best Cinematography category. Recently Blackstone won six Rosies at the annual Alberta Film and Television Awards. Blackstone season three tackled universal themes of domestic violence, criminal justice, child and family welfare, the devastating consequences of addiction and the long worthwhile process of healing and reconciliation. Blackstone season four is currently in production and is slated to air Fall 2014 on APTN. Along with broadcasting in Canada, Blackstone also currently broadcasts in New Zealand and Australia, and is internationally distributed. Blackstone has been nominated for 79 awards, winning 26, including two Geminis, four Leo Awards and multiple Alberta Film and Television Awards.
Compiled by Shari Narine
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