Journalist honored by his people

Page 5

Terrying About

Tansi!

Well, after a busy summer, I had a nice little holiday in case you didn't notice. Anyway, I'm back and raring to go. So let's get it on, eh?

First off, I'd like to extend congratulations to that ever-so-great artist, humorist and writer, Everett Soop, a Blood Indian who labored long and lovingly with Kainai News, The Native People and Windspeaker. Alva Weasel Moccasin informed me that the Kainai Band paid tribute to this fine gentleman on Sept. 23 at Gladstone Hall for his lifetime of achievements.

Chief Chris Shade honored him with a plaque and Elder Harold Healey presented him with an eagle feather headdress. The proper transfer of the headdress is planned for the near future, I am told.

The evening consisted of a banquet with historian Hugh Dempsey as guest speaker and about 200 people making up the crowd, which included Gary Allison from the Lethbridge Herald, artist Joane Cardinal-Schubert, longtime friend Jan Jessop, Sandy Greer from Two Wheels Productions, Oliver Cardinal from the Canadian Paraplegic Association, and numerous family members and friends. There was a round dance and, appropriately so, an Honor Song for Soop. Wish I could have been there but I was locked into a four-day justice conference in Edmonton. I can imagine the superb time everyone had.

Actually, there are a few more congrats in order.

Lawyer Tony Mandamin is closing shop at Enoch as he prepares to take on a new job as a judge further south at Tsuu T'ina. Fine choice. They had an emotional tribute for him at the friendship centre in Edmonton where he devoted a lot of his time and effort over the years.

At Hobbema, Willie Littlechild now proudly wears a little white floral lapel pin - the symbol of his recent induction, as with so many other great Canadians, into the ranks of the Order of Canada. Way ta go Willie.

A great big Happy Birthday to the Sagitawa Friendship Centre in Peace River - now the grand age of 35 and counting. Yeah! They partied all weekend from Sept. 24 to 26 with a barbecue, talent show (won by the Nils Band), pancake breakfast, fun golf and bingo on the sly, a traditional feast, a mini powwow featuring the Hawk Valley Dancers and joined by the Cadotte Lake and Dawson Creek dancers, a country dance, and a round dance with Stan Isidore sharing stories and drumming. Needless to say, that proverbial good time was had by all, said friendship centre director Dixie Kohut.

Sylvia Johnson is the new president for Zone 5 of the Metis Nation and says communications will be one of her definite priorities. She worked for five years as the zone office director and is now serving her very first term as a politician. She's good people and will likely make good things happen up Peace River way, as well as Valleyview, Grand Prairie and High Level where she hopes to get some meetings going soon.

Good thing I didn't hold my breath. I really was wishing Brent Dodginghorse from Tsuu T'ina Reserve and our Metis friend Rocky Thompson would make the Calgary Flames team this season after being drafted by the team last spring. Both were recently sent down to the minors in St. John's, Nfld. So, guess who's on a fish diet now, instead of moose? Hey, hope they send you back to Calgary soon Brent and Rocky.

Just a few quick items from Edmonton:

? Sacred Heart Church will be the scene sometime in early November of a country and gospel music jamboree spearheaded by that veteran singer/guitarist Ernie Gambler.

? Looks like the public and the Catholic school boards are marrying for the sake of establishing a joint Native high school in Edmonton.