Lost in Calgary, but found the Morley rodeo

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Hi, I'm Yvonne Irene Gladue, editor-at-large for Alberta Sweetgrass, and I'm getting my monthly column off the ground. The title is Indian Country, and the column will reflect the kindness and courage of our people in the Native communities located across this province.

My goal is to shed some light on the wonderful things that are happening in these communities. The reason for doing this is to show the positive side of living in Indian Country. Too much of our time is spent looking at the negative. There are two sides to every coin, so why not look at the progress and positive efforts of the people in our communities?

So my first trip out was to the communities of Hobbema, Red Deer, Siksika, Morley, Tsuu T'ina and Calgary. In each of these communities I met people who were not only gracious, but who worked hard to make their communities exceptional places in which to live. I will be in several other communities throughout the province during the months ahead, so if you have any special events that you would like me to attend, send me a fax (780) 455-7639 or email yvonneg@ammsa.com.

SAMSON:

Tammy Crier is secretariat of Nipisihkopahk, three justice programs in Samson committed to building a healthier nation. The work includes participation in the alternative youth justice measures program, the adult diversion program, and the fine options program. These initiatives help heal an individual who has found himself on the wrong side of the law, his family who suffers because of his actions, and eventually the community, which becomes stronger because of that healing.

"You cannot just heal one individual. You need to heal the community," said Tammy. "Everyone needs to work together because every situation does not just involve the offender, whether the individual is an adult or a young offender. It also involves the family and what happens at home, how the parents take care of their children, whether the situation involves drug or alcohol addictions, family violence, spousal abuse, child abuse. Whatever it may be, it often leads to someone breaking the law. With these addictions, sooner or later, problems surface."

Of particular interest is the fine options program.

"We look at resources in the community. We have the Elders program available, where people in the fine option learn to become Elders helpers, about the sweats, as in picking the types of rocks needed for a sweat and the firewood. As a community we also look at alternate ways for the youth and the public, such as hockey games or practices, powwow singing and traditional drumming practices or powwow dancing. We also have Elders available who will go into family homes to assist with pipe ceremonies, feasts, smudging, or if a lecture is needed with the youth."

Crier is even finding that a lot of people are coming to the programs even if they are not in trouble with the law. She said that more and more individuals are seeking Elders, or stopping by the Samson Cree Nation administration building to find someone who can help them find an Elder for information on protocol in traditional ceremonies.

RED DEER:

Crystal Blood of the Red Deer Native Friendship Society invites those visiting the city to come on in to the centre, warm up, get the information you need and stay for a cup of tea or coffee. She said the soup and bannock program, movies, and men's and women's circles have been put on hold until a budget meeting, but should be back on track in April. In the meantime, Crystal says she tries to help out as much as she can with the folks that visit the centre. She often makes meals for the homeless people who come by, feeding them whatever the centre has in stock, usually noodles, which she serves with a pop.

"People can come and ask me to fax material for them and I will do it for them. I will help them if they want to get their Metis or status card or whatever. I'm pretty helpful actually. I like making people feel good," she said. Thre are seven peole and two social work students from the local college who keep things going at the centre. Crystal said that many people tend to talk to her about their problems, and she tries to help them where she can.

Since moving to Red Deer in 1997 from Lac La Biche, Crystal Blood said that she's seen the city grow a lot. The population is expanding and Crystal is seeing a lot more Aboriginal people call Red Deer home. She recalls that when she first moved to Red Deer there were only a few hundred Aboriginal people living there. She claims that today 7,000 people, nearly 10 per cent of the population of the city, are Aboriginal.

SIKSIKA:

I'd like to say hello to Betty Crowfoot, who is living at the seniors home and feeling a little house-bound because of cold weather. She'd like to get out for a walk, so here's hoping spring isn't too far away. Thanks to Fred Yellow Old Woman for being my tour guide in the community. He rode around with me in the AMMSA van pointing out places to visit and places of interest and was a great help for someone new to the community. Just being in Siksika reminded me of a time in Indian Country when you were treated warmly whenever you dropped in for a visit. And sort of like in that movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding, everyone fed me. Thanks to the wonderful people of Siksika, I had five meals in one day.

Fred said that there are a lot of good things happening in the community, including the weekly traditional hand game competitions. People from as far away as British Columbia, Saskatchewan, northern Alberta, and South Dakota compete for cash prizes and merchandise every Wednesday evening. He said the art of hand games is coming back. Even the younger people are getting in on the action.

MORLEY:

With the Rocky Mountains in the background, the community of Morley is just as pretty as a picture. I dropped by the local gas station and got the information I needed that would lead me to the people I needed to see. The person bhind the counter was riendly and knew what was happening in the community, so in two minutes I knew about a girl's hockey practice and the indoor rodeo taking place there. So I stopped over at the arena, and got a few pictures of the Nakoda Wildcats. Now these girls took the sport of hockey seriously. They were practicing for the Alberta Native hockey championship, which is to be held in Edmonton on the second weekend of April. Coach Eugene Holloway said the girls, who are 13 and 14, practice as often as they can. Hope all the hours of practicing works out for the girls and wish you all the best for the team in the tournament.

With several people in cowboy hats milling about at the Goodstoney arena, it wasn't hard to tell that a rodeo was underway. According to Boyd Wesley, committee member of the Nakoda Roping Club, the arena hosts a number of jackpot rodeos each winter. I sat by a few ladies from Invermere, B.C. They were playing bingo-at a rodeo. I asked about it and they laughed. I guess they do this during halftime and the proceeds from the game go to offset some of the costs of the rodeo. So hello to Linda Michel and Lola Nicholas. Lola attends as many rodeos as she can. Her husband Irvine Whitehead is a bull rider. Irvine is a regular at the Morley arena, with the drive from Invermere being only three hours. At this particular event Irvine didn't place in the top three, but said he had a good time.

For someone who's been riding bulls for a living for the last 22 years, he certainly has a love for the sport.

TSUU T'INA:

My first time to Tsuu T'ina and I got lost. I found myself in Bragg Creek, a mere five kilometres from the location where the television series North of 60 was shot. After a few more wrong turns, I finally flagged down a vehicle that gave me directions to the gas station in Tsuu T'ina. So how were people spending their Sunday afternoons? Well, I went over to the local arena, the Sarcee 7 Chief Sport Plex. Oddly enough, one of the firt things I noticed was th very shiny floors. Norris Crazy Boy and the rest of the guys in maintenance take hours upon hours to keep the place neat and tidy. Norris said he enjoys his work and spoke of his job with pride, so keep up the good work, Norris. The local basketball players were onsite shooting a few hoops. Melvin One Spot said this was how he and a number of guys usually spend the weekends. Just something to keep them busy, and out of trouble, he said. Lyle Dodginghorse, a band council member in Tsuu T'ina, had brought his children to the arena to play hockey. He said he likes to help out the kids in the community and encourages to visualize their goals.

"I can say that I pretty much accomplished my goals. There are a lot of dreams out there and finishing school is a big stepping stone toward those goals" he said. Hello to Nellie Meginnis. Nellie works part-time at the concession booth and she took the time to find people for me to interview. She's kept really busy because the fries and gravy she serves up are excellent. Hello also to Syd Moses who sharpens skates at the facility. Syd is from B.C. and started up the skate sharpening business with his wife. He's pleased with how the business has grown, with the arena being used by community members, as well as visitors from the Calgary area.

CALGARY:

Have you ever driven in Calgary? I felt like a snail as I drove the speed limit on Deerfoot Trail. The other drivers were passing me in both lanes. I had to check the speed limit signs a few times just to make sure I was supposed to be going the 100 km/hour they were asking the motorists to drive. I had both hands on the wheel of the van praying for God's protection while wondering if my will was up to par. Well, I survived. Now I just need a T-shirt that indicates that.

I was on my way to see Nicole Robertson, a publicist, and former reporter of Calgary's A-Channel. I called her the morning I was leaving, so she gave me directions to a Starbucks Coff