Natives run in federal election

Page 5

Tansi!

Now that winter is descending upon us, allow me to tell you a short story. After all, isn't winter our time for story-telling?

A number of people have been wondering what happened to me. They see me in this full leg cast and I have to keep repeating my story.

Around mid-October I tried to pull off a magnificent Evel Knievel dare-devil stunt: I attempted to convert my bicycle into an airplane. Didn't work. I crash-landed, slamming the bike's handle bars heavily into my knee. Cruuunch . . . a ruptured ligament, a popped knee cap and a broken tibia.

How was it I happened to become airborne? I wheeled around a light post and there in front of me was this high concrete median that came into the crosswalk. It was unavoidable, so high-flying I went. End of story.

Election fever

Harold Cardinal from Sucker Creek, a former president of the Indian Association of Alberta as well as past regional director of Indian Affairs, has thrown his hat into the ring as a Liberal candidate in the Athabasca riding. His campaign office is in Fort McMurray. His main opposition comes from incumbent David Chatters, a past Reform member who is now under the Alliance party banner.

Duane Good Striker is from the Kainai reserve in southern Alberta. He is seeking the Fort McLeod riding as an NDP member. It is presently held by the Alliance party. Duane is best known to the public for his opposition to the expansion of the EPCOR power plant in Edmonton's river valley, immediately south of the city's downtown core.

Two candidates who self-identify as Metis are also in the hunt to become MPs. One is the current Liberal Justice Minister Anne McLellan from the Edmonton West constituency. The other is Liberal candidate Sue Olsen for Edmonton Centre East, which is now held by Peter Goldring for the Alliance party.

Come Nov. 27, Albertans and Canadians will know how many and which Aboriginal people will hold federal office over the next few years.

New faces and programs

Shawna Cunningham, formerly of Edmonton, has been appointed as director of the Native Centre at the University of Calgary. She was formerly program co-ordinator for the Aboriginal education project at Mount Royal College in that city. Shawna replaces George D. Calliou, who held the director's position for nine years.

Mount Royal College has a new program this year called the Aboriginal Early Childhood Care and Education Program. It is a one-year certificate program with credits transferrable to a Child Studies degree program at the university level.

In addition, the college offers courses in bannock-making, beading, and it holds weekly healing circles. A Christmas potluck is planned. For further info, contact Deanna Cardinal or Kate Hannington at 403-240-7795.

Friendship centre hopping

The Canadian Native Friendship Centre in Edmonton is all set to host its annual Christmas arts and crafts show and sale Nov. 25 and 26. The annual Christmas round dance will follow on Dec. 2, and the Native Seniors' Christmas party will be Dec. 8.

Did you know?

Melvin Beaver, past chief of the Bigstone Cree band at Wabasca, has moved to Edmonton where he has taken a position with the Department of Indian Affairs in the area of education programming and services. Welcome to the big city, Mel!