Sweetgrass and CFWE news briefs - Nov. 30, 2015

Over 500 people came out for the launch of Reconciling Edmonton at
City Hall on Nov. 25. The gathering and round dance was a true sign of
commitment from Edmontonians to reconciliation on a community level, say
RISE members. (Photo: Facebook)

Reconciling Edmonton project tells story of early relationships

November 30, 2015. The display of Jennie Vegt’s
paintings, the historical images, and the poetry created for RISE’s
Reconciling Edmonton project will be on display at City Hall until Dec.
7. The project was launched last Wednesday with a round dance. In
attendance were Treaty 6 Grand Chief Tony Alexis, Edmonton Centre MLA
David Shepherd, and city councillors Tony Caterina and Scott McKeen.
While the exhibit wraps up next week at City Hall, RISE says it could be
displayed elsewhere in the city.

December 1, 2015. The Edmonton Community Foundation is asking that people consider that today is Giving Tuesday and contribute to the Vital Signs Grants campaign. “Continue this giving spirit by considering a donation to help end Aboriginal homelessness,” says ECF in an emailer. According to the 2015 Vital Signs report, which focused on Aboriginal homelessness in Edmonton, the city’s Aboriginal population is nine times more likely to experience homelessness than the overall population; the majority of the Aboriginal homeless population is living unsheltered; and a high percentage of Aboriginal homeless are women and children. The Vital Signs research presented  homelessness as a significant challenge affecting
the urban Aboriginal community disproportionately.  The goal of ECF’s Vital Signs Grants campaign is to raise $300,000. Funding will support the Aboriginal community by investing in projects that are vetted by experts, demonstrate sound strategy, financially viable, and rooted in statistical analysis. The campaign ends on Dec. 8.

December 1,
2015. Can Man Dan Johnstone will be accepting food and monetary donations 24 hours a day beginning Thursday at the Southgate Centre Safeway (and ending Dec. 6 at that location). This will be the first of four winter campouts in three weeks for three different food banks across Alberta to be undertaken by Can Man Dan. He will be at the Safeway on Franklin Avenue in Fort McMurray from Dec. 8-10 for the Wood Buffalo food bank; Fairway Plaza Safeway in Lethbridge from Dec. 17-20 for the Lethbridge Interfaith food bank; and back in Edmonton at Southbrook Sobey on James Mowatt Trail Dec. 22-24. His Edmonton locations are to support the Edmonton food bank. “This is a very tough year for Albertans. Food bank client numbers across Alberta are reaching record highs, shelves are empty, and people are in need, and it’s sad. A lot of good people have been laid off in the past few months and they’re stressing about how to make ends meet and keep their family fed, it’s really, really tough out there, and the numbers show it,” said Johnstone, who refers to himself as an anti-poverty activist. In 2014, Can Man Dan’s campouts generated over $15,000 and 35,000 pounds of food for people in need.

December 1, 2015. Dr. Dawn Lavell Harvard, president of the Native Women’s Association of Canada, will be speaking at the Stanley A. Milner Library Theatre in downtown Edmonton tomorrow evening. Lavell Harvard’s presentation will enlighten audiences on the challenges, such as violence and abuse, Canada’s Aboriginal women face on the road to finding vibrant fulfilling lives. Ending a cycle of violence and creating promising futures needs the support of communities coming together to find solutions. While in some cases the realities are bleak, Lavell Harvard will share ways that Edmontonians can help to make a difference. Lavell Harvard’s presentation is part of the Forward Thinking speaker series, which reflects Edmonton Public Library’s history of taking risks, trying new things out and redefining the modern library. EPL is inviting thought-leaders from a variety of industries and around a variety of topics to share their insights, ideas, experiences and viewpoints, with the goal of helping to purposefully build better organizations, neighbourhoods and communities. 

November 30,
2015. McMurray Métis general manager and Fort McMurray-Cold Lake Liberal candidate Kyle Harrietha is heading for Ottawa. Although unsuccessful in two federal campaigns (one by-election and then October’s general election), Harrietha made breakthroughs for the Liberals in the northern riding. Now, he has been appointed director of parliamentary affairs to environment and climate change minister Catherine McKenna. “Kyle’s respect for the Métis people, and all indigenous Canadians, is without question. While we’re sad to see him go, we wish him success in this challenging role with Canada’s new government. The issues being addressed by Canada’s minister of environment and climate change are incredibly important and we’re honoured to see our general manager selected to assist in implementing the minister’s mandate,” said McMurray Métis Vice-President Bill Loutitt. Harrietha served as general manager for the local Métis association for the past three years, moving it into a strong financial position. McMurray Métis will announce its new general manager in January.

December 1, 2015. First Nations Chiefs, council members, technicians, and industry representatives from across the country will gather in Tsuut'ina First Nation for two days starting tomorrow to learn about vital topics pertaining to First Nations and energy transmission. The annual general meeting of the Indian Resources Council of Canada enables invited guests and presenters to address and discuss related issues, challenges, and opportunities. The IRC was founded in 1987 by Chiefs representing the oil and gas producing First Nations, following the recommendation of the task force that was established to study the role of the Crown in the management of First Nations oil and natural gas resources. IRC has a national membership of over 130 First Nations that have oil and gas rights and interests on their reserves and traditional lands. IRC advocates on behalf of these First Nations.