Sweetgrass and CFWE news briefs - Sept. 18

Tipi raised on Augustana campus

September 9. A tipi has been raised outside the Faith and Life Centre at the University of Alberta’s Augustana campus, in Camrose. Chair of Augustana’s Aboriginal engagement committee, Jérôme Melançon, said they were inspired by U of
A’s north campus, in Edmonton, which has a permanent tipi in front of the Faculty of Native Studies main building. The tipi was purchased from the Pê Sâkâstêw Centre, in Maskwacis, and raised by Elder Gary Waskahat and Leanne Louis Aboriginal
liaison officer from Pê Sâkâstêw Centre, with assistance from Elder Roy Louis and four men from the centre. The tipi will serve many uses including as the starting point for cultural awareness on campus, act as a teaching tool, and can be a meeting place for Aboriginal students and Elders. “Personally, I find that it is an important way to acknowledge that tipis stood on this land long before our campus existed,” said Melançon. “They stood here before our students started to come from all over the world, long before Old Main was built, long before Europeans settled here.”

September 17. The RCMP is seeking help from the public in investigating the death of Victoria Joanne Crow Shoe, 43. Her body was found by a fisherman along the shore of the Oldman River Reservoir at the
Windy Point campground last Sunday. Crow Shoe was a resident of Lethbridge. She was reported missing to Lethbridge Regional Police Service Sept.15. She was last seen by her family on Aug. 26. An autopsy confirmed her identity and her next-of-kin was notified by the RCMP.

Second leadership debate misses First Nations issues

September 17. The second federal debate was an opportunity for leaders to outline how First Nations people are included in the economy and how the gap can be closed in the
quality of life between First Nations people and Canadians – but the opportunity slipped by, says Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde. The debate was held in Calgary and hosted by the Globe and Mail. Harper, Mulcair and Trudeau assessed their plans ranging from energy and housing to taxation and jobs. First Nations issues, besides a mention by Trudeau, did not form any substantial part of the debate, says Bellegarde. Green leader Elizabeth May was
not invited to participate although she tweeted along with the event.
Bellegarde will be calling on all party leaders to provide a full and clear response to the plan released by AFN entitled, Closing the Gap: 2015 Federal Election Priorities for First Nations and Canada.

Grand Chiefs concerned about carding on Edmonton streets

September 17. Police carding will be on the agenda when Grand Chiefs meet in October, says Treaty 8 Grand Chief Steve  Courtoreille, and Edmonton police
Chief Rod Knecht will be invited to address concerns. Both Courtoreille and Treaty 6 Grand Chief Tony Alexis say they are concerned by a CBC story that indicates police are singling out Aboriginals and other racial groups for carding on the streets. Courtoreille said random street checks in Edmonton erode trust.
He is encouraging people to know their rights, which include not having to answer questions or show identification. He also says they should take down the badge number of the officer and, if they are mistreated, to lodge a complaint with the grand chiefs. Courtoreille says a balance must be struck that
keeps the public safe while not alienating disenfranchised people.

Innovative project aimed at Aboriginal communities receives funding

September 17. Northeast Alberta Information Hub is among four projects to receive funding through Alberta’s
Employment First Strategy. NAIH will provide supports for service providers and Aboriginal communities, and provide training, information and knowledge to service providers in the communities of St. Paul, Vegreville, Saddle Lake, Frog Lake, Barrhead, Westlock, Bonnyville, Cold Lake, Hinton, Athabasca and Lac La Biche. This project
involves collaboration with numerous stakeholders, including Alberta Works and Persons with Developmental Disabilities. Alberta’s Employment First Strategy provides funding to advance inclusive and accessible workplaces for
people with disabilities.

Remarkable journey earns man award from Lt.Gov.

September 17. Jeffrey Chalifoux will be one of five recipients at the upcoming True Awards ceremony, hosted by the Lieutenant Governor’s Circle on Mental Health and Addiction. Chalifoux will be presented with the True Grit award by Lt. Gov. Lois Mitchell on Sept. 25. Chalifoux has been recognized for his remarkable path, which took him from substance abuse, addiction and incarceration to becoming a respected student leader and volunteer. After completing the Edmonton drug treatment and community restoration court program, Chalifoux pursued social work studies at NorQuest College where he serves as an ambassador and student councillor. He also started an Aboriginal student peer support group to help students stay in school and regularly shares his story of recovery with other young people in the community. The Lieutenant Governor’s Circle is dedicated to reducing stigma related to mental illness and addiction, furthering public knowledge of the topic, and giving hope and comfort to those
affected by letting them know that they are not alone.

Training program for high-demand jobs

September 16. Lethbridge College is collaborating with Saamis Aboriginal Employment and Training Association and their partners to support a power line technician program intake specifically for the Aboriginal community.

The program is unique, with essential skills training aimed at increasing the success of participants while in the program and their employability following completion of the program. Funding comes from Rupertsland Institute Métis Centre of Excellence and Community Futures Treaty Seven. As the industry is facing a high retirement rate for power line technicians over the next five years, they are in-demand and well paid. Employment of power line technicians is projected to grow seven per cent from 2012 to 2022. The program begins in
October and runs six months.