Sweetgrass and CFWE news - March 14, 2016

REDx launches Talks video series

March 14, 2016. REDx Talks launches REDx Talks video series during an evening of announcements and celebration of traditional foods on Tuesday at the Career and Technology Centre at Lord Shaughnessy High School in Calgary. REDx Talks, Canada’s first international Indigenous speakers series, presents stories of (R)esilience, (E)mpowerment and (D)iscourse through the Indigneous tradition of oral storytelling. It was founded by curator Cowboy Smithx, who will host the event March 15. Speakers will include Dr. Leroy Littlebear, Alanna One Spot and Dr. Liam Haggarty. REDx Talks Edmonton "Art is the Medicine" speaker Chef Shane Chartrand, in collaboration with the culinary program at the Career Technology Centre, will present the Indigenous tasting menu.

Blackfoot families, childrearing celebrated in photo exhibit

March 14, 2016. Raising Spirit: The Opokaa’sin Digital Storytelling Project photo exhibit will be on display at Park Place Mall in Lethbridge until Saturday. The display features photos of local Blackfoot families in everyday moments of childrearing. “We are very excited about this project because it speaks to the strengths of the Blackfoot people,” said Tanya Pace-Crosschild, executive director of Opokaa’sin. “Blackfoot people were traditionally very family-oriented. With the colonization of our people, we saw significant challenges to our traditional way of life, especially in respect to childrearing practices.” The Raising Spirit project, a joint effort by the Opokaa’sin Early Intervention Society and the University of Lethbridge’s Institute for Child and Youth Studies, will enhance Blackfoot language skills, transmit stories from generation to generation and create an archive of material that will be available in both Blackfoot and English. The exhibit is one facet of a larger project, of the same name, in which Blackfoot Elders and children will come together to develop interactive digital recordings of traditional cultural stories. A formal public reception for the opening of the exhibit will take place on March 21 at Opokaa’sin Early Intervention Society. The exhibit will stay there before it eventually moves to the gallery at CASA.

Pathways CSA needs mentor families for Aboriginal youth

March 14, 2016. Pathways Community Services Association is in immediate need of mentor families in the Calgary region for their Aboriginal Mentor Homes Program. The program places Aboriginal youth ages 12-17, who are involved with Child and Family Services, into family homes. Mentor families support youth in a variety of ways, ncluding modeling healthy relationships, providing cultural supports, and aiding in connection with biological family. The focus of the program is on empowering youth to further develop their sense of belonging and self-worth while making healthy lifestyle choices that will carry them confidently into adulthood.

New trustee for NSD to oversee transition to elected board

March 13, 2016. Education Minister David Eggen will appoint a new trustee to Northland School Division, who will be responsible for overseeing a transition to an elected board. The new trustee will stay on as an adviser to the board until December 2018. Eggen’s direction came following the announcement by Colin Kelly last week that he would be retiring. Kelly has served as NSD trustee since 2010, when the school board was dissolved by then PC Education Minister David Hancock. Eggen has said he wants NSD to have an elected board at the next municipal election, which is scheduled for October 2017.

First Nation blessing helps welcome newcomers to Calgary

March 12, 2016. A traditional First Nations blessing and singing ceremony were part of the City of Calgary’s official welcome ceremony for newcomers to the city. Elder Leonard Bastien, of Piikani Nation, and the Turning Robe Drum Group, of Siksika Nation, joined Mayor Naheed Nenshi on Saturday in the Atrium of the Municipal Building. Following the welcome ceremony, newcomers and their sponsors were invited to a Newcomers Fair, where more than 30 city and community organizations were on-hand to provide information on services and programs to support their settlement. “Arriving in a new city to start a new life can be overwhelming, especially when you have children who may have experienced trauma so early in their lives. We wanted to make sure all newcomer families feel comfortable and safe in our facilities and have the opportunity to see the many friendly faces of our city who are here to support them,” said Katie Black, director of Calgary Neighbourhoods.

“Severe sentence” for man guilty of selling drugs on First Nation

March 11, 2016. The Blood Tribe Police Service are pleased with the “severe sentence” that a man charged with possession of fentanyl and cocaine for trafficking purposes has received. Kyle Mitchell Saddleback, 29, of Maskwacis, pled guilty in Lethbridge Provincial Court on Thursday to two charges of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking in relation to the fentanyl and cocaine trade on the Blood Reserve. Saddleback was sentenced to three years in federal penitentiary and received credit for 201 days that he served during remand. “Many lives have been lost or ruined and resources expended to address these issues. It is reassuring that the courts recognize the severity of the problem and it is reflected in the sentences imposed,” said BPTS in a statement issued last week.  The statement also said the police continue to receive “active community support to identify and apprehend those involved in the illicit drug trade.”

Samson Cree Chief, council voluntarily test for drugs

March 11, 2016. Samson Cree First Nation leadership has submitted to drug tests to set a positive example for membership. Councillor Mario Swampy made the motion that leadership be tested for drugs and Chief Kurt Buffalo seconded it and council gave unanimous support. "We at the leadership level, we have to set an example for our members, for our administration, for our people," said Swampy. Results of council's drug tests – which they took Thursday - will be revealed to band members.

Alexander First Nation institutes media blackout

March 10, 2016. Following charges of sexual assault being levied against Alexander First Nation Chief Kurt Burnstick, the First Nation has issued a media blackout. The statement, signed by Burnstick and four of six councillors, says, “In light of recent media broadcasts, the Alexander First Nation is dealing with negative impacts as a result of these biased and uninformed statements. The impact is negative amongst our membership and we ask that you respect the decision of our people.” Morinville RCMP charged Burnstick with sexual assault against a woman he knew following a months-long investigation that started in December 2015.