Sweetgrass and CFWE news - March 8, 2016

Safety, education and equality needed for Indigenous women 

March 8, 2016. “First Nations women still have many challenges ahead of us in terms of equality and equity at all levels, whether it be among First Nation governments, provincial or federal,” said Okanese First Nation Chief Marie-Anne Day Walker-Pelletier in a statement Tuesday marking International Women’s Day. Day is the longest serving female Chief in Canada. “Indigenous women in Canada should have access to the same opportunity as every other Canadian – male or female,” said Assembly of First Nations Women’s Council Chair Therese Villeneuve. International Women’s Day follows the second national roundtable on missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, which last month brought together Indigenous families, leaders and federal, provincial, territorial leaders to set priorities to address and prevent violence. The federal government is working on the parameters of the upcoming national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, after getting input from family, loved ones and Indigenous organizations.

U of A promotes understanding between western, Indigenous science

March 8, 2016. The Faculties of Science and Native Studies at the University of Alberta are partnering to present Sharing Knowledge: Western and Indigenous Science, a two-day event to showcase, explore, reinforce, and expand intersections between western and Indigenous knowledge and science. “We need to find ways in which we can bring more Indigenous perspectives in to teaching and learning within our faculty,” said Glen Loppnow, associate dean of learning and innovation in the faculty of science and the driving force behind the Sharing Knowledge initiative. The catalyst for Loppnow was the focus on post-secondary education in the calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The objective of the two-day symposium is to incorporate Indigenous knowledge in the science curriculum so as to broaden the perspective of students to allow them to see the world through many different lenses. A ceremony and feast Tuesday precede the evening lecture.

Students from Blood Tribe, Calgary combine for professional art gallery showing, sale

March 8, 2016. Artwork created by students from Grades 6-8 at Tatsikiisaapo’p Middle School on the Blood Nation and from Grades 5-9 at Sir John Franklin School in Calgary will be on display and for sale at Studio C in Calgary until March 30. The collaboration between the schools created art based on the theme “Truth and Reconciliation.” Andrea Fox, art program instructor at Tatsikiisaapo’p Middle School and Kainai Board of Education, was approached by instructor Ray Luu with the Calgary Board of Education, to collaborate on the project for their annual art show. Both sets of students researched important historical and current First Nations issues, then created art projects based on what they learned. The projects address various cultural issues, perspectives, and understanding around truth and reconciliation, as envisioned by the youth. The large collection of work ranges from photo prints, paintings, mixed media and sculptures, to ink blots on stretched canvas. The art show, Aa’sitapiwa – “All the Young People,” is the first time students from the Blood Tribe will have their artwork on display and for sale in a professional gallery in a larger metropolitan area. Proceeds from the sale of the artwork will benefit the Calgary Urban Project Society to support educational programming. Fox says the University of Lethbridge and the Southern Alberta Art Gallery have expressed interest in showcasing the art when it’s completed its run at Studio C.

Government promises to increase gender equality

March 7, 2016. Status of Women Minister Stephanie McLean says her ministry will focus on increasing women’s economic security, increasing women’s leadership and democratic participation, and decreasing violence against women and girls. McLean laid out her ministry’s mandate on Monday, the day before International Women’s Day. “We are partnering with women and with ministries across government to increase economic resilience, promote women in leadership positions, and to help eliminate violence against women,” said McLean in a statement. Alberta has the only stand-alone ministry for the Status of Women in the country.

Students rewarded for hard work, aspirations

March 7, 2016. Eight post-secondary students have been rewarded for their achievements. The AltaLink Aboriginal scholarship program is designed to recognize leaders in the Aboriginal community by offering scholarships to Aboriginal students attending post-secondary institutions. Two eligible students from each of Treaty 6, 7, 8 and the Métis community in Alberta received a $1,000 scholarship cheque, based on a set of four criteria – scholastic achievement, community involvement, career goals and financial need. The recipients for the 2015 scholarship are April Price and Sasha Platz, with the Metis Nation of Alberta; Sandra Belrose (Ermineskin) and Samantha Cardinal (Saddle Lake), with Treaty 6; Martin Iron Shirt (Piikani) and Dwight Farahat (Siksika), with Treaty 7; and, Samantha Tomkins (Sucker Creek) and Kayla Houle (Bigstone Cree), with Treaty 8. “It’s very encouraging to see the diligence and passion for their career aspirations being applied in many ways for the betterment of their local Aboriginal community,” said Kris Gladue, manager of Aboriginal relations at AltaLink. AltaLink has been supporting higher education in the community through its Aboriginal scholarship program since 2007.

High speed chase results in three people arrested

March 5, 2016. A search involving RCMP members from Bonnyville, Cold Lake, St Paul, Traffic Services, Elk Point and Police Dog Services, and a helicopter resulted in the arrest of one male and two females at Fishing Lake Metis Settlement. The incident began Saturday when Elk Point RCMP were dispatched to a complaint of a male pointing a firearm at two people near a residence on the Fishing Lake Metis Settlement. The male suspect left in a small red car and a pursuit ensued taking the suspect and RCMP north through Frog Lake First Nation. The pursuit was terminated due to public safety concerns as the vehicle was being driven erratically. Another Elk Point member was doing patrols in the Fishing Lake Metis Settlement when the suspect vehicle went past him. The member pursued the vehicle when a firearm was seen pointed out the driver’s side of the vehicle and shot at the police vehicle. The suspect vehicle drove in the ditch. Three people, one male and two females, fled the scene and ran into the bush. A firearm was found in the suspect vehicle. The RCMP investigation continues and no charges have been laid as yet.