Manitoba Pipestone - Aboriginal News Briefs - March 2014

Rebecca Belmore's work is firmly rooted in the current political and social realities of Aboriginal communities in Canada, but its power and poetry resonate worldwide. (Photo: supplied)

Public to help create Indigenous work of art

Rebecca Belmore, one of Canada's most celebrated contemporary artists, will create a large and prominent work of original art for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. As part of her concept, the public will help create thousands of
hand-pressed clay “beads” during workshops designed to include children, families and people from diverse backgrounds. The finished piece will be displayed on a 74-square-metre wall in the Indigenous Perspectives gallery of the new national museum, which opens in September 2014. “We are extremely proud that an artist of Rebecca Belmore's stature will contribute her own human rights vision to the museum in such a creative, innovative and participatory way,” said CMHR president and CEO Stuart Murray. Belmore said her artistic vision for the piece, entitled “Trace,” was inspired by the land itself, the idea of territory and place, and the archaeological artifacts unearthed from the CMHR site in 2008. Red River Valley clay gumbo, which forms the earth beneath the CMHR, will be used as a major component in the beads.

Negotiations with Manitoba flood evacuees advanced

The federal government has announced plans to advance negotiations for comprehensive final settlement packages with the four Lake St. Martin area First Nation communities that remain displaced by the severe 2011 flooding. According to a federal government news release, the negotiations aim to reach
final settlement packages that include flood mitigation measures, replacement lands from the province, compensation for damages, and infrastructure and housing to rebuild First Nation communities, and to return remaining flood evacuees to their home communities. The provincial government has set aside $100 million towards a settlement package for the four First Nations, stating in a press release that “the negotiating framework for final settlement packages outlines flood mitigation measures, replacement lands and compensation
for damages and infrastructure." 
Of the 1,888 First Nation residents still displaced by the severe 2011 flood as of Jan. 20, more than 1,600 are from the First Nations of Lake St. Martin, Little Saskatchewan, Dauphin River and Pinaymootang.

Indigenous broadcasters to gather in Winnipeg

Aboriginal Peoples Television Network will host the World Indigenous Television Broadcasting Conference from June 19 to June 23 in Winnipeg. “WITBC is a significant event for the development of Indigenous media. This is one place where we are inspired and motivated by sharing experiences and ideas,” said WITBN chairman Nils Johan Heatta in a news release. “Canada's Indigenous Peoples play a critical role in the history of the Indigenous movement worldwide; APTN is in a leading role in the Indigenous broadcast media. We believe WITBC 2014 will pave the way to take our work and the international collaboration to the next level.” In addition to workshops and conference speakers, delegates will attend a gala dinner announcing the recipients of the second World Indigenous Journalism Awards. Indigenous broadcasters representing Australia, Canada, Finland, Hawaii, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Scotland, Sweden, Taiwan and Wales will be in attendance.

UWinnipeg and Nunavut college sign MOU

The University of Winnipeg has signed a memorandum of understanding with Nunavut Arctic College which will see graduates of NAC’s environmental technology program transfer to Winnipeg to continue their educations and earn Bachelor of
Science degrees. Nunavut’s economy is forecast to continue to grow at an average rate of 9.2 per cent over the next five years. Expertise is especially needed in the mining sector and for those who design and apply policies related to environmental management and protection, conservation and wildlife officers and lab technicians. A diploma/certificate combined with a degree provides students with enhanced academic foundation and technical expertise. In June 2011,
UWinnipeg was one of the signatories to a provincial initiative to create greater collaboration between institutions and increase pathways for student learning, including articulation agreements, recognition of prior learning, laddering and bridging programs.

Income Assistance program offered in four First Nations

More than 150 young First Nation adults will be connected to skills training and jobs through the federal government’s new initiative to improve on-reserve Income Assistance. These investments will provide personalized supports to First Nations youth as they secure the tools needed to find meaningful
employment and reduce their reliance on income assistance. The Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council, Brokenhead, and Fort Alexander/Sahkeeng will be implementing the new Enhanced Service Delivery. All of the four First Nations communities are participating at the request of their local First Nations leadership. These organizations will be working with First Peoples Development Inc. to provide on-reserve First Nations youth ages 18 to 24 with personalized assessments and
job training plans.