Manitoba Pipestone - Aboriginal News Briefs - November 2013

Manitoba Briefs

Artwork: Robert Houle (Saulteaux, b. 1947), uhnúhméahkazooh / pretending to pray from Sandy Bay Residential School Series, 2009, oilstick on paper, 76.2 x 58.4 cm.
(Photo courtesy of the artist)

Winnipeg art gallery wins York Wilson Endowment Award

The Canada Council for the Arts York Wilson Endowment Award was given to the University of Manitoba’s School of Art Gallery to purchase Robert Houle’s Sandy Bay Residential School Series. Houle created 24 works over a period of a month as a way to come to terms with his memories from his time at the residential school. Created almost automatically, it was Houle’s body that remembered and in turn revealed these powerful images. The series celebrates his survival of abuse and the ability to overcome and let go of his sadness. “The Canada Council is delighted that the 2013 York Wilson Endowment Award will make it possible for all Canadians to view this powerful work by Robert Houle and the story it reveals,” said Robert Sirman, Canada Council Director and CEO, in a news release. “We congratulate both the University of Manitoba’s School of Art Gallery and Mr. Houle for this exciting development.”

TRC chair wins peace award

Justice Murray Sinclair, chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission since 2008, was recently presented with the Mahatma Gandhi Peace Award for 2013 for his work uniting First Nations communities and the Canadian government. Sinclair’s work with the TRC is what prompted the award, which recognizes people who aim to resolve conflicts through peaceful means. “It’s an incredible honour first of all because Gandhi is such a hero of mine,” Sinclair said. “I think he’s a hero to a lot of people.” Sinclair was appointed Associate Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of Manitoba in March of 1988 and to the Court of Queen's Bench of Manitoba in January 2001. He was Manitoba's first Aboriginal judge. The award was presented by the Mahatma Gandhi Centre of Canada in association with the University of Winnipeg.

Local businesses win Aboriginal business awards

Neechi Foods Co-op Ltd. is the winner of the Aboriginal Business Leadership Award while Brenda Parsons, owner of All Nations Print Ltd., is the winner of the Excellence in Aboriginal Small and Medium Enterprises Award. Neechi Foods, an Aboriginal grocery and specialty store, first opened its doors in Winnipeg’s North End in 1990. Since then it has expanded to include Neechi Commons Community Business Complex, which features a neighbourhood supermarket, produce courtyard, cafeteria restaurant, bakery, fish market, and specialty foods boutique. The company operates under the principles of an Aboriginal-owned and -operated worker co-operative, and has remained a commercially self-reliant enterprise committed to community economic development. Over the past three years, its annual sales have averaged close to $600,000. Brenda Parsons began All Nations as a brokerage firm in 2002, which she operated out of her home. She opened a storefront operation in January 2003. The company has a full suite of professional printing services, from design and project management to digital, variable and offset printing to post-production using environmentally friendly, non-toxic processes. In addition to printing stationary, it offers promotional items and signage, and creates digital files of Cree syllabics for clients wishing to preserve their languages. The Excellence in Aboriginal Business Leadership Award dinner is one of Manitoba’s most prestigious events for honouring Aboriginal business leaders. The stories behind their successes motivate and inspire students to pursue work in a wide variety of sectors, or establish businesses of their own.

International donation results in books for children

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library recently announced, as part of the singer/song writer’s charitable literacy foundation, that books will be mailed monthly for children from birth to age five to 55 Manitoba First Nations. The goal is to eventually reach all 63 Manitoba First Nations. The donation follows nearly five years of planning and organization by Parton's foundation and Manitoba representatives, led by early child development worker Karen Davis of Ebb and Flow First Nation of Manitoba. “This is a tremendous gift from Dolly, and it goes without saying that she is in touch with what is important in life; family, children, and education,” said Congress of Aboriginal Peoples National Chief Betty Ann Lavallée, in a news release.  “Thank you so much for recognizing our Aboriginal children and helping to foster learning, which leads to raising the level of confidence, dignity and self-worth of our Aboriginal youth in Canada.”