Running in Circles Native Student Services Coordinator Wants Tradition-Based Business Practices

1999 Maclean’s rankings The brave new world of reproductive technology Rocky Mountain adventures Find out where the As bioethicists warn of creating a “super-human society,” an Internet site Netting alpine butterflies isn’t as easy University of Alberta lands. starts selling super-model ova. as you think. 2 3 16 UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA Volume 37 Number 6 NOVEMBER 12, 1999 http://www.ualberta.ca/folio Running in circles Native Student Services coordinator wants tradition-based business practices By Dan Carle hen Lewis Cardinal which is to try and break Wbegan his new posi- down the hierarchy.” tion as coordinator of Na- Tina Chang This shift is nothing tive Student Services new for Cardinal, a (NSS) in September, his Sucker Creek First Na- first order of business was tions Woodland Cree to ensure everything originally from High didn’t run according to Prairie. This passion is in strict, linear, western his blood. principles. That’s because “Ever since I was a he and the staff want to child I’ve always been see things run in egalitar- working diplomatically— ian circles, which he stopping fights, getting believes better mirrors people to talk, that sort of his peoples’ traditions. thing. My father and gen- Cardinal has disman- erations before him were tled hierarchical para- diplomats themselves… digms and has leveled the So this is an inherited decision-making structure trait and an inherited of NSS. He has imple- responsibility,” said Car- mented consensus-based dinal. “My father always talk circles to solve told me our problems and conduct people have much to business. He hopes these offer the world. It’s not in-the-round discussions about how much power will provide an example Talk circles in Native Student Services (from left): Greg Cardinal, Charlene Longmore, Cathy Sewell, Lewis Cardinal, Denise Kurszewski, Denise Ward, you have, and that is the to other aboriginal groups Jane Martin and Angela Wolfe. paradigm difference.” by suggesting it’s accept- A shift in paradigms able to be traditional. versity of Alberta’s 900 aboriginal stu- we’re experiencing in this hierarchy is we means a shift in thinking, which is often “Hierarchical structure is killing my dents. can’t get a door replaced for weeks, until not implemented quickly in large bu- people politically, physically and spiritu- “I am tired of watching my family it goes through the system, and comes reaucracies like the university. ally—and I take that personally,” said failing within the educational system. A back because certain people in certain “He’s getting things moving there, Cardinal. A charismatic man, the 37-year- part of our nation building is happening positions have to okay the funding. How- and whether that’s the paradigm or just old does not call himself director of NSS, through education,” he said. ever, within our structure, the him I don’t know. He’s got strong leader- because director means top-down power “He has this energy, this “Hierarchical structure door will be replaced that ship skills,” said Frank Tough, director, and influence. The power, he says, is in beautiful energy that makes very same afternoon, because School of Native Studies. “Can that par- the community. He calls himself a coordi- people listen to him, and is killing my people we know that is an immediate ticular system function within the larger nator, and is a passionate organizer who he encourages people to need.” system? Can it thrive when it is encapsu- has flattened traditional top-down deci- think about a change in the politically, physically Cardinal’s open door is no lated in something different? I don’t sion-making structures within his office. paradigm,” said Melody metaphor. know.” “The hierarchy talks about the collec- Goodstriker, a current member and spiritually—and “What Lewis is doing is The debate remains but the circle tion of wealth and the collection of and former president of the timely given the fact that within Native Student Services continues, power. The circle talks about the sharing University of Alberta Aborigi- I take that personally.” every other director in that and its coordinator would like to see the of power, the sharing of wealth. That is nal Student Council. — Lewis Cardinal, office who has tried to run shift spread. Cardinal, with motives and with a top-down paradigm the difference and that is the motivator.” coordinator, Native “We want to show and demonstrate He would like to see the circular motivation clearly circular, is has always seemed to alienate that this forum and this function of self- Student Services tradition in all aboriginal decision-mak- straightforward in his thinking the students from their own government actually works and it can ing structures within the University of for the need to shift the paradigm from environment,” said Derrick Houle, presi- work within a Canadian framework. The Alberta Aboriginal Advisory Committee. up and down to around. dent, U of A Aboriginal Student Council. stone drops here, and that is what we are It is an ambitious effort, but one Cardinal “The fact is we have done more in the “We’re trying to put together a more vo- trying to say.” feels will help improve a 66 per cent last two months than this office has done cal native community. We’re following Said Goodstriker: “Now all that we dropout or transfer rate among the Uni- in the last two years,” he said. “What the same system Lewis is setting up, need is for them to listen.” ■ Desrochers tribute a success for Faculté Saint-Jean Canada’s only French-language, inter-disciplinary Canadian studies program established By Geoff McMaster fundraising drive to launch a new Distinguished guests included Claude Aprofessorship at Faculté Saint-Jean has Ryan, a former leader of the Quebec Lib- raised more than $600,000, far surpassing eral Party, Senator Céline Hervieux- Richard Siemens Richard everyone’s expectations, said Dean Payette and former Alberta premier Peter Claudette Tardif. Lougheed, all on hand to celebrate Funding for the Louis Desrochers Pro- Desrochers’ contribution to the country. fessorship in Canadian Studies was an- “Mon ami nounced at a din- Louis ner for Desrochers Desrochers has last week. Calling “Canada is a better devoted his life “People recognize he’s the tribute “an to bridging the historical mo- place to work because divide of region been a staunch advocate ment” for Faculté and language,” Saint-Jean and the of [Louis’] influence said Prime Min- of French language province, Dr. ister Jean Tardif said there and work.” Chrétien in a and culture in Alberta, was an enormous pre-taped greet- “sense of pride, of —Prime Minister ing. “Canada is a whether through family and of Jean Chrétien. better place to warmth” among work because of education, radio, theatre the gathering. [Louis’] influ- More than 800 people representing ence and work.” or many other situations An evening of memories: Senator Celine Hervieux-Payette, Peter Lougheed, Chancellor Lois Hole, Louis Desrochers francophone, legal, business and academic The two big- and Claude Ryan. communities attended. “It just felt right,” gest donations where he’s been she said. for the profes- or many other situations where he’s been The professorship in his name will sup- sorship were called upon to called upon to provide advice.” port a distinguished scholar pursuing top- from Shaw Com- Born in Montreal in 1928, Desrochers ics of fundamental importance to national munications and provide advice.” moved to Jasper when he was 10 and later unity in areas such as political science, lit- Power Corp., attended Collège Saint-Jean. After a first erature, sociology, history and education at each providing —Dean Claudette Tardif, degree from the University of Ottawa, he Faculté. It will also provide for a number of $200,000. Maclab Faculté Saint-Jean graduated from the U of A’s Faculty of visiting speakers and will be the only inter- Enterprises and Law in 1952. Throughout his long and disciplinary, French language Canadian Volume 37 Number 6 the Ministry of illustrious career, he promoted French studies program in the country. Tardif said OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, Community Development each pitched in language and culture with exceptional the Faculté hopes to eventually raise at 400 ATHABASCA HALL an additional $50,000, and the Bank of energy and dedication as president of the least $1 million for the professorship. UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, Association canadienne-française de “The fact we can bring together the EDMONTON, ALBERTA T6G 2E8 Montreal contributed $25,000. The rest was LEE ELLIOTT: Associate Director, raised through individual donations and l’Alberta, as co-founder of the Théâtre study of Canada from different perspec- Office of Public Affairs ticket sales to the $125-per-plate dinner. français and French-language radio station tives and that we have a faculty here in LUCIANNA CICCOCIOPPO: Editor “Louis is someone who has worked CHFA, and as a tireless supporter of Alberta that can do that …is important,” GEOFF MCMASTER: Assistant Editor very hard for Canada,” said Tardif. “He’s Faculté Saint-Jean. said Tardif. CONTRIBUTORS: Gilbert Bouchard, Dan Carle, Brian Evans, someone who can move from one world to Desrochers was the U of A’s chancellor Dr. Claude Ryan said the professorship Melanie Delmaine Pannack, Dan Rubinstein, the other and make people unite. People from 1970 to 1974 and has been awarded is a vital step in helping to foster a climate Vivian Zenari recognize he’s been a staunch advocate of honorary doctorates from the Universities of mutual understanding between GRAPHIC DESIGN: Ray Au, Susan Hunter, Marion McFall, French language and culture in Alberta, of Ottawa, Laval and Alberta.

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