JANUARY 2011 VOLUME 14 - NUMBER 1

FREE Rising from the ashes in 2011

Mike Tanton devotes countless hours to helping others in the community. Now he is finding just how much his efforts have been appreciated in his family’s time of need following a devastating fire. (Photo by John Lagimodiere)

RE-ELECTED Saskatchewan’s own Clem Chartierisstillatthehelmofthe MétisNationalCouncil. - Page 2

HUMANRIGHTSREFORM JudgeDavidArnottisdetermined to reform the Human Rights process in Saskatchewan. - Page 3

COOKING NECKBONES PatLetendreknowswhatshe’s By John Lagimodiere Jackson, so there were no injuries even though they were doingwhenitcomestocooking Of Eagle Feather News both covered in smoke and soot so bad that the lizard was a Métis favourite. aving a fire in your house is a devastating expe- black.” - Page 10 rience. Having your house gutted by fire a week What could have been a disastrous Christmas for before Christmas takes that hardship to another Tanton, his wifeTanya, five-year-old daughterWillow and TIGA TALK! level, but that is exactly what happened to White Buffalo one-year-old son Shiah has turned into a story of Christmas Youth Lodge Director Mike Tanton and his family on giving and community support. The popular children’s show, H December 17. The old saying of what comes around goes around TigaTalk!retrunstotheairon “I got a call from my wife that our house was on fire applies here. Tanton has spent countless hours working APTN. and my heart dropped,” saidTanton in an interview outside with youth, coaching basketball and volunteering and that - Page 12 of the burned shell of his house in Saskatoon. investment has come back to him in spades. NOLAN COMING TO SK “Thankfully no one was home when it started and no “The amount of support we received from the communitywasamazing.Itjuststartedcomingfromevery- FormerNHLcoachTedNolanwill one was hurt, but still, everything is gone.” where,” said Tanton. beaguestspeakerinSaskatoon The fire was lit by a faulty fan cord in a bedroom.The “At Rawlco radio they got 300 emails telling them in April. blaze went up through the roof, across the attic and then about us so we became one of their adopted families for a - Page 20 back down into the main floor.Apasserby noticed smoke and called the fire department. Christmas hamper.My staff atWhite Buffalo all came and “The person kicked in the door and allowed our dog dropped things off or looked after my pets. Ian Myrtle at Welcome to our Rocko to escape. But Rocko didn’t recognize anyone so the Saskatoon Minor BasketballAssociation put out a call Year in Review Issue he ran back inside. Gratefully the firefighters went in and and there were tons of coaches and players that new me Coming In February: rescued him even though he was growling and is a pit bull,” from playing or coaching against me came and dropped Health & Wellness Issue said a relieved Tanton. offgiftcardsorthingsforthekids.Wewereoverwhelmed.” CPMA #40027204 “They also rescued my daughter’s lizard, Michael •Continued on Page 2 2 Eagle Feather News JANUARY 2011 Community support overwhelming Chartier re-elected president

following pre-Christmas 3re By Darla Read can happen. For Eagle Feather News “We can’t demand recognition of our control • Continued from Page One over citizenship The U of S vet clinic also treated and cleaned up the lizard he incumbent president of the Métis when we have not Michael Jackson and the What a Mess pet groomers washed and National Council was re-elected at this yet established a pampered Rocko all for free. year’s General Assembly in Saskatoon. national citizenship The person having the hardest time with the fire was Willow. Clem Chartier allowed his name to stand as system and accept- “She was not doing well with it but once the animals were The sought a third term as MNC president.Aformer ance process. saved she was only concerned about a jewellery box she had and RCMP officer, government employee and busi- “Before we her Monty Rex toy. We found the jewellery box, but we couldn’t nessman, John Keyuk from Ontario, was the only can realistically find Monty. person who ran against Chartier. press for this “We tried hard to get Santa to find her a new Monty Rex, but Chartier gave his campaign speech first, stronger relation- we just couldn’t,” added Tanton. followed by Keyuk, who gave an impassioned ship, we must “And she was very worried about our future because we had speech when he took the podium, saying he was strengthen our no house. But I assured her we would be fine. We have watched disappointed by how he’d been treated over the internal gover- Harry Potter together and I told her that just like the Phoenix that past 48 hours. nance. We can’t rises from the ashes, so would our family, Daddy has a new job and “I’ve been insulted. I’ve been chastised. I’ve demand recogni- she will get a brand new bedroom and we would be just fine. She been told I don’t have a right to run. I’ve insulted tion of our consti- is getting better every day.” people by even considering to run,” Keyuk said. tution when we Tanton admits that sometimes he spends too much time “I’ve been misquoted, suggesting I’m against don’t have one.” volunteering in the community at the expense of his family and women, Métis women, racist, and First Nations. Chartier says is grateful for his wife’s support of his work, but the response he And, as a government employee, (that) I have not they have worked got from the community when he was in need was proof that he stood up for Métis people.” on the constitution has been doing the right thing all along. In the end, delegates voted overwhelmingly for 27 years “I constantly try to put myself in a position to build the in favour of Chartier, who took 80 per cent of the because it’s community. The support we have received solidified the fact that 55 votes. CLEM CHARTIER complex and I have been doing good things. It makes me feel good that there are Chartier would like to spend the term moving requires a lot of research and dialogue on things people out there that maybe I affected in a positive way,” said forward on constitutional reform, noting a stronger like how to respect the Métis nation as a whole Tanton. relationship between Canada and the Métis could while respecting provincial jurisdiction, as well “People are now looking out for us and it makes me want to reap benefits for them, such as being able to push as who is Métis and how to create a citizenship work harder in the community just because of the support we have for some of the tax revenue the provinces and registry. received. It lets me know I am on the right path. It feels good. federal government collect from Métis people. “We need to ensure our registries reflect who “We are grateful.” However, Chartier says the Métis have to get their own governance issues in order before that is Métis, not someone who simply says ‘I’m of mixed ancestry, I can’t get Indian status, therefore JANUARY 2011 Eagle Feather News 3 Arnott determined to improve human rights process

By John Lagimodiere lution and settlement without litigation, prosecution and Of Eagle Feather News tribunals. In the last two years they have only conducted heaveragetimeittakesforahumanrightscomplaint three prosecutions. Wewant to resolve issues before it gets inSaskatchewantobesettledisthreeyears.ToDavid to a tribunal or judge.” Arnot,theChiefCommissioneroftheSaskatchewan The Commission is proposing to change their ways HumanRightsCommissionthatisunacceptable.Arnotand based on four pillars. First they want to be efficient and This staff have been working hard to make the Commission effective in investigation, prosecution and gate keeping for aCanadianleaderandmodelof21stCenturybestpractices. complaints of discrimination. In an exclusive interview with Eagle Feather News, Second,likeinManitoba,theywanttoseeanincreased Arnot,whoservedastheTreatyCommissionerforadecade, focusonearlyresolutionusingmediation,collaborationand reiterated the Commission’s commitment to being the best other forms of dispute resolution. This section will incor- Human Rights Commission in Canada.Already they have porateprinciplesfromtheAboriginalcommunity.Theyalso legislationbeforetheprovincialgovernmentthat,ifpassed, want to dissolve the tribunal and move any cases that can’t willstreamlinethecomplaintsprocessandbringaboutanew beresolvedthroughalternativemeasuresrighttothecourts level of awareness of our rights, responsibilities and values in front of a judge. as Canadian citizens. Thirdtheywanttopursueincreasedsystemicadvocacy “Weknowthecurrentsystemisnotworkingeffective- for issues that affect multiple persons or groups. ly,”saidArnot.“Wewanttotakeitinanewdirectionandto Fourth,theywanttodevelopapre-kindergartentoGrade get there we have studied the best practices in Canada and 12 program that teaches citizenship rights, responsibilities have met with over 50 stakeholder groups to discuss the and respect in all Saskatchewan schools. changes we have proposed to the Human Rights Code,” he Thefourthpillarisverysimilartoaprojectstartedwhen explains. ArnotwastheTreatyCommissioner.Arnotdiscoveredthat “These groups overwhelmingly embrace alternative there were many issues tied to the fact that people had no understanding whatsoever of the treaties. Now all schools dispute resolution over prosecution and litigation and they DAVID ARNOTT affirmed the need for change.” in Saskatchewan have mandatory Treaty education. Currentlyifthereisacomplaint,aninvestigationtakes “Manycasescometoourattentionbecausepeoplejust Thelegislationtohelpmovethesechangesalongisdue around 15 months with an additional 21 months before the do not know their rights and responsibilities as Canadian to be debated in the legislature in the spring and Arnot is case is heard by a tribunal made up of lawyers. If the case is citizens,” addedArnot. “We have worked closely with the hoping it all passes smoothly. not resolved to everyone’s liking, it may move up to the Ministry of Education about this curriculum and ultimate- “Theysaythepriceoffreedomiseternalvigilance,but Queen’s Bench or beyond. ly,themorepeoplewillknowabouttheirrights,wewillget for that you need education,” added the Commissioner. “WestudiedtheManitobapracticeofdirectedmediation fewer complaints through the door. It is like preventative “If we make the changes that we foresee, we will have which has been very successful for them,” said Arnot. education. It is exciting change to help people know their thebesthumanrightscommissioninCanada.Thepeopleof “Ninety-eightpercentoftheircomplaintsaresettledbyreso- rights, responsibilities and values.” Saskatchewan deserve the best we can do.” 4 Eagle Feather News JANUARY 2011

The year in review

or many people, the year 2010 looks better in the rear view mirror. For others itwas fantastic and fullofgreat memories.Anyway you look at it, 2010 was an interesting year in Saskatchewan. The sporting community was kept hopping as always. Saskatoon Fhosted the World Junior Hockey Championships to open the year. Sadly, a dramatic overtime loss robbed the home team of the storybook ending but a silver medal is still something to be proud of. We also saw the Olympic torch make its way through many Saskatchewan communities with several Aboriginal people having the opportunity to carry the torch and represent the community in a good way. Saskatoon welcomed the First Nation Winter Games, won by the host Saskatoon Tribal Council by one point over theAgency Chiefs Tribal Council. Memorable from that event was witnessing hockey star Theo Fleury andAFN Chief ShawnAtleo break dance together during the Opening Ceremonies. The National Native Fastball Championships were hosted at Whitecap Dakota First Nation and they made it the best championships ever with the Siksika Rebels winning the big prize. In education, we had the FNUC drama that kept our attention. From the announcement in February of the loss of funding, the announced closure and sale of the Saskatoon campus and the eventual recovery plan, the rollercoaster ride was unforgettable. We also celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Gabriel Dumont Institute, a Canadian leader in Métis education, language and culture. And don’t forget the hundreds of First Nation and Métis graduates from2010whoaregoingtobeourfuturebusinessandcommunityleaders. The Year of the Métis celebrations created many real and lasting memories. People who participated in the Reconciliation Ceremony at theBatocheNationalHistoricSitewillcarrythesoundofAndreaMenard’s voice carrying through the valley and the echo of all the names of the people who died in 1885 from all sides of the skirmish being read by two DOINGThe White Buffalo Youth THE Lodge turned DISHES ten years old in December. One of their enduring young Métis people. From the 70-some thousand people that attended customs is to host a Christmas feast for the community. This year they fed over 700 people. BacktoBatochetowitnessShannonLouttitandherHonourRunnersend Tofeed that many, it takes lots of hands, so many groups and individuals come out to volunteer their 100km run, to the Michelle Wright concert to the oh so close spoon and lend a hand. Here, Lillian Denton, Director of Community Investments at SIGAand playing record, this year’s Back to Batoche was unforgettable. Gail Eagle, SIGA’s Community Relations Coordinator were scrubbing up a round of dishes. Totop off theYear of the Métis, a sash was presented to the Legisla- In another room, ten people were busy cutting up over 20 turkeys that were sacrificed for ture and will be there on the table in the middle of the House for all to see the meal. Each child that attended received a gift from Santa. Leftover gifts were taken by andtoincludetheMétisinthepoliticalandsocialfabricofSaskatchewan. White Buffalo Youth Lodge staff to schools in the neighbourhood and to the paediatric unit Hardship struck the people of Kawacatoose when a summer at the hospital for kids that are sick over the holidays. (Photo by John Lagimodiere) tornado ripped through the community destroying several homes and causing millions of dollars worth of damage. The community is still working to recover from the hit. Many achieved on the personal front in 2010. RichardAhenakew, general manager of the Northern Lights Casino was elected President of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce, thefirst Cree person to attain such a position. Deborah Chatsis, a member ofAhtahkakoop First Nation was named CanadianAmbassador to Vietnam of all places ... that’s something! Saskatoon-based lawyer Don Worme received a National Aboriginal Achievement Award. Chief Payepot was given his proper due with a nice statue of him erected in downtown Regina and the old historic church at Stanley Mission turned 150 years old. The year 2010 will also be remembered as the year that the potash industry entered into the sights of First Nation and Métis leadership. The BHP Billiton takeover bid of PotashCorp raised the profile of the wonderful pink rock in Saskatchewan and the world and it hit the radar of Aboriginal political leaders who wondered why there aren’t more First Nation and Métis people employed in the industry. The takeover bid ultimately failed, butAboriginal leaders are still asking questions. Will 2011 be the year that will be known as the year of potash? Well, 2010 was a wild ride but it set the table well for 2011. Watch for a focus on education and training forAboriginal people as the demand ramps up for us to take our rightful place in the labour market. Potash will still be a hot topic and we will see inroads into that once foreign industry. And the world will keep on turning. JANUARY 2011 Eagle Feather News 5 Happy New Year from my family to yours!

here’s lots of talk and media mass deaths of not only affect humans in Wemay think this is a long way from coverage of the end of the Mayan birds and sea life negative ways, they home and not really our concern but calendar and prophesies about the around the world. sicken and kill the hundreds of thousands of ducks and end of the world as we know it in 2012. Over 5,000 insects, birds, animals, geese from our territories up here migrate TI don’t understand how the Mayan red-winged fish, sea life, and plant and winter in the marshes of the Missis- calendar works other than it has spiritual blackbirds life. sippi River delta region which is directly significance and is based on historical dropped out of The BP oil spill impacted by the oil spill. cycles. It combines linear and cyclical the sky in disaster in the Gulf of I wonder what condition they will be time which means that time spirals, Arkansas, hundreds of turtle doves in Mexico last fall spewed out 205.8 million in when they come home next spring. always moving forward but influenced Italy, 40,000 devil crabs washed up on gallons of crude oil before it was capped The law of circular interaction by what has already passed. the shores in Britain, 150 tonnes of red and it is still causing horrific damage and teaches us that what affects one affects The Mayans believe that the world tilapia fish in Vietnam, 100 tonnes of death to ocean life. us all and what comes around goes has been created and destroyed a number sardines and catfish on the beaches of Eighty square miles of ocean imme- around. of times, and each time it is reborn with Brazil, penguins in New Zealand and diately around the blown well site is It’s not too late to clean up our act to the hope that human beings will honour more. called the “kill zone” because almost all save our world as we know it. We can the sacred ways they were given to live The Internet is flooded with stories living things including water plants are make a positive impact by reducing our by. about these mass deaths and many dead. “footprint” on the world—use The historical cycle of the Mayan discussions about their causes. What is The islands, shorelines, marshlands biodegradable and non-toxic cleaners; calendar we are in right now is called the common is the belief that these mass and ocean of the Gulf of Mexico contain use less gasoline; grow, hunt, fish and Great Cycle. It began in 3114 BC (before deaths are the result of human actions. thousands of animal, bird, and whale and gather more of our own food and rely less Christ) and ends next year in 2012. Scientists tell us that thousands of fish species. on manufactured fast foods; recycle The Mayan people and their birds die as they fly through cities built More than 400 species indigenous to instead of tossing everything into the calendar are not prophesising the end of in their flight migration paths. the Gulf of Mexico islands and marsh- garbage. the world as we know it. Some sources Also, some say birds get confused lands are at risk including endangered We have disrupted the natural say they celebrate the end of a whole about their directions and fly into sea turtles. order because we are not treating the cycle and the beginning of a new one. buildings and trees because of all the Toxic chemicals from the oil spill, earth, the air, the waters and all living The question is what does the new cycle interference in the air by radio and sonar and from the dispersants poured into the things around us according to the have in storefor us all? waves, even more so now that millions oil spill area to help break up the oil, are sacred teachings we were given to live It’s hard not to take the warning of people use cell phones. entering the food chain and have resulted by. seriously though. Since New Year’s Eve All the toxins created by pollution in fishing bans on many fish species, We need them to live, they don’t there have been many reports of sudden that pour into the air, the land and waters shrimp, and oyster beds. need us.

Rank Comix Adam Martin 6 Eagle Feather News JANUARY 2011 The UN Declaration: Hopes and challenges

he United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was endorsed in mid-December by the United States ofAmerica, the last of the only Tfourhold-outstatesthatinitiallyvotedagainst it when the Declaration was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in September2007. InCanada,Harper’sminoritygovernment publicity surrounding Canada’sadoption of hadendorsedtheDeclarationamonthearlier. the Declaration in November,which empha- Parliament itself had already endorsed the sized its non-binding character. Having Declaration, so it was the minority federal opposed the Declaration at two stages in the governmentandnottherepresentativesofthe UN process, the minority government could people of Canada that opposed it. The other notavoidflip-flopsinadoptingit. two original hold-outs, New Zealand and Theofficialgovernmentstatementattrib- Australiahadsignedonearlier. utedtheflip-floptohavinglistenedtoAborig- TheUnitedNationsisanorganizationof inalleadersandlearnedfromotherstates,while roughly 200 ‘states’(countries) of the world. affirmingthatitstillhelditsoriginalconcerns. (Youcanguesswhyitisnotcalledthe‘United ThestoryofCanada’sofficialstancesinrespect States’.)WiththeU.S.A.endorsementnotone to the Declaration is a fascinating story for statenowformallyopposestheDeclaration. anotherday. Nowwhat?Whatwilltheformaladoption Atleastonebookhasalreadybeenwritten of the Declaration by the government of in Canada about the meaning of the Declara- Canadaandtheotherrecalcitrantstatesmean tion. A publication of Saskatoon’s Purich for indigenous people in Canada and around Publishing,itssub-titleis“Triumph,Hope,and theworld?ShouldFirstNationandMétisand Action” and its concluding chapter is entitled Inuitpeopleandcommunitieswaitwithbaited “HopesandChallengesontheRoadAhead”. breathforthingstohappenasaresult? Thehopeisthatgovernmentsmightbetter The short answer is that the Declaration be persuaded to do the right thing in relations represents both hope and challenges. It is a withAboriginal people and peoples because guideforactionbutdoesnotreplacetheneed oftheworldconsensusbehindthosestandards. for action. As President Obama stated in There are challenges here though. Govern- December: "But I want to be clear: What ments adopt standards, whether international mattersfarmorethanwords–whatmattersfar ordomestic,mainlywhereandwhentheycan more than any resolution or declaration – are beusefultobackupwhattheyintendtodofor actions to match those words.”This month I otherreasons,oftenpoliticalreasonshavingto explainwhattheDeclarationisandisnot,and dowithgainingorretainingpoliticalpoweror why it is being described as something that influence.ThestandardsintheDeclarationmay promiseshopesandchallenges. beusedbythecourtsinreachingdecisionsin Few people, including journalists, pay Aboriginalcasesbuttheydonotbindthecourts: muchattentiontointernationallegaldevelop- they have only persuasive weight that can ments,andtheDeclarationisgenerallynotwell support other reasons for a decision. Interna- understood.Asa‘Declaration’itisnotthesame tionally, dictators and brutal human rights asaninternationalTreaty(oftencalledConven- abusing states can agree to anything and then tionsorCovenants).Declarationsarehortatory, ignoreit. not obligatory.They exhort governments to Therehasbeenrejoicingamongstindige- followthestandardsthattheydeclare.Conven- nous organizations, here in Canada and tionsorTreaties,ontheotherhand,haveeffect elsewhere,andrightlyso.Iworkedwithinthe mainlyuponthosewhoagreetothemandthe processmyselfforover20yearsanditiseasy effect is that signatories are legally bound by tocongratulateoneself.Butthatshouldnotlead the terms of theTreaties.Those states that do to self-deception about the practical meaning notsignConventionsarenotboundbythem. of international standards upon the everyday Thereareexceptions,ofcourse.Interna- livesofindigenouspeopleinCanada. tional customary law develops from the Wecannotseeclearlywhatliesdownthe practices of states. International custom road.Idoseealikelydevelopmentwherethe becomes law after it has been generally fundamentalrightofself-determinationofall accepted.Totheextentthattreatiesanddecla- peoples will now be morphed into a new rations contain accurate statements about conceptforindigenouspeoples,exactlyasthe existing customary law then they contain U.S.endorsementsuggestsandwhichthelast- descriptionsofinternationallaw.Thecomplex minute drafting of the Chairman of the UN andchangingcharacterofinternationallawand workinggroupleavesopen. its development can create more debate than The Royal Commission onAboriginal agreement on exactly what is the law on any Peoplesrecommendedthatthefederalgovern- particularissue.Expertscanbeexpectedtobe mentadoptinternationalstandardsindomestic morecautiousabouttheiropinionsoninterna- legislation. The effect would be to make the tional law than politicians, who are prone to Declarationlegallybindingandenforceablein beingskeweredbytheircriticsforbeingwishy- court. Now that would be a real and effective washy. changeleadingfromwordstoaction. All this colours the media coverage and Itisalsodreaming. JANUARY 2011 Eagle Feather News 7 Justice for Louis Riel requires exoneration

or over 125 years the Métis have innocent and exonerating him. Many grass roots Métis from Western as these, it was sufferedtheindignityofhavingtheir Exoneration means that the person was Canada that we have met support the exon- imperativethat iconic leader Louis Riel denied neverguiltyoftheoffenceinthefirstplace.It eration of Louis Riel. Riel fought not only the judicial justice.Itishightimethatthelegal,political is not provided for in the Criminal Code of forlandrights,hefoughtfordemocracyand error and Fand judicial misdeeds surrounding his trial CanadaortheCriminalRecordsAct. Exon- basic human rights of the Métis and other historical are exposed to all the people of Canada. eration can be effected by anAct of Parlia- Western Canadians such as responsible record be These truths will prove that the injustices ment, by recommendation of a Royal government, the right to vote and be elected correctedbyreversingtheconvictions,notby inflicted on Louis Riel led to his conviction Commission, or by the reversal of a convic- to Parliament, Provincial status for granting a pardon. and execution on November 16, 1885. tion by a Court. Manitoba, Saskatchewan and evenAlberta. Exoneration of Louis Riel is long Paul Chartrand deserves to be admired It is our firm conclusion that Louis Riel Louis Riel represents all the people overdue.APrivate Member’s Bill (such as forhisfierydevotiontotheMétispeopleand was incorrectly charged under the 1351 who supported the Métis cause during the Pat Martin’s that is not Government- their interests. However,his argument in the Statute of Treasons of Great Britain. This North-West Uprising as well as the Red sponsored) would not be an exercise in lastissueofEagleFeatherNewsagainstMP Statute, with respect to levying war in the River Resistance. His conviction and politicalexpediencynorwoulditbemercyor Pat Martin’s Bill C248 is based on a misin- “realm”, was not applicable in Canada. execution wrongfully stigmatized and forgiveness.AnArticleina2004issueofthe terpretation of the significant difference Consequently Louis Riel was incorrectly marginalized the Métis who joined with SaskatchewanLawReviewreferredtoa1998 between “pardon” and “exoneration” with charged, and accordingly was incorrectly him in the pursuit of their basic human statement by the Riel family.It stated in part respect to the great Métis hero Louis Riel. convictedandincorrectlyexecutedunderthat rights.TheexonerationofLouisRielwould that the Riel family would not back any Bill InhisarticleChartrandreferstoexonerate Statute. Thus,LouisRielmustbeexonerat- be the first step towards reconciliation of that simply pardoned Riel but wished a Bill onlyonceandtopardonsixtimes. However ed the wrongs done to the Métis people. enactedthatproclaimedtheinnocenceofRiel dictionary definitions show that these terms The purpose of MP Pat Martin’s Bill Some writers feel that the execution of on the charge, and reversed his conviction. are like night and day. “Pardon” means to is NOT,as Chartrand indicates, to ask “the Louis Riel is a stain on the honor of Canada Exoneration of Louis Riel would be an “forgive” someone who has committed a forgiveness of the parliamentarians” and that the stain should remain. We act of justice – one which corrects the crimeorwrongdoing.“Exoneration”means (which would be a pardon). The purpose disagree. The Métis people are also injustice of his unlawful conviction and to declare free from guilt; and it is decidedly of this Bill is to reverse the conviction of Canadians and love their country,notwith- execution in 1885. Thus the innocence of notanactofmercy,clemencyorforgiveness. Louis Riel for High Treason and “to deem standing its deficiencies and shortcomings. this great Métis icon would be proclaimed Pardon means the person was guilty of him innocent”. This reversal of the High This stain needs to be removed in the notonlyinCanadabutthroughouttheWorld. anoffence,haspaidhisduestosociety,andis Treason conviction would not be a pardon interest of justice for Louis Riel and the George andTerry Goulet forgiven for the offence. Since a pardon or forgiveness. Instead this Bill would Métis people, and to set the record straight. (MétisauthorsandpublicspeakersGeorge and Terry Goulet collaborated on The Trial of requires that a criminal offence must have result in the exoneration of Louis Riel. Wrongful convictions have been Louis Riel: Justice and Mercy Denied and co- been committed, it is provided for in the Wewould not support a Parliamentary reversedmanytimesinCanadawhenthetrue Bill that would only pardon Louis Riel. factscometolight.Examplesarethewrongful authored The Metis: Memorable Events and Criminal Code of Canada or the Criminal Memorable Personalities, and The Métis in However we wholeheartedly endorse a Bill convictions of Steven Truscott, Donald Records Act. A discussion of pardon or British Columbia – From Fur Trade Outposts forgiveness is not relevant to declaring Riel that would exonerate Louis Riel. Marshall,andDavidMilgaard.Incasessuch to Colony) 8 Eagle Feather News - Health JANUARY 2011 Pringle report 3nds Child Welfare system in crisis

By Michael Bell Anaskanthroughouttheprovince. interview. For Eagle Feather News Pringle chaired the ChildWelfare Review Pringle’sreportrecommendsthatthesystem ittinginarockingchairinthelivingroom Panel,agroupoffourindividualstaskedbythe shouldhavetwo“streams.”Thelarger“preven- of her North Regina home, Marla Wallgovernmenttoassesstheprovince’sfoster tive family support” stream would be for the Anaskan tallks about her life. She wears care system. The work took eight months to majority of families that need help for their agreysweater,alightpurpleshirtandjeans.Tiny complete. Pringle and his panel travelled the substance abuse and poverty problems. The Swhite and red beads are stitched into her black provinceandgatheredinformationfromapprox- secondsmallerstreamwouldbeforabusesitu- moccasins. imately1,200people.Theymetpeoplewhowere ations, where the authority of the courts is Besideher,aTVdinnertraysupportsalamp infostercare;parentswhoputtheirkidsinfoster required. andabookofsudokupuzzles.Asmalltelevision care;otherparentswhosekidswereapprehend- ThereportalsorecommendsthatAborigi- sitsinthecorner.Thelivingroomisorderlyand ed by foster care; social workers employed by nalinstitutionsshouldgraduallytakecontrolof clean. fostercare;academicswhostudyfostercare. thechildwelfaresystem. Asateenager,Anaskanwenttoresidential The panel then compiled everything they “We heard unequivocally from First schoolatGordon’sFirstNation.Shegotmarried learned into a report, and presented it to the Nations and Métis stakeholders that their youngandbegantoraiseafamily.Butalongthe government.Thereport,titled“FortheGoodof communities want a greater role in caring for way,shebegantostrugglewithsubstanceabuse. Our Children andYouth,” paints a picture of a theirchildren,”thereportsaid. Her relationship with her partner became fostercaresystemincrisis. Onthispoint,Pringlepointedoutthattrans- abusive. FirstNationsandMétispeoplearedramat- ferring control of the system to Aboriginal Thingsgotworse in2002.Inanattemptto ically over-represented in the system. While authority will require adequate funding from get treatment for her addiction, she voluntarily Aboriginal people make up 15 per cent of governments so that Aboriginal groups can MARLA ANASKAN placedherkidsintofostercareforthefirsttime. Saskatchewan’s population, they account for equallyparticipateintheplanninganddecision Afterhertreatmentended,shegotthekidsback nearly 80 per cent of the children and youth in making. committee is to issue a report on its work by afewmonthslater.Butthepatternwouldrepeat out-of-homecare,accordingtothereport.Incred- “Unless we provide – I mean we as a springof2011. itselflaterin2006,2008and2010.Herthreesons ibly,there are three times moreAboriginal kids province–collectivelymoreadditionalservices, Back in Marla Anaskan’s home, she currentlylivewithherparents,whileherdaughter in foster care now than at the height of the resi- more affordable housing, and address those describes her relationship with her kids when wasplacedelsewhereinthesystem. dentialschoolsystem,thereportsays. income-related issues, we’ll have a situation she’scleanandsober. Last year continued to be a tough one for Part of the problem with the foster care where the devolution (toAboriginal control) “Awesome. Wedid everything, we went Anaskan.Shekeptusingdrugsandalcohol,her system is the nature of the system itself, whose occursbuteverybodyisstillpoor,”Pringlesaid. swimming,wenttothemovies,wentforwalks, relationshipfelltopiecesandMarlahitwhatshe focusistoprotectchildrenfromabusiveparents. The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian wenttolibrary,hadsleepoutshere,”shesays,and called “rock bottom” in December. But like The problem is that most parents who come to Nationshadnocriticismsofthereport,andwants smilesforthefirsttimeintheinterview. many people who struggle with addiction, she theattentionofChildProtectionServicesaren’t the provincial government to act on its recom- Andwhatkindofdayhasitbeentoday,her foundhope,supportandsolutionsinAlcoholics abusing their kids. The majority struggle with mendations. 22nddayofsobriety? Anonymous. On the day of our conversation, “substanceabuseormentalhealthissues,housing “Overthelast20years,FirstNationshave “Iwanttocry‘causethisisabigstepforme. Anaskanhad22daysofsobriety. problems, inadequate income or some combi- tabled report after report identifying the issues Wehadalandlineputintoday.” “I realize it now. Back when I was really nationofthese,”sayspage16ofthereport. impacting our children and families and have Anaskan hasn’t had a phone since June of usingandreallydrinking,Ifeltsolow,Icouldn't As a result, most kids suffer not from presented recommendations similar to those last year.Today,besides getting the phone, she get nothing done, I couldn’t do anything right. abusive parents, but from neglectful ones.And identified in the Saskatchewan Child Welfare went with her oldest daughter (who still lives Thatself-pity.Itwentrighttothecore,towhere because the system mainly knows how to Review Panel Report,” said FSIN Vice Chief with her) for lunch downtown.They also went Ijustdidn'tgiveaflyingeffaboutanything,”said respond to abuse situations, only 4,000 of the DutchLerat. toCanSask,anemploymentservicesagency,to Anaskan. roughly24,000familiesthatneedhelpeveryyear On the day of the report’spublic presenta- lookforwork.Shealsoboughtgroceries,rented WhileAnaskanstruggledthrough2010to getservices,accordingtothereport.Eachyear, tion, Social Services Minister June Draude acoupleofmovies,paidoffherBlockbusterbill overcomeheraddictionsandfigureoutawayto 20,000familiesdonotgetthesupporttheyneed. announced“thecreationofaCabinetCommittee andgotsomebustickets. get her kids back from foster care, Bob Pringle “We’re suggesting that we move to a new on Children and Youth as a first step toward “It’sfrombeingsoberandacknowledging was meeting hundreds of people like Marla paradigm,” Bob Pringle said in a phone developinganewvisionforchildwelfare.”The thatIneedhelp,”shesays. JANUARY 2011 Eagle Feather News - Health 9 Now’sthe time for some healthy resolutions

appy New Year you neck bone Don’t take your Spend time about it. Remember that hickies are lovers. I hope this year brings spouse for granted. with Elders. They gross! Not cool! Really, really, really you good health. Make this the year hold memories of not cool! No doubt many of you made reso- that you focus on our past so listen Do not drink and drive or ride with Hlutions to live healthier; get some keeping your snag when they speak. anyone who has been drinking. exercise, eat a better diet, quit smoking. in the blanket, so to I listened to an Pay your child support payments. I have been making those same three speak. Make date Elder speak of the Don’t be a deadbeat parent. resolutions for many years and every nights and Bingo is importance of Stay in school. Education is the key year I think this will be the year I not a date! We visiting because it to end poverty – tapwe. succeed. sometimes forget to show our partners provides an opportunity to get to know Participate in team sports if you get Throughout the year I make lists of how much we appreciate having them your neighbors. the opportunity. Team sports can teach things I hear people say as possible in our lives, so think of something Visit with sick family and friends. valuable life lessons. topics for the column. Here’s what you creative and have fun. Don’t stay away because you don’t Listen to music. It helps soothe any said in 2010. Now take a deep breath Spend time with friends. In our know what to say. mood. Try listening to classical music and go … hectic lives we often forget to keep in Don’t be a bully. Tell someone if for something different. Take care of your body. Have Laugh everyday – you’ll live regular checkups with doctors and longer. Rent a Don Burnstick video. dentists. Go for cancer screening proce- Don’t have unprotected sex. If Don’t procrastinate – your boss dures like mammograms and colono- won’t like it. scopies. Keep reading Eagle Feather News. Diabetes, obesity, heart disease and you’re old enough to have sex then Let 2011 be the year that we cancer are prevalent in our communi- succeed in making healthy choices for ties. So be aware and take care. Step you’re old enough to be responsi- our future wellbeing. away from the bannock. Thank you for your letters and Get some exercise. Walking is the ble about it. emails. easiest and doesn’t cost anything. Just You can write to me at Sandee Sez 30 minutes of walking three times a touch with friends. Friends help keep us you are being bullied. C/O Eagle Feather News P.O. Box week will lower blood pressure and sane and are the keepers of our secrets. Don’t have unprotected sex. If 924 Saskatoon SK S7M 3M4 or you make you feel energized. Facebook doesn’t count here. Real inter- you’re old enough to have sex then can email me at action we are talking about here people! you’re old enough to be responsible [email protected] Eagle Feather’s health page to grow in February

oodhealthequalsgoodtimesandweatEagleFeatherNewsareallaboutgoodtimes. Tohelppromotegoodhealthinourcommunity,wehavehadSandraAhenakewdeliver her wit and wisdom in her monthly column Sandee Sez and we always dedicate our Februaryeditiontohealthandwellness. GTohelpSandraoutandtoprovidemoreinformationonamonthlybasis,weareexpanding our health coverage to a full page. Joining Sandra on the health pagewillbeFloLavallieandtheCHEPGoodFoodBites. FloisaMasterHerbalist,aCertifiedReflexologist,Iridolo- gistandKinisiologist.Shehasbeeninprivatepracticefor28years andhasawealthofknowledgeonholistichealing. Flo has also been involved in the CanadianAssociation of Herbal Practitioners, Companion Health Oasis Inc., College of Medicine (Complementary Therapy), SWITCH and Freedom ofChoiceHealthCaretonameafeworganizations.Shewasalso oneofthefoundersofTamara’sHouseinSaskatoon. Flo has also written two books: Sharing Health and Wellness: Creating Your Own Road to Recovery and Good Health is Cooking in the Pot. Flo has consulted with women Elders on and off-reserve about health topics of concern in our communities. With FLO LAVALLIE these topics in hand, Flo will give us insight and potential treatment plans from a non traditional perspective that we are sure you will appreciate. ChildHungerandEducationProgram(CHEP)inSaskatoonworkswithchildren,families andcommunitiestoimproveaccesstogoodfoodandpromoteFoodSecurity.CHEPbelieves thatfoodisabasicrightandthatinadequatenutritionadverselyaffectshealth,physical,mental, andemotionaldevelopment,learningability,andparticipationincommunity.CHEPbelieves that a community development approach is necessary to fulfil its mission. CHEPwill join us monthlywithtipsongooddiets,healthyeating,stretchingyourfoodbudgetandrecipes.Their GoodFoodBiteswillbesomethingyouwillwanttocutoutandputonthefridgeforeasyaccess. Soseeyanextmonthwhenwetalkabouthealth. 10 Eagle Feather News JANUARY 2011 2010 - Unforgettable Y

(Above) Shannon Louttit is followed by her honour runners shortly after presenting Métis sashes to veterans at the Opening ceremonies of the veterans garden at the Back to Batoche site. Loutit ran from Saskatoon to Batoche in the course of a full day, in moccasins no less. The honour runners also ran with her,with one young man, Brandon Sand running over 70 kilometres. They arrived at the Back to Batoche site the night before the opening ceremonies to a welcoming group of supporters who witnessed a very emotional celebration. (photo by John Lagimodiere)) Kymber Palidwar (right) poses atop Whistler Mountain while she was in Vancouver as a Métis youth representative for the Olympics. She was joined by several other Métis youth who worked at the pavilion and participated in the Opening Ceremonies. (Photo supplied by Kymber Palidwar)Andrea Menard’s voice carried over the valley of the Batoche National Historic site as she sang a few songs at the reconciliation ceremony that kicked of the Back to Batoche celebrations during theYear of the Métis. The emotional event was attended by over a thousand people from across North America. (Photo by John Lagimodiere)

If you want your neck bones done right, call this lady. Lea local president Pat Letendre and her crew were kept sup busy during Back to Batoche Days satisfying everyon cravings for good old neck bones, a Back to Batoche stap Letendre was strategic this year and had their booth do by the rodeo area. “They are neck bone people so we go them,” said Letendre about the rodeo folks and their dema for good old fashioned food. (Photo by John Lagimodier JANUARY 2011 Eagle Feather News 11 Year of the Métis

(Above)These young people are members of the St Mary’s dance troupe and they perform throughoutSaskatchewanteachingpeopleabout traditional Métis dances. This photo was taken shortly after a performance at the Workers CompensationBoardinSaskatoononLouisRiel Day. (Photo by John Lagimodiere) (Left) Métis jigger par excellence Scott Duffee performed for the crowd when the Olympic torch passed through Saskatoon. (Photo by GDI) Saskatoon teacher and elite athlete Jacqueline Lavallee (right) was thefinaltorchbearerandcauldronlighterforthe Olympic ceremonies in Saskatoon. (Photo by GDI) Métis Nation-Saskatchewan President Robert ask Doucette and Saskatchewan PremierBradWall per exchange greetings after the reconciliation ne’s ceremony at the Batoche National Historic Site. ple. (Photo by John Lagimodiere) own o to and re) 12 Eagle Feather News - Arts & Entertainment JANUARY 2011 Tiga Talk returns

illions of Canadian children learned their 1-2-3s andABCs from watching the best children’s TV show ever, Sesame Street. Those early learning days are important in teaching language skills and with many children stapled to the TV set, why not use it as a teaching tool. MThat’s why Tiga Talk! entertains kids while teaching bothAboriginal and English language skills during the preschool years – an integral stage in development. By watching the series, children can learn how to make language sounds more easily, and have fun doing it! This year, the popularAPTN children’s show has added an interactive website and iPhone application to provide even greater learning opportunities, offering games, crafts and videos that give children and their families the chance to explore and learn together. With Aboriginal languages being lost across Canada, Tiga Talk! was created to help teach language skills to preschoolers, while building confidence and instilling imagination in young minds. Targeted at all children (Aboriginal and non-Aborigi- nal) aged three to six, Tiga Talk! is a gentle, entertaining series that has fun exploring languages and culture. It combines live action with a magic puppet world, and features Irene Green plays ‘Kokum’and is also the co-creator of Tiga Talk! Kate-La Faith music and imaginary play. Hanuse plays ‘Jodie’in Tiga Talk! (Photo courtesy of Tiga Talk!) Tiga Talk! is centered around three stuffed toys – Tiga the wolf cub, Gertie the gopher, and Gavin the goose – who live with human friends Jodie and Jason, their father, and Kokum (“grandmother” in Cree). Jodie and Jason have a secret. When there aren’t any adults around, their stuffed toys come alive as talking puppets. Through their interactions and adventures, the puppets and kids learn about traditional practices and languages of various Aboriginal cultures in imaginative ways. Tiga Talk! not only captivates and entertains its preschool audience, but also creates an ear forAboriginal language, and encourages an excitement for learning about traditions and culture during those very important early years. Tiga Talk! was developed by an award-winning children’s television producer, an early childhood educator and a speech pathologist. Irene Green is producer and writer for the series, and also plays the role of ‘Kokum’. Singer/songwriter/actor Art Napoleon plays ‘Dad’, eight-year-old Kate-La Faith Hanuse returns as ‘Jodie’, and seven-year-old Gabriel Paul once again takes on the role of ‘Jason’. Tiga Talk! Runs Thursday mornings so check your local listings. You can also go to www.tigatalk.com and play some games or get an IPhone app!

Gloria Okeynan, Lacey Eninew, Aaron Shingoose and Curtis Peeteetuce starred in the SNTC Christmas production. (Photo by John Lagimodiere) SNTC’s Christmas tradition continued

n old Christmas tradition again Sinclair's. Unexpected guests complicat- sent people belly laughing up and ed matters and the evening resulted in down 20th Street in Saskatoon. frazzles and festivity involving danger, The Saskatchewan Native Theatre obsessive romance, scandal and the ACompany produced their popular internet? We guess you had to be there. Christmas play featuring old cranky ladies Look for new things in 2011 for who make you laugh. This year, the play SNTC as they ramp up under new general was written by Curtis Peeteetuce. manager Alan Long. Expected in March Luff Actually was a story of friend- is a play written by Ken Williams starring ship, family and romance. The kohkoms the one and only Tantoo Cardinal. of Kitweenook decided to have a Look here in February for further Christmas party at dear old Seegoose details. JANUARY 2011 Eagle Feather News - Arts & Entertainment 13 Free entertainment perfect for beating boredom

anuary is a tight month for most, due to holiday and Make Memories of Eagle Feather News Articles! travelling expenses. People are often stuck at home, Maybe you or someone you know was featured in inside, until finances stabilize. It doesn’t mean you Eagle Feather News in 2010 or there were articles that have to be bored. If you’re not artistic or musical, you’re really inspired you. If you have any paper copies lying Jtired of TV and you’d rather not read books, check out around, this is a great opportunity to salvage those these suggestions to keep you entertained – or at least memories and turn them into keepsakes. Make a busy for January and beyond; all free or super cheap! scrapbook, frame an article or place it with other cool Go to a Gallery or Museum items in a shadow box. Get creative and decorate it. Most museums and galleries in Saskatchewan are that libraries carry tons of audio books and resources These make great gifts too! free to attend. Check before you go, just to be sure. Or to help. Host a Swap Sale ask about free admission days so you can plan a fun trip Learn while you’re driving, cooking or cleaning. A very smart and frugal friend of mine told me of viewing art and artifacts! Go with a friend and have him You might be surprised how quickly you’ll catch on! this idea. She went to a few parties where everyone or her guess your three favourite items on each wall. Clean Out Your Basement and/or Garage brought items they no longer wanted or used but were Then take your turn. You might be surprised how much Most of us have some clutter-zone that we prefer in fine condition, and they put them all in the middle of you learn about each other! to ignore. Tackle it with zeal! Figure out what you the living room – items like clothing, artwork, house- Have a Movie/Wii/PS3/Board Game Night absolutely must keep, what can be sold or donated, what wares, old DVDs, CDs and games. People traded or There’s always more fun in groups. Gather with can be recycled and what can be thrown away. It may took what they wanted and who can resist anything some friends and even have a potluck first. Then you be gruelling, but you’ll be so pleased with yourself free? can all watch movies, play board games, or have mini- when you’re finished. OrganizeYour Finances and Make a Financial Plan tournaments with Wii or PS3 games. Make a Bucket/Good Karma List Maybe you want to pay off some debt, save up Make Dinner for an Elder! I just watched The Bucket List and fell in love with some cash or invest in something? This is the time to Fun and entertaining! Most of us would like to it. What a great idea. Don’t put it off until you’re older, do it! know more Elders and spend more time learning our get started today on your list of things-to-do-before- Make a month-by-month plan and stick to it.You’ll culture and history. This way you can combine both! you-kick-the-bucket. be so proud of yourself when 2012 rolls around and Impress an Elder with your cooking, and he or she will Or try a list like Earl’s on the TV show “My Name you’ve reached your financial goals. probably be thankful, and spend most of the evening is Earl” and restore the good karma in your life by Therearealwaysoutdoorwintersportstoo!Emailme entertaining you with great stories. Everyone wins! correcting all your wrongdoings! if you’d like more suggestions at snazzy- Learn a New Language Write a Will [email protected]. Or see: “100 things to do during a Maybe you’ve always wanted to speak Cree, Dene, Kind of grim I know, but think of the peace of mind money free weekend” @www.thesimpledollar.com. Saulteaux or Sioux ... or even French, Spanish or your family will have if you outline all of your last Drop me a line if there’s an artist, entertainer or German! Well, now you have time, and it doesn’t have wishes. They won’t have to struggle with guesswork event coming up that you’d like to see featured in Eagle to cost much! I love learning languages and have found and quarrel at an extremely difficult time for everyone. Feather News. Arts Board offers support for struggling artists

By Jessica Iron als and groups. Scholarships are also For Eagle Feather News available. he difference between starving “The thing about the grants is that you artists and successful ones usually are given a T4A, and they are taxable,” has a little to do with money and a she says. lot to do with support. There are also certain things that look TMichelle Rae McKay, an Indigenous favourable to the selection committee. and CommunityArts Consultant with the “We have an adjudication committee Saskatchewan Arts Board, insists that it that decides who gets the funding and need not be such a struggle. who does not get the funding. It basically goes through a jury process and they rate the applicants,” says McKay. “Applicants should think of how to sell themselves. “Putting in your own money is often good because it shows you have initia- tive, as well as fundraising.” The Saskatchewan Arts Board also offers grant-writing sessions to help potential applicants. Once a grant is approved, a cheque is given to the artist the day the project begins. Following the completion of the project, a report must be submitted to the Saskatchewan Arts Board in order to successfully close the file.As soon as the file is closed, the artist will be eligible for more funding. MICHELLE RAE MCKAY “Anything can be funded. You just “We fund probably somewhere near have to apply... and believe in it. Keep $9 million plus inArts in Saskatchewan applying and talking to your consultants. per year. We support all kinds of genres, If it’s meant to be, it will be.” any kind of art you can think of, we Find a consultant by calling the support it.” SaskatchewanArts Board at: 1-800-667- The variety of grants and programs 7526 or visit them online at: are incredibly diverse for both individu- www.artsboard.sk.ca. 14 Eagle Feather News - Business & Careers JANUARY 2011 Miller says education is vital step to improving relations between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities

By Darla Read “Over the past 14 years, funding for For Eagle Feather News on-reserve education has fallen very, very badly because of capping ... and the rapid University of Saskatchewan growth in population in the First Nations professor has won a top award for population. Education is probably the his work in Aboriginal/non- single best and most important key to Aboriginal relations. helping Aboriginal communities and Last month, Dr. Jim Miller was A families improve their lot.” awarded the Gold Medal forAchievement When Miller accepted his gold medal, in Research by the Social Sciences and he thanked many, including his wife of Humanities Research Council, the federal more than 38 years, who passed away six research funding agency’s highest honour. years ago. Dr. Jim Miller of the U of S has received a prestigious national award. Miller, who is Canada’s leading “Whether it was how to organize a expert on historical and contemporary chapter or conference paper ... or how to issues related to native-newcomer work out the details in an interpretation relations, has taught at the U of S for 40 so the analysis would be as comprehen- years and written numerous books on sive and persuasive as possible, she was treaties and residential schools. Media simply indispensible to everything I did often seek his expertise. He provided in research, as she was indeed to my entire commentary for the live coverage of existence.” Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s 2008 Miller also thanked Maynard apology on behalf of the federal govern- Quewezance, who walked into his office ment for its role in Indian residential as a young Saulteaux student in 1990, schools. saying Miller could interview him Miller believes the relationship because he had attended a residential between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal school. people could improve through a greater “Maynard not only provided me with knowledge of history. a wonderful interview, which I use “I think, particularly among the non- frequently in Shingwauk’s Vision, but he native population, more awareness of the helped me secure a number of other very background and the reasons why there are important interviews for that project. problems. I think it would make people “I think of Maynard of symbolizing more understanding of the difficulties all the many informants, native and non- Aboriginal families and communities native, whose contributions to my face.” research have been absolutely vital to my Miller says there also needs to be a work on residential school, reconciliation, greater investment in education. treaties and government policy.” JANUARY 2011 Eagle Feather News - Business & Careers 15 First Nations ink important gold deal with Province

By Darla Read Nations and ... non-First Nations. We’re historic. in the province. I’m hoping this consul- For Eagle Feather News going to have to work together on all our “We’re here to protect the interests of tation agreement will open doors for other hree First Nations have signed a projects.” our First Nations people back at home and First Nations in Saskatchewan and maybe first-of-its-kind agreement with James Smith Chief Wally Burns our traditional territories are a big issue possibly across Canada.” the Province of Saskatchewan. agrees and calls the agreement a further Last month, the chiefs of the James step towards being a “healthy, wealthy TSmith Cree Nation, Peter Chapman First and prosper- Nation and Chakastaypasin First Nation ous signed an agreement with the province’s community. Environment Minister, Dustin Duncan, “This is a who applauded the “leadership and proud day for commitment” of the chiefs, as he says it the people of was their idea. The agreement outlines the James how the parties will work together on Smith Cree understanding the impacts of Shore Nation.” Gold’s proposed diamond mine in the Fort The a la Corne area on the communities and agreement their treaty and Aboriginal rights. outlines the Chief Robert Head from Peter roles and Chapman says responsibili- this consulta- ties of the tion province, the CHIEF WALLYBURNS agreement three bands helps protect and Shore Gold during the consultation treaties and environmental assessment processes. because First It does not bind the parties to support Nations are the mine. involved in Previously, Shore Gold had signed the environ- agreements with First Nations and Métis mental groups regarding information gathering, process. training and employment, but this is the “So we’re first agreement that involves the provin- informed, and cial government. DUSTIN DUNCAN we’re able to “This agreement is a first for the provide consent, and we’re able to be province and supports more efficient and participating in the development of the effective consultations,” Environment environment in the province,” he Minister Dustin Duncan said. explained at a news conference. “It was the Chiefs’idea and I applaud “I think it’s really important for First their leadership and commitment to Nations people to be there on these devel- working together with the province in opments, because if things are going to developing this agreement.” work good in Saskatchewan, we’re going Chief Calvin Sanderson from to have to have involvement with First Chakastaypasin calls the agreement 16 Eagle Feather News - Business & Careers JANUARY 2011 Active Measures works

By Delaney Windigo Measures program gave him that extra For Eagle Feather News push. new pilot project aimed at taking “I am a good worker and stuff and it’s young people off social assis- only because I was forced to come and I tance and into the workforce is had to get up in the morning and go to taking place on the One Arrow First work,” said Corrigal. ANation. The band chose to take part in the Chief Paul said he believes INAC and new pilot project that makes those on the Province will implement the program social assistance finish their high school in the near future. The band was not forced diploma. to take part in the project but decided that TheActive Measures program is an it would benefit the community. initiative by Indian and Northern Canada “We decided to start early. We’ve (INAC) and the province, Chief Dwayne been trying to get our young people into Paul said. t he workforce,” said Paul. There was initial resistance to the “I believe it’s going to be policy, program. they’re (INAC) going to implement it, “At first there was resistance because they are going to force it and ... to my we are kind of forcing them to go to school understanding the provincial government but now we’re going into our fourth month is really pushing it because of the number of upgrading. Our students are positive,” of people moving to cities to try better said Paul. their lives. It’s hard to find jobs or Some of the adult learners upgrade anything without education,” said Paul. their high school education at the So far the program is viewed as a Almighty Voice Education Centre on One success. Carlton Trail Instructor, Lynn Arrow, the rest go to Carlton Trail in Eaton said, “What I saw was a bunch of nearby Wakaw. students who came to work. There’s been Student Ian Corrigal said he didn’t like a few that have dropped off. I’m not theprogramat first but now sees thebenefit. saying that it’s all rosy coloured glasses “It’s good. It’s helped me a lot. Back because it’s not, but the successes far then when I used to go to school I was outweigh any of the challenges.” barely there. I had bad grades but I was Chief Paul said he believes the still a good student when I was there. So program will benefit his community in the now that I’m here every day and I see my long run. However, once the students grades it makes me feel better,” said complete the program they may have to Corrigal. leave their home community or commute Corrigal said completing his high to nearby PrinceAlbert or Saskatoon to school education was something he find employment or to further their always planned on doing but theActive education.

Ian Corrigal sees the benefits of the Active Measures program being provided on One Arrow First Nation. The program gives students a chance to complete their high school education and prepare for the workforce. JANUARY 2011 Eagle Feather News - Business & Careers 17 Edwards Career Fair building on last year

he new mantra in Saskatchewan is Edwards School of Business and INAC, that the future is young and it is through theAboriginal Workforce Partici- Aboriginal. Nowhere could that be pation Initiative, have created an excellent more applicable than in our labour market. career fair to introduce future employees to TWith the average age of an Aboriginal potential employers in fields ranging from person being around 21 years old, we will mining, to banking, to telecommunications be relying on Aboriginal people to fill our and policing. future labour pool. The Future is Yours Opportunity Fair To address this issue and to introduce was extremely successful last year with young Aboriginal people to careers, the hundreds of students being exposed to RCMP officer Constable Gladue shares career information with interested students at the 2010 The Future is Here career fair. (Photo by John Lagimodiere)

careers, and to great door prizes. Josephine makes this event a huge success for the McKay,acting director ofAboriginal Initia- employers and most importantly the future tives at the Edwards School of Business is employees.” looking forward to this year’s event. The opportunity fair is targeted to “Buildingonlastyear’ssuccess, weare Aboriginal high school and post-secondary anticipating between 600– 800 FirstNation students.Newthisyeartheyarealsohosting and Métis students to engage with 70 to 80 an evening networking gala forAboriginal exhibitors about present and future oppor- post-secondary students where post- tunities,” said McKay. secondary students will be matched and “The Edwards School of Business is seatedwithpotentialemployersforaformal very excited about co-chairing this event evening gala. with the Aboriginal Workforce Participa- This is an opportunity fair that job tion Initiative, Indian and NorthernAffairs seekers will not want to miss. Eric Gardiner,Coordinator Northern Community Relations for Cameco reaches Canada along with the steering committee The fair takes place Wednesday, out to some potential employees at last year’s The Future is Here career fair. that provides guidance and support that February9atPrairielandParkinSaskatoon. (Photo by John Lagimodiere) 18 Eagle Feather News - Youth JANUARY 2011 SaskTel Award winner speaks against drugs and alcohol

By Andréa Ledding last four years, he’s also been the display support, acknowledge, and encourage “He was a big influence with For Eagle Feather News board youth role model for the White Métis and First Nations youth achieve- lodge and culture – he got me started ollin Starblanket was 2010’s Raven Healing Centre, to promote a ments. dancing and singing, and I just look Culture Award recipient for the healthy and cultural lifestyle. “The blanket is hanging on our up to him.” SaskTelAboriginalAchievement “It’s up to the older ones to tell the wall, it’s beautiful, what an honour. Collin is an all-round athlete Awards, and one of the youngest award- younger ones not to do drugs and When we got the brochure, we found involved in hockey and basketball, Cwinners at only 14. But Collin is used to alcohol,” says Starblanket. references, there were so many and hopes for an athletic post- “Do something else with your life, being an early starter. He began dancing people willing to offer him a secondary scholarship to add to the you only got one life.You have a better when he was two years old, and singing reference, and it was a great experi- $1,000 SaskTel award he received in time without drugs and alcohol.” by age four. ence,” said Fred. June 2010. Collin agrees. He advises other youth to keep “It was a good night, my parents going, no matter what. enjoyed it too – a really good experi- “Culture is important – you need ence,” Collin said, adding it was to have faith – in your culture, your exciting just to be there let alone to life, your faith. be selected out of the many youth. I’m glad I did this and lived this He credits not only his family but way, if you depend on your traditions especially the strong influence of his one day you’ll look back and see you older cousin by about 10 years, didn’t have a bad life.” Tresdon Littletent, who got him into Not bad advice at all – good luck dancing. to Mr. Starblanket!

Collin Starblanket has had several positive role models in his life.

“Culture is important. I dance pow He adds that people who have already wow and sing all year round,” said Collin gone down that path can come back, espe- via phone interview from LeBret. He cially with the grounding that comes from attends Grade 9 at Balcarres School, and practicing cultural traditions and is from Starblanket First Nation. His teachings. performances have taken him from “People can make that change but Vancouver to Timmins, Ontario, and as they have to decide for themselves, far away as Minneapolis - he’s even nobody else can do it for them.” danced for Prince Charles. His father, Fred Starblanket, says they Chosen as File Hills Qu’Appelle were given a brochure and encouraged to Tribal Council Youth Representative the apply to theAwards program, designed to JANUARY 2011 Eagle Feather News - Sports 19 Sask Sport program provides Dream Brokers for three Saskatoon Schools

tudents at Fairhaven and Howard accomplishments. Coad Public Schools, and St. “Every child deserves an opportuni- Frances Catholic School now have ty to participate,” says Ray Morrison, access to their own Dream Broker, thanks Chair of the Saskatoon Board of Sto a partnership between Sask Sport Inc, Education. Saskatoon Public Schools and Greater “We know that if children and youth Saskatoon Catholic Schools. have access to these types of opportuni- The goal of the Dream Broker ties, they become more successful in Program is to ensure children and youth, school,” adds Morrison. who traditionally have not had access, get “The Dream Brokers program is the chance to participate in sport, culture another way to reach out to children, to and recreational opportunities. The Dream help them become healthy, active and Brokers match the child with appropriate successful members of our community,” funding for the programs they are inter- says Diane Boyko, Chair of the Greater ested in. Saskatoon Catholic Schools Board of The partners believe that having Education. children involved in such activities and The Dream Brokers have been busy programs helps improve their life skills, since the beginning of the school year Braydon and William from Howard Coad School pose with basketball star and enhances their sense of belonging and setting up the program in the three partic- Dream Broker Michael Linklater at the launch of the Dream Broker program. encourages them to foster pride in their ipating schools, and helping to fulfill the dreams of students. (Photo by john Lagimodiere) Aboriginal Champions Program looking for nominees

f you are involved inAboriginal sport applicable, and community involvement. someone for the Program visit or contact Daniel Longman at (306)-780- in Saskatchewan, then Sask Sport Inc. Those individuals selected as www.sasksport.sk.ca/aboriginalSport.php 9425. wants to hear from you. Champions will be expected to make The Aboriginal Champions public appearances such as media inter- IProgram, a new initiative meant to views, speaking engagements, sporting encourage Aboriginal participation in events and Aboriginal events. The sport in Saskatchewan, will showcase Champions will speak about topics that the accomplishments of Aboriginal include why participation in sport is athletes, coaches and supporters. important, how to be a good teammate and The Aboriginal Champions selected leader, how their experiences have shaped to participate in the program will be them, and the different ways to be active profiled through a variety of media, in sport, whether it be as an athlete, coach, including posters, advertisements, news supporter or official. An honorarium will articles, website profiles and more. Their be provided to participants in the program. success stories will highlight the benefit To be nominated to theAboriginal sport brings to the individual as well as the Champions Program, the individual must community. While children and young be ofAboriginal ancestry, and a resident people will be directed to sport programs, of Saskatchewan. Nominations must be their parents and other adults will be made on the official Aboriginal encouraged to volunteer so these programs Champions Program nomination form, continue to flourish. with signatures from both the nominee “Sports are a way for children to have and nominator. For nominees under 18 fun, but they’re also much more than that,” years of age, the signature of a parent or said Daniel Longman, Aboriginal Sport guardian must also appear.Aphoto of the Development Coordinator. nominee should also accompany the “By promoting hard work, leader- nomination package. ship, cooperation, sacrifice and a sense To be considered for the Aboriginal of purpose, sport demonstrates the ChampionsProgram,nominationformsmust skills required for success in life.” be postmarked on or before Jan. 30, 2011. Longman added that sport benefits Nominations will be considered by a the entire community. subcommittee with members drawn from “Sports are a focal point for the Aboriginal Sport Leadership Council communities. They bring communities of Sask Sport Inc., and suitable nominees together by highlighting all the things may be interviewed as part of the selection we have in common,” he said. process. Participants in the Aboriginal The Aboriginal Champions Program Champions Program will be selected is supported by Sask Sport Inc., through based on their personal biography,past and the Building Communities Through Sport current involvement in sport, past accom- initiative. plishments in sport, academic history if For more information, or to nominate 20 Eagle Feather News - Sports JANUARY 2011

Former NHL coach Ted Nolan will be the guest speaker at the Saskatchewan Sport Awards Nolan to speak at Banquet in April. Saskatoon event

By John Lagimodiere Of Eagle Feather News hilanthropist, motivator and former NHL coach Ted Nolan will be the guest speaker at the Saskatchewan Sport Awards Banquet on Thursday, April 7 at TCU Place in Saskatoon. Nolan is Pthe only First Nation person to have been a head coach in the NHL. He is a member of the Garden River Ojibwa First Nation in Ontario and is currently the Vice President of Hockey Operations for the AHL’s Rochester Americans. At the helm of teams like the Buffalo Sabres, Moncton Wildcats and New York Islanders, Nolan has earned acclaim for the teams he has coached. Nolan received the JackAdams Trophy, recognizing him as the his wife Sandra are the parents of Brandon Nolan, a played according to the rules, and their excellence leads National Hockey League’s Coach of the Year during the Vancouver Canucks draft pick who last played for the to a higher standard of play. They are foundational to 1996-97 season with the Buffalo Sabres. He is also the AHL'sAlbany River Rats, and Jordan Nolan, a draft pick sport in the province, and their contribution deserves to first coach to ever lead teams in two of the three major of the Los Angeles Kings who currently plays with the be recognized. junior leagues to the Memorial Cup finals. Nolan was AHL’s Manchester Monarchs. Tickets to the Saskatchewan SportAwards are on drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the fifth round of the The Saskatchewan SportAwards recognize the best sale now. For more information, go to 1978 draft and played parts of three seasons for the Red amateur athletes and teams for their performances in www.sasksport.sk.ca/SportAwards or call 975-0800 in Wings and Penguins. 2010, and coaches, officials and volunteers for their Saskatoon or 780-9300 in Regina. His work off the ice has been equally impressive. outstanding achievements and dedication to sport. New Finalists for theAthlete of theYearAward categories With the Ted Nolan Foundation, he is helping to promote to this year’s awards ceremony is the officials’recogni- will be announced on January 18 as will the recipients healthy lifestyle choices toAboriginal youth. Nolan and tion category. It is these people who ensure sports are of the Coaching, Officiating and VolunteerAwards.