JANUARY 2019 VOLUME 22 - NUMBER 1

FREE delivers long-awaited apology

Sixties Scoop survivors wept and smiled together following the apology from Premier Scott Moe. (Photo by Jeanelle Mandes)

WOMAN TO WATCH Several accomplished women are poised for break out years in 2019. Dakota Ray Herbert is one of them . - Page 4

NEW DEPUTY CHIEF Jason Stonechild made a wise decision to change careers a few years ago and now he’s a Deputy Chief in P.A. - Pag e 6

PREPARING FOR NAIG By Jeanelle Mandes we are so sorry. There is nothing we can offer that will The Games don’t begin until 2020 Of Eagle Feather News fully restore what you have lost. but Mike Tanton is already A long-awaited apology to the survivors of the Six - “What we can offer is the solemn assurance that making plans to bring the crown ties Scoop has finally been delivered by government policies have changed. And they continue back to Sask. - Page 9 Premier Scott Moe. to change.” Four years after former Premier said an The apology took place at the Saskatchewan Leg - CLIMATE PREDICTIONS apology will be issued, the historical moment hap - islative Building where hundreds of people gathered. In - This U of S professor can only pened. On Jan. 7 an apology was made to acknowledge side the Rotunda, there were two chairs covered with a guarantee that the climate will the survivors and the impact the Sixties Scoop has blanket in the front row that were placed for the Sixties be volatile and unpredicatble made. Scoop children who died before an apology was issued. in 2019. - Page 11 “It is difficult for most of us to comprehend what The chairs signified respect for the mothers and the individuals of the Sixties Scoop went through,” families whose children were taken and never lived to WISE WORDS Moe acknowledged. hear the apology. “I certainly can’t pretend to know. But I do know Robert Doucette, a Sixties Scoop survivor and the Louise Halfe shares her this, we failed the survivors we heard from in the shar - former President of the Métis Nation – Saskatchewan perspectives on life and how to ing circles, and so many others. We failed their families. (MN-S), said the apology was a step forward. make your world better. We failed their communities. We failed. “We need to start somewhere. We could continue - Page 13 “On behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan, this never-ending dialogue about all of the things that on behalf of the people of Saskatchewan, I stand before we have faced but now we have engaged this province The Year Preview Edition you to apologize to say sorry,” said Moe. in this discussion,” Doucette said. Coming In February -Health & Wellness “We are sorry for the pain and sadness you expe - “Not only amongst First Nations and Métis but rienced. We are sorry for the loss of culture and lan - non-Aboriginals. CPMA #40027204 guage. To all those who lost contact with their family, • Continued on Page 2 Eagle Feather News JANUARY 2019 2

There is nothing we can offer that will fully restore what you have lost. – Premier Scott Moe

Leaders accept apology, call for action

• Continued from Page One in the Sixties Scoop. While this is a digenous Nations (FSIN) Executive diate and serious change as this is “I think this apology sends a welcome first step toward reconcili - was also not in attendance at the First Nations jurisdiction” stated message across this province that we ation, First Nations look forward to apology event but acknowledged the FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron in a me - need to have that dialogue, we need seeing concrete action from the gov - provincial apology through a media dia release. to show empathy for each other and “Our First Nations children are we need to do things in a different still being ripped away from their way. Without this apology and the First Nations look forward to seeing families, communities and culture. acknowledgement of what has hap - This needs to stop immediately. This pened, we wouldn’t be engaging in a concrete action from the government apology is empty if it is not followed dialogue. through with action.” “Is the work completed? No, it’s of Saskatchewan that will help ensure FSIN Vice Chief David Pratt just beginning. You can rest assured added the apology is a good start but that Sixties Scoop Indigenous Soci - the government must end the appre - ety and Sixties Scoop survivors First Nations children are protected hension of Indigenous children and across this province are not going to immediately cease adoptions of First let this issue go away. There’s too and able to be successful in life. Nations children into non-First Na - much at stake.” – AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde tions homes. AFN National Chief Perry Bel - “The current system continues legarde was not in attendance but ac - ernment of Saskatchewan that will release and a call for an immediate to fail our children and we require knowledged Premier Moe’s apology help ensure First Nations children are moratorium on provincial adoptions immediate reforms that will place ju - on social media. protected and able to be successful in involving First Nations children. risdiction and accountability into our “Premier Scott Moe formally life. We can’t let this happen again,” “The apology is welcomed, First Nations communities,” stated apologized on behalf of the Bellegarde stated in a Facebook post. however, there must be action along Chief Pratt. Saskatchewan government for its role The Federation of Sovereign In - with these words. That means imme - • Continued on Page 3 Eagle Feather News JANUARY 2019 3 FSIN vows to continue fight for child welfare reform

• Continued from Page 2 “This is what is des - perately needed to begin the healing process and bring our families back together, while repairing the damage that has been done by the child welfare system.” Chief Cameron added the need for child welfare reform legislation that places jurisdiction in First Nations hands has never been greater. “This is our Treaty based position and Inherent Right to care for our chil - dren to ensure that we have safe, strong and healthy families,” he said. “We will continue to fight for our children and our families and we won’t stop until there is a First Nations-led child welfare system that focuses on fam - ily support, language and culture. We look forward to asserting our First Nations control over our First Na - tions children.” Sixties Scoop survivors and special dignitaries sat in the front during Premier Scott Moe’s apology. (Photo by Jeanelle Mandes) The Sixties Scoop refers to a period in Cana - were removed from their families and ices. Thousands of First Nations, Métis digenous foster and adoptive homes in dian history when Indigenous children their communities by child welfare serv - and Inuit children were placed in non-In - Saskatchewan. Eagle Feather News 4 JANUARY 2019 Bring it on 2019

Out with the old and in with the Missinippi-Churchill River riding getting out the vote. Interesting to see new. To be sure, 2018 was a grab bag where NDP Incumbent Georgina Joli - who the Conservatives run. This will of ups and downs. bois might be going up against Lac la be a beauty. Overall, the Liberals will Pipelines, protest camps (oil and Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy win again but with fewer seats. Unfor - in October, but that always seems to for children), Supreme Court decisions Cook-Searson who has announced her tunately for the NDP, the absence of happen and it happens in every type of (good and bad), apologies, growing intention to run for the candidacy. leader Jagmeet Singh from the national politics. It does seem that the Métis Na - graduation rates and working class, This riding is a battleground tion-Saskatchewan has made progress crystal meth scourges, success. and has gone to all three major with several signings with the federal It is constant change. Act and political parties in the last 20 government and the hiring of a few key react. Good and bad every single day. years. Chief Cook-Searson and staff. Peace, progress and good will to The current state of affairs makes Jolibois are extremely competent Dakota Ray Herbert both of those organizations. We need this column a little more challenging. leaders. They both speak their (right) Tammy Cook- them strong. The annual 2019 predictions of random language, Cree for Chief Cook- Searson (left) and The breakout star of 2019 is going things isn’t easy. It is impossible to pre - Searson and Dene for Jolibois. Georgina Jolibois are to be Dakota Ray Hebert. This come - dict the next tragedy or court decision Both have strong ties to three women to watch dian, actor and social media must-fol - or next great program or success story, their communities and the North. in 2018. low is writing the play for the Gordon so I will stick to the usual topics of pol - Both are traditional but can walk Tootoosis Nikaniwan Theatre Circle of itics, sports and other things we can into boardrooms anywhere and Voices program to debut in March and hope to be a bit more certain of. command respect. These two will also hit the TV on APTN’s Crazy First off, sports. The Flying Dust leaders represent an awesome Like a Lynx as Co-Host alongside Don First Nation blows everyone away with wave of educated, competent and Kelly. their hospitality and organizational ex - determined Indigenous women These are two of Indigenous cellence when they host the Tony Cote Canadas funniest and the show will be First Nation Summer Games in July. a must watch. Taking a wild guess here but Agency She is off the Chiefs Tribal Council comes out on top. wall funny Heard they are fast. and overdue Several people will bring in to hit the na - ringers for the local golf tournament in conversation sees them tional stage. order to win a TV. take it on the chin and You The Kansas City Chiefs will win lose several seats. have to fol - the Super Bowl. In the CFL, we see a Crazy Maxime low her on massive quarterback shuffle in the West Bernier and his nut bar social media. and the Riders wind up with a mediocre party will draw away lots She once thrower who often gets injured. Re - of conservative votes posted a gardless, the turmoil through the league from and video of her - allows the Riders to prevail and win the the Conservative Party self combing Grey Cup. You heard it here first. allowing her arm pit The Saskatchewan Aboriginal and the Liberals back in hair. I almost Track and Field Championships in for a second term. Then, died. April have a record turnout for their we are for sure going to So, 11th annual event. And Michael Lin - see all those promises 2019 can klater qualifies for the Team Canada from the first election bring it on. 3X3 Basketball team for the 2020 kick in right? Right? Things will Olympic Games in Tokyo. Fewer Indigenous happen good Oh my lord, there is a federal elec - that are taking over leadership in people will vote in the federal election, and bad and hopefully it is full of lead - tion this year. What fun. Saskatchewan Saskatchewan. More of this in 2019 as well. ership, laughter and change for the is very Conservative federally with only please. Provincially, the FSIN and MN-S good. two NDP seats and one Liberal. The This battle comes down to hard will keep on trucking along. Rough pol - Groom yourself and remember to race to watch will be in the Desnethe- work, traveling to each community and itics for the FSIN around election time vote in 2019. JANUARY 2019 Eagle Feather News 5 New year’s celebrations were community events

People all over the world celebrate calendars more accurate than the Grego - brought their celebrations and our an - to ensure good luck for the household the arrival of a new year with joy, opti - rian. cestors embraced many of them. over the coming year, the first foot mism and hope. Instead of 12 months, the Haab Like all things new, our ancestors should be a dark male, and he should Some people party hard, kicking Mayan calendar has 18 months, each adopted and Indigenized the custom. bring with him symbolic pieces of coal, out the old year for a fresh start. month with 20 days, followed by five They even came up with their own shortbread, salt, black bun and a wee Others snuggle on the couch and days at the end of the year. The calendar names for it. Cree people around here dram of whisky. watch the Netflix. Every year we cele - follows the cycle of the Earth in relation called it ocêhtow-kîsikaw which means The Kissing Day custom continued brate the passing of the old and arrival of to the sun, Moon, some planets a few star “kissing each other day” commonly until a few generations ago. Old people a new year on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. constellations, and called “The recall that when the missionaries moved The calendar is called the Gregorian their traditional New Kissing Day.” onto reserves the celebration became calendar and it has a long history. It was Year occurs in July. They more controlled. They gathered in the adopted by the Roman Catholic Church From what I called it that be - church to eat and celebrate, and all the and named after Pope Gregory XIII in have heard, our new cause it was a women lined up in a tidy row and the 1582. year begins in the custom of the men ever so politely kissed them on the The Pope people adopted it from spring when the natu - HBC men to cheek. early Romans who arbitrarily decided ral cycle of life is re - kiss every In some communities, people went that their calendar year would begin on newed. Migratory woman they en - from house to house using dog teams the first day of the first month because birds return, hibernating animals and countered. There are a few eye witness with the church bells ringing, firing guns that’s the day they inaugurated their plants wake up, babies are born. accounts of the celebration recorded into the sky. The next day they would go elected officials (Consuls) and the date Some have said our new year oc - from the late 1700s and 1800s. The peo - around from house to house again shak - for collecting taxes. curs on or around the Spring Equinox, ple made a huge feast of their finest foods ing hands with everyone. Then they spent Jan. 1 is an arbitrary date that has when the day and the night are equal. and gathered at the Fort where they ate, the day visiting, playing games like soc - nothing to do with the natural order of the Many other cultures around the world danced, sang and drank spirits well into cer and football in the snow, having good land or sky, or the beginning of a new life celebrate the new year on or near the the next day. times and good food together. cycle. But it was the calendar of colo - Spring Equinox—Babylonian, Persian, When the party got too rowdy, It was a community event. It nizing nations so it was imposed every - Indian (in India), Iranian, Pakistan, Al - women and children returned to their brought light and fun to a cold and dark where they went and settled. banian, Turkish and others, including the homes only to be woken by the partyers time of year. These days some of this Other peoples around the world ac - ancient Celts and even the ancient Ro - going from lodge to lodge bearing small HBC tradition continues but more and knowledge and celebrate the new year mans. gifts and food. That part of the celebra - more communities are hosting Round according to celestial observances or nat - The new year begins with new life. tion was called “first footing” which the Dances and having New Year’s Day ural life cycles. New Year, as we know it today, was Scots believed brought good luck. sweatlodges, celebrating the Gregorian The traditional Mayan people of introduced by the fur traders almost 350 The Scottish New Year celebrations New Year’s NDN style. present-day Mexico and Guatemala have years ago. The English and the Scots is called Hogmanay. They believed that Miyo-ocêhtowi kîsikamisik! Eagle Feather News 6 JANUARY 2019 Dawn’s fearless predictions for 2019 When I was a kid, I’d always read the psychic And unfortunately, good looks and positive chanting entirely through passive aggressive social media posts predictions for the new year in the Star and Enquirer is not enough to propel the NDP into a leadership po - and pictures. In the last couple of years, we’ve seen peo - Magazines. sition. ple’s selfies go from being normal looking to looking They were always helpful about giving you in - like fairy-land puppies to looking like untouchable god - sight into the possibilities of the new year and also like images with zero flaws and pores. helped you to plan your schedule around that alien I feel like all of this perfection is destined for a sighting that was going to happen in Arizona in late change. Maybe this the year people are gonna start tak - July. ing selfies of themselves in less flattering lights, like un - As a former phone psychic, I’ve got a few pre - der fluorescents or on the toilet. Just don’t tag me in dictions about the upcoming new year. them. The federal election race will be incredibly ugly Throughout the world, projects are underway to for two reasons: all of the commercials and adverts as combat our reliance on fossil fuels. There are giant so - the Conservatives try to prop up their pony, Andrew I predict another Liberal government but the Con - lar farms across India and China. Here in Canada, we Scheer. I’m not sure I understand the appeal of the guy, servatives will have a strong showing. just bought another pipeline. We are a big energy user to my eyes, he looks like rice pudding come to life. The #MeToo movement began in 2016 and has with our challenging environment – ranging from biting The second reason is that Justin Trudeau’s poli - slowed since then. The predictable backlash from the cold in the winter (or at least it used to be) to sweltering cies and decisions are rather inconsistent, like that knuckle-draggers of, “So what? I can’t even do anything summers. But we have to be more proactive because fos - boyfriend who tells you you’re beautiful but still now?” I don’t think anyone should be concerned unless sil fuel is limited – it’s not like dinosaurs exist anymore checks out other women’s butts in front of you. you’ve been doing things that you shouldn’t have been (unless of course you count climate change deniers). Trudeau is a rich kid who tries to tell us that he’s doing. I predict that this summer there will be a showdown a regular guy. He’s an environmentalist who bought a The MeToo movement may not get as much at - between the oil industry and activists and Indigenous pipeline. I’m all in favour of nationalized oil – hello, tention but it’s still out there moving through social me - people will be caught in the middle. Norway! – but we cannot deny the damage that oil has dia and changing attitudes, especially among the America will impeach Trump in the coming year. done to northern Alberta, changing the landscape of younger generations. Yes, his mandate is running out but he currently has 17 that area from a dense boreal forest to a wasteland of Social media will continue with its confessional an - different investigations against him. And yes, I know that tailings ponds and burnt trees. gle. But I predict that this year when people start rant - it’s corporate money that controls the government at this Who wants that to happen to any other area? ing to the world about their exes, sisters-in-law, old point. But those companies are made up of people. And Trudeau’s inconsistencies will give the Conservatives landlords, etc., they will actually tag that person into the some of them are Hispanic or black or gay or have an plenty of room to drive a wedge between him and his conversation so that we all can see the drama unfold in ounce of grace in their heart and cannot stand by as chil - supporters. real time. dren die in cages. Then there’s Jagmeet Singh – who, like Casper Or maybe people will just start making memes to As Martin Luther King Jr, not a psychic but cer - the Friendly Ghost, has a pleasant demeanour and describe all of their complex emotions. tainly a prescient thinker, once predicted: “the arc of means well but is still, at the end of the day, invisible. I feel like I know some couples who communicate history is long, but it bends towards justice.” Stonechild new Deputy Chief in P.A.

By Jeanelle Mandes Throughout his career, Stonechild has Of Eagle Feather News had a number of people that he looked up to The former Prince Albert Police Serv - including former Prince Albert Police Chief ice Inspector in charge of operations was re - Troy Cooper who is now the Saskatoon Po - cently promoted to one of the highest ranks lice Chief. as an officer. “He was a person I’ve always looked Last month, Jason Stonechild from the up to,” he said. “I think he’s an incredibly Muscowpetung First Nation was appointed community-minded leader. He was missed as the new Deputy Chief for the Prince Al - when he left our organization and commu - bert Police Service. nity because he is a great person.” “I’m happy to represent both aspects of Stonechild also embraced his strong our community. I think I’m prepared to do family ties, noting he had a strict upbringing that as best as I can,” said Stonechild. from his parents, but a very loving home. “I could represent both police and our “I was very blessed. They gave me First Nation population and I think that’s es - everything I needed to succeed, not only sential. From all different walks of life, we myself, but my brother and sister (who are have a segment of First Nations people that both) lawyers,” said Stonechild. are celebrating the fact that a prominent First “We are a product of our environment Nations man was made into this world. I take and we recognize that. We’re very lucky. in a lot of pride and I’m happy for that.” My wife and my children are essential to my Years ago, Stonechild went to school to success.” become an accountant and he did his The Grand Chief of Prince Albert practicum with the police service for a sum - Grand Council Grand (PAGC) Brian Hard - mer back in 1993. When he completed his lotte applauded the great work that practicum, his career plans changed to be - Stonechild has done to earn his promotion. come a police officer – a role that he has “On behalf of the Prince Albert Grand PAGC Vice Chief Joseph Tsannie, PAPS Deputy Chief Jason Stonechild, PAGC served for 25 years. Council, I want to congratulate Jason Director of Justice Rick Sanderson, and PAGC Director of Urban Services Ge - “I love the people that I work with,” he Stonechild on his promotion to one of off Despins. (Photo courtesy of Tina Pelletier/PAGC) said. “We have excellent men and women (Prince Albert Police Service’s) highest who sometimes are not accurately portrayed ranks. For all of his years of service, he has “This is a key appointment that will means more clear and bal anced approaches in the public or media because they always demonstrated a proven track record for being help to ensure that diversity and inclusivity to addressing complex socio-economic, deal with tragedy. We really (embrace) com - a fair, thoughtful and progressive leader in drive key administrative and policy deci - cultural and racial issues facing our In - munity policing, connecting and building policing matters,” said Hardlotte in a media sions in Prince Albert. For PAGC, having In - digenous people who are grossly over- bridges. We see so much value in that.” release. digenous representation at its highest levels represented in our overall justice system.” JANUARY 2019 Eagle Feather News 7

SHAUN SOONIAS STEVE MCLELLAN PAM LARSON Business leaders see continued strength for Indigenous businesses

By Angela Hill the Métis Financial Institution, sees 2019 as a year to con - about their work. For Eagle Feather News tinue projects, including the Métis Community Capacity As he looks towards 2019, Soonias said he expects to According to business experts in Saskatchewan, Strategy. The five-year pilot project is working with nine see more examples of First Nations entering emerging 2018 was a good year for Indigenous business growth Saskatchewan Métis communities to identify business op - sectors such as exploring private health care opportunities. and development in the province, with 2019 looking portunities and build capacity ensuring that the communi - “I think that something that will be trending is a lot like it will continue the trend. ties are able to capitalize on business opportunities, gener - more First Nations looking at the green energy sector,” he “We’ve seen lot of growth in partnerships. First ate wealth, and provide employment opportunities for said. Nations are looking expand and diversify,” said Shaun Métis people, wrote Pam Larson, the fund’s CEO. Soonias also predicts agriculture pursuits will be a Soonias, executive director of the Saskatchewan First Already, four communities have started or purchased growing trend, from traditional farming to cannabis and the Nations Economic Development Network (SFNEDN). businesses and three are working on potential opportunities. production of hemp. Communities are starting to explore He points to File Hills Qu’Appelle Developments One of the 2019 goals is to have all the communities in new agriculture techniques, such as vertical farming, agri - making partnerships in construction business as an ex - business by the end of the year. culture and aquaculture. ample. In 2018 the fund supported 48 businesses with $7.5 “A lot more First Nations are starting to look at how The work of FQH Developments president and million, which created 335 jobs, Larson said. we can take advantage of all the lands we have,” he said. CEO Thomas Benjoe caught the eye of Steve McLellan, “We’ve seen a huge increase over the past two years Another trend to watch for is an uptick in Indigenous CEO of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce. and we are hoping the trend continues,” she said. tourism. Global tourism markets are looking to experience McLellan said young leaders like Benjoe and Cadmus Among the CCDF focuses for 2019 is taking advan - more about culture and Saskatchewan First Nations are nu - Delorme, Chief of Cowessess First Nation, are standing tages of growth in the tech sector and, following the 2018 merous, Soonias said. out. announcement of the federal governments Women Entre - “I think there is a lot of opportunity for Indigenous “People have stepped up in many significant ways preneurship Strategy providing increased services to peoples in Saskatchewan to share our story and culture,” he and become leaders,” he said. women. said. McLellan said positive relationship building is one “We’re going to focus on helping more women get There is space for hunting and trapping industries of the most significant changes he saw in 2018 and he ex - into business,” Larson said. within the tourism sector, said McLellan. pects that will carry forward to 2019. In the past, some She said that Indigenous procurement is a big topic “The growth in 2019, this may not be the quite tipping companies would engage in a quick in-an-out business ap - right now for governments of all levels, as federal, provin - year for Indigenous engagement in Saskatchewan and In - proach with Indigenous communities and organizations, cial and municipal leaders want to work with Indigenous digenous business, but it’s getting us a lot closer,” he said. he said, adding people are now understanding that long- communities. The CCDF as well as Saskatchewan Cham - “I think in 2019 there’s going to be intellectual term relationships make better business sense. ber of Commerce are creating programs to support this de - growth, I think there will clearly be some business “It’s how strong companies become strong compa - sire. growth and all of that, let’s hope, it’s based upon the nies,” he said. “Go to a table and stay at the table and have “The objective is to identify opportunities for broader tenets of the Reconciliation Calls to Action and a conversation on how to move projects forward.” inclusion within the supply chain and leverage the spend to therefore a shared, sincere desire that we grow to - The Clarence Campeau Development Fund (CCDF), benefit indigenous businesses,” wrote Larson in an email gether.” Eagle Feather News 8 JANUARY 2019 Indigenous arts community looking forward to increased interest in 2018

By Angela Hill For Eagle Feather News Interest in Indigenous art is increasing. That’s the message from David Garneau, a professor of visual arts at the University of Regina. During an email interview with Eagle Feather News, Garneau called 2018 “another strong year for the Indigenous renaissance in visual art.” He expects that trend to continue in 2019, with a particular focus on fe - male Indigenous artists, curators and writers. For Garneau, some of the 2018 highlights included exhibitions by female artists at the Art Gallery of On - tario, and Vancouver Art Gallery. Closer to home, Gar - neau wrote that the year opened with the Sioux Project at Regina’s Mackenzie Art Gallery. Dana Claxton’s multi-projection installation about Sioux art and com - munity in Saskatchewan. Jennifer Dawn Bishop is the Artistic Director of the Gordon Tootoosis Nīkānīwin Theatre. He called At the Centre of the World, Jimmie Durham’s retrospective at the Remai Modern chal - ner,” she said. mends Soundings: An Exhibition in Five Parts at the art lenging. The show was in Saskatoon from March 25 to It’s not a massive step, but there continues to be centre in Kingston, and Hexsa’am: to be Here Always, Aug. 5, 2018. He didn’t see it at the Remai, rather improvements to collaboration. Bishop said more the - at the Belkin Art Gallery in Vancouver. viewing it in New York. atre organizations and individuals want to work with One of the most interesting trends in art that Gar - GTNT than ever before. neau is watching into 2019 is how people are “taking “Moving forward I think definitely we’ll see some traditional art practices – especially beading – and mak - more, for sure,” she said, adding it is nice to see the de - ing cotemporary art.” sire to share diverse voices. It’s about the art and not function. He gives Saska - This coming year promises to bring strong art vi - toon’s Ruth Cuthand as an example, how she uses bead - sually and in theatre, Bishop said. The GTNT 2018-19 ing to critique contaminated water. season wraps up in June after two more shows, includ - “It is also exciting to see Indigenous people make ing Circle of Voices running March 7 to 14. Circle of waves in the fashion industry by introducing traditional Voices (COV) is a program that gives youth a chance to styles and materials into contemporary haute couture,” experience life in the theatre. he wrote. “It’s going to be a really nice, exciting year. It’s our new batch of COV and they’re working with a fantas - tic local artist Dakota Ray Hebert, who is writing the story and working with the students. We are really ex - cited for these guys,” Bishop said. Looking towards the 2019-20 season, the lineup announcement is expected in June. “There is going to be a nice little variety of things. We always bring our A-game and I know they’re going to be bringing up some cool shows at the Persephone, I won’t give it away,” she said. “I’m still working on ty - ing them together with a beautiful theme.” Bishop wants to thank those who continue to sup - port Indigenous theatre and looks to welcome new peo - ple in 2019. DAVID GARNEAU “Just like everyone else we have our own stories; “I was alternately moved and confused by it. sit, laugh, cry with us. Share the good times with us.” Durham maintains he is Indigenous, but no tribe claims Visual exhibitions coming to Saskatchewan in him,” he said. “Depending on whether you think he is 2019 include The Writing on the Wall: Works of Dr. or is not markedly changes how you read many of the Joane Cardinal-Schubert RCA running Feb. 1 to Mar. works.” 29 at Waunskewin in Saskatoon. The exhibition will in - Last year saw a continued building of milestones clude pieces of the artist’s paintings, drawings, print - around interest in Indigenous theatre, said Jennifer makings, collages and ceramics. Dawn Bishop, artistic director of the Gordon Tootoosis In Saskatchewan, Garneau said he is looking for - Nīkānīwin Theatre based in Saskatoon. ward SakKijâjuk: Art and Craft from Nunatsiavut run - She said that in the past there was minimal inter - ning from Feb. 14 to May 20 at Regina’s Mackenzie Art est in Indigenous stories and Indigenous storytelling in Gallery. Saskatchewan, but that is changing. Further afield, Garneau said there are a couple of “It’s nice to see other companies are wanting to exhibitions that continues a trend of mixing Indige - present and share our stories, in a good, respectful man - nous and non-Indigenous artists together. He recom - JANUARY 2019 Eagle Feather News 9 NAIG preparations top the agenda for sports in 2019

By NC Raine ple are also finding increased opportuni - For Eagle Feather News ties to participate in sports. File Hills The year looks bright for Indige - Qu’Appelle (FHQ) Tribal Council is nous athletes and youth in Saskatchewan. launching this fall the first high school Many of the province’s top athletes youth basketball league in the Prairie and coaches will spend the year focusing Valley School District. on training for the upcoming North “A lot of students in this area don’t American Indigenous Games (NAIG), get a lot of games or tournaments – taking place in Halifax in 2020. maybe one a week. So, we came up with Saskatchewan has a storied history the idea of going off the (Blue Jays) with NAIG, finishing as overall champi - Rookie League format to encourage ons in six of the ten editions of the more community involvement,” said games, and claiming the most overall Tara Griffith, Sports and Recreation Co - medals, with almost 1900 total. ordinator for FHQ, who said the eight- “We are pushing to be overall team league will begin in February. champions again,” said Mike Tanton, FHQ will also be participating this Chef du Mission of NAIG Team April for the second year of the Blue Eager ball players hit the field for the Blue Jays Rookie League. Saskatchewan. Jays Care Foundation Rookie League – Tanton. happened in residential schools and the “We’ve a baseball league designed to provide “The more opportunities for our sixties scoop. We have to find ways to been overall underserved communities with the young people, the sooner we’ll get break those cycles and lift young people champions mul - chance to learn skills, plays sports, and around to breaking the cycle of what up to these positive environments.” tiple times in the engage with role models. past, and second “It’s exciting, because we’re look - in the last cou - ing to make it bigger and better this year, ple games. with a longer season and more people in - “So, this volved,” said Griffith. year, we have a “A lot of kids who weren’t in the head start. rookie league last year heard about it and MIKE TANTON We’re giving now want to play, so we’ll probably have our coaches and 100 more kids this year.” coordinators a bit more time to select “Seeing the impact it had on them their teams to give them more practice (last year) was amazing. For some, they time, which hopefully translates into us were really brought out of their shell. winning gold,” said Tanton. For others, it was really special to be That push to gold is well underway, able to play in front of their families,” with coordinators already selected for all said Griffith. 16 sports. The steering committee is now Griffith also plans to create a winter in the process of selecting coaches and ski and snowboard program for youth, hopes to have all teams assembled and many of whom do not have the opportu - training camps under way by this fall. nity to experience these types of activi - Once athletes are selected, Team ties. But Griffith says these sports pro - Saskatchewan will partner with the Uni - grams aren’t about competition, it’s versity of Saskatchewan to provide ath - about enriching the lives of young peo - letes with elite training. ple. “We’ll be providing hands on train - “It covers the whole medicine ing for our athletes, working with the wheel – the physical, the emotion, and university coaches to do on field or on the spiritual,” said Griffith. “The con - court training in order to nection to give them a bit of an inside Mother Earth edge. They’ll also be work - and helping ing with (U of S) Huskies these kids un - teams, functioning as role derstand models. A combination of where they coaching and mentoring come from. In them to push them a bit,” the long run said Tanton. it’s creating In order to ensure the confidence in attending the games comes them that they at little cost to the 500 ath - might not letes, coaches, and man - have had be - agers attending the games, fore.” Team Saskatchewan has a Tanton $1.7 million fundraising and Team goal. But the goals, said Tara Griffith with FHQ banner at the Saskatchewan Tanton, go beyond just Jays home field in Toronto. also echo this sport. approach to “The biggest goal is to see a number nourishing potential of sports. He said of the athletes that participate in the they are trying to use NAIG 2020 as a games go on to university as student- platform to build capacity to help teach athletes. That’s the gold medal right and develop young minds, as well as re - there. More athletes getting into the ed - pair the past. ucational system, that’s an overall win “It speaks to the health of the com - for our communities,” said Tanton. munity when you can see young people At the community level, young peo - engaged in sport and in school,” said Eagle Feather News 10 JANUARY 2019

Tiffany Newby-Vermette has been clean from crystal meth for almost 13 years and wants to bring hope that change is possible. (Photo submitted) Former meth addict finding new life in Crystal Clear support group

By Jeanelle Mandes counsellor from high school. He actually Of Eagle Feather News asked me to go around to talk to students A former crystal meth addict aims at high schools. I started doing that. to bring hope to others, maintaining that Now it’s a snowballed effect. I have all change is possible. these people who want me to come Tiffany Newby-Vermette has been (share) my story.” clean for almost 13 years. Being arrested Newby-Vermette joined the newly for armed robbery and looking at jail formed Crystal Clear support group in time was the rock-bottom point for Regina this past November but was hes - Newby-Vermette and her signal that it itant at first. was time to leave this lifestyle. “I don’t know if it was my pride Quitting the drug cold turkey was that I didn’t want to go to those kinds of extremely hard for her but she did it to meetings, it wasn’t my thing,” she said. change her life for the better. “But I wanted to get involved so I “My mom got sick with cancer and decided that I’d go to a meeting and I’m we knew she was going to die. I bur - so happy I went. dened her for so long that I didn’t want “It’s a real good support group. I to burden her any longer,” she said. can’t stop talking about it.” “I slept lots and went into a deep Newby-Vermette is currently a depression. I was about 19 or 20 when manager at KFC in Regina and is also I quit.” enrolled for school to study nursing. Newby-Vermette was a crystal She encourages others who are meth user for five years and was first in - struggling with a crystal meth addiction troduced to it to try escape her own is - to seek support groups after you admit sues. that you have a problem. “When I first tried it, it was the “Get the help that you need and best feeling. You feel so happy and good move on with your life from there,” she feelings are rushing through your body,” said. she said. She also hopes people can educate But after that, she had chased that themselves on the addiction to crystal feeling of that first high and was quickly meth to break to stigma so others can addicted to the powerful drug. Five understand. years of her life crumbling, she needed “What people don’t understand, it’s a way out. It was the hardest transition a sickness, they look down on the per - for her to make but is a decision that car - son right away,” she said. ries no regrets. “There’s usually a reason people “Since then, I have all my ambition turn to drugs. There’s something they back,” she said. “When I got clean, the are trying to numb so it’s better to un - first person I called was my old drug derstand that on why people use.” Eagle Feather News JANUARY 2019 11 Professor predicts a year of unpredictable volatility

By NC Raine “But when it’s really warm, like it For Eagle Feather News has been recently, you tend to lose all A new year means new question your snowpack. It’s quite terrible when marks for climate and resources in you get to June or July because the mois - Saskatchewan. ture isn’t there to replenish your sys - The recent effects of climate change tems.” in Saskatchewan have been significant, This could lead to poor crops, with floods, droughts, extreme weather drought, and low water levels, said events and forest fires, often causing the Laroque. most devastating damage to northern “One year we might get incredibly communities and land owners. Experts high snowpacks and the next, really low, say trends in weather point toward an - like we are experiencing right now. What other volatile year in 2019. it does is present a feast or famine type “The only thing we can say with a idea – or if you want to put in in climate- degree of certainty is that it’s going to be talk – drought or floods,” he said. “It unpredictable and highly volatile. We gets so warm so quick at the wrong time, don’t know if we’re going to get a as all the waters just flood across the drought year or flood year,” said Greg service.” Poelzer, Professor at the University of The small snow packs and warmer Saskatchewan’s (U of S) School of En - temperatures have serious implications vironment and Sustainability. for many northern First Nations and The greatest climatic threat in communities, who depend on ice-roads Saskatchewan, said Poelzer, is forest to transport necessary supplies. “ fires in the North. Last year was partic - “The time you used to have to carry ularly dry in the prairies, where just over up gas, wood, and supplies to these re - half the average amount of rain fell be - mote communities has gone from months tween April and August. And nearly a to short weeks,” said Laroque. third of northern Saskatchewan had to be Earlier in 2018, Saskatchewan re - evacuated due to forest fires. leased their ‘Prairie Resilience’ climate Professor Colin Laroque believes that in 2019 crops will suffer from an early strategy, including 25 measures to help drought. monitor and enhance resilience to cli - mate change. First Nations and other northern communities, vulnerable to the unpre - dictable climate changes, do have measures they can take to increase security, experts say. “I ex - “We have to start building pect a bad significant fire - forest fire breaks around year. We communities with might not critical assets,” said get it, but on average we’re Poelzer. “This is going to see increasing num - where we have to bers and severity of forest work close in part - fires. That’s our largest cli - nership with matic threat,” said Poelzer. provincial and fed - “We’ve had grass fires last year, eral government to do firebreaks around which can be devastating for agriculture those communities. We almost have to crops and livestock.” expect the worst to happen every sum - In the last five years, Saskatchewan mer. So, we should be getting First Na - and Western Canada has experienced the tions more engaged into that kind of fire most extreme floods and droughts in its management.” recorded history. Research indicates that And due to these rapid and unpre - minimum temperatures in winter have dictable changes in weather, land, water gone up four to five degrees, with aver - and vegetation is under increased pres - age annual temperatures up two to three sure, posing challenges to farmer and degrees. Winters are now as much as two others who rely on natural resources. months shorter than they were in the Laroque said that it’s important under 1970s, and yield less snowpack. these circumstances to remain flexible. “Specifically, in Saskatchewan, “Diversifying is important for First what we’re worried about is planting Nations. If one thing isn’t growing, per - crops. The last few years have been haps another is. But it’s difficult because pretty dry, but we try to rely on that we find ourselves at the whim of Mother snowpack that accumulates over the win - Nature. It’s harder to predict and under - ter and melts in the summer, helping stand what’s happening,” said Laroque. grow our crops,” said Colin Laroque, “We have to listen to the land as Professor at the U of S College of Agri - best possible and be ready to adapt and culture and Bioresources. diversify.” 12 Eagle Feather News JANUARY 2019 JANUARY 2019 Eagle Feather News 13 Going willingly, with humility, to face the demons

By Louise Halfe ents, my siblings and I would head to the spect. And I needed tools. In life I want For Eagle Feather News sugar beet fields in Southern Alberta. fair treatment without animosity, stigma (Part Two of a two-part article) We’d hoe row upon row, acres and acres and racism. We need the instinct of the wolf, to of sugar beets. This gave us a sense of re - Racism is both personal and systemic, learn to track our behaviors, follow the sponsibility and satisfaction. It certainly it has the tendency to be justified and is of - scent of goodwill and sing in celebra - gave me a sense of pride. ten entrenched. tion. I recently heard Chief Tammy Cook Our friends need to examine “white The buffalo faces and walks into talk about her parents and their ability to privilege” and own their racism. We all have the storm. We, too, must face and walk butcher a moose and tan the hide to com - histories. For years Aboriginal people into our turmoil. But we need guides: pletion. The work ethic was instilled in learned about the colonial history. A fair ex - Elders, teachers, counselors and thera - her as well as self-respect, responsibility change of a different history is long overdue. pists. We need them to validate and wit - and self-reliance. We all need to understand treaty. The ness the stories that we’ve hoarded in We need and want to follow our as - process of societal change needs to be a our bodies and in our souls. pirations and achieve our goals. We need lifelong endeavor. I do not want to be dis - No doubt we are already a mangled purpose. empowered by the savior mentality. I don’t mess, twisted inside out want to encounter by our wounding. Just as “talking heads”, but a stone is overturned, we human beings with need to turn these stories We are a feeling people, integrity. all the morals and values we profess to live inside out to find the We need honest by. I don’t want to be patronized, I need to goodness we once pos - and open dialogue. be treated as an equal with intelligence. In sessed and knew. In the which is a good thing. Conflict doesn’t nec - many respects we all need and want emo - process we will squirm, essarily mean a life - tional intelligence that will nurture mental rage and weep. time of anger and and spiritual intelligence. But it is only However, we also need to grudges. In fact, it can Some journeys are not easy. The through breaking the open doors to differ - journey between the head and the heart is laws of “the don’ts” that think before we act and ent ways of perceiv - the most courageous one. We are a feel - we reveal our truths and ing. I don’t want to be ing people, which is a good thing. How - step forward. These sto - a token “Indian” as I ever, we also need to think before we ries and the Grandfa - before we talk. have often found my - act and before we talk. thers/mothers morals and values that I We all need to work at something. self in the past. The Elders teach us peyahtik – go mentioned earlier are our medicines. The late John Tootoosis told his Our voices need to be respected and slowly, carefully, with kindness and re - They will reveal themselves in our sons not to touch social assistance or validated. We believe in wahkohtowin-rela - spect. Be gentle with yourself. changed behavior. he’d disown them. He wanted them to be tionship. And relationship needs and wants All my Relations. Ahow Sometimes there is so little self-re - totally self-governing. When I left resi - spect to draw from that it’s difficult to go dential school, I was aimless and root - to that dark wilderness and trust someone less. The home and family I once knew with our deepest secrets. When and if it had eroded as the years of residential is possible, one must go willingly, with school ate away our childhoods and teen humility, and face the demons. In the act years. of reclaiming our full-potential we lift the It was difficult to dream. When gift of choice. In essence, we learn to you’ve been taught that you are a noth - bless ourselves. ing, what is the remote chance of suc - In the winter, the bear goes into hi - cess? There was no parental guidance. I bernation and lives off its fat. We, too, had been “controlled” for so long that the have that innate wisdom. It is what drives ability of self-determination had been us forward in the first place, when we are undermined. sick and tired of being sick and tired. My first psychiatrist dismissed me We must go into that dark healing place for reasons I believe were racist. This where light and lightness are offered. was in the early seventies and attitudes There is no way around that deep toward Aboriginal people were poor. laceration where our ulcerated souls have In the late seventies I again took a Saturday, February 16th 3130 Laurier Drive been subjected to sexual, physical, emo - huge plunge and entered therapy with a tional and spiritual violence. Change can different psychiatrist. After therapy we CosmoFamily Civic 1pm-4pmCentre Fun Gym, Day! be excruciating. But if healing is what became lifelong friends, until his death. Ba lloo you are after you must do your research. I was a student and co-facilitator at n A nim Find a good counsellor, psychia - Nechi Institute where I learned about ad - als ! tle! trist, psychologist, or someone who has dictions, intergenerational trauma and Cas ncy the skills to help you medicine yourself. the residential school experience. I re-en - Bou Educate yourself, read, read, read and tered therapy after having my eyes and read. Open your mind and heart. Go on heart re-opened. an adventure of exploration. Ask ques - I had a wonderful psychologist who tions of others. How did you do it? What also became a lifelong friend. At the was in your medicine bundle of knowl - same time, I also embarked on my cul - edge to help you be successful? tural and spiritual re- orientation with Be open to your dreams. Night - my Elders. I needed to reclaim my lost mares want to wake up your conscious self. self. At times dreams will poke fun at you We are a resilient people and though and laugh. Other times they are we are scarred we have the capacity to Event is free of charge! prophetic, they will tell you an event will continue living. But what is it we need occur. They will help you problem-solve. from our neighbors, the settlers, as allies? Like more information? They are in essence our guardians. In therapy I needed to be heard. I When I was growing up, my par - needed compassion, kindness and re - Be@sherirbenson Contact Social 306.975.6555Us sheribensonNDP [email protected] 14 Eagle Feather News JANUARY 2019 Let’s push back against the male hierarchy Let’s start this new year off with Just let the conversation be for basis and it is brutal. People can say they shaming and blaming one another. dismantling patriarchy. women, by women. It has taken a long do not internalize these stereotypes they There is a hierarchy in society I see There is a lot of talk about empow - time for women to even have a voice and have against single mothers, but if you it and feel every day as a woman who is ering women and especially our Indige - be taken seriously. Women were literally cannot acknowledge or address something in law school and an Indigenous woman nous women, but let’s stop the talk and burned at the stake for being outspoken there will never be a solution or change to at that. I’ve been told to my face that as a take action in our own lives. and intelligent and that problem. single Indigenous mother that my dreams I want to first acknowledge that this were considered Let’s get to are “unrealistic” or to get some new comes from personal experience as a sin - property of either the roots of these is - dreams by those who think I need to slow gle mother, also pursuing an education. their husband or fa - sues so we can re - down or just focus on being a mom. There are barriers set in place that make ther. spect each other. As if my dreams and motherhood it harder for women to thrive and succeed So why not let Let’s do our best to could not co-exist. in this capitalistic, colonial society that is 2019 be about em - not enable men The point is we can be whoever we founded on a hierarchy where men have powering our who do not con - want to be and we are not defined by the always been at the top. women. tribute to their chil - cookie cutters society tries to makes us fit There is something I have person - There is big talk about honoring dren’s lives. Let’s put people in check be - into. We are defined by our unique, re - ally noticed and that is women are women. Well, let’s honor our women, cause if we do not, they will never see silient, soul that we are born with and shamed and demonized for some reason then. Let us hold all of our mothers up, anything wrong in their actions. carry with us every day. in this society for being single moms, let’s realize they need encouragement, Society has normalized the absent So, let’s celebrate our uniqueness, whereas single dads are held on a pedestal support, love and respect the most. Be - father, while a mother, and specifically let’s honor and truly empower our and admired for spending or doing the cause the future, which is the children, single mothers are being peed on, pooped women, our mothers, and our life givers. bare minimum to be in their children’s rests in their hands. on, puked on all while keeping the house No one is perfect, no one’s mom is perfect lives. Single mothers have a hard enough in order and going to school, maintaining but they are doing the best they can with Where women are expected to be time trying to raise their kids on their own a job and career to provide for their chil - what they know. loving caregivers at all times, to be con - without nearly every person they cross dren. For me, I have been through some sidered a “responsible parent”, men are judging them. It’s hard to be in a world Whatever it is, moms are sacrificing near-death accidents that have woken me only expected to show up from time to where single moms are constantly looked for their children and not even being held up and I have had to live through some time in order to be deemed good fathers. at like there is something wrong with them to the same standard as a man. hard lessons to understand tomorrow is I understand there are also single or slut shamed just because the person If we actually want to help one an - never promised. dads out there where the mother is absent they had children with has their own is - other, have healthy and thriving commu - I would rather spend time that I and I praise those men who do step up for sues and did not or would not take re - nities, we need to make sure we put our - have with my children today and not their kids or for other people’s kids and are sponsibility for their children. selves in check as well. We need to let go waste it on people who choose to the amazing stepdads. I have experienced this on a regular of things do not help us grow and quit look the other way. Environmental engineer committed to remediating mine sites

By NC Raine gineer-in-Training, helps to improve environmental “We try to have an understanding from the local For Eagle Feather News conditions at these sites so they may be used by resi - communities of the significance of each particular site.” Thomas Lavergne works to mitigate an environ - dents as a resource for trapping, hunting, and fishing. In addition to his work with Project CLEANS, mental issue that few even realize exists. For his work in making Northern Saskatchewan a Lavergne has led the development of Student Environ - Scattered across Northern Saskatchewan are sev - cleaner, safer place, Lavergne, from St. Louis, Sask., mental Monitoring Program, which gives young adults eral abandoned uranium sites posing risks to both hu - was recently named one of Corporate Knights Top 30 living in remote locations hands on experience in science. man health and the environment. As part of Under 30 in Sustainability – a list of young Canadians “We identified that there’s not a lot of opportunities Saskatchewan Research Council’s (SRC) Project pushing for a more sustainable world. for young people from up north to get exposed to or expe - CLEANS, Lavergne, an Associate Environmental En - “I find it really rewarding to go back and repair these rience environmental related fields,” said Lavergne. sites where damage was done,” Lavergne said. The program has had 14 students in three years ex - “There’s a lot of sites up north needing remediation. posed to a broad range of environmental science as it re - Hopefully we can help the industry change so that we lates to their remediation projects. don’t have to go back and clean sites – they’ll continually “It’s been a really positive experience. At first the stu - do it as they’re working.” dents are quite guarded, but by the end they really open up. Lavergne hadn’t always set out to help northern com - We’ve had some students who, by the end of the week, munities. Five years out of high school, he was living in were really excited and wanted to consider going into en - Toronto when he learned of old sites being remediated, and vironmental science,” he said. began to research how he might be part of these sort of proj - “I’m not that far removed from where they are. I want ects. to show them some of the things I wish I knew at the time.” “When I came across environment engineering, I When considering the distinction, he earned as one of didn’t even know what it was, or that it was an option,” he Corporate Knights Top 30 Under 30 in Sustainability – one said. of only two people from Saskatchewan named on the list A handful of years later, Lavergne, a University of – Lavergne displays humility, a quality that likely led to his Saskatchewan graduate, is part of a 37-site, multi-year, vocation of serving communities and the environment. multi-million-dollar project. He said he has mixed feelings about the distinction be - Two of the largest sites, Gunnar Uranium Mine and cause he’s worked alongside so many other people who Mill, and Lorado Uranium Mill, Lavergne explained, con - also deserve recognition. His priority, he said, is his work. tained threats to public safety, such as exposed mine open - “It’s a team effort. To be singled out made me a little un - ings or contaminants flowing to water bodies, which can comfortable. But still, it was a very nice honour,” he affect resident trap lines, fishers, and hunters. said. “Our team is really involved with community en - “What I’m focused on now is the projects we’re gagement, we get the communities involved in what we’re working on. I want to be part of making these 37 sites doing up there. They have local knowledge and the right to reach the point where nature can take over. Where the be consulted into the work that’s being done,” said environmental conditional is good enough to allow us THOMAS LAVERGNE Lavergne. to feel comfortable to walk away.” JANUARY 2019 Eagle Feather News 15

(L to R) Justina Sather Senior Operations Manager Gold Horse Casino, Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers, Colleen Young MLA Lloydminster, Chief Wayne Semaganis Little Pine First Nation, FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron, Zane Hansen CEO and President SIGA, Rick Gamble Border Tribal Council representa - tive, Roger Anderson General Manager Gold Horse Casino. (Photo supplied by SIGA) Gold Horse Casino in Lloydminster is SIGA’s seventh

A shiny new SIGA casino recently tination in Saskatchewan, a consolidated businesses and making a positive impact was responsible for the site development. opened up in Lloydminster. effort between us and our key partners, the through community investment and vol - The facility landlord is Border Tribal An opening ceremony was held at the Border Tribal Council, Little Pine First unteering,” he said. Council, which leases the casino property Gold Horse Casino in Lloydminster in De - Nation and the City of Lloydminster. This “To date, SIGA has invested more to SIGA. cember with a collaboration of partners that development is an exciting addition to than $200,000 in sponsorships in Lloyd - The Gold Horse Casino had its first full included the Border Tribal Council, the Lloydminster, and one that will benefit minster and area.” day of operations on Dec. 21, 2018 which Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority our province’s 74 First Nations and the lo - The Gold Horse Casino is an over opened at 9 a.m. The casino will be open 17 (SIGA), and Little Pine First Nation hold - cal community,” said Bellerose. 49,000 square foot, full-service casino and hours a day, Monday to Sunday from 9 a.m. ing a ribbon cutting and soft opening event SIGA President and CEO Zane features a gaming floor with more than to 3 a.m. (MST), and Thursday through Sat - to celebrate SIGA’s newest entertainment Hansen expanded upon what this newest 250 of the latest slot machines, 18 elec - urday from 9 a.m. to 4 a.m. destination. property means for Lloydminster and area. tronic table games, and five live table Gold Horse Casino is located at 3910 Chief Reginald Bellerose, SIGA’s “This casino will have an immense games. The casino also brings a state-of- 41st Street in Lloydminster and joins Board Chair, spoke to the collaboration impact in the local community and sur - the-art event centre for live entertainment, SIGA’s family of casinos, which includes of key partners involved in making this rounding area, as do all SIGA casinos. banquets and meetings, a bar and grill, Bear Claw Casino & Hotel, Dakota Dunes casino a reality. Through our operations, we contribute to and a deli. Casino, Gold Eagle Casino, Living Sky “On behalf of SIGA, we’re thrilled to our local communities by creating jobs, The land for the development is Casino, Northern Lights Casino, and be opening our seventh entertainment des - helping drive tourism, supporting local owned by Little Pine First Nation, which Painted Hand Casino. STC is gone; but the fight for transportation in Sask is on

By Sheri Benson to friends and family, and to the services they need. It First, they said that the private sector would serve Member of Parliament for Saskatoon West gave post-secondary students a chance to go home to us; cold comfort since Greyhound’s decision to cease In Canada, people should be able to get where visit family, seniors a way to get to their medical ap - operations in Western Canada. Then, in Question Period, they need to go. pointments, and persons fleeing domestic violence an in - a Minister said that the federal government would work Geographical barriers and a widely-dispersed pop - valuable lifeline. closely with my office to address this issue in a mean - ulation should not prevent us from seeking creative so - It was the “subway” that got us where we needed ingful way. lutions to ensure that everyone has access to public to go until the tracks were ripped out two years ago. Unfortunately, almost a year later, no-one from transportation. The cancellation of the STC was the decision of a this government has stepped up to this promise. In densely-populated urban centres like Toronto, government pursuing austerity as the solution to its own The government announced in November that it Montreal, and Vancouver, residents are connected by fiscal mismanagement, taking public busses off would strike a working group to discuss the public subways, city bus networks, or streetcars. People have Saskatchewan’s roads and creating a harsh new reality transportation needs in Western Canada. I have asked the public transportation options to commute to work, get to for those who relied on the service. Minister of Transport directly to ensure that this work - medical appointments, or visit with friends and family. The absence of public transportation is particu - ing group includes members from affected communities, Now, think of Saskatchewan with all our small larly noticeable in December, when people travel to so that practical, local input can inform future deci - towns and remote communities. I’m picturing places visit their loved ones or look for an affordable way to sions. like Melfort, Maple Creek and La Loche, where some - send packages and parcels. An empty rocking chair by I hope he listens to the people. times great distances must be travelled to reach an es - the fireplace conjures up feelings of melancholy for The provincial government made the decision to sential service. disconnected families this holiday season. abandon the people of Saskatchewan by cancelling the Regardless of whether you reside in La Loche or It’s 2019 and many people in Saskatchewan, es - STC. Now, the federal government must step in to pro - Toronto, you should be able to get where you need to go pecially those living in rural and remote communities, vide relief and ensure that people in Saskatchewan are – it shouldn’t matter if your doctor’s office is six blocks have no public transportation options to get them where connected to the services they need, just like people in away, or 600 kilometers away. Governments need to they need to go, and now wait for governments to do Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. think outside the box to ensure people can access pub - something. We don’t have to accept this new normal. Intra- lic transportation across Canada. When our provincial government made their provincial public transportation can be a reality in In Saskatchewan, 253 communities used to be con - wrong-headed decision in 2017, I wrote to members of Saskatchewan again. But, we must continue the fight nected by a provincial crown corporation that operated the Prime Minister’s cabinet, asking them to intervene, and demand a response from the federal government. 25 public bus routes. It was called the Saskatchewan to restore public transportation service, and provide our Together, we can ensure that everyone in Canada Transportation Company (STC) and it connected people people with relief. has access to safe, affordable public transportation. 16 Eagle Feather News JANUARY 2019