A FORT MCKAY FIRST NATION PUBLICATION Current MAY 2014 VOLUME 5 :: ISSUE 5 GOLD FOR WARRIORS Fort McKay’s hockey players have Community Awards 3 brought home the gold, in truck- Players representing Fort McKay loads. on the Jr. novice team included: Pow Wow 4 Ashton Quintal, Noah Fitz- Every year kids from all over patrick, Tayden Shott, Keegan Historical Pics 6 the Wood Buffalo Region look Shott, Brayden Lacorde, Kayleigh Art by Jason Gladue forward to a weekend of Native Boucher, and Blaize Bouchier. 9 Hockey, the one weekend that The teams were coached by Si- On the River 10 friends and cousins often get mon Adams, who was assisted by to play together as a team. Six BJ Fitzpatrick and Cory Jackson. Oiler’s Camp 11 teams representing Wood Buffalo With three wins and one tie in Native Hockey Club travelled to their division, the youngest team April 2-6th for the Al- brought home gold and a new berta Native Hockey Provincials. banner to hang in the Fort McKay Fort McKay registered kids in Arena. several age groups, with a major- ity registered in Jr. Novice and Sr. Players representing Fort McKay Novice as well as the Atom, Pee on the Sr. Novice team included: Wee, Bantam and Midget teams. (Continued on page 2)

5 11 3 1 HOCKEY STARS BRING HOME THE GOLD (Continued from page 1)

The first championship banners to hang in the new arena. Fort McKay players from the Jayden Shott, Tyrese Shott, Exan- Joining this year’s Wood Buffalo Junior Novice 2014 Native Hockey Provincial der Lacorde, Kai Ro Grandjambe, teams also included: Championship team. and Sky Orr, coached by Brent James Black, Keely Courtorielle, Devost. After a few nail biting Anton Grandjambe, Seth Grand- games and a couple of losses, the jambe, Ethan Grandjambe, Ray- team really came together and mond Cardinal, Austin Beaton-Jan- Current brought home the gold medals vier, Jace Shott, Tyrell Shott, Trace FMFN LEADERSHIP TEAM in their division and a Sr. novice Quintal, Evrett Quintal, Everett Jim Boucher, Chief Championship banner to hang in Reid, Reanna Whiteknife, and Ri- Raymond Powder, Councillor the arena. ley Whiteknife. David Bouchier, Councillor Gerald Gladue, Councillor For many of our kids, this hockey All the Fort McKay hockey play- Ruth McKenzie, Councillor tournament is one of the few they ers proved to be great athletes all get to participate in and take away around, with hearts of gold. George Arcand, CEO valuable experiences that they Larry Hewko, CFO/COO wouldn’t otherwise get to experi- -Lolita Shott, contributing writer/ ADMINISTRATION DEPT. ence. photographer Dorothy McDonald Business Centre General Delivery Fort McKay, AB T0P 1C0 Phone: 780-828-2430

Hours of Operation: Mon. to Thurs. - 8:30am - 4:30pm Friday - 8:30am - 2:00pm

SUBMISSIONS Cort Gallup, Editor If you have any photos, stories or ideas for the Fort McKay Current, please contact Cort at [email protected] or call 780-838-6061. 2014 Alberta Native Hockey Senior Novice Provincial champions. 2 COMMUNITY MEMBERS AWARDED

From left to right: Loretta Boucher, Shirley Mercredi, Jared Boucher, Star Grandjambe, Christian McDonald, Destiny Young, Dallas McDonald, Savannah Kaiser, and Donna Grandjambe. On April 16th 2014, over a Clara Boucher (Community En- Walter Orr Jr. (Vocational Pro- hundred and eighty community richment), Simon Adams (Com- gram Certificate), and Savannah members gathered together at munity Engagement) Fort McK- Kaiser, Donna Grandjambe the Father Begin Community ay Wellness Centre (Community (Keyano College- Grade 12 Hall to celebrate Fort McKay’s Safety), Dwayne Bacon (Fire equivalent). Community Gold Awards. This Fighter Service), Rod Hyde (Life- celebration was created to recog- time Achievement), Ron Quintal We would like to thank Fort nize individuals for their numer- (Mentorship), Mikeela Cooper, McKay Northwind Dancers and ous achievements and contribu- Reanna Whiteknife, Aliyah Ross drummers for their unforgettable tions to our community. (Youth Role Model), and Rose presentation. We would also like Boucher, Dora L’hommecourt, to thank all of those who helped The evening was hosted by Cort Cort Gallup, Donna Grandjambe prepare and plan the event. Most Gallup and Frederick McDonald. (Special Honours). importantly, we would like to Performers included the Fort thank the community members McKay’s Northwind Dancers and Graduates were also present- who help make Fort McKay a drummers Nick Giant, Mitch ed with Education Milestone great place to live. Mercredi and Tyler Young. Awards recognizing their dedica- tion and hard work. They in- Congratulations to all of the In total, 11 different categories cluded Loretta Boucher, Brenda recipients of the Fort McKay were presented to individuals Grandjambe, Kristen L’homme- Community Gold Awards 2014!! who excelled within Fort McKay. court, and Lori Mercredi (Al- You all truly make a difference The awarded individuals include ternative Diploma E-Learning), in the lives of others within this Bouchier Group (Business of the Jared Boucher, Iris McClure, Star community! Year), Clara Mercier and Leo- Grandjambe, Christian McDon- na Grandjambe (Culture), Rick ald, Destiny Young (General Grandjambe, Lolita Shott and Diploma), Dallas McDonald, 3 A POW WOW WITH WOW FACTOR The Gathering Of Nations When the Fort McKay girls Pow Wow in Albuquerque is first arrived they were met the pow wow of all pow wows. by Shirley Hill, champion 3800 dancers, 3000 drum- pow wow dancer and regalia mers and over 100,000 in all maker. Hill was a judge three at one pow wow, and this year years ago for Miss Indian Fort McKay was in the house World. She declined this year again. Dancers performed to judge dancing so she could during the Grand Entry of the spend more time teaching the Gathering of Nations, held in girls. She was also a mentor University Arena (a.k.a. the to the first McKay girls who Pit), at the University of New attended the last Gathering Mexico. Of Nations, and worked with McKay kids with Northwind Fort McKay was well repre- dancers in the past. sented this year by Northwind Dancers Feather McDonald The Fort McKay dancers were and Taylor McDonald. Could introduced to many champion you imagine a Grand Entry dancers and witnessed new with that many drummers dances that are not practiced and dancers? in . Shirley Hill explained the protocols, of Mexican cuisine. “Grand Entry was very over- different styles of dancing, whelming for me; there were regalia, and spiritual “This is the second time I have a lot of dancers in the arena,” significance of each dance. brought students to Gath- says Feather McDonald. “I ering of Nations. Last time remember being surrounded Other than the po wow, the Miranda McDonald, Kath- by men and women, and how girls got the opportunity to erine McDonald, Mary Pike loud the drums were. When tour Santa Fe and visit various and Kirsten L’Hommecourt I was standing and dancing, Art Galleries, which was quite attended. Shirley was also tears started to come to my a treat since both are passion- instrumental in our huge suc- eyes. I felt a strong spiritual ate in arts. They also attended cess at the World Conference connection in myself to the Miss Indian World Pageant, on Healing in Hawaii, where pow wow. I felt at home.” visited the Cultural Centre three students ( Alicia Orr, and tried many different types Mary Pike & Chelsea Orr)

There were 3800 dancers, 3000 drummers and over 100,000 in all at one pow wow. 4 GATHERING OF NATIONS POW WOW

Left Photo: Feather McDonald, Shirley Hill, Ona Fiddler-Berteig and Taylor McDonaald. Right Photo: Taylor and Feather posing with Miss Indian and Miss Indian World. conducted a workshop on the importance of Culture in high school retention for Aboriginal students.” Ex- plained Ona Fiddler-Berteig; Mentor for the E-Learn- ing Centre. “It is significant that the majority of successful students in E-Learning are involved in some aspect of cultural retention or adoption. I sincerely believe that one of the most important things we do at E-Learning is to afford students the opportunity to sometimes discover, devel- op, maintain and nourish their dignity through cultural pride. With dignity comes a profound understanding of destiny.” “The importance of cultural pride and its attending impact on dignity and destiny of the individual student is critical. Having students attend events where there is pride in culture and a sense of belonging encourages them to reach their full potential. Indspire awards, pow wows, youth conferences… while expensive at times, really in the long term are very cost effective. Students Feather McDonald, Taylor McDonald and who participate with joy and pride in their cultural Shirley Hill. heritage become productive members of their commu- nities: they have to live ‘cleanly’ (no drugs or alcohol) if they dance pow wow and generally as they begin to understand more fully their rich heritage they become more involved with issues that impact their lives.” When asked how she felt about her experience, Taylor explained: “Pow wow dancing and going to pow wows is important because I understand that we are losing our culture slowly. It’s up to us, the next generation, to carry on our ways of life. Not only that but pow wow dancing connects us all as people, some of us dance for the same reason and it’s to bring joy to our communi- ties and families. Also attending pow wows let’s us see Taylor enjoying a well devserved nap after more of the world, let’s us see more diverse culture.” her long day at the pow wow. 5 OUR HISTORY, A LOOK BACK

top left photo: Alice Boucher scraping moose hide beside her house on the south side (early 80’s)

bottom left: Harvey Boucher carrying a beaver on his shoulder (early 80’s).

bottom right: Scotty Stuart holding a jackfish that he caught at the mouth of the Red River (1984)

6 BINGO!!!

Elders enjoying time with friends and playing Bingo at the Elders Centre. Please contact the Elders centre to find out when the monthly next Bingo event will be scheduled.

FREE VETERINARIAN SERVICES!

Don’t forget, the Fort McKay Sustainability Department (SD) is hosting an Animal Wellness Clinic June 6th to the 9th in the Fort McKay Arena. Spaying and neutering makes your pets healthier and improves behaviour. The Fort McKay Sustainability Department is offering a FREE opportunity to Fort McKay community members to have their pets spayed/neutered, vaccinated, tattooed and registered. This service can normally cost over $500. The clinic will take place at the arena on June 7-9.

MONTHLY

LAST MONTH: “Tansi.” = “Hello, how are you?” “Moynandoe.” = “I am fine.” THIS MONTH:

“ki’n~a ma’ka?” = “And you?” 7 BECOME A WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER Portage College in Lac La Biche, Tuition: $2,355.00 Alberta will be offering Wild- Housing: $345.00 (optional) land Firefighting-Firetack Crew Meals: $900.00 (optional) Member courses this spring/ Recreation Fee: $25.00 (optional) summer. To register a student(s) or for What Training do the students more information please call receive? Jennifer at 780-623-4573. Spots are still available for our March Students will receive twelve days 31-April 19, 2014 and April 28- of fire training covering such May 17, 2014 courses. topics as Wildfire Management Thank-you. & Fire Behaviour, Wildfire Pre- Jen paredness, and Wildfire Opera- tions. In addition students will Jennifer Mueller receive an additional six days of Program Facilitator safety training. Upon success- Community and Industry Train- ful completion of the Wildland ing Initiatives (CiTi) Firetack Crew Member Program Portage College - Lac La Biche students will receive a Wildland Campus Firefighting Certificate from the Phone: 780-623-4573 Fax: 780- Alberta Government as well as 623-5616 certification in Bear Awareness, E-mail: jennifer.mueller@por- Radio Operator (Aeronauti- tagecollege.ca cal), WHMIS, TDG Air, TDG Box 417, 9531-94 Ave., Lac La Ground, 1st Aid, and WTA Biche, Alberta T0A 2C0 Chainsaw. http://d22r54gnmuhwmk.

ABORIGINAL PRE-TRADE TRAINEES WANTED June 2, 2014 – Sept. 5, 2014 – Millwright, Electricians, and Insulators. Oct. 6, 2014 – Jan. 9, 2015 – Carpenters, Boilermakers and Ironworkers. Weekly information sessions held! Contact Trade Winds To Success Training Society, Edmonton, AB, 780-471-9100. Like us on Facebook 780-471-9100.

8 ART BY JASON GLADUE

Jason Gladue Jason Gladue Eagle Warrior Crying Woman Ink on paper, 2014 Ink on Paper, 2013

Jason Gladue is a prolific Fort McKay artist specializing in drawings and soapstone.

Jason Gladue Eagle Ink on paper, 2013 Jason Gladue Eagle Pencil on paper, 2013 9 JOIN US MAY 24TH FOR “ON THE RIVER” It’s a live performance that com- featured on many websites. bines new songs from Asani and Maria Dunn with video Join us for a live interviews from people speaking performance of about Fort McKay and about On the River at the Dorothy. Band Hall on Saturday, Maria Dunn is a Juno-nominated May 24 2014 at 7pm. folk musician/songwriter based in Edmonton and often com- ALL ARE WELCOME pared to Woody Guthrie for her TO ATTEND! keen social awareness and un- varnished songs about ordinary This project is supported by the people. (Website: www.maria- Fort McKay Chief dunn.com) and Council and a grant from Maria Dunn, a Juno-nominated the Canada Council for the Arts folk musician and songwriter, will ASANI is an Aboriginal women’s through their Theatre Section’s be in Fort McKay May 24th trio from Edmonton. They are Artists and the Community Pro- to give a live performance. Debbie Houle, Sarah Pocklington gram. and Sherryl Sewepagaham. This Fort McKay has experienced circle of First Nations and Metis tremendous changes in the women have performed across past 65 years. Ground Zero Canada and internationally at Productions of Edmonton is cre- such venues as Carnegie Hall in ating a live performance called New York, The Kennedy Cen- On The Riverthat reflects on tre in Washington D.C. and the these changes through song and Saddledome in Calgary. Asani video, telling this story through composed the theme song for the the lens of the life of former chief CAMA’s in 2005 and the honour- Dorothy McDonald. ing song for the Esquao Awards in 2009. Today Fort McKay is surrounded by the oil sands industry. This On The River is presented by was not the case in the late 1940s Ground Zero Productions, a when Dorothy was born. At that thirty year old professional the- time, her family spent much of atre company. Ground Zero has their time at Moose Lake - hunt- toured Maria Dunn’s two previ- ing, trapping and fishing. Start- ous Video Ballads, “GWG: Piece ing when Suncor began produc- by Piece” and “Troublemakers” ASANI has received a 2010 tion in 1967 and continuing up throughout Alberta. The compa- Canadian Folk Music Award for until today, the community has ny’s Artistic Director, Don Bou- Aboriginal Songwriter of the Year experienced rapidly accelerating zek, has created the video seg- and a 2010 Indian Summer Music contact with resource extraction. ments for this show. His award Award for Best Spiritual Song. winning video work has been You can see the group perform On The River is a Video Ballad. broadcast by Access-TV and is May 24th in Fort McKay. 10 SKATING AWARDS BANQUET The Skating Awards Banquet pants, figure skating participants skating programs. Registration will be held in the Fort McKay and also Fort McKay Hockey for next year’s programs will gin Gym at 6 p.m. on May 22, 2014. Academy members, and their at the banquet and registration Dozens of kids turned out for families. The 2014 Learn To Skate forms will be available at the the very successful skating pro- program and the 2014 figure banquet. A fun skate at the arena grams this past winter and they skating program was sponsored will follow the banquet. For more all learned to skate great. All had by TOTAL. New participants are information call Simon at 780- tremendous fun. The banquet also encouraged to attend the 881-9096. is for all Learn To Skate partici- banquet to register for next year’s

Sandra Boucher and Harriet Champagne enjoy Free Skate time at the Fort McKay Hockey Arena. The last day for ice skating at the arena is May 25. The ice will be taken out the next day in preparation for summer programs. OILERS’ HOCKEY CAMP

Some very lucky hockey players participated in the Oilers Hockey Camp at MacDonald island Park from May 2nd to the 4th. In total, there were 100 kids from the Wood Buffalo region that were selected out of 600. In Fort McK- ay, seven hockey players were selected for the event. Those selected include Everett Quintal, Noah Fitzpatrick, Keegan Shott, Jace Shott, Kai Ro Grandjambe, Austin Beaton and Anton Grandjambe.

The first night started off with a community BBQ, where people got to meet the Oilers’ current goalie Ben Scrivens as well as Fernando Pisani; a retired Oiler player. The fol- lowing days, the young athletes learned various techniques taught through multiple daily on-ice sessions, dry land training, and nutrition clinics to help further the develop- Ben Scrivens and Fernando Pisani with Kai Ro ment of each participant. Grandjambe 11 SMOKE SIGNALS RECREATION WELLNESS CENTRE Syndrome Assessments. Mondays Mondays Karaoke – 7:00pm– 9:00pm. 12-1pm Boot camp Young Chefs (10yrs+) Saturdays 3:15- 4:15 Play on Practice 6:30-8:00pm Sweat Lodge – 1:00pm. (floor hockey) *closed on May 18th 7-9pm Volleyball. Tuesdays HEALTH CENTRE Tuesdays Traditional Dancers (6yrs +) Mondays-Wednesdays 12-1pm Yoga. 5:30-7:00 pm The Doctor is in. 3:15-4:15pm Girls afterschool Dream Catchers (10yrs +) Tuesdays and Thursday program 8-12 years 6-8pm PhysiotherapyDr.Taiwo Wednesdays Wednesdays In take: May 23-30 5:30-6:30 F.F. w.o. training Archery (10yrs. +) 6:30-8:00pm Food Bank contact Lisa. 6-7pm Teen Volleyball training Thrusdays Immunizations: June 11 & 25 7-9 Adult Volleyball Active Living Program from 10am-3pm. Thursdays (10yrs. +) 6:00-8:00pm Diabetes Walk: May 22 12:15-12:45 HIIT Training Safe Food Handling Course: Fridays FORT MCKAY FAMILY May 27, 28. Must be registered 12-1pm Yoga. SUPPORT CENTRE in advance. Wednesday May 7th Mondays Call Belinda for more informa- (early Dismissal) ATC Child & Family Services – tion 780-828-2455. Girls cooking lesson at the Foster Program & Family For all bookings please call the wellness centre 8-12yrs old Enhancement. Health Centre 780-828-2450. Thursdays-Relay for life fund- Alcohol Anonymous (AA) Health Centre will be closed: raiser Meeting 7:00pm – 8:30pm. April 18/14 (Good Friday) and May 8th carwash @arena May Last Monday of month-proba- April 22/14 (Easter Monday). 15th Family Movie night 6pm tion/ parole Services. Safe Food Handling coming up May 22nd Bake sale Tuesdays in May please contact Belinda May 29th Family movie night Women`s Sharing Circle for my information. Friday May23rd Family swim- 7:00pm – 9.00pm. Please call the Health Centre ming Wednesdays for all inquiries, 780-828-4048. Saturday May 31st Volleyball Victim services – Victims of tournament. Crime support, Narcotics. MOOSE HIDE TANNING Anonymous (NA) Meeting Please keep raw moosehides 7:30pm – 8:30pm. to donate for cultural purposes. Thursdays Call Becky at 587-644-1134. Granny NEAFAN – Fetal Alcohol

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