Neyâskweyâhk Acimowin Opiniyâwewipîsim Nîstanaw-Newosâp Akimaw Anohc Ermineskin Newsletter May 24, 2019 Neyâskweyâhk Acimowin Opiniyâwewipîsim Nîstanaw-Newosâp Akimaw Anohc ᓀᔮᐢᑫᐧᔮᐦᐠ ᐊᒋᒧᐊᐧᐣ ᐅᐱᓂᔮᐁᐧᐃᐧᐲᓯᒼ ᓃᐢᑕᓇᐤ-ᓀᐅᐧᓵᑊ ᐊᑭᒪᐤ ᐊᓄᐦᐨ Hide Tanning with Flora Northwest and Don Johnson ay 10, 2019 - M Flora North- west and Don John- son were teaching MESC students from the Maskwacis Out- reach School how to prepare hide at the Ermineskin Cree Lan- guage department. Flora was working with a scraper that has been handed down in her family for around 250 years (pictured bot- tom, second from left). She received it from her mother-in- law, Annie Cardinal, in the late 80s. It was passed down from older women to younger women, who typically “They fleshed it, we’re probably going to finish this to- kept it for 50 years. This is the first time she took it day,” said Flora. Don Johnson said that they already out to use it. Flora and Don were out with the stu- had the brains ready to process the hide afterward. dents for 3 days, and the third day they were all out The brains are traditionally used in the processing of scraping the fur off of the hide they had been working hide and Don is glad to reintroduce the youth of on. “We have 6-7 students, Marty Street provided the Maskwacis to traditional activities like hide-tanning. hide.” “I can show [them] how to make hide pouches,” said There will be further classes available to MESC students Don. “Passing it on to them, I’m 72 years old, this is who are participating in the land-based learning classes. kind of a lost art... We can leave the hide like this and Don Johnson works at Meskanahk Ka Nipa Wit School. make drums, too.” ~article/photos by Sara Lee~ Neyâskweyâhk Acimowin Opiniyâwewipîsim Nîstanaw-Newosâp Akimaw Anohc N.E.S.T. Healthcare Aide & Carpentry Program Graduation eyaskweyahk Employment N Skills Training (formally known as ASETS) hosted gradua- tion for their Healthcare Aide & Carpentry program participants. The graduation took place on Thursday May 9, 2019 at the Hudson's Green Nature and Ac- tivity Centre in Ponoka. The graduation began with a bless- ing from Annette Lee and open- ing remarks by Ermineskin Cree Nation Councillor Nina Makinaw and Ermineskin Industrial Rela- tions Director Carol Wildcat. M.E.C’s Enhanced Service Deliv- ery Coordinator Donna Ladou- ceur, RDC Program Coordinator Kari Bayley and the NEST program driver Jamie Morin, Kristin Roan, Karen Rattlesnake, Tessa Copenace also expressed their pride for the Saddleback, Flora Smallboy and Emma Wildcat. graduate’s perseverance in completing the pro- The Carpentry program also celebrated gradu- gram. Both programs were a collaborated ates: Matthew Buffalo, Marcus Cutarm, Theoren effort with N.E.S.T., Ermineskin Industrial Rela- Ermineskin, Becky Smallboy, Albert Stoney, Dari- tions, Neyaskweyahk Human Services, and Red an Ward and Mathew Ward. The graduates Deer Collage. The Healthcare Aide program ran were treated to a catered meal and presented from October 2018 to April 2019. The pro- with Certificates and Red Deer Collage hoodies. gram celebrated the following graduates: Rain- Congratulations to all the graduates for em- eesha Bruno, Breanna Buffalo, Priscilla Ermine- barking on a new path to further their career skin, Brittany Hamelin, Lucrezia Johnson, Jaron and life goals. ~Article/Photos by Janine Wildcat~ Ermineskin Land Law Final Draft Meeting ay 13, 2019 - Lois Taypotat gave a presentation and opting to create policies for these processes sepa- of the Executive Summary of the Neyâskweyâhk rately, instead. The change was voted on and passed M Askîy Wiyâsowewin (Ermineskin Cree Nation unanimously. This change will save time in the writing of Land Law) to an assemblage of Ermineskin residents at further laws, which will be able to reference the suggest- the Jim Rattlesnake building. Anne Wildcat, Director of ed policies, as well. Property and Infrastructure was also in attendance to The ECN Land Law was written with ECN citizens input. answer questions. (see p. 7 for more information on the upcoming ratifica- Important changes to the land law final draft included tion vote times and locations). This was the third of four shortening section 30 ‘Procedures for Meetings of Ne- Land Law Final Draft meetings. yaskweyawiyinowak’ and section 34 ‘Dispute Resolution,’ ~Article/photos by Sara Lee~ 2 Neyâskweyâhk Acimowin Opiniyâwewipîsim Nîstanaw-Newosâp Akimaw Anohc Important Dates ECN Administration Building May 31, 2019 - Off Friday, offic- es closed June 14, 2019 - Off Friday, offic- es closed June 21, 2019 - Indigenous Peo- ples’ Day, offices closed June 28, 2019 - Off Friday, offic- es closed Mother’s Day Brunch ay 9, 2019 - This year’s Ermineskin Cree Nation 3rd Annual Mother’s M Day Brunch was celebrated on Thursday May 9th, 2019 at the Ne- yaskweyahk Arena. The event which was exclusively for Maskwacis Moth- ers attracted an estimated 180 attendees. Many eager Iskwewak showed up early to get their hands on the free gift that contained a handcrafted coffee mug with Native designs, filled with candies, speciality tea and a shaver. 100 carnations were also ordered for the Mothers who did not get a chance to get the free gift. Event activities consisted of ear can- dling, manicures, massages, reflexology, tarot card reading, free haircuts and photo booth. The entertainment that was scheduled for the day was a comedian/medium show from Alberta’s Favorite Medium Jenni Ogilvie. Ay Hay to the ECN Community Wellness Department for organizing the event, Neyaskweyahk Arena for providing the venue, and for the Admin- istration, Communications, and Recreation departments for assisting. Also would like to acknowledge the Volunteers for decorating, setting up and cleaning. You all did an amazing job. ~article/photos by Janine Wildcat~ Congratulations to our Battle River Shock Team. These boys won the Teir 1 CMFA Final 22-15. There are three players that currently play from Maskwacis, and some Alumni players on the Shock. Great Team, Great Coaches, Trainers, Great Memories, the best Football Family #Football #Champs #Midget #78 #ChadMakinaw #63 #ColinBuffalo #38 #AnthonyBu June 7, 2019 ffalo #BattleRiverShock #Maskwacis #SamsonCree #ErmineskinCree (courtesy of Delorna Buffalo-Makinaw) June 3, 2019 @ 4:30PM 3 Neyâskweyâhk Acimowin Opiniyâwewipîsim Nîstanaw-Newosâp Akimaw Anohc Calling all Treaty People & Allies** e are rallying against the new proposed legislation being W fast tracked for Bill C - 91/92, Bill C-97 and the repeal of Bill C-86 which all impact our inherent rights/title. These total up to a new White Paper 2.0! This is a fast tracked pro- cess that will serve as a template for all Indigenous Nations in Canada (First Nation, Metis, Inuit). This will terminate our exist- ing treaties and give the government complete control over our people and communities. The White Paper Agenda is back and we must unite and stand together in Resistance! Everybody is welcome! Please bring your sage/smudge and your positive energy. EDMONTON - BEAVER HILLS HOUSE PARK - 10158-103 St. MAY 27, 2019 AT 1:00 p.m. The Chief and 3 members of Council are attending the official Day of Action in Ottawa on May 27, 2019. 4 Neyâskweyâhk Acimowin Opiniyâwewipîsim Nîstanaw-Newosâp Akimaw Anohc INSPOL 50th Anniversary Banquet ay 18, 2019 - A 50th Anniversary Reunion Ban- M quet was held at the River Cree Resort and Casi- no for the INSPOL (Indian Sports Olympics Association) Thunderbird’s, who were Canada’s first all star Aborigi- nal Junior hockey team. The Thunderbird’s played for three seasons: 1969-1970, 1970-1971, 1971-1972. The evening began with a grand entry, with Alumni dancing in the flags and photos of INSPOL Alumni who have passed on being carried by their next of kin. MC Rick Lightning gave a speech about INSPOL: “Fifty years ago, Willie Littlechild had a vision. To bring all of these young Indian kids that never lived in the city, to bring us into the city and to play in the greatest hock- ey place, the Edmonton Gardens, and we got to go in there and we were just in awe to be able to walk in there and see this place. And we were from Treaty 6, Treaty 7, and Treaty 8… Most of us had different col- Top: INSPOL team members, Bottom left: Wilton Little- oured socks. Some had no underwear. We had to child, Bottom middle: Comedian Don Burnstick, Bottom share. *audience laughter* But George Callihoo, Willie right: AFN Alberta Regional Chief Marlene Poitras Littlechild, Art Gingras, these guys are instrumental in bringing these rez dogs to the city and giving us the opportunity to play a game we loved. And unfortunate- ly some of our brothers have passed away.” He then introduced the River Cree drum group, who sang an honour song for INSPOL Alumni who have passed on. Mr. Lightning gave a prayer to bless the reunion and the dinner. Memorial and Plaque presentations were made to family members of past players, and to the Alumni present. Dr. Wilton Littlechild gave a presenta- tion with history and information about the journey to creating and participating in INSPOL. “It was a lot of work by a lot of people to get [them] started…. [he] was on my way to Russia on an exchange program” when he was called on to coach here at home. Dr. Lit- tlechild brought along memorabilia from his time as coach, including playing schedules, rosters, old articles, and a letter from Gary Bettman, Commisioner of the NHL to the INSPOL hockey alumni, which was received May 16, 2019, “You should know that each of you are an inspiration to the entire hockey world. Your ground- Top Right: Inez Lightning presenting a plaque and flow- ers to Mrs.