Posts By: Kelly Many Guns

First Nation Trail Blazer Inducted Into Soccer Hall Of Fame

Posted by on . -- NEWS, SPORTS

Xul-si-malt was a true pioneer, becoming one of the greatest soccer players of his generation. Xul-si-malt, also known by his English name Harry Manson, was born in 1879 on the Snuneymuxw First Nation. His brief but enduring legacy was that he played on all the premiere Nanaimo soccer teams and captained the Snuneymuxw Indian Wanderers. Local press during his soccer years acknowledges Manson as “one of the best players Nanaimo has produced.”

Harry "Xul-si-malt" Manson

Harry “Xul-si-malt” Manson

Robert Janning, author of the 2012 West Coast Reign, a book recalling British Columbia’s soccer past from 1892-1905, became aware of Manson and his place in history while writing his book. “When I consider the bigger pictures of Xul-si-malt, I see a First Nation man breaking segregating barriers at a time when structures such as the Indian Reserves and Residential Schools were being constructed,” Janning said. “Harry Manson just wanted to pursue his passion for soccer, and it did not matter to him whether he was playing with or against players from different backgrounds. It is therefore an undisputed fact that Harry broke the colour barriers in sport long before Jessie Owens and Jackie Robinson had been born.”

Xul-si-malt made his competitive debut on September 2, 1897 at the age of 18 captaining Snuneymuxw Indian Warriors against the Nanaimo Thistles. That game as described in Westcoast Reign was marred by heavy gale and torrents of rain, and ended in a 4-4 draw. The two teams also played each other in two closely contested games during the 1897-98 season, with Xul-si-malt making a huge impression in those matches. The Nanaimo Thistles would compete in the 1898 BC Challenge Cup and BC provincial championships but were compelled by player illness to make line-up changes. They hastily recruited Xul-si-malt, making him the first indigenous player to compete in the BC provincial championship. Xul-si-malt wasted no time by scoring the first goal five minutes into the game against Victoria YMCA.

Victoria went on to win both games and the provincial championships, but this series also marked the first time a First Nations player played on a Nanaimo soccer team. According to West Coast Reign this was during the time when mistreatment and public disrespect towards First Nations people was socially acceptable and common. An article in the Nanaimo Free Press, for example, reported that a Ladysmith fan cried “Kill the savages!” during a match between the two towns in 1907, at which Nanaimo fielded a team comprising both Europeans and Snuneymuxw players. The article went on to praise the hometown indigenous players, stating that “the savages are all masters in football art.” Janning noted that despite such open and prevalent racism, the Snuneymuxw players persisted in the pursuit of soccer glory.

In 1899, the Snuneymuxw players finally convinced the soccer hierarchy they were good enough to play against the best players in British Columbia when the Nanaimo Indian Wanderers AFC were officially recognized. That same year, Snuneymuxw played the Nanaimo Thistles in the provincial semifinals on December 16, 1899 in one of the most bitterly contested series the province had ever seen. In the first game, the Indian Wanderers tied the Thistles in a come-from-behind 3-3 draw at a cold rainy Nanaimo Cricket Grounds. In game 2, on New Years Day 1900, the Thistles took a controversial 3-2 win over the Indian Wanderers, where the Wanderers argued the validity of the winning goal. Even the 500 plus spectators believed the Indian Wanderers were justified in making their claim against the goal ruling, but in the end their protests were denied. In game 3, the Indian Wanderers took a 2-1 victory forcing another match. In game 4, the Indian Wanderers appeared headed for the series victory when the Thistles scored the equalizer, ending the game in a 1-1 draw. Finally on February 3, 1900, the Thistles would go on to win 6-1 and the provincial semifinals, claiming one of the longest and most controversial series seen to that date. In 1902, the Indian Wanderers would lose the Nanaimo City Championships 4-3 to the Nanaimo Athletics.

Nanaimo All-Stars was formed in 1903 to play in the provincials with team members chosen from the four local teams. Xul-si-malt was one of three indigenous players chosen from Snuneymuxw Indian reserve. The All-Stars easily shut out the Cowichan AFC in 2 straight games, with 8-0 goals against to advance into the provincial finals. The All-Stars would defeat the Esquimalt Garrison FC 4-0 to claim the provincials with Xul-si-malt, Louis Martin, and Joe Peters becoming the first indigenous players to become BC provincial champions.

In 1904, the Indian Wanderers proved their superiority defeating the Nanaimo Athletics, 4-0 proving their earlier season 4-3 win against the Athletics was no fluke. The Athletics’ loss was reflected with a mere 4-line sports review in the Nanaimo Free Press, and if that wasn’t bad enough, Xul-si-malt and his teammates had to wait 6 months later two receive their City Championship medals.

The Harry Manson Family at the Soccer Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Vaughn, Ontario, November 9th 2014.

The Harry Manson Family at the Soccer Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Vaughn, Ontario, November 9th 2014.

Xul-si-malt would go onto win many more soccer games with the Indian Wanderers and become one of the greatest soccer players of his time, even being scouted by European Teams. He developed into a fine baseball player as well, playing with the Nanaimo Reliance Baseball Club in 1906. He married Lucy Sampson, who gave him his only son, Adam. On February 10, 1912 at the age of 32, tragedy struck as he was killed by a train after walking into town getting medicine for his sick baby boy. The respect that was held for Xul-si-malt in the community was evident, as his death was given front page coverage in both the Nanaimo Daily Herald and Nanaimo Free Press.

“I believe the values of diversity and inclusivity that Xul-si-malt Harry Manson embraced set a wonderful example for today’s youth of the success that can be achieved,” Janning said. Adam Manson, Xul-si-malt’s great grandson says the Manson family was overwhelmed when they heard of the induction. “The emotions were high, and he deserves this great honour, and the family is proud of what Harry is bringing to the Manson name.” Adam Manson is an educational assistant at Stzuminus Community School and has kept the soccer legacy alive in the Manson family, as he is part of the soccer coaching school staff.

The 2014 Soccer Hall of Fame inducted Xul-si-malt in a ceremony held on November 9 in Vaughan, Ontario. The Friends of Harry Manson are looking for U-17 teams to compete in the Harry Manson Legacy soccer tournament on June 20, 2015.

Royal BC Museum Marks Remembrance Day With Series Of Events

Posted by on . -- ARTS, NEWS

Remembrance Day is a much respected and revered day of reflection at the Royal BC Museum, and for 2014 it’s all the more so, with the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War.

A series of special events and educational experiences, organized with the help of community partners, will help mark the occasion and explore how the First World War impacted British Columbia and its citizens.

Starting on Wednesday, Nov. 5, the Royal BC Museum will host a series of events to explore stories of the Great War through the emotive power of the written word and song. Most presentations will take place in Clifford Carl Hall and are free.

On November 5, Live @ Lunch: The Great War of 1914-1918: British Columbia Vignettes will feature Royal BC Museum Curator of History Lorne Hammond sharing stories on the contribution of British Columbians to the First World War and the conflict’s impact on our province. Event begins at noon.

That same evening, come out to the Royal BC Museum from 7 to 8 pm as a team of librarians and a Royal BC Museum curator speed review as many First World War-related books and films as they can during Booksmack at the Royal BC Museum.

The Community Speaker’s Series: World War 1 – A Local Perspective on Saturday, Nov. 8 will see a wide range of local experts speak to war, commemoration and remembrance from 1 to 3 pm.

Author Robert Taylor will kick off the series with The Ones Who Have to Pay: The Soldiers – Poets of Victoria, BC in the Great War, a look at poetry written by local soldiers and sent to Victoria newspapers and journals from the front lines, revealing some of the popular attitudes towards war, masculinity, the British Empire and the city a century ago.

Starting at 1:30 pm, military historian Paul Ferguson will take guests on a journey of commemoration with his talk, In That Distant Land: Touring the Great War. This discussion will assist those interested in visiting war sites of memory, from Tyne Cot to Vimy, Thiepval to Hill 60, Ypres and others.

A little known chapter of Victoria war history will be revealed by military historian and novelist Sidney Allison as he speaks on The Bantams: Victoria’s Unknown Soldiers at 2 pm. Among the 10 military units recruited in Victoria was the now virtually unknown 143rd Overseas Battalion, better known as the “Bantams” because the unit was made up of 700-odd men who were below the army’s minimum requirements for height. Learn more about the fate of this unit through Allison’s talk.

To finish off the Community Speaker’s Series, Victoria Genealogy Society Ambassador Joanne Barnard will present William Rochfort: A Victoria Architect Goes to War, following the path of Rochfort from renowned architect (he designed the Royal Theatre and the Royal Victoria Yacht Club clubhouse) to the theatre of war in Europe, and back home again.

Commemorations continue Sunday, Nov. 9 with Lest We Forget: A Musical Tribute to The Great War, featuring the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy as they play a musical tribute to the era of the First World War. This free performance is part of the Victoria Symphony’s “Lest We Forget” concert series.

On Remembrance Day itself, the Victoria Children’s Choir will visit the Royal BC Museum to perform music on themes of war and peace, including songs from the times of both World Wars, patriotic Canadian tunes and more recent compositions expressing the common desire for peace.

This award-winning choir, founded by Artistic Director Madeleine Humer, comprises about 50 talented singers aged eight to 17, known for their performances of wide-ranging repertoire both around Victoria and on tour. The choir will perform from 12:30 to 12:45 pm and from 1:45 to 2 pm.

Also performing that day will be the Story Theatre Company, which has teamed up with the Royal BC Museum to present The Call Goes Out, a collection of music, songs and poetry from the First World War era mixed with letters from the young men who travelled overseas to the trenches.

Both script and music have a British Columbian flair, through letters from the BC Archives written by local soldiers. This 30-minute presentation, running at 1 and 2:15 pm, brings back the efforts and sacrifices made by British Columbians. The Call Goes Out is an expression of our respect for those who answered it.

In addition to these events, the digitization and online publishing of 5,000 pages of letters and diaries from the BC Archives related to the First World War continues, allowing access to these important materials for all in British Columbia. This online component will also include a pilot crowd-sourced transcription project, one of the first of its kind in Canada.

For more information on these and other events please visit royalbcmuseum.bc.ca.

 

About the Royal BC Museum

The Royal BC Museum explores the province’s human history and natural history, advances new knowledge and understanding of BC, and provides a dynamic forum for discussion and a place for reflection. The museum and archives celebrate culture and history, telling the stories of BC in ways that enlighten, stimulate and inspire. Looking to the future, by 2017 the Royal BC Museum will be a refreshed, modern museum, extending its reach far beyond Victoria as a world-class cultural venue and repository of digital treasures.

 

Sodexo Canada Believes In Progressive Aboriginal Relations

Posted by on . -- BUSINESS

At a recent gala in Vancouver, the Canadian Council for the Aboriginal Business (CCAB) celebrated the Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) program, the first and only corporate responsibility assurance program in the world with an emphasis on Aboriginal relations. In 2014, the companies that have joined the PAR program has risen to 40. Companies joining PAR are given the option to commence at the committed level before certification.

Beginning in 2002, PAR has evolved into a online management and reporting program helping companies assess, plan, and develop Aboriginal goals and a certification program that confirms performance at the bronze, silver,or gold levels. Barry Telford, the new president of Sodexo Canada says Sodexo is proud of their PAR Gold certification status. “It is really a very important achievement for Sodexco as the PAR’s criteria goes hand-in-hand with Sodexo’s Quality of Life commitment to support community development and to improve the well-being as well as the performance of our partners,” Telford said. “It is important that we continue to ensure that our projects contribute to the advancement of Aboriginal People and to the economic, social, and environmental development of Aboriginal communities. This is absolutely fundamental in our approach.”

Certified companies promote their achievement with a PAR logo that signals to community market places, that they are good business partners, and are committed to prosperity in Aboriginal communities. The designation is supported by an independent, third party verification of company reports on outcomes and initiatives in the four key areas that matter most to Aboriginal communities: employment, community investment, business development, and community engagement, and a juried review by Aboriginal business people. JP Gladu, president and CEO of CCAB says he sincerely appreciates all the support Sodexo has given to CCAB over the years in their programs and events, as well as Sodexo’s efforts in advancing best practices in PAR. “There is no doubt under the new leadership of Barry Telford, Sodexo will continue to raise the bar in building Aboriginal business in Canada,” Gladu said.

Quality of life is central to the performance and growth of individuals and organizations. Working from this perspective, Sodexo has redefined how to best serve their clients complex needs. Sodexo’s clients come from a wide spectrum, which include corporate, education, healthcare, remotes sites, senior living, and sports and leisure segments. For the past 40 years, Sodexo Canada has been recognized as a strategic partner for clients. Sodexo is a market leader in Canada in terms of revenue and consumers served and has been recognized as a top employer for the past three consecutive years.

The key figures for Sodexo Canada is that they have 10,000 employees, and 1 million consumers served daily. Telford says, “Building partnerships with Aboriginal organizations and communities is tremendously important to Sodexo Canada. Those relationships are critical to our growth strategy and ongoing success. As a result, we invest significant resources to building and managing those relationships, including investing in our Aboriginal employees to ensure they grow and prosper within Sodexo.”

Sodexo has developed Aboriginal support roles within the company as well as an Aboriginal Employee Resource Group (NAAC) that provides cultural awareness training at their remote sites. Telford talked about some of the upcoming PAR initiatives. “In my new role as President of Sodexo, although you may not consider it new, but I want to bring a tremendous amount of support to some of the new initiatives that we introduced recently to ensure that the intended potential is realized. This would include a partnership with OneXOne that supports selected Aboriginal communities through a breakfast program in Quebec. We also provide scholarship support through the Foundation for Advancement of Aboriginal Youth (FAAY), and we have just introduced a new scholarship at Bow Valley College in Calgary specific to Aboriginal Addictions. These are important initiatives for us that I believe will have some very positive impacts.”

At the Vancouver Gala, CCAB awarded Mary Simon the 2014 Award of Excellence in Aboriginal relations. As Canada’s first Ambassador for Circumpolar Affairs, a lead negotiator for the creation of the Arctic Council, and former Canadian Ambassador to Denmark, Ms. Simon’s leadership is international in scope with northern interests at the heart of her extraordinary career. Telford says he’s impressed with the quality of what he sees in Canada’s Aboriginal business community. “At the last CCAB gala in Vancouver, I met some very strong and vibrant business leaders from a variety of Aboriginal communities. I was struck by their commitment and passion for what they were doing, as well as the plans they had for the future. Strong leadership can move businesses a long way. This may be another area where Sodexo can be of support as we continue to develop our relationship with selected Aboriginal businesses who become our suppliers. I strongly believe the future is very bright.”

JP Gladu shared his thoughts on the the current success of Aboriginal business.“The trajectory of Aboriginal business is substantial. Companies that are able to develop relationships with Aboriginal businesses and communities will see significant dividends for both the corporate sector and the communities they have partnered with.”

To find out more on current research on the state of Aboriginal business in Canada go to: https://www.ccab.com/research

MAÏNA, Is A Must See Movie

Posted by on . -- ARTS

maina

Actress Roseanne Supernault stars in MAÏNA

MAÏNA, a Union Pictures film produced by Canadian director Michele Poulette, has been creating quite the buzz with award winning accolades during its screening at festivals, including a world premiere at the Shanghai film festival.

The movie takes place prior to European contact and is about how two cultures meet: the Inuit and the Innu. The story follows a young Innu woman, Maina, portrayed by actress Roseanne Supernault, who sets out to rescue her young friend Nipka who has been captured by Inuit hunters. The Inuit hunters at first set out for a peaceful meeting with the Innu, but the meeting turns into a confrontation after one of the Innu tribe members becomes jealous over an Inuit hunter having eyes for Maina, whom the Innu man is hoping will be his wife. The Inuit hunters decide to capture the young boy (Nipka) as their hostage. Maina made a promise to Nipka’s dying mother that she will take care of her son and take him as her own son. Maina sets out to rescue little Nipka, and in the process becomes a hostage herself of the Inuit Hunters and in a strange twist of fate, falls in love. It is a raw look at the Inuit and Innu cultures and reveals the fear and the misconception those cultures have for one another. In the film, the Inuit believe that when the Innu have nothing to eat during the winter, they eat their children, but they soon find out they’re not very different from each other.

Poulette, says that he was introduced to MAÏNA by one of his colleagues and became obsessed for about two years trying to make this story into a movie. “Let’s make it clear: I always loved ‘popular movies,’ in the noble sense of it. I mean films where the storytelling is, so good that you keep the audience’s attention all the way through, and at the end, the audience falls for the character, keeps thinking about them during the weeks and then months later,” said Poulette. “So I had been introduced to MAÏNA by a producer friend who wanted to produce it. But the project didn’t fly for a while. And I realized I was already in love with this project and these characters. So I took an option and decided to start producing it (this is why I am also Executive producer). To do so, I involved the two groups.”

For the first time in Canadian film history, two Aboriginal communities, Innu First Nation from Mingan, Quebec and the Kuujjuaq Inuit people, financed this movie, which also premiered in both places. “These two chiefs, Chief Piétacho from Mingan and Leader Pita Aatami from Kuujjuaq, decided to do it because of their youth,” said Poulette. “They were witnessing their language and culture disappearing and wanted to do something about it.” Chief Piétacho said, “For the first time on the big screen, our population is looking at herself, speaking our own language.” Inuit Leader Pita Attami wanted to open his population to the world, and this movie was a great occasion to do so.

Poulette says that both communities are very happy with the results. “Best example happened after the Première in Kuujjuaq: three girls told us that they had been moved by what they saw. Seeing themselves on the screen was a real gift for them and a reason to be proud.” Poulette says that this is a part of their own story that only few persons know because most of the time the story is told from a European’s view. “We hired anthropologists, invited other peoples to listen to their comments, had cultural advisers on board; we had language coaches on set. Then we found the best location: Mingan Islands. I wanted to oppose the beauty of the nature on the ‘south part’ and oppose it to the icy desert of the north.”

Poulette’s decision to pick Roseanne Supernault for the lead role of Maina was the best choice he could have made. “It was pretty easy to direct Roseanne Supernault, and she had the whole movie on her shoulders, and she succeeded with grace. In fact, after a while I started calling her ‘Miss Emotions’ because after few seconds of discussion she was nailing down the scene. This was a real pleasure.” Supernault is from East Prairie Metis Settlement near High Prairie, Alberta and has worked on APTN’s series Blackstone, and played the lead role in “Rhymes For Young Ghouls,” which was featured as one of the Toronto International Film Festival’s Top 10 films. Most recently, she won Best Actress at the American Indian Film Festival for MAÏNA. “Maina is a very physical character, and I made sure to play her in a modern contemporary way. When I say this I mean I was hyper aware of what I had been given from the universe,” said Supernault. “I didn’t want this romanticized image that has been recycled and perpetuated in Hollywood. I didn’t want to do the same old song and dance; it has been done over and over again. I wanted people to see the humanity. I didn’t want that ‘noble savage’ bullshit or telling romanticized junk.”

Supernault says she thinks why the film turned out the way it did because Aboriginal people were on board from start to finish working with the director. “I am so glad Michel Poulette was authentic to our people. He approached Inuit and the Innu people and asked them, ‘Do you want to fund this film project.’ I mean, its not rocket science. We had cultural advisers throughout the shoot of the film; it was awesome. Nobody is doing this, and I think it’s groundbreaking in that sense.” She saw her character Maina as someone who had deep cultural resonance and the only reason why she is going do something is because her spirit guide was presenting it to her. Supernault saw the humour and toughness in Maina, and she wanted that part of her character to be seen also, aside from her commitment to rescue and save Nipki.

Uapeshkuss Thernish is the young Innu actor who plays Nipki, and veteran actors Graham Greene and Tantoo Cardinal are in supporting roles as Mania’s parents, the Chief Mishtenapeu and the spiritual medicine woman Tekahera. Supernault says that working with Cardinal and Graham was a great artistic experience, and she learned a lot through both actors. “I’ve known Tantoo for about three years, and we’ve been in a couple projects together. She is actually a mentor of mine. Tekahera is this very powerful woman, and I have to say when they cast Tantoo, they made the right choice. Graham taught me so many tricks of the trade that I wasn’t aware of; he’s old school, very grounded and creative, a hands-on present actor, and professional.” She said that Greene brings a dynamic to each scene that wouldn’t be there if he wasn’t cast. “There were so many times that he went above and beyond as an actor and pushed the story along, and I absorbed that. He showed me how not to have an ego, how to stay out of the way, and how sometimes your creativity is necessary to push the film along. Having Graham on board was instrumental in pushing the film to the finish line.”

MAÏNA is currently on its western Canadian release at select theatres and will be featured at the Adaka Cultural Film Festival in Whitehorse, Yukon from June 27 to July 3.

Screening Dates

  • The Globe Cinema – Calgary, AB – June 7-13
  • Regina Rainbow Art Cinema – Regina, SK – June 13-19
  • Magic Lantern, Saskatoon Roxy – Saskatoon, SK – June 13-19
  • Summer Solstice Aboriginal Festival – Ottawa, ON – June 20-21
  • Kamloops, BC – June 20 – 27
  • Kelowna, BC – June 20 – 27
  • Edmonton (Clareview), AB – June 20 – 27
  • Country Hills, Calgary, AB – June 20 – 27
  • Whitby, ON – June 20 – 27
  • Mississauga, ON – June 20 – 27
  • Kanata, ON – June 20 – 27
  • Sidney Stars Cinema – Sidney, BC – July 4-11
  • Adaka Cultural Film Festival – Whitehorse, YK – June 27-July 3
  • Fort McMurray, AB – (weekend special screening) – TBD
  • Brandon, MB – (weekend special screening) – TBD
  • Whitehorse, YK – (weekend special screening)– TBD

Please check www.unionpictures.ca/maina for an up to date list of screenings.

Leaving Their Legacy: 2014 Indspire Awards

Posted by on . -- ARTS

Inez Jasper

Inez Jasper – performing closing number “Dancing on the Run.’

Winnipeg’s Centennial Concert Hall was the venue for the 2014 Indspire Awards, and once again Jennifer Podemski produced another fine gala. This years “Legacy” theme offered excellent performers and presenters. With a stunning stage backdrop, Sagkeeng’s Finest backed by Asham Stompers opened the show with their traditional blend of jigging mixed with modern tap styles that allowed three young First Nations men to win the 2013 Canada’s Got Talent. This years hosts, Tina Keeper and Kyle Nobess, added a comedic touch to the night’s festivities.

One of the night’s surprises was a performance by former NHL player and Stanley Cup Champion Theoren Fleury who took the stage to sing lead with his new country rock band. It was odd to watch this hockey player turned author/figure skater (Battle of the Blades)/motivational speaker belt out a tune wearing a fedora hat and red and black get-up, but we can’t knock a guy for trying out hidden talents. Also on the list of performers was comedian Don Burnstick, solo artist Beatrice Love, classic rock and R&B artist George Leach, and rounding out the evening was an uplifting closing number by Inez Jasper with her hip hop song “Dancing on the Run.” But the night’s real highlight was seeing 14 recipients earn the respect and adoration of the Indpsire Awards.

First Nations Drum had the chance to talk to some of the recipients including Mary Spencer and Charlie Snow Shoe. “I am extremely honoured to get the Inspire Award,” Spencer said. “I can honestly say that I’m speechless at this point for this incredible recognition.” Spencer was heavily favoured to win the first gold medal in women’s boxing at the 2012 Summer Olympics but came away without a medal. She shared her thoughts on the experience and her plans for the future and another olympics in 2016. “I always liked the sport, and when it came time to try boxing out, I fell in love with it immediately. I was 16-years-old, and entered my first competition at 17-years-old, and I knew I wanted to pursue it and see how far I could take myself in this sport.” There was intense pre-Olympic media attention, including a cover of Time Magazine and a commercial for Covergirl. Media articles called her “a gold medal favourite,” and she says, “I felt the same way. I felt I was and should be the gold medal winner. Plus it was the first time women’s boxing was in the Olympics; for every woman in the competition, it was a new experience.”

In her first fight, Spencer faced a Chinese fighter she had beaten twice previously. “I had gotten the draw, and if I was going to win that fight, I would have definitely been an Olympic medalist. It was a new experience, but I was not mentally prepared to be on such a big stage, and had no idea I would have sleepless nights leading up to the fight. I never had experienced that before,” she admits. “At the previous World Championships, I slept like a baby, but at the Olympics, you don’t understand the magnitude until you’re actually there. I was not prepared to handle not being able to sleep for a couple nights. Sometimes you don’t expect your body to react to stress and anxiety the way mine did at the olympics, and I couldn’t get my rhythm; nothing was working the way it normally does, and it really threw me off and for a loop.”

Spencer said that what she’ll take away from that experience is not dwelling on the negative and just move on and staying positive. “I do speaking engagements and use that money to fund my amateur boxing career. To be honest, the professional boxing circuit for women is not as lucrative as people may think, but I love my amateur status because I get to compete at national, world championships, and the Olympics—that to me is exciting. Being an amateur, I’ve been able to rack up 150 fights over the past 12 years.” Future competitions include a competition in Poland, World Championships in the fall, Pan Am Games in 2015 and the Olympics in 2016.

Charlie Snow Shoe was being recognized for his lifelong work in protecting the environment including his Gwich’in Tribal lands and the Dene traditional territories. “You know, in the 1960’s we were absolutely nothing to the government, and I want to share this story on my introduction into oil and gas,” Mr. Snowshoe said. “Where I come from, people lived off the land; they’d trap and fish, and the only time we’d go into town was for Christmas and New Years. My in-laws had a camp about 35 miles from Fort McPherson, and I had my traps there. People in those days would honour one another and never bother your traps. One night, I was really puzzled on what was going on in the distance as I saw smoke not to far from my traps, so I went up and I asked what was going on; they said they were doing seismic work looking for oil and gas. Well I’d never heard or seen this and really wasn’t all that sure about all this back then. Well for about three summers they were there, and I even worked there for one summer. One summer after work I met a guy—a former tribal councillor—and he asked me, ‘Are you just coming back from work?’ and I told him ‘Yeah, I work for oil and gas, cutting the trees for them.’ He told me that they we’re poisoning the land and it should be stopped. Well since then, I stopped working for oil and gas, and now almost all my life I have been working to keep our lands protected and healthy.”

Mr. Snow Shoe is a role model for all Aboriginal people in his unswerving commitment to protecting and preserving the environment. He has been actively involved with the band office in his home community of Tetlit Gwich’in, as well as for the Dene Nation, the Gwich’in Nation, and his hometown of Fort McPherson. He is currently fighting for the Peel River Watershed, which he believes should not be mined and should be preserved. The Peel River runs through Fort McPherson.

When asked about his thoughts on the Northern Gateway Pipeline, he responded, “No good! Look at all the spills that are happening. We have so many spills in Northern Alberta that are not being reported; they may report one or two. But now look what happened before Christmas: billions of litres spilled into the Peace River. So who’s crazy enough to think that the pipeline is the right way? For us people, it’s not; for the business people, it is. You know they like the dollar sign. They don’t worry about the land or worry about us, and they’re killing everything on the land.”

Other recipients includedJames Eetoolook (Lifetime Achievement), Kent Monkman (Arts), Marie Delorme (Business & Commerce), Maggie Paul (Culture & Heritage), Rita Bouvier (Education), Dr. Evan Adams (Health), Marion Meadmore (Law & Justice), Grand Chief Stewart Phillips for his work in politics, Robert Watts (Public Service), and among youth there were three recipients: John Jeddor of Miawpukek First Nation, Sarah Arngna’naaq of Inuit, NT, and Christie Lavallee, a Metis from Manitoba.

The Inspire Awards have been held annually since 1993, recognizing 14 Indigenous professionals and youth who demonstrate outstanding achievement and serve as invaluable models for Indigenous people. Nomination for the 2015 Indpsire Awards are now open; those awards will be handed out at the Jubilee Auditorium in Calgary, Alberta.

Newly Elected Chief Wants More Representation For Dene Tha’

Posted by on . -- NEWS

Joe Pastion, Dene Tha’ First Nation Chief

Joe Pastion, Dene Tha’ First Nation Chief

Members of The Dene Tha’ First Nation recently elected Joe Pastion as their new chief and expect him to represent them in more decision making over the next four years. At 40-years-old, Pastion is one of youngest elected Dene Tha’ chiefs but says the timing was right to run for election. “I was going to run in the last election, but decided it wasn’t the right time,” Pastion said. “I will bring my experience in economic development to the leadership as well as involving the community in decisions that will directly affect them.”

Pastion says he will continue implementing yearly up-front accountability that drives Dene Tha First Nation toward progress into the future, and he hopes to involve the community in investments. Other programs that will continue include projects that began at Bistcho Lake this year at archeological digs to get the children and youth involved in their traditions. “I want our leaders to emphasize our Dene culture and traditions because our history and roots are so important, and the programs that began this year at Bistcho Lake are a step in that direction,” said Pastion.

The Bistcho Lake project was initiated by Dene Tha’ First Nations from northern Alberta and managed by Director of Education for Dene Tha’ Perry Molton and Marc Stevenson, Project Main Archaeologist. Archaeologists from Taiga Archaeology Ltd. were invited to participate in the unique project this summer. Project goals were directed at getting high school students from the local Dene Tha’ communities interested in their own history and land and involve them in archaeological surveys conducted in nearby areas. The project also brought in elders to share information about local history and traditional sites, and they participated in a research survey to find archaeological sites indicating the significance and importance of Dene Tha’ lands in this part of the province.

In early July 2013, project manager Marc Stevenson, along with Perry Molton and Grzegorz Kwiecien, conducted archaeological surveys from boats along the shore of the lake. Several historic sites and settlements (including Jackfish Point and Indian Cabins at the southeastern portion of the lake) were surveyed, in addition to several traditional use areas and three precontact archaeological sites (two on the north side and one on the south side). One of the sites on the northeastern shore yielded a projectile point made of quartzite that could be associated with Taltheilei Shale Tradition. This tradition is considered ancestral to Dene people. Another site yielded a chithos (a large hide-working tool), and on the south side they found a multifunctional tool made of chert; they call it a “prehistoric Swiss Army knife.”

The archeologists learned from Dene Tha’ elder William Yatchotay about the Dene Tha’ history of the Bistcho Lake. The information and stories provided by William and other elders during the course of the project gave them an opportunity to understand the rich and interesting lives of Dene Tha’ in the area and how they coped and lived in this beautiful land.

A second trip for the project was conducted in August, 2013. The archaeological reconnaissance was concentrated around the Hay and Meander River and the community of Meander River. Again Taiga archaeologists along with Marc Stevenson, Perry Molton, and the students from the Meander and Bushe communities conducted the survey. The major focus was in areas near the community of Meander River. Two precontact archaeological sites were recorded, and locations of old Meander settlements on the west side of the Hay River were also visited. One of the precontact sites was of a major importance. Shovel testing programs conducted at the reserve with students from Meander and Bushe reserves revealed a stratified site located on the floodplain at the junction of the two major rivers that spans a long period of time, going back to precontact times with numerous artifacts from all periods.

Participating students learned how to excavate shovel tests, record information, clean and catalogue the artifacts, but more importantly, they discovered their own past first hand in the material remains left possibly by their own ancestors and were able to reconnect with their own cultural heritage.

The last part of this project was also conducted at Bistcho Lake. In the first days, Taiga archaeologists conducted tests at Indians Cabins and Jackfish Point locations. Both areas revealed large, precontact campsites of high archaeological significance, particularly at Jackfish Point where historic traces of the old settlement were found above the remains of the prehistoric campsites. One special find at this site was a small side-notched projectile point (arrowhead). This very small artifact, crudely made of chert, could be a toy arrowhead, which is a rare find.
The project initiated by the First Nation of Dene Tha’ was one of the first of its kind in northern Alberta and unique in the way it involved youth (with the presence of elders) from the Chateh, Bushe, and Meander communities to reconnect them with their own past and heritage and showed them how old, interesting, and rich it was. Preliminary archaeological research was conducted in areas never or rarely investigated and gave another opportunity for the Dene Tha’ to show how strong their ties are to this land and its past, providing an opportunity to shed new light on the prehistory of this part of Alberta and the great archaeological potential of the area for the future.

Bistcho Lake: Canada’s Last Frontier

Posted by on . -- NEWS

Bistcho Lake photo Kelly Many Guns

After spending a few days in this remote area located on the north western corner of Alberta, one can see why the Dene Tha’ people call Bistcho Lake “the last frontier.” Perry Moulton, Director of Education for the Dene Tha’ First Nation (DTFN) included Bistcho Lake in the “Science and Culture on the Land Project,” part of the five-year Dene Tha’ Education Plan. “This is the second trip we’ve made to the lake with the original intent to educate the children and youth,” Moulton said. “What better way but to show them this pristine and undisturbed area that is the traditional territory of the Dene Tha’ people.”

On Monday September 16, 2013, representatives from Taiga Archaeology, Dene Tha Community School, North Peace Tribal Council, University of Alberta (U of A), and a writer of the First Nations Drum were invited by the DTFN on a three-day trip to Bistcho Lake to examine and explore new areas surveyed this past summer, review the wolverine research project, and continue more archaeological digs. The U of A and the DTFN are working together on the wolverine research project starting this winter, and U of A is hoping to assist the Dene Tha’ in conducting an environmental monitoring project on their traditional lands.

The geologists and biologists are there to research and explore Bistcho, but as experts with the environment, they are also assisting with education ideas that could make the lake an important virtual tool for many generations to come. They also share similar goals and interests with the Dene Tha’ people: protecting the land and environment.

Greg Kwiecien, geologist for Taiga Archeology, says this project is unique for DTFN because students have the opportunity to see where their ancestors once lived and are able to embrace their culture and history. “When we first came on the first trip, I was so impressed to see the kids take such an active interest in the archeological digs on their traditional lands,” Kwiecien said. “It is so unique and exciting on so many levels, not only for the children and youth learning of their culture, but for us as well, because we’ve found artifacts that could well date at least a thousand years.” In their first trip, archeologists found an artifact they called a “prehistoric swiss-army knife,” and on this second trip they found more artifacts including an arrowhead, which will be examined to determine its age.

Kwiecien said he hoped this project would prove that potential developers must take extreme caution on the DTFN lands of Jack Fish Point and Bistcho, including the entire area around the lake. “We are impressed with their chief and councillors because they’re taking matters into their own hands and sharing their history and lands with us, and as archeologists, this is an opportunity we are grateful for,” Kwiecien said. “We are discovering a lot of interesting finds on the digs, and this place needs to be protected so that everyone can enjoy this area at its most natural state.”

Surrounded by the lake’s natural beauty, the boat ride to the backwaters or tributary was a serene moment. As we drifted around one corner, we could barely see cabins in the distance. Once we got off the boats and walked up the riverbank, we could see the Dene Tha’s old log cabin village, also known as Bistcho Lake Indian Reserve #213. As we walked through the abandon village, one could imagine a time when the area bustled with activity: Dene Tha’ men fishing, women skinning or cooking outdoors, children eating cranberries and playing, running from cabin to cabin. But why did the Dene Tha people leave this beautiful area tucked behind the great Lake?

Harry Metacat is Dene Tha’ and one of two elders who accompanied the group on this trip. He recounted stories about growing up in the log cabin village and swimming in the lake. “We did everything on our own here. It was a tough life, but we didn’t know it was tough because that’s all we knew,” Metacat said. “But we all moved away from here when people got sick.” In the 1930s and early 1940s, the Dene Tha’ people began moving away from from Bistcho Lake because of a major flu outbreak that devastated the area. A lot of the people died, including Metacat’s Father who passed away in 1942. The group visited and paid their respects to the “spirit houses” or Dene Kih Kohoanh. These houses are placed on the grave in a ceremony one year after the actual burial. Archeologists were able to dig in the area and found artifacts that proved people had been living in the area for a long time.

Day two included a visit to Jack Fish Point and the discovery of an arrowhead by Ashley Dixon of Taiga Archeology. “We are just amazed at all the finds we’re discovering,” Dixon said. “It sometimes takes an archeologist years to dig up a find, but here we’ve been finding so many objects, and it’s exciting to know there is a lot of history here, and we want to discover that.”

arrowhead

With every artifact collected, the group shared ideas that could benefit the DTFN education plan. Matt Munson, DTFN lands and environment director, shared his idea that all the areas could be included in a Google map website. “There are so many education possibilities here that we can do with artifacts that are being discovered,” said Munson. “We can create pop-up interactive sites for kids to locate key areas of the Dene Tha land.” For example, if a student wanted to see where the “swiss army knife” was found, they could click a link to open a Google map, and it would include information describing what the tool was used for and how old it is. The log cabin village could also be included in the educational virtual tour of Dene Tha Traditional lands.

arrowhead_dig

Great education ideas that would benefit the culture and traditions of the Dene Tha people, the archaeological discoveries, the wolverine research project, and the discovery of this beautiful Canadian frontier would not have been possible without the invitation from the DTFN people. In future issues First Nations Drum will feature the Five-Year Dene Tha’ Education Plan and look at their management areas, including Culture & Education, Social & Health, Economic Development, and future developments that could affect the environment of Bistcho Lake and the Dene Tha’ people. Bistcho Lake covers about 415 kilometres and is the third largest lake in the province. It is one of the only large lake in North America that is pristine and free of any contaminants of human development.

First Nations Man Recieves Winnipeg Bus Operator Of The Year

Posted by on . -- BUSINESS

Bob-spence_busdriver-of-year

Last month, Bob Spence from Peguis First Nation became the first Aboriginal man to receive the Winnipeg Transit 2012 Bus Operator of the Year Award. Bob has over 29 years of service as a Bus Operator and has received the Operator of the Month Award on two other occasions.

The award is based on service record, attendance, and accomodation, and Bob has shown his true dedication since first starting with Winnipeg Transit back in 1984. “Bob has demonstrated that Aboriginal people can not only succeed but also excel as Bus Operators with Winnipeg Transit,” said Darrell Sais, Assistant Human Resources Coordinator. “He is a great role model for other Aboriginal people, including those in your readership, and he has proven that we as Aboriginal people can have very successful careers with Winnipeg Transit and the City of Winnipeg as a whole.” Darrell says he remembers how Bob welcomed him into the Winnipeg Transit family when he started his career as a Bus Operator. “He continues to be a very positive role model for me and others at Winnipeg Transit. I can only hope one day that I will be as well respected as Bob within our organization!”

At 25-years-old, Bob was referred by a friend to apply for the Core Interior Training Program with the City of Winnipeg, a program geared to recruit and employ Aboriginal people. He began training as a bus operator, and within two years was driving regular bus routes in the city. Bob said that of the eight First Nations trainees that started with him back in 1984, about four remained with winnipeg Transit and the rest either left or changed their careers. “I really like this job, and I encourage younger Aboriginal people to consider Bus Operator as a career. The benefits are good, and the pay is good as well,” Bob said. “I am very honoured to recieve this award, and I am quite happy that I stayed with Winnipeg Transit—30 years this June.”

Over the years Bob, would get his fair share of observations by Aboriginal transit users, but all positive comments. “They usually would say it is nice to see a First Nations bus operator and there should be more Aboriginal bus operators,” Bob said. “Winnipeg has the highest Aboriginal urban population in Canada, and in my opinion, there aren’t any First Nations considering bus operators as a career.”

In 2013, Winnipeg Tranist will be hiring over 100 Bus Operators, and to date, 50 new Bus Operators have been hired. “However, it is disappointing to see very few Aboriginal people apply for this position, and we hope you will share our thinking that an article in First Nations Drum on Bob’s success will help spread the word about the great careers opportunities that are waiting for Aboriginal people at Winnipeg Transit,” said Darrel. “We really believe that having more Aboriginal people in Winnipeg Transit careers will benefit the entire city of Winnipeg.”

GMANWOLF: Ready to take on the world

Posted by on . -- ARTS, NEWS

Gmanwolf includes 17-year-old founder/producer/rapper WolfMan (AKA Galveston Barnaby), 20-year-old rapper Waldo (AKA Dustin Isaac), and 18-year-old rapper Static Kane (AKA Brandon Wysote)

Indigenous hip-hop trio Gmanwolf includes 17-year-old founder/producer/rapper WolfMan (AKA Galveston Barnaby), 20-year-old rapper Waldo (AKA Dustin Isaac), and 18-year-old rapper Static Kane (AKA Brandon Wysote). Living on the Listuguj First Nation in Quebec, Gmanwolf turned to music as a constructive way of dealing with the daily challenges of life on the reservation. After honing their musical skills through constant writing and recording since 2008, the group recorded “All We Need Is Change” in 2012, which instantly resonated with their community. The positive yet realistic lyrics encourage community members to choose music and education as a healthy outlet and turn away from drugs.

Through their efforts to make a difference in their First Nation by inspiring youth to be drug-free, ambitious, and hard-working, the trio caught the attention of Canadian news network CBC, which published a feature on Gmanwolf titled “Northern Rappers Use Music To Spread Positive Message.” This national coverage immediately put them on the Revolution Harmony radar, as the group’s meaningful and hopeful lyrics were in perfect alignment with the label’s ethos. Revolution Harmony approached Gmanwolf in June 2012 and has been working behind-the-scenes with them ever since.

After their flagship track “All We Need Is Change” was chosen as the debut single, it grew into an international recording project, with live instruments performed by Stefan Loh (We Claimed Sentience Once) in Bristol, UK and vocals recorded at Gmanwolf Productions in Listuguj, Canada. Mixing/mastering was done by Rohan Onraet (Shakira, Robbie Williams, etc.) in London, UK.

“All We Need Is Change” music Video, buy the single on iTunes here.

Gmanwolf founder WolfMan says that signing to Revolution Harmony was a very big step in their music career, but they weren’t going to celebrate yet. “As this is only the beginning, ‘All We Need Is Change.’ This song is dedicated to everyone living these real-life struggles that most other people only read about in the news but happens every day right here in our community. We thought that making a song about things that matter will hopefully inspire those who are in the same boat as us to stay focused and work hard. The ‘Idle No More’ movement is helping all people across Canada, and that was the goal for this song, too. Even though we rap about us First Nations, ‘All We Need Is Change’ is actually for anyone going through a difficult time who needs change.”

Revolution Harmony founder Ray Holroyd talked about signing Gmanwolf: “The discovery of these young, positive, talented, and focused First Nations rappers is definitely one of my most meaningful and exciting A&R finds to date. I’ve actually been working closely with Gmanwolf for about nine months now, so I’m monumentally honoured and proud to finally unveil them to the world.” He continues about the role of Gmanwolf in the ‘Idle No More’ movement. “It’s vital to engage the Native youth in the revolution in order to ensure its longevity and eventual success, and the constructive approach that Gmanwolf raps about has already inspired their Listuguj community, and with the worldwide release of ‘All We Need Is Change,’ we hope to take their message from the east coast right across Canada to the west coast and far beyond. And, this anthemic debut single is only the first step of their journey, as Gmanwolf is now idle no more!”

Gmanwolf plans to release their first EP this July and looks forward to hitting the road as soon as they can find the right agent and manager. “We’ve played three gigs so far: on our rez, the Gesgapegiag First Nation, and the Prismatic Festival in Halifax, Nova Scotia, which is Canada’s premier festival for new works by culturally diverse artists,” said the WolfMan. “We are getting a lot of positive feedback from the audiences we’ve played so far, and people tell us to ‘follow our dreams,’ which of course we are!”

Both Wolfman and Static Cane are still in high school, while Waldo just got employment. You can follow Gmanwolf Productions on their Facebook page and Twitter (@Gmanwolf) or listen to their music video on the Revolution Harmony website.