December - Siksika Nation

FREE
VOLUME 24Issue 12
(Nis-taai-kisom) DECEMBER 2015
SIKSIKA EVACUEES
BLOCKADE NEW
NEIGHBORHOOD
Siksika member brings
home gold from World
Indigenous Games
Page 5
Siksika Outreach students
learn mediation skills
Page 3
photo by Wade Healy
photo by Wade Healy
Siksika Language App
launched
page 8
On November 4 Siksika residents affected by the Flood gather off highway 842 to the entrance to the new
Crowfoot Community in Cluny to block access by heavy equipment. Protesters demanded to know how relief money
is being spent and why evacuees were not consulted adequately on the location of the new development,
which they claim is unsuitable for their new homes
104.7 fm CFXX - The Nation’s Station
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BROADCASTING LIVE FROM THE 2015 SIKSIKA NATION FAIR
Natoka (2)
Aitsiniki - Siksika Nation’s Newspaper
December 2015
Flood-weary Siksika residents fight to be heard
marking his 16th day of living in his teepee
not far from his temporary trailer home. “This
A cold wind blows across the treeless issue is not over.”
prairie landscape, its sharp bite sending
The issue Crow Chief refers to centres on
even the hardy reserve dogs scrambling the new developments for him and his fellow
for cover. Inside Ben Crow Chief’s teepee, flood victims at Siksika, but it also highlights
though, the harsh elements are kept at bay long-simmering tensions between the floodthanks to a raging fire in its epicentre.
weary residents and the administration
“It’s my little getaway,” says the
42-year-old with a smile as he stokes
the fire, its smoke escaping through
an opening at its roof. It’s also his
line in the sand, this conical structure
that keeps its inhabitants warm in
winter, cool in summer. Located just off
Alberta highway 842 at a Texas gate, it
is perfectly situated for him to monitor
the goings-on just a few metres south.
“That’s where they started the
digging,” says Crow Chief, pointing to
the hill-sized mounds of dirt on land
belonging to the Siksika Nation. “We
didn’t know it was going to happen until
one day trucks just started showing
up.”
The presence of those trucks earlier
this fall upset Crow Chief, whose home
on the second largest reserve land
in Canada — its more than 75,000
hectares found just an hour’s drive
photo by Wade Healy
east of Calgary — was destroyed in
the 2013 Alberta flood. It also upset
Siksika members upset with decision making and financial
many of the approximately 800 reserve
management gather to protest the location of the new
members who lived in the 167 houses
Crowfoot Community
deemed unfit for habitation after the
flood waters rushed in at a brutal 5,000 representing them.
cubic metres per second.
“The chief said there has been a lack
In early November, close to 100 of them of communication, but it is their lack of
joined Crow Chief for a protest and blockade communication that has caused problems,”
lasting several days, using their bodies says Crow Chief, a father of six and
to close the passage for the vehicles and grandfather of eight. “People have been
workers trying to access the site.
coming to me telling of their hardships, how
On Thursday afternoon, the drumming, they’ve been mistreated.”
singing and placard waving of just a week
The root of this latest dispute can be
earlier is gone. The absence of trucks found, says Crow Chief, in an earlier decision
or human activity around those mounds to dismiss community representatives that
marked by surveyors’ orange tapes is the were working with the band administration.
only evidence, at least for now, that their Crow Chief, who says residents chose
blockade had an impact.
three locations as suitable, adds that the
“It may look like I’m all alone, but people current location for a 44-house subdivision
come all day long,” says Crow Chief, who is
By Valerie Fortney, Calgary Herald, published on November
20, 2015 last updated November 20, 2015 5:51 PM MST
A PRAYER
Creator
Help Us
To Listen
To be kind to one another
To try hard
To be honest
To be spiritual
Hear Us, Creator
Have pity on your Children
They are in need
Grant us safety
Help us raise our families
So that they may live long lives.
ATSIMOIHKAN
Ayo Apistotoki
Ispomokinnaan
Nahkayistsiyisinnaan
Nahkaikimoatsiyisinnaan
Nahkayikakimahsinnaan
Nahkokamotohisnnaan
Nahkawatoyiitaksinnaan
Ohtokinnaan, Apistotoki
Kimmis Kokosiks
Iksikmmatapsiya
Kaamotaani
Niistawatsimaani
Naapiio Sinii
is the last place he and his fellow displaced
reserve members would have chosen.
“It’s gumbo,” says Crow Chief, who
circulated a petition in October to demand
answers, of the soil on that site. “It makes
foundations crack, it’s a slough.” He says
Chief Vincent Yellow Old Woman and his
team have not been transparent with where
the flood money —$80 million was
provided by government — has been
going.
As he speaks, Sidney Owl Child and
his wife Albertine Red Gun arrive to
check in on Crow Chief.
“We’re like Bennie, we have nothing
left to lose,” says the outspoken Owl
Child, 48. “We wanted to be on the hill
overlooking our old homes — none of us
wanted this location. Instead, they took
our reps away, they took our monthly
newsletter away.”
Owl Child says that a recent meeting
between the chief and residents didn’t
provide much information, or relief
— despite an article on Nov. 18 in the
Strathmore Standard that had the band
proclaiming the blockade was removed
and the issues resolved.
Three evacuees, according to the
news report, will be chosen to sit on the
Siksika Rebuild Steering Committee,
which is responsible for the housing
rebuild.
An in-person request Thursday for more
detail from Chief Yellow Old Woman or
one of his representatives at the Siksika
Nation Tribal administration office, as
well as e-mail requests on Friday, went
unanswered.
For residents like Crow Chief, even though
the band administration thinks all has
been resolved, he and his fellow residents
say there are still too many unanswered
questions and not enough proof that they
will indeed get a say in their future.
“We’ve not been given a voice,” he says,
getting up to stoke the fire in the teepee he’ll
call home for as long as it takes. “We have
no choice but to fight to have that voice.”
http://calgaryherald.com/opinion/columnists/fortney-floodweary-siksika-residents-fight-to-be-heard
AITSINIKI
Siksika Nation’s Newspaper
Wade Healy – Media Coordinator
Carly Weasel Child- Communications Officer
Sam Bear Chief– Office Administrator
Siksika Media publishes on a monthly basis to the Siksika Nation
Contact us: P.O. Box 1490 Siksika, Alberta, T0J-3W0
1-800-551-5724 ext. 5339 (403) 734-5340 - fax (403) 734-5497
email: mediaoa@siksikanation.com
www.siksikamedia.ca
Subscription rate: $20 for 6 months, $40 for one-year
Make cheque or Money Order payable to: Siksika Media
Please send us your name and current mailing address
Freelance Articles and Letters to the Editors are subject to editing for
brevity, clarity, and accuracy. Anonymous letters will NOT be published.
Aitsiniki is protected by copyright and may not be reprinted without written consent.
ANONYMOUS LETTERS TO THE EDITOR WILL NOT BE PUBLISHED.
visit www.siksikanation.com for the latest council news, flood updates and internet broadcasts of Rolling Thunder Radio 104.7 fm
Nis-taai-kisom
Aitsiniki - Siksika Nation’s Newspaper
Niokska (3)
AISKAPIMOHKIIKS CONFLICT MANAGER TRAINING
Siksika Justice Manager was instrumental in securing funding so
The ‘Aiskapimohkiiks Agency’ is Siksika Nation’s Traditional that this type of training can be offered to students.
Dispute Resolution Program, which has been operating since 2003
On December 8, 2015 the following Siksika Nation Outreach
and has dealt with over 600 cases being brought to successful students completed the training, which included a mini-graduation
resolution.
ceremony attended by Chief Vincent Yellow Old Woman and
Siksika Nation is the only
Bruce Dobbin – Outreach School
First Nation that has a program
Principal. The students were
Photo by Wade Healy
of this type in Canada and
Natasha Many Heads, Edna
continues to expand its goal
Many Heads, Skylar Crane,
to bring “Pomiikapi” (Peace
Nolan Sleigh, Drake Calf Robe,
and Harmony) to Siksika
Breanna Breaker, Jack Running
Nation members. Through its
Rabbit, Gerard Leather, Melissa
traditional mediation services,
Raweater, Jules Old Woman,
Aiskapimohkiiks in the last two
Kenneth Calf Robe and Cheyanne
years has offered mediation
Red Gun.
training (Conflict Manager
Aiskapimohkiiks
Justice
Training) to all K-12 schools
Workers Lenny Calf Robe and
in Siksika including; Crowfoot
Stacie Calf Robe can be reached
School, Chief Old Sun School,
at 403-734-3841 for any Siksika
Siksika High School and now
Nation
members
requiring
has just completed training for
information and assistance to
Siksika Outreach School.
resolve any kind of dispute.
The mediation training is
Take
Note:
Siksika
delivered in 8 hours in an
Justice
Department
through
Siksika Nation Outreach students hold a mini graduation December 3 for
abbreviated format to have
Aiskapimohkiiks will be offering a
students that completed a mediation workshop hosted by Aiskapimohkiiks
students gain knowledge and
“Community Mediation Training”
skills to assist in resolving
which consists of 3 – 3 day sets
disputes between fellow students. The students themselves also to complete 9 days of training towards being a certified mediator.
gain an understanding of conflict and how to help resolve them in There will be a course fee for participants although Siksika Justice
other situations.
is looking at assisting community members who are not employed
Francis (Butch) Wolfleg and JoAnne Yellowhorse delivered the to be able to take the training. You can contact Dyan Breaker training along with assistance from Aiskapimohkiiks Staff Justice Siksika Justice Manager (403-734-5123) in the New Year to get
Workers Lenny Calf Robe and Stacie Calf Robe. Dyan Breaker, updates and information about the training schedule.
By Francis ‘Butch’ Wolf Leg
SIKSIKA NATION DISABILITY SERVICES
know what to say”, or some other excuse. our event. We had special speakers who
Christmas is a special time with family and People with disabilities do not ask for gifts or encouraged our community to keep persons
friends. We celebrate the birth of Jesus. It is anything, they would be happy just knowing with disabilities included in our activities and
a time for feasts,
to promote inclusion
with all your
within the schools and
favorite foods,
community.
and for giving
Our keynote speaker
and
receiving
was Robbi Robinson
gifts
wrapped
who is a Siksika
in pretty paper.
parent of a child with
There are so
a disability; and she
many things to
shared her experiences
do throughout
of advocating for people
this time; we go
with disabilities with the
to our traditional
audience. Robbi is the
dances usually
current president for
hosted
by
Inclusion Siksika, which
societies; young
is a new organization
people go to
of parents who are
movies and visit
strong advocates for
friends, some go
their children. Inclusion
sliding (if there
Siksika is a branch
is snow), or you
of Inclusion Alberta
can just enjoy
formerly known as
the comforts of
Alberta
Association
Siksika
Disability
clients
and
family
gather
at
SRDL
Dec
3
for
thier
annual
Christmas
Dinner
home and relax
for Community Living.
with a good book
Our senior manager,
and snacks.
you took time out of your busy schedule to Floria Duck Chief read the Proclamation
For so many people with disabilities, spend time with them. It has been said that, for International Day for Persons with
Christmas can be a very lonely time “Loneliness is the only real disability.” So Disabilities, which was endorsed by our
because they are isolated in their homes, or this year put this on your, “Things-To-Do” Councillor Warren D. Chief.
are confined in institutions; away from family list. I guarantee, you’ll be glad you did.
Thank you to all the people who came
and friends who have somehow forgotten
On December 3, we celebrated out to celebrate this important day. From
them. I encourage you to take an hour or the International Day for Persons with our staff and clients, we wish you all a Merry
two and spend time with someone who Disabilities, throughout the world, as well as Christmas and a Happy New Year.
would love company. Too often we say “I’m here in Siksika. The Alberta Premiers Council
tired” or “I’ll visit another time” or “ I don’t for Persons with Disabilities sponsored
By Kathleen McHugh - Disability Director
visit www.siksikanation.com for the latest council news, flood updates and internet broadcasts of Rolling Thunder Radio 104.7 fm
Nisowo (4)
Aitsiniki - Siksika Nation’s Newspaper
Nis-taai-kisom
Canada launches inquiry into murdered and missing indigenous women
Justin Trudeau promises ‘total renewal’ of relationship with
“You have made a great start in changing the narrative, prime
aboriginal people with investigation of nearly 1,200 murders minister. You have reached out your hand as a treaty partner in
and disappearances in three decades
a respectful way,” said AFN national chief Perry Bellegarde in his
By Jessica Murphy – The Guardian
morning address.
Canada’s government has launched a long-awaited national
“We are hopeful, we are optimistic, let’s get to work.”
inquiry into the murder or disappearance of hundreds of indigenous http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/08/canada-40m-inquiry-violence-indigenouswomen, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised a “total renewal” women-justin-trudeau
of the country’s relationship with its aboriginal population.
Speaking to an Assembly of First Nations (AFN) special chiefs
gathering in Gatineau, Québec, the Liberal leader announced that
his government had begun the process to create the inquiry into the
nearly 1,200 indigenous women and girls who have been murdered
or who have gone missing in Canada over the past three decades.
Activists, aboriginal leadership and many victims’ families have
been calling for a national inquiry for more than five years – a
move which was resisted by Trudeau’s conservative predecessor,
Stephen Harper.
“The victims deserve justice, their families an opportunity to
heal and to be heard,” said Trudeau. “We must work together to
put an end to this ongoing tragedy.” Justice Minister Jody WilsonRaybould said that over the next two months the government will
consult victims’ families and Aboriginal leaders to gather their views
on the design, scope and parameters of the full inquiry, expected to
begin sometime next spring.
“No inquiry can undo what happened nor can it restore what was
lost, but it can help us find a way forward,” she said.
Claudette Commanda, an Algonquin First Nations member and
activist who was invited to Tuesday’s announcement, called it a
“historical event”.
“It is time to hear their voices, it is time for justice,” she said. The
first phase will also include an online component with background
information, a survey and discussion guide accessible to all
Canadians.
Indigenous women make up just 4% of Canada’s female
Siksika members gather November 26 at the community centre in
population but 16% of all women murdered in the country. First
support of the inquiry into the Murdered and Missing Indigenous
Nations, Inuit and Metis women are three times more likely to report
Women in Canada
experiencing violence.
Indigenous affairs minister Carolyn Bennett said the national
inquiry will “take as long as it takes to get it right” and that no official
budget has yet been set.
The Liberals had pledged $40m over two years in their campaign
platform for the project.
Bennett said the end goal of the inquiry “is to be able to find
concrete action that will be able to stop this national tragedy”. But
Mag Cywink, whose sister Sonya was killed in 1994, said she
wanted to see the government take action.
“An inquiry can never bring my sister back. I just don’t want this to
happen to my nieces, to my grandchildren and great-grandchildren,”
she said. Cywink also wants all levels of government to look at past
inquiries – the 1996, 4,000-page Royal Commission on Aboriginal
Peoples, the 2012 British Columbia Missing Women Commission
of Inquiry, the recent Truth and Reconciliation report, and work by
grassroots organizations – and to begin implementing the hundreds
or recommendations already put forward but never applied.
“A lot of the homework has already been done, a lot of the
answers are out there, a lot of the questions have been answered
about what’s wrong and what’s causing these kinds of problems,”
she said.
Trudeau, whose landslide victory in October was helped in part
by a record number of First Nations voters, promised earlier on
Tuesday to reset the country’s relationship with Canada’s 1.4 million
indigenous peoples.
Speaking to an Assembly of First Nations (AFN) special
chiefs gathering in Gatineau, Québec, the Liberal leader said his
government would work to develop a new kind of relationship: “One
that understands that constitutionally guaranteed rights are not an
inconvenience but a sacred obligation, one based on recognition of
rights, respect, cooperation and partnership.”
Trudeau has made big promises on the Aboriginal file on everything
from water and housing to education, funding and infrastructure –
pledges that, if implemented, will help address issues like rampant
poverty and homelessness that make aboriginal women more
vulnerable to deadly violence.
The high expectations from the AFN and its members were on
display Tuesday morning.
Treat Your
Hands &
Feet to the
“Ultimate”
Mani/Pedi
only $45
We are now OPEN in downtown
Strathmore in beside Rocky’s Bakery
Call us today at 403-983-0778
visit www.siksikanation.com for the latest council news, flood updates and internet broadcasts of Rolling Thunder Radio 104.7 fm
December 2015
Aitsiniki - Siksika Nation’s Newspaper
Nisito (5)
Siksika Launches Landmark Health Survey to Combat Information Poverty
By Brent Scout (Contributor)
Calgary - First Nations people
experience information poverty
due to a lack of data on the health
status of First Nations peoples.
In order to close information
gaps and health outcomes, the
Alberta First Nations Information
Governance Centre (AFNIGC)
has launched Phase 3 of the
national First Nations Regional
Health Survey (RHS) on the
Siksika Nation.
RHS Phase 3 is being
conducted in 250 First Nations
communities across the country
and is the latest version of the
landmark survey process, which
was established in 1997 as
a means of collecting muchneeded information about the
living conditions of First Nations
people on reserve. It has become
recognized as an establishment
of reliable, quality data about
First Nation communities and
is a go-to source of information
for First Nations, researchers,
academics, and government
stakeholders.
Chief Vincent Yellow Old
Woman believes information
management should be “better
managed” to ensure First
Nations lead the way for our
peoples. “Not what government
thinks we need, it’s what we need
to close gaps and determine
our own paths - together with
government and stakeholders.”
“We
need
complete
ownership, control, access and
possession of all our data so
that we can drive policy and be
the ones to lead any change,”
says Yellow Old Woman. “Data
and ethical research practices
are key for First Nations to make
meaningful change and to plan
accordingly based on our own
values, principles and beliefs.
We need to continue to build
capacity and be innovative in our
respective approaches. Without
strong Data we are very much
like a sail boat with no sails.”
The role of the AFNIGC is
to help facilitate the exercise
of First Nations’ right to selfdetermination,
jurisdiction
in research and information
management. Mandated and
accountable to Alberta Chiefs,
the AFNIGC is delegated to
protect the Ownership, Control,
Access
and
Possession
(OCAPÔ) of First Nations data,
information
and
traditional
knowledge.
The
AFNIGC
acknowledges that information
collected - by First Nations
people for First Nations - is key to
making good decisions that can
positively benefit the health and
well-being of our communities.
“When we break the cycle of
information poverty, we begin
the cycle of progress with our
voice,” says Mrs. Bonnie Healy,
Operations Manager for the
AFNIGC. “Western models
of management in health
information systems provide little
opportunity for cultural relevancy
or
culturally
appropriate
methods of knowledge transfer
in our communities. Problems
have arisen when analysis is
derived from a differing set of
values, ethics, methodology
and reporting of outcomes, such
as inappropriate selection of
health indicators that are not the
priority and are not inclusive of
First Nations culture, priorities,
or worldviews.”
In previous reports, RHS
participants identified a number
of health care barriers that
include the inability to cover
childcare
costs,
difficulty
arranging and paying for
transportation costs, excessive
wait times, inadequate and
culturally inappropriate care,
difficulty finding practitioners
and NIHB denials.
Almost 60% of First Nations
adults reported having lived
outside of their community at
some point in their lives, which
makes way for jurisdictional
struggles in health coverage.
Very clearly, this factor presents
a challenge in terms of
continuity of care and expands
the need for the development of
electronic health records within
First Nations communities.
Data collected from previous
RHS surveys has influenced
and informed program and
policy development in a number
of health programs, including
the Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative
and the Aboriginal Head Start
Program (additionally, Alberta
Chiefs are working on accessing
First Nations Identifiers at the
regional level for the purposes
of effective health surveillance
information).
“As data drives policy and
information is power, we work
with leadership and communities
to eliminate information poverty
and create new approaches to
develop “ethical space” so that
safe research practices and rules
of engagement are established
to assist and strengthen First
Nations’ voices,” says Mrs.
Healy.
A final report on Phase 3 is
planned for 2018.
Victory Rally Held for Gold Medalist Rilee Many Bears
By Carly Weasel Child
After winning gold in the 8K race at the
inaugural World Indigenous Games held
in Palmas, Brazil, Siksika’s own Rilee
Many Bears was honored at the Deerfoot
Sportsplex November 6.
Siksika Health Services, Chief and
Council, former coaches, Nation member
students, Elders, friends, family, and
community members were all in attendance
to congratulate Many Bears on his historical
victory.
Tyler White, CEO of Siksika Health
Services, has been following and supporting
Many Bears on his journey so far.
“We’ve been there since the start; we
were there for him for his high school events
and training regiments and we will continue
to support him as he moves forward,” said
White.
Siksika Health Services is one of the
foremost supporters of Siksika athletes
when it comes to their dreams of glory.
However, White believes Many Bears, as
well as other outstanding athletes pave the
way to success on their own.
White says one of the major ways Health
Services helps local athletes is by giving
them the recognition they’ve earned.
“We were talking about hosting an event
and acknowledging Rilee and getting all the
supporters here, so I’m glad it happened. We
got a majority of sponsors, leadership, and
supporters to come out from the community;
especially seeing the young kids from the
schools and that’s one of the most important
things is that the youth get to see such a
positive thing with all the issues of addiction,
suicide, family violence, all those things out
there,” said White. He added that Siksika
that a lot of people are helping me achieve
my goals and I want to thank them from the
bottom of my heart.”
Many Bears grew up facing struggles
and pain, but he used those experiences as
inspiration during his training. He hopes to
inspire others to continue to reach their goals.
He believes overcoming life’s struggles will
help other aspiring athletes not to give up.
“No matter what, how painful it is at home
with the struggles of poverty, addictions; I
came from that background, growing up not
having things. I like to encourage them to
keep striving for their goals no matter what.
That’s how I got my motivation; from not
photo by Carly Weasel Child
having the things that I wanted, but I made
8K gold medalist Rilee Many Bears celebrates them happen,” said Many Bears.
Doralynn McMaster, Many Bears’ aunt
his victory with the community November 4
who has taken him in as her own, cannot
has a number of youth achieving exceptional be more proud of her nephew on his major
recognition. For example, Trygve Many accomplishment. McMaster is pleased with
Guns in hockey, Malaya Bruno in basketball, how he has excelled as a role model, as
and Shawn Calf Robe in rodeo.
he has a number of younger siblings and
“We’re seeing all these great things cousins looking up to him.
happen with our people out there and we
“He has tried so hard to maintain that
need to support them and invest in our youth. image. He sends out a strong message
We need to have these positive messages to the youth and he definitely shows that
for all the youth out there and for the future determination.” For other parents and young
generations.”
athletes, McMaster says family support is
Many Bears expressed his gratitude to very important.
those in attendance with a sincere speech.
“For us as a family to see all this support,
The rally was held just days after his return it’s so huge. My message for families and
from Brazil. He said he appreciates all the youth out there is that when you know you
support he received from his supporters.
have the support you need, you can go a
“Right now it’s kind of unreal. It’s amazing long way.”
visit www.siksikanation.com for the latest council news, flood updates and internet broadcasts of Rolling Thunder Radio 104.7 fm
Aitsiniki - Siksika Nation’s Newspaper
Noi (6)
photo by Carly Weasel Child
December 2015
photo by Carly Weasel Child
The winning team of the Remembrance Day Volleyball Tournament (L-R)
Angus Jerry, Ziggy Good Eagle, LD Duck Chief, JD Black, Kassie Good
Eagle, Andrea Lagrelle, and Adrienne Lagrelle
2016 Calgary Stampede Indian Village Princess Vannessa Stiffarm
Owl Dances with her grandfather at the SBOE Pow Wow
photo by Carly Weasel Child
The annual Treaty 7 Handgame tournament was held at the Siksika Nation High School December 2. Each year a different Treaty 7
school hosts the traditional guessing game tournament and this year was Siksika Nation High School’s turn
photo by Carly Weasel Child
photo by Carly Weasel Child
Karen Kuntz speaks to the audience during the Family and Domestic Violence
Workshop at the Siksika Community Centre November 25
Cota Big Snake dances a mean chicken
photo by Carly Weasel Child
Siksika Farmers and Livestock Producers Information session at SRDL
Nov. 20 with University of Alberta agricultural instructor Edward Bork
photo by Carly Weasel Child
The mother of Janel Squirrel-Three Suns joins the Sikska supporters of
the Missing and Murdered Indigeneous Women in Canada movement
visit www.siksikanation.com for the latest council news, flood updates and internet broadcasts of Rolling Thunder Radio 104.7 fm
Nis-taai-kisom
Aitsiniki - Siksika Nation’s Newspaper
Ihkitsika (7)
photo by Sam Bear Chief
Annabelle Solway (L), a Siksika evacuee greets TM Romeo Crowchief at the Dec. 9
evacuee meeting at the Siksika Community Centre where community representatives
were elected to sit on various committees for the Flood Relief efforts
Siksika Evacuees met with Siksika Recovery Management
Team to discuss the NTNs Dec 9 at the community centre
photo by Carly Weasel Child
Gold medalist in the 8K at the World Indigenous Games Rilee
Many Bears shows off the hardware during his victory rally
photo by Carly Weasel Child
(L - R) Elder Clarence Leather, Councilor Barry Yellowfly, Chief Vincent Yellow Old
Woman and Rueben “Buck” Breaker give their opening remarks for the kick off to
this year’s National Addictions Awareness Week November 17
photo by Carly Weasel Child
Community members and students walked through Siksika’s notorious, ‘Happy Valley’
Novermber 17 to the Community Centre during the Annual National Addictions Awareness Week Sobriety Walk. They said a prayer for their loved ones affected by addictions
photo by Carly Weasel Child
Alicia Maguire (R) crowns Mikayla Ridesthegreyhorse (L) as the
new 2016 Siksika Nation High School Princess
photo by Carly Weasel Child
The Siksika Board of Education celebrated staff with five or more years experience with an honor dance
at the SBOE Pow wow held November 7 at the Gordon Yellowfly Memorial Arbor
visit www.siksikanation.com for the latest council news, flood updates and internet broadcasts of Rolling Thunder Radio 104.7 fm
Nanisowo (8)
Aitsiniki - Siksika Nation’s Newspaper
Nis-taai-kisom
Siksika Blackfoot App Launched
by Carly Weasel Child
The brand new Siksika Blackfoot
Language App was recently released for
mobile devices and it features interactive
audio, video, and text resources. Siksika
Board of Education and Old Sun Community
College collaborated with Thorton Media Inc.
to produce the software available to those
interested in the Blackfoot language and
culture, or to those who want to reinforce
what they already know. The long awaited
production took five months to develop and
has already received a number of positive
reviews.
Project Coordinator Vivian Ayoungman
(Siipiisai’pia’ki) said the entire language
App team worked and researched for
months to ensure the product was clear and
specific. The app features 29 categories
of phrases, an audio dictionary, historical
photos, educational videos, sign language
tutorials, traditional stories, and quizzes to
test your ability to speak, read, and to listen
to the Blackfoot language; all of which are
transcribed in both Blackfoot and English.
In comparison to other language apps,
the Blackfoot app is different from other
apps because of its heavily detailed material
said Ayoungman.
“Other Nations have developed apps, but
they would have a picture and just the title.
We describe the photo, wrote it in Blackfoot
and English, and put a lot of research in
each photo.” Another difference is that the
app costs $10 on iTunes where as other
apps are free of charge.
“We charge a fee because Old Sun
Community College doesn’t receive a
lot of funding so we have to be creative
to find resourcing somewhere,” said Dr.
Ayoungman. “We also continue to collect
material as people are giving us feedback
and we’re going to use that to update the
app, enhance it, and embellish it. The price
is not much when you think about it, it’s like
going out and buying a pow wow cd. I have a
little niece who loves to listen and fall asleep
to the lullabies.”
Kent Ayoungman (Kayiihtsipimiohkitopi)
was in charge of providing and restoring
photos for every single phrase and song
featured in the app as well as adding
his own historical knowledge. Thorough
research was conducted to provide photos
of historical events such as the Sundance,
Tobacco Dance, and the Okaan (annual
Sundance).
Ayoungman has worked for museums
locally, nationally, and internationally and
feels that the hard work put into the app has
been rewarding thus far.
“That time is gone where it’s, “wrong”
to be Indian. Now we’re allowed to talk to
our people about us being us,” said Kent
Ayoungman. The only challenge he found in
the production was taking the specific photos
that had to depict the certain phrase, which
meant taking over 500 photos. The positive
side was that it gave him the opportunity to
reach out to the community to get involved
by asking school students, elders, family
members, and Siksika knowledge keepers.
“We wanted our own people on it because
it would make a stronger impact on our
people, we didn’t want to be generic. It’s
for our people to educate them on who we
really are. Also the app is worldwide for nonBlackfoot people so they too can understand
who we are.”
Siksika member, Valene Sitting Eagle,
mother of two has found the app to be very
helpful not only for her, but for her family as
well.
“My son is on it all the time on his iPad,
he’s starting to know more Blackfoot than
me,” said Sitting Eagle.
The inclusion of community members
throughout the app is also very special
to Sitting Eagle. The late elder, Florence
Backfat, Sitting Eagle’s relative was featured
in the dialogue and photo portion and feels
that it’s nice for her son to see and hear his
great-grandmother whenever he wants to.
Along with plans to update the app in the
near future, Dr. Ayoungman and the rest of
the app team hope to educate the Siksika
members for future generations.
“The objective of all of this work is that
we want to give people an opportunity to
hear the language. It took a lot of work but
it’s a service to the community and to the
Blackfoot language speakers.” You can
download the app now for $10 on iTunes by
searching ‘Siksika Blackfoot’.
On behalf of our precious son, husband, brother and children, Carla/mom,
Bella/wife, Meryl, Jim, niece Shadessa, nephews Carlin and Kane, Aniko and
Taylor we would like to thank the many family and friends who were there for us
in his last few days and provided so much support at the wake and funeral: God
is good. Rev. Margaret Waterchief family, Josephine Saddleback family, Adrian
and Cheryl Solway family on behalf of Aniko, Rev. Larry Waterchief - Services
and prayers and so much more, Thom’s funeral home Peter Lougheed staff at
Emergency and I.C.U, Siksika E.M.T
Monetary donations: Chief and Council, Dr. Deb Crowfoot, Waylon
Waterchief, Virginia Red Crow, Romeo C.C and Morris Running Rabbit.
Food/lunches: KFC - Margaret, Wesley, Beryl and Elders Lodge, Bren
L.L, Gaylene E.S and parents, O.S.C.C, Ira and Lydia, Bertina, Jennifer R.C
(Warren), Bruce Morrison (Stacy’s boss), Mitch and Delores, Fritze Woods,
Bradford M.S., Stephanie W.C, Josie C.K, Lillian/Ann Marie and Daphne C.C,
Crisis Unit, Cheryl S, Community Wellness.
Music: Danny Stimson (also P.A system), Joni B.O.M, Geraldine R.G,
Armond D.C, NDN (Lanny Boy n Tag), Shadessa Carla Marie.
Music and Power Point/lap top and projector: Mary Anne and Kali, Lydia,
Stephanie and all those that donated pictures. Clean Up: White Buffalo (both
days) Jacey and Joel Whitney - Pendleton blankets, Lisa B.S. complimentary
embroidery.
Flowers, cards, texts, inboxes, f. B messages - too many to mention. 150
detailed ribbons - Nieces and aunties, Bren L.L
Feast Preparation - Uncle Francis’s and Uncle Mario’s daughters Gaylene
came to the family mtg. and was a huge help volunteering for different areas.
Relatives from Piikani: Auntie Kathy, Jenny S, Uncle Mills, Auntie
Jacqueline, C.J, Rodney BB (hosp), Uncle Tom, Auntie Joanne YH and Waylon,
Cousin Diane and Steven, Kelly and Jane S.
The family Mom, Uncle Larry, Ray, Ernest, Lorelee, Ira/Lydia, Gina/Jeff, Gina
F//Lance, Wes, Leandra/Boyce, Beryl, Shane/Melanie, Tracy and children were
there 24/7. The family regrets anybody we may have forgotten. God bless.
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December 2015
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Piihkso (9)
Throne speech promises new tone, tax cut and turning point for First Nations
By Kathleen Harris, CBC News
The Liberal government has promised
a new tone for Parliament in a throne
speech that sets an “ambitious” agenda of
tax cuts for the middle class, a more robust
peacekeeping role and a new health-care
deal with the provinces.
THe 15-minute address, titled “Making
Real Change Happen,” also commits to
building a new relationship between Canada
and First Nations based on respect and a
recognition of rights.
The speech, delivered in the Senate
chamber
by
Gov.
Gen.
David
Johnston, presented in broad strokes the
government’s plans and priorities for the
42nd Parliament.
As an “immediate priority,” the government
will deliver a tax cut “for the middle class.”
“This is the fair thing to do, and the smart
thing to do for Canada’s economy,” Johnston
read from the speech.
The address also promised a better future
for Canada by being “smart and caring on a
scale as never before.”
“The times we live in demand nothing
less,” Johnston read. The promise to
renew, nation-to-nation, the relationship
with Indigenous Peoples comes with
commitments to improve education,
to launch an inquiry into missing and
murdered indigenous women and girls, and
to implement recommendations from the
Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The throne speech also promised to
usher in a new tone for Parliament, which
has been marred by partisan bickering in
recent years.
“In this Parliament, all members will be
honoured, respected and heard, wherever
they sit,” Johnston said. “For here, in these
chambers, the voices of all Canadians
matter.”
The throne speech promised to renew
Canada’s commitment to United Nations
peacekeeping operations and to work with
allies to fight terrorism. It also pledged to
invest in building a “leaner, more agile,
better-equipped military.”
‘Big government and big spending’
Interim Conservative Leader Rona
Ambrose
expressed
disappointment
that there was no mention of agriculture,
energy or the private sector.
“What we’ve seen from this speech from
the throne is nothing less than big government
and big spending, which we know will result
in higher taxes for Canadians,” she said.
Canadian Taxpayers Federation director
Aaron Wudrick agreed the Liberal to-do list
will come with a hefty price tag.
“They’ve made a lot of big promises and
the government will be hard pressed to find a
way to pay for them all,” he said in a release.
NDP Leader Tom Mulcair said he was
“thrilled” by the commitment to restore
relations with First Nations. But overall he
called it a “thin” speech with a disappointing
lack of commitment to lower the retirement
age and to restore door-to-door mail delivery.
“There’s no mention of new oversight
provisions for C-51. And, frankly, I was
shocked that there’s not a single reference
to child care in the whole throne speech.”
Minister of Indigenous and Northern
Affairs Carolyn Bennett said the new
Parliament marks a turning point for relations
with First Nations, which will be built on
respect and partnership.
“We’ve learned that top-down, barking
orders doesn’t work,” she told CBC News.
David Charette, a multi-disciplinary artist
originally from the Wikwemikong Unceded
Reserve on Manitoulin Island in Ontario,
performed an indigenous honour song for
Johnston and his wife, Sharon, and Prime
Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife, Sophie
Grégoire-Trudeau, as well as other members
of the vice-regal party.
The party was also greeted in the Hall
of Honour by new Canadians, Syrian
refugees and youth from two elementary
schools.http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/
throne-speech-liberal-trudeau-1.3350618
Trudeau lays out plan to reset Canada’s relationship with fn people
5-point plan includes a national inquiry into
missing and murdered indigenous women
By Susana Mas, CBC News Posted: Dec 08, 2015
5:00 AM
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau laid out his
plan to reset Canada’s relationship with its
indigenous people during his address to a
group of First Nations leaders in Gatineau,
Que. December 8.
“It is time for a renewed, nation-to-nation
relationship with First Nations peoples, one
that understands that the constitutionally
guaranteed rights of First Nations in
Canada are not an inconvenience but
rather a sacred obligation,” said Trudeau to
hundreds of chiefs and other First Nations
delegates at the annual three-day gathering
organized by the Assembly of First Nations.
“We will conduct a full review of
the legislation unilaterally imposed on
indigenous peoples by the previous
government,” said the prime minister, his
speech garnering applause.
“Where measures are found to be in
conflict with your rights,” said Trudeau,
“where they are inconsistent with the
principles of good governance, or where
they simply make no public policy sense,
we will rescind them.”
Trudeau also said his government would
make significant investments in education
and lift the two per cent cap on funding for
First Nations programs, beginning with the
first budget of 2016.
“As you know, that limit has been in place
for nearly 20 years,” Trudeau said “It hasn’t
kept up with the demographic realities of
your communities, nor the actual costs of
program delivery.
“It’s time for a new fiscal relationship with
First Nations that gives your communities
sufficient, predictable and sustained
funding.”
The prime minister said his government
would
immediately
move
on
the
five promises the Liberals made during the
recent election campaign:
1Launch a national public inquiry into
missing and murdered indigenous
women.
2Make significant investments in First
Nations education.
3Lift the two per cent cap on funding for
First Nations programs.
4Implement all 94 recommendations
flowing from the Truth and
Reconciliation Commission.
5Repeal all legislation unilaterally imposed
on indigenous people by the previous
government.
“These are just five of the commitments
we’ve made as part of our efforts to
repair this most important relationship,”
Trudeau said in the address to First Nations
leaders on Tuesday.
Trudeau said a process to launch a
national public inquiry into missing and
murdered indigenous women is already
underway, and that three of his ministers
would provide an update later.
“We have made this inquiry a priority for
our government because those touched
by this national tragedy have waited long
enough. The victims deserve justice, their
families an opportunity to be heard and to
heal.”
Interim Conservative Leader Rona
Ambrose said she supports the inquiry
— a departure from the position of the
Conservatives under Stephen Harper, who
rebuffed growing calls for a national inquiry,
saying the government action on crime
precluded the need for further studies.
NDP Leader Tom Mulcair, who had
wanted to launch an inquiry within 100 days
if his party formed government, has said he
will continue to support a full national inquiry
into murdered and missing indigenous
women.
Trudeau will also meet with the AFN and
four other national aboriginal organizations
when the Truth and Reconciliation
Commission presents its final report
into the history and legacy of Canada’s
residential school system on Dec. 15 in
Ottawa.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/
justin-trudeau-afn-indigenous-aboriginalpeople-1.3354747
Justin Trudeau meets with Siksika Claims Manager
Joe Weasel Child in this 2012 photo
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
December 2015
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iis ta to si
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Nitsikopoto (11)
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Natsikopoto
(12)
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Nis-taai-kisom
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