Please Recycle Me
SHIFTING FOCUS TO FIRST NATIONS ISSUES
First Nations issues gain more attention as Federal election wears on. Above is the Sisters in Spirit walk in Saskatoon, October 4. More on page 11.
As the Federal election closes in on its final couple of weeks, Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde continues to make a big push towards more focus on First Nations issues and priorities with regards to the election. On October 7th, 2015, The AFN held an all-day Open Forum on First Nations and the Federal Election at Enoch Cree Nation, Alberta. Hundreds of First Nation leaders and citizens gathered to discuss priorities, inform voters and mobilize the vote. NDP Leader Tom Mulcair, representatives from the Liberal Party of Canada and the Green Party spoke to their parties’ approaches to First Nations priorities and took questions to engage directly with First Nations participants. “First Nations priorities are Canada’s pri-
First Nations Communities and Their Historical Roots.
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orities and must be addressed in this federal election campaign,” said AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde at the AFN Open Forum. “We are holding this Forum to pressure all parties to set out their vision and their commitments to First Nations and to engage with us in real dialogue. We are telling every party leader and every MP now and in the future that they must listen to our voices and work with us to close the gap in the quality of life between First Nations people and Canadians because our people matter, our priorities matter and our votes matter. The human and economic costs to maintaining the gap that exists between our peoples and the rest of Canada are detrimental to all of us. Investments must be made now. When First Nations win, we all win.” At the forum, NDP leader Tom Mulcair
Communities Walk in Remembrance of MMIW.
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launched the NDP Indigenous platform, committing to a Nation-to-Nation relationship with First Nations, and a list of other commitments which included action and investments to address the national crisis of murdered and missing Indigenous women (MMIW). The Liberal party has also stated they would immediately launch a national public inquiry into MMIW. The National Chief remained non-partisan saying “I will work with whoever gets elected on October 19th.” Earlier in September, National Chief Bellegarde released Closing the Gap: 2015 Federal Election Priorities for First Nations and Canada which set out a plan and vision for change to strengthen First Nations and Canada. The plan is available on the AFN website at: http://www.afn. ca/uploads/files/closing-the-gap.pdf •
Assembly of First Nations Voter Information.
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Photo: Treaty 4 News
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Nations—the biggest challenge is to get past the rhetoric and propaganda it seems. That’s not to say that the content within the rhetoric, or even the propaganda, is not of merit. One has to pay attention to be able to discern if a candidate for office has substance and to what depth, beyond the rhetoric. The onus is then on the voters to do their homework on the candidate seeking their vote to determine not only what they promise or what they say they represent, but a voter should be able to see a resume or a track record of some kind. If one still can’t decide, then it will probably come down to something as simple as personal likes or dislikes of a candidate’s style, how they present themselves, how they deliver a
speech, how they appear in public, and how they handled themselves in the debates. This may be fortunate –or unfortunate—for some candidates. Whatever you do, don’t let internet memes decide your vote for you— a few words posted on a picture on someone’s Facebook timeline isn’t a credible source of information. This Federal election is October 19, with advanced polls from October 9 - 12, 2015. I personally am encouraged by the interest First Nations and Métis people have taken in this election. Unfortunately the mainstream has been relatively silent on Aboriginal issues. It’s also encouraging that we Indigenous people are not allowing that to deter us from making ourselves heard. Everyone, from those on social media to political or-
ganizations such as the Assembly of First Nations, community activists, and many individuals, should be applauded for their efforts in helping our voices be heard. Regardless of which party wins, I’m sure that many will be relieved when the election is over. And we can only pray that our Great White Chief (to paraphrase Robbie Robertson) in Ottawa will have compassion for all Canadians: Indigenous and non-Indigenous. Until then, be sure to vote on October 19, 2015!
mate translation to Wahkotowin. Genealogy is the study of family lineages and or descent by parentage. This is one of the cornerstones of Cree culture and thought. Traditionally people did not address each other by names, instead they would call each other by how they are related, such as “Hey Neschas! (male cousin on mother’s side) Where you off to?” It is Malcom Andrews of Poundmaker First Nation a way of showing respect to each other, especially to someone who is older than you. Very often when strangby Floyd P. Favel ers meet, they ask questions of family, searching for how or in which way they may perCOMMUNITY TALK haps be related or related to some Wahkotowin is a Cree word one they know. This is most importhat informs us of how we are related, tant when young people start to get “Genealogy” is the closest approxi- interested in each other.
Wahkotowin is one of the primary laws of the Cree, set in place during the creation of the first human beings with the admonition and warning from the Creator, to never break Wahkotowin. This is not unique amongst the Crees however. The Cheyenne Prophet, Sweet Medicine came down, long ago, from his vision on Bear Butte in present-day South Dakota. He brought with him some important sacred laws, one of which was similar to Wahkotowin. Sweet Medicine stressed that human beings should never break this law and to respect it. We can say then that Wahkotowin is a sacred law. Other First Nations across North America, Ministik, have clans and totems that keep people aware of how they are related to each other and the importance of these boundaries for the health and benefit of their nations. Malcolm Andrews of Poundmaker First Nation, a former band councillor and currently a heavy equipment operator, in his spare time has made an intensive study of Genealogy, or Wahkotowin, which in his definition means “being related by blood, adoption or ceremonially.” He adds that “It is very important that our young people know the ways and also to distinguish the
differences.” There are many reasons he states as to why Genealogy or Wahkotowin is important and there are many reasons why some people may delve into the past, including: to validate family stories; to find out if they are related to someone famous; to gain a better understanding of an ancestor’s involvement in a famous historical event, such as the “Battle of Cut Knife Hill” on Poundmaker; to trace medical conditions; to trace family inheritance; to trace land ownership or land use on First Nations; to find birth parents and trace parentage of an adoptee for example; or alternatively, to find someone given up for adoption; to determine paternity; and most importantly, to document a community history by understanding the families that founded and influenced the community. Malcolm has received much encouragement from his community members on his research and efforts and recently Chief Wayne Semaganis requested that an information session be held in Little Pine on this topic, all with the purpose to strengthen and uplift community members. •
Editorial by Armand LaPlante
The more I observe political campaigns, regardless of what jurisdiction—Federal, Provincial, Municipal, and even First
Wahkotowin: Communities Look Into Genealogy
Indigenous Times News Box 280 Cochin, Saskatchewan S0M-0L0 Editor: Armand LaPlante editor@indigenoustimes.ca website: www.indigenoustimes.ca Advertising: sales@indigenoustimes.ca phone: 306-955-0109
The editorial policy of this newspaper is determined by an editorial committee established by Indigenous Times. We invite submissions, upcoming events, comments, and opinions. Please submit them with your name, address, telephone number or e-mail. The expressions and/or opinions of authors published in the current issue of Indigenous Times are not necessarily those of Indigenous Times or the editorial committee. No part of this publication in whole or in part may be reproduced, translated into another language, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without consent of Indigenous Times. Products, names, logos, design titles, words, or phrases within this publication may be trademarks, servicemarks, or tradenames on their own or otherwise may be registered in certain jurisdictions.
Ekosi, Armand LaPlante editor@indigenoustimes.ca
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Election
FSIN Election October 28-29, 2015 Candidates in alphabetical order Chief: BEN, Helen – Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation CAMERON, Robert (Bobby) – Witchekan Lake First Nation OMANI, Leo – Wahpeton Dakota First Nation 1st Vice Chief: JONATHAN, Kimberly – Wahpeton Dakota First Nation 2nd Vice Chief:
ATCHEYNUM, Rod – Sweetgrass First Nation LONECHILD, Guy – White Bear First Nation MERASTY, Robert (Bob) – Flying Dust First Nation 3rd Vice Chief: LERAT, Edward (Dutch) – Cowessess First Nation Kimberly Jonathan and Edward (Dutch) Lerat will be formally acclaimed during the fall Legislative Assembly, October 28-29,2015. www.fsin.ca
Closing The Education Gap by David Pratt
COMMUNITY TALK In the midst of another federal election campaign, Aboriginal issues are gaining momentum across the political spectrum. When Assembly of First Nations Chief Perry Bellegarde calls the current state of Canada’s Aboriginal people unacceptable in a country as rich as Canada, the time for a change in the relationship is now. The UN Human Development index places Canada at 11th and First Nation people at 63rd place, which measures countries on life
expectancy, education, and per capita income indicators. This is where the political will must come into play if real changes are going to take place in Aboriginal communities. When one in four of Aboriginal children live in poverty compared to one in six for nonAboriginal people in Canada, it underlines the importance of addressing the socio-economic conditions amongst our people. Poverty and lack of opportunities play a major role in the health of our communities and education plays an important part of whether or not an individual achieves success. The Conservative’s education commitment to the First Nation’s Education Act set aside $1.9 billion in funding of which $1.2 billion remains. The Liberals have committed $900 million in new funding for core First Nations education, bringing their total to $2.1 billion. The Conservatives have committed $200 million over five years in their recent spring budget bringing the total to $1.4 billion. The New Democrats have promised $1.8 billion in new money over four years, which would bring their total commitments to $3 billion. The fact that political parties are making efforts to improve the educational outcome for our children is an important development in recent Canadian political history and I believe it comes back to the growing political in-
L-R: Ulla Neuerberg Denzer, Jesse Archibald Barber, with Michael Greyeyes.
Performing Turtle Island Explores Identity With Art by Floyd P. Favel LIFESTYLE September 17-19, 2015, the First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv) and the University of Regina (U of R) hosted the seminal conference, Performing Turtle Is-
land, a gathering of Indigenous performance specialists and practitioners, academic and non-academic. The conference was organized by Kathleen Irwin from the Theatre Department at the U of R, in partnership with Jesse Archibald Barber, professor at FNUniv.
The conference explored many themes and presented a good cross section of Indigenous performance from Turtle Island. The driving vision of the conference was centered on Indigenous identity and how it fits into Canada’s identity “in the face of growing international mobility and a radically changing Canadian demographic.” The major focus, with regards to performances, of the conference was on contemporary forms
Oct/Nov 2015 fluence of the Aboriginal vote in Canada. Aboriginal people can influence the outcome in 51 ridings across Canada and in a close election that can decide whether or not a party forms government. The current debate amongst our people about whether or not we should be participating in the political process has some valid points, but in the cold, calculating world of federal politics, it’s the voting blocs who get priority after the votes have been counted and the dust settles. This writer believes we should be participating in the process and be at the tables when political decisions are being made about our people. The current state of our communities makes it paramount, and when political parties are making increased funding and improving education outcomes for Aboriginals a priority, that’s an opportunity we need to take advantage of. As a people we know what the needs are within our own communities and by increasing the success of our students, we’re rebuilding our nations and developing the capacity to be self-sufficient and self-governing. This was exactly what our leaders envisioned when we signed the treaties and education will make that vision a reality. •
that “express Indigenous identities across diverse cultural and social contexts.” In this way, we hope to engage Indigenous theatre and performing arts through a multidisciplinary perspective that helps promote Indigenous cultures as valuable sources of knowledge and identity inclusiveness” Some of the presenters included Mohawk scholar Kahente Horn-Miller who presented the oral story of Sky Woman, Ulla Neuerberg Denzer from Concordia University who directed the reading of Attawapiskat is No Exception, Playwright Daniel David Moses, local filmmaker Candy Fox, Algonquin actress Emilie Monnet, visual artist Edward Poitras, and rapper Brad Bellegarde. Keynote addresses were delivered by Margo Kane, artistic director of Full Circle Theatre from Vancouver, and Michael Greyeyes, associate professor at York University who has a long history of dance and film. There was a noticeable effort to include emerging and young performance artists in the conference as it is they who will be leading the performance theories and practice for the next few decades. As well, the older artists were able to present their ideas and legacies to the participants. • Visit us online: www.indigenoustimes.ca
Oct/Nov 2015
Candidate for FSIN Chief
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How to Use a Letter of Confirmation of Residence for the 2015 Federal Election What the voter needs to know: • You can use this Letter of Confirmation of Residence as your proof of address along with a second piece of ID (like a Status card) to register and vote in a federal election. • If you live on reserve, you can print this letter and ask the Band administrator or designated Band authority to complete and sign it. What the Band needs to know: • The Band administrator or designated Band authority should make sure that the Band is registered with the Local Returning Officer, including the correct Band name and address. • Contact your Local Returning Officer by calling Elections Canada at 1-800-463-6868 or by checking online at www.elections.ca. • Note: Any person who knowingly registers to be included on a list of electors for a polling division that he or she does not ordinarily live in commits an offence under the Canada Elections Act, unless he or she is authorized to do so under the Act.
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Frequently Asked Questions ~ Federal Election 2015 ~ IDENTIFICATION FOR VOTING
IDENTIFICATION FOR Can I just use my Status CardVOTING as ID to vote?
REGISTRATION
Can I just use Cardpiece as ID vote? No,my youStatus need another of IDtowith your home address on it to vote, e.g., a Driver’s License, bank What is “Registration”? statement, utility bill, government cheque stub, etc. No, you need another piece of ID with your home address on it to vote, e.g., a Driver’s License, utility bill, govern• Registration refers to the process of getting your name on the What type of IDbank do Istatement, need to vote? ment cheque stub, etc. Elections Canada voters list. You need to be on the voters list in To vote you must be able to prove your name and home address. There orderare to three vote.ways to do this: What type of ID do I need to vote? OPTION 1 OPTION• You 3 can register in advance of the election or when you go to Provide oneto piece of government-issued ID To vote you must be able prove your name and home address. vote on Election Day. In either case, you need to have ID to conProvide ID. Both have your OPTIONtwo 1 pieces name, photo and home address: There are three with waysyour to do this: firm yourof name andmust home address.
name, and one must have your home address. o Driver’s License include: o Provincial/Territorial Card 2: Have someone swear Examples• As Option Option 1: Provide one piece long as you can prove your name and home address you can o Status card, health card, or birth an oath for you: of government-issued ID with register and vote in this election. certificate (name) • Bring two pieces of ID with your your name, photo and 2home OPTION How can I find out if Icard am (name) registered to vote? name on them, and have another o Prescription label or hospital address: Have someone swear an oath for you: OPTION 1 person (who can vote at your poll- o Utility bill or bank statement (name and • Driver’s License o Bring two pieces ofing IDstation) with your name swear an on oath that you • Registration often takes place automatically, for example, if you address) • Provincial/Territorial live in the same voting them,Card and have another person (who candistrict have filed your or taxes or have o Government cheque cheque stub voted in a previous federal election. vote at your polling station) swear an oath (name and address) Option 3: Provide two pieces of ID. Both must have your name, and youaddress. live in the same voting district one must have yourthat home Examples include: • Status card, • To find out if you are registered to vote and on the voters list, health card, or birth certificate (name) • Prescription label or hospital go to the Elections Canada website (www.elections.ca) or phone card (name) • Utility bill or bank statement (name and address) them My ID has a PO Box/Rural Route/General Delivery address onatit.1-800-463-6868. Does this prove my • Government cheque or cheque stub (name and address)
home address?
How do I register to vote in this election? My ID has a PONo, Box/Rural Route/General Delivery adto prove your home address you must have ID with a civic address on it, e.g., 123 Main St. dress on it. Does this prove my home address? are three ways to register: There is one exception: if you are already registered to vote onThere the Elections Canada voters list, then you need only have ID that matches the address on the voters list - this could be a PO Box, General civicID address. • No, to prove your homeDelivery, addressRural youRoute, must or have with a civic
address on it, e.g., 123 Main St. Option 1: Online at www.elec- Option 2: By mail or phone – you What if I don’t have ID that proves my home address? tions.ca – to register online you can get a registration form online • There is one exception: if you are already registered to vote on or by calling 1-800-463-6868. have a driver’s license. You can still votelist, if youthen cannot home address with existingmust ID. You have two options: the Elections Canada voters youprove needyour only have ID that matches the address on the voters list - this could be a PO Box, OPTION OPTION 2 Option 3: On Election Day – at your polling station with the General Delivery, Rural1Route, or civic address. appropriate ID.
Have someone Swear an Oath for you: Have your Band issue a Letter of Confirmation for you: What if I don’t have ID that proves my home address? o Bring two pieces of ID with your name on them, and have another registered voter o Ask your Band to print and sign a “Letter who has the proper ID and who is Confirmation of Residence” for you. You can still vote ifofyou cannot prove your home address with registered to vote in the same area swear Bring the letter and one other piece of ID existing ID. You have two options: an oath for you. when you go to vote. How do I register when I go to vote at a polling station? o Elections Canada has a template Letter of 2: Have someone Swear Option 1: Have your Band is-that isOption Confirmation available online. an Oath for you: sue a Letter of Confirmation for To register at the polling station you must prove your name and
you: • Ask your Band to print and sign a “Letter of Confirmation of Residence” for you. Bring the letter and one other piece of ID when you go to vote. • Elections Canada has a template Letter of Confirmation that is available online.
• Bring two pieces of ID with your name on them, and have another registered voter who has the proper ID and who is registered to vote in the same area swear an oath for you.
What is a Letter of Confirmation of Residence? • A Letter of Confirmation of Residence is a letter from your Band that can be used as ID to prove your home address. • The AFN has information about the Letter of Confirmation of Residence on its website, along with a template you can use (www.afn.ca). • The Letter of Confirmation needs to be properly filled-out and signed by your Band administrator in order to be used as ID.
home address using appropriate ID. Voter Information Cards / Swearing an Oath
VOTER INFORMATION CARD - SWEARING AN OATH Can I use my Voter Information Card as ID? No. Recent legislation introduced by the current government eliminated using the Voter Information Card (VIC) as a piece of ID. Can I still vote if I didn’t receive a Voter Information Card? Yes! The VIC is a useful document that tells you where your polling station is, but you do not need it to vote. Only voters registered in advance receive the VIC. Can I have someone vouch for me at the polling station? No. Bill C-23, the “Fair Elections Act”, removed vouching as an
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Frequently Asked Questions ~ Federal Election 2015 ~ IDENTIFICATION FOR VOTING
option. It was replaced with ‘swearing an oath’. Swearing an oath is similar to vouching are some changes: Can I justbut usethere my Status Cardsignificant as ID to vote?
of Confirmation of Residence to all of its voting Band membership?
A Band provide Letters No, you need another piece of ID with your home address on it to vote, e.g., acan Driver’s License, bank of Confirmation of Residence to all 1. You must have two pieces of ID, both with yourstub, name voting members by doing a mail merge in Microsoft Word. You statement, utility bill, government cheque etc.on them. 2. The personWhat ‘swearing you, type the of IDoath’ do Ifor need tomust vote?be registered to vote at your polling station, and must have the proper ID.
will need a list of Band membership in Microsoft Excel, a computer and printer.
To vote you must be able to prove your name and home address. There are three ways to do this: Letter of Confirmation of Residence 1. Download the template
3. The person ‘swearing the oath’ for you, cannot ‘swear an oath’ from the AFN website at http://www.afn.ca/index.php/en/federOPTION 1 for more than one person. OPTIONal-election-and-voting-information-v2 3
Provide one piece of government-issued ID Provide pieces of ID. Both must have your OPTIONtwo 1 Open with your and you homecannot address:‘swear an oath’ 4. If someone ‘swore anname, oath’photo for you, 2. the template in Microsoft Word. name, and one must have your home address. for anyone else. o Driver’s License Examples include: o Provincial/Territorial Card 3.card, Replace the redortext o Status health card, birthon the template with the following: a. BA_ Name(name) – Band administrator’s name b. FN_Name – First Nation’s LETTER OPTION OF CONFIRMATION OF RESIDENCE certificate 2 name c. FN_Address – First Nation’s mailing address o Prescription label or hospital card (name) Have someone swear an oath for you: OPTION 1 o Utility bill or bank statement (name and o Bring two pieces of ID with your name on What is a Letter of Confirmation? 4. Select the Mailings tab from the toolbar. address) them, and have another person (who can o Government cheque or cheque stub vote at your polling station) swear an oath address) • A Letter of Confirmation of Residence is a letter signed by your (name 5. and Click Start Mail Merge and select Letters. that you live in the same voting district
Band that can be used as ID to prove your home address.
6. Click Select Recipients and select Use Existing List. Find your My ID has a POabout Box/Rural Route/General Delivery address Does this prove my • The AFN has information the Letter of Confirmation liston of it. Band membership, click on it and select Open. of Residence home on its website, address?along with a template you can use (www.afn.ca). 7. In Select Table, click on the name of the sheet that contains the No, to prove your home address you must have ID with a civic address on it, e.g., names. 123 Main St. Band member Confirmation There is one exception: if you are already registered to vote on the Elections Canada voters list, • The Letter of of Residence needs to be properly then you need only have ID that matches address list - this could a PO Box,B_Member, and click Insert Merge filled-out and signed by your Band administrator in the order to beon the voters 8. Highlight the be blue text, General Delivery, Rural Route, or civic address. used as ID. Field. A list of the field names from your Excel document will pop up. Select the corresponding field that shows the full name What if I adon’t have ID that proves my home address? of your Band members. Who is considered Band administrator? You can stillisvote if youemployed cannot prove address YouFinish have two A Band administrator anyone byyour yourhome Band officewith existing 9. ID. Click & options: Merge and then Edit Individual Documents. and who has been duly designated to fill out and sign the Letter of Click OK. A letter will be generated for each record in your Excel OPTION 1 OPTION 2 Confirmation of Residence. Band member list. Have someone Swear an Oath for you: Have your Band issue a Letter of Confirmation two pieces of IDletters with your you: Letters of Confirmation of Resi- o Bring 10. Can a Band for provide Print the onname Bandonletterhead, sign and date, and prothem, and have another registered voter o Ask your Band to print and sign a “Letter dence for all of its voting members? vide to Band members upon their request. who has the proper ID and who is of Confirmation of Residence” for you. registered to vote in the same area swear Bring the letter and one other piece of ID • Yes! A Band can download a template version of the Letter of an oath forVOTING you. IN ADVANCE (ADVANCED POLLS) when you go to vote. Confirmation of from has ourawebsite fill it o Residence Elections Canada template(www.afn.ca), Letter of in, and provide it to its votingthat Band membership. Confirmation is available online.
• A Band can also designate someone to be available of voting day to hand out Letters of Confirmation of Residence to its voting Band membership outside of a polling station (the letter would need to be filled in and signed at that time). Does my Band need to be on the list of issuing organizations for the Letter of Confirmation of Residence? • According to Elections Canada, in order for a Letter of Confirmation of Residence to be valid, the issuing organization must be on a list of accepted organizations. This is true if you are using the Election’s Canada template version, which can be downloaded from their website. If you are using the AFN template version, available at afn.ca, you are not required to be on the list of issuing organizations for your Letter of Confirmation of Residence to be considered valid. • You can find contact information for your local Returning Officer online at elections.ca or by calling Elections Canada at 1-800463-6868. What’s the easiest way for a Band to provide Letters
I cannot vote on Election Day, October 19, 2015, can I still vote?
• If you cannot vote on Election Day you can still vote. You have three options: 1) Vote at the advance polls (October 9, 10, 11, and 12). 2) Vote on any day before October 19 at an Election Canada office. 3) Vote by mail. I am not in my community to access the advance polls or to vote on Election Day, how do I vote by mail? • If you do not have access to the advance polls (October 9, 10, 11 and 12, 2015) and are not able to vote on Election Day (October 19, 2015) you can vote in advance by mail. • Contact your local returning officer to receive your special ballot and to make sure that you are properly registered so that you can vote by mail. You can find the contact information for your returning officer by visiting www.elections.ca or by calling 1-800463-6868.
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New Horizon, L-R: Lee Bell, Ken Pederson, Grant Kimbley, Josh McCallum
Good Times Are on the Horizon With Northern Band
by Sharon Thomas
LIFESTYLE Anyone who lives in the prairies and enjoys Aboriginal music should know the band New Horizon. The band, based out of Buffalo Narrows, Saskatchewan and surrounding areas, has been a fundamental music group at socials, weddings, graduations and concerts for well over ten years. The group is made up of four members all of Métis heritage: Ken Pederson on vocals and guitar, Grant Kimbley on vocals and bass, Lee Bell on vocals and
drums and Josh McCallum also on guitar and vocals. Ken and Grant manage the band’s gig dates, often working around their own work schedule. Lee, owner of L.A.B. Soundworks runs his business out of Meadow Lake offering DJ services, music and recording lessons and is also the co-creator of the children’s production “To The Moon.” Josh, the youngest of the group who has been studying guitar since he was a teenager, makes his living as a full time musician. The band’s popularity came about
at gigs where they would belt out familiar tunes so many enjoy on mainstream radio. From rock to country to ballads, you can expect a savvy guitar riff or smooth bass, starting with a familiar chord to get the crowd going. Then, leading up to Ken’s signature vocals, they begin kicking it up a notch with harmonies accompanied by the solid sound of a kick drum or the build up of cymbals. The high energy is always felt throughout the room and spread from gig to gig, and to airwaves across Aboriginal radio. New Horizons’ humble approach to the music industry has garnered them admiration
and respect from their musical peers and fans. They still get a rush when an audience sings along to their songs, especially in communities where the band had underestimated their fan base. The group enjoys playing all venues and at times have played for crowds of 1000 or more. But the gigs that were smaller and packed with family and friends were always the most enjoyable to play. “We had some trying times, playing for little or no pay,” Grant tells us, “struggling to get to our gigs because of undependable vehicles breaking down and speakers that have a mind of their own and only worked when they felt like it. We kept right on going because of our love of music. Our advice? If you’re playing for the fame and the fortune, it’s a long winding road. If you are playing for the love of the at a buddy’s place. Occasionally I would notice them rounding up each other to go “try to learn dance moves” after school. I used to tag along to make fun and joke around at the fact my friends were doing something that seemed so weird and rare. The idea didn’t seem realistic at the time. That was until I actually took things into my own hands and tried one of the moves they were trying to learn at practice one day, after I tried I heard “Whoa, you almost did the move!” From that point on, I was hooked on the feeling.
Stefaun Tingley aka B-Boy Omegaflow
Westside Studio Hosts Break Dancing Lessons by Timothy Lewis LIFESTYLE SASKATOON, SK - If you want to get in shape, learn a new dance, have fun with your children, and meet new people then you need to meet Stefaun Tingley aka Bboy Omegaflow. Stefaun can help energize your winter. Every Thursday, 7:15pm-8pm, Stefaun teaches b-boy/b-girl dancing at his studio called Omegaflow Dance Studio on 22nd street. His students are as young as six years old and upwards-- you are never too old to spin on your head. Stefaun’s classes are soon to be at White Buffalo Youth Lodge as well. Stefaun grew up with his grand-
parents in the Cowessess First Nation community. He first got the dancing bug at the age of 15 and has been b-boying for 15 years. Stefaun has a sociology degree from the University of Saskatchewan. He currently keeps himself occupied as a youth leader with a non-profit organization, receptionist manager with a marketing company, and dance instructor at his studio. Indigenous Times: How did you get started and how did this dance come into your life? ST: The way I got into this dance known as b-boying started off with a bunch of my friends meeting up after school to practice
IT: What gave you the
confidence or initiative to start your own dance classes? ST: I felt it was time to take matters into my own hands with regards to needing a place to teach my students, as well as to have a reliable place for myself and my crew, Skill Force, to sharpen our skills. IT: What is your favorite aspect of the dance style you practice and why? ST: That is a hard question. There are so many aspects I love about this style of dance. I love how the dance has the ability to bring out a person’s character, their own self-expression, and how the dance can speak without words. When I travelled to Santiago, Chile, I was surrounded by strangers and could not communicate because of the language barrier; however, during the dance competition, there was only one language: dance-- or what I call
music, you are already there.” The band has recorded albums of cover tunes since their success began, however, their last two albums consist of original music. All albums were produced and recorded by Lee at his studio. New Horizon is a great band that offers a rocking good time to all their fans and listeners. Check out some of their upcoming shows below. For bookings or information, contact: Grant Kimbley 1-306-981-3060 Email: bingokimbley@hotmail.com Facebook: New Horizon (musician/band page)
Upcoming 2015
New Horizon Upcoming Shows October 23:
w/ Black Rain. Ages 19+ O’Brian’s Event Centre Saskatoon, SK November 8: JRMCC arena, 19+ La Ronge, SK December 19: Sakitiwak Entertainment Centre Ile-A-La-Crosse, SK 19+ b-boying. IT: Why should one become a b-boy or b-girl? What are the benefits? ST: Because it’s incredible. The benefits include the social aspect, the physical activity, it challenges you creatively, allows you to express yourself like an artist, strengthens one’s sense of identity, and can sharpen your memory mentally and physically. Dancing allows for an incredibly healthy and enriching lifestyle. IT: If a person wants to take your class, what must they bring and what should they expect their first class? ST: Getting started is pretty easy. All one needs to bring to my first class is a desire to learn and a pair of comfortable shoes. First classes are usually pretty straight forward. As a teacher I like to provide an atmosphere in which my students can understand the unique qualities this dance style has to offer as well as deliver a hands-on feeling for the types of movements involved. Establishing a foundation is important so I start out with the very basics with my first time dancers. Contact Information: Phone: (306) 262-1714 Studio Address: 1002 22nd Street West (Ave J North) Date/Time: Every Thursday evening: 7:15pm – 8:00pm Email: stefaun@hotmail.com Facebook: facebook.com/Stefaun.The.Face.Crook Twitter: twitter.com/leroythebboy Instagram: Instagram.com/leroythebboy
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Indigenous Times
Oct/Nov 2015
11
MC Myrna LaPlante of Iskwewak Ewiciwitocik
Betty Pewapsconias
Over 300 walkers returning to Station 20 West
Sisters in Spirit Vigils, Walks Held Nationally COMMUNITY This October 4th saw the 10th year of the Sisters in Spirit walks and vigils taking place in remembrance of missing and murdered Indigenous women. The Sisters in Spirit initiative was begun by the Native Women’s Association of
Canada, funded by the Status of Women Canada in 2005, to raise awareness about, and document the numbers of, missing/murdered Indigenous women across Canada. The objectives of supporting the families of MMIW, as well as increasing access to justice for these families, still remain and the issues have seen greater support among many Canadi-
ans, even while the numbers of missing and murdered Indigenous women continue to grow. Vigils and walks took place in many parts of Canada and internationally also. About 300 people walked in Saskatoon before convening at Station 20 West to hear speakers and light candles as well as share a bowl of soup. Speakers included Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Felix Thomas, Métis Nation-Saskatchewan President Robert Doucette, Saskatoon Police Service Chief Clive Weighill, as well as Myrna LaPlante and Darlene OkemaysimSicotte, the organizers from Iskwewak Ewiciwitocik. On behalf of the families of MMIW, Meichelle LaPlante, Monica Bosse, Marilyn Wapass, Carol Wolfe, and Marcia Seeseequasis all spoke. The love and support was palpable. Both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal supporters walked with the families and the speakers thanked Police Chief Weighill and the Saskatoon Police Service for their work in Saskatoon. Walks and vigils also took place in Onion Lake, hosted by Onion Lake Iswewak Pasikowak, at La Ronge hosted by Piwapan Women’s Centre, and Yorkton, hosted by Saskatchewan Aboriginal Women’s Circle Corp. For more information, see www.nwac.ca or www.october4th.ca.
Indigenous Times
October 2015