NIPISIHKOPAHK
ACIMOWIN
Iyîkopîwi Pîsim November 2021
VOLUME 7 ISSUE 51
T
ansi and welcome to the Acimowin. October saw two events take place: The Day of Prayer and the Indigenous Veterans Day. Sara Potts organized both events and she deserves recognition for the work she has done. Moving on, Emergency Facebook: @samsoncreenation Management Director Harper Potts has his update on page 6 and you can read the Covid 19 statistics for Samson here. As always, please get vaccinated, wear your mask and get tested. Testing can always be done at the Maskwacis Ambulance Authority Twitter: @SamsonCree building or you can call Emergency Management at 780-585-2522 about getting your laminated Alberta vaccination card or set an appointment for vaccination. Walk ins are available as well. Instagram: @samsoncreenation
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The Samson Cree Nation Acimowin (Newsletter) Communications Coordinator, Delorna Makinaw. SCN Covid 19 Colour Code Flag Email: dbmakinaw@gmail.com System for your window. Events Planner, Angela Boysis-Bull. SCN Vaccination Registration Email: ang.bbull@yahoo.com Phone Number. Emergency Management Samson Communications Department: Box 159 Update with Harper Potts. Maskwacis, AB T0C 1N0. Ph: 780-585-3793 ext. 233 or SCN Employee Participation 266. Information. Day of Prayer. SCN Departments: Please send your announcements,
Table of Contents
Maskwacis Pride of Your Ride: Show and Shine. Kristopher Buffalo, Bull Fighter.
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Hawk Radio 93.5 FM Grand Opening-Ribbon Cutting. Indigenous Veterans Day.
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Job Opportunities.
events or information to the Acimowin for publication. Email: guide@ualberta.ca Ph: 780-585-3793 ext. 266 The Acimowin is released bi-weekly every month. Advertisers please call the Communications Office.
Community events can be forwarded to the Newsletter Please make it a JPEG format to save paper.
Vision Statement Samson Cree Nation is a healthy, educated, knowledgeable and industrious community.
HAWK 93.5 FM Radio To advertise with the only central Alberta First Nations radio station please call: 780-585-4295. Mission Statement Email: hawkradio935@gmail.com Samson Cree Nation is a Sovereign Nation that is connect@hawkradio935.com dedicated to improving the quality of life for all our People Web: www.hawkradio935.com by maximizing our Human Resources and respecting our Contact: Robert “Bobby Jack” Ward. Cree Language and Traditions of our Peoples. Facebook: Hawk Radio 93.5 FM www.samsoncree.com/aboutus
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March
February
January 2022
December
2777 November
2718 October
2254 September
2215 August
2166 July
2150 June
2070 May
1993 April
Variant Declared 1900 March
1854 February
1448 January
2021
October
485 December
19
September
317 November
7
2020
July 3 Pandemic Declared March
Total Cases
5000 Maskwacis Covid 19 Timeline 4900 Total Cases 4800 4700 4600 4500 4400 4300 4200 4100 4000 3900 3800 3700 3600 3500 3400 3300 3200 3100 3000 2900 2800 2700 2600 2500 2400 2300 2200 2100 2000 1900 1800 1700 1600 1500 1400 1300 1200 1100 1000 900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 4 Samson Communications Department @SamsonCreeNation
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November 3, 2021
last week.
Update with Director or Emergency Management, Harper Potts.
Bring your health care card number and we will print out your que card and laminate it for you at the Emergency Management building. Some Elders don’t want to go shop in town so we help keep them safe. We’ve made a few deliveries to Edmonton. To my understanding MCTC ran out of funding so we stepped up and delivered food hampers to the band members.
Harper: Good morning everyone. I haven’t done an update lately, with the amount of band members who have passed away. I decided to hold off out of respect for the families that have lost their loved ones. Now for the numbers: Total Cases 2773 Recovered Cases 2724 Active Cases 44 Hospitalized 5 Deceased 21 The number maybe higher than that. We’ve lost people in Wetaskiwin, Ponoka, Edmonton and Calgary. Those numbers go into those statistics. I know we have more than 21 deceased. The number can be as high as 30. 20 Non Vaccinated out of the 44 Active Cases. 17 Under the Age of 11 years of age out of the 44 Active Cases.
Last week, 84 members go their vaccine. Elders can get their third vaccine if they want and it’s not mandatory. They might be giving out the Flu shot at the vaccine clinics as well. Our numbers are going down but we still have to get vaccinated, wash our hands and wear a mask. Our trailers are open if you want to come stay for your contact tracing. We provide 2 meals a day along with snacks in between. Hot showers and Wifi are there as well. Give us a phone call at 780-585-2522 and we can get you set up at the trailers. The hockey arena is up and running. We’ve been shut down for a year and half. I work with Minor Hockey and in most arenas you have to be double vaccinated or have the 72 hour test. The HBMC could be open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. We are only in there for the vaccine clinic one day of the week. Of course, safety protocols will be in place. In closing, thank you to Chief Vernon Saddleback for having a day of prayer for our community last week. Since then, we’ve dropped about 90 Active Cases. We had a pipe ceremony before the day of prayer as well. Prayer is what will get us through this. So with that, it’s been a while since my last update but out of respect for the families I wanted to hold off for a while.
In America, Phizer will be approved for 5-7 years of age. MHS will approve Phizer by December. 7 Double Vaccinated out of the 44 Active Cases. 5 One Vaccine out of the 44 Active Cases. 20 Cases are Samson Band Members out of the 44 Active Cases. 2 Samson Band Members out of the 5 Hospitalized. 37 People Under Contact Tracing or Home Under Quarantine/Isolation. 57 Total Homes Under Isolation or Contact Tracing.
Maskwacis Health Services
Numbers for Maskwacis: One Vaccine 5543 people or 39.5% Double Vaccine 4180 people or 29.9% Age 65 and Older One Vaccine 83% Age 65 and Older Double Vaccine 77% Age 65 and Older 3rd Vaccine 24% Elders are setting the example on the vaccines. 12-17 Year Olds 57.3 % Vaccinated Parents take your children to MHS with their que card and you can get a $50 gift certificate. So it’s good parents are getting their children vaccinated. We’re still delivering to homes under isolation of quarantine. We delivered food hampers to our Elders 6
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October 23, 2021 The Day of Prayer took place at the Samson Band Office Chambers and Sara Potts organized the event. Councilors Ryan Lightning and Katherine were at the pipe ceremony in the morning which was led by John Crier, Sam Greene and Mr. Saddleback. Armond Swampy was the Askapios (helper for the pipe men). Councilor Mario Swampy was in attendance for the second part and Chief Vernon Saddleback was at both ceremonies. There was a feast and give a way at the morning ceremony and in the afternoon there were approximately 7 Church representatives in the chambers. Each Church representative had prayers for the this community and other communities. Chief Vernon said a few words to the people and ended it with a prayer in Cree. The event was live streamed on the Samson Cree Nation Facebook page so you can see it there if you want. The event was also broadcast by the Hawk 93.5 FM radio station. Thank you to Sarah Potts, Priscilla Swampy, Donna Potts Johnson, the Pipe Men and Church Ministers.
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Samson Cree Nation: Pediatry
PEDIATRIC CLINIC NOW OPEN Dr. Heather Dreise Pediatrician Location: former MYI Building Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 9 AM to 4 PM For Appointments call 780-585-4062. Walk Ins are available.
Signs at the entrance to Samson Cree Nation. Created by Community Initiatives. October 2021.
The Acimowin (Samson’s local newsletter) Submission Dates for 2021.
October Friday Oct. 8 Friday Oct. 22 November Friday Nov. 10 Friday Nov. 26
December Friday Dec. 10 Friday Dec. 24
Integrated Family Services (IFS) Ph: 780-5852254 Email: integratedfamily@yahoo.com MMIWG 24/7 Toll Free Support Phone Line: 1-844-413-6649 Maskwacis Mobile Mental Health: Call us at any time on our hotline 780-362-2150 or Email : info@maaems.com SCN Community Wellness: Client Support Services Ph: 780-335-5953. Outreach 780-3357439. Respite Care 780-335-9687. 14 Samson Communications Department @SamsonCreeNation
From the Office of Samson Gas Utility Box 1200 Maskwacis, AB T0C 1N0 Ph: 780-585-3793 Email: gasutility. scn@gmail.com Lyle Littlepoplar, Manager 1-780-335-6073 Everette Omeasoo, Supervisor 1-780-312-9748 Gas Co-op Shop 780-585-3547 Please Leave A Message Email: gasutility.scn@gmail.com Please call EXT#215, Cell 780-335-6073 or Email: lyle.littlepoplar2020@gmail.com If you have any questions on this matter. Thank you.
Samson Cree Nation Urban Office in Edmonton. Location: 12046 - 77 St. Edmonton. Ph: 780-477-6648 ext. 257
Samson Cree Nation Urban Office in Edmonton. SCN Community Wellness: Client Support Location: 12046 - 77 St. Edmonton. Services Ph: 780-335-5953. Outreach 780-335Ph: 780-477-6648 ext. 257 7439. Respite Care 780-335-9687.
Please be advised that the Samson Cree Nation Personnel Department has a New Email Address: personnel.179@gmail.com Anybody applying for a job or submitting their documents to Personnel Department can send to the email provided. Thank You.
The Samson Cree Housing Department is now located at the Trades Centre (on Cranes Road). New phone number: 780-585-3919 The Samson Community Initiatives Program 780-585-0111 Check them out on Facebook. @samsoncommunityinitiativesprogram
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Corvette here right now and a low rider truck. Guide: What’s your wife’s name? Kelly: Lana Johnson. Guide: Anybody you would like to say thank you too or any last words you want to say? Kelly: We want to thank our sponsors and Samson Cree Nation. Next year, we’ll plan it better. It was kind of quickly put together. Next year we would like a big turnout. Guide: So come out next year people for some fun and prizes. We have some music and prizes.
October 22, 2021 Interview with Kelly Johnson, coordinator/promoter of the Maskwacis Pride Of Your Ride: Show and Shine which took place at the Bingo hall parking lot. Kelly’s helper, Lana Johnson, mentioned that the proceeds are going to the local food bank. The sponsors are as follows: Irv’s Westside Auto, Hamilton’s IGA, Joel Mykat, Wetaskiwin Pawn, Lucky Dollar food store, Tricia Wildcat, Sage Beauty, Busy Bee, Wild West Gallery. The Host: Glazier’s Edge.
Kelly: Yes. We have a PA system here. We’re good to go for today and we will be here from 4 PM to 6 PM. Hopefully we can get a good turnout today. Guide: Thank you Kelly. Photography Contribution: Delorna Makinaw.
Chief Vernon Saddleback was present with his black Monte Carlo SS car. Kelly Johnson: Hi, how’s it going today? Guide: Good. What’s going on here today with your car show? Kelly: We’re doing a show and shine, pride for your ride. We’re just hoping everyone can come out because the weather is not too good. With future planning we could get a nice day in with no school busses. The school buses are all here now but they leave at 4 PM. So come check it out, bring your nice vehicles out. I see a lot of nice vehicles around here everyday when I drive around and I think, ‘If people could show these off that would be good.’ I look at these low rider circuits down in the United States and I think to myself, ‘We could do that.’ They can have that but we can have our own. So I thought of it one day. You got to start small but hopefully next year we can have it bigger.
The Samson Car Show & Shine results: Ryan Crier-Best In Show Levi Montour-Best In Class Bike Ryan Crier-Contemporary Car Chris Hill-Classic Car John MacDonald-4x4 Dalton Johnson-Low Rider Ryan Crier-Judges Overall Choice
Guide: So you have prizes? Kelly: Yes we do for all the vehicles in the categories: cars and motorbikes, classic cars. We have a 16 Samson Communications Department @SamsonCreeNation
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November 7, 2021 Source: Samson Cree Nation Facebook page, Communications Coordinator Delorna Makinaw. Westerner Park, Red Deer: Bull Fighter Kristopher Buffalo makes his debut at the 2021 Canadian Finals Rodeo in Red Deer and he is indeed the pride of Samson Cree Nation and Maskwacis. Kristopher is the son of Kirk and Pam (Tail Feathers) Buffalo, he comes from a rodeo family and is definetly comfortable in the rodeo arena. We are so proud, way to go Kristopher Buffalo. See Kristopher’s video on the Samson Cree Nation Facebook page.
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Above: Burt Crowfoot, Chief and Drum Group right after Blanket Ceremony. November 5, 2021 Samson Cree Nation: The Hawk Radio 93.5 FM had their grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony which Chief Vernon Saddleback and Robert “Bobby Jack” Ward, Samson Councilors Ryan Lightning, Katherine Swampy, Holly Johnson, Kurt Buffalo, Louise Omeasoo were also present. Elder Sam Green did the opening prayer and smudge and a Darrel Buffalo-drum groupperformed after the blanket ceremony. Guests included NDP Richard Feehan MLA Edmonton-Rutherford and CFWE’s Burt Crowfoot. There were also local Elders, people and band departments workers streaming through the new head quarters. Departments are encouraged to go up and visit Bobby Jack or Derwin and hand them your department events or announcements. This day took a long time by Samson Communications Coordinator Delorna Makinaw and Burt Crowfoot. Burt had a big part to play in getting the new studio and station Identification and for that he was awarded with a Blanket Ceremony by Bobby Jack and Chief. There were also technicians like Shawn Yellowbird, the Samson Maintenance department (Myles and his team) and Roland Ikebuchi who contributed to the effort. Overall, it was a big day and the change has been made and here is a big thank you to everyone who contributed to making this day a reality.
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Interview with Sara Potts, Indigenous Veterans Day Organizer: Sara: I want to thank the technicians, Hawk radio Samson communications specifically you Guide you and Robert are two people I know are reliable and dependable, consistent. I know I can expect you to be available when we have public community events as such I want to thank community members who honor our veterans they attend annually to support remembrance day year after year no matter what the weather. I want to thank Lawrence Wildcat Henry Rain who are present each year. I thank the organizers of each band who host Remembrance Day. Louis Bull is next to host in 2022. It’s a lot of fun and work.
November 8, 2021 Samson Cree Nation, Indigenous Veterans Day: Veterans Monument if front of the Peace Hills Bank. Indigenous Veterans Day took place in Samson with the Montana Cree Nation leading the event. Montana Councilor Shane Strongman was the MC and Leanna Louis helped out. All four nation Chief’s were in attendance with numerous Councilors. The Flanders Field poem was read by Heather Peigan and there was a drum group present. Representatives from Wetaskiwin and the Maskwacis RCMP detachment-including Inspector Leanne MacMillan were present. There were a lot of families in attendance and Rose Makinaw represented the Moms with a few words. Alberta Indigenous Relations Minister Rick Wilson said a few words about his relative who fought in the war and survived. NDP MLA Edmonton Rutherford Richard Feehan was also present. Near the end of the service all the names of local veterans were named out loud.
I thank Maskwacis leadership who are in attendance to honor our veterans and female Elders who lay a wreath on behalf of mothers of veterans. I look forward to the day when a First Nations, Métis or Inuit mother will lay a wreath at the national monument in Ottawa Sara
Chief Vernon Saddleback: I want to thank Chief Standing On The Road for his words. I want to thank all of you for coming out today. On November 11 I want everyone to remember that moment of silence. I want to thank our local veterans and the veterans from Wetaskiwin for coming out here to our ceremony. We had our people in the great wars, the Korean war, we have people in the Canadian military. I want to thank all the family members who have veterans in their families. From my family I want to say, ‘Thank you.’ The life I get to live today is because of the sacrifice that they gave. From the Samson Cree Nation I want to say thank you for your services. Ekosi Thank you. Chief Leonard Standing On The Road, Montana Chief: …when they went over seas to fight for our country. Everything that they did and what they endured for how many years during the war. They came back wounded. Not physically but emotionally and mentally. That is one thing we have to be thankful for. They did it for us. So I’m grateful for this day. I want to thank the veterans that are here today. We must remember all those people and the ones who are no longer with us. I want to thank everybody once again. Hai Hai ! 26 Samson Communications Department @SamsonCreeNation
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►Jim O Cultural Centre News: Samson Band Members $150 Non Refundable. Non Samson Band Members $150 Non Refundable. $50 Damage Deposit. Centre must be cleaned after use, kitchen cleaned up, floors swept, chairs put away. Call 780-585-3793 ext. 159. No Double Booking. No Smoking. No Public Phone.
►Samson Trades: High volume of calls due to not changing furnace filters, please do not pour grease down the drains, the Housing department has moved into the Trades Center.
Friday November 5, 2021: Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the Hawk Radio 93.5 FM.
To see the back issues of the Acimowin.
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