Sweetgrass March 2014 final

Alberta Sweetgrass - March 2014

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$4.00 + GST where applicableVOLUME 21 • NUMBER 4MARCH 2014

THE ABORIGINAL NEWSPAPER OF ALBERTA

Final national event about wisdom tomove forward together

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Literacy a key component in turningyouth away from criminal activities

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

CANADIAN PUBLICATION MAIL# 40063755

By Shari NarineContributing Editor

EDMONTON

“Damage control” is the termKevin Ahkimnachie uses todescribe the forum hosted Feb. 27by the University of AlbertaWater Initiative to go over thework being undertaken by theprovince and SherrittInternational Corp. to address theObed Mountain Mine coal slurryof last October.

“It’s more of a damage controltype of thing for Sherritt, backedup by the Alberta government andthey keep referring to FirstNations’ involvement. ‘We willcontact them,’ and so on. But asfar as the environmentalprotection order, there is noinvolvement of First Nations,”said Ahkimnachie, who serves asa director with the land office forTreaty 8.

On Oct. 31, 2013 the largestcoal slurry spill in Canadianhistory occurred from a pit 30 kmeast of Hinton releasingapproximately 670 million litresof contaminated water into twotributaries leading to theAthabasca River. It took AlbertaEnvironment and SustainableResource Development until Nov.19 to issue an environmentalprotection order.

John Schadan, vice president ofoperations for Sherritt, says First

Nations and Métis groups alongthe tributaries and AthabascaRiver were notified“immediately” following therelease. However, a number ofFirst Nations downstream fromthe spill along the river say thatwas not the case.

“Since that time, we continueto send out information updates.Since that time we’ve had someAboriginal groups enter intosome dialogue with us. Wecontinue that dialogue,” saidSchadan.

Ahkimnachie contends thatemail updates and controlleddialogue are not what FirstNations want.

“We could be integral indoing all kinds of (monitoringand sampling) for transparencypurposes to have ourinvolvement and input in any ofthese, which will be laterimplemented into what will bethe policy, whatever will becoming (for reclamation),” saidAhkimnachie.

Schadan says Sherritt hastrained members of the AlexisNakota Sioux Nation toundertake water samples. Todate, that is the only FirstNation working in partnershipwith Sherritt on monitoring.

Ahkimnachie’s commentsfollowed an entire day of sittingwith officials from theUniversity of Alberta’s Water

Initiative, Alberta ESRD andSherritt, including a closed-doorsession for Aboriginal groupsonly.

“We were hoping to havesome sort of announcement thatwe would be meaningfullyconsulted and involved and tohave input with monitoring andtesting at the water, soil, fish,animals. That didn’t happen,”said Ahkimnachie.

Instead, those who live alongthe river and environmentalgroups (in the open forum) weretold it was too early to have testresults back.

“How many animals or fishhave been contaminated? We’vebeen told it could take sixmonths to a year for them tofigure out it’s not safe. Howmany of our citizens will haveeaten that contaminated food bythen?” said Treaty 8communications officer GregPosein.

He noted that many memberslive off the land to supplementthe high cost of buying food inremote northern locations.

“There was a significantamount of environmentaldamage,” said Dr. Greg Goss, anenvironmental toxicologist andexecutive director with theWater Initiative. “So there’s alot of water that went into theAthabasca River, muddied thatwith all the chemicals … We

First Nations push for involvement in monitoring of Obed spill

About 500 people attended the Feb. 14 Strawberry Ceremony held in Toronto to honour the more than 600 Aboriginal women who are missing or have diedviolent deaths, and to seek justice for the women with calls for a national inquiry.

PHOTO: BARB NAHWEGAHBOW

want to see how much went inthere, what the impact on fish is,what the impact on wildlife is.”

The Water Initiative, which isa team of scientists, wascontracted by the Alberta ESRDas an independent body to makerecommendations on how toassess the damage and to ensurethat Sherritt’s monitoring plansare scientifically sound. Gosslauds the provincial governmentfor taking the unusual step ofhiring an independent body andsays Sherritt has implementedall of WI’s short termrecommendations formonitoring. However, neitherthe government nor Sherritt isobligated to follow WI’srecommendations.

“(WI) doesn’t have anyofficial power but I think it hasmoral power,” said Goss. “Myjob is to ensure the science isgood.”

WI’s contract expired March10. Goss says that the WI willmake their recommendationspublic and anticipates that willhappen in a month’s time.

What remediation work has tobe done is not yet known. Whilewinter freeze-up has sloweddown the assessment, it has alsocontained the movement ofcontaminants.

Goss says assessment ofcontaminants needs to beundertaken to determine both

where contaminants are locatedand if they need to be removed.Some contaminants naturallyexist in the environment, he says.

Goss says he will be pushingthe government and Sherritt tomonitor collected data closelyand to hire someone who has a“good relationship withAboriginal communities” to beable to present that data to thosedirectly impacted.

“That would be an idealsituation, but we haven’t had anyof those discussions yet,” hesaid.


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Program expansion showcased throughperformance

After three years of working with Fort McMurrayyouth, UNITY Charity has expanded its program innorthern Alberta with UNITY Day Programs inJanvier, Anzac, and Fort Chipewyan. Founded in 2007,UNITY Charity engages youth 10 to 18 byimplementing school and community programsdesigned to teach positive self-expression throughbeatboxing, breakdancing, spoken word, poetry,graffiti, and more. Since it was founded, UNITY hasreached over 100,000 youth across Canada. Afterspending most of March turning negative emotionslike stress and anger into artistic expression, a freecommunity showcase will take place on March 22 atKeyano College in Fort McMurray featuringperformances by the highly acclaimed NorthernElements Crew, UNITY Team members and localyouth.

Speech from the Throne delivers promisesThe Speech from the Throne, delivered by Lt. Gov.

Donald Ethell, on March 3, committed the provincialgovernment to “seeking clarity” from the federalgovernment “on…improvements in Aboriginalconsultation and care.” That commitment wasimmediately followed by the government pledging to“continue to advocate for important projects likeKeystone XL, which are so vital to our long-termprosperity, while meeting misunderstanding with factin promoting our record as a responsible energyproducer.” The province also committed to “buildinga culture of transparency, quality care and continuousimprovement in Alberta’s child intervention system,”while extending supports for young adults in care bytwo years, and implementing new funding through theSocial Innovation Endowment to tackle social issuessuch as poverty and family violence.

Meeting to reveal cancer report findings cancelledA meeting with Alberta Health was cancelled by

the Athabasca Chipewyan and Mikisew Cree FirstNations because the government refused to providean advance copy of a report on cancer to the localNunee Health authority. The full cancer statistics reportis set to go public in March. “We don’t want anysurprises. We want to know exactly what was goingon every step of the way entering this meeting,” MCFNChief Steve Courtoreille told Fort McMurray Today.“There’s a lack of transparency going on right now.This is how mistrust is created.” In December,Alberta’s chief medical officer Dr. James Talbot saidhe would share the Alberta Cancer Registry’s updatedfigures with Fort Chipewyan’s Aboriginal leadershipin the new year. Alberta Health said it was not itspractise to send advanced copies of health reports priorto community meetings. In 2009, the Alberta Cancer

expansion. When the U.S. State Department releasedits final environmental impact statement Jan. 31 –which concluded Keystone would be unlikely to altergreenhouse gas emissions – Boxer released a statementthat said she isn’t “satisfied with any analysis that doesnot accurately document what is really happening onthe ground when it comes to the extraction, transport,refining, and waste disposal of dirty, filthy tar sandsoil.” Boxer held a press conference in late February,which included U.S. scientists and environmentalists,and John O’Connor, a physician and long-timeadvocate for the health of First Nations communitiesin Alberta’s oil sands region. “The pipeline goingahead is going to open the floodgates in terms ofdevelopment. I’m just fearful for what will happenfive to 10 years down the road,” O’Connor said in aninterview with The Globe and Mail.

Organizations, individuals recognized for floodefforts

The Siksika Nation Fire and Rescue Team is amongthe 175 nominations for first responders received bythe government for recognition in relation to thesouthern Alberta flood last June. More than 1,300nominations have been received recognizing those whowent above and beyond to help others in the wake ofthe floods, as part of Alberta’s Heroes of the Floodrecognition program. Also receiving nominations werethe Calgary Stampede Indian Princess Committee andSiksika Housing Department. All nominees willreceive a certificate and letter of appreciation. “Theflood was more than just a catastrophic event. It wasan opportunity for all Albertans to come together, tooffer support, strength and friendship for those affectedby the disaster. It is important for us as a province torecognize those among us who showed such braveryand strength in these times of struggle, who havehelped with the rebuilding efforts,” said Premier AlisonRedford in a news release.

Black and white photography depicts First Nationspeople through time

Black and white photographs by three University ofLethbridge art students will be featured inIiht·ÌsÌnaakio’p (Camera), an art exhibition curated byRob First Charger. The concept behind thephotographic exhibition, with work by Rudy BlackPlume, Star Crop Eared Wolf and Joel No Runner, isa reflection of historical and contemporaryphotographs created by Aboriginal and non-Aboriginalphotographers. The three artists depict First Nationspeople in a continuum of time, created for acontemporary time and audience. Their photographicskills recreating Native Americans in photographicreality, a virtual world resonates in the realms of livedand learned experiences of Aboriginal people in the21st century. They are conveying the same technicaldata, skill, and criteria found in mainstream fine artsphotography. Fine arts photography is defined as aprocess whereby the artist establishes a creative visionto generate an artistic statement in the field ofphotography. The exhibition takes place March 1 toApril 30 at the Blackfoot Art Gallery and Gift Shop,in Lethbridge.

Candidate announces intention to seek Liberalnomination

The general manager of Fort McMurray Métis Local1935 is seeking the federal Liberal nomination for FortMcMurray-Athabasca. Kyle Harrietha recentlyannounced his intention to seek the nomination notinghe has “spent 16 years working for responsible andsustainable development — a just society that respectsAboriginal and minority rights, and accountable,fiscally responsible, transparent government.”Harrietha accused the Conservatives of rolling backregulatory and environmental oversight “to the pointwhere First Nations and Métis communities have littleconfidence that their rights and traditional lands arebeing protected.” As general manager of FortMcMurray Métis Local , Harrietha oversees more than300 members dedicated to pursuing the advancementof the Métis people of northeastern Alberta.

Compiled by Shari Narine

Board released a report that found elevated cancercases in Fort Chipewyan between1995 to 2006.

HCOM urges change for health services on-reserveThe Health Co-Management Secretariat contends

that the provincial government plays an important rolein reducing the number of children who die in care.“There’s no quick fix, but we can do better, and it startswith improving the on-reserve health system in thisprovince, which currently lags far behind the healthsystem offered in the rest of Alberta,” said PeyasuWuttunee, coordinator of the HCOM Secretariat. TheHCOM Secretariat works to increase the participationof First Nations in assessing, planning and managingprograms and services that are funded or offered byHealth Canada, First Nations Inuit Health in theAlberta Region. HCOM acts as an advocate for FirstNations health interests on behalf of the Chiefs ofTreaties 6, 7 and 8. A report recently prepared for theChild Intervention Roundtable, which took place inJanuary, indicated that 58.2 per cent of children in carein Alberta between 1999 and 2012 were Aboriginal,and of the 143 deaths of children in care during thattime, 98 of those children were Aboriginal. Wuttuneesaid maintaining the present health services on-reservewas making a decision. “Doing nothing is a choice. Itis choosing to accept the unacceptable. If we don’twork to improve the health of Alberta’s on-reservecommunities, the fear is that the number of our childrenin care will continue to rise, along with the awfuloutcomes that we’ve seen,” he said.

Former INAC minister pushing Northern GatewayFormer Indian Affairs and Northern Development

Canada minister Jim Prentice is working with Enbridgeto sell First Nations on the company’s NorthernGateway pipeline. “I am doing this because I believethat First Nations should be full partners in resourcedevelopment and they should be owners of projectslike the Northern Gateway,” Prentice said in astatement. “This project can bring jobs, economicopportunity, community development and educationalopportunities to First Nation Canadians. This can beachieved while protecting the environment andrespecting First Nations’ environmental priorities.”Prentice told CBC News that he has been in touch withAssembly of First Nations Chief Shawn Atleo andother Chiefs as well. The National Energy Board hasset over 200 conditions for Enbridge to meet with theline. The federal government is expected to make itsdecision by June 2014.

Opposition to Keystone XL still vocal in the USKeystone XL pipeline opponent California Democrat

Senator Barbara Boxer says the pipeline would worsenthe environmental effects of Canadian oil sandsdevelopment by opening the door to industry

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

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3N E W SN E W SN E W SN E W SN E W S

PHOTO: SHARI NARINE

Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner and Chief Wilton Littlechild speaks at the Edmontonmedia launch of the upcoming TRC national event as Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson and TRCCommissioner Marie Wilson listen on.

By Shari NarineSweetgrass Contributing Editor

EDMONTON

For Chief Wilton Littlechildthe seventh and final nationalevent for the Truth andReconciliation Commissionwill be different than the othershe has attended.

“It’s kind of a reunion for meas well and I look forward toputting certain parts of my lifebehind me. This event will helpme personally,” he said.

Littlechild, one of thecommissioners with the TRC,spent 14 years in residentialschools, three years of whichwere in a boarding school inEdmonton. He expects to seesurvivors he hasn’t spoken toin decades when formerstudents, their descendants andspouses, along with the non-Indigenous public, gather at theShaw Conference Centre fromMarch 27-30.

But there will be formerstudents who will not beattending. Many survivorspassed away before the TRCbegan its community andnational events.

On March 4, when the TRCheld its media launch,Littlechild asked for a momentof silence for three survivors inhis community of ErmineskinCree Nation, who passed awaythat week. Later he said that atleast two of them shared theirstories at a recent communityhearing in Maskwacis.

“It was a special moment fortheir families to come forwardand share what happened tothem. For many of us this is ahidden story and once it’s told

in a public setting it begins toheal not only individuals butthe families as well. That’s whyit was important they had thatopportunity,” he said.

Alberta had more residentialschools operating than anyother province or territory andhas the second largest numberof survivors at 12,000. The cityof Edmonton is home to thelargest number of residentialschool survivors.

Newly elected EdmontonMayor Don Iveson called for a“collective effort” to get passedthe legacy created byresidential schools.

“We must work as a nationtogether to uncover the truthsand to offer each othermeaningful reconciliation andthis reconciliation is animportant step towardacknowledging our past,learning from our experiencesand healing our hearts. Thiswill take the commitment ofevery last one of us but whenachieved it will truly make fora stronger Edmonton, strongerAlberta, stronger Canada,” saidIveson.

The theme of this last eventis wisdom, one of the sevensacred teachings. Each national

event was based on a sacredteaching: respect, courage,love, truth, humility, andhonesty.

Littlechild holds that a recentletter of apology offered by theCatholic bishops from Albertaand the Northwest Territory“opens the door of a good entryinto the (Alberta) event.”

He says that in previousnational and communityhearings, many survivors feltthey had not received anapology from the Catholicchurch.

“When it’s expressed by theCatholic church through the

bishops, it’s a very significantmessage to the survivors thatyes, there’s genuine regret hereabout what happened andpeople are sorry about whathappened,” said Littlechild.

Attendance by non-Indigenous peoples at thenational events has increasedover the five years the TRC hasbeen in operation. Honourarywitnesses, which includeformer prime ministers,auditors general, governorsgeneral as well as non-politicians, are part of that non-Aboriginal involvement. InAlberta, one honourary witnessis Wetaskiwin Mayor BillElliot.

Elliot, who is a formerteacher, says he only recentlylearned about the depth of theimpact of residential schools.He attended the TRC hearingin Maskwacis and “wastransformed” when he heardparents of students he taughttalk about the abuse theysuffered while attendingresidential schools.

“As a municipal leader I feelit’s really important that I bearwitness to this significantchapter in Canadian history. It’simportant that I’m a role modeland provide leadership to ourcommunity to assist in theunderstanding of effectsresidential school had on manygenerations, past and present,”said Elliot. “We want to sharein the healing journey and wewant to be part of the solutionas we move forward together,conscientiously working onbuilding a long, positiverelationship with you, ourneighbours.”

Final national event about wisdom to move forward together

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N E W SN E W SN E W SN E W SN E W S


FORT McKAY FIRSTNATION

Fort McKay First Nation andBrion Energy will not be goingto court.

The two signed an agreementon Feb. 21 for the developmentof the Dover oil sands project,four months after the AlbertaCourt of Appeal ruled that theFirst Nation could argueConstitutional and treaty rightsin its appeal of the AlbertaEnergy Regulator’s approval ofthe Dover project, a 250,000-barrel-per-day thermal oilsandsventure. Counsel for Fort McKayhad expected the appeal to beheard by June 2014.

Neither party will say whetherpending court action was anincentive to reach a settlement.At the time of the court’sdecision, Fort McKay FirstNation CEO George Arcand Jr.said that the First Nation andBrion Energy, which is jointventure between Athabasca OilCorp. and Phoenix EnergyHoldings Limited, wouldcontinue talks, which had beenongoing for two years.

“For us it was important thatwe reach a settlement, period,”said Krista Baron, seniorcommunications advisor withBrion Energy. “In a large partbecause Fort McKay FirstNation, in fact the whole FortMcKay community, has had along standing relationship with

industry in general so we verymuch wanted to get off on theright foot and build thatrelationship.”

The details of that agreementare confidential. Discussionshave been held with thecommunity “but up to a certainlevel…. We had limitations onwhat we could disclose or not,”said Alvaro Pinto, who is leadnegotiator for long termagreements with industry forFort McKay First Nation.

However, Pinto says theagreement does not include theno-development zone aroundMoose Lake that the First Nationhad been pushing for.

“To get the 20-kilometre bufferzone that would have to comefrom the government,” saidPinto, who noted such a zonewould impact other existingleases in the area and not only theDover project. “We’ve been innegotiations with the governmentfor probably about a year and ahalf. We will continue talking tothe government about that.”

Even though there is no bufferzone, Pinto says the agreementis heavy on environmentalmeasurements to protect theMoose Lake reserve, whichinclude implementing best-management practices, accessmanagement control, and riskassessment.

“The most important aspect ofthis agreement was not the fiscalcomponent, it was theenvironmental component. Infact, we didn’t even start

discussions around the fiscal orbusiness components until wegot done with the environmentalcomponent because we wouldn’thave had an agreement at all,”said Pinto.

Baron said Brion Energy has“committed to supporting thegrowth of business within theircommunity,” which could meanemploying Fort McKay membersfor work on the project as wellas contracting Fort McKaybusinesses.

Brion Energy is the firstleaseholder in the Moose Lakereserve to move ahead with aproject, says Pinto, and thisagreement would serve as a “verystrong” base for furtherdevelopment by the oil and gasindustry.

“That’s our expectation,” hesaid.

“The agreement has beenwatched quite carefully, thewhole situation, by othercompanies,” said Baron,although she fell short of sayingBrion’s agreement could have animpact on other potentialbusiness in the area. “Really it’sa question of what Fort McKaydeems important especially in itsbusiness relationships with othercompanies.”

AER approved Brion’s DoverCommercial Project in August2013. Now that Fort McKay FirstNation has removed itsobjections to the development,the project is only awaiting anOrder in Council from theprovince.

Fort McKay, Brion Energyreach out-of-court agreement


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By Paula E. KirmanSweetgrass Contributor

EDMONTON

Literacy is central to keepingyouth out of the criminal justicesystem.

“A lack of literacy means alack of employment. It is verydifficult to get a job if you can’tread or write,” said Kyle Dube,executive director of YOUCANYouth Services and vice chairof REACH Edmonton board.“These young people need tosee the importance ofemployment, which onlycomes from being literate.”

Dube was the keynotespeaker on Feb. 20 at FrontierCollege’s forum on Literacy’sImpact on Criminal Justice andYouth, in Edmonton.

“Many of these young peoplehave not been successful atschool – either from poorattendance or being kicked outdue to behavioural issues – andunfortunately a lot of them fallbetween the cracks and theydon’t get the education they

literacy amongst youth.Erickson talked about Pohna:Keepers of the Fire, a gangintervention program, whileBerger touched on BoyleStreet’s Water Wings program,which largely serves anAboriginal and immigrantpopulation by helping breakthrough barriers toemployment. The programoffers resume building, careerssearches, the acquisition ofsafety tickets, and other job-related assistance

Dube said the government hasa role to play in the questtowards youth literacy.

“I think what they cancontinue doing is findingdifferent ways of engaging non-traditional education, to teachthe same things but in differentways. They need to continuesupporting organizations inworking with some of the

N E W SN E W SN E W SN E W SN E W S

Literacy a key component in turning youth awayfrom criminal activities

Karen Erickson, formerly of Native Counselling Services of Alberta, addresses a full room at aforum discussing the connections between literacy and youth crime.

PHOTO: PAULA E. KIRMAN

need which means their literacyis not what it should be,” hesaid. “If these kids are noteducated, if they don’t see thepotential for education andbeing literate, then crime is aneasy out for them.”

Karen Erickson, formerly ofNative Counselling Services ofAlberta, said Aboriginal youthare particularly vulnerablebecause of “intergenerationalissues caused by residentialschool experiences which havedisrupted the fundamentalrelationship between parentsand children, and led to adisconnectedness fromceremonies like sweats.” Shealso listed racism and theeffects of colonization asfactors, and stressed the needfor self-determination.

“An effect of residentialschools is parents not knowinghow to nurture theirchildren.This starts the path topoverty through not attendingschool and self-medicationfrom not being connected to asupport network,” added David

Berger, deputy executivedirector with Boyle StreetCommunity Services.

Many local agencies offerprograms that encourage

barriers to success that theseyoung people have in educationin order for us to get them backin school,” he said.

Forums like this are part ofFrontier College’s legacy whichwas founded in 1899 to takeliteracy to the frontiers, saidAbby Robins, director ofcommunications for FrontierCollege.

“We still work on thefrontiers, but now, thosefrontiers are places like inner-city schools, prisons, Aboriginalcommunities, and shelters. Wework with children, youth, andadults, helping them improvetheir literacy and increase theiropportunities,” she said.

The forum was a nationalevent, taking place inVancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto,and Halifax as well. A paneldiscussion in Winnipeg livestreamed to all locations.

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6 E D M O N T O NE D M O N T O NE D M O N T O NE D M O N T O NE D M O N T O N

March recognizes missing, murdered men, boys as wellPapaschase First Nation Chief Calvin Bruneau led the Memorial

March in Edmonton, which took place on Valentine’s Day. An annualevent honouring missing and murdered women, similar marchestook place in other cities across Canada. This year, Edmonton’smarch also honoured men and boys who are missing or who havemet an untimely end. The march began and ended at Sacred HeartChurch of the First Peoples.

Grandin Station to get new muralMétis activist and artist Aaron Paquette will be responding to

Sylvie Nadeau’s controversial mural alluding to residential schoolwith a mural of his own at the Grandin LRT station. Paquette’swork has been commissioned by the Francophonie Jeunesse del’Alberta — donors of the original mural in 1989 – in an act ofreconciliation. Paquette’s imagery will include a Cree Thunderbirdsprouting humans, the last creatures to come to the land, accordingto tradition. The 6.7-metre piece will be bookended by circular drumimages on both sides — new to the existing mural — bringing thetwo unique artistic styles together. The project’s partners includeCity of Edmonton’s Edmonton Aboriginal Relations Office,Edmonton Arts Council, Truth and Reconciliation Commission ofCanada, ETS and members of the urban Aboriginal community.The collaborative piece will be unveiled during the TRC’S finalnational event, taking place in Edmonton March 27-30.

CAP National Chief hears local concernsBetty Lavallee, National Chief for the Congress of Aboriginal

Peoples, held an informal gathering at Poundmakers Lodge, in St.Albert, as part of her grassroots national tour that brought her toEdmonton and area March 11. The goal of the cross-country tour isto conduct open, meaningful and productive conversations aboutoff-reserve Aboriginal issues. Edmonton, which has the secondhighest urban Aboriginal population in the country, was one of anumber of stops on CAP’s cross-country tour. CAP was formed in1971 and serves as an advocate for the off-reserve, non-Status, andStatus Indians, Métis and Southern Inuit living in urban, rural remoteand isolated areas throughout Canada.

Inuit heritage workers receive instruction on better museummanagement

A group of Inuit heritage workers from Nunavut were in Edmontonrecently to learn how to better manage museums and cultural centresin Nunavut. Participants from Arviat, Cambridge Bay, Gjoa Haven,Iqaluit, and Qikiqtarjuaq were funded through the Inuit HeritageTrust’s Heritage Training Program. They visited a number of localmuseums and archives including the University of Alberta Museums,Royal Alberta Museum, Fort Edmonton Park, Provincial Archivesof Alberta, St. James Cultural Centre and Amiskwaciy Academy.The Inuit Heritage Trust is dedicated to the preservation, enrichmentand protection of Inuit cultural heritage and identity embodied inNunavut’s archaeology sites, ethnographic resources and traditionalplace names.

Denny’s donation supports Bissell programsDenny’s downtown restaurant celebrated its re-opening March 4

by giving all proceeds from its Original Grand Slam breakfast tosupport the Bissell Centre’s programs and services. The Grand Slamsold for $2 and was available from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bissell Centrehas over 20 programs focused on assisting people living in poverty.“It’s going to take teamwork to eliminate poverty in our community,so we’re encouraged that Denny’s is stepping up to the plate tohelp,” said Devin Komarniski, acting manager of marketing andcommunications with Bissell Centre. Dean Kraychy, Edmontondistrict manager for Denny’s Restaurant, said Denny’s was “excitedabout helping people in the (community).” Bissell Centre offers afully accredited child care program for impoverished families;employment services for the unemployed to find work; food servicesthat provides over 350 meals per day for the hungry; and a drop-incentre utilized by approximately 500 people every day who arelooking for refuge.

Compiled by Shari Narine

PHOTO: PAULA KIRMAN


EDMONTON

Many residential schoolswere built from brick so artistDawn Marie Marchand hasinvited survivors, theirdescendants and their spousesto draw their stories in the formof a three inch by nine inchpiece of brown paper.

“I want to recreate the storieson a wall and I wanted to use amedium that was easilyaccessible and anybody couldmail,” said Marchand ofchoosing the brick-shape.

Marchand is coordinating acollaborative installation thatwill be unveiled during theTruth and ReconciliationCommission’s final nationalevent, which takes place inEdmonton March 27-30.

Marchand is hoping for 1,500bricks. At the beginning ofMarch she had only 100. Butshe isn’t panicking. She isconfident that closer to theevent, the bricks will startcoming in. As well, she knowspeople who are planning toattend the TRC event and wantto see their bricks go up.

“Art builds,” as Marchandrefers to them, have been heldthroughout the province, wherethose connected withresidential schools have createdtheir bricks.

Marchand has personalexposure to residential schools.While her mother neverattended, she had aunts, unclesand cousins who did.

“All of the things thataffected (my mother’s life) andmy life, those intergenerationalthings affected us despite hernot going,” said Marchand,who created a brick that has aphotograph of herself with herfinger held up to her lips forsilence. “Even to this day, (mymother) won’t talk about whoher cousins are that hurt her andwho are the people who went.”

The brick represents not onlyMarchand’s mother’s silence,but the silence demanded of thestudents: don’t speak yourlanguage, don’t speak aboutyour culture, don’t speak toyour siblings.

Those who walk through theexhibit will be given a riverstone to hold and rub, acommon practise to helprelieve tension in stressfulsituations. These stones willbecome part of a permanentHealing Garden installation atBlue Quills First NationUniversity as part of the gardenpath.

“The symbolism behind it is

that we’re going to put it underyour feet so you can moveforward,” said Marchand.

The site of the brickinstallation has yet to bedetermined. Marchand ishopeful it will end up as apermanent installationsomewhere when the TRCevent concludes.

There will be Aboriginal artwork spread throughout thedowntown area, says DebbieHubbard, a member of theregional advisory committeefor the national TRC event.

“One of the things (we’ve)really tried to be intentionalabout with this event is inengaging the arts communityand particularly some of theAboriginal arts,” said Hubbard.“There’s a real recognition thatin Edmonton there’s quite avibrant Aboriginal, Inuit, Métisrepresentation of skilledartists.”

While the brick installation is

not a formal TRC exhibit, therewill be a collection of artworkfrom Alberta Aboriginal artistson display in the EnterpriseSquare gallery in the formerHudson’s Bay building fromMarch 20-April 18. Marchandis researching and writing thecommentary to go along withthe exhibit, which is a body ofart purchased by AboriginalAffairs and NorthernDevelopment Canada in the1990s. It is the collection ofwork undertaken by membersof the Alberta Indian Arts andCrafts Society, which operatedfrom 1975-91 and includessuch well-known names as AlexJanvier, Joane Cardinal-Shubertand Faye Heavy Shield.

“This artwork is so beautiful.It’s like 25 years ago and it’s sorelevant and contemporary andincredible,” said Marchand.“This is a real great opportunity,especially for the newgeneration.”

Artist Dawn Marie Marchand writes of this “brick” shepainted, “I was remembering another story, I was told. A storywhere a young girl went to school with her brother. Eventhough they were together they weren’t allowed to interact.”

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Art part of healing process ofresidential schools

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By Darlene ChrapkoSweetgrass Writer

CALGARY

The Deadly Lady ArtTriumvarite exhibit atContemporary Calgary,formerly the Art Gallery ofCalgary, is unique in the mannerof its creation and its multi-faceted themes.

Running until May 4, the 11pieces in the exhibit incorporatetraditional elements ofAboriginal spirituality and thetext of original historical

documents in mixed mediainstallations that include wood,tarp, blanket, beads, sculpture,animal skins, and branches. Theintersecting themes of the workshave multiple reference points,many of which point back tolanguage, history, culture andthe creation, suppression andobscuring of Aboriginal identity.

When Kayleigh Hall, curatorof the exhibit invited Aboriginalartists Tanya Harnett, AmyMalbeuf and Brittney Bear Hatto occupy the space for threemonths, the approach was open

Art exhibit challenges gallery-goers to think

and spontaneous.“It was a sandbox approach,”

said Hall. “They were invited toplay in the space.”

Many of the works wereorganized beforehand, butcreated on site. The pieces arethought-provoking andevocative, presenting one sidethat draws the viewer close, withother less tangible aspectswaiting to be discovered. Thepieces “urge people to payattention, to search forsomething,” said Hall.

This is the problem by Tanya Harnett one of the pieces in the Deadly Lady Art Triumvariteexhibit at Contemporary Calgary.

Jen Lee with Sandra Crazybull, Mi Yvonne Cita, AllanMerovitz and Chantal Stormsong Chagnon at Calgary’s 6thAnnual Valentine’s Day Women’s Memorial March.

Missing, murdered women honoured with marchOn Feb. 14, the Sixth Annual Valentine’s Day Women’s

Memorial March took place beginning with speeches at ScarboroUnited Church and ending at 14 Street and 17 Avenue. Theorganizers created and blessed banners for the marchers to honourthe lives of missing and murdered women of southern Alberta.The memorial march raises awareness and seeks to affect change.The planning committee shared facts to support the claim thatalthough violence affects all women, Indigenous women facehigher risks. “Unlike most women who are at a greater risk ofbeing assaulted by an intimate partner, Indigenous women areequally at risk of being assaulted by a stranger – this is a clearindication of the racist and sexist underpinnings of violence againstIndigenous women,” they said.

Conference explores genocideMount Royal University hosted a three-day international

conference on genocide Feb. 19-21. Understanding Atrocities,Remembering, Representing and Teaching Genocide broughtleading experts together to share new ideas on the global problem.Calgary’s history includes the incarceration of Aboriginal peopleon surrounding reserves after 1885, mob violence against ChineseCalgarians in 1892, anti-German riots during the First World War,and the enforcement of the Sexual Sterilization Act from 1928 to1972. These atrocities served as the starting point forconversations. Friday’s closing panel, featured former federalpoliticians Lloyd Axworthy and Allan Rock.

Professor Discusses The Healing Processes after ColonizationOn March 12, Professor Les Jerome, a senior instructor in the

Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary presentedHealthy Communities: Some Observations and Implicationsbetween Individuals, Family, Community, and the World at a lunchand learn at the Kahanoff Centre. Focusing on the recoveryprocess, he presented a number of related concepts: how if theindividual heals, the communities and nation heal; howrediscovering First Nations identity will begin the recovery; howmoney, education and workplaces are reminders of colonization;how people create their own spirituality; and how moving torecovery will enable Canada’s Indigenous people to discover asingle voice.

A Tribe Called Red nominated for a JunoJuno nominated A Tribe Called Red, on a national tour, stopped

off in Calgary at the Hi-Fi Club on Feb. 20. The all First NationsDJ and electronic act has won several Aboriginal Peoples ChoiceMusic Awards, but they are not nominated for the Juno CategoryAboriginal Album of the year. Instead, A Tribe Called Red is upagainst acts working in the same genre for Electronic Album ofthe year. The band has earned two nominations for the upcomingJuno’s for their release Nation II Nation. Their music incorporatescultural elements into dance sounds inviting a discussion of FirstNations issues among non-First Nations.

Youth to gather at Mount Royal UniversityThe third annual Aboriginal Youth Explosion is planned for April

12. Organized by Bridges Social Development, the annual eventshowcases Aboriginal youth in an interactive arts and craftsexhibition. Throughout the day, young artists will share theirstories and artworks with the wider community. Participation isfree but participants are required to take part in a two-dayworkshop on March 21 and 22 to prepare for the event.

Compiled by Darlene Chrapko

( See Art on page 13.)

PHOTO: SUPPLIED


8 D I S T A N C E L E A R N I N G D I S T A N C E L E A R N I N G D I S T A N C E L E A R N I N G D I S T A N C E L E A R N I N G D I S T A N C E L E A R N I N G


EDMONTON

After years of providing post-secondary schooling thetraditional way, two establishedorganizations are now makingthe leap to e-learning.

“There’s tremendouspotential for it. There’s realpotential in northern Albertaand in the north, to providecourses to Aboriginal studentswho are in remote areas,” saidSeaneen O’Rourke, dean ofprograms with the YellowheadTribal College.

Not only is it about tappingotherwise unavailableresources, but it is also aboutallowing those who are alreadyworking an opportunity tofurther their education orsolidify their positions.

YTC, which has offeredAthabasca University coursesfor years in the classroom,decided to take its learningopportunities outside of itswalls.

“I’m familiar with distancelearning, but it wasn’t a modewe used,” said O’Rourke, whohas a background in distancelearning having been a tutor forAthabasca University of 30years.

For the first time, YTC isoffering some of its 20-25courses which comprise theManagement Study program,which YTC developed in the1990s as a classroom program,

online. There are less than adozen students enrolled in theonline pilot project.

“We decided to give this a trybecause it provides access tostudents who can’t otherwiseget to class,” said O’Rourke.

Students can accessassignments and instructionsonline as well as live-chat witha tutor. While the tutor is notavailable for live interaction allthe time, students can emailtheir questions and get emailresponses.

“I like the flexibility, theaccessibility this offers ourstudents,” said O’Rourke.

But she admits that e-learningisn’t the answer for everyone.Remote learners need to haveaccess to both a computer andInternet.

YTC students are fundedthrough Aboriginal Affairs andNorthern Development Canada.

Meanwhile, Tribal ChiefsEmployment and Training is inthe process of developing asurvey, focusing primarily on itsapprentices in northern Alberta,to look at retention issues.

“In that study we’re askingquestions around usingtechnology as a way of learningbecause apprentices have to goaway for eight weeks to go andtake training. Is there analternative mode of delivery thatwould be effective for thoseapprentices to maybe continuestudying from the worksite?”said operations manager EvaJohn Gladue.

Organizations turn toflexibility, accessibilityof e-learning

( See E-learning on page 9.)

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9 D I S T A N C E L E A R N I N G D I S T A N C E L E A R N I N G D I S T A N C E L E A R N I N G D I S T A N C E L E A R N I N G D I S T A N C E L E A R N I N G


SLAVE LAKE

Distance learning hasprovided an educationalopportunity that decades agowas impossible for peopleliving in isolated communities,with limited resources, or in arestricted family situation.

“The big advantage todistance learning is they’re ableto stay in their communities andlearn,” said Glenn Mitchell,dean with Northern LakesCollege. “People are able to stayhome.”

NLC has over 25 campuses innorthern Alberta, with its mainsites in Grouard and Slave Lake.Working through communityeducational councils andcommunity learning centredirectors, NLC is able to offerprograms unique to eachcommunity’s needs.

“We’re the most community-focused college in Alberta,”said Mitchell.

But the beauty of distancelearning, he adds, is if studentsthroughout the region want thesame course, “we can pull themall together in a class of eightor 10 and that’s enough toconsider offering the program.That’s what distance allows usto do.”

NLC offers two types ofdistance learning: synchronousand asynchronous. Withsynchronous learning, studentsall log into a classroom at thesame time along with theinstructor. This allows virtualclassroom interaction.Asynchronous learning allowsthe student to log into his courseat any time and accessassignments, submit papersonline and turn in the work athis own pace. Exams arewritten with an approved NLCsupervisor. If a student has anInternet connection at home

then all school work can bedone from home.

“There’s also a blend of that,too, and many of our coursesuse that,” said Mitchell.

Even with asynchronouslearning, though, students havethe opportunity to get togetheron campus to access Internetand computers and to do theirwork together. There is often alearning facilitator on site toguide students through theirwork. As well, students cangather and access a virtualclassroom and instructortogether.

“That’s kind of a uniqueapproach that Northern LakesCollege takes really for thebenefit of the student that not alot of other institutions do. Ifyou’re on line you’re on lineand you’re doing itindependently. But the way wedo it, we give you support inyour community,” saidMitchell.

NLC also offers thetraditional face-to-faceclassroom setting.

NLC hires both traditionalteachers to run classes andteachers who instruct throughthe virtual classrooms.

NLC offers distance learningall the way from basiceducation to academicupgrading to university courses,and training in health care, thetrades and technology.

Distance learning is not anoption limited to those seekingpost-secondary education or toupgrade after graduating. It isalso an option at the secondaryschool level. The NorthlandSchool Division, whichoperates 24 schools in northernAlberta and has over 2,500students, accesses AlbertaDistance Learning to augmentits programming.

Both NLC and NSD have ahigh number of Aboriginalstudents.

Distance learningprovidesopportunities foradvancement

Tribal Chiefs Employmentand Training is looking atwhether e-learning or someform of blended learning may bethe answer to keep its memberswho are part of theapprenticeship initiative innortheast Alberta on the job.

“Because if something is notworking, we need to figure outhow do we fix it,” said Gladue.“We have a skilled tradeshortage in Alberta and so howare we going to address thatuntil we know what the problemis?”

Gladue says the results of the

survey won’t be known for atleast a year.

Tribal Chiefs Employmentand Training is funded throughService Canada and has six sub-agreements with First Nations inAlberta: Cold Lake, Kehewin,Frog Lake, Beaver Lake,Whitefish and Heart Lake.

E-learning delivers flexibility ( Continued from page 8.)


10

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E & M Foods Ltd. By Susan SolwaySweetgrass Writer

WRITING-ON-STONEPROVINCIAL PARK

Writing-on-Stone ProvincialPark recently brought homegold, an Alberta first in theFederal/Provincial/Territorialcategory within the Institute ofPublic Administration PublicSector Leadership Awards.

And Juanita Tallman, theinterpretive supervisor, couldnot be happier. This is animportant win for the FirstNations InterpretationsInternship Program, a pilotproject that she personally putso much time and effort in to.

“Being able to see that thistype of program is recognized,it was us [First Nations] beingable to share our informationand work with people in thegovernment, it was challengingand interesting and I was veryhumbled to find out we werenominated,” said Tallman.

With input and directionfrom Blackfoot Elders, localresidents to the area, pastinterpreters and the AlbertaParks representatives, theprogram at Writing-on-Stone’smain focus was to train twoFirst Nations interns withleadership skills that allowthem to accurately andcomfortably relay information

to over 4,000 visitors to thearea, as well as to theneighbouring parks, DinosaurProvincial Park, Bow Vey Lakeand Cypress Hills ProvincialPark.

“Each of these parks do talkabout some Blackfoot culture,”said Tallman, “ but we foundthat the visitors wanted thatauthentic experience, to hear itfrom our people in a way thatis respectful, so that they willbelieve it more. At a lot oftourist places the tipi is justthere for show and no one isaround to explain it. We justwanted to bring somethingmore to the parks.”

At the end of the 2013season, Tallman visited Torontoto speak on behalf of theprogram before a jury with theintention of earning gold,adding that the recognition ofthe award was valuable.

“It was personal for me, Iwanted these people that canprovide funding and decisionsto see that a program like thisis needed, and in all other areasas well,” she said.

Tallman believes that theprogram will help futureinterns receive the exposureneeded to better communicateon different levels ofmanagement and bring back apositive experience to theirfamily, friends and

acquaintances in the hopes ofdiminishing racism that issometimes found in ruraltowns.

The park collaborated withAlberta Parks, AboriginalRelations, and CanadianBadlands to create theinnovative program, bringingfunding opportunities, andinterpretive training andtechniques to the staff of thepark, says Tallman.

Aisinai’pi, as the park isknown in the Blackfootlanguage, is located southeastof the city of Lethbridge andsits on traditional Blackfootterritory. The park housesevidence of the rich culturethrough pictographs andpetroglyphs depicted in thestone, making it a notoriouslandmark for First Nationspeople in Canada.

The Leadership Awardsinvite all Canadianorganizations to enter withinrespected categories, withprojects that showcase courage,innovation, benefits,collaborative leadership, andmeasurable end results.Canadian Heritage took homethe silver for its project ‘TheLeadership Factor’ and OntarioMinistry of GovernmentServices took the bronze for theOPS Diversity Office,Accessibility at Source.

Juanita Tallman holds the IPAC gold award that was earned by the team from Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park, Alberta Parks, Aboriginal Relations, and Canadian Badlands.

Internship program earns parkgold award

PHOTO: ALBERTA PARKS

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EDMONTON

Audrey Poitras is hopeful thata study recently released by theRupertland Métis Centre forResearch will impress upon theprovincial government thatinvesting in education for Métispeople is critical.

“The Howe report… sendsout a clear call for bothcommunity and governmentaction,” said Poitras, presidentof the Métis Nation of Alberta.

The report, entitled Bridgingthe Aboriginal Education Gapin Alberta, was released in earlyMarch. It was a collaborativeeffort undertaken by RMCR,the University of Alberta andthe MNA.

The study uses forensiceconomics to “assign a dollarvalue to lifetime earningsdepending on education,” saidauthor and University ofSaskatchewan professor Dr.Eric Howe, who has donesimilar analyses inSaskatchewan and Ontario.

“What the analysis concludesis that Alberta is leaving over aquarter of a trillion dollarsunrealized and unclaimed,money that is essentially justlying on the ground, waiting tobe picked up throughAboriginal educationprograms,” said Howe.

There is a growing educationgap between Aboriginals andnon-Aboriginals. In Alberta,that gap is rising rapidlybecause of the increasedAboriginal population comingin to the province and, thoughmore Aboriginal people areimproving their education, non-Aboriginal people are attaininghigher education at an evengreater rate.

According to the report, overhalf of the non-Aboriginalpopulation in Alberta has post-secondary credentials comparedto the Métis population whereover half has a high schooldiploma or less, and FirstNations, where less than halfhas high school or less.Bridging that gap witheducation would result in $44.2billion of increased earnings forAboriginal people.

Howe points out thatincreased education results in a“myriad of benefits” beyondimproved wages. Those benefitsinclude longer, healthier lifespans, longer paid vacations,lower rates of crime andimproved child care.

Taking wage factors andnonmonetary advantages intoconsideration, the benefit ofbridging the Aboriginaleducation gap is $270.5 billion,according to the report. InOntario, which has an economyon par with Alberta, the

aggregate figure for the benefitsof bridging the education gapwas $220 billion, whileSaskatchewan, with a much

smaller economy, had anaggregate figure of $90 billion.

The Alberta report breaksdown earnings based on level of

Report shows untapped financial benefits fromAboriginal population

Dr. Eric Howe delivers the highlights on the report heauthored, Bridging the Aboriginal Education Gap in Alberta.

education attained for non-Aboriginal, Métis, and FirstNations, as well as for men andwomen.

This report is one of manythat the RCMR and theuniversity will undertake, saysDr. Brendan Hokowhitu, Deanof Native Studies Faculty withU of A.

“The results are critical,” saidHokowhitu, “and demonstratethe importance of Indigenousgroups, and particularly Métisto the growth of Alberta andCanada economically.”

The report will be delivered topolicy makers and RCMR iswilling to have a discussion withthe government, says RCMRdirector Dr. Chris Anderson.

“We have actually receivedzero dollars (from the provincialgovernment) to the Métis Nationfor education for K-12. Ofcourse we’re hoping things likethis report will be able to helpus to do whatever we need to doto change that. Hopefullysomewhere down the road therewill be a change in the view onsupporting the Métis Nation tosupport Métis students,” saidPoitras.

PHOTO: SHARI NARINE

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Art exhibit challengesgallery-goers to think

The residency idea began withall three artists, originally fromAlberta, meeting by email.Harnett, an educator from theDepartment of Native AmericanStudies at the University ofLethbridge and senior artist,worked with emerging artistsMalbeuf and Bear Hat. Whentossing around names for theirFacebook page, the artists cameup with the Deadly Lady ArtTriumvarite. Despite theexhibit’s name, Hall said that thethemes that emerge are lessabout Aboriginal women andmore about Aboriginal peopleand the wider social andpolitical themes in the creationof identity that emerge from theshow.

Hall sees the exhibit asmoving from a macro to amicro level, from actualhistorical documents ofpolitical and socialsignificance to the explorationof personal family identity inBear Hat’s works. At a pointof entry to the exhibit fogpours out on a ceremoniousimage of burning lemon grassand sage projected on asuspended silk cloth.

For her focal piece titledJimmie Durham 1974, 2014,Malbeuf used blue tarp framedwith tree branches as hercanvas upon which over 8,000glass blue beads form the textof activist Durham’s protestpiece.

Elements from nature runthroughout the pieces creatingcurious juxtapositions thatinvite thought. Hall sees thesereferences as capturing “the

dysfunction between humanityand the natural landscape.”

Malbeuf’s installation ofanimal pelts strung up wasoriginally presented in a parkin Edmonton. The piece istactile, drawing the viewer inuntil the backside is viewed;each pelt has a safety vest onthe reverse. The relationshipbetween the two sides forms apoint of intellectual inquiry.

For her piece titled, TheBargain, 2014, Harnett’scanvas is a crimson four-pointHudson’s Bay blanket onwhich she has scripted wordfor word in felt pen the DekisTreaty of 1655 of unknownorigin given to her by an Elderfrom the Cold Lake area. Thelanguage sets out the mannerof relationship between thesettlers and the Aboriginalpeople.

Bear Hat’s found image of aphoto of her great grandfatherRunning Rabbit, a signatory ofTreaty 7 in 1877, restsalongside the text of the Treatyitself.

The melding of historicaldocuments and traditionalAboriginal culture andspirituality in the exhibitultimately queries theconstruction of Aboriginalidentity in contemporarysociety.

“The artists are breakingdown stereotypes,investigating popularrepresentations of beingIndigenous, how people seethem, how they seethemselves, especially whenfamily history is lost,” saidHall.

( Continued from page 7.)

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By Sam LaskarisSweetgrass Writer

SLAVE LAKE

Though he only took upboxing a few months ago,Wyatt Brill can already boastabout being a provincialchampion.

The 16-year-old Métis, wholives in Slave Lake, captured agold medal in his category atthe recent Alberta WinterGames, which were jointlyhosted by Banff and Canmorefrom Feb. 6-9.

Brill arrived at the boxingcompetition, held in Banff, notknowing how manycompetitors would be in his75-kilogram class. As it turnedout there was just one otherparticipant, Brendon Donaldfrom Calgary, in his division,featuring athletes aged 14-16.

The original plan was tohave Brill and his lone rivalsquare off in a best-of-threecompetition. Brill won the firstfight and then the next daybefore the pair was set to dukeit out again, Donald withdrewfrom the competition due toillness.

Brill, a Grade 10 student atSlave Lake’s Roland MichenerSecondary School, was thenawarded the gold medal andcrowned a provincial champ.

That’s a rather significantfeat for Brill, who had onlytwo fights and a 1-1 record,before entering the AWG.

Ideally though he wouldhave preferred to have hadmore bouts in Banff.

“Even if I had lost them itwould have given me moreexperience,” he said. “But Iwon gold so I can’t complain.And it’s a big accomplishmentbecause I want to go a lotfurther in my boxingcareer.”The AWG attractedabout 2,200 athletes and

coaches, who wererepresenting eight zones fromacross the province.

Brill was on the Zone 8team.

The games traditionallyfeature numerous Aboriginalathletes. But organizers haveno way of determining theathletes’ ancestry since they arenot required to list it onregistration forms.

Kris Hansen, a coach at theSlave Lake Boxing Club, alsoserved as a coach for the Zone8 boxing team.

He believes the fact Brillreturned home with a goldmedal will provide his fighterwith an additional boost.

“He had no clue what he wasup against going there,”Hansen said. “But this is hugefor his confidence.”

Based on Donald’s 6-1record and three years in thering, Donald would have beenthe favourite heading into hisbout against Brill. However,Brill registered a unanimousdecision in the three-roundbout.

“He boxed really well and helistened to his corner verywell,” Hansen said.

Hansen also believes Brill iscapable of achieving a lot morein the sport.

“If he sticks with it, he’s gota promising boxing futureahead of him,” he said.

Brill, who only took upboxing last October, doesindeed plan to continue on inthe sport.

In fact, he’s hoping tobecome a professional boxer.But before he does that he hasset his sights on representingthe country in the Olympics.

Though an appearance at the2020 Olympics might be amore realistic goal to aim for,Brill is not discounting anappearance at the next SummerOlympics, set for 2016 in Riode Janeiro, Brazil.

Brill is currently a two-sportathlete. He is also a member ofhis school’s wrestling team.

He has managed to juggle hisboxing and wrestling careerseven though his trainingsessions for both sports areheld on the same days.

“It’s pretty hard doing twointense workouts a day,” saidBrill, who also keeps in shapeby running daily.

“Next year I think I’m goingto just stick with boxing.”

Competing in boxing at the Alberta Winter Games were (from left) Cody Gauthier, coach KrisHansen, and Wyatt Brill. Gauthier earned silver in the 50-kg class, while Brill took gold in the75-kg class.

Gold winning boxer sets sights on Olympics

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

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