First Nations Voice

DECEMBER 2015 • PAGE 3 M ust be that time of year again because another Amero Little Christmas is happening again in early December. For those who might not know, Don Amero is an award winning and Juno nominated singer/ musician based out of Winnipeg, Manitoba. He's released four albums and has toured the country extensively over that time. The Amero Little Christmas show will be happening at the West End Cultural Centre (WECC) on December 5 and tickets are available at the WECC or at ticketfly.com, for those who prefer purchasing tickets over the Internet. He has been putting on the show for several years now and it's always about what he can give back to the community. This year's show is dedicated to supporting the North End Family Centre. "Every year, we find something to support and particularly with a local focus," said Amero. "I know there are other people around the world that need help but I've known the North End Family Centre for years. I'm good friends with the director, Kyle Mason." Amero is a realist though and knows his concert won't make much more on recent renovations that totaled a little over $50,000 but he hopes some publicity will spur others to help out. He also takes the show on the road with concerts to be held in Neepawa on November 26 and Dauphin on November 27. "We put so much work into the Christmas show that it feels like we should do more than just one show," said Amero. This year's show has Eagle and Hawk/ Indian City guitarist Vince Fontaine appearing as a guest. It's Amero's hope that one day his show will be featured as a Christmas special on a network somewhere. By First Nations Voice staff Time for an amero LiTTLe ChrisTmas Don Amero The Winnipeg Aboriginal Film Fest (WAFF) finished its fourteenth year showing signs it has come of age with a full slate of movies that not only entertained but also informed. On the opening night, November 18, Mrs. Universe Ashley Callingbull recounted her own harrowing tale of growing up the victim of sexual abuse, racism and overcoming that through traditional culture. Then came the movie "Highway of Tears" that dealt with Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women specifically along Highway 16 through BC that has earned that infamous nickname for the number of women who have become victims along that route. It was the first night that snow started following but despite the cold, snow and bitter wind a full house turned up to watch that movie. And like many in the house, tears came to my eyes. The film was produced by Matt Smiley and Carly Pope to raise the issue of the sparsely populated road stretching from Prince George to Prince Rupert where have disappeared or been murdered for over 40 years now. Highway of Tears interviewed family and community members as they recounted interactions with police and their own relatives. Nathan Fillion, a Hollywood actor best known for starring in Castle on the ABC television network, provided the voice over narration for the film. After the film, Leah Gazan, University of Winnipeg educator, provided some local context with so many missing and murdered Indigenous women in the province. And on Sunday, November 22, the Thunderbird House hosted the event that looked at the estimated 20,000 Indigenous people who were adopted out of their communities from the sixties to the eighties that became known as the Sixties Scoop. The survivors gathered at the Thunderbird House to participate in a sharing circle, panel discussion and watched two movies on the Sixties Scoop. Colleen Rajotte, a former journalist who now produces documentaries, is a Sixties Scoop survivor herself. One of the documentaries shown that day was produced by Rajotte herself that dealt with the story of three siblings who were sent to New Orleans after their parents were killed in a car crash. Two of the siblings made it back to Canada but one still languishes in a Louisiana prison. The WAFF was founded by Rajotte and continues to grow every year due to her exhaustive efforts to bring Indigenous voices to the screen. Remember that next year for next November. By Trevor Greyeyes Winnipeg aboriginaL fiLm fesT Comes of age I would just like to wish the readers, supporters, advertisers and employees of the First Nations Voice because it's been a pretty good year. Oh, there have been challenges to overcome but hopefully, and I don't mean to sound cryptic, there will be an announcement that I can officially make but that will have to wait. And before I get into the next bit let me preface that by saying that I am not the "angry Indian" nor am I some sort of militant as I was called in the Winnipeg Free Press comments section following a story on an Indigenous issue. That last one really amused me. For better or worse what I really am is a small business owner. I've had to be out of necessity and not by choice. Last month, Lesley Hughes posted a link on her Facebook page to the CTV story "Canada named most tolerant country in the world" (Tuesday, November 3, 2015) which I pointed out was a myth. In fact, I would say that is a colonial myth. Of course, when you are an Indigenous person like myself then there is always pushback, usually from trolls. Chris Cariou fired back that I was a "negative Nancy" and cited Folklorama as proof of Canada's tolerance. Mr. Cariou is entitled to his opinion but here's a splash of cold water. The Globe and Mail is running a series of stories titled "Taken" that examined the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. Here's a few startling facts: - the 2014 RCMP report found that 1,181 Indigenous women went missing or were murdered between 1980 and 2012; - " indigenous women are roughly seven times more likely to be victims of serial homicide than non-indigenous women;" - aboriginal men are three times more likely to be killed than aboriginal women. And, of course, I could go on and on with the statistics looking at poverty, boil water advisories, graduation and employment rates. And personally, I wonder whenever I read another article or column in the mainstream media touting education as a key to overcoming the appalling poverty and social conditions faced by countless individual Indigenous peoples and their communities. Why? I graduated with a high school diploma when I was 18. After suffering a few years of underemployment, I went to university for four years. Then after going through a few more years of underemployment, I went back for an additional two years. And do you know what? I haven't had a full time job in ten years. Oh, I've made it by with short term contracts, freelancing, consulting, publishing and a variety of menial labour jobs but nothing long term. However, I remain a cockeyed optimist. In this issue of the First Nations Voice there is the story of hope and reconciliation between a mother and daughter. The voices of Indigenous people speaking up through documentaries about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and the Sixties Scoop. Bill Gallagher, a non-First Nations lawyer and author, noting the rise of "native" empowerment through the many court victories, well over 200 by Gallagher's counting. I see signs of hope and reconciliation. So, Merry Chistmas Mr. Cariou. By Trevor Greyeyes ChrisTmas message of hope and reConCiLiaTion or merry ChrisTmas Chris Cariou

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