National Indigenous Peoples Day | 2019

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Reflections on National Indigenous Peoples Day

From left: Lorena Fontaine, Indigenous academic lead for the University of Winnipeg; Sheila North, director of the Centre for Indigenous Community Development at the University College of the North; Ruth Shead, co-ordinator of Indigenous achievement for the University of Manitoba.

“All the languages are endangered, but some languages are going to be gone within the next couple of years if some resources and efforts aren’t put towards revitalizing them,” she said. “Languages are dying, and we need to acknowledge that.” In spite of these challenges, Sheila North reflects on the potential for positive change. “I think there is a move to change the narrative about who Indigenous people are in this country. Despite all the things that have happened over the generations, we Indigenous people are resilient — and that needs to be celebrated and honoured,” said North, who is the director of the Centre for Indigenous Community Development at the University College of the North.

communities, she added. “The more we fight together as a nation to give proper education to every child and every student in the country, we’ll all be better off for it,” said North, former grand chief of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak. “Our people are very hard working and they love to learn. When you give them the proper tools they need to succeed, they exceed expectations.” National Indigenous Peoples Day is also a time to reflect on the contributions of people who have paved the way towards a brighter future, notes Ruth Shead, co-ordinator of Indigenous achievement for the University of Manitoba.

BY JENNIFER MCFEE NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY RECOGNIZES THE CULTURES AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF FIRST NATIONS, INUIT AND MÉTIS PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY. T he June 21 festivities coincide with the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, which has long been a time of celebration for Indigenous communities throughout the generations. In 1996, the Government of Canada first declared June 21 as National Aboriginal Day after consultations with various Indigenous groups. Then in 2017, the name changed to National Indigenous Peoples Day. For Lorena Fontaine, Indigenous academic lead for the University of Winnipeg, it’s a day to celebrate — but it’s also a time to reflect on issues that still need attention. “I think it’s an important day for Indigenous people and Canadians to celebrate and acknowledge Indigenous peoples. However, there’s still a lot of outstanding areas that need to be addressed in Canada,” Fontaine said. “A lot of the events are happy, but I think we also need to be aware of the people that are really struggling, such as those in the child welfare system and those in jail that are feeling very isolated.” Fontaine also points to ongoing issues such as poverty and high suicide rates. At the same time, many Indigenous languages have reached a crisis point as the population of speakers continues to dwindle.

“I think there is a move to change the narrative about who Indigenous people are in this country. Despite all the things that have happened over the generations, we Indigenous people are resilient — and that needs to be celebrated and honoured.”

– Sheila North, director of the Centre for Indigenous Community Development at the University College of the North.

“Implementing the treaties will start to do that. Many generations ago, Indigenous people agreed to share the land and welcome newcomers, but only one end of that deal is held up at this point. That’s why we see the high poverty rates and the social ills that we hear about a lot. It’s because we don’t have access to the type of resources that we need to sustain ourselves and our families.” Education and employment opportunities are essential in all

“The Truth and Reconciliation Commission has done so much work. There have been so many survivors who have shared their stories and faced re-traumatization in order for us to all move forward together,” Shead said. “I think about my grandma, who went to residential school. Some really heavy lifting was done by the people who weren’t accepted everywhere. Now there is celebration and pride, and it’s all because of the people that came before us. Hopefully we can leave something better for the next generation.”

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DESIGN

Heritage by design

Destiny Seymour owns and operates Indigo Arrows, an Indigenous textile design and home goods company.

trading story,” she said. “We don’t just create something for the eye; it’s something we need to keep as a legacy. In the years that come, the story will continue to be relevant and important.” Talent runs in the family since Dandeneau’s twin sister Marie-Josée was recently awarded the Indigenous Full Circle Prize through the Manitoba Arts Council for her musical achievements. “My sister tours a lot and I supply all her outfits,” Dandeneau said. “She’s my best ambassador.” For Dandeneau, she aspires to create clothing that can be worn by everybody of every background. “The biggest question I get asked is if people have to be Indigenous to buy my clothing — and I always tell them no. It’s my story and I’m proud of it,” she said. “I love my heritage. On a bigger scale, I would love to inspire people to believe in their own heritage and to feel some pride in that.” Similarly, another local designer seems destined to share her Indigenous reflections with the world. Destiny Seymour takes pride in her Anishinaabe roots. An interior designer by trade, Seymour is also the creative force behind Indigo Arrows, an Indigenous textile design and home goods company. The company offers a line of table linens, pillows and quilts that are manufactured in Manitoba in small batches. There

BY JENNIFER MCFEE

LOCAL DESIGNERS ARE FASHIONING THEIR CREATIONS WITH A FLAIR FOR SHARING THEIR HERITAGE. A ndréanne Dandeneau, a Winnipeg-based Métis designer, creates eco-friendly clothing that makes a statement through Indigenous-inspired prints. Her label, Voilà Designs, focuses on ethical garment manufacturing and eco-friendly practices. “In my clothing, I work with natural fibres and I incorporate my Métis heritage designs to create a modern twist to Indigenous art,” she said. “Everything is comfortable, good for the earth, good for your body and created with a lot of pride.” After studying at a private fashion school in Montreal, Dandeneau moved back to Winnipeg in 2005 and launched her first company with help from Aboriginal Business Canada. Her dad, David Albert, brings his talents to the table by creating Métis prints for the company’s Heritage Collection. “He’s a retired art teacher and a great visionary. It takes him a year to create one print. The latest one is called La Flèche, which tells the First Nations and Métis

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Winnipeg-based Métis designer Andréanne Dandeneau creates eco-friendly clothing and Indigenous-inspired prints through her company, Voilà Designs.

are currently five patterns in the Indigo Arrows collection that are all named in Anishinaabemowin: Bezhig (One), Niish (Two), Niswi (Three), Niiwin (Four) and Ishkoday (Flint Rock). “My new fall collection will be released Sept. 4 using patterns Bezhig and Niswi that will be printed on three new linen fabric colours,” Seymour said. “My goal is to also create a line of fabrics that interior designers and architects can source for their projects.” Through her designs, Seymour endeavours to revive Anishinaabe and Cree pottery and bone tool patterns to create textiles that showcase designs from this territory. “There is a rich history of Indigenous design within Manitoba that has existed for thousands of years,” she said. “I wanted to see them in my home, including interior design projects I was working on. Our patterns and designs can and do exist outside museums.” To separate her interior design projects from her textile design company, Seymour started another business called Woven Collective in collaboration with Mamie Griffith. This Indigenous-led design studio takes a critical look at the representation of Indigenous cultures within spaces. “Our design mission is to respectfully reflect local Indigenous cultures and identity with architectural forms, interior spaces and furniture,” she said. “Our design process acknowledges community engagement, inclusiveness and collaboration when creating new works.”

Celebrating the unique heritage and diverse cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples Happy National Indigenous Peoples’ Day!

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ART

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WAG’s Inuit Art Centre Groundbreaking Ceremony on May 25, 2018. Photo courtesy of Pauline Boldt/26 Projects.

Inuit inspiration BY JENNIFER MCFEE INUIT ART OFFERS INSPIRATION THAT RESONATES WITH THE POWERFUL PRESENCE OF THE NORTH.

T hird-generation Inuit artist Goota Ashoona hails from Cape Dorset and now calls Elie home. Art runs in her blood, with her parents and grandmother earning international recognition for their carving and printmaking. As she grew up, Ashoona was immersed in her family’s artistic environment. She tried her hand at traditional sewing of sealskin and caribou hides with her relatives, but she soon learned that her talents bloomed elsewhere. “I tried my best to learn how to do what they used to do, so I watched them working on mitts or pants or boots. It’s really, really hard. That’s why I’m really proud of some young people who try it and don’t quit,” she said. “For me, I stick with carving. I started with stone as a little girl. I learned by using the leftover materials from my father’s carvings.”

Across the country and beyond, Ashoona has earned accolades for her soapstone and whalebone sculptures, as well as for her caribou antler and ivory jewelry. Two of her works are featured in the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s permanent collection. Through her artwork, Ashoona aspires to share some splendour in an effort to help people going through a hard time. “It’s important to show the beauty in things. If it helps people to see that, maybe it can inspire them or give motivation,” she said. “Every day when you try to see, you can notice that things are always changing, like the land and the weather and the skies and the animals. Everything’s moving out there — and it’s so beautiful every day when we try to see it.”

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Soon Inuit artwork will take an even more prominent position through the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s Inuit Art Centre, set to open in 2020. The 40,000-square-foot building will showcase more than 13,000 contemporary and traditional Inuit carvings, drawings, prints, textiles and new media throughout its four storeys. Adding to the influx of northern influences, Western Canada’s first Inuit-specific resource centre opened its doors in Winnipeg in early May. Tunngasugit Inuit Resource Centre, located at 818 Sargent Ave., aims to promote and

enhance the quality of life for Inuit people living in Manitoba. Services are available in both English and Inuktitut in a supportive environment that attempts to replicate the spirit and culture of the Inuit lands. Maxine Angoo, Inuit outreach co-ordinator, explains that the centre offers cultural access, education, and assistance with health and social services to help Inuit people transition to life in the city. “For a lot of Inuit who come here, it’s a whole different world for them. They don’t know what to do or where to start,” Angoo said.

“I’m originally from Whale Cove, Nunavut, and it was really hard for me. There were a bunch of barriers that I faced — and that lots of Inuit face. So we’re here to help ease that transition.” Tunngasugit, which means “welcome,” is open by appointment on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, with drop-in days available on Wednesdays and Saturdays. “It’s a place where it’s familiar. There’s Inuit artwork on the walls and there’s Inuktitut books. Everyone’s speaking Inuktitut, enjoying tea and coffee,” Angoo said.

“We also have a free store with donations from various organizations, businesses and people, so low-income Inuit families can come here and grab whatever they need.” The non-profit centre provides access to computers and a phone with free long distance calling. Plans are in the works to offer classes in Inuktitut language, soapstone carving and sewing. “There has been nothing Inuit-specific here until now,” Angoo said. “We’re really happy that it’s finally here.”

WAG’s Inuit Art Centre rendering. Michael Maltzan Architecture.

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Goota Ashoona. The Story of Nuliajuk, 2009. Collection of the Winnipeg Art Gallery, 2010-26. Photo: Ernest Mayer, courtesy of the WAG.

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DANCE

The power of powwow

and the philosophy behind them, help us remember who we are. Not only are you being given that freedom to express what you as an individual believe in, but you are carrying on a part of the Indigenous tribe as well.” The creation of regalia is often a collective family effort, she adds. Throughout the winter months, family members might sit together at a table to work on one person’s beadwork. “Very deeply embedded ancestral roots are reflected within their regalia,” Handel said. “For somebody that has spent the majority of their life heavily involved in dancing ceremonies, the regalia actually depicts their clan, where they’re from, what tribe they’re from, their spiritual colours and their spiritual name, which is very personal.” Yet for others, the powwow might be an entirely new experience. To help these budding dancers connect with their culture, Handel has stepped back from the powwow trail and dedicated herself to sharing her knowledge. In addition to teaching dance, she also designs and creates eye-catching regalia for any students who need it. “Part of the reason why I started the Aboriginal School of Dance is because I really wanted people to understand that it’s not just the physical act of dancing. It’s the philosophy behind why you are doing those specific movements, which are there to remind you of the balance and humility that it requires for you to successfully manoeuvre through life,” she said. “When you’re constantly reminding yourself of these stories and these

BY JENNIFER MCFEE

SPIRIT AND CULTURE CONVERGE AT POWWOWS, BRINGING TOGETHER PEOPLE OF ALL AGES TO CELEBRATE TRADITIONS OF MUSIC AND DANCE. B uffy Handel, founder of the Aboriginal School of Dance, spent years of her life travelling the powwow trail from spring to fall. The word “pauwau” stems from Algonquin roots, as does Handel herself. “Indigenous language is more descriptive as opposed to literal, so the word ‘pauwau’ in the Algonquin language was used to describe the opening of the circle by spiritual leaders and elders,” explained Handel, who grew up in Cree territory and follows Lakota ceremony. “If you go north, south, east, west, you literally can find a dancing ceremony or competition powwow every single weekend throughout the entire spring, summer and a portion of the fall.” With a dazzling display of colours, the grand entry marks the official opening of the event. “Everybody comes out and they dance as they literally open that circle. The eagle staff, which represents a community or strong family, is put right beside the Canadian and U.S. flags,” Handel said. “The dignitaries, war veterans, elders and head dancers all come out and then the dance categories start.” These categories begin with the men’s traditional, grass, fancy bustle and chicken dances, followed by the women’s northern and southern traditional, jingle dress and fancy shawl dances. After that, the youth and tiny tots catch everyone’s attention as they showcase their abilities. As a professional dancer for more than 25 years, Handel is best known for her hoop dance, which can also be included in the powwow categories. “To me, and I think to a lot of people, dancing has been a lifesaver because it allows you to express something that’s inside. It’s a way to share who you are and what you believe in. Because of the colonization, Indigenous people quite often are desperately grasping onto any aspect of our identity,” she said. “Each category of dance tells a certain part of that history. So the physical movements,

good things, they will serve as an example to lead you onto a better life path.”

Clockwise from top: Buffy Handel, founder of the Aboriginal School of Dance; hoop dancer Phoenix Handel; performer Bella Flett.

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SCHEDULE

INDIGENOUS DAY Live at The Forks

Indigenous Day Live is Canada’s largest event held to recognize National Indigenous Peoples Day. APTN launched the initiative 13 years ago in Winnipeg, and it has since grown to include celebrations in Calgary and Whitehorse. Now, more than 45,000 people attend the event and free concert held at The Forks each year.

On Saturday, June 22, family-friendly

outdoor activities will take place all day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at The Forks. followed by a free evening concert on the Main Stage. The festivities include traditional storytelling and games, a powwow, a skateboard competition, artisans and food vendors, the Best Bannock Contest, kids’ zone and much more.

Indigenous Day Live’s first-ever Fiddle Contest will begin at 5 p.m. photo courtesy of Daniel Melnyk Photography

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SATURDAY, JUNE 22 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS AT THE FORKS

SUNRISE – SUNSET SUNRISE CEREMONY AND SACRED FIRE

5 - 6 P.M. INDIGENOUS DAY LIVE’S FIRST-EVER FIDDLE CONTEST Pre-registration is required before 5 p.m. on competition day 6 P.M. WINNIPEG’S BEST BANNOCK CONTEST 5:45 - 6:30 P.M. PRE-SHOW ENTERTAINMENT ON THE MAIN STAGE featuring emerging artists Sebastian Gaskin and Ryan D’Aoust with Nathan Halcrow & Daniel Koulack 7 - 10:30 P.M. INDIGENOUS DAY LIVE CONCERT ON THE MAIN STAGE hosted by Indigenous actress Grace Dove and musician, composer and singer-songwriter Daniel Roy

Buffy Sainte-Marie – This award- winning singer-songwriter’s recent album Medicine Songs is a collection of new and classic songs that focus on unity and resistance. Randy Bachman – A founding member of The Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Randy Bachman has earned more than 120 platinum, gold and silver records. The Jerry Cans – Inspired by their hometown of Iqaluit, this Juno- nominated band entertains audiences with a mix of traditional Inuit throat singing combined with roots-rock performed in Inuktitut. Performers include:

at Oodena Circle 10 A.M. - 6 P.M. IDL POWWOW in partnership with Manito Ahbee.

The Dakhká Khwáan Dancers with DJ Dash – Based out of Whitehorse, this award-winning dance group focuses on reclaiming languages and traditions through song, dance and stories. They teamed up with electronic music producer DJ Dash for their debut album Deconstruct/ Reconstruct . Andrina Turenne – Taking pride in her Franco-Métis roots, this singer- songwriter and musician was part of the Juno Award-winning group Chic Gamine. She has also established her solo career while working in theatre composition and live performance.

Registration opens at 10 a.m. The Grand Entry is at 12 p.m. 12 - 5 P.M. SKATEBOARD DEMONSTRATION AND COMPETITION in partnership with Sk8 Skates at The Plaza Skate Park 1 - 6 P.M. CULTURAL STAGE 2:45 - 3:15 P.M. MASCOT CHALLENGE

The Jerry Cans

The Dakhká Khwáan Dancers

Randy Bachman

Andrina Turenne

Buffy Sainte-Marie

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EVENTS

Left photo: Crowds gather for celebrations at The Forks. Middle photos from top: Visitors check out Parks Canada displays at The Forks; kids enjoy family- friendly events at the Manitoba Children’s Museum; festivities include teepee raising at Riding Mountain National Park. Right photo: The University of Manitoba bustles with events. Photos courtesy of Parks Canada, Manitoba Children’s Museum and University of Manitoba.

THURSDAY, JUNE 20: • University of Manitoba’s Bannatyne Campus – Events will be held at various locations from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., including teepee construction and display, pipe ceremony, crafters’ and artists’ display, children’s story time, entertainment, feast and more. Everyone is welcome to attend. • MacKenzie Middle School in Dauphin (212 1 St. NE) – Free barbecue lunch from 11:30 to 1 for the public. Events are hosted in partnership with the Manitoba Metis Federation’s northwest region. FRIDAY, JUNE 21 • University of Manitoba’s Fort Garry Campus – Teach-in for Reconciliation sessions throughout the day from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 108 St. John’s College (Cross Commons Room) and Migizii Agamik (Bald Eagle Lodge). Sessions will

explore colonialism, resistance, identity, relationships and economic development in relation to reconciliation. All are welcome and there is no sign-up required. • University of Winnipeg campus – Events will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in the green space between Leatherdale Hall and Riddell Hall. Dr. Lorena Fontaine will provide opening remarks, followed by Dr. Annette Trimbee. There will be a bannock breakfast and entertainment by Spence Tradition square dancers. • Freighthouse Community Centre (200 Isabel St.) – Celebrating Reconciliation event hosted by Immigration Partnership Winnipeg, Circles for Reconciliation and National Aboriginal Day Selkirk Ave Committee from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission and free food are available at the event, which features a powwow exhibition at 1 p.m., live entertainment, children’s activities, arts and crafts, and career fair.

• Transcona Museum (141 Regent Ave. West) – Small talk on the topic “Highlights of the Transcona Museum’s Indigenous Collection,” which will mainly feature beadwork and quillwork. Also, there will be a Swampy Cree “N” Dialect language session led by summer program assistant Cassandra Gaudard. Events run from 1 to 4 p.m. • Manitoba Children’s Museum (45 Forks Market Rd.) – Attendees at this third-annual event can create a take- home craft, enjoy Indigenous cultural performances, help build a teepee and participate in story time. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is included in the price of general museum admission. • Riding Mountain National Park and Wasagaming – Celebrations start at 11 a.m. with the raising of a wigii-waam (teepee), and then Parks Canada will host a series of cultural activity stations in the Townsite of Wasagaming from 1 to 4 p.m.

• 1st Street NW in Dauphin – Event presented by Northwest Metis Council Inc. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring entertainment, square dancer performances, free barbecue, door prizes, cultural display, kids’ activities and more.

• Riverbank Discovery Centre in Brandon (545 Conservation Dr.)

– Family-friendly event from noon to 8 p.m. featuring an interactive teepee village, kids’ zone, powwow, artifact displays, art vendors and entertainment, including a performance by Don Amero. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26: • Canadian Museum for Human Rights (85 Israel Asper Way) – Film screening of Indian Horse , which is an adaptation of Richard Wagamese’s award-winning novel, as part of the Indigenous Perspectives film series. The event runs from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Manitoba Teachers Society classrooms on Level 1.

NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY FRIDAY, JUNE 21 | 13

Happy National Indigenous Peoples Day

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MUSIC

Musical motivation

BY JENNIFER MCFEE

INDIGENOUS MUSICIANS CONTINUE TO HIT A HIGH NOTE WHILE DRUMMING UP SUCCESS ACROSS THE INDUSTRY. L ast month, Juno-nominated Winnipeg musician Don Amero brought home the Indigenous Music Award in the category of Best Country Album for Evolution . A mix of roots, pop, country, rock and even a hint of soul influences his sound as it evolves. “My parents played and sang a lot when I was growing up,” said Amero, who is Cree/Métis on his mother’s side and French Acadian on his father’s side. “That background and their love of music has had an enormous effect on how music formed in me. I’d say it’s kept me rooted and connected.” If he’s in the right frame of mind, almost anything can act as an inspiration. “I know this sounds like a Hallmark card, but there is beauty all around us. There is a story — or a song — constantly unfolding before our eyes. We just need to tune into it,” he said. “For something more tangible, I’d say most of my musical inspiration comes when listening to new music. When a song comes on that shakes me at my core, often my response is to pick up my guitar and write something new.” As a father of three children, Amero’s family plays a pivotal role in all he does. To celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, Amero will be closer to home performing with his band at the Riverbank Discovery Centre in Brandon. “I take the most pride in watching these little humans explore the world through our views and stories,” he said, “and then having the gift of watching them as they become more and more courageous to then go out and discover the world on their own.” Musically, Amero is most proud that he has persevered and stayed the course. “It’s extremely hard in this business to have a lasting career,” he said, “and to say I’ve been doing it full time for almost 13 years is a testimony to my perseverance.” Coming up, he’ll be on the road to share new music with radio stations and perform at summer festivals across the country. To celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, Amero will be closer to home performing with his band at the Riverbank Discovery Centre in Brandon. “It’s always a great day to perform and celebrate the Indigenous community nationally,” Amero said. Meanwhile, for drummer Charnelle Menow of Norway House Cree Nation, it was music to her ears when she was offered a spot in the all-Cree group Midnight Shine. The roots rock band, which formed in 2011, also features lead guitarist/vocalist Adrian Sutherland of Attawapiskat First Nation, along with bassist/vocalist Stan Louttit and guitarist/vocalist Zach Tomatuk, both of Moose Factory First Nation. They incorporate hints of powwow chants and Cree language into their music to create a distinctive sound. The band recently performed at the Indigenous Music Awards, and Sutherland co-hosted the show. Although they didn’t take home any awards that night, they earned recognition as nominees in the categories of Best Rock Album for High Road and Best Producer/ Engineer.

Musician Don Amero will perform at the Riverbank Discovery Centre in Brandon for National Indigenous Peoples Day.

NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY FRIDAY, JUNE 21 | 15

“I really enjoy it,” said Menow, who was welcomed to the band in late 2018. “The guys treat me with such respect and they also take care of me while we’re on the road. It feels like they’re my older brothers and it feels like I’ve known them for such a long time already.” Menow got her musical start by watching and listening to her father, musician Hector Menow Jr. She learned the fiddle first and then the guitar, but drums remain her favourite instrument followed by piano. For National Indigenous Peoples Day, Midnight Shine will be performing in Sudbury, Ont. “To me, it shouldn’t be just a one-day thing,” Menow said. “We should always be proud to be who we are, proud of where we came from, and proud to still be walking on Mother Earth.”

Midnight Shine is an all-Cree band made up of Stan Louttit, Adrian Sutherland, Charnelle Menow and Zach Tomatuk.

Passionhistoire.ca

LANGUAGE

16 | NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY FRIDAY, JUNE 21

Language revival

build the students’ identity and who they are as Ojibwe and Cree. There’s opportunities to learn about ceremonies such as smudging, sharing circle, feasts and pipe ceremonies,” he said. “Language and culture go synonymously together. Community members, elders and educators realized that we would have to go much deeper and have more opportunities for young people to be exposed to language.” A curriculum document called 13 Moons on the Turtle’s Back provides a basis for the program, drawing on traditional Indigenous teaching and ecological land-based learning. “It’s a resource guide for the teachers to do planning so that they can infuse Manitoba curriculum with an Indigenous perspective,” Goring said. “You want to plan with a holistic approach, keeping the land, the language and the culture in mind. The resource guide helps the teachers be aware of and use teachings that have been passed down by elders to ensure that the children are receiving those teachings as well.” Vice-principal Brian Rogowsky adds that registration is still open for the upcoming school year. “Our program is offered to anyone across Winnipeg School Division. Within the Winnipeg School Division, if you are more than 1.6 kilometres away from the school, you also receive busing for the language program,” he said. “There are two entry points at kindergarten and Grade 1. If there is someone in Grade 2

that family to see if it would be possible.” For those who live outside the school division, they can have their names added to a waitlist for a spot. Looking ahead, plans are in the works to celebrate the seasonal change through the summer solstice. “We’re celebrating Indigenous identity on a

daily basis here at the school. We also have a new Canadian population at the school, so it’s helping to build bridges across all our cultures,” Rogowsky said. “The hope is that we are building a group of young people that will be able to help revitalize the language and there will be more language speakers in the community of Winnipeg.”

BY JENNIFER MCFEE THE POWER OF LANGUAGE PREVAILS THROUGH WINNIPEG SCHOOL DIVISION’S BILINGUAL CREE AND OJIBWE PROGRAMS. T hese programs are currently wrapping up their third year at Isaac Brock School, drawing students from across the division for kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grade 2 instruction in multi-age classrooms. In September, the program will expand by another level, going up to Grade 3 for the 2019-20 school year. Colleen Omand instructs the Cree program, while Alma Bernier teaches the Ojibwe classes. For Bernier, it’s astounding to see how quickly the kids are connecting to the language. She’s been tracking the Ojibwe vocabulary the students have learned throughout the school year. So far, she’s already listed 400 words — and she’s still counting. “They’re really good at reading the double vowel system, and we’re translating into the syllabic. The parents are learning the language as well as the kids. We even had one grandmother say that her grandson answers her in the language now. She’s really pleased with him,” Bernier said. ‘The language is coming back in waves. It’s unbelievable. It’s actually fun, and the kids are having a good time with it too. They are grasping the language quickly.” Principal Chris Goring notes the education extends beyond language instruction. An on- site lodge room is used for daily smudging and other teachings. “There’s also a cultural component to help

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Students are flourishing in the bilingual Cree and Ojibwe language programs at Isaak Brock School. Photo courtesy of Dan LeMoal, Winnipeg School Division.

NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY FRIDAY, JUNE 21 | 17

Today we celebrate the valuable contribution Indigenous Peoples make to the fabric of our community.

Johnston Group proudly partners with Winnipeg Poverty Reduction Council, Amik and Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce, to help Indigenous communities thrive. And our employee benefit products, CINUP and ACC Group Benefits Plan, are designed with the guidance of Indigenous organizations. For over three decades, we've built relationships with Indigenous businesses, bringing them together as one collective force to achieve marketplace power and enhance stability. We put together unique plans for traditional and non-traditional organizations to protect employees and their families. At Johnston Group, we believe in putting people first. johnstongroup.ca Work Life Wonderful.

We at Kiinu and Niichi would like to wish everyone a happy Indigenous Day.

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18 | NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY FRIDAY, JUNE 21

FOOD

Feasting on tradition

she said. “Being part of that process was really empowering.” Eventually, an opportunity arose for Guenther to open a restaurant in the former Ellice Café and Theatre venue. She started the business in 2015, earning acknowledgment as one of very few Indigenous restaurants in Canada. “If you look at my menu at Feast, it’s modern dishes rooted in First Nations foods. Everything is homemade and fresh. We support local Indigenous communities as much as we can for our products such as wild rice and berries,” she said. “We’ve gone out to the bison farm to lay down an offering to thank them and pay respect for their sacrifice and the importance to our community.” The mouth-watering menu at Feast aims to put traditional foods on the plate, using accessible ingredients at a price point that people can afford. One popular pick is the powwow taco smothered with homemade bison chili. Another top seller is the roasted butternut squash bannock pizza. “We’re trying to incorporate a lot of our traditional ways, practices and love at Feast,” Guenther said. “We can be authentic and promote our culture through food — and be successful at the same time.” Currently, Feast is undergoing an expansion to create more space for prep work and catering. Guenther will also expand her team to keep up with the demands of the bustling business. “At Feast, we pride ourselves on giving job opportunities to people who may have barriers to employment,” she said, “including those from our First Nations and Métis communities.” Guenther and her Feast team also honour the environment through their practices. “We’re very mindful of Mother Earth. We have lots of plants at Feast so if there’s water left at the tables, we put it in a bucket to water them. We freeze all the bones and vegetable trimmings and cook them down for stock,” she said. “We’re also very community-minded. We do school tours and we let community kids take turns making healthy snacks to feed to the other children. It’s important to create those connections — and we’re here to help.”

BY JENNIFER MCFEE

A LOCAL INDIGENOUS RESTAURANT NOURISHES A NEED FOR HEALTHY HERITAGE FOODS. F east Café Bistro, located at 587 Ellice Ave., celebrates bold Indigenous flavours cooked with fresh seasonal ingredients that are locally sourced. Owner Christa Guenther grew up in Winnipeg’s North End, with roots stemming from Peguis First Nation. “We were quite poor but we did have a small garden,” she said. “We mainly cooked at home because we couldn’t afford to eat out, which is a blessing now that I look back.” At age 22, Guenther opened up her own licensed daycare with support from the Youth Entrepreneurship Program and Aboriginal Business Canada. Around the same time, Canada’s Food Guide for First Nations, Inuit and Métis became available. “The food guide listed a lot of ingredients that I didn’t even know belonged to our First Nations culture. So many of us are so disconnected from our traditional foods and from the land, water and sky, and the basic life skill of cooking,” she said. “So I became really curious about our traditional foods and I started incorporating a lot of those into our food program.” Along with the daycare kids, she planted a mini garden to grow some of the traditional ingredients. “We had to cook on a budget,” Guenther said. “That’s when I developed my recipes, trying to incorporate three Indigenous ingredients into a dish along with everyday foods so that they were affordable.” These Indigenous ingredients can include different squashes, beans, berries and corn, as well as wild rice, hazelnuts, bison, goose — and so much more. “By reconnecting to our culture through food, we had this new sense of identity and pride and self-worth,”

Clockwise from left: Feast owner Christa Guenther and her staff visit the bison farm that provides all the meat for her café and customers; Guenther poses outside her café, located at 587 Ellice Ave.; breakfast sandwich on bannock featuring farm eggs, Bothwell Cheese and tomatoes; the interior view of Feast; elk stew served in acorn squash.

NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY FRIDAY, JUNE 21 | 19

The University of Manitoba is proud to acknowledge the contributions of Elder Carl Stone . A student advisor and cultural coordinator, Carl Stone has been involved with the Indigenous community on the University of Manitoba’s campuses – and beyond – for decades. In his role at the Indigenous Student Centre, he is dedicated to empowering Indigenous youth and incorporating culture and ceremony in programming like Fireside Chats and Zongiigabowin Men’s Group. Carl has also been instrumental in the planning of the Annual Traditional Graduation Pow Wow for more than 20 years. On June 13, Carl was honoured at the 18 th Annual Keeping the Fires Burning, co-hosted by Ka Ni Kanichihk and the sākihiwēwin Foundation. At the event, he was inducted into the Circle of Honour for his contributions to the well-being of Indigenous Peoples and in reclaiming the spiritual and cultural ways of the Anishinaabe people. Congratulations. Chi-Miigwech. INTEGRITY AND LEADERSHIP HONOUR I NG

UMANITOBA.CA/INDIGENOUS #UMINDIGENOUS

Because we’re committed to working with everyone in our community towards a shared goal of reconciliation.

In January, we announced 20 grants to support the work of charitable organizations pursuing specific strategies in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 94 Calls to Action. We acknowledge the important work of our partner agencies in delivering specific programs:

Camerata Nova Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources Dakota Ojibway Child and Family Services Healing Forest Winnipeg Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba Islamic Social Services Association Ka Ni Kanichihk Lake Winnipeg Indigenous Collective Ma Mawi-Wi-Chi-Itata Centre Manitoba Craft Council

Mentoring Artists For Women’s Art Rainbow Resource Centre Red Road Lodge Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre Sarasvàti Dramatic Theatre Productions and Repertory The Seven Oaks School Division Blue Thunderbird Land-Based Teachings Learning Centre Social Planning Council of Winnipeg Urban Circle Training Centre Urban Shaman Westworth United Church

#FindyourBeCause | 204.944.9474 FindyourBeCause.org

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