Grade 9 students at Ermineskin Junior Senior High School, as well as their family members, were invited to attend a ceremonial dinner to celebrate their next step in their education; finishing Junior High. Students dressed up and had a delicious meal from the EJSHS kitchen at the event which began at 6:00PM.
Several staff members and community volunteers also enjoyed the evenings events. The crowd enjoyed roast beef with gravy, potatoes, various salads, chocolate cereal bars, and chocolate covered strawberries.
Congrats to the students and good luck in High School next year!
Twelve students graduated at the Maskwacis Outreach School last Friday, joining the 49 other students who have graduated since the school’s opening in 2012.
The students were honoured with speeches by Denise Young, MESC Associate Superintendent Kevin Wells and, Outreach School staff.
A PowerPoint presentation shown at the ceremony had pictures of the students as young children, as well as dressed in their graduate gowns and caps, which left several attendees with happy tears in their eyes. The school lobby was full of graduates and their proud families and they enjoyed a catered meal after being present with their diploma and feathers.
Maskwacis Graduates receiving their Diplomas and an eagle feather at the WCHS Graduation Ceremony
The graduating class of 2018 received their Diplomas with over 1000 people in attendance to watch the ceremony at the Wetaskiwin Drill Hall. In the opening speech by Master and Mistress of Ceremonies, Abby Fonteyne and Nick Weiss gave congratulations to all graduates and acknowledged that WCHS stands on Treaty territory.
Randy Ermineskin gave a speech as a greeting from Maskwacis. “It’s the only time we have the opportunity” to watch our kids receive this “piece of paper to show [they] accomplished something,” he said.
The students looked stunning in their burgundy and gold robes. First Nations students were also presented with an eagle feather by Elder Ken White of Maswacîs.
Chief Randy Ermineskin making a speech at the WCHS Graduation Ceremony
In a speech from the WCHS Parent Council, parent Kim Stashko urged the graduates: “Don’t rush adulthood, it will come whether you like it or not,” and, quoted Ellen DeGeneres, reminding students to “be nice to each other”.
Wetaskiwin Composite High School Class of 2018
Students were also invited to participate in a Grad Dinner Dance on Saturday, May 26, 2018, as well as a safe grad.
The Maskwacis Cultural College hosted a Youth Summit on Monday, May 28th, 2018. Several student youth from the college were invited to participate in a day of discussions and presentations. The purpose of the summit was to demonstrate the importance of youth engagement within indigenous communities and also identify and discuss issues that are impacting the youth and children in the community.
The morning presentation consisted of an Elders discussion with Maskwacis Elder’s Marvin Littlechild and Rose Saddleback. The Elder’s discussion touched on topics such as: traditional teachings, Praying and the Creator, right of use of tobacco for protocol, pride in being a Native person, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the 96 Calls to Action, and the importance of keeping current with governmental issues. Elder Marvin Littlechild spoke to the youth, saying: “It is truly exciting to be a Native person. The most exciting part of being Native is practicing who you are and finding out who you are. We are a beautiful people.”
The afternoon presentation was given by representatives from the Save the Children organization. Conrad Prince, the Director of Indigenous and Canadian Programming and his associate Carmen Barrientos Martinez, the Program Officer of the Indigenous and Canadian Programming, introduced the new and upcoming “Youth Community Planning and Project Design” program. Their thorough presentation outlined the goals, program framework & process, social imagination, training modules and program outcomes & benefits. “The project will mobilize youth and allow them to be the catalyst for their communities to create innovative ways to address community issues that are youth-led, informed and driven.” stated Conrad.
The Save the Children organization has also funded the Ayatimah – Let’s Read Together program, which is a generous yearly donation from Scholastic Canada Inc., Over 30,000 books are distributed in partnership with Maskwacis Cultural College to support literacy initiatives in Maskwacis. Additionally, the organization also assists with unique initiatives such as hosting book exchanges, creating libraries-in-a-box, school presentations, and a reading tipi.
Ermineskin Cree Nation Community Wellness collaborated with the Ermineskin and Samson Youth & Sports Development department staff to host a 4 Nation Youth Rally and Banquet. Youth were invited to participate in Ball Hockey and Basketball tournaments, which took place in the gym and parking lot of the Ermineskin Junior/Senior High School. There were 52 youths in attendance and participating in the fun-spirited competitions.
Special guests, Brigette Laquette and Emery Burning Grass, were invited to speak and entertain at the Banquet at the HBMC, which followed the days activities. Famous YouTuber, Emery Burning Grass (created and performed by the humorous Donnie McDonald) performed for attendees, insisting that he had 10 exes in the audience, including Brigette Laquette and the Newsletter Editor.
Brigette Laquette spoke to the audience, sharing her journey from living in a small community of 40 people in Saskatchewan to achieving her life goal of competing in women’s hockey in the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang. She had been teased as a young girl for her eczema, and her grandfather had some wise words for her after a particularly bad day on the school bus. “One day God is going to put you in a place where everyone is going to notice you, you’re going to be put in a place where they’re not going to be able to bring you down.” She recalled being unable to see the bigger picture because she was young and all she could think of was going back to being teased the next day. He said “don’t give up, you’re going to excel at whatever you put your mind to.” She then found her outlet in sports, especially hockey. “On the ice, it made me feel happy and forget all the things that happened or were said to me, it made me feel great.”
“After all I’d been through, I’m glad I didn’t give up.”
“It doesn’t matter where you come from… It’s going to take a lot of hard work, determination, and perseverance, but it’s worth it.”
Premier Rachel Notley addressed Sixties Scoop survivors, their families, and communities in a formal apology during the 29th Legislature, Fourth Session, Spring Sitting at the Alberta Legislature Building. Asani, an Aboriginal women’s a cappella group from Edmonton, Alberta, sang their rendition of “O, Canada” after a Grand Entry made up of SSISA (Sixties Scoop Indigenous Society of Alberta) board members entered the Legislature. SSISA board members and invited guests sat in the gallery overlooking the Legislative chambers, while their family members, spouses, and other guests viewed the apology via TV monitor in the Rotunda of the Alberta Legislature building.
All invited guests were introduced to the legislative assembly prior to the apology. Several officials were present, including Chiefs and Councilors from 12 Alberta area reserves, including Ermineskin’s own Cheryl Montour and Daniel Wildcat. Representatives spanned Treaty 6, 7, and 8 territory, with reps from 3 Metis Settlements also in attendance.
“When we speak about colonialism and its vestiges, when we speak about the need for truth and reconciliation here in Alberta and across Canada, when we speak about healing, we must remember always that we speak about people,” said Premier Notley. “Above us today are survivors of the sixties scoop: women and men, children and grandchildren, parents and grandparents; all of them survivors. And as we speak today in their presence we are mindful that their presence carries with it, also, a terrible absence. Parents lost, children taken, families destroyed, cultures shamed, ignored, and forgotten by force. A proud way of life taken away. The decisions that led to that personal trauma, many of those decisions, Mr. Speaker, were made right here on this floor, in this chamber… for [this] apology to have the meaning these women and men deserve, these women and men deserve to know that their experiences were heard and are heard, and are understood as best as we can. These women and men deserve to know that we stand here today looking up at them not only with hearts of reconciliation, but with eyes that see the wrongs of the past as clearly as we can.
“To you, the survivors of the sixties scoop, to your children, to your parents, to the rest of your families, and to your communities, from me, as Premier of Alberta, from all of us here, as the elected representatives, of the people of Alberta, and on behalf of the government of Alberta, we are sorry. For the loss of families, of stability, of love, we are sorry. For the loss of identity, of language, of culture, we are sorry. For the loneliness, the anger, the confusion, and the frustration, we are sorry. For the government practice that left you indigenous people estranged from your families and your communities, and your history, we are sorry. For this trauma, this pain, this suffering, alienation, and sadness, we are sorry.
“To all of you, I am sorry.”
After the delivery of the apology, Adam North Peigan, President of SSISA, delivered his acknowledgment of the apology on the steps of the parliament building. “Premier Notley, as a survivor today I stand before you and humbly acknowledge your apology as a significant step forward, it has been long overdue. On behalf of the sixties scoop society, we thank the Premier and the government on your willingness to address this dark chapter in Alberta’s, indeed Canada’s, history. On behalf of the sixties scoop indigenous survivors of Alberta, Premier Notley, we accept your apology with the understanding that this is only the beginning. Reconciliation begins with sincere apology. There is so much more work to do and we are going to continue to keep [you] accountable, because the work needs to continue. Survivors are looking forward to an ongoing commitment from the Federal and Provincial Governments that this will never, ever happen again. Your words today are a step forward as we will continue to develop a partnership with your government in doing whatever is necessary to continue the healing process. We are hopeful that this apology will resonate through all departments in the Alberta government. I would like to acknowledge [everyone that is] here to bear witness to the beginning of righting a historic wrong…
This day is for all survivors… we want to thank (you) for your courage and your strength, and perseverance. We are truly resilient people, and we are here to stay!”
Special guests were invited to attend a reception following the days events.
Ponoka Outreach held their 16th Annual Graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 17th, 2018 at 5:30 PM at Ponoka’s Kinsmen Community Centre. Maskwacis Grads were presented with eagle feathers before receiving their Diplomas. The banquet hall was packed with parents, family, and friends of the graduates. There were toasts to staff, parents and students, as well as 2 PowerPoint presentations featuring the students and their year at school with “Renegades” by X Ambassadors playing throughout.
Three of the graduates were from Ermineskin, and Aunts Cathy and Tracy Rattlesnake said of grad Shayanne Rattlesnake: “I’m so proud of her,… She’s come a long way and now she’s just beginning.”
Ponoka’s graduation pamphlet proudly proclaimed: “Be the Difference.” Congratulations to our Ermineskin Graduates!
Maskwacis Health Services hosted an information session with Dr. Samuel Lee, MD, a Professor of Medicine with the Calgary Liver Unit. His presentation focused on the prevalence of Hepatitis C within the Indigenous community. According to a study done within the Manitoba population between 1992 and 2002, Indigenous Women were found to be 4 times more likely to be infected with Hep C than Non-Indigenous Women.
Dr. Lee informed the attendees that Hepatitis C has a stigma that is without merit. It isn’t a sexually transmitted disease and is more likely to be spread by intravenous drug use, improperly sterilized tattoo equipment, and blood transfusions.
In the past, Hep C treatments were uncomfortable for patients, as well as the doctors who had to prescribe the medication. Treatment lasted around a year, with most patients experiencing flu-like symptoms, fatigue, and general discomfort. The new treatment that is available now is a once-a-day pill that has no side effects and a >95% cure rate. Treatment lasts 3 months, maximum.
One surprising method of Hep C transmission mentioned in the presentation was cupping therapy, a traditional Chinese medicine treatment which was made very popular recently when Olympian Michael Phelps was seen sporting purple marks all over his back during the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.
Hep C can exist in the body for decades without any symptoms. The negative effects of infection can cause many medical conditions, such as: cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer, diabetes, and Non-Hodgkins lymphoma.
Dr. Lee suggested every person over the age of 40 be tested at least once to be sure they do not carry the Hep C virus. Maskwacis Health Services is offering testing and will be able to provide prescriptions for the new medications to anyone who is infected.
Pictured above —Dr. Samuel Lee, MD, on May 16, 2018 at the Jim Rattlesnake Building discussing the risks of Hep C infection and sharing information about a new treatment currently available in Canada. For more information and testing, please contact Maskwacis Health Services: 780-585-3830.
Facts about Hep C:
· 1/100 Canadians has Hep C
· 2 of the 3 medications available will be covered by FNIHB
· Having bloodwork done does not guarantee you have been tested for Hep C
· 1/2 of people who are infected don’t know they have Hep C
· There are 5 different strains of Hepatitis, types B and C are the most common in Canada
· 1/2 of people who are infected don’t know they have Hep C
Ermineskin Newsletter 