Indigenous News

November 2021

Upcoming Events and Important Dates

Indigenous Veterans Day | Monday, November 8
See the Resources of Interest below for a list of possible resources.

Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) Engagement Sessions - Sherwood Park/Fort Saskatchewan | November 9, 5-9 p.m.

Make your voice heard at the Otipemisiwak Métis Government Constitution gathering for Métis citizens in the Fort Saskatchewan and Sherwood Park area on November 9. No previous knowledge or expertise needed! All area MNA citizens aged 16 and older are welcome and encouraged to join in, listen, learn and give feedback. “Our ancestors fought and died for the freedom to live as Otipemisiwak, to own ourselves. Now’s our time to realize their dream and choose the right path for our people.” Register

Rock Your Mocs | November 14-20
Rock Your Mocs Day is November 15. Wear your moccasins with pride on this day and every day!

Métis Week | November 14-21
Métis Nation of Alberta and Rupertsland Institute have been creating resources for Métis Week 2021. Resources for schools and families are available through Rupertsland Institute’s RECC Room. Create a free account and gain access to the webinar and a vast collection of Métis resources you can access with your family at home—including archived recordings of Métis artist Leah Dorion sharing stories and art projects and the new art series with Angie Hall.

Direct Student Support

Is your child in Grade 12 and looking to move on to post-secondary education? There are a variety of scholarships, bursaries and grants available to First Nations, Métis and Inuit students to attend trade school, college or university. Talk to your child’s lead teacher for more information or support in filling out applications.

MNA Resources From skills courses to wellness kits, discover all the MNA Youth Services has to offer free to all Métis ages 12-29. The Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) has a variety of other family support services, including health, housing and entrepreneurship.

Study Help for Métis students Rupertsland Institute has secured access to Alberta ExamBank for K-12 Métis students to test their understanding through online practice. Métis students can sign up for the RECC Room to find the login for their MNA Region. Questions? Contact education@rupertsland.org.

Jordan’s Principle Learn more about Jordan’s Principle and the funding supports available for First Nations children—visit the Assembly of First Nations and Government of Canada resources.

Questions? Have questions about your child’s learning? Please reach out to the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education lead teacher at your child’s school. We’re here to engage with you and offer supports to students. Harlee McArthur, EIPS First Nations, Métis and Inuit Family School Liaison Worker, is also available for conversation and to offer supports to children and families.

Resources of Interest

Indigenous Veterans Day

Here are some possible resources to learn more about First Nations, Métis and Inuit veterans.

• Watch the short documentary film, Cree Code Talkers and learn more about this local Edmonton film team

• Watch the video from the Métis National Council: Aboriginal Heroes: A Spiritual Journey

• Watch the video No Longer Forgotten: Commemorating Métis Veterans

• Watch the NFB’s documentary Forgotten Warriors that shares the stories of Indigenous veterans

• Witness the names of many Indigenous veterans collected in this database

• Watch the Heritage Minute on Tommy Prince

• Read the stories of some Indigenous war heroes from Muskrat Magazine

• Learn about The Ballendine Brothers

Global TV Story
In September, Global National was at Glen Allan Elementary filming for a story for their current affairs TV show, “The New Reality.” Various people were involved in the filming including Glen Allan students and teachers along with Elder Wilson Bearhead and Superintendent Mark Liguori. Thank you to Glen Allan for hosting and making everyone feel welcome. The segment aired on Global’s “The New Reality” program on October 30. If you missed it, you can watch the video or read the online piece.

The U of A Faculty of Native Studies is offering online courses that can be taken by university students or community members. Two winter semester courses that may be of interest are “Indigenous Peoples & Technoscience” and “Countering Stereotypes of Indigenous Peoples.”

Interested in learning about Indigenous sports role models with your family in a COVID-safe, online format? An invitation to you from our friends at Roots of Resilience.

We’re so excited to be back at it for a second year of speakers series kicking off with the fall series “Indspired Through Sports,” providing an opportunity to celebrate Indigenous resilience and success. You may wish to register for the remaining online sessions.

This speakers series will feature six incredible Indigenous athletes with different sports and backgrounds. From Bullriding to Dance we’ll hear of their motivations, their setbacks and what pushes them to continue to strive for greatness. This series is going to be a great opportunity for students to get a look into what these professional athletes have gone through to get to where they are today and give a new outlook at the many possibilities sports can open up to youth! The series will also help teachers and adults see first-hand the importance of sports as an avenue to responsibility and success.

Upcoming speakers and dates:

• November 4: Mathew Rathbone (Hockey)

• November 12: Sonya Dodginghorse (Barrel Racing)

• November 18: Angie Lightning (the importance of sports for youth)

Tickets are available online (one price for the whole family).