April - Siksika Nation

FREE
VOLUME 19 ISSUE 5
Piitaiki,soma (Eagle) April 2012
WILDROSE PARTY
HOSTED BY SIKSIKA
BLACKFOOT
CONFEDERACY NEWS
PAGE 2
EXCLUSIVE WITH
AFN CHIEF
PAGE 4
SIKSIKA SIGNS
SERVICE
AGREEMENT
PAGE 2
Siksika Councillor Herman Yellow Old Woman (L) helps to welcome Danielle
Smith (R), leader of the provincial Wildrose Party April 17 at SRDL. Chief Fred
Rabbit Carrier said this was the first time a potential premier had made a visit to
Siksika Nation
Siksika CFXX radio is Alive!
Blast your radio to
104.7 FM
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AITSINIKI - SIKSIKA NATION’S NEWSPAPER
Natoka (2)
April 2012
SERVICE AGREEMENT SIGNED WITH PALLISER REGIONAL SCHOOLS
by Wesley Water Chief
For the second time in as
many months, Siksika Nation
has signed off on another
agreement with a local school
region to provide school
services to Siksika students.
On March 27, Chief and
Council, representatives from
Palliser Regional Schools and
Siksika Board of Education
members were in the council
chambers to sign off on an
agreement that outlines how
and what school services will
be provided to Siksika Nation
and its students.
This agreement with
Palliser is the third such
agreement the Siksika Board
of Education has negotiated
on behalf of Siksika Nation
and to be endorsed by Chief
and Council. The first was
signed
with
Grasslands
School Division and the
second with Golden Hills
School Division.
The Superintendent of
Siksika Board of Education,
Daphne McHugh said of the
three agreements this one Agreement. It was by far the communities together. “We
was the easiest to complete. easiest one I have to say, with are very proud of the fact that
“We have been hoping for this everyone wanting to meet and we have representation from
day for a while. I just want to work through the issues. I our aboriginal community in
give a little background, we think it was very collaborative, the Palliser school district
started this process in 2007 good relationship building and because they are a vital part
and we had a draft at that time so I want to thank all those of what we do and what we
and we started to hammer that have been involved in believe in. I think that it is
away at it,” McHugh said.
that.”
essential that our students get
Despite
all
of
the
Palliser Regional Schools to know the students of
contentious
photo by Wesely Water Chief
issues
that
have happened
previously, the
history
between
Palliser
and
Siksika Nation,
I have to say,
when we first
started
we
were
a
bit
apprehensive
as to how our
proceedings
would go in
Chief Fred Rabbit Carrier and Palliser Regional Schools Chairman, Don Zach
negotiating of
signing the agreement in the council chambers
our
tuition
Board Chairman, Don Zach Siksika because we are
agreement, our SESA, which
said this agreement is neighbors and they become
is what we like to call it,
essential because it serves as friends and it is very important
Siksika Education Service
a way to bridge the two that
we
maintain
that
relationship.”
Prior to signing the
service agreement on behalf
of Siksika Nation, Chief Fred
Rabbit Carrier thanked all
those involved in the process
and added that the provincial
and federal governments are
only now looking at ways to
assist First Nations and
outside service providers with
similar agreements, so this
puts Siksika and Palliser
ahead of the game.
“I want to commend all
technicians that took part in
this agreement and who are
now seeing a light at the end
of the tunnel with this signing.
I also want to mention the
chiefs of Alberta, along with
the government of Canada
and the government of Alberta
just recently signed an MOU
(Memorandum
of
Understanding) to help First
Nations and schools districts
sign MOUs. We are way
ahead of them,” Rabbit
Carrier said.
Tentative Blackfoot Confederacy Conference plans
Preliminary plans have
been made for this year's
annual Blackfoot Confederacy
Conference.
Acting
on
a
recommendation to have
leadership play a bigger role
in planning, which was put
forward at a March 23
conference planning meeting
in Lethbridge, Chief Fred
Rabbit Carrier has taken the
lead in planning for this year's
annual conference, which
Siksika Nation will be hosting.
While nothing has been
written in stone, tentative
plans include having the
conference take place Aug.
14-16, at the Piiksapi
Memorial Powwow Arbour.
This would not only be a cost
saving measure but would
allow those who have set up a
teepee for Siksika's annual
powwow and fair to leave it up
Blackfoot Crossing Historical
for the conference.
Discussions
at
the Park (BCHP) Interpretive
Lethbridge planning meeting Center, on April 13 and in
indicated participants wanted attendance was Piikani Chief,
a more traditional conference Gail Strikes With A Gun;
with
the
option
of
camping.
Having the
conference
at the arbor
would allow
more
people to
attend and
afford
participants
the luxury
of having a
place
to Siksika elder Levi Many Heads; Siksika Chief, Fred
visit
with Rabbit Carrier; Piikani Chief, Gail Strikes With A Gun;
friends and
and Noel Yellow Horn at confederacy meeting.
relatives or
Treaty 7 Grand Chief's
a place to rest.
Liaison, Brent Scout; Noel
A follow up planning Yellow Horn; Siksika elders
meeting was held at the Donnie Yellow Fly, Levi Many
Heads and George Cardinal.
Chief Strikes With A Gun
told those in attendance that
last year's conference in
Waterton was the first time
she attended a Blackfoot
Confederacy
Conference.
She talked about the fear of
losing our ways and the
importance of the Blackfoot
language and culture. She
said the confederacy needs to
regroup with the guidance of
elders, needs to focus on its
mandate, and it needs action
items to work on.
Yellow Fly talked about
nothing new taking place at
the annual conferences or
with the confederacy and
emphasized the need for a
rejuvenation
of
the
organization. Many Heads
and Cardinal expressed the
importance of the Blackfoot
language and incorporating it
AITSINIKI
ATSIMOIHKAN A PRAYER
Ayo Apistotoki
Creator
Ispomokinnaan
Help us
Nahkayistsiyisinnaan
To listen
Nahkaikimotsiyisinnaan To be kind to one another
Nahkayikakimahsinnaan
To try hard
Nahkokamotohisnnaan
To be honest
Nahkawatoyiitaksinnaan
To be spiritual
Ohtokinnaan, Apistotoki
Hear us, Creator
Kimmis kokosiks
Have pity on your children
Iksikimmatapsiya
They are in need
Kaamotaani
Grant us safety
Niistawatsimaani
Help us to raise our families
Naapiio’sini
So that they may live long
lives
into the conference agenda.
Many Heads said without a
person knowing the Blackfoot
language they would not learn
the true essence of being
Blackfoot or its culture.
With three of the four
Blackfoot Confederacy Chiefs
and Chairman new to the
conference, having been
recently elected, Chief Rabbit
Carrier
asked
former
conference organizers Jack
Royal and Joe Weasel Child
to give a history of the
formation,
intention
and
mandate of the modern
Blackfoot Confederacy.
After Royal and Weasel
Child gave their presentations
a suggestion was made that
this year's conference theme
be about reinvigorating the
Blackfoot Confederacy in
order to get it moving forward
again.
SIKSIKA NATION'S NEWSPAPER
SIKSIKA
WADE HEALY - MEDIA COORDINATOR
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April 2012
AITSINIKI - SIKSIKA NATION’S NEWSPAPER
Niokska (3)
Fighting to keep CBV open
Strathmore Standard
Aaron Chatha
Multimedia Journalist
The Golden Hills School
Division's decision to close
four rural community schools
in favour of building a single,
consolidated school hasn't
won the support of everyone
involved, and now one
community member from
Gleichen is crying fowl.
Over the past few
months, Golden Hills has
been conducting community
surveys
and
hosting
information sessions in order
to decide whether or not to
keep the old schools in the
communities of Gleichen,
Hussar,
Rockyford
and
Standard open, or bring all
the students into one school,
and then whether they would
make
the
consolidated
school a standalone, or
within a community like
Standard.
In order to make the
decision, Golden Hills set up
online surveys and shared
the results through their
website,
www.ghsd75.ca.
The results of a survey
released on February 29
concerning Central Bow
Valley School in Gleichen
said 25 of the 28 respondents
would like Golden Hills to
begin
looking
into
a
consolidated school.
Mike Flebotte feels that
none of the surveys provided
an accurate assessment of
how the people in Gleichen
really felt about their school
closing down, so on Sunday,
March 25, he went door-todoor, polling people himself.
Flebotte reached 69
people, which he estimated
covered about 40 per cent of
the town's population, and
the
numbers
were
unanimously opposed to
closing the Central Bow
Valley school in favour of a
consolidated school.
He
also
collected
signatures for every person
he polled, saying that it was
so he could verify his
answers. Flebotte's main
complaint about Golden Hills
survey was that it was done
online, and thus there was no
way to verify that everyone
answering it was honest and
accurate.
There was also no
method to confirm whether or
not people were filling it out
more than once.
"The whole process has
been kind of inappropriate,"
Flebotte said.
During his own polling,
he admitted that three
households had turned him
down, as they were in favour
of closing the school down
and did not want to
participate in his survey.
The Golden Hills survey
weblink was sent out to
parents of children in their
schools,
and
to
any
community members that
signed up to be on the
mailing list through the
Golden Hills website.
Flebotte's
own
poll
mirrored many concerns that
community members, from all
communities, had about
closing the schools. Almost
all respondents to Flebotte's
poll said that they were afraid
fewer families would want to
move into the area without a
school, and that some may
even move away. These
same sentiments were also
shared at the Golden Hills
information meetings, and
have been posted online.
Flebotte's
poll
also
indicated that 50 of the 69
respondents did not have
school-aged children.
Where Flebotte believes
that
Gleichen
was
misrepresented in the Golden
Hills survey, which he claims
could be a result of a
computer glitch in the online
survey or, more seriously,
tampered with before shared
with the public, Golden Hills
believes they had the support
of a majority of community
members.
In part of his official
response,
Golden
Hills
superintendent
Bevan
Daverne said through email:
"As part of the process to
consider possible solutions in
the East Wheatland area, we
have held a number of
community meetings, formed
a working group with four
members
from
each
community and undertaken
two electronic surveys open
to everyone living in East
Wheatland.
"About 170 people were
in attendance at the last
community meeting and 80
per cent of parents at that
meeting
supported
a
consolidated school at the
location that was presented."
Flebotte also claimed
that people may have been
misled by the numbers. In a
presentation on March 19 in
Strathmore,
where
community members from all
the rural areas affected were
invited, the slide show said
44 students were currently
enrolled at Central Bow
Valley School. Flebotte said
those numbers didn't include
a number of students,
including federally-funded
Siksika students attending
the school.
"The student data we
presented
during
the
community meetings was
based on September 30
enrolments and comes from
our own student information
database," said Daverne.
"It
is
the
same
information we submit to
Alberta Education.
"Our enrolment in Central
Bow Valley School has
continued to decline over the
years and those trends show
no evidence of change.
Currently, of all the students
that we know about who
currently live in the Central
Bow Valley attendance area,
only about half of those
students choose to attend
CBV school. As the Golden
Hills Board of Trustees
considers possible solutions,
this has been one of the
criteria they have listed as a
priority - as well as enhancing
programming a new school
must be able to attract and
retain students."
Flebotte has brought his
results to the attention of both
the Golden Hills school board
and
Wheatland
County
Council.
"There's
no
public
recourse to basically say
these people did not do their
due diligence," Flebotte said.
"(I think) they basically
committed fraud, for all
intents and purposes, if you
want to be blunt about it."
Reprinted by permission
Treaty No. 7 Chiefs Respond to Budget 2012
Calgary, Alberta March 29,
2012 - As Ottawa moved to scale
back federal spending by $5.2
billion a year; many First Nations
expected the announced austerity
budget to be loaded with further
cuts to already severely under
funded programs and services.
However, upon initial review of the
March 29 budget, indications
suggest Aboriginal people will
benefit from the measures
announced in Budget 2012 that
commits the Government to
introduce legislation and explore
new funding mechanisms for First
Nations
elementary
and
secondary education and invests
$275 million over three years to
support First Nation education.
"In the time that we've had to
analyze Harper's budget, we are
pleased with the important
investments and commitments for
First Nations education and
infrastructure, but we remain
cautious and steadfast in
advancing the implementation of
Treaties, resolving land claims,
strengthening First Nations
governance and better financial
arrangements to ensure stable,
sustainable funding," says Blood
Tribe Chief Charles Weaselhead.
"We must continue to follow
up on the positive outcomes of this
budget and the Crown-First Nation
Gathering, and continue to be
active on reconciliation - consistent
with a rights-based agenda and
the need for investment across
many areas. Not just reforming the
status quo, but truly engaging
transformational change in public
policy and the way governments
do business with us."
Aboriginal
Affairs
and
Northern Development has
reported that most cuts to its
portfolio were internalized, with
plans to align other federal
departments in order to reduce
redundancies. "Savings will be
achieved through restructuring,
operational efficiencies and
changes to business processes, in
order to improve service delivery to
Aboriginal
and
Northern
communities," according to its
website.
The Economic Action Plan
2012 tabled by Minister of Finance
Jim Flaherty, invests $707.7
million over three years for
Aboriginal peoples and Northern
communities "allowing them to
participate more fully in Canada's
economy and benefit from its
growth." Budget 2012 also
provides funding of $691.8 million
over the next three years for
Aboriginal peoples and their
communities, including strategic
investments in: First Nation
education on reserve as well as
infrastructure, training that will
"improve
prospects
for
employment, improvements" to
First Nation water infrastructure
and the Urban Aboriginal Strategy.
"Plans to improve education
and
address
economic
participation for First Nations are
positive steps for our young
people, who are emerging as a
huge
demographic,"
says
Weaselhead. "However, we are
still concerned about the federal
government plan to unveil new
rules that it says will cut the time
needed
for
environmental
assessments of major energy and
industrial projects. With more and
more exploration, development
and production across Western
Canada, some First Nations'
territories are affected. Therefore
the duty to consult and respect our
treaty and Aboriginal rights must
be reconciled in order to balance
social,
economic
and
environmental needs," says
Weaselhead.
As part of its Economic
Action Plan, Ottawa announced its
commitment address family
violence on-reserve and to
improve employment training and
incentives to the on-reserve
Income Assistance Program. In its
2012 plan, the Government
commits to "make progress" by
better aligning its on-reserve
Income Assistance Program with
provincial
systems.
Chief
Weaselhead says he hopes this
commitment
will
mean
enforcement
of
provincial
standards on reserve so that many
of his people won't have to leave
home just so they can access
handicap and mental health
programs and other services
enjoyed by all other Albertans.
"While many First Nations
support commitments to introduce
initiatives like enhancing economic
potential on First Nations lands
and improve water quality in First
Nations communities, we must be
diligent on the treaty-based
agenda and building stronger
relationships and reconciliation of
critical jurisdictional issues with
government. I am encouraged by
Canada's commitment to work
with us, especially on proposed
legislation because that is another
critical concern - such as laws to
establish equity, structures and
standards to education systems
on-reserve; to allow private
property ownership on-reserve;
improving safe drinking water
regulations; and other legislation
that must not derogate or abrogate
from our treaty and inherent
rights."
"I am all for equity and safe
drinking water but any new laws such as any new legislation to
allow for private property
ownership
on-reserve,
for
example - has to include serious
discussion and meaningful
consultation
to
ensure
transformational change and the
respect and reconciliation of our
treaty and inherent rights.
CALL TO TREATY 7 ARTISTS
The Calgary Stampede Indian Events Committee
has decided to have FIVE (5) panels painted to be hung
at the Arts and Crafts booth. The panel will be made of
treated white canvas and will be supplied to the winning
artists, as well as $150 worth of paint and brushes from
the Mona Lisa Art Studio in Calgary. Ideally, we would
like to have a panel representing each nation.
The panels will be:
White panels, with grommets at the top of hanging.
13 ft. wide x 8 ft. high, with the painting filling the
entire canvas.
The panels will be treated for resist rain/wind
damage.
Each winning artists will be paid $800 for their work.
The design should reflect - for example, the Indian
Village, dancers, drummers, etc., OR symbols of
significance of Treaty 7 culture.
Each panel must have a border surrounding the
painting, reflecting the culture.
Each artist MUST provide copy of their intended
painting, in a smaller format, in color, BY MONDAY,
APRIL 16, 2012.
Submissions can be delivered or mailed to: Jayne
Nicholson,
Calgary Stampede,
1410 Olympic Way SE. Calgary, AB T2G 2W1
Once the winners are selected, the artists must
have the painting finished NO LATER THAN JUNE 8,
2012.
The panels will be hung during the 10 days of
Stampede at the Arts and Crafts booth, and may be
used at other Indian Village functions and events
throughout the year. This will be excellent exposure for
your artistic skills for the visiting public to view.
Contact Lori Beaver at 403-270-3964 if you have
questions. Thank you very much and good luck!
Nisowo (4)
AITSINIKI - SIKSIKA NATION’S NEWSPAPER
April 2012
In Conversation with AFN Grand Chief Shawn A-iin-C
Chut Atleo
In an exclusive interview with Aitsiniki, Wade Healy had a candid discussion with the National Chief at the
Treaty 6, 7, & 8 Assembly in Calgary
AITSINIKI: What is the AFN's position on First
Nation's education? And in particular, postsecondary funding?
ATLEO: In education, more broadly and actually
including post secondary, the position has been a
long-standing one really since the early 70s. And
that is that First Nations have an interest to pursue
as was called then, 'Indian control of Indian
education' as is now called, 'First Nation's control of
First Nation's education'. A very clear position by
First Nations that it's a Treaty Right that's been
affirmed and confirmed both through the Canadian
Constitution as well as most recently in the UN
declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
where it describes that as Indigenous Peoples we
have the right to jointly design with the state, in this
case, Canada is recognized as a successor state,
inheriting obligations to work with First Nations to
implement the spirit and intent of the Treaties, so in
areas like education it means we must be involved
and that would certainly break the pattern of
unilateralism that was, I think the worst example of
which, was the residential schools, including the
Indian Act of which K-12 education is still within the
Indian Act. So the full spectrum of education; early
learning, K-12, special education, trades training,
post-secondary more broadly that First Nations
remain very and firmly standing in principal that
these are our rights, and that we must have a
minimum fair and equitable share for our learners.
Right now there is a gap and there is a lack of
accountability on the part of government which was
made very clear by the last Auditor General, Sheila
Fraser. She did over thirty audits over ten years that
covered two different federal government
administrations and she says the gap is getting
bigger; it's growing worse and the fact that First
Nations have been under an arbitrary two per cent
spending cap has meant there has been around a
two billion dollar accumulation of gap in spending for
First Nations versus the rest of Canadian society.
We also need schools; there are at least 48 schools
that are required right now. In some cases, where
communities have absolutely no school or where the
schools that are there, they're a health hazard to the
young people in those communities. So we've had
three, four national virtual forums on postsecondary, developed and submitted a report on
post-secondary that the current post-secondary
education support program, First Nations support,
that must not only be supported, but it must be
improved. We know in conclusion on your question
that there is a need for at least 65,000 postsecondary graduates amongst our people to bring
us on par with the rest of the Canadian population.
So I'm really thankful to have stepped into a role
where I know that our people have made education
a top priority literally standing in unison at the
December Assembly of 2009 and saying, 'we will
make our kid's learning priority number one.' I know
we have so many issues to deal with, clearly though
education remains a very high priority for our people
at all levels of education and I remain firmly behind
that priority.
AITSINIKI: In light of Attiwapiskat, what is the AFN
doing to improve living conditions in First Nations
communities?
ATLEO: First of all, on Attiwapiskat specifically, and
the role of the AFN more broadly, is really to stand
in support of First Nations and that is, the Assembly
of First Nations; my role as National Chief, is not a
party to Treaty is not a holder of title and rights, that
rightfully belongs to the people. They give
instructions to their leaders as governments to carry
forward the responsibilities to protect and see that
Treaties are implemented, that the spirit and intent is
upheld; that our inherent rights are implemented and
protected. For Attiwapiskat, this is probably one of
the first times that Canadians have brought into their
hearts and homes the real story of the plight and the
deep crisis that First Nations find themselves in. We
passed a resolution in assembly and we stood up in
support of the chief and her people and we stood
with other grand chiefs like Stan Ludid in
Mushgoowawit Territories and we had the Canadian
public respond. Canadian Red Cross, who normally
work in third world countries and where they're
either war-torn countries, or they've been hit by
major disaster, they responded to Attiwapiskat. This
tells us that increasingly, Canadians are recognizing
that there is a human rights challenge in their own
back yard. Increasingly, Canadians are also
understanding that they too are Treaty people and
that there must be a shared obligation to making
sure that the spirit and intent of the Treaty is upheld.
In cases like Attiwapiskat, that is not the case. We
continue and I recently sent out and I actually just
reported to the Treaty Chiefs Assembly here in
Treaty 6, 7,& 8 gathering that we sent out an update
on Attiwapiskat, we're in regular contact with them.
They remain deeply frustrated that the conditions
haven't improved, that they're still encumbered in
red tape, that the governments still unilaterally
imposes third party management which does
nothing to affirm Treaty Rights, it does nothing to
support real capacity building in communities, and
the objective has been all along since the summer of
2010 to compel the Crown to uphold their obligation,
to push the federal government to meaningfully
will make these one-off announcements and the
general public thinks, 'Well I guess its okay.' Things
are not okay. We have perhaps one hundred
Attiwapiskats. And so it's important that we support
Attiwapiskat and Chief Spence. We support her and
her community to achieve real self government and
real recognition for their jurisdiction. There's also
many, many communities that face a similar
challenge out there so we have a lot of work to do
and I think part of this is raising awareness amongst
Canadians and I'll conclude on this note, that when
I did visit Attiwapiskat, in the winter of last year, that
on the trip there was a philanthropist, who's a
Canadian who wanted to reach out to Attiwapiskat
and I was also sent with a package from a group of
kids, elementary school kids from the city. It tells me
that Canadians are becoming more conscious. That
they share an obligation and increasingly are
prepared to step forward and we welcome that.
AITSINIKI: Do you feel that the salaries of some
First Nations leaders are appropriate for the size of
their communities? And are these communities
falling into third party management because of
financial ineptitude?
ATLEO: I think we need to see
that those are two issues,
perhaps two separate issues.
Our research suggests that the
average salaries of First Nations
Chiefs as well as Councillors are
very reasonable and in many
cases people would suggest are
very low for the amount of work
that they have. You've got to
remember, unlike other levels of
government, they don't have
different ministries that they can
call on, they don't have different
departments, they don't have
other resource revenue streams
because Treaties have not been
honoured.
They're
under
funded, that two per cent cap
that I'm talking about. And so we
have some communities for
whom they receive not a single
penny for the work that they do.
Let's not forget the great
sacrifices. So I think, you know I
don't go along with finger
pointing and blaming towards
AFN Grand Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo
our people. I say let's look
toward the legacy of oppression,
come to the table to work as full partners with First
the
attempted
colonization,
attempts at assimilation,
Nations. That was the effort behind the January 24th
the
under
funding,
the
fact
that we don't receive
gathering with the Prime Minister, twelve cabinet
resource
revenues
from
our
territories
in the manner
ministers, and the governor general. And the
that
was
promised
in
Treaty.
Those
are the real
government has committed to establish an effort
challenges
that
we
have.
I
have
faith
in
our citizens
whereby they've expressed an openness to talk
that
it
is
their
role
and
responsibility
to
put
in place
about Treaty implementation with First Nations.
their
respective
governments,
their
Chief
and
That's a part of what needs to be done; a major part,
Councils
on
this
respect
and
the
issues
of
a foundational part. They've signalled a willingness
accountability,
the
Auditor
General
said
completely
to talk about new fiscal arrangements because right
now, as I've said earlier, the outgoing Auditor arbitrary on the part of government how funding
General said the decision making is completely decisions are made. So how do you expect a First
arbitrary. Our children, the lives, the health, the well- Nations, who under the Indian Act have to send
being of our people is arbitrary? This is not okay. reams of reports that the Auditor General said
This is not what the Treaty promise was. They have they're not even written, hundreds of them. So this is
signalled a willingness to include the finance not about increasing accountability from a First
minister to talk about long-term, sustainable Nations to a minister in Ottawa. It's about supporting
financing in areas such as; this would include accountability as our people all do to their own
education, health, infrastructure, housing, the full citizens. And this means going back to the Treaty
spectrum of needs that First Nations have. They've relationship; it means supporting First Nations with
signalled an openness to address that as well as appropriate fiscal transfers so that they can function
negotiation issues, self government, the barriers to and it means doing it, in my view, and in the view of
self government, education which I've already so many, on an urgent basis.
mentioned, as well as an on-going dialogue. We
would look to even the upcoming budget for a sense
of commitment that is real on the part of the federal
government that they're prepared now to recognize
that this gap exists, that you can't ask a First Nation
government to choose whether to put a light on in
the school or have clean drinking water; that's not a
choice. It must all be responded to and that's the
problem that we have right now. The government
The conclusion of this
exclusive interview will be
continued in next issue
April 2012
AITSINIKI - SIKSIKA NATION’S NEWSPAPER
Nisito (5)
SIKSIKA COMMUNITY MEMBER PROFILE
Fred Rabbit Carrier Jr. is
the youngest of four siblings
and he also is the only boy of
current Siksika Chief Fred and
Pam Rabbit Carrier. His
paternal and maternal roots
are the Rabbit Carrier and Big
Snake families. As the
youngest and also the only
boy in a household of
primarily young women,
provided him with a balance of
strong
traditional
family
values and nurturing nature.
He says his sisters Kristal,
Andrea and Louise taught him
the value of both love and
discipline, “they are great role
models who disciplined me
very well and spoiled me,”
said Rabbit Carrier.
He is currently part of the
Community
Employment
Initiative with Siksika Public
Works,
Siksika
Family
Services and Employment &
Training which ended this
past March. Siksika Public
Works so far is the only
service area that is still
participating and promoting
this particular endeavor. So
far, the department is doing a
fabulous job in engaging and
motivating
our
Nation
members in participating in
the Public Works industry. As
well as contributing to
participants’ quality of life,
which is a benefit for all, it also
means we have more
members on the Nation
becoming skilled and qualified
employees.
All participants in this
initiative received training with
Safety Now and Transport
services industries. Certainly
invaluable
measures
to
contribute
in
becoming
gainfully and meaningfully
employed, as well as gaining
marketable skills to compete
in the industries beyond the
Siksika. A crew of them, and
other volunteers, sandbagged
around the clock to save the
Nation some big bucks from
the devastation of a flood.
This experience gave Rabbit
Carrier and other CES
participants
insight
at
disaster relief.
He also has
had
the
opportunity to
shift around
within Public
Works from
solid waste,
mechanics
and
the
maintenance
department.
During
the
time he also
received
training
in
heavy
equipment
operator with
one week in
class, and two
weeks in the
field
in
Calgary.
This
humble young
man is quite content to live the
simple way of life! He enjoys
hanging out with his friends
and family. He is currently in
the process of completing his
Fred Rabbit Carrier Jr.
Canada Training, which
essentially provided them with
marketable skills to work in
various
capacities
in;
warehouse, retail and human
Nation.
Rabbit Carrier’s first call
of duty began amidst a natural
disaster with a crisis waiting to
loom in the east end of
Grade
12,
and
would
eventually like to become a
Certified Welder. Rabbit
Carrier is proud of his
children,” I have two children
a boy and a girl Saffrin age 4
and Mina age 2. He also is
engaged and will be marrying
Jessica Bull Bear on July 28,
2012. He says his fiancé and
kids
are
his
biggest
supporters, “she and the kids
wake me every morning, and
she supports me every step
on the way. Now isn’t that
what you call giving your
100%.”
Rabbit Carrier indicates
that as result of this initiative
he has learned to be reliable,
independent, and open to
learning new things. He would
like to send a big thanks to
Public Works, Employment
and Training and Family
Services for this initiative
which has largely given him
confidence, pride and a sense
of accomplishment. He would
also like to thank his parents
and siblings and family for
their support, encouragement
and for always being there.
His messages to the
youth is to keep a positive
outlook, “stay healthy and
positive, the world is your
playground. Don’t waste
sitting at home.”
Wheatland Midget AA Chiefs are South Central Alberta Hockey League Champs
by Louise Pretty Young Man
The Chiefs went into this
playoff by first securing their
spot into the championship
rounds by putting of the
Sylvan Lake Lakers in a
double overtime win, which
earned them a banner for the
North Division Championship.
Midway through these playoff
rounds, the Chiefs were also
able to win the Zone 6 division
championship, which earned
them a spot to compete in the
Major Midget AA Provincial
Championships,
held
in
Wainwright,
Alberta.
However, were eliminated in
the semi-final round of the
tournament.
The series for the League
Championships was against
the Lethbridge Hounds, with
three straight victory wins;
winning 5-1 and 8-1 at home,
before the victorious third
game in Lethbridge, with a
score of 4-1 held on March 30,
2012. The Head Coach,
Devinn Olsen, pointed out, as
noted in the Strathmore
Standard, that "Brooker Pretty
Youngman,
Kristian
Ayoungman
and
Wyatt
Littlechief, as essential to the
victory". They were also
spoken of at the Awards Night
held in Strathmore, on April 6,
2012 that these three boys
were known as the "Tricycle
Team", referencing that this
line had the ability to cycle the
puck amongst themselves
and was very difficult for
opponents to take the puck
away from them. Kristian
Ayoungman was awarded
with the Most Sportsmanlike
player by the Wheatland
Athletic Association at the
Awards night. Congratulations
to Kristian. With Brooker
Pretty Young Man coming into
this league and to this
division, as a rookie, placed in
the top 4 in points for his
team, with 5 goals and 2
assists. Wyatt Littlechief went
out with a bang this year,
leaving his minor hockey
years with a Championship;
we look forward to cheering
on Wyatt as he enters his
junior years of hockey.
All three boys from the
Siksika Nation, Brooker Pretty
Young
Man,
Kristian
Ayoungman and Wyatt Little
Chief, along with their team
mates were awarded with
Championship League Rings
as a token of being this
seasons league champs. The
championship for the Siksika
boys is the first ever to be won
by a Siksika Nation member
and in retrospect, will go down
in Siksika Nation Hockey
history, that they are the first
to win a Midget AA League
Championship. Siksika Nation
Siksika members playing on the Strathmore Wheat Kings:(L-R)
Brooker, Kristian and Wyatt
18 First Nations Join Framework Agreement On Land Management
(MARKETWIRE) -- The
Honourable John Duncan,
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs
and Northern Development,
joined Chief Robert Louie,
Chair of the First Nations
Lands Advisory Board (LAB),
and Chief Austin Bear, Chair
of the First Nations Land
Management
Resource
Centre Inc., at a special
signing ceremony today
marking the addition of 18
First Nations from across
Canada to the Framework
Agreement on First Nations
Land Management.
"Today's announcement
demonstrates
how
our
Government is working with
First Nations to deliver on the
commitments made at the
Crown-First
Nations
Gathering to create the
conditions to accelerate
economic
development
opportunities and maximize
benefits for all Canadians,"
said Minister Duncan. "This
important step will allow them
to operate at the speed of
business, creating economic
and job opportunities and
leading to more self-sufficient
communities."
By signing onto the
Framework Agreement, these
First Nations are beginning a
process to opt out of the 34
land-related sections of the
Indian Act and assume
control over their reserve
land,
resources
and
environment.
The
Government
of
Canada committed up to $20
million over two years to
respond to the growing
interest from First Nation
leaders to participate in the
First
Nations
Land
Management
(FNLM)
Regime. On January 23,
2012,
the
Government
announced the names of 18
First Nations selected to join
the Regime as part of this
commitment.
The
First
Nations
include:
Alexis
Nakota Sioux Nation (AB),
Aitchelitz (BC), Beausoleil
(ON),
Bingwi
Neyaashi
Anishinaabek (ON), Buffalo
Point (MB), Haisla Nation
(BC), Long Plain (MB),
Mashteuiatsh
(QC),
Membertou (NS), Miawpukek
(NL), One Arrow (SK),
Shuswap (BC), Skowkale
(BC), St. Mary's (BC),
Stz'uminus (BC), Tsuu T'ina
(AB), Williams Lake Indian
Band
(BC)
and
Yakweakwioose (BC).
"This is another historic
day for the Framework
Agreement," stated Chief
Louie. "Eighteen more First
Nations now have the
opportunity
to
assume
jurisdiction over their reserve
lands. This control is a critical
step on the path to selfsufficiency."
As new signatories to the
Framework Agreement, these
First Nations can now begin
developing their own land
codes. Once approved by
their community members,
these land codes will enable
the First Nations to better
pursue
economic
opportunities outside the
limitations of the Indian Act.
Today's signing ceremony
means that almost 60 First
Nations are now operating or
developing land codes under
the FNLM Regime.
Noi (6)
AITSINIKI - SIKSIKA NATION’S NEWSPAPER
April 2012
photo by Harlon McMaster
Each year the Native Hockey Provincials held in Edmonton showcases the top Native hockey players, both male and female, from across the province.
At this year’s April 5-8 event, bantam aged boys representing Siksika Nation outplayed their rivals to take home the 2012 Native Hockey Provincials
Bantam Champions banner. The team won their round robin division and then beat Tsuu T’ina 7-5 to advance to the gold medal finals. Siksika secured
the champions title by beating Saddle Lake 9-3, with Phoenix Running Rabbit scoring 5 goals in the win. The team was coached by Grant Black Horse
and managed by Hector Winnipeg
Siksika Atom A win the A Division in a shut out of 1-0. Christopher Red Gun scoring the only winning goal to become the AB. Treaty Champs
Tracey Wolf Child and daughter checking
out Siksika Career Fair 2012
Lethbridge Constable discussing Careers
in The RCMP with nation member during
the Siksika Career Fair 2012
Outstanding students were honoured
during Old Sun College Incentive Awards
April 2012
AITSINIKI - SIKSIKA NATION’S NEWSPAPER
Ihkitsika (7)
Opening ceremonies for the March 2012 Madness Recreation Director Leroy Wolf Collar, Youth Chief-Candace Backfat,
Siksika Princess Lori Red Crow, Jasmine Medicine Traveller, Keisha Crow Chief, S.A.M - Floria Duck Chief, Chief Fred
Rabbit Carrier, Gary Drunken Chief
Siksika Youth March Madness 2012 Siksika Boyz show us how its
done!
Siksika Youth March Madness 2012 Siksika Gurlz strutting
their stuff
Pool playoffs were held in Calgary April 13-15, three Siksika Teams won and
made it to Vegas happening at the end of May, with pool players from all over the
world. It's really hard to win but these guys did it, if you have any questions on
the event just get one of your reporters to call Keyvin Waterchief (403) 324-0387
or Mario Waterchief @ (403) 734-3451. Boyce Calf’s team is NDN Sharpshooter's,
Stan McMaster's team is called Assault & Battery and Shane's Waterchief’s team
is called Dreamcatcher's.
Gramma’s participating in supporting our athletes for the 2012
Alberta Treaty Games in Calgary
Nanisowo (8)
AITSINIKI - SIKSIKA NATION’S NEWSPAPER
NOTICES
UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE,
AITSINIKI IS MOVING TO A
MONTHYLY PUBLICATION
SUBMISSIONS MAY BE
INCLUDED IF RECIEVED NO
LATER THAN THE 2ND
WEDNESDAY OF EACH
MONTH
Siksika Media would like to hear
from YOU.
If YOU have any questions,
pictures, letters-to-the-editor,
stories ideas, contructive
suggestions or anything that YOU
think should be in AITSINIKI.
Please contact Siksika Media:
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 1490, Siksika, Alberta
T0J 3W0
Ph: (403) 734-5339
Fax: (403) 734-5497
Email
[email protected]
First Nation Cuisine & Catering
Breakfast Sandwich
$4.00
Full Breakfast
$6.00
Breakfast Burrito
$6.00
Homemade Soups
$3.00
Beef Barley, Cream of Mushroom, Potato
Bacon, Cream of Broccoli, Chicken Noodle
Homemade Sandwiches
$4.00
Egg Salad, Roast Beef, Ham & Cheese, BLT,
Clubhouse, Denver
Chicken Wrap
$6.00
Chicken Caesar Salad
$4.50
Indian Taco
$6.00
Taco in-a-Bag
$5.00
Bannock Burgers
$5.00
Homemade Desserts
prices may vary
For Preorders call (403)734-3862 ext 234
Location: Old Sun Community College
Leasing Operator: Alrey Brass
Hours of Operation: 8 AM - 2 PM Monday - Friday
Now available for Special Event Catering
April 2012
April 2012
AITSINIKI - SIKSIKA NATION’S NEWSPAPER
Piihkso (9)
IN LOVING MEMORY - Lindsey Jolene Yellowhorse
October 28,1982~April 1,2009
Those we love remain with us
For love itself lives on.
And cherished memories never fade
Because a loved ones gone...
Those we love can never be
More than a thought apart
For as long as there is memory,
They'll live on in the heart.
We miss you more and more each day
We miss the talks we always had, the
laughter, hearing you sing and your
stories.
It's hard to believe that it has been 3
years already.
It seems like only yesterday that we last
shared a smile.
You left a huge void in our lives that no
one can ever fill.
You'll forever be in our hearts and minds
Each and every day.
Love for all eternity; Mom, Dedric &
Athena
Billy George Drunken Chief
We would like to thank all the people, family members and friends who were there to provide encouragement, support and love and
above all the prayers sent during the loss of our son Billy George Drunken Chief. Your presence at the wake and funeral was truly
appreciated and very comforting to our family. We would like to thank the following people and services as well as apologize if we
have forgotten to name anyone else. A special Thank You to Elmer and Rose Timbol and family.
Frank Turning Robe
Wesley Three Suns
Lena Running Rabbit
Morris Running Rabbit
Debbie Leather
Stewart Montana
Janice Doore
Dean Many Guns
Marie Bear Chief
Joey Robinson
Justine Yellow Fly
Crystal Wolf Leg
Romeo Crow Chief
Shawna Own Chief
Verna Collison
Patricia Drunken Chief
Sandra Sparvier
Delores Right Hand
Debra Grouwstra
Brian/Maureen Drunken Chief
Joe/Joyce Many Bears
Mathew/Georgina A Young Man
Reynolds/Denise Medicine Traveller
Father Gary
The Rev. Gerard LeStrat.OMI
Georgia (Wells) Yellow Old Woman
Chief Fred Rabbit Carrier
Hector/Rhonda Winnipeg
Clifford Many Heads
Randy McHugh
Rose Good Eagle
Joyce McMaster
Cecille Jerry
Siksika Disability Dept.
Siksika Public Works
Calgary Family Services
Siksika Children Services
Siksika Health Services
Siksika Housing
May God Bless You All….Gary and Charlotte Drunken Chief and Family
In Loving Memory of Walter Poor Eagle - "itsipsstsinamahka
The family of Walter would
like to take this opportunity to
correct
omitted
family
members on the obituary.
Grand son, Keith (Ashton)
Poor Eagle, Sister-in-law,
Della Ring, Niece, Sheri
(Curtis) Ross, Brittany Ross,
Lori Ring & Mateo, Nephews,
Steve (Diana) Ring and Craig
Ring.
We would like to thank all
who supported Walter while he
was in the hospital; Darrell and
Mona McDonald for the
bannock, bologna and jam,
and to daughters Lydia &
Mary. Although he couldn't
talk much he was always
happy to have visitors.
A special thanks to Will
Irvine for the eulogy, Todd
Munro and Larkin Schelske for
the tributes. To Father Garry
LaBoucane for the prayer from
the heart.
Thank
you
for
all
donations and those who
provided food and help at the
wake and for the beautiful
flowers. To Cody and Gaylene
for
the
special
flower
arrangement in the ranch
setting. To Art, Lorraine and
Matt Gingras for supplying the
lead horses and to all the
riders
who
cared
and
supported the family.
To
Armand Duck Chief for his
musical contribution and Eldon
Weasel Child for the gravesite
song.
Thank you for support
from family and friends who
travelled from as far away as
Maple Creek, Saskatchewan
and Billings, Montana.
Our gratitude to Ray and
Joanne Stewart for use of the
Cluny Hall and the ladies who
kept the coffee pot full. To
Peter and Joyce Huyzer and
his staff for the great donation
of the Feast.
Last, but not least, George
and Rachael Cardinal and
Denise Medicine Traveller for
their after care and support.
Notice to Siksika Members
This is to inform the Siksika Nation members of the changes with the Funeral Services Providers.
Effective immediately, the McInnis & Holloway Funeral Home have increased their fees for funerals, and
as a result Chief & Council have put a cap on all funeral expenses in the amount of $4,500.00.
Families may continue to use the services of McInnis and Holloway, however the Administration will only
pay the $4,500.00 and the families will be responsible for the additional fees. Arrangements have been
made with the Evans J.Strong Funeral Home and Leydon's Funeral Home. These two funeral homes will
provide a complete funeral services package for the $4,500.00, therefore it is our recommendation that
families use the services of these two funeral homes, as funerals can get quite expensive.
Forr morre inforrmation please call eitherr Josie Running Rabbit or Ida Duck Chief at the Memberrship Office.
Kiipo (10)
AITSINIKI - SIKSIKA NATION’S NEWSPAPER
April 2012
SIKSIKA SMALL BUSINESS DIRECTORY
Arrowhead Gas Bar &
Confectionery
High Eagle Designs
Contact: Marie Bear Chief
Owner: Herman Yellow Old Woman Ph: 403-734-2842
Cell: 403-901-3429
403-734-2228
Hours: Mon to Fri - 7:30 a.m. to 9
p.m., Sat & Sun - 9 a.m. to 7 p.m,
MG Hauling
Statutory Holidays - 10:00 a.m. to
Contact: Marlon Many Guns
5:00 p.m.
Ph: 403-734-2575
Cell: 403-901-9291
Bear Property
Maintenance Ltd.
Contact: Kris Red Gun
Ph: 403-681-0077
Landscaping, hauling, mowing &
trimming, tree pruning, junk removal,
snow removal, firewood, lawn
maintenance, site clean up: spring &
fall, pick up & delivery, fencing, oil
field
email: [email protected]
Bullbear Enterprises
Contact: Horace Bullbear
Ph: 403-734-2420 email:
[email protected]
*For all your promotional and
printing needs
Clint McHugh Welding Journeyman/ "B" Pressure
Contact: Clint McHugh
Ph: 403-734-3770
*General welding & repair
D. Smith Contracting
Carpenter/ Contractor
Owner: Dwight Smith
Ph: 403-734-3424 or 403-901-8989
E.R.C. Electric
Contact: Elroy Rabbit Carrier
Ph: 403-901-5348
Fasthorses - Furnace, Duct
and Cistern Cleaning
Contact: Darryl Many Grey Horses
Phone: 403-394-8226
Garry's Electric
Contact: Garry Running Rabbit
Ph: 403-734-3085 Cell: 403-9347535
MM Wood Works
Contact: Marvin Maguire
Specializing: woodcrafts, lawn
furniture, silhouettes, lamps
Ph: 403-734-1074
Cell: 403-901-1074
M & G Second Hand Store
Contact: George & Marcella Turning
Robe
Ph: 403-734-1002
Cell: 403-934-0757
Come have a look: Televisions,
Stereos, movies, small tables, wall
clocks, etc.
M & R Gas/ Boy Chief
Trading Post
Contact: Darryl McDonald/ Mona
Royal
Ph: 403-734-2644
Ph: 403-734-2047
Millennium
Entertainment
Contact: Karleen Many Guns
Disc jockey and video services
Ph: 403-481-7772
email: [email protected]
North Camp Enterprises
Contact: Chris Strangling Wolf
Cell: 403-934-8414
Snow Removal - Demolition Fences - Tire Repair - Landscaping
Environment - Bobcat Services
Precious Decorating
Contact: Carla Calf
For all your interior needs - drywall
service, drywall taping, painting
Ph: 403-324-0643 email:
[email protected]
ReZtaurant & Catering
Contact: Chris Eagle Rib
Ph: 403-975-3246
Samuel & Grampa's
Junk Removal &
Contracting
Contact: Jordan Red Gun
Ph: 403-499-0982
Ph: 403-361-3263
Siksika Port-a-Pottie
Rentals
Owner: Stewart Montana
Ph: 403-934-8273
Warpaint Adventure
(Paintball)
Contact: Shon Stimson
Ph: 403-734-2122
Cell: 403-901-5861
email: [email protected]
Please call for an appointment
Red Gun Art Studio
Contact: Kimberley Red Gun
(Photographer)
Ph: 403-962-0656
Ph: 403-324-1579
[email protected]
Washington Community
Centre
Contact: Terry Kennedy
Ph: 403-734-3462
Ph: 403-901-8789
Please call to book the centre
If you would like
your business
included please
contact Kendra
Beaulieu at the
Siksika Small
Business Centre at
(403) 734-3338 or
fax (403) 734-3378
April 2012
AITSINIKI - SIKSIKA NATION’S NEWSPAPER Nitsikopoto(11)
LEGENDS: NAPI & THE ROCK
Napi, as the Disciple of
Creator Sun, is known by
many names among the many
different nationalities. If you
were to dig back in the past,
our legends are the same,
and they are still very similar
to one another.
It had been thousands of
years since human beings
were put here on Mother
Earth to live and appear as
the image of Creator Sun.
Scattered all over Mother
Earth, they lost contact with
one another. Their language
changed to where they had
different
languages
and
couldn’t understand one
another, and their customs
were changed too. But if you
give these customs and
languages a closer look,
they’re not as strange as they
seem. Because some time
ago, those many different
people had almost identical
customs and languages.
The only major difference
about the people of this world
is their ways and dress in the
many different climates this
world has. Other than that, we
are the same people Creator
Sun put here on Mother Earth
to live as he does—and most
of all, to love one another and
all life of Creator Sun and
Mother Earth. It is the
wonderful work of our creator
that we don’t all speak the
same language or have all the
same customs. If we did, we
wouldn’t’ve lasted long here
on Mother Earth, because all
things would be the same.
Napi was a very good
disciple, a good teacher, and
the people of Mother Earth
learned many things from him.
Respect to our Creator Sun
and to one another was of
great importance, to acquire
food was great too. Getting
well from using roots, barks,
and weeds was a wonderful
gift also—of course, sickness
was unheard of in those
earlier days. We Natives of
this North American continent
never had more then a severe
cold or the likes until the
whiteman came to our
country.
At this time, Napi’s power
was almost equal with
Creator Sun’s power. And
with all the things Napi done
for the world and people, he
was getting kind of bored. For
some reason the he had was
always there nagging him to
use it for himself. Maybe by
getting old here on Mother
Earth, Napi was getting
reckless with the power
entrusted to him, and he was
restless too. He was doing
some crazy things now.
One day, while hurrying
along with his coyote pet, the
sun got very, very hot and the
heat just beat down on them
as they went along. Napi had
his old faithful robe with him in
his arms. In this heat, the robe
was getting mighty heavy for
Napi. Stopping by a very large
rock, spread his robe over it,
telling the rock, “Oogi ahmooy nu-gahts-iss. All right, this
robe you can have.”
Back on their way they
went, him and coyote pet.
They hadn’t gone too far from
the great rock when the
clouds started to form right
above the two. It got blacker
and blacker up there, soon
there was lightning and
thunder. The two didn’t go
very far when the rain began
to come down, and it wasn’t
long before the rain seemed
to be just pouring down.
Napi told his coyote pet,
“Run back to the rock and ask
him if I could borrow the robe
until this rain blows over.” The
coyote, being very fleet on it’s
legs, soon got back to the
great rock and repeated what
Napi said. Hearing the
message, the great rock
spoke with a roar, “Huh-ahyah! Awk-skin-neek ahn-oo-yi
ook-koo-took ace-ki-boh-doomoo-wah. By gosh! I haven’t
ever known anyone to take
something back from a rock.”
The coyote pet ran back to
Napi and told him the rock’s
answer. Right away, Napi
flared up. He was angry,
probably from the scorching
heat and then the rain that
was now coming down on
them. He needed the robe
right now, it was his in the first
place. Turning sharply in his
tracks, Napi started back
towards the great rock, his
coyote pet right on his heels. It
wasn’t very long to get back to
the great rock, and Napi was
very angry with the rock.
Walking right up to it, he
jerked the robe off the great
rock and said these words:
“Ah! Ah-ny-yi is-ston-si-kimim-ii naa-yi. Yeah! You just
kind of got stingy with my own
robe.” Taking the robe, Napi
walked away from the great
rock and went back on his
way, the coyote pet right
behind him.
The two hadn’t gone very
far when, just as sudden as it
came, the rain stopped and
the sun came out again to
beat down on them as they
went along. They were going
happily along in the sun,
drying out at the same time,
when all of a sudden the
coyote jumped away from
Napi, talking excitedly at the
same time. “New-waug, newwaug, ah-nauk ook-koo-toocuk. Watch out, watch out,
here comes the rock.” Napi
jumped out of the way just in
time as the rock rolled by. It
didn’t take long for the rock to
make a circle and head back
for Napi and his coyote pet.
Napi and his coyote pet made
a wild dash for it – to where,
ther didn’t know. They ran this
way and that way, the just
barely missing them each
time it rolled by. The great
rock was very angry, because
Napi had taken back the robe,
and now he was ready to kill
for that robe he lost.
The coyote pet was right
at his heels, trying it’s
darndest to stay out of the
rock’s way. Finally the coyote
realized that it wasn’t him the
rock was after, it was Napi.
The coyote ran one way and,
with the rock right behind him,
Napi ran the other way. Napi
was getting very winded and
tired too, he was just barely
jumping out of the rock’s way.
This had gone on for quite
awhile already, and Napi had
to run fast and jump fast,
which was very tiring.
On and on the rock
chased Napi around, while his
coyote pet looked on. There
was nothing he could do to
help Napi, his friend. Further
and further the chase went on,
over the hill, across rivers and
creeks, and Napi was all in. It
was getting late in the day. He
was about ready to give up
and let the rock roll over him
to be done with everything,
when from nowhere some
nighthawks came to Napi’s
rescue.
These nighthawks dive
bombed the rock with the gas
in their stomachs. Each time
they came down on that rock
and let go with their gas, large
pieces of the rock would fall
away to a standstill. Soon
there was no more rock big
enough to roll over Napi. The
rock gave up, it was just too
small to do harm.
Napi was very thankful to
the nighthawks – in fact, he
didn’t know how to thank them
for saving his life. He took his
robe and went on his way. He
hadn’t gone very far when he
came across the baby
nighthawks in their nests. But
instead of loving them up
because of their parents’ help,
Napi
took
the
baby
nighthawks one by one and,
as he took each one in his
hands, he tore the mouth of
these baby nighthawks a little
wider for them. As he tore
each mouth, he told each one,
“Ah! Ah-neeks-ah-yi oots-iidup-eem-oo-waks nit-si-gumoots-ii buke-ow. Ah-ny-yi nisstaa-nuk. Yeah! You, your
folks saved me, now your
must have this appearance
always.” All of the little one’s
mouths torn wider left blood at
the corner of their mouths and
to this day they still appear
like they still have a little blood
at the corner’s of their mouths.
When all of the little
nighthawks mouths were torn
wider, Napi went on his way.
By this time, the nighthawk
parents came back to their
nests. At the first glance at
their little ones, the parent
nighthawks thought someone
had fed these little ones raw
entrails. It wasn’t unusual to
feed others, especially the
little ones. The nighthawks
said to those little ones, “Huh,
gahk-go-couk-si-ou-poe-waw.
Huh, someone must’ve fed
you all entrails.” The little
nighthawks answered, “Suhah, Napi-waw dass-stut-dooyoot-oo-kin-oun. No, it was
Napi tearing our mouths
wider.”
“We will see about that
Napi,” all of the nighhawks
said as they flew away to find
that ungrateful Napi.
Napi was quite a
ways by this time. Without
warning, as he was going
along, those nighthawks
swooped down on Napi and
with all their might they
blasted him with all the gas
they had. It was very powerful.
It didn’t take them very long to
blow his clothes to shreds,
especially his robe. There was
nothing left of it, and now
those nighthawks done away
with it.
Napi was left so tired from
all of the dive bombing by
those
nighthawks,
and
nothing was left of his clothes
or robe. He was plumb
covered over with the
nighthawk’s droppings. He fell
and laid there a while before
getting up to go look for a
creek to bathein, and he was
stark naked as he went along.
This particular happening
of the Rock and Napi
happened from Lake Francis
in Montana at Valier to the
present day site of Oka-tokes,
Alberta, Canada, west of
town. It ended where you
could see the rock that
chased Napi.
Third Annual Emery Memorial Hockey Tournament
We, the Children, would like to thank the following for their kind
contribution/donations towards this years Tournament which was held March
16-18, 2012:
Trophy Sponsors:
Siksika Travel-Goalie
Roderick & Audrey White Quills-Left Defense
Shawn Axe & Family-Right Defense
Cassidy & Jacey Saddleback-Right Wing
Delbert Yellow Fly & Jackie Spring Chief-Left Wing
Carlon Big Snake & Merlin Breaker-Centre
Jayson Doore & Louise Pretty Youngman-Top Scorer
Stacey Many Heads & Kids-MVP Award
Shona Doore/Mike White Quills & Kids-Special Award
Morris & Charlene Many Bears-1st Place
Tammy McMaster & Kids-2nd Place
Shawn Axe & Family-3rd Place
Cash Donations:
Lena Running Rabbit
Tracey Many Heads
Ruth Melting Tallow
Keon Doore
Spike Winnipeg
Dwayne Big Old Man
Brent & Sonia Dodging Horse
Jayson Doore & Louise Pretty Youngman
Robert Breaker
Siksika Pee Wee's Hockey Club
Siksika Intervention Services
Maurice Law Barristers & Solicitors
Trevor & Amanda Running Rabbit
Merchandise Donations:
Harold & Harvine Woods
Jayson Doore & Louise Pretty Youngman
Lucy Wright
Adrenaline Sports
Shona Doore & Mike White Quills
Also, a Thank You to the Committee and Volunteers who helped make this
years Tournament a Success!! Please accept our apologies if anyone missed.
This years Winners were as follows:
First Place-Breaker Farms
Second Place-BBC-Tsu' Tina
Third Place-Morley
Natsikopoto(12) AITSINIKI - SIKSIKA NATION’S NEWSPAPER
April 2012