magazine - USAY – Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth

Transcription

GANG VIOLENCE
*
*
TURN UP THE VOLUME
*
MUSIC CHARTS
NEW TRIBE
magazine
DREAM TEAM
JAMES JONES & LINSAY WILLIER
+
*
*
MARSHA
ELLEN MEIDOW
* RAVEN
RAIN
HEALTHY TIPS
ARTS IN ACTION
Free
Vol. 8 Issue 9
February 2010
Now Available online
www.newtribemagazine.ca
NEW TRIBE
Calgary’s Aboriginal Youth Monthly
[email protected]
Managing Editor
John Medeiros
Graphic Design
Aboriginal Design Group
NOTEBOOK
Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth
1511 10th St. SW
Calgary, AB T2R 1E8
403.233.8225
from*the*editor
Hello New Tribe Readers,
Welcome to the February issue of
NEW TRIBE magazine. We are firmly
into the new year and I’m excited to
see the plans we have for the magazine
start to unfold bit by
bit moving forward.
We had a fantastic
response to our last
issue and I hope
to build on the
momentum.
It’s also a good time
for a gentle reminder
that Valentines day
is this month, so
remember to treat that special someone
in your life to some chocolates, a card,
and maybe even some flowers. Hey, go
crazy, he/she will thank you for it.
In this issue, we talked with James
Jones and Linsay Willier, of So You
Think You Can Dance and Canada’s
Next Top Model fame, and they gave
us some insight on ways to succeed and
their new company ‘Dreams in Motion’.
Check on the article on page 20.
On a more serious note, Most cities in
Canada are suffering through a rise in
gang related activity, so we highlighted
some articles that can offer information
on this issue that will continue on as a
series in the future.
2
NEW TRIBE FEBRUARY 2010
We are always looking for more
community content so feel free to
contact us about writing for New
Tribe Magazine. We love to get local
writers involved so get in touch with
us regarding your ideas for stories. We
even pay!
Need
updates
on
upcoming
USAY and New
Tribe
Magazine
events? Feel free
to search us out
on Facebook and
join our growing
friends list. We
post
upcoming
events, submission requirements and
deadlines, and fun stuff like upcoming
movie nights and book clubs. It is also
a great place to comment on stories or
articles you wish to see in our upcoming
issues.
Want to gain experience in Graphic
Design? We are currently looking
for freelance designers to work on
everything from magazine layout, to
creating posters and advertisements.
Check out the ad on page 25.
(Experience required)
Spread the word, and stay true to it.
John Medeiros
Managing Editor
Executive Director
LeeAnne Sicker
Executive Assistant(Intern)
Jessica Hawryluk
Program Coordinator
Elissa Twoyoungmen
Board of Directors
President
Jesse Halton
Vice-President
Amanda Gonet
Treasurer
Sarena Provost
Secretary
Cheryl Hanley
Directors
Ryan Willert
Cherokee Blood
Brett Black Plume
Leonard Bastien
Casey Eaglespeaker
Connie Tuharsky
NEW TRIBE is a monthly magazine. Our mission
is to promote a positive outlook on Aboriginal living in an urban setting by promoting information
sharing within the Aboriginal and youth communities
Opinions expressed in submitted work/letters are
those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect
the views of NEW TRIBE or USAY. This magazine is a forum for Aboriginal youth to speak their
minds and share their stories without intervention.
Special Thanks to our Community
Partners & Funders
CONTENTS
16
27
20
COVER STORY
James Jones &
Linsay Willier
20
Photography by Nare’ Studios &
Design Inc.
www.narestudios.com
Make up by Gina Cicero Lady Venom
Cosmetics
4
NEWS BRIEFS
26
24
COMMUNITY
5 TRIBE MAIL
26 ARTS IN ACTION
7 WHAT’S GOING ON?
28
COMING SOON
8
USAY WHAT?
29
GAME REVIEWS
9
MOUTH OFF
30
BEATS
12 FLAVOR
32 IN MEMORY OF
16 MUSIC CHARTS
34 TRIBE LIT
17 COOL JOBS
36
SMALL SCREEN
19 HEALTH
39
U AROUND TOWN
Jewelery created by Jeanie Letendre
3
NEWS*BRIEFS
Aboriginal Happenings From Across Canada
Buffy Sainte-Marie
to play at the 2010
Aboriginal Pavilion
VANCOUVER – Singer Buffy SainteMarie will kick off a series of free nightly
performances at the 2010 Aboriginal
Pavilion during the Winter Games.
The Four Host First Nations announced the
lineup of more than two dozen indigenous
artists who are taking to the stage over
14 days at the pavilion, also known as the
Chiefs’ House.
Performances range from traditional
throat singing, drummers and singers to
contemporary acts including hip hop, rock,
folk music and blues.
The program was put together by Four
Host First Nations producer and creative
director Sal Ferrera through the Cultural
Olympiad.
The performances start at 9:30 and 11
nightly, with admission on a first-come,
first-served basis. The Four Host First
Nations partners with aboriginal groups
and organizations across Canada and
4
internationally to present theme days at
the pavilion.
First Nations Casino
Rama ‘windfall’
ONTARIO- Now that the Chippewas
of Mnjikaning have lost their latest bid
to keep 35 per cent of the profits from
Casino Rama, other First Nations eagerly
await the “windfall” of cash they say will
build roads, help educate youths and nurse
struggling start-up companies.
Handed down in the Ontario Court of
Appeal Friday, the latest ruling in this bitter
dispute means 133 other First Nations now
get a share of the contested amount.
Nipissing band councillor Perry McLeodShabogesic, said that while the exact
dollar figure is not known, he expects his
community’s take to be in the millions.
“Each community has not forecast the
amount into their budgets, so it’s going to
be like a windfall to invest. It’s going to give
us a needed boost, especially during these
economic times.”
The Mnjikaning Chippewa band claimed it
had a deal with the Ontario government
to receive 35 per cent of net revenues
in exchange for hosting the casino on its
land near Orillia. But opponents claimed
the deal, which was agreed upon by the
province’s native communities and the
former New Democrat government, was
to last only five years.
Danny Beaton receives
NAAA Award
The 2010 recipient of the National
Aboriginal Achievement Award (NAAA)
for Environment and Natural Resources
has dedicated his life to protect nature
and encourages others to do the same.
Activist Danny Beaton will be honoured at
the 17th NAAA in Regina, Saskatchewan
on March 26, as one of 14 remarkable
Aboriginal Canadians being recognized for
their achievements.
“This award which is very positive, will help
me and those in my field of Environmental
Education -people with awards and
degrees are usually taken more seriously
and Mother Earth is in a very serious
crisis,” said Beaton.
Tribe*Mail
January Issue 2010
The January issue of NEW TRIBE magazine focused
on some local musicians, highlighted growth in the
Calgary music scene, and why the Aboriginal music
venues in town need to grow and adapt to make
the city a leader in the emergance of new music.
We wrote about health issues, had some great art
contributions and the usual assortment of comics,
movie reviews, and the all important horoscopes.
It was a positive issue to start the new year and
showcased the look and feel we are going for in
2010. We hope you enjoyed it.
NEW TRIBE VS. BOB HUNT
I really enjoyed the aritlce on one of my
favorite bands Chief Mountain, you had
in the January issue of the magazine titled
‘Chief Mountain vs Katty Jo Rabbit’. I think
they are under appreciated and it was nice
to see a magazine focus on the great music
they produce and I appreciated the info on
their next concert dates. Thanks again.
Bob Hunt
CHUBBA WUBBA WHAT?
What’s the story with that Chubba Wubba
cartoon? Is it a baby? An alien? Whatever
it is the eyes follow me around and freaks
me out!
James Racette
Ed. Note: We aren’t exacty sure ourselves.
Copies are taped to our door in the middle of
the night and we feel it’s safer not to ask too
many questions.
SHORT AND SWEET
I just wanted to write a short email to the
writers at the magazine to keep up the
great work. I have been a reader since almost the first issue and it has been gratyfying to see the growth of the magazine continue in a positive direction. Each month
my kids and I grab a few issues and I can’t
tell you how important it is that I read
them stories written by our people, for
them and about them. Keep up the great
work.
Adele Onespot
WEB LIKE
I like the magazine but I can never find a
copy of it. When I go to the USAY website sometimes it’s up but sometimes it’s
not. Can you post a list of where I can find
a copy and also update the webstie more
often?
Edgar Overland
Ed. Note: We will post a list on the website
with locations that carry the magazine. Also,
check out www.newtribemagazine.ca for online issues as it may be updated faster.
RAP STEREOTYPES
Oki, I wanted to send an email to comment
that in my opinion, I don’t think having rap
music ‘artists’ in the magazine is a positive
influence on the youth of our city. Rap
music is not going to advance the stereotypes of how the Aboriginal community is
viewed and although I know the magazine
is geared towards youth I feel that more
positive stories are available to bring messages to the young people.
I do my best to shield my grand kids from
that kind of music and don’t like having to
keep this magazine from them as it’s something they enjoy each month. I would appreciate a response at your convenience
with your reasoning behind this.
Ellery Frank
Ed. Note: Thanks for your email. We always
appreciate feedback and hearing the views of
our readers. After talking to many Rap/Hip
Hop artists on this issue, I feel that they have
a positive message to voice yet they wrap it
in the harsher realities that they face in their
own lives, both on the reserves, and in the
city. Many have been involved in workshops
that help promote positive reinforement in
the youth community while ‘packaging’ it in
a format the kids can relate to. Many work
multiple jobs in order to fund their music to
get that positive message heard. If you would
like to sit down and have a conversation with
some of those musicians I can arrange it so
they can give you a better understanding of
how similiar your views are to theirs. So similar
in fact you may be surprised. Thanks again for
your message and I look forward to hearing
from you.
Have a comment about the latest issue of
NEW TRIBE magazine? Emails can be sent
to [email protected]
or via mail
NEW TRIBE MAGAZINE
1511 - 10th Street SW
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
T2R 1E8
NEW TRIBE FEBRUARY 2010 5
6
What’s Going On?
FEBRUARY,2010
February 03 - 05
5th Annual Aboriginal Health
Forum
The Coast Plaza
Calgary
www.insightinfo.com/
aboriginalhealthforum
February 04
Haiti Relief Comedy Show
The Laugh Shop
Calgary
February 06
Native American Wisdom Sharing
Workshop
Peterborough
http://www.sherrycrawford.vpweb.
ca/
February 12 - 15
Year of the Tiger Carnival
Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre
Calgary
February 13
CTV Olympic Celebration
Olympic Plaze
Calgary
www.ctvolympics.ca
February 14
Calgary’s 2nd Annual Valentine’s
Day Women’s Memorial Walk
Scarboro United Church
Calgary
February 16
Wilco in Concert
Southern Alberta Jubilee
Calgary
February 17 - 18
2010 Community Futures Treaty
Seven Disability Conference
Calgary
http://www.t7edc.com
February 19
The Alberta Business Awards of
Distinction
Edmonton
www.abbusinessawards.ab.ca
February 21 - 28
Talking Stick Festival
Vancouver
www.fullcircleperformance.ca
February 25
Celebrations the Story
Fantasy Land Hotel
Edmonton
www.nativenetworks.ca
February 26
Where the Blood Mixes
Vancouver Play House
Vancouver
USAY/Calgary YMCA Rec night
Every Tuesday
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Valentines Day
Feb 14
02/01/2010 07:30 PM Philadelphia Flyers
@ Calgary Flames
02/03/2010 07:00 PM Carolina Hurricanes
@ Calgary Flames
02/11/2010 07:30 PM Dallas Stars @
Calgary Flames
02/13/2010 08:00 PM Anaheim Ducks @
Calgary Flames
If you have an event you’d like us to include in our monthly calendar, email it to
us - [email protected] by the third Wednesday of the month.
Submission deadline for the
March issue: February 25
7
USAY*WHAT?
Think you’ve got the skills of an artist? We’re always looking for new talent,
so put something together and send it to us. [email protected]
8
Mouth*OFF
I plan to complete the Just Say Yes Program and get back into school in the fall.
- Gerald Rabbit Carrier
I am looking forwrd to my son Anton’s 2nd birthday because he is my greatest accomplishment.
I am looking forward to succeeding at - Cynthia Good Rider
Just Say Yes and starting a good career.
- Christopher Agawa-Ditto
What are you looking forward to most in 2010
I am looking for a new beginning in my life
with my miziz support, and I aint looking back.
- Tyson Provost
I am looking forward to finishing the Just Say
Yes Program so I can get into the next program.
- Roland BullBear
I’m looking forward to the AYAP
Screening in March.
- F.J.
9
COMMUNITY
GANG VIOLENCE
Naateaw Piskowaki
Gang violence and gang life is a huge
problem in the world today. Children all
over the world from every background
and origin join gangs for a variety of
reasons. However, to understand gangs,
it is important to understand the reasons
for which these children join them. If an
understanding can be reached for why
children from these diverse walks of life
join gangs, then, it is possible for parents,
councillors, and teachers to be able to
convince or steer the children away from
taking part in such a negative outlet for
acting out; in doing so, gang violence
and crime can potentially be reduced
drastically.
It is known that the number one reason
that children join gangs is because they
have an intense psychological desire to be a
part of something greater than themselves.
In taking part in gang activity, or even just
being accepted to a gang set, a child can
feel a sense of normality, and a sense of
family, perhaps filling a void that his or her
own family themselves have neglected to
fill. This is often why gang members call
each other sentimental names such as
“brother.” Trying to find a place where
they belong is a huge reason why children
become deviant.
Gangs form for one of two reasons; out
of necessity, and out of boredom. Gangs
that form out of necessity form because
a group of individuals, mostly children,
10
are not getting something that they need
at home. This may be love, care, money,
or any other number of things. Children
that do not get care at home look to get
it elsewhere. They look to other children
that have the same deficiency. Children
that are not getting love at home, in the
same way, look to get it from others of
the same conflict. Children that do not
get money at home do not mean that their
parents simply do not give them money. It
means that their parents do not give those
gifts, adequate food, or any sort of outlet.
Thus, they look to get it through crime or
similar outlets.
Gangs that are formed out of boredom,
usually called suburban gangs, form because
a group of individuals, normally children,
cannot fund any other alternative on what
to do with their free time. This often
results in the children becoming deviant
simply because there is no other option.
Children form into groups of friends that
battle against society, against the law, and
sometimes against each other out of sheer
want of something better to do.
These specific types of gangs most normally
occur in closed societies or small towns in
which there is very little for young people
to do with their spare time. An example
of this would be a town or settlement of
aboriginals, or natives, that live only within
their society. One group of people work
together, shop together, spends time
together; basically do everything together.
There is no room for outlet for the children
because the society is so close knit.
In a country like Canada, where these
aboriginal societies are present and
somewhat common, these gangs are prone
to emerging. Some of these gangs are
suburban, however, suburban gangs tend
to be less violent because the children
involved do not truly want to do any real
harm to people or society. They are simply
looking for an adequate outlet in which to
vent their want of something constructive
or creative to do in their spare time; this is
not to say that these gangs are something
to ignore, because suburban gangs take up
over 50% of gang activity among aboriginal
natives of Canada. Thus, the gangs that
form among aboriginals that are most lethal
are the ones that form out of necessity.
Aboriginal crime syndicates or aboriginal
gangs are outlined by the government of
Canada. This is because over 100,000
people in Canada take part in criminal gang
activity. Because a large number of these
gang activity instances are executed by the
aboriginal gangs, they are often considered
one of the top 3 most dangerous crime
syndicates or organizations in Canada.
Because of their magnitude, some
aboriginal gangs even number higher than
some New York gangs.
COMMUNITY
Spider Web
Caught in a web
Trying to untangle yourself
Only to be tangled even more
Struggling to come undone
Only to become more entangled
It’s a useless fight...
Al
o
wi ng c
th
leg gle ome
s m am s th
an ing e sp
uv
eri eyes ider
ng , fa
thr ng
ou s re
gh
v
the eale
we d an
b..
. d
You squirm uncomfortably getting nowhere
The spider spins more web onto you
preparing to sink the ever sharp fangs into you
his latest catch...
all
......
it was
crash
a loud he bed and
ake to
ft
ou aw ve fallen of
’
enly y
Sudd cover you
is
And d are...
tm
a nigh
A Bad one!
T. Warrior
11
FLAVOR
On the Table
Zucchini Lasagna
Ingredients:
1 pound lean ground beef
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 medium zucchini (1-1/4 pounds)
1 cup (8 ounces) cream-style cottage cheese
1 egg, beaten
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese
Directions:
In large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add tomato sauce and seasonings. Bring to boil; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, cut zucchini into 1/4-in. slices. In small bowl, combine cottage cheese and egg. In a
greased 3-qt. baking dish, place half of the zucchini; sprinkle with half of flour. Top with cottage
cheese mixture and half the meat mixture. Repeat layer of zucchini and flour.
Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and remaining meat mixture. Bake at 375° for 40 minutes or until
heated through. Sprinkle with additional cheese if desired. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Yield: 6-8 servings.
When it’s hot, slice it on the diagonal and serve with the pan juices and vegetables spooned over.
Add salt at the table, if needed.
12
FLAVOR
COOL EATS
FOR UNDER
$15
Chicken Noodle Baked Casserole
Ingredients:
6 ounces thin egg noodles, cooked, drained
6 tablespoons butter
6 to 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
6 tablespoons flour
1 2/3 cups chicken broth
1 cup milk
1/4 cup pimiento, drained, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups cooked diced chicken
1 cup frozen peas, thawed under hot water
1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese , plus more for topping
Preheat oven to 350Â°. Grease a 2 1/2- to 3-quart baking dish.
In large skillet or saucepan over low heat, melt butter; mushrooms until tender. Blend
in flour, stirring until smooth and bubbly. Gradually add chicken broth, milk, pimiento,
and salt and pepper; stir constantly until sauce is thickened. Stir in chicken, peas, and
1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, and the cooked noodles. Spoon the mixture into the
prepared baking dish. Sprinkle some Parmesan cheese over top. Bake chicken noodle
casserole 20 to 25 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
Serves 8.
$15 $15 $15
13
Calling All First Nation Youth Musical Talents
1st Annual Stanley “Chiefy” Big Plume Memorial Talent Show
CATEGORIES
CATEGORIES
10 & under
11 yrs to 14 yrs
15 yrs to 18 yrs
19 & up
Band/Group
and Duo
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Grand Prize
Cash Prizes & Acoustic Guitar
Application Deadline: March 15, 2010
For Application call # 403-797-8643 or # 403-437-8642
Email : [email protected]
14
TRIBE * POETRY
Journey Back in Time
Journey back in time
Allow me to paint you
A picture with my words.
Come back with me,
To the time of our ancestors.
Imagine,
It’s a nice sunny day,
You’re standing just outside a village,
With many teepees,
And many of our people.
The children are playing
You can hear their laughter.
Remember,
You are in the time of our ancestors.
Pay close attention to their clothing,
And how happy everyone is.
Look around the village,
Everyone is going about his or her business,
Doing their usual chores.
Tanning hides,
Tending to the children,
Cooking for the warriors,
Breaking wild horses,
And making arrowheads for the next hunt.
Then you spot a lodge.
It looks familiar to you.
Kokum is standing at the door.
She motions for you to come over.
She invites you to come in and sit down.
Kokum smudges you
And says a prayer for you.
She then lights her pipe.
While you both smoke, Kokum asks
“What’s bothering you my child?”
You’re obliged
To tell her what’s on your mind.
Hopefully, you let it all out,
No holding back.
In turn, Kokum
Gives you the advice you need.
After all the weight has been lifted
And the tears spent,
Kokum smudges you again and says
“No need to worry my child,
We are always here,
Just look within.”
As the pipe smokes out,
She gestures towards the door;
Signaling that it’s time to go.
Reluctant to leave,
You step out of the lodge
Into the hot summer sun.
Everyone is still going about their business.
Walk towards the outside of the village.
Take one last look back
Towards the lodge,
Kokum is standing there waving.
It is time to come back now,
To this day and age
Where life is like a crazy maze.
by
Lydia Hunter
15
Music*Charts
Here’s the story so far: A guy reads a magazine, guy writes for the
magazine, guy leaves the magazine and passes the torch…2 years
later, the same guy comes back to the same magazine to write again!
That’s pretty much it, no long story. This section is a selection of
tracks that I have been playing in my sets & mixes. I have been
DJ’ing across Canada and the US for over a decade and have never
lost the love for house & techno music. This section will also feature
DJ mixes from around the globe, from Calgary to Chicago, New
York to Dubai, Johannesburg to Detroit; Berlin to San Francisco; rest
assured I will present the best in house & techno and DJ mixes available. These selections continue to rock dance floors everywhere, so
have fun finding them, play loud, and remember it ain’t over till the
last record spins.
*
*
Catch the Beat - Charts – House & Techno by Caylem Simeon
Artist – Track – Label
1 – Jazzmoppe J – High Wonder – Highjack
2 – Ondrejj – Connected – Midwest Hustle
3 – Lloyd Kenny – The Yodel – Patsada
4 – One Night Funk – It’s Classic – Funkfield
5 – Dirt Crew – Deep Cover (Roberto Rodriguez Mix) – Moodmusic
6 – John Hawley – Electric Lush – Audio Indka
7 – Dirty Culture – Second Try – Sintope
8 – DJ Sneak and DJ Soydan – ATA – Yakuza
9 – Uneaq – Only U (Johnny Fiasco’s Tonic Groove Mix) – Om Records
10 – Dennis Ferrer – Hey Hey (DF Attention Vocal Mix) – Defected/Objecktivity
11 – Husky – As I Go Along (The House Inspectors Mix) – Blockhead
12 – Jodeci – Freekin U (MK Dub) – MCA
13 – DJ Sneak – Artisticus – OVUM
14 – Josh Wink – Jus Right – OVUM
15 – Cricco Castelii – Life Is Changing – Kult
HOUSE MUSIC
TECHNO MUSIC
Artist – Track – Label
1 – Tom Budden – The Tree Dance – Mute
2 – Greg Gow – The Bridge (Late Night River Mix) – Transmat
3 – DJ T-1000 – Neutra – Pure Sonik
4 – Rhytym is Rhythym– Strings Of Life – Transmat
5 – Wehba – Sweet Spot (Sweeter Mix) – Tronic
6 – Dario Zenker – Belfort (Original Mix) – Vakrant
7 – DJ Rolando – Knights Of The Jaguar (Original Mix) – Underground Resistance
8 – Alex Celler – Shootout – South American House
9 – Alex Celler – La Palma – Area Remote
10 – Marco Bailey – Watergate (Original Mix) – Bedrock Records
11 – Lionrock – Packet of Peace (Jeff Mills Remix) – Deconstruction
12 – Greg Gow – Black Sun – Transmat
13 – DJ Misjah – System S – X Traxx
14 – Dave Angel – Viper – Plaza In Crowd
15 – Mindz Kontrol Ultra – Dance With Me – OVUM
All tracks are available on-line through the
following sites:
www.beatport.com
www.stompy.com
www.traxsource.com
If you have any ideas for tracks/labels/mixes that could be reviewed or you want to submit your own for review, send them in and we’ll make
you famous! If you have any questions, comments, or whatever, then hit me up at [email protected]. Enjoy the music…
16
COOL JOBS
Profile
Tracy Plante
Employment Coach for Just Say Yes
Where do you work?
My name is Tracy Plante and I work for
Just Say Yes / Janpat Management. My
current position is Employment Coach
and part time Transition Coach. The
Just Say Y.E.S. program offers workshops
for Aboriginal youth 17 to 30 focusing
on: Work Place Literacy, Employability
Skills and Career Management Work
Experience. The benefits to Youth are
their employment skills are increased.
The classroom size is a small group so
there is a lot of individual support. They
GET PAID TO attend class and to gain
work experience. They can also access
transitional funds, assistance for childcare
and transportation. To Register, call the
office and speak with one of our team
members at 403-292-9285.
What does your job consist of?
There are many components to my job,
however, the main job description for
the Employment Coach is to support
youth in realizing their dream job. I assist
them in obtaining a job in the career of
their choice and try to get them a work
experience placement. This gives students
the ability to test out a job before
committing to going to school for 2-4
years.
I visit companies within the Calgary region
and inform them about our services and
what we do. It is a great deal marketing
the skills of our youth! I love that! This
part of the job allows me to give the youth
the inside scoop, the positive and negative
aspects of working at different organizations
and what it takes to make it there.
What sort of education/training
do you need to get into this type of
work?
Well, I double-majored in Business
Administration – Marketing and Accounting.
However, I believe the skills which helped
me in obtaining this job was working at
Anishnabeg Outreach in Guelph, Ontario.
I learned valuable skills beneficial to me,
now I am learning a great many more skills
working with Just Say YES. I work with many
knowledgeable people like Janet Schimmel,
Tessie Dubois & Lorel Clearsky, as well as
the rest of the Janpat Management team,
they have taught me so much!
How long have you been doing this
job?
Not very long at all. I started it October
2009, but, like I mentioned before, I worked
with other companies that do similar work
for the youth.
Why did you get into this type of
work?
I love working with youth! I believe that if
someone had helped me when I was younger,
the road may not have been so far or long. I
may have known where I belonged sooner?
Working with youth is so very important ~
they mold the future!
What is your favorite thing about
your job?
My favorite part of this job is having the
ability to work with youth. Its what I wanted
to do my entire life – helping where it is
needed! This position allows me to meet
people from all walks of life. I get to work
with employers that have a wide range of
educational backgrounds. My day is full of
variety, and that is important for me.
What are the challenges within
your job?
The biggest difficulty in my job is being able
to match the right youth with the right jobits very challenging! If the youth doesn’t get
the right employer or the right industry, this
may deter them from following their dreams.
What advice would you have for
other Aboriginal youth interested
in this position?
You must have the passion and drive toward
excellence, but, it must be for all the right
reasons! This profession can be a very hard,
but also extremely rewarding! Work hard at
school and volunteer your time to programs
that need assistance with youth-it will
provide you with that “leg up.”
17
NEW
*
TRIBE
magazine
HEALTH
Tips for Healthy Grocery Shopping
Jolene Frayne-Callihoo
Before You Go Grocery Shopping
Make a list
Be sure to take the time to write out a list
of healthy foods that you can incorporate
into more than one recipe.
EAT
By eating a healthy snack or meal before
entering the grocery store you are almost
guaranteed to stick to your list and avoid
splurging on unhealthy/empty calorie foods
which are not nutrient dense.
Make Enough Time
If you do your grocery shopping in a rush
you will probably spend more money and
avoid label reading: allow yourself enough
time so that you can make smart choices in
what you buy and how much you buy.
Look for Coupons and Deals to
save money
Surf the internet to research your local
grocery store for printable coupons and
daily specials or check your mailbox for the
latest deals and flyers on healthy foods.
Get rid of unhealthy foods
Do an early spring cleaning of your
cupboards, fridge and freezer and throw
away any outdated, unhealthy, or unwanted
foods and spices.
During Grocery Shopping
Fruits and Veggies First
When you first get to the grocery store
go straight to the produce section and
pick out the fruits and vegetables on your
list first; by heading here first, you won’t
hesitate to buy them later maybe because
of a limited budget or time restrictions.
Read the Labels and Ingredients
list
Always read the labels, this will help you
to pick healthy choices. Here are some
examples on what to look for;
WHAT TO AVOID
-Avoid cholesterol
-Look closely at the fat content and try to
keep it below 5%
-Look for low sodium (less than 150 mg
per serving)
slices.
Avoid
foods
without
labels
(with the exception of fruits and
vegetables)
Foods without labels such as baked goods
and bakery breads are usually high in fat
and sugars that you can not control. If
possible, ask the bakery attendant about
the nutritional content for the item you
want to buy.
Buy in Bulk
Buying in bulk not only saves you money
but will help to last a while until you go
shopping again.
After The Grocery Store
WHAT TO INCLUDE
-Good sources of fibre (4 grams or more)
-good sources of other nutrients and
minerals (for example- Catelli Multigrain
Pasta)
The ingredients list is a good indicator of
how much ‘junk’ is in foods you are eating
(Hint:The smaller the list, the less additives
and preservatives are in that food). Also,
the ingredients list goes by weight; the first
item on the ingredients list has the most
contained in the type of food.
Avoid Processed Foods
Processed foods contain high amounts of
sodium and preservatives. Try to limit the
amount of processed and pre-made meals
you buy. For example, packaged meats,
frozen entrees, and processed cheese
Freeze bulk foods in portions
Separate bulk foods into family sized
potions and freeze (some examples are:
meats, raw vegetables, cut up fruits)
Prepare large meals and freeze
When you make a meal, make enough so
that you can freeze family or individual
sized portions. This will save time by
allowing you to re-heat without all of the
prep time involved
Store foods accordingly (first in
first out) to avoid waste
When you get home, be sure to store
foods in the cupboard, fridge, and freezer
behind older foods of the same kind to
avoid waste – First in, first out.
19
All photography by Nare’ Studios & Design Inc.
www.narestudios.com
Make up by Gina Cicero Lady Venom Cosmetics
Jewelery created by Jeanie Letendre
Contact information for Linsay Willier and James Jones
www.thedreamsproject.com
COVER FEATURE
SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE?
CANADA’S NEXT TOP MODEL
LINSAY WILLIER & JAMES JONES TALK TO NEW TRIBE ABOUT
GOING FROM DREAMS TO REALITY
NEW TRIBE – Can you tell our readers a
little bit about your backgrounds?
LINSAY WILLIER - Originally from Sucker
Creek First Nation, I moved to Edmonton at age
18 to complete her Bachelor’s Degree in Child
and Youth Care at Grant MacEwan College.
In 2008, she submitted an application to be on
“Canada’s Next Top Model” and was chosen
from 14,000 other hopefuls as one of the
11 finalists all competing for a high-profile
modeling contract. Linsay is now nationally
recognized as a strong First Nation model to
appear on a “Canada’s Next Top Model” she
was awarded runner up place.
in Edmonton, we have been friends ever since.
It’s funny because in 2008 we told each other
jokingly that we were going to go on SYTYCD
and CNTM then team up and go on tour
together. Then a year later it happened.
NT – You both just had amazing years in
2009, what made each of you decide to try
JJ - there was 3 separate auditions over a span of
3 days. you have to dance for the producers then
the judges twice, if you make it past all that then
you get to do a 1 minute solo, which is filmed
and judged, if you make it to the finals you then
go to Toronto and get busted down from 200
dancers down to the last one standing.
JAMES JONES - Originally from Tall Cree
First Nation, I’m a hip hop/cultural dancer
who has taught, performed and travelled
all across North America, Europe, and
Australia. I have been blessed to dance for
such artists as Genuine, In Essence, Maestro
Fresh Wes, and Snoop Dogg. I was also
featured on this Season’s number 1 hit show
in Canada “So You Think You Can Dance.”
I also made history as the first Aboriginal
street dancer to go straight threw to the
finals.
NT – What made you get into modelling,
and dancing?
JJ - I have always been a free spirited person that
likes to escape reality from time to time and
dancing really did that for me, I also really liked
that no matter what’s happening in my personal
life (good or bad) I could channel that energy
and turn it into something creative.
LW - I loved the idea of portraying a character
other than myself and capturing a moment in
a photograph, and every girl loves to play dress
up.
NT – How did you two meet?
We met about five years ago at a hip hop event
audition tape basically telling why you think
you should be on the show. Then if they like
you, then you were “short listed” for regional
auditions. Regional were held in 5 major cities
across Canada, Edmonton being one of them.
There you have an intense interview with the
shows executive producers, Elmer Olsen and
their entourages. From Regional’s they picked the
top 11 to be on the show. Over 14000 girls tried
out for CNTM.
NT – What was the best, and worst,
experience you both had on your respective
shows?
out for Canada’s Next Top Model, and So
You Think You Can Dance?
JJ - At the time I never really tried any other
dance styles besides bboying and hip-hop and I
thought SYTYCD was the a good way to start.
LW - I seen the show as an amazing adventure
and an opportunity to travel. I had never been
on a plane before the show. I desperately wanted
to travel.
NT - What was the process involved?
LW - The thing you have to do is sent in an
JJ - The best experience was doing partner
work, I had never danced with a partner before
the show and it was an amazing feeling and
connection especially in ballroom. The worst
thing is during the audition process your
dancing from about 6 am till 9 pm at night and
during all those sweaty hours you rarely are
allowed to use the washroom.
LW - The best experience was traveling to the
Bahamas and New York City. I love to travel!
The worst thing about the show was the lack of
sleep. Almost everyday for 6 weeks was an 18
hour or more work day. I slept for almost three
days straight when I returned home.
NT – I saw your audition on SYTYCD,
INSANELY skilled, how did you learn to
dance like that?
JJ - practice! practice! And more practice! I
been dancing since I was 6 years old and I have
21
COVER FEATURE
travelled to place like Los Angeles, Miami, New
York and many other places for training. I also
try to practice everyday, and if I cant physically
practice then I do it in my head.
and families due greatly to residential schooling.
Having a positive role model that people can
identify with and feel proud to support is
empowering to the people.
NT – Linsay, I found pictures online with
you and fellow contestant, and Calgarian,
Nikita Kiceluk. Do you keep in touch with
her, or any other of the other models, now
that the show is over?
JJ - It`s so important to me. I find that there are so
many aboriginal people who are going threw the
same things I went threw growing up and I feel
it`s my job to share my stories and let people know
that their not alone in the world.
LW - Yes, I do keep in close touch with Nikita.
She came down to Edmonton
this past summer and went to
capital x with me. All of us girls
keep in touch via facebook, that
is the beauty about technology it
is super easy to reach people.
NT – James, what was the hardest form of
NT – Dreams in Motion, what is that and
how did it come about?
LW - James and myself really like the idea of being
our own bosses and owning our own company,
so we did just that. We created Dreams in Motion
in September of ‘09. It is a company we started to
empower youth through motivational speaking,
workshops, performances and role modeling. We
hope to inspire youth to work hard at achieving
their dreams, what ever they may be.
NT – How important is it for each of you to
be a positive role model in the Aboriginal
community?
LW - It is extremely important. I think there
was a real breakdown in aboriginal communities
22
NT – Did either of you experience any
negativity based on your backgrounds
during either show? If so what was it and how
did you react?
JJ- No everyone was very supportive of me,
and loved the fact that I was of
aboriginal heritage.
LW- I would have to say no,
most people were interested and
wanted to know more about
my culture and upbringing. I
think it may have even given
me an advantage because the
girls knew I could not be easily
intimidated. Actually, they were a
little intimidated that I was from
a native reserve. I’m sure some
typical stereotypes encouraged
their intimidation.
NT – James, your dancing
skills have taken you all over
the globe. What is the most
exciting place you were able
to visit and which celebrity
have you met that most awed
you?
JJ - The most exiting place I
would have to say is definitely
Australia, I spent 2 months
travelling and dancing there and it was amazing.
And the celebrity that awed me the most was a
native actor named Adam Beach. I went for sushi
with him and his wife when I was in LA and he
was very cool, down to earth person.
from all walks of life have reached out to me to
disclose their gratitude for inspiring them and
making them feel that they can accomplish the
impossible if they believe in themselves and work
hard.
dance you had to learn for the show?
JJ - all the dances were super hard, but if I had to
choose one, I would have to say ballroom. It`s such
a passionate dance, and there is more to it than
just tossing hot girls around, you need to look like
a ballroom dancer which is extremely hard if your
genre is hop-hop based. You also need to have a
deeper connection with your partner which can
also be hard if you just met them.
NT – Do you think your performances, in
both shows, will encourage more Aboriginal
youth to take chances and follow their
dreams?
JJ- yes! I know I have inspired many aboriginal
people young and old to take a chance and follow
their dreams, tons of people have asked me how I
have managed to keep dancing, travel everywhere
and stay successful and a large part of it comes
from I have been drug and alcohol free since I
was 13 years old.
LW- I already know for a fact that it has, fans
NT – What is next in line for
both of you?
JJ - I plan to keep dancing till they call me bboy
Mosoom. I also want to keep traveling, training
and get more into auditioning and choreographing.
And of course keep working and building on
``Dreams In Motion`` and continue to work with
youth cause that is where my heart is.
LW - I will continue modeling for as long as I
can and enjoy it but I have other goals to develop
Dreams in Motion into a Nationally recognized
entertainment “with a cause” business. I am
also getting into acting. So I am taking acting
and dancing classes. I always strive to improve
myself.
NT – Any words of advice for a youth looking
to follow in your footsteps?
JJ - don`t let success go to your head, and don`t let
failure go to your heart.
LW- Nothing worth while comes easily, so be
prepared to work hard!
COMMUNITY
A STEP BACKWARDS?
Aboriginal Affairs gets a Shake up
John Medeiros
Dalton James Patrick McGuinty, Jr. the
Premier of the Canadian province of Ontario, took a slap against the Aboriginal
leaders by making the decision to rid of
a stand-alone minister of the aboriginal
affairs. In another of his moves he moved
the former aboriginal affairs minister, Brad
Duguid, to energy and infrastructure after
he had served in his previous position for
18 months.
This was followed by moving Chris Bentley to oversee the aboriginal affairs along
with his other duties - serving as Ontario’s
attorney general. A question was immediately presented that questioned how Bentley can possibly oversee his responsibilities
as attorney general as well as do an adequate job in taking on the new position.
Both previously full-time positions will apparently now become divided so that each
will be a half-time position.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan
Beardy, the representative of 49 First Nation communities in Ontario, immediately
evaluated the move as a “step backwards.”
He expressed disappointment that the
leader of Ontario does not see the aboriginal issues to be worthy of having the
full-time position. Beardy stated, “It sends
the wrong message to First Nations that
are grappling with high suicide rates, economic hardship and long-standing treaty
disputes.” He added, “We are disappointed that the premier doesn’t see aboriginal
issues worthy of having a stand-alone minister.”
24
The Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse issued a statement, “It will be important for Minister Bentley to structure his
office to manage his dual roles - to ensure
the First Nation concerns do not lose out
to AG concerns, particularly since First
Nations are often in an adversarial relationship with the AG.” Toulouse noted
that Duguid’s full-time attention, during his
time as minister of the aboriginal affairs,
brought about notable progress on several
First National issues. He thanks Duguid
for his hard work and congratulated him
on his new position.
controversy in Canadian politics. This led
to a provincial inquiry. The event was completed in the fall of 2006.
The previous full-time position was a major recommendation of the report regarding the fatal murder of native protester
Dudley George who police killed at Ipperwsh Provincial Park in 1995. Murray
Klippenstein, the lawyer who represented Dudley’s brother, Sam George (who
died last May), stated, “This seems to be
a step backwards. I know Sam would be
saddened by that, and it would cause him
some concern.”
While members of the Aboriginal leaders
echoed the sentiment that the action was
a step backward for the nations, the premier, who created the position after the
2007 election, defended the changes saying he was not merging the two ministries.
He stated, “There is one minister who
is taking responsibility for both separate
ministries and I have a tremendous amount
of confidence in Christ Bentley.”
The Ipperwash Crisis involved an Indigenous land dispute occurring in Ipperwash
Provincial Park, in Ontario, in 1995. Members of the Stoney Point Obibway band
occupied the park. They did so in order
to assert their claim to other land, nearby,
which had been expropriated from them
during World War 2. This led to a violent
confrontation between protesters and
the Ontario Provincial Police. The police
killed George. This brought on a major
In 2007 the Ontario Provincial government
announced that it intended to return the
park to its original owners, the Chippewas
of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation. The
Ipperwash Park was finally signed over to
the Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point
First Nation in May, 2009. Another one of
the settlement agreements was to have
a minister dedicated to aboriginal issues.
This was a key recommendation.
Holding their ground, First Nations leaders warned that the loss of a full-time aboriginal affairs minister in Ontario is a step
backwards. They emphasized that it flies in
the face of the findings of the Ipperwash
inquiry. Beardy stated, “We need to figure
out how this will work.”
Beardy explained his concern about the
high unemployment, the youth suicide
crisis in remote areas, as well as the general frustration among members of the
COMMUNITY
First Nations regarding land development,
“Now is not the time to scale back gains
made with Duguid as a stand-alone minister.” Further, he stated, “The premier
doesn’t seem to see aboriginal issues as
worthy of a stand-alone minister. This is
backwards for us and very disappointing.
There is obvious concern how a full-time
leader of aboriginal affairs minister can suddenly be reduced, without any forewarning, to a part-time position. The same is
true with the attorney general. Questions
arise as to how a full-time position, with
such importance, can suddenly be reduced
to a part-time position. This being another
reason the leaders of the aboriginal affairs
believe this is a step backward where they
are concerned.
Bentley, taking over the new responsibilities as the aboriginal affairs minister, in
conjunction with his position as attorney
general, stated that he welcomes adding
the aboriginal affairs to his mix of duties.
He stated, “I’ll be working as hard as I can,
every minute of every hour that I can de-
vote. These issues are enormously important. I’ve got a lot of work to do. I have a
lot of listening to do.”
NDP MPP Michael Prue (Beaches East
York) questioned how the attorney general can possibly have enough spare time to
run an entire aboriginal affairs ministry. He
explained, “This is an adjunct to his main
function. Being attorney general is a huge
job - one that already consumes most of
his time. This is not Bentley’s fault. It’s the
premier’s for going back on his word.”
Grand Chief Randall Phillips from the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians explained that Ontario’s aboriginal minister
should not go back to being a “part-timer.”
He stated, “Creating a stand-alone ministry has helped both sides to manoeuvre
through some old hard lines and find new
days of doing business.”
Phillips added, “Time will tell whether or
not our fears are justified. It just depends
on how much time and effort Minister
Bentley is prepared to put forward on this.
But like I said, I can still see the challenge
right now, because you can’t have two
high-profile topics and then give them the
time that they both need.
It was also noted that putting Bentley in
the dual-position puts him in a difficult position. This might put him in a position of
overseeing Crown lawyers responsible for
prosecuting aboriginal protesters in court.
However, Bentley countered, “There will
be no conflict in juggling both portfolios.
We won’t let it. They are separate ministries. I have separate responsibilities and
they will be treated very much as that.”
Bentley went on to say, “I’ve thrown myself into this with all the energy I can muster. I’m going to pick up where Brad has
passed the torch on, and we’re going to
continue the momentum.”
Only time will tell if a man working a fulltime job as the attorney general can successfully add another full-time job to his
work week.
25
26
COMMUNITY
KEEPING THE DREAM ALIVE
I was very inspired when I recently
read last month’s issue of New Tribe
magazine. I didn’t realize just how
many up and coming aboriginal musicians there really are in the city of
Calgary. The amount of hidden talent
within the city surprised me a lot and
it’s so nice to see all of these young
aboriginal musicians finally getting the
exposure that they deserve. I think
that a lot of times so much of the talent in our community goes unnoticed
and it makes me proud that there are
natives out there that are actually following their dreams, putting in work
and are getting themselves known to
the rest of the world.
Which brings me to the whole message
of why it is so important for us to have
goals and dreams in life. I believe that
everyone should have a dream of some
sort, something that you can strive to
become, something that you can strive
to accomplish in life. A reason for living. For me, my dream is to have all of
my paintings and drawings showcased
throughout the world and to maybe
even become a household name someday. Now whether this happens or not
is still unknown, but the point is that I
have a goal, I have a dream and I’m trying to make it a reality.
I believe that when you have goals and
dreams in your life, your life begins to
have more meaning, your life begins to
have more purpose. The important
thing is to never give up on your goals
and dreams and never let anything or
anyone try to stand in your way of
achieving them. You have to stay focused and put in that hard work if you
want your dreams to become a reality,
and most importantly you need to realize that nothing in life ever comes for
free. Well, maybe except for a welfare
cheque, jokes!!! No really though, if
you want to reach your goals, if you
want your dreams to come true you’re
going to have to really work on it.
courage you. When you’re chasing a
dream you need to be relentless, determined, and you can never be afraid
to take a few risks. And just remember that the ones who are successful
are the ones who stick with it through
the thick and the thin and never lose
sight of what they’re going after, because in the end, it’s all about keeping
the dream alive.
Trying to make a dream become a reality isn’t easy. In fact, I’m sure that if
you were to ask any one of the featured music artist’s from last month’s
issue they would tell you that it’s been
anything but easy. The truth is you’re Cory Little Light is a regular contributor to NEW TRIBE magazine
going to face adversity and you’re going
to face obstacles. You may even have a
few doors slammed right in your face,
but you can never let any of this disNEW TRIBE FEBRUARY 2010
27
www.usay.ca
COMING SOON
NEW AND IMPROVED
28
GAME*ON
Game Reviews
By Jonas Soosay
UNCHARTED 2
Uncharted 2 is filled with an adrenalin rush as soon as you start playing the game.You take on the character Nathan Drake, who goes on a job with his thieving friends to steal an old lamp for a psychopath
called Lazervic. You travel from bullet infested alleys, to cold mountains in Nepal and puzzle Caverns
that will get you brain overloaded of suspense and curiosity . Even the surroundings are beautiful, when
you take a second to witness the environments during your travels from level to level. The game is
filled with intense levels and graphics, it somehow feels like you are watching an awesome Hollywood
movie.
The Buttons are so in tune with the game play even the kids can play with ease. It some how has a little
bit of everything, buttered down to keep it simple and fun. During the game you can tell that they had a
little bit of Tomb Raider and Gears of War kind of mixed into the game play. With intense puzzles and
huge atmosphere backgrounds, and gunfights where you can cover fire and blind fire. Seems a bit like the
games above combined together to produce one of the best games I think will be top shooter of 2010
I find Uncharted 2 to be one of the greatest games I have played on the PS3 , It has to be one of the must
have game to own. Cause you can play this one for countless of hours, and hours. Also the multi player
is as intense as the story mode as well, with kind of a call of duty approach. You can collect trophies
during play, if you can find them all that is. I look forward to Uncharted 3 if it’s in the works, oh yeah
before I forget it’s a 3rd person view game.
SAINTS ROW 2
SAINTS ROW 2 takes place years after the original Saints row.Your character can be totally up to you
male or female, and you also can customize everything from age race, and your gang style. You awake
from a coma in the hospital jail covered in bandages, realizing you are alive from a near death explosion
in the previous game. Saints row 2 is pretty much the same as Grand Theft Auto, only that Saints Row
2 offers more of an adult twist in certain parts of the game. As soon as you get out you start to reassemble the Saints, and organize your gang from the bottom up.
The controls are not too bad and offer a smooth handle of your character, and whenever you are driving. The game opens up more as soon as you take care of a couple missions, there will be many minigames which will fun and crazy. Some mini-games are little too much too handle, but there is a lot to
offer in the city of Stilwater. The graphics are a little lagging and the computer A. I. is somewhat funny.
Also considering that some parts may be wacky at times, maybe when you are driving and you hit
somebody and the person is stuck in your car like a crash test dummy.(yeah it’s pretty hilarious)
You can also invite someone to join you while you play for a two-player story campaign, you will have
your own screen which means no split-screen. The game offers a nice selection of music from Rock,
R&b, and other music from the vehicles radio. Saints Row 2 is somewhat lower than Grand Theft Auto,
but Saints has some funny wackiness which is funny and weird at the same time. Although if you’re a
fan of an open world environment where you can do anything you want then Saint Row 2 is the game
for you.
29
BEATS
Turn up the Volume
By Katty Jo Rabbit
Spoon Transference
TransferenceThis was a sort of synthetic disappointment, not quite satisfying, but a dam good display
of sexy keenness, which is surprisingly not disappointing either. Because they have included some key
features to pay close attention too; in the songs “Trouble comes running”, ”Goodnight Laura”, and
”Got ‘Nuffin” it is in the form of fuzzy bass lines and off kilter lyrics. Considering this is the bands
seventh round, you would think they would stop holding out with the indie-rock, even though they
don’t give it their all ,like only hard-core fans would expect; there is still some great signature pieces
on this album. Just like every other album released from this little band from Texas. When listening to
this CD, there was a sort of expectation going into it. It would liken to the feelings a young man of legal
age would experience going into his first Top Hat or French Maid. He would sit down, pervert row,
thick with anticipation. Not really knowing if his actions are morally right or inherently bad. He sits on
a moral fence, when a beautiful, exotic looking veteran saunters out onto the stage.
Her back combed hair, piled high upon her head, falls around her shoulders, into a full out raging melody
of piano chords and whispers from the singer who sighs “you’re alright”. She stands before him, staring,
she is here for him, and slowly she opens her latex costume. He would be feeling strangely enthusiastic,
wondering where the familiar bass lines and keyboard beats would be coming from. Smiling coyly from
behind full thick eyelashes curled flirty at the tips. She rips off her cover, never losing eye contact, to
bare a wrinkled indie rock band t-shirt. She steps out of her seven inch porn-star heels and into a pair
of old converse runners. He sits there, smiling, in his innocence he believes this is just as good, as every
new would believe. The thought of this beautiful woman naked underneath her clothes was exciting.
With that Spoon is able to transfer their emotional experiences from one person to another.
Paper Heart Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Will the world ever understand the strange attractiveness that is Michael Cera? Will they ever realize
the earthy quality he emanates is actually the true essence of aptitude? He will always remain the
homemade feeling you get when you find an old record player in the attic. Paired along-side Charlyne
Yi’s bored intellectual skepticism in the movie, it does really feel like you have discovered that along with
the record player there are great classic folk rock records. Included in the treasure is this soundtrack.
Instrumental, young and composed mainly by Cera and Yi, it is rumoured that both characters actually
are real life sweet hearts, which would not be to shocking as the two share their love for each other
in the film. Connected or not, with the help of Zach Condon of Beriut, and Alden Penner(who could
possible be a cousin of Fred)of The Unicorns, manage to encompass the awkward stage of romantic
interest with whistling, accordion and the song “Magic Perfume”.
This being the only song to have lyrics sung to it, does not disappoint the audience who, thanks to
Charlyne get to sing the line, ”what’s that smell I smell on you, is it magic perfume because I swear to
god you smell just like Christmas to me.” Motivated by Yi’s original idea to make a documentary about
love, the score reflects the witty, distinct flavour only a small indie movie can conjure up. Let us hope
that the rumours are true; and Cera, and Yi are connected and they have a child. They could easily
make a family comedy and create the score for that too. On second thought, once is good enough.
30
BEATS
Music You Can Feel In Your Toes
Pixie Lott Turn it up Digital Deluxe Edition
The title of this album can be translated into a demanding order, being sent out subliminally, by Lott’s
label Interscope Records, because there has been some buzz around our little Pixie; as she was a
nominee for a Brit Award, and a winner of an MTV Europe Music Award. Or maybe she is getting rid of
the debut album shivers, and wants to hear it for herself. For a girl of 19 years old she has accomplished
a lot. Let us give her the benefit of the doubt and say that she is going to one day replace Mariah Carey,
or Pink depending on the route and roles she decides to take on. Though we already know that Pixie
won’t be able to hit those octaves that only dogs can hear like Mrs. Carey-Cannon can, what we did
not know is that she would be able to hold her own if she ever had too. She could even be capable
of honest and open scandals like Pink. Either way at least she can say that at one time she was the hit
parader, and that her songs and her sound were her own and that is really all you can hope for. Check
it out for yourself, as this is something you will definitely want to hear, especially if you are a Leona
Lewis, or Natasha Beddingfeild fan.
Soulful, young, beautiful, with rich vocals, Victoria Louise Lott, professionally known as Pixie, has begun
her career with a debut album, called Turn it up. Aptly named as that it is one among many, but distinct
in the ability to display the latest trend; being of mass construction. It is going to be hard to hear Pixie
amidst the likes of Adele, Kate Nash, and Duffy. The British songstress, conveying bluesy emotion
through acoustic covers; like the one Lott performs of the ever familiar Kings of Leon track entitled,
“Use somebody” is the current trend, and has become a sort of expectancy from Britain. Gone are the
days where “in- your- face- punk” is thrown to the masses. It is time for the ladies to step out from
behind the lines and show the rest how too croon. That they have accomplished. So let us anticipate
that Pixie Lott, will remain a staple in the music industry, and will come back with another album and
have enough pizzazz to win another award any award that will secure her a spot on Top of the pops.
Vampire Weekend Contra
This being the second album to drop, Vampire weekend has yet again managed to stuff the album full
of musical contradictions, and weird eccentricities that form in the way of catchy Caribbean calypso
funk flavours. Different from any thing other then Bedouin Sound Clash, it is exhausting to listen to it,
let alone try and dance to. Even BSC do not have energy and the grasp of fusion filled arrangements of
Ezra Koenig, who you can congratulate on the great delivery of lyrics. That is only the beginning, and
then you have samples of M.I.A, which causes the miss-mash of the rest of the styles to be even more
confusing. So it is a positive thing when the song “Taxi Cab” tunes in, it slows it down, while you are
left to chew of “sweet carob rice cakes, you don’t care how the sweets taste.” The technical and lyrical
side of things stand out on topics of social status, struggling individuals, who are neither rich nor poor,
but are tired of using products to gain meaning to their existence.
Amongst all this musical commotion there is also the bands own voice and experience, the one that
depicts an image of ones not out to gain celebrity but who want to seize the truth of all human
perceptions. All in all that is it, it has been a pleasant overview of every musical human experience and
perspective that Vampire Weekend has encountered, and was able to incorporate. It is a representation
of the connection that we all share through our musical experience. It is a surprise and an experience
to hear the melds of indie pop, fast big drumming, fat guitar, synth-beats of reggae, hip-hop and polite
east coast acceptance all wrapped up in a ten song compilation.
31
MEMORY*OF
BIOGRAPHY:
Marsha Ellen Meidow represented hope, embodied joy and was the definition of love. She worked for seven years as a Front Line Counselor for
teenage youth at risk of, or involved in, prostitution and sexual exploitation in Calgary. Through her tireless efforts at ceasing violence against
women and girls, Marsha raised over $90,000 for charity. She was a 10-time Actor/Producer/Director of The Vagina Monologues and won Calgary’s Humanitarian of the Year Award in 2007. Marsha dedicated her life to saving those who were lost and disempowered. She passed away
suddenly from a brain aneurysm on January 6, 2010 at the age of 34. She will be sadly missed by her parents Alfred and Beverly, her sister Melissa,
and her husband Tank Standing Buffalo.
“Hey Girl” by Marsha Ellen Meidow, 2009
With mustard stained hands clasped over a tiny swollen belly
she slumped a little to the left as she worked to breathe
Her eyes investigated every single inch of my office
The wooden Goddess statue on the windowsill
A worn picture of my Niece as a baby
The brightly coloured socks that didn’t match my shirt
She half smiled
but it left swiftly and violently
like her Father in the middle of the Night
I recognized the train tracks up and down both arms
The smudged blue eye make up that showed her youth
The yellow between two fingers
like a badge of homeless honour
ID clutched between her hands like an old sick lie
It doesn’t look a damn thing like her
The clock reminds me how helpless I feel
As my pen crawls across the system with unrelenting uncertainty
Name. Nickname. Date of Birth. Physical Scars. Suicidal Tendencies.
Family History.
I drop my pen.
We both bend down at the same time to pick it up
As if cast in a cheesy Romantic movie that lies about the truth
We touch hands and she looks at my face with an unexplainable
vulnerability
Like a wounded dog who spends its days chewing at its paws
Trying to release itself from the hole that is supposed to be a bed
She quickly retreats into her chair and removes the hair from her
face
”Hey Girl,” she whispers. “You been down that road? You feel like
shit, too? What the fuck are we both doing here? We should get out
of this place.”
My mind screams “YES!” as I quietly put folded clean towels into her
palms
and place a gentle hand on her shoulder with all of the Love I can
muster
I tell her it is going to be okay now
I tell her that she is safe here
I tell her that we will work together
I tell her I am proud of her for coming here
After she is settled in and sleeping I return to my desk
I polish the wooden Goddess on the windowsill with quiet
dedication
I kiss the photo of my Niece and pray for better days
I write sentence upon sentence of my final notes for the day
Heartache. Giggles. Loss. Perseverance. Tempers.
Before I leave to meet the Love of my heart for a date
I reapply the blue makeup that has smudged during the day
and try to scrub the yellow stains from between my fingers
I pull up the brightly coloured socks that don’t match my shirt
I slump a little to the left as I work to breathe.
Her name was Somebody’s Baby.
Tonight she will be raped and beaten on the streets of Calgary.
Tonight, look straight into the eyes of your baby.
Would you turn away then?
I miss you, Savannah, and hope and pray you are safe.
I will not turn away.
continued page 37
Painting completed by visual artist Tank
Standing Buffalo, Marsha’s husband, for
the Piitoaysis Aboriginal Family School in
Inglewood. Tank currently works as a tattoo artist at Big Johnson Ink across from
the school.
Tribe*lit
THUG REZ
Mansions
In the western provinces, Native youth and
their families often arrives in the city to
seek a better life because their reservations
have been declared insolvent and bankrupt
by Indian Affairs. For such reservations in
financial crisis, Indian Affairs often then steps
in and takes over all financial control under
third party management.The ordinary native
reserve resident is left struggling to plead,
beg, threaten, bribe or force those in power
to grant them funding to get an education.
A lucky few, most often the children of
band office staff and education staff do get
in. This is my analysis. It may be wrong. But
my purpose here is not to delve into band
reserve politics or to discuss sociological
theories. I merely want to present a very
brief snap shot overview of the Native
thugster gangster lifestyle and provide
one answer as to why Aboriginal people
continue to make up a disproportionate
number of inmates in prison facilities
across the western provinces. The simple
fact is that the majority of Native people
are desperately, chronically, inhumanly
impoverished. The cost put into maintaining
a middle class homeowner’s lawn is greater
than the monthly income of a typically
impoverished Native.
In these situations, financially strapped
reservations band members are more
susceptible to adopting a criminal lifestyle.
Vulnerable Native youth at risk for
exploitation are particularly vulnerable.
Criminal activities conducted are classified
largely as financial or poverty based crimes
such as shoplifting, robbery, break and
enters fraud, drug dealing and prostitution. I
tell the truth when I say emphatically, we as
Native people simply don’t have the money
to buy basic necessities. We be poor folks.
(I am trying to use the simplest English
34
RAIN RAVEN
words here to communicate our collective
financial state.) I have observed that
Native people in general, are not primarily
concerned about acquiring the ‘necessities’
taken for granted by Canadian society
such as appliances, electronics, vehicles or
vacations which are actually luxuries but
genuine immediate necessities like a shelter
against the elements and food. It doesn’t
take a genius from any ethnicity to figure
out that Canadian racism, oppression and
legislation for our collective geographic
quarantine, has effectively rendered Native
people politically and socially powerless
through mass enforced poverty.
The first thing I want to make perfectly clear
to all my readers is that it is not my intent in
any manner to depict the Native thug and
gangster lifestyle as exciting or glamorous
or worse a viable ‘career’ choice. Native
thugs are Native people who have, whether
by choice or unfortunate circumstance,
adopted criminal activities and its proceeds
as a means for survival. Native gangsters
are those who have whether by choice,
coercion or unfortunate circumstance
become involved in the gangster way of
life as active gang members as a means for
collective survival. No sane person joins a
gang to have fun. No sane person wants to
be or become a thugster either. If they do,
it’s because they are less than sixteen years
of age and utterly stupid or developmentally
challenged. The link between thugster and
gangster is interconnected. One can be
either or both, so I will use the term thugster
gangster to indicate both lifestyles.
The native thug and gangster lifestyle is one
of dreary days filled with loneliness and grief
over friends shot and killed, babies mamas
gone into hiding or leaving in fear, constant
fear for their families and their children’s
lives. Months of empty pockets and checking
public phone booths for left over change.
Then brief periods of feasting on pizza, KFC
and beer galore. Longer periods of jail and
looking up at the ceiling wondering if the
lone employed relative in their family will
provide bail. The only faithful companions
of Native thugs and gangsters are violence,
depression,hopelessness,intolerable despair
and incomprehensible relentless grief.Thugs
and gangsters with deep masculine voices
and rippling muscles cry like babies in the
night thinking frantically of ways to get out
of the thugster and gangster lifestyle and
suicide is a constant tempting thought.They
drink excessively to forget. They pop illegal
drugs like smarties to forget and numb the
constant inner pain. Then they black out
and often act out violently. Then they drink
excessively again to forget their terrorism
against innocent people. Clouds of shame
and guilt haunt them.They wake up in drunk
tanks, wasted in the nearest correctional
facility, or come to as their being beaten
or tazered by police or in an unfamiliar
house filled with bug-eyed fidgety strangers
doing crack.They also ‘wake up’ or come to
amidst a homicide crime scene. In short, the
nightmare never ends for a Native thugster
gangster. The nightmares set in during sleep,
through the dark nights and are lived out
during the day time. Finally all emotion is
wiped out by a numbness and hollowness of
spirit. The Native thug and Native gangster
are dead men walking and most of them
know it and accept it.
The Native thugster depends on criminal
proceeds to provide for their families and
buy luxury items that ordinarily would take
years of hard work and sweat to make.
Native thugsters are not any more different
LITERALLY
than corporate white collar criminals in
mainstream society. The only difference
is ethnicity and education. The Native
thugster has no patience because a long
life is not generally a realistic expectation.
They can expect a chronic crisis-oriented
lifestyle
and
dire
socio-economic
circumstance though. It is a slim hope to
expect a reasonably long life where they
can graduate. The doors of opportunity
to acquire education and training and
obtain sustainable employment are being
closed shut for marginalized native youth.
Government funding for education and
training is being capped and policies are
increasingly restrictive. Occasionally the
native thugster gangster will score a job.
Canadian society does not realize the
jubilation that follows when a thugster
gangster gets a job. The whole family
rejoices. There is a sense of hope. For
those Native families who worry about
their children constantly, there is a sense
of relief. Usually, other gangsters will
respect this and distance their contact in
the understanding he/she has legitimate
work.
Initially the first wave of Native thugster
gangsters were vulnerable impoverished
Natives with undiagnosed or diagnosed
FAS, FAE, brain damage, mental health
issues, or post traumatic stress disorder
as a result of multiple childhood abuse,
institutional abuse as child welfare
wards or a combination of all these.
Increasingly, many Native youth today
involved in the thugster gangster lifestyle
are bright, shrewd, ambitious and highly
intelligent and a few exhibit sociopathic
and psychopathic mental health disorders.
These are the individuals dreaded by both
Canadian and First Nation societies. Like
the past generation of older thugster
gangsters, this next generation native
youth from the 80’s to the 90’s are also
financially destitute and without education
and training opportunities. The prospects
for improving quality of life remains just as
dismal as it did for their forerunners. This
may explain in part, why the dominant trait
of all Native thug gangster outlaws appears
to be of stark entrenched anger. Without
exception, they are deeply, violently,
virulently angry. They try but seemingly
cannot relieve themselves of this constant
irritable anger. It is an anger that has
historic proportion; it cannot be managed,
appeased, placated or diffused. It is seething
in a volcanic sea all across Canada and
some day… in the years to come they will
become a Para-military nightmare – unless
the Canadian government gives them what
they long for – viable employment, training
and education! The extraordinary truth is
that it’s as simple as that! If the Canadian
government and Canadian society and
business profession will assist Native
youth today, they will only make Canada
stronger. They will literally be investing in
making Canada a thriving healthy Nation.
The trip to Murda Capital of
Canada
We drove from Calgary to Winnipeg,
Canada’s largest urban Native reserve in
a stolen van. We figured that by the time
the owner realized her vehicle was gone
from her driveway we will have already
arrived at our destination. We didn’t mean
to cause her any harm or inconvenience.
It was not our intention. We just needed
a ride. I had no other way to attend my
uncle’s funeral. I guess I could have hitchhiked but this is how many Aboriginal
women disappear. I at least wanted to
avoid being part of this dismal statistic. I
really didn’t want to go but I had to for
my elderly mother’s sake. The others rode
with us for their own reasons. The driver
ditched the van and wiping down our prints,
we went our separate, desperate ways.
Grover went to see his prematurely born
infant, stressing and cursing because his ex
phoned saying she was going submit a false
report that his new-girl friend was a crack
addict and have his child apprehended at
birth. Roger had arrived to give support
to his anguished family because his baby
sister had been missing for 4 months
which was uncharacteristic of her and
under suspicious circumstances. Lionel
didn’t want to leave his job in Calgary, but
a gang in Calgary erroneously thought he
had witnessed the murder of his friend
and put out a ‘hit’ on him. He relocated
his mother elsewhere on his last pay and
like us, through dire circumstance, faced
the prospect of walking the mean streets
of a city dubbed the Murder Capital of
Canada.
I managed to make it to the wake service.
The wake is a prelude to the funeral and
burial. I sat with some of my extended
family members and looked around. I
recognized in the dismal gathering, fellow
victims of our deceased uncle, a registered
pedophile. It was an emotionally difficult
wake; one by one relatives rose up to say
a few words about him and struggled to
find good words and kind things to say
about him and they floundered. A few
paused in mid-sentence, frozen, probably
experiencing flashbacks of his brutality. A
few others managed to dredge up some
genuine good memories. I noticed it only
made others wonder with envy if they,
unlike them had been luckily spared his
abuse. I rose up to speak a few words on
behalf of my branch of the family. I simply
said basically that because of him, many
of the people he impacted in the choices
he made in his own life were now sexual
abuse counselors, political leaders, social
workers, community activists and frontline family violence staff workers. I wanted
to make them realize we all for the most
part managed to survive his brutality
and in trying to make sense of the evils
committed upon us as children were now
actively working in some capacity towards
the betterment of our people. I did not
mention those unable to overcome evil
with good and unable to block memories
of unspeakable evils committed, had
committed suicide or sank hopelessly into
alcoholism and drug addiction. Sitting in the
back were the silent, glaring, unforgiving
few who had attended just to make sure
he really was dead. I could almost feel their
waves of hate rolling from the back to his
casket.
to be continued...
Excerpt from the novel in progress, ‘Thug
Rez Mansions’, from Rain Raven., first
draft.
Copyright Rain Raven
35
SMA LL*SCREEN
Meet You
at the
Small Screen
By Elodie Caron
Starring: Jason Bateman, Ben Affleck, Mila Kunis, Kristen Wiig
Mike Judge, the creator of King of the Hill and the man behind the crappy-job love story, Office
Space, wrote and directed Extract, so I had high expectations. Unfortunately, this movie is a
bit of a mess.
Joel (Bateman) owns an extract factory, where flavors like root beer and s’more are his proudest
achievements, but he’s feeling kind of claustrophobic, trapped by whiny assembly-line workers
and his indifferent wife, Suzie (Wiig) who he no longer feels close to. His best buddy, Dean
(Affleck) comes up with a crazy scheme to help Joel break out of the monotony, just as hot-girl
Cindy (Kunis) comes to the factory as a temp worker.
Extract
There was a lot of potential here, but the characters are so thinly written that they’re mostly
just unlikeable jerks, so there’s no motivation to actually care what happens to them. By the
time Joel finally does get his kinda happy ending, he doesn’t really deserve it anymore. I will say
this, though, the cameo by Gene Simmons is pretty well done.
Starring: Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Stanley Tucci, Chris Messina
I’m sure I don’t have to explain this one, but just in case - true story: Julie Powell (Adams) decided
to start a blog detailing her attempt to cook all of the recipes in Mastering the Art of French
Cooking, the great cookbook by Julia Child (Streep). This is actually based on two true stories,
because it also shows Child’s early years in France, as she studied cooking at Le Cordon Bleu and
began, with her collaborators, to develop the book. It’s a sort of ‘back to the beginning’ kind of
thing, because at the end of Powell’s experiment, she turned it into a book which, in part, became
the movie. So there’s some rewinding going on.
Julie and Julia
What I preferred was the story of Julia Child and her late in life marriage to Paul who, like Julia,
worked in the US Foreign Service and spent much of his time overseas. It’s almost like she led two
very interesting lives, first as a (sort of) secret agent during the war and then as an internationallyrenowned cook and author. The scenes between her and Paul (Tucci) were especially sweet
and illuminating. Powell, on the other hand, is kind of whiny and meek, not much of a hero, but
apparently pretty skilled in the kitchen, which is supposed to make up for her seriously imperfect
personality, or something. She’s kind of irritating, to be honest. So thankfully, Julia makes up for
it with a lot of beautifully-shot scenes in France and an eventual triumph (the publishing of her
book).
It’s a long movie, and half of it is pretty great, but the other half is...well, not so great. I’d recommend
it for the good half, though, definitely.
3 out of 5.
36
Continued
Call for Contributors:
Marsha had a vision to make a documentary called “Hey Girl,” about girls at risk on the streets of Calgary. Métis filmmaker Cara Mumford and Cree filmmaker Angel Sanderson would like to make Marsha’s vision a reality. If you worked alongside Marsha or had your life
affected by her and would like to share your story, please contact us at [email protected].
Quotes:
“To call Marsha an angel would be an understatement. She was so much more than that. She was love, she was light, she was pure good.
For me, she was like that light at the end of the tunnel. I was down and out, she was there to pull me back up. To teach me to love again,
to believe in myself. She showed me beauty in a world full of ugly. More importantly, she taught me how to smile again, and she taught
me that my feelings are valid. She was a light in my personal darkness.”
~ Karla Morton, Survivor, University of Lethbridge 2013
“I first met Marsha when she phoned me out of the blue, with her sweet, girlish voice, looking for performers for Femme Fatale Carnivale 4. She was amazing to work with. She did everything for her artists and made you want to give the best show possible. I would need
all of New Tribe to explain the impact Marsha had on me. Her devotion to what she believed in, the way she put others first, she earned
all the respect I could ever give. Now and forever.”
~ Arik Vincent Pipestem, Hoop Dancer
Marsha Ellen Meidow: RAVEN CLAN 1975 + 2010
by Walter MacDonald White Bear
Women, in the traditional view of First Nations Culture, were the heartbeat and center of The People. THE MAKER gives life—women are
the gateway. Women’s Sprits are stronger then men’s... to compensate for this, men’s bodies are stronger. They are given pipes, rattles and
drums. On first contact, our White Brothers saw our Warriors in front of The People. They made the assumption our men were leading…
in fact we were protecting that which matters most—the women and the children—the lives of men were expendable. It was Women’s
Council that reflected the will of the people.
Now, just over 150 years later…Aboriginal woman, from birth, are “at risk” of suicide, drugs and alcohol addictions. And the worst crime
of physical violation committed by distorted warriors.
Marsha’s purpose on the Mother Earth was to ensure equality for women of all walks of life. Marsha particularly had a desire to assist First
Nations Women. She consulted Elders and Lodge Keepers to ensure all her work was according to protocol. Marsha’s Heart was Native…
Marsha believed that all human beings were born with a gift... that THE MAKER does not make junk, and it is up to each individual to
walk with that gift.
Marsha helped so many people of “All Nations” without judgment. She was a Mother to all. The saddest part of her passing is that she
never experienced the joy of motherhood and seeing into the father’s eyes of her own newborn.
Marsha realized that Men are part of the solution; a balanced unity is reflected in the wings of The Eagle—one representing man, the other
women, the two together create a sacred bond.
“Marsha also dreamt of producing an Aboriginal women’s Vagina Monologues. Therefore the Calgary Aboriginal Women’s Group will be
presenting The Vagina Monologues in memory of Marsha Ellen Meidow on March 27, 2010. Also watch for the Femme Fatale Carnivale
to continue in Marsha’s name. All proceeds from this annual FUNdraiser go to non-profit organizations that help at-risk female youth.”
37
U AROUND TOWN
39

magazine - USAY – Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth

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