Aboriginal Program Community Partnerships

Proclamation at the Council June 2, 2009

2009-06-24T15:30:00.000-07:00

Delegation
· Library board members: Edith Gibbings
· Library staff: Lorraine Flynn, Hilary Stark, Tekeyla Friday and Margaret Lottridge
· Community partners (confirmation received): Lionel or Jonathan (Living Sky Casino), Earl Monkman (Swift Current Friendship Centre)
· Everyone is welcome

Council meeting on Tuesday, June 2 at 9:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers, City Hall (177 – 1st Avenue N.E.). Please use the door located on the corner of 1st Avenue N.E. and Chaplin Street. This door will lead you into the Council Chambers.

Speech is as follows

Good morning, your worship and members of the Council,

My name is Lorraine. The members of my delegation are Margaret, Hilary, Tekeyla, Edith Gibbings, Chairperson of the library board and (introduce Lionel or Jonathan and other partners)

Thank you for giving us an opportunity to present the proclamation for the week of June 14 to 20, as “Aboriginal Awareness and Celebration Week.”

We would like to invite all of you to attend our community’s National Aboriginal Day Celebration featuring Lyndon Linklater and Lois Standing on Wednesday, June 17 @ the library.

Please join us @ the library and together let’s celebrate the diversity in Swift Current. Thank you.

Handouts

· Community engagement with indigenous programs statistics 2005-2008 and a summary
· Aboriginal programs brochure 2005-2008
· Our success story 2008-2009Invitation for the June 17 celebration

Aboriginal Day Celebration Pictures

2009-06-18T16:41:00.000-07:00

Staff feedback

2009-06-17T19:46:00.000-07:00

The evening's celebration with the aboriginal community was a relaxed, entertaining and learning experience. Lionel's staff from the casino prepared and presented a most wonderful stew and I heard many requests for the recipe. The bannock was also fantastic. The potluck dishes were varied, tasty, colorful and plentiful. Lyndon Linklater's storytelling was a warm creative and humorous visit - much like sitting around a kitchen table having a chat. I loved Lois Standing's shared experiences in dress-making. I plan to attend the pow wow in Feb. 2010.

Margaret.

I had a really fun time tonight. The food looked so good and there was so much of it. I found myself munching every once in a while. During the presentation I had the best seat (in the swing). The presenters spoke from their heart and really drew me in. I wished they could have spoke longer, it would have been great. I left with a warm feeling in my body and hope to attend the pow pow they are planning.

Carol.

I learned so much tonight that I've wanted to learn about the beliefs and customs of the aboriginal people. The food looked delicious, and the people were very kind and informative. I really enjoyed Lois's powerpoint, as the dresses were very beautiful. I hope that we have another night like this sometime soon. I had a great time.

Amanda

I really enjoy First Nations culture and learn a little more each time. I am so impressed that we have such a talented person as Lois in our community. The food was fabulous. The only thing that would make it better is a dance demonstration as well. Let's make this an annual event.

Darliss

Well organized and very well attended. It is always wonderful to connect with the aboriginal people. Hope to do this again next year. A dance demo would be great.

Loretta

I enjoyed the aboriginal celebration very much. Lyndon Linklater's storytelling and song were excellent. The potluck went well and the stew and bannock made by the casino was delicious.

Emily

Lyndon Presentation for Daycare and Dayhome

2009-06-17T11:22:00.000-07:00

Community Feedback

2009-05-29T14:20:00.000-07:00

1. State one question about First Nations issues that you have “always wanted to know but were afraid to ask”

-Many things were explained tonight. Have been very interested in the First Nations culture, so do not have any questions
-Why in a society of sharing were women second class?
-How can we persuade more First Nation children to use the education available to them.
-How do we break the cycle – how do we become “one nation”? How do we get First Nations to proudly show us their skills?
-Had lots of questions and many more I didn’t know I had
-Are the aboriginal “youth” also interested in the resurgence of the native culture?
-I’ve lived on a reservation for 2 years, gone to many First Nations events, so nothing comes to mind.
-Is their animosity towards the rest of Canadians or is this the beginning of forgiving and healing?
-How to find out about my Native heritage? Where to get info? Is it readily available?

2. What have you learned from this presentation that you did not know before?

-The intricacies and patience in dressmaking was fascinating.
-Spirits in all of the Great Spirit’s creations.
-About First Nations dress and First Nation culture.
-Treaty 4 was signed in 1874
-More about treaties
-Lots – background, dress
-Lots, and lots and lots!
-The number of jingles on a jingle dress
-There is so much more to learn.
-That Lakota and Dakota Nations were in Canada

3. What one point in the presentation had the most impact?

-The belief the First Nations have with respect to Mother Earth is very moving.
-It was all excellent.
-Singing
-About the Great Spirit
-Rock spirit
-Lyndon singing
-The pride Lois had in her native dress
-First Nations are open to questions and sharing their culture. I didn’t know if it was OK to ask.
-Communication, one culture with another is nice to see. Eg: Lyndon speaking to school children.
-That the earth, air and water are considered living and that people are less likely to harm something considered to be alive.
-Lyndon’s song and drumming
-The fact that First Nation’s are becoming more involved in the work force.

4. If you had an opportunity to learn more about First Nations issues, what areas would you be interested in?

-Anything pertaining to this culture is of interest. There is a great hope for the First Nations.
-Treaties and traditional medicine/food.
-Stories of the past
-History of Southwest from First Nation perspective. Elder stories of the land.
-Treaties, life on reserves and integration.
-Culture, powwow meaning/symbolism, spirituality, also protocols. The different cultural groups Lakota/Dakota/Cree/Souix confusion.
-Reserves seem to be a place where the cycle of alcohol abuse and poverty continues. Do First Nations people want the reserve system as it is or is there a way to break the cycle and become “one nation” of people.
-How can we get our two cultures to come together in common purpose.
-What specific things are helping First Nations people have more positive outcomes in their lives now?
-Purpose, proper protocols of different ceremonies (ie Sundance, Powwows) feasts, round dance. How families interact differently then ours. Learn more about beliefs.
-To learn more about powwows.

5. Other comments

-Excellent evening!

Community partners

2009-05-21T19:53:00.000-07:00

Strategic Community Alliance for the celebration
1. Living Sky Casino: Bison stew and juice
2. Swift Current Archaeological Society: Display
3. Swift Current Friendship Centre: Bannock
4. Public Library: Space and coordination
5. Office of Treaty Commissioner: Speaker
6. Swift Current Museum: Active working partner
7. Swift Current Library Board: Proclamation team
8. Mayor of Swift Current: Promoting aboriginal awareness
9. City of Swift Current: Door prizes, emotional and media support
10. Swift Current Mall: Media support
11. Art Gallery of Swift Current: Mike and sound system
12. Lois Standing for the First Nations Womans clothing
13. Innovation Credit Union for helping cover the cost and honorarium for the guest presenter.
14. All the staff at the Swift Current Library

Aboriginal Day Celebration Invitation

2009-05-20T14:10:00.000-07:00

Program Attendance 2005-2009

2009-05-20T13:49:00.000-07:00

Community participation increases

2009-05-03T21:51:00.000-07:00

Facilitating community participation with indigenous cultural awareness programs by the library

1376 people have participated in indigenous cultural programs in 2009; a 728% increase compared to 189 people in 2005. The indigenous and non indigenous population was involved in planning, presenting, and participating as an audience.

Many different types of community engagement programs (as shown in the chart below) such as the seminars, workshops, gatherings, puppet shows, and presentations were organized by the library. The increasing attendance and participation at the storytelling and celebrations indicate that they are effective vehicles for community engagement and relationship development.

The oral tradition of passing on information with stories is a good medium for learning, sharing and cultural awareness. The art of storytelling improves listening skills. It also seems to capture the attention of the audience. The storytelling appeals to both children and adults. It is also a good tool for adult learners to improve presentation skills.

The storytelling skill engages the audience and can be applied in the workplace to improve communication and at home to promote and facilitate family literacy.

The connection between oral communication and audience participation is interesting from the importance of exchange of information during the civic engagement process. The celebrations and storytime circles position the public library as an information transfer/exchange centre, a hub, a community channel, and a ‘Communications Place.’

Size of the audience and reach of the program shows an increase

2009-04-21T19:46:00.000-07:00

Year and Audience
2005 189
2006 174
2007 968
2008 1278
2009 1376

Type of Program and Audience
Storyteller 2843
Celebration 466
Presentation 262
PuppetShows 239
Workshops 74
Seminar 50
AuthorReading 39
Staff training 12