Idle No More Flash Mob - Centre at Circle & 8th Mall - Saskatoon, SK - Jan 3 2013

Idle No More Flash Mob - Centre at Circle & 8th Mall - Saskatoon, SK - Jan 3 2013 - Photo: Indigenous Times

Idle No More Flash Mob - Centre at Circle & 8th Mall - Saskatoon, SK - Jan 3 2013 - Photo: Indigenous Times

Idle No More Flash Mob - Centre at Circle & 8th Mall - Saskatoon, SK - Jan 3 2013 - Photo: Indigenous Times

Idle No More Flash Mob - Centre at Circle & 8th Mall - Saskatoon, SK - Jan 3 2013 - Photo: Indigenous Times

Remebrance Day an Important Time for 

Grand Chief Ray Sanderson

by Armand LaPlante

For Indigenous Times News

 Photo by Armand LaPlante

Saskatoon, SK - Every year the Nation comes together to honor and remember those who have provided military service to preserve our freedoms and privileges. Although the sacrifices of veterans are worthy of praise every day of the year, November 11^th is important because we remember and thank the veterans as an aggregate – as a community. When we all come together, our voices are louder, our praise is felt. 

This time of year is also very important personally for veteran Ray Sanderson, Grand Chief of the Saskatchewan First Nations Veterans Association (SFNVA). Sanderson is from the Chakastaypasin Band and was elected as President of the SFNVA in April of 2012. Sanderson has a history of military service within his family.  Sanderson served two tours of duty with NATO forces in Germany; he had cousins who fought in Korea, uncles who fought in World War II, and two grandfathers who fought in World War I. Every year Sanderson takes this time to remember his family and fellow veterans.  “I have an uncle buried in France.  This is the time to remember that, to never forget what they did for us.”

Under his title with the SFNVA, Sanderson now looks after some 200 members in the Veterans’ Association including war veterans and war widows. There remain six veterans who served in World War II in SFNVA membership, four who went overseas to serve and two who stayed. There are also veterans who served in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and more recently Afghanistan.

The whole situation with First Nations veterans is a “unique one” says Sanderson. “The First Nations veterans, they didn’t have to go to war, they were exempt because of treaty but they volunteered to go to war, so it’s a very unique situation.”  

One prominent initiative the SFNVA has actualized is the Grave Marker Program whereby graves of Veterans are appropriately located and labelled. This is done through a series of processes including researching information on the veteran including date of birth, death, military regimental number, regiment, etc. the end result being to ensure adequate commemoration for these war heroes.

Grand Chief Ray Sanderson will be busy this Remembrance week traveling the province, attending Remembrance Day services.  Sanderson explains that Remembrance Day is a time to “Remember and honor the veterans that served,  that went overseas in the war, that made the sacrifice and also the ones that made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives.  I thank them for the freedom we enjoy today.  I thank them for the freedom for my children and grandchildren. We thank them and remember them every year for that.”

More information on the Saskatchewan First Nations Veterans Association can be found on the FSIN website including planned SFNVA fundraising initiatives. This year may we remember those who sacrificed for our freedom, and remember the debt we owe to our armed forces.

Online Community Commemorates Late Gordon Tootoosis, One Year Since Passing.

by Armand LaPlante for Indigenous Times News

Today marked one year since the passing of renowned actor and First Nations icon Gordon Tootoosis (25 October 1941 – 5 July 2011). Thousands of online social media users have expressed their condolences and commemorated the late Tootoosis on Facebook posts and memorial pages. Tootoosis was much loved; he was influential in the First Nations community and he will continue to live on through memory and through his craft.

Reprinted from Indigenous Times Newspaper:

Many remember Gordon Tootoosis from seeing him on the screen in many movies and tv shows including North of 60, Hank Williams First Nation and APTN’s Blackstone. Although Gordon was very humble about his fame and achievements, he was in fact a celebrity and everyone knew it when he was in the room.

Gordon Tootoosis (25 October 1941 – 5 July 2011) was an actor of Cree and Stoney descent from the Poundmaker First Nation. Tootoosis descended from Yellow Mud Blanket, brother of the famous Cree leader Pitikwahanapiwiyin (or Chief Poundmaker) who served a pivotal role in defending the First Nations and Métis people during the 1885 Batoche Resistance.

After showing interest in the arts and pursuing his talents, Gordon Tootoosis got his first role as Almighty Voice in the movie Alien Thunder in 1972. The movie co-starred Donald Sutherland. Gordon has also appeared on movies with such stars as Ben Afflick in Reindeer Games (2000) and Brad Pitt in Legends of the Fall (1994). Gordon was a veteran actor appearing in productions in both Canada and the United States but Gordon always linked his identity to his Cree culture. Gordon was proud of his culture and used his successes to inspire his people and tell their stories on a grand scale. On October 29, 2004, Gordon was awarded membership in the Order of Canada. His citation recognizes him as an inspirational role model for Aboriginal youth.

Gordon Tootoosis served as a founding member of the board of directors of the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company. Tootoosis believed in empowering our youth and believed that theatre could accomplish this. Throughout Gordon’s life he displayed a sincere commitment to helping and empowering First Nations youth. May that commitment continue to strive in us all. Gordon Tootoosis was a true hero to First Nations people.

Neechie Gear wins The Centre’s “Saskatoon’s Finest Entrepreneur” Award
Latest award provides Kendal Netmaker’s Neechie Gear Apparel with a new opportunity in Saskatoon
By Armand LaPlante for the Indigenous Times Newspaper

Kendal Netmaker is humble about his many accomplishments and awards his clothing line, Neechie Gear, has received, most recently: The Centre’s Saskatoon’s Finest Entrepreneur 2012. Kendal Netmaker is a 25 year old entrepreneur from the Sweetgrass First Nation but his last name, as well as many of his relatives, is from the Whitefish First Nation.

In its one year of existence, Neechie Gear Apparel has accomplished more than many companies do in five years.  Neechie Gear has won 1st place in SIFE’s Aboriginal Youth Idea Challenge, ACE 2011 Saskatchewan Student Entrepreneur Provincial Champion, and 2011 CANDO Economic Developer of the Year Award to name a few. But winning Saskatoon’s Finest Entrepreneur of 2012 gave him a new opportunity; he was awarded with three months rent free at a kiosk at the popular Saskatoon mall The Centre at Circle and 8th.

“I was on Facebook one day, and my buddy said ‘you should apply for the competition at the [Centre] mall,’ and I said ‘What are you talking about?’ Then he forwarded me a link and I checked it out and thought ‘oh cool, I will give it a shot’ and I put in an application, next month I got a call saying I won the competition.”

Neechie Gear was officially established in April of 2011 and was started through business plan competitions. The term Neechie means “my friend” in Cree slang. I got in touch with Neal McLeod, an Aboriginal author who is very well known in Saskatchewan and Canada. I told him on Facebook I was starting a clothing line and he said ‘Why don’t you call it Neechie Gear?’ We thought it might work but it might not.” What was once called Moose Meat Apparel in 2010, the name change to Neechie Gear was, according to Kendal, “the best change I ever made.”

So far, Neechie Gear’s growth has been phenomenal and is due largely to the social media infrastructure – facebook and twitter more specifically. “Facebook is huge for our market; it is the biggest network that we use. We are targeting our niche to the First Nations people. Once you capture your niche you can expand, and we’re proving that here in the mall with several non-First Nations customers buying our products; it’s really exhilarating” states Kendal. “We literally grew, in two weeks, by 1500 [facaebook] fans from one online contest.”

What Neechie Gear represents is what motivates Kendal as a hardworking entrepreneur. “[Neechie Gear] is not just a clothing line, we’re helping youth through our brand. We have our own sports teams, Neechie Gear under 18 Boys & Girls Volleyball Clubs that compete in mainstream tournaments throughout the year. We’re in charge of a lot more than just our clothing brand, it’s a social brand -- the people own the brand. The fact that I created it from nothing and where it has come is what drives me to keep working harder.”

Neechie Gear can be found at the Centre Mall in Saskatoon in front of the Huskie store or online at www.neechiegear.com. You can also find Neechie Gear on Facebook and Twitter. •

Update: On July 1st Neechie Gear will be having their Grand Opening at their new inline store at the Centre Mall at 11am.

Exclusive Interview: Chelsa Reil, coordinator of National Aboriginal Fashion Week

Aboriginal Fashion Week to bring Aboriginal Fashion to a New Level 
Chelsa Reil of the Nekaneet First Nation discusses her hopes and plans
by Timothy Lewis for the Indigenous Times Newspaper

National Aboriginal Fashion Week (NAFW) will deliver a diverse experience that blends fashion and music by artists and designers from across Canada. The production includes street wear, eco-friendly fashions and Aboriginal designs.  NAFW aims to be a global platform for new designers and emerging artists in North America.  NAFW will recognize the rich culture and Canadian history by showcasing distinct Canadian heritage through contemporary fashion.

NAFW will feature 12 established and emerging designers; as well as live performances by Saskatchewan recording artists accompanied by international recording artists.  A national presence through worldwide media coverage will provide unrivalled exposure for designers, models, musicians and sponsors. NAFW is a unique opportunity unlike any other in Canada.

All are invited to attend the summer 2012 National Aboriginal Fashion Week taking place June 21st to June 23rd 2012 at the Turvey Centre (Armour Road HWY 6 North), Regina, Saskatchewan.

IT sat down with Chelsa Reil, the director and producer of NAFW.

Q: Tell us about yourself.

CR. I am a 31 year old woman from the Nekaneet First Nation and a proud mother of 2 beautiful children that I love taking care of and watching grow, learn and develop.  By doing a project of this calibre, I hope inspire to help others.  It takes a lot of talent, the right mentors, drive, dedication and great personal sacrifice to do what I’ve been doing.  I’ve been into fashion my whole life and am a leading figure in the fashion scene in Saskatchewan. I love to travel and shop and compare the differences in fashion in communities around the world.  I often find myself getting looks, with people asking “what are you wearing?” to find that brand or item is popular a year later.

Q: What inspired you to put on a fashion week?

CR:  I’ve been directing/producing fashion shows for five years in places like New Mexico, to the 2010 Olympics in downtown Vancouver.  In Saskatchewan, I feel that there are a lot of designers and not enough outlets for showcasing their creativity.  I’ve organized shows with two or three Aboriginal designers at a time and I’ve met quite a few along the way.  It’s in this context that the idea came to me, why don’t I organize a large fashion collective and make it 100% Aboriginal designers?  It evolved to incorporate models, performers, entertainers and volunteers, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal.

Q: I hear a Western Canada Fashion Week (WCFW) representative will be at the event. Can you tell us more about how NAFW will benefit from that partnership?

CR: WCFW will send a rep to come to NAFW, he or she will then choose one designer, who will be sponsored by WCFW, for a free showcase in the next WCFW in September, occuring in Edmonton, Alberta.

Q: What makes your fashion week different from others?

CR: Aboriginals are looked at as a minority in this world and I want to show the world that we are just as good as anyone one else.  A lot of the designs are crafted by hand, whether through sewing, beading or painting.  So it’s real couture fashion.  All the designers have unique looks and they are all very beautiful creations.  A few of the Aboriginal celebrities confirmed for the event include Linsay from Canada’s Next Top Model, The Baker Twins, and Lisa Muswagon from Winnipeg. The fashion week will be a place for Aboriginals to express themselves freely and positively.

Q: What else will be happening at the fashion week?


CR:   Doors will open at 10am for trade show booths and mini fashion shows throughout the day (a sneak-peek at what will be showcased the night of) and then at 7PM the fashion show will start, including live Entertainment.  Female hoops dancer, flute player, as well as part of the cast of BLACKSTONE will be featured.  Keep an eye on www.nafw.ca for more updates as it gets closer to the date.

Q: Are you still looking for sponsors for your Fashion Week, and if so, how can they be part of it?

CR: Yes. If someone is interested in becoming a sponsor, they can email me at chelas@nafw.ca and request a sponsorship package.

Thank you Chelsa for taking time to speak to us, and we look forward to seeing the creative Aboriginal designs at the NAFW.

Contact Information:
Website: http://www.nafw.ca
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NationalAboriginalFashionWeek
Phone: (306) 201-6110
Email: chelas@nafw.ca

Spotlight on Success in Indian Country: Travis Lovett

by Lindsay Sutherland

for the Indigenous Times Newspaper

From Georgia to the plains of Saskatchewan, Travis Lovett, better known as “Thunder” across the Pow Wow circuit, has swept many championship titles in the Men’s Fancy category.  Travis Lovett started dancing late at the age of 17, but did not waste any time in becoming world known.  Just a year after starting to dance and his very first pow wow competing in the men’s division, Travis placed second at the Gathering of Nations.  As if that wasn’t enough, Travis two years later won his title as “World Champion” by clenching first place at the Schemitzun World Championship Pow Wow and has remained a top competitor traveling across Indian Country ever since.  However, Travis’ accomplishments extend far and beyond the dance arena.

Out of high school, Travis received a full-ride wrestling and academic scholarship to the University of the Cumberlands where he went on to compete at the National Wrestling tournament and became an Academic All-American wrestler.  Aside from dominating the wrestling mat, Travis was also placed on the Dean’s list every semester and graduated cum laude with a B.A. in Biology.

Now, Travis is currently attending Law School at Arizona State University.  ASU Law has a strong reputation for holding the best Indian Legal Program in the world.  Travis said, “ASU Law is great at offering opportunities and placing Natives in positions that allow them to achieve whatever goals they desire.”  Travis went on to explain that the faculty and students are exceptionally great and that he felt as if they were his family away from home.  Travis entered ASU Law on a Dean’s Recruitment Scholarship and since, has been awarded the Kevin Kane Memorial Book Scholarship and the Arizona Native American Bar Association Scholarship.  Also, Travis is active in the Native American Law School Association by serving as liaison to the Arizona Native American Bar Association.

Recently, Travis was awarded the Native American Udall Internship, which only selects 12 highly achieved Native Americans and First Nations to work in a congressional agency for ten weeks in Washington D.C.  Travis has been selected to work for the Senate Committee of Indian Affairs where his daily duties will likely entail attending meetings and writing memorandums on the Nation’s top issues that are affecting Indian Country today.  Travis commented, “I am really honored to receive such an opportunity and I am eager to meet other Natives that share my passion for Native advocacy.”  This highly sought after position is determined by a selection committee that is composed of Native tribal leaders and educators.  The committee selects their interns based upon each applicant’s academic credentials, writing capability, and their interest in learning how the Federal Government operates.  When describing the application process, Travis explained that all applicants are to write an essay on a legislative act or tribal public policy and relate that issue to their own career goals or personal life.  Travis commented, “I wrote about the Indian Child Welfare Act because it is vital that Indian children grow up learning their heritage and culture; for this is the only way to truly keep the Native race alive and growing.”  The Indian Child Welfare Act was enacted in 1978 to combat children being removed from their Indian communities and placed in non-Indian homes.

Overall, Travis is extremely excited to learn what steps the Federal Government is taking to improve Indian Country and what avenues he can take to achieve his career goals.  After law school Travis plans to start his own Native American consulting project to help tribe’s in improving their communities through economic development, education, and healthcare. Travis believes proper management over these areas is essential to a tribe’s prosperity and growth.  For many reservations, there has been an unfortunate snowball effect of unemployment and poor education that leads to increased crime and poverty.  Travis said, “Healthcare, education, and economic development strongly intertwine and improvements in one area will likely facilitate the improvement in another and combat this unfortunate snowball effect.”  Traivs is also knowledgeable of issues that are affecting the First Nations of Canada.  Travis stated, “Right now in Canada tribes are faced with a very important decision, SELF – GOVERNMENT.” Travis went on to explain, “This decision will be different for every tribe and it is critical that they have assistance from someone that understands native communities and how this transition can affect their community.”  Travis says, “This is where I hope to come in and hopefully before it is too late.  I hope to build a consulting team with Native lawyers who have experience and understand the needs for Indian communities.”  Travis clarified, that his job will not be to tell tribes what to do.  Instead, Travis will educate tribal communities and offer guidance to ensure that they really know what self-government entails.  As with every decision, there are pros and cons and it is no secret that every Reserve is now facing this critical and life-changing decision. •

BIGG Entertainment Puts Musicians in Spotlight

Youth from Makwa Sahgaiehcan takes dream to the real world 

By Timothy Lewis for the Indigenous Times Newspaper

Adam Jack is an aspiring musician, entertainer and entrepreneur. It is under these aspirations that he founded BIGG Entertainment, a concert/event promotion agency that will also act as a vehicle to launch his music career. Adam has collaborated with industry names such as Karl Wolf and Danny Fernandes and opened for Joey Stylez. BIGG Entertainment is the next logical step in achieving his dreams.

Another facet of BIGG is to bring other talented and aspiring Aboriginal youth from across Saskatchewan together under one agency. The agency however, is not be confused as management or a label, and those interested in being on the roster should contact Adam Jack directly.

On the events roster; BIGG will partner with clothing designers to present music in combination with a live fashion show. It will be a platform for both new material by Adam Jack and fresh designs by the aspiring designer. Adam is currently working on his debut album that will be released fall 2012.

BIGG Entertainment is one of the top three finalists for the Aboriginal Youth Idea Challenge (AYIC). Adam will present his business plan to the judges on March 23, 2012, which will determine his placing.

Not only is Adam a musician but he is also an actor and has performed with Burning Sun Productions based out of Regina/Moose Jaw, and last finished a tour with the production “Spirits of the Trail”  where he portrayed Sitting Bull.

Adam Jack is a youth from Makwa Sahgaiehcan (Loon Lake) First Nation and is based out of Turtleford, SK and a proud father of two; his daughter Shenoa and his son, Valgan. We sat down with Adam and asked him how his journey in music, entertainment and business began, and where he envisions it in the near future.

I Times: What gave you the confidence to start your own company?

Adam: My dad, Arthur Jack and my grandfather, John Frazer. They always encouraged me to never give up on my dreams and at the same time always stressed self-education; and those are my goals.

I Times: What were your major obstacles on your path to success?

Adam: We were never wealthy, not by any means. My Dad is an artist, working as a sculptor, which can bring in good money, but it is difficult to find and receive commissions with a reliable frequency. My mom was a stay at home mom. She worked two part time jobs, but tired of that and eventually began University for social work. Money gets tight, especially amongst three siblings—my brother, sister and I.
I graduated from Sakewew High School in 2008, after originally dropping out of high school, which was a terrible mistake and I still regret it today. I have found Education is the key to success.
I am constantly writing and creating music. I read every book or article about business and the entertainment industry I can get my hands on. If I am unsure about something, I ask questions, though I am fortunate to have outlets for doing so. I would not be anywhere near where I am today without a curiosity and propensity to learn, ask questions and self-reflect.

I Times: What other competitions do you plan to enter after AYIC?

Adam: I’m looking into a few actually, although I’m also getting events and performances booked; there is no success without the proper ground work.

I Times: What advice do you have for other Aboriginal youth who want to start a business?

Adam: Dream big and never give up, but make sure you educate yourself as much as you can. Also, do your homework, know what you’re getting yourself into and set realistic expectations, otherwise you will set yourself up for failure. Dream BIGG, but dream smart as well.

I Times: Tell me about the current album you are creating?

Adam: My debut album is drawn from my influences like James Brown, Michael Jackson, Ray Charles, Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars, Chris Brown, Dallas Green and Sara Bareillies, to name a few. These are artists whose sound and aesthetic I really dig.
I am not conforming to a particular sound so much as a music style. The album will fuse jazz, blues, soul, R&B and urban-dance sounds. The only real constant sound, if I can say that, would be the symphonic sound – lots of strings, and pianos and possibly horns.
Thematically, the album is about the idea of love as a roller coaster ride. When in love, one minute you can feel completely fulfilled, and the next suddenly feel utterly shattered and empty.
Because of the complexity on the subject of emotion, and partly because of the different twists in reference to many musical styles, this body of work is called “Jack of Hearts”. It is derived from the term jack of all trades and the obvious in regards to my name.

Contact Information:
Website: www.biggentertainment.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/biggentertainment.ca
Twitter: twitter.com/JustGoBIGG and
twitter.com/theAdamJackShow
Phone: (306) 480-5444
Email: adam@biggentertainment.ca