STEREOTYPES

Introducing:North End ‘MC’

LET’S BREAK

FUNDINGOn!

Get Your

MICHAEL CHAMPAGNE

FASHIONCulture +

1Issue

Mmm, blueberry Bannock anyone?

Study tips for post-secondary

Rooms on a budget

Sports Profile - Rene Hunter

‘The North End MC’ by Cliff Fewings

Overcoming Barriers by Courtney Nelson

Shattering Perceptions by Scott Billeck

Fashion Faux Pas by Jessica Lima

Letter from the editor

Contributors

FEATURE STORIES

OTHER

LIFESTYLE

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table ofCONTENTS

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Running late

for the

meeting, whe

re is my

black ______

___ ?!

DOES YOUR WARDROBE HAVE TOO MANY _______ ?

Paper dolls aren’t just for kids anymore.

First day back and I already need a ____________.

BOUTIQUE

Fill in the blanks at

TEEKCA’S ABORIGINALWant to win a FREE wardrobe? Fill in the blanks for a chance to win! Send this page to

TeekcasBoutique@gmail.com to qualify. One entry per person. Visit www.TeekcasBoutique.com for more contest rules.

I really want __________ !!!

It’s our second date, I wish I had a ________ to go with my ________ !

Rise Up! Rise Up!

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Cliff Fewings Courtney Nelson

Jessica LimaScott Billeck

Spent the last four years in university studying Communications, her three loves include animals, travelling, and food. An optimistic personality combined with a creative soul.

Rise Up! magazine is designed to offer aboriginal post secondary students content focused on persons, events and issues of interest as well as tips for adjusting to the post secondary student life.

Former economics grad and current CreComm student, Cliff Fewings trades in his TI-83 and graphs for a Canon DSLR and press releases and has loved (and loathed) every moment of it.

A Creative Communications student at Red River College and a freelancer-at-large. He loves 90s dance music and pizza. He’s also the 2015 winner of the Jack Matheson Memorial Award.

EDITOR’S NOTE

Dear reader,

You’ve opened it! We are grateful you’ve made it this far.

What you have in your hands is the pride of four students from Red River College’s Creative Communications program. It’s the collaboration of countless hours, interviews, photo sessions and meetings. What you have is something we are proud of and we hope you will feel the same. Rise Up! started under a different name but had the same goal all along: to profile and highlight the community of aboriginal students in Manitoba through word and art.

Through the voices of thousands of aboriginal students and through the lens that they see it with. Our plan wasn’t to show you the best pizza, although pizza is great. Our mission wasn’t to find the tastiest coffee, even if coffee can be our lifeblood on some days. Our mission was to tackle some of the tough issues facing aboriginal students heading into post-secondary education while offering a perspective of hope, motivation and success.

It was a risky endeavour but what you hold in your hand is a token to say that we made it.

In our first issue you will read about what one Winnipeg Police Officer is doing in his spare time to help his people. You will read about the North End MC and his passion for one of Winnipeg’s most diverse communities. You will see art, some helpful tips and even some tasty treats.

But what we hope you will see above all else is the excitement we share flowing through the design and our words.

From our dedicated team to you and yours, thank you.

Sincerely,

Rise Up!

Jessica has a B.A. in Art History and a minor in Film Studies from the University of Manitoba. Currently she studies Creative Communications at Red River College hoping to use that to help people get their messages across. In her spare time she writes a Canadian fashion blog.

Contributors

Siera Ens, who is featured on our cover, is a University of Winnipeg graduate of Indigenous Studies. She shares her views on Michael Champagne, the North End MC on p. 6.

On the COVER

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FEATURES

Michael Champagne delivers his opening remarks at the ALL CHILDREN MATTER conference on March 12, 2015 to an audience of 250 people.

Just outside the heart of downtown Winnipeg, among its derelict buildings, shoddy hotels, and shelters sits a place of tolerance, acceptance, and understanding.

Designed by aboriginal architect Douglas Cardinal and built in 2010, The Circle of Life Thunderbird House, 715 Main Street, offers people a place to learn, rest, and find guidance.

In March of 2010, as a way to help bring the North End together and provide young aboriginals with a safe place to meet and discuss their ideas. Thirty like-minded people met at the Thunderbird House and created Aboriginal Youth Opportunities (AYO).

In this month’s issue of Rise Up! we spotlight a man who is making a difference in our community and has become a role model for many young people. He is the founder and organizer of AYO, President of the North End Community Renewal Corporation (NERC), a standing member of United Way’s of Winnipeg Aboriginal Relations Council, and peer secretariat of 595 prevention team, who deal with harm prevention. He recently delivered the keynote speech at the United Way of Winnipeg celebration 2015 to many of the city’s influential constituents, including Mayor Brian Bowman.

His name is Michael Redhead Champagne or as many have to come to know him as, the ‘North End MC’.

Champagne is of Cree ancestry, born in Shamattawa on

“He came to my class and talked about AYO and how if we empower our youth, it will help create a better tomorrow for our people,” said Ens.

“I feel like I’m a reflection of the great people who live here,” said Champagne. “If people want to stereotype the North End, I say that you’re stereotyping me.”

Robert-Falcon Ouellette, a professor at the University of Manitoba, is a strong Champagne supporter, and believes that he is helping bring attention to issues that affect the North End to an audience who may be unaware of the daily issues of its residents.

“I don’t feel safe walking around the North End at night, especially alone,” said Ens. “I don’t want to get robbed or beaten up.”

“It says a lot that he comes out here (to the AYO meetings) every Friday night,” said Ouellette.“There is so much more he could be doing with his time, but he keeps coming out week after week.”

One of the most fulfilling aspects of what he does happens every Friday night, “when I can show up and fight for them. I have the capability of getting the North End’s message out to people who will listen, and I never forget how important that is,” said Champagne. The tagline of AYO’s website reads Breaking Stereotypes & Creating Opportunity. Ens believes that Champagne has helped reduce the stigma and hopelessness that young aboriginals in the North End feel, but knows there is still much work to do.

Shamattawa First Nation, he was adopted as young a child and moved south to live in Winnipeg’s North End, where he still lives. He is a graduate of St. John’s High School and has actively volunteered in the area since he was 10.

Much like those who attend the Thunderbird House, Champagne believes in being tolerant, accepting others for they are, and understands there are issues plaguing the North End.

“I love hearing young people raise their voices and demand change, our youth are the future. If they are welcoming and take care of each other, then we all will benefit from that,” said Champagne in a recent interview.

Champagne regularly speaks to students and challenges them to help reverse the negative perception surrounding the North End that it is rampant with violent crime, gangs, and drugs.

Siera Ens, a recent graduate of the University of Winnipeg in Indigenous Studies, recalls how a visit from Champagne at one of her classes showed her that it was possible that one person can make a difference.by Cliff Fewings

NorthEnd‘The

MC’

“If people want to stereotype the North End, I say that you’re stereotyping me.”

-Michael Champagne

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For generations, aboriginal people have struggled to overcome financial hardships in their community. Today, organizations help to break barriers for those who want to learn and make a difference.

vercomingOBARRIERS

t 33, Tamara Hes remembers the day when she was ready to go to university to fulfill her dreams

of being a nurse, except she was married and had three children to feed and care for.

“I realized if I was ever going to go to university, it had better be soon,” says Hes.

Struggling to make ends meet, she wondered how she was going to afford any sort of education.

Her struggle is only one of the several barriers encountered by aboriginal people wanting to go into post-secondary education.

A report - Opening the Door: Reducing Barriers to Post-Secondary Education in Canada - issued by the federal government in 2011, suggested that aboriginal students consistently looked to tuition fees as an important barrier to their success as students.

The study, conducted by the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, held 19 meetings on the accessibility of post-secondary education in Canada and studies the experiences of 69 people of aboriginal decent. The results showed that student groups consistently consider tuition fees to be one of the most important barriers to success.

Wanting to set a good example for her kids, Hes knew she had to find the money to go back to school, and quickly.

“I applied through the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF), but they said they would only pay for my third year of University,” says Hes.

It was a start, but because the nursing program spanned four years, she still had to come up a way to pay for the first two and final year, which totalled $5,000. After asking around about other funding opportunities, Hes stumbled upon the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (NAAF).

The foundation sponsored Hes for the first three years of her degree, paying for both tuition and textbooks, which added up to approximately $10,000.

“I had to do piles of paperwork and show I was attending classes but it was worth it,” says Hes. “I felt that I had a responsibility to do well. Being funded was a big honour and was not something to be taken lightly.”

Graduating with distinction in 1995, Hes says that she’s had a fulfilling

A

by Courtney Nelson

FEATURES

“Change needs to start with young aboriginals,” said Ens. “Michael is bringing aboriginal culture and identity back to people who never grew up with it.”

“Michael tries to instill the knowledge that he has learned over the years to us,” said Ens. “But, he is still young, so he encourages us to visit with elders, learn from them, and to pass those teachings to younger people.”

There have been naysayers along the way. People have told Champagne that it wouldn’t be possible to run this organization without money or funding, but “we’ve been here for five years, and aren’t going anywhere soon,” said Champagne. “We are a family, the NERC provides snacks and refreshments, and the Indian Family Centre hosts our meetings.”

Champagne started the Meet Me At The Bell Tower anti-violence rally in November 2011, to say “we are sick of the violence and we are committed to working together to combat gangs, poverty, violence, and youth suicide.”

The issues that Winnipeggers are aware of, violent crime and drugs, which are rampant in the North End, are the reason the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) dispatches to the area most often.

Statistics from their 2013 annual report, show that the majority of assaults, muggings, break & enters, possession and distribution of controlled substances in the city, occur in the areas that encompass the North End.

However, community programs, such as AYO, and new tactics

employed by the WPS have helped to combat the majority of these issues. As there has been an overall decline in all but drug possession and distribution offences from 2012-2013.

Friday nights at 6 p.m., community members meet at Selkirk Avenue and Powers Street to “ring the bell” and discuss ongoing issues within the community, such as how children are being treated by teachers while in school, the corners and back alleys that host shady drug deals, and plan events that bring the community together.

Champagne along with other community groups led a charge that ultimately closed the doors to the troubled Merchants Hotel in 2011.

Champagne claimed the hotel played host to an unsavory audience outside its doors that made wayfarers nervously cross the street to avoid potential altercations.

The building will offer 30 affordable apartments, classrooms for The University of Winnipeg’s Department of Inner-City Studies, and the Pathways to Education program, which focuses on lowering high school dropout rates, increasing post-secondary education and closing the “opportunity gap”.

Currently, Champagne is planning a speaking tour that will see him travel from Brandon to Montreal. While in Montreal, Champagne is set to speak at McGill University — an unlikely journey for a young boy from Shamattawa First Nation.

Upcoming speaking eventsApril 17, 2015 - Steinbach, MB.Hanover School Division, Social Justice Keynote

Champagne has been campaigning for a better North End since 2010.

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FEATURES FEATURES

Restricted? Get help and break through barriers.

Open the gate! A nursing student at University of Manitoba takes charge.

Apply NOW!• Business Council of Manitoba Aboriginal Education Awards

Awards for college students are valued at $1500

• Foundation for the Advancement of Aboriginal Youth (FAAY) Forty awards of $2000 each are available

• Helen Betty Osborne Memorial Foundation Four awards of $5000

• MTS Telecommunications Award Awards valued at $1000

career as a nurse. Inspired by the NAAFs passion to help students like her, she went on to become a mentor.

During her spare time, she helps aboriginal students apply for scholarships so they can afford to go back to school.

“I share that I’m aboriginal and what it means to me. I talk about how having successful aboriginal students is the best way for the aboriginal community to be empowered and able to be self-reliant,” Hes says. “It has allowed myself and my family the ability to afford things that would

have been out of our capability prior to my degree.” The NAAF also partners with Indspire, which other than the federal government is the largest funder of aboriginal education. In a recent 2015 study, Creating Positive Outcomes:

Graduation and Employment Rates of Indspire’s Financial Award Recipients, it states that 93 per cent of Indigenous students receiving funding for post-secondary education earn full credentials when the program is completed.

Shirley Delorme Russell, Culture & Education Resource Coordinator at the Louis Riel Institute, says it’s important to apply for a Métis card because many aboriginal specific bursaries, such as Indspire, will ask for proof of one.

Métis cards are available foranyone that can prove they have aboriginal decent by providing a genealogy.

Russell says the main job is help-ing students find money to pay for school by helping students access MMF funding and bursaries, as well as any other outside organizations.

“I always tell students to apply for every single thing they can find.

In my first year of post-secondary at Red River College, I applied for 37 awards,” says Russell, who won three awards that year.

Russell says students have nothing to lose by applying.

“It has allowed myself and my family the ability to afford things that would have been out of our capability prior to my degree.”

“The worst you can do is get really good at applications and then get turned down,” she said. “The best you can do is receive free money and help with the cost of school.”

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shattering PERCEPTIONS

by Scott Billeck

The plight of today’s aboriginal student is chiseled with lies and myths. One man, however, has taken aim at breaking down those walls and shattering the perceptions that exist.

ecil Sveinson wants today’s aboriginal youth to change the perceptions of a jaded population.

Stereotypes, racism and the collateral damage from years of repression has played its part in building wall after wall for aboriginal students in Manitoba, says Sveinson, a sergeant with the Winnipeg Police Service.

But when his badge is sheathed, Sveinson moonlights as a cross-cultural educator with a focus on helping aboriginal students. His passion is to find a way to scale the obstructions.

The ‘ugly,’ Sveinson says, is what he is trying to abolish.

He started speaking on the subject as a curiosity when it came to other cultures. He says he was always the “Indian they came to ask questions about.”

“All the sudden, I am the spokesperson for my race,” says Sveinson. “I thought to myself, ‘well, if I am going to be the spokesperson, I damn well better be right about what I am saying’.”

“So I talked to my elders, other educators and aboriginal scholars I knew, studied a lot and took specialized courses and learned as much as I could,” says Sveinson.

Sveinson’s words come across as his favoured weapon, often cutting but rarely unfair.

FEATURES

C“Education is the new buffalo,” says Sveinson. “The buffalo used to provide and sustain everything for our people. But it’s not the buffalo anymore, it’s education.”

Sveinson’s compendium of research and resources is equally striking, page after page, stack after stack, and book upon book. It’s his wisdom, his foundation, or at least part of it.

What he has on paper, and now digitally, only supplements what he’s been through, as an aboriginal person, a dropout himself and a success story.

“I think differently,” says Sveinson.

“Some people call it cluster thinking, I call it holistic thinking. I think like a Quentin Tarantino flick, I jump around all over the place.

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Ingredients• 3 Cups all-purpose flour• 2 Tablespoons baking powder• 1 Tablespoon sugar• 1/2 Teaspoon salt• 1/2 Cup butter• 3/4 Cup Milk• 2/3 Cup blueberries (or raspberries)

Directions• Mix flour, baking powder, sugar and salt• Using your hands, combine refrigerated butter into dry mixture until an even crumble mixture is formed• Slowly mix milk into dry mixture until it comes together as a dough• Knead until bannock is a consistent texture. • Shape into a ball, place on parchment lined baking sheet and flatten into a circle approximately 1 in. thick• Bake at 425°F for 25 minutes or until lightly browned

Total time

40 MinsPrep 15 MinsCook 25 Mins

Serves 4-6

Blueberry Bannock Mixed Berry JamTotal time

40 MinsPrep 20 MinsCook 20 Mins

Ingredients Makes 5 Cups

• 2 Pounds of frozen mixed berries• 4 Cups of sugar• 1/4 Cup lemon juice• Zest of one lemon

Directions• In a heavy-bottomed sauce pan, mix together berries, sugar, lemon zest and juice• Stir over low heat until sugar has dissolved• Increase heat to high and bring mixture to a boil stirring constantly until mixture reaches 220°F• Transfer to hot sterile jars, leaving approximately 1/4 in. to brim, and seal

Subumit your recipes for a chance to be featured in Rise Up!

A SPIN onTRADITION

“Everything happens for a reason, there is no coincidence. I may not understand what is happening now, but at some point I will come to an understanding of it,” says Sveinson.

Here in Manitoba, 38 per cent of Aboriginal Peoples aged 25-34 have no credentials from a post-secondary education institutional according to the 2011 National Household Survey, more than double the rate of the overall population, which weighs in at 16 per cent.

The reasons for the low numbers range from lack of education to lack of understanding. History and politics, too, play an antagonist’s role.

Kyle Ettawacappo, a treatment counselor for aboriginals and a current student at Red River College student, says getting ahead as an aboriginal student is about connections.

“It’s my personal opinion that on reserves it’s not about what you know but who you know,” says Ettawacappo of the politics that surround his people.

“For those looking for funding for the University of Manitoba or University of Winnipeg, who you know goes further,” says Ettawacappo.

Ettawacappo says it is unfortunate enough that aboriginals have to

fight for a higher education, and to tack on the ghosts of the residential school program is the kill shot that keeps many away from post-secondary education.

“Even though going to school elsewhere is great for some, aboriginals have been conditioned through fear from the residential school by intergenerational trauma,” says Ettawacappo.

“Parents and grandparents have become protective of children and when most leave to go to school, they often go back home,” says Ettawacappo.

Sveinson agrees.

“Some of our people don’t understand the cumulative effects colonization on our people. Maybe they don’t understand the intergenerational effects of residential schools,” says Sveinson.

“Residential schools gave them a mistrust of the education system here. And it’s been passed down through the generations,” says Sveinson.

These deep-rooted repercussions are presenting aboriginal students across Manitoba with challenges, and some, Sveinson says, become insurmountable, especially when his own people perpetuate stigmas.

FEATURES

by Cliff Fewings

“It’s huge. Conversely, though, some of our people feed that stigma,” says Sveinson.

“Perhaps they come in off the reserve, where education is sorely underfunded, and they aren’t prepared for post-secondary education,” says Sveinson. “And when they are in those classes, occasionally, some of them are only there because they were fortunate enough to get funded. But they don’t have the education or they don’t take it seriously.”

“It doesn’t end well. Some get the funding and run. It can be ugly,” says Sveinson.

Sveinson says if nothing else, he hopes his message of combating the egregious views of his people is well heard.

“Aboriginals need to counter their lack of knowledge with facts,” says Sveinson.

“(We need to) tell them all about how the governments dishonored the treaties. Tell them that you don’t, in fact, get your schooling for free. Tell them that you do pay taxes off reserve,” says Sveinson.

“(Let’s) destroy their myths. Give them personal experiences of you family so they can put a face to discrimination, stereotypes and racism,” says Sveinson. “Makethem know.”

Here is THE 5 essential appsfor you and your students!

EVERNOTE

iStudiez Pro Dropbox

LinkedIn

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roomson aBUDGET

Check Yourself.

Keep yourself organized with a magnetic clipboard. Don’t forget important dates, or misplace documents ever again!Walmart $7.99

Living on your own can be expensive. Here are a few essentials that will help you become more organized — on a budget!

Putting up racks in your kitchen can elimiate clutter on your countertop. Can also be used in washroom, bedroom or living room to store items.Ikea $14.99, Jars Dollarama $1.99

Say Cheese!

Roommates? Bachelor apartment? Get a little privacy with a room divider. Easy to move and instantly changes they dynamic of a room.Ikea $19.99

Decorating your walls doesn’t have to be expensive. Hit a thrift store to buy inexpensive frames, paint them with acrylic paint!

Under $5

$14.99

Mirrors make a room look larger, plus they can serve as decoration or purpose. Mirrors are an easy DIY project, grab a can of paint and change the colour to match your décor.HomeSense $15.99

by Courtney Nelson

LIFESTYLE

What story do your boots tell?

Your Story, Our Boots.

For thousands of years, Aboriginal artisans have been creating footwear for hunters to keep them warm and quick on their toes. As the years went by, materials and styles evolved making the mukluk a storyteller in its own right.

Storyboots are a modern artistic expression of the Indigenous culture deeply woven into the fabric of the country. Across Canada, artisans are creating Storyboots for today’s journey. One hundred per cent of the proceeds return to the artisans to keep the story going.

Tell a story wherever you’re going.

Manitobah Mukluks

Proudly made in Canada.

Two’s a crowd. Mirror, mirror.Star light, star bright.

Stack it.

The ambience of a room can change instantly with a new light fixture. A table, floor or hanging light opens up a small space.Red light Ikea $19.99

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Hello reader!I want to welcome you to YOUR page.That’s right, this page right here is dedicated to you and what you share with Rise Up! to help make the post secondary scholastic experience better. It’s on this page where Rise Up! will feature your tweets, Facebook posts, and Instagram submissions for contests and events. Think of this page as the Rise Up! community corner.

I know from my own experience that school isn’t just about studying, there is so much more that goes into it. So I’m going to start this page off by imparting some of the things I’ve picked up over the years and hopefully you’ll be able to avoid some of the mistakes I made.

Happy studies!

Jessica

Actually study. I know this one seems pretty straight forward but you’ll feel a lot better if you block out some study time regularly, and get in the habit of it.

Prepare for finals way in advance. Make a plan that includes studying and reviewing your notes and handouts beginning right after mid-terms. It may suck having to do school work at home but consistently studying will help you retain the details.

Get some balance.Don’t bury yourself in homework. Although it seems contradictory to the first tip, you want to make some time to do non-school things. Go out with your friends, bake something or maybe have a small Netflix marathon complete with your favourite snacks. Or you can go for a run, workout or go watch a concert. Do whatever you need to.

Make sure you rest.Don’t rely on caffeine too much. You’ll go through caffeine withdrawals and you don’t want to go through the shakes on your week off.

Ask for help.Try not to be afraid to ask people for help. Even if you’re thinking about the worst-case scenario where people are judging you or if your ideas won’t make sense, try to stop yourself and remember that you’re in school and you’re learning those skills. You’re allowed to ask questions. You never know, you may end up with the best-case scenario.

And finally, the most important advice I’ll impart on you today:

Don’t forget yourself.Most importantly, take care of yourself, treat yourself kindly and don’t beat yourself up over the small stuff.

Some Lived-in Study Tips for New Students

This was this morning’s sad cup of plain coffee. You may or may not have sprinkled cinnamon onto it to make it feel fancy. Which may or may not look like dirt floating in your americano.........

Mountain Bean Coffee2001 Henderson Highway Unit 5

Coffee is like a canvas. Leave it to the happy faces at Mountain Bean to add a little oomph to your cup. See if that doesn’t make

your morning a little less drab.

More than just coffee

LIFESTYLE

How do I study?

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The use of a racial slur inspired a stream of tweets about cultural appropriation in the fashion world.

In early March the Canadian-born designers behind Dsquared2 released their Fall/Winter 2015 collection titled Dsquaw at Milan Fashion Week.

The duo describes the collection as a clash of cultures: “America’s native tribes meets the noble spirit of Old Europe.” The collection incorporated Victorian era style undergarments embellished with furs and naval inspired gold details.

Each model was fit with a body stocking decorated with geometric tribal motifs, worn underneath their outfits. Fur coats and purses went down the aisle adorned with bold geographic patterns.

Many Twitter users voiced their disappointment with the brothers for failing to realize the negative connotations associated with the word squaw.

“You mean the ‘confident attitude’ of British settlers who stole land, murdered people & broke treaties? Please. #dsquaw” Toronto-based published poet Sheniz Janmohamed tweeted.

The head designers for Dsquared2 are brothers Dean and Dan Caten were born and raised in eastern Canada and currently operate their label from London, England. The pair have been a successful Canadian export to the fashion world since their Italian debut in 1991. They even earned a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2008.

“BEAUTIFUL clothes; UGLY campaign. WHY guys, why? U are from Canada. U must know what SQUAW means? #boycott #dsquared #dsquaw” Storm Lee Sanders, a professor of Sociology at University of Saskatchewan tweeted.

“One could view a particular image as ‘cool’ and another person may find it offensive.”

-Anita Keith

Anita Keith is an instructor at Red River College in the Aboriginal Education and Access Programs. She refers to the vastly different backgrounds and beliefs within Aboriginal communities and how each of those has been affected by colonialism and modernity. She helps Aboriginal students including those in creative programs.

“Art is a powerful median to communicate ideologies and beliefs.” says Ketih. “Then again, because art is very subjective, one could view a particular image as ‘cool’ and another person may find it offensive.”

While most users were using the Twitter hashtag #dsquaw as an outletto call out the designers, others

chose to use it in a positive way.

CBC North Radio One anchor Loren McGinnis used the controversy to promote aboriginal designers.

McGinnis introduces designers on Twitter by prefacing his tweets with “Celebrating Northern design, moving past #dsquaw” He posts photos of the designers work and used the existing #dsquaw audience to showcase Northern designers.

“The bottom line is that respect and honour is used in all that ‘others’ do as they approach another’s culture,” says Keith. “I would encourage them to use highest standards of integrity making sure none are offended.” In December American fashion

A model walks the stage at the Adam Beach Film Institute in Winnipeg’s own Edna Nabess design.

mogul Ralph Lauren featured historic images of aboriginal people next to clothing in his holiday marketing catalogue. The designer received criticisms for reducing the people to images to go along with his aesthetic. Lauren pulled the images from the label’s website and apologized.

The Caten brothers have remained quiet about the criticisms so far but the hashtag is no longer on the Dsquared2 website.

Edna Nabess is the head designer at CreeAtions, an aboriginal boutique with two locations in Winnipeg.

fashion faux

PASHOW Twitter TOOK

a problematic show and USED

it to PROMOTE ABORIGINAL design

Written and illustrated by Jessica Lima

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Ebbs and Flows

For Rene Hunter, a former Western Hockey League star, the transition to university life as a student and an athlete has been smooth sailing.

Hunter, 22, from Ebb and Flow First Nation in central Manitoba, praises the University of Manitoba’s Aboriginal Access Program, one he credits with helping him get into the grove of post-secondary education.

“I graduated in 2011, and until last year (in 2014), I wasn’t in school,” said Hunter. “Coming to the University of Manitoba I was very intimidated but I was able to stayed positive and I was very fortunate to have support from my family, the entire Wheat Kings organization, and programs at the U of M to help me transition.“

by Scott Billeck

racism, something to which he is thankful for. He says that being an aboriginal student may pose certain challenges, but there are many opportunities as well.

“Being apart of a team allows me to become more social and meet new people,” said Hunter. “Also being a part of a team can be very busy because I need to plan through hockey, school work and exams, and my own events.”

Hunter played in just two games in his rookie season with the Bisons, not uncommon when the age gap can be up to five years for a rookie stepping out of junior hockey. But is looking forward to next season and continuing in his studies.

“The University experience has been great this far,” said Hunter. “The academic experience has been challenging but I have all the tools needed to achieve success.”

At the University of Manitoba, there’s the Aboriginal Access Program. The purpose of the Access Program is to aid aboriginal students throughout their academic careers. The Access Program is a great way to enhance your University experience. University and college professors make it a priority to make sure that each student succeeds.”

Hunter’s voyage through the WHL circuit and into his first year of CIS hockey has been void of

SPORTS

You’ll hear the soft sounds of a folk ballad collide with hard-hitting hip-hop beats for Manitoba’s largest aboriginal music gathering this August.

Aboriginal artists from across North America are converging on Winnipeg to share, discuss and perform for the masses… for you.

The message is simple: Showcase aboriginal artists who blur borders, defy boundaries and give hope to all who listen to their message. There is no fear. We will be heard.

Manitoba’s premier aboriginal music festival will take you on a musical rollercoaster deep into the minds of today’s best talent.

Join us in a spirited celebration.

Inspiring. Indigenous. Intense.

We Will Be Heard!

Aboriginal Music WeekAugust 18 - 22, 2015

www.aboriginalmusicweek.ca

Music that inspires, defies and gives hope.

aboriginal youth opportunitiesEMPOWER! EDUCATE!

Make Connections!

Enlist in Aboriginal Youth Opportunities. We’re searching for people who want to make a difference

Build Relationships!

Elders pass along our culture and teachings to you so that you can become the leader you were born to be

Take back the North End!Get Our Youths Off The Streets!

We’re waiting for you at the Bell Tower — 6 o’clock every Friday at Selkirk & Powers

The Revolution Begins With YOU!www.ayomovement.com @ayomovement