EARTH VOICES - SERIES I

Earth Voices presents an incredible diverse group of Aboriginal People both famous and relatively unknown. This magazine style series profiles Aboriginal People from Alberta and Northwest Territories that are politicians, social activists, performers, artists, musicians and former drug addicts. Each program contains four interviews with the final interview being the “last word” provided by an Elder. The series is hosted by Terry Lusty, a well-known journalist. (13 x 30:00)

Program 01

Thelma Chalifoux - Senator: Senator Chalifoux, a Metis and the first Native Woman Senator, talks about the plight of the Metis after 1885 and up to the post World War II era. Thelma speaks of her days as a political activist and her subsequent appointment to the Canadian Senate.

Daniel Crane - Musician, Entertainer: From the T’suu T’ina Nation, Daniel tells us about his struggle with alcohol and his attempts to carve and learn to play the traditional Sioux flute.

Rocky Barstad - Artist: Rocky, a T’suu T’ina Metis, discovered that he had a more sensitive side while running his construction business in High River. His paintings and bronze statues have made him one of the most successful native artists in Alberta. Rocky owns an art gallery in High River, Alberta.

Sarah Leather - Elder: We still can find Sarah working as an Elder with the Plains Indian Survival School in Calgary. She stresses the importance of keeping ones language and culture.

Program 02

Everett Soop - Journalist: Irreverent and hilariously funny writer/cartoonist, Everett Soop gained a national reputation for his hard edged cartoons. Everett felt he had accomplished more in a wheelchair then when he was on his feet. He passed away a few months after being interviewed at “Home for Disposable Blackfeet” in Standoff, Alberta.

Laura Vinson - Musician/Songwriter: What does is take to be a successful country music artist? Laura tells us about her dreams and the drive it took to make it. Inspired by Buffy St. Marie, Laura writes songs of wisdom, spirituality and is influenced by the traditional native music.

Joseph Sagaj - Artist: Originally from Fort Hope, Ontario, Joseph tells us about his struggle with alcohol and how art gave him the focus he needed to overcome his alcoholism. Joseph is known for his landscapes, portraits and photography.

Helen Meguines - Elder: The Last Word is presented by Helen Meguines a T’suu T’ina Elder. Helen reminds us that every person has good qualities and these qualities are sometimes overtaken by alcohol and drugs. She also believes that prayer is very important to having a full life.

Program 03

David Ward - Lawyer: A resident of Edmonton, Dave was the first Inuk lawyer in Canada. Raised outside of the Northwest Territories, Dave used boxing to diffuse his feelings of alienation, frustration and anger. He continues to work to preserve the legacy of the Inuit people.

Terry McCue - Artist: A long time alcoholic, then an alcohol counsellor and now a highly successful international artist, Terry’s powerful paintings are in high demand. Terry believes that his creativeness comes from the spirit.

Jess Lee - Musician: Jess Lee, a successful Metis singer/songwriter, began his career by writing music to his sister’s poems. Many issues of the Metis are reflected in his work.

Elsie Stenstrom - Elder: Elsie is the granddaughter of Gabriel Dumont and talks about being made to keep it a secret in her youth. The last word from this guest is “learn to respect your Elders and learn to love each other”.

Program 04

Muriel Stanley-Venne - Politician: Well known Native Women’s activist, Muriel talks about the beginnings of the Native Women’s Association and her abusive marriage. Muriel is a recipient of the Alberta Human Rights Award.

Bert Crowfoot - Publisher: Great Grandson of Chief Crowfoot, Bert was the president of the Aboriginal Multi-Media Society of Alberta at the time when the federal government slashed all funding to native communications groups. Aboriginal Multi-Media Society of Alberta is now the most successful Native publishing company in Canada.

Trish Loughlin - Artist: Metis painter, Trish Loughlin tells us about her traditional upbringing and how she has interwoven this tradition into her career. Trish feels that her artistic talent is a gift from her Creator.

Alex Janvier - Elder: One of the “original” Native painters from the 1950 and 60's, Alex, speaking in Chipewyan and talks about the importance of retaining our Native language.

Program 05

Pearl Calahasen - Politician: Pearl’s ambition was to be a flight attendant. She tells us how she got sidetracked and is currently a Minister in the Provincial Government of Alberta.

Angus Cockney - Artist: A Canadian Cross Country ski team member, Angus is one of the group of Inuit artists who are developing the “traditional” soapstone carving style to the next level.

Asani - Musicians: Three talented women, Cathy Sewell, Sarah Pocklington and Sherryl Sewepagahan, all from Edmonton, make up the acappella group Asani. The group had the honour of performing at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York City. Since this interview, Cathy Sewell, one of the leaders of this group, has died of breast cancer.

Terry Norwegian - Elder: The last word in this program is from a Gwich’in Elder from Arctic Red River in the Northwest Territories. Terry talks about the abuse of our land.

Program 06

Gordie Russell - Activist: Gordie, a well-known Edmontonian, is a boxing coach, youth mentor and the founder of the Crystal Kids program. This program, initially started as a boxing program, has evolved into a drop-in centre and a breakfast program for inner city kids, all run by volunteers.

Alvena Strasbourg - Writer: One of the founders of the Metis Nation of Alberta, Alvena was involved in the set up of the native hiring policy for Syncrude Canada. Alvena’s Pre-employment Training for Native Women is still being used at Grant MacEwan College in Edmonton. This program was started 21 years ago.

Roberta Kennedy - Singer/Storyteller: Roberta, a known singer and storyteller, sings and tells stories about her Haida life. She also relates to us how she and her family had to adjust to attending a white school.

Laura Lennie - Elder: Laura Lennie is a respected Metis Elder from Tulita, Northwest Territories. She talks about her coming to terms with diabetes.

Program 07

Brenda Blyan - Politician: Brenda explains to us how her grandparents were a great influence in her life and the need to search her roots to find where and how she fitted in. Brenda is Vice-President of the Metis Nation.

Stuart Steinhauer - Artist: Stuart, from the Saddle Lake Reserve, west of St. Paul, Alberta, is an internationally acclaimed stone carver. Stuart carves only when something spiritual happens. Stuart believes that the “Stone in Cree culture is considered to be a spokesperson for the people”.

Diane Meili - Writer: Former editor of the Windspeaker newspaper in Edmonton, Diane has been involved in running workshops for women in the Peace River area. Her passion is working with Elders and has published a number of books.

Thelma Chalifoux - Elder: Thelma is our guest in this program’s last word. She speaks about the discrimination of the Metis in schools and the importance of becoming educated and involved.

Program 08

John Many Wounds - Adoptee: Born John Bonnetplume, a Gwich’in child, John Many Wounds was taken from his home in Aklavik, Northwest Territories and adopted by a woman on the T’suu T’ina reserve near Calgary, Alberta. John tells about how his birth family found him and how he found his sister in Saskatchewan who was also adopted.

Joey Tambour - Drummer: After many years of having no drummers in the community of Hay River on Great Slave Lake, the community finally re-establishes the important of drumming as part of their spiritual existence through the likes of Joey Tambour.

Louis Soop - Teacher: Louis is currently teaching at the Red Crow College on the Blood Reserve near Cardston, Alberta. Louis also taught the Blackfoot language at University of Lethbridge. Louis speaks about the importance of learning the Blackfoot language by both the Elder and youth.

Raven Makkanaw - Elder: Raven is a respected Cree Elder and talks about the importance of identity and culture and feels that our learning process never ends.

Program 09

Jane Ash Poitras - Artist: This brilliant internationally known artist, Jane Ash takes us on a breathtaking high speed tour of the world as she sees it!

Bob Stevenson - Activist: A long time resident of the Northwest Territories, Bob now lives in southern Ontario where he is very active in the school system. Bob developed the “Life Styles of the Land” program and talks to school children on the importance of trapping and hunting in the traditional native way of life.

Logan Alexis Singers - Musicians: This group of singers and musicians are the brothers and sons of the native singer Logan Alexis. These Stoney singers talk about their struggles with alcohol and their respect for their brother and father. This group has established a Round Dance drum group and travels extensively.

Yvon Dumont - Elder: Former Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba, Yvon Dumont believes in the importance that young people set education as one of their priorities.

Program 10

Victor Buffalo - Businessman: From the Samson Cree Nation, when interviewed, Victor was the President of Peace Hills Trust, one of Canada’s largest native financial institutions. Victor talks about the finding of oil on the Hobbema Reserve and the forming of Peace Hills Trust. As good corporate citizens, Peace Hills Trust believes in promoting native artists.

Ted Hodgson - Athlete: As Director of Indigenous Sports Council in Alberta, Ted speaks of his experiences as a hockey player with the Boston Briuns. He continues to help young people to achieve their goals and ambitions.

Jim Guiboche - Musician: A Metis from Snow Lake, Manitoba, Jim tells us of the importance of keeping your individuality. He has a great respect for the Blues culture and feels that there are parallels between the native music and black blues.

Nancy Potts - Elder: This program’s last word goes to Nancy Potts, a Nakoda Elder from the Alexis Reserve. Like many other Elders, Nancy encourages all to keep their language and to “find yourself in your heart”.

Program 11

Bob Cardinal - Activist: Bob is a native spiritual counsellor at the Royal Alexendra Hospital in Edmonton. When requested, Bob works with native patients and their families, and administers ceremony with sweetgrass.

Marilyn Buffalo - Politician: Originally from Hobbema, Alberta, Marilyn Buffalo is the President of the Native Women’s Association of Canada in Ottawa. Marilyn is one of our leading native activists in the area of discrimination against women and children’s issues.

Jean Tate - Artist: Jean, the resident artist at the Jasper Place High School in Edmonton, is a painter who has gained a lot of her inspiration from Native pictographs. Many feel that there is a spiritual, physical and emotional connection to her art.

Alvena Strasbourg - Elder: This respected Metis Elder encourages parents to be at home for their children, teach their children to be strong and especially the importance for parents to teach spirituality.

Program 12

Dr. Phyllis Cardinal - Educator: Dr. Cardinal is currently the Principal of the Amiskwacy Academy School in Edmonton. She tells the story of her studies and education and how she helped to establish the native high school.

Carol Carifelle-Brzeziki - Activist: Carol, with the Metis Nation of Alberta, talks about the “sixties scoop” of native children and the attempts to reunite the families today.

Patricia Hoard - Adoptee: Patricia is a native woman in Vancouver who had no idea who her real family were. Originally from Alberta, Patricia gives us an account of her search in finding her natural family.

Maggie Black Kettle - Elder: Maggie is a Siksika Elder and her wish is for the young people to work hard, to get a good education for they are our future and will be running our reserves. She also wishes for the youth to learn and preserve the native culture and language.

Program 13

Dale Auger - Artist: Painter, storyteller and raconteur with a PhD in Education, Dale talks about growing, being strong and by being grounded in his culture and identity.

Robert “Taco” Sawan - Drug Counsellor: Taco was a heroin addict living on the streets of Vancouver for twenty years. He talks about his life of crime and all the things he did to get his daily “fix”. His father’s love and Taco’s personal determination eventually saved him.

Tineta - Musician: Country singer Tineta has been close to making the “big time”. She tells us what keeps her going and her refusal to give up. Her most special moment in her life was her guest appearance at the grand Ole Opry in Nashville at the age of 16.

Everett Soop - Elder: More hysterical musings from Everett Soop! He gives his view on “role models”.