Native Calgarian

Chapters and Chat Book Club's 5th Anniversary

Today's selection is the book, Red River Girl, by British writer, Joanna Jolly. 

This is topic is about missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and specifically Tina Fontaine. This very traumatic, and sensitive topic can be very difficult for some.  For immediate emotional assistance, call 1-844-413-6649. This is a national, toll-free 24/7 crisis call line providing support for anyone who requires emotional assistance related to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. 

Non Indigenous, there are distress centre lines in your area and 211.

A huge thank you to 12 Community Safety Initiative for their continued support and to the Calgary Public Library for hosting. If you're interested in joining, go to: https://calgarylibrary.ca/events-and-programs/programs/indigenous-book-discussion-group/

Esmahan and I discuss race relations, the violence Indigenous and Muslims sisters are facing, running in the Oct. 2017 Calgary election together and politics in general.

James Rafferty, aka Baby No Name, is on the search for a publisher and wants to get eyes on his book. PDF versions if you would like to read. Just need an email DM on Twitter @JamesRa92869019 with small donations welcome, send to [email protected]

Katrina Hewton-Backfat returns to the show.  She tells us about her journey of discrimination and her decision to launch a Human Rights Complaint

Brian was from the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation.  He was extraordinarily bright and curious and overcame many obstacles in life.  When he passed away suddenly in 2020, he was studying at Kwantlen Polytechnic University and hoping to pursue a Geoscience education in graduate school in B.C.  The scholarship that was created in his name  will support Canadian Indigenous students studying Geoscience in B.C
https://www.gofundme.com/f/brian-nadjiwon-memorial-scholarship?utm_campaign=p_nacp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer

Finally after international public shaming and all the hard work and effort put in by all the people involved, the Calgary Board of Education has finally agreed to change the name of Langevin School.  This is our thoughts and feelings about how it all came to happen.  A huge thank you to everyone involved, and especially the students that led this effort, your voice matters, your leadership matters.

I am joined by Marilyn North Peigan, a Blackfoot woman from the Piikani First Nation who has decided to run for city council in Ward 7.  Marilyn is a veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces, was appointed to the Calgary Police Commission in 2017, and was part of the citizen advisory committee that produced the White Goose Flying report.
Check out Marilyn's website where you can donate, sign up to volunteer and learn more about her.  https://www.marilynward7.ca

I am joined by Richard Feehan, former Indigenous Relations Minister in Alberta, current MLA for Edmonton-Rutherford also serves as Indigenous Relations Critic for the Alberta NDP.  Richard and I discuss a number of topics including encouraging Indigenous to run for elected office. 

Reio Lance, gay, married, member of the Algonquin, writer, geek, and future Independent MLA for Calgary Fish Creek and I discuss provincial politics. You can find him @QueerNativeYYC on Twitter.

International advocate, actress, and artist Stephanie Harpe is a member of the Fort Mckay First Nation, a survivor of domestic abuse, tragically lost her mother, is in recovery, & never gave up on her dreams of singing opening up for top music performers.