Op-ed: Role models, past and present
- John Lagimodiere | October 23, 2016
The October issue is always one of our favourites to pull together. Finding and celebrating role models or good things to write about is never a challenge. Indigenous people across Saskatchewan are excelling in business, the arts, education, sports, politics, the environment...you name it.
We just got lucky at Eagle Feather News by finding and hiring two role models of our own. Julie Wriston has joined us as features editor and will also be in charge of marketing. We have been working with Julie since we met her in 2007 when she was director of communication for the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan. She left there for the BRIDG program where she worked with communities to develop good governance and business opportunities. She was also the CEO of Pinehouse Business North and led that business through some very interesting developments. Her experience and passion for improving the lives of First Nation and Métis people in Saskatchewan will fit in very well here.
And we also are proud to announce that Jeanelle Mandes has joined us as news editor. Jeanelle will be in charge of daily news and populating our website. Jeanelle is very familiar with Eagle Feather News. Jeanelle was inspired in grade 11 by an ad she saw in Eagle Feather News. This was in her cover letter when she applied for the job “I stopped at an eye-catching ad with bold letters, Telling Our Own Stories, with a photo of an Indigenous woman holding a camera. I knew right then and there what career path I wanted because I wanted to become a storyteller and a voice for Aboriginal peoples in Saskatchewan--all from reading an ad.” She was once one of the students I taught at FNUniv during the INCA summer institute, then she interned for us in 2014 and covered the heck out of NAIG and has freelanced for us ever since. Jeanelle is joining us part time for now as she is in the U of R Journalism School where she is earning her Masters....we figured that was a good thing. We will get her to tell you her story some day. She is a determined young woman and we are happy to have her on board.
With the addition of these two go getters; Eagle Feather News will only get better at bringing you the news from an Indigenous perspective every single day on our website. And every month you will see interesting and in depth relevant articles to the issues of the day from our wide array of freelance writers in our monthly paper edition. Please help us welcome Julie and Jeanelle to the team when you see them out representing us in the community. We are excited to go and grow with these dynamic and powerful people.
The passing of two role models
The community recently lost two role models. Veterans Henry Beaudry and Elder Edward Baldhead recently passed. Henry Beaudry was a scout in the Princess Louise Dragoon Guards. His old friend Dennis Fisher shared this story about Henry with us. “Henry was on the Board of Wanuskewin at one time. After the war he became an artist. Well once our Queen visited WHP. Needless to say she was bestowed with many native gifts. Henry brought this painting say 24” x 36”, framed canvas and said they should give it to the Queen. Someone explained to Henry how the process worked…..all matters like gifts, paintings, have to be approved by the Queens people months in advance. Can’t do Henry, Sorry but can’t do it. About a month later, WHP got a letter from the Queen’s offic. “Oh, they had a lovely time….people were so good to us…etc and we have a question for you? There is one gift we cannot account for. It is a framed, original painting…..signed by one Henry Beaudry. Can you help us identify the donor?” One of his murals is still on display at WHP.
Elder and Veteran Edward Baldhead was a war veteran originally from One Arrow First Nation. He served in the Regina Rifle Regiment. He had extensive service and travel throughout Germany, Europe, Holland and England. Mr. Baldhead previously shared with Eagle Feather News that the highlight of his career of military is serving in the present working with youth and education. He was very involved with First Nations culture and tradition and was a regular bringing in the Eagle Staff at powwows and events across the province. Elder Baldhead served on the board of the Saskatchewan First Nations Veterans Association and prayed at hundreds of community events for the people.