Feb 2014 nt issuu

Free Vol. 1 2 Issue 11 FEBRUARY 2014 Now Available online www.usay.ca

TRIBE COMIX TURN UP THE VOLUME VALENTINE’S GIFTS

THE FLU SHOT DEBATE

HOLIDAY MOVIES FOSTER CARE DEATHS

BOOK REVIEWS

* *NEW TRIBENEW TRIBENEW TRIBE* magazine

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The Baker TwinsThe Baker TwinsThe Baker Twins

Free Vol. 1 2 Issue 11 FEBRUARY 2014 Now Available online www.usay.ca Free Vol. 1 2 Issue 11 FEBRUARY 2014 Now Available online www.usay.ca Free Vol. 1 2 Issue 11 FEBRUARY 2014 Now Available online www.usay.ca Free Vol. 1 2 Issue 11 FEBRUARY 2014 Now Available online www.usay.ca

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The Baker TwinsThe Baker TwinsThe Baker TwinsFOUR YEARS LATERFOUR YEARS LATERFOUR YEARS LATER

TRIBE CREATIVE / BOOK REVIEWS / ON THE TABLETRIBE CREATIVE / BOOK REVIEWS / ON THE TABLETRIBE CREATIVE / BOOK REVIEWS / ON THE TABLEINTRODUCING THE NEWEST MEMBERS OF THE USAY TEAMINTRODUCING THE NEWEST MEMBERS OF THE USAY TEAMINTRODUCING THE NEWEST MEMBERS OF THE USAY TEAM

2 NEW TRIBE FEBRUARY 2014

NEW TRIBECalgary’s Aboriginal Youth Monthly

[email protected]

Creative DirectorJohn Medeiros

Graphic Design

Aboriginal Design Group

Urban Society for Aboriginal YouthSuite 600, 615 Macleod Trail South

Calgary, Alberta T2G 4T8403.233.8225

Executive DirectorLeeAnne Ireland

Program ManagerJacqueline Dubyk

Financial OfficerJessica Hawryluk

Community Outreach WorkerLevi First Charger

Mentorship CoordinatorJosh Fox Morin

Administrative AssistantNikeysha Love Moses

Board of Directors

PresidentSarena Provost

Vice-PresidentAmanda Gonet

TreasurerMelaina Patenaude

SecretaryCheryl Hanley

NEW TRIBE is a monthly magazine. Our mission is to promote a positive outlook on Aboriginal living in an urban setting by promoting information sharing within

the Aboriginal and youth communities

Opinions expressed in submitted work/letters are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of NEW TRIBE or USAY. This magazine is a forum for Aboriginal youth to speak their minds and share their stories without intervention.

The publisher assumes no responsibility or liability for plagiarism of the works in the magazine. All writings are presumed to be the original work of the contributing authors.

Special Thanks to our Community Partners & Funders

NOTEBOOKfrom*the*editor

Hello New Tribe Readers,

Thanks for picking up the February issue of New Tribe Magazine. This month marks the start of the 2014 Winter Olympics and I’m sure we are all cheering for Canada to post some record medal numbers. Go Canada!

Our cover feature this issue brings us up to date on the Baker Twins since we first wrote about them four years ago. A lot has happened and it was wonderful to see how their careers have grown. Check it out on page 20.

We also have articles covering Valentine’s Day, various events, and a new comic submission from the very talented Stacie Himmelspeck. Those along with our regular columns make this a great issue so I hope you enjoy.

Need updates on upcoming USAY and New Tribe Magazine events? Feel free to search us out on Face book and join our growing friends list. We post upcoming events,

s u b m i s s i o n requ i rements and deadlines, and fun stuff like upcoming movie nights and book clubs. It is also a great place to comment on stories or articles you wish to see in our upcoming issues.

Do you have an opinion on this issue of New Tribe magazine? Good, bad, or ugly send in your thoughts and we will print it in the letters section.

Spread the word, and stay true to it.

John MedeirosCreative DirectorNew Tribe Magazine

CONTENTS

NEW TRIBE FEBRUARY 2014 3

32184 NEWS BRIEFS

7 WHAT’S GOING ON?

8 VALENTINE’S

10 FICTION

12 ON THE TABLE

14 POETRY

15 CREATIVE

16 DEPRESSION

18 MEMORIAL MARCH

19 USAY

24 COMIX

28 COMMUNITY

29 ELDERS SUMMIT

30 MUSIC REVIEW

32 MOVIE REVIEW

34 CREATIVE

37 COMMUNITY

39 U AROUND TOWN

FEBRUARY

8

24

COVER STORYTHE BAKER TWINS

20

Family seeks answers after woman freezes in snowbank

Family members of a woman found frozen in a snowbank over the weekend believe they arenÕ t getting the full story from RCMP about her death.

Rocelyn Gabriel, 20, was found at the recycling depot in Portage la Prairie, Man., just after 8 a.m. on Sunday.

Paramedics began CPR and rushed her to the Portage General Hospital, where she died.

Someone who was dropping off recycling found Gabriel huddled between two large bins and covered in snow, according to her family.

RCMP say the freezing temperatures played a role in her death and no foul play is suspected.But GabrielÕ s family refuses to believe no one else was involved in her death.

Ò We need answers. ThatÕ s what we need right now,Ó said Olivia Gabriel, one of her sisters.

“We need closure, to really find out what happened to my sister,Ó she added, sobbing. Ò My sister would not just lay there in the cold. She wouldnÕ t.Ó

Rocelyn Gabriel was celebrating a cousinÕ s birthday with her sister and some cousins when they all became separated. The family says that was the last place anyone saw her.

She left on foot at 4 a.m. The family said RCMP has surveillance video showing Gabriel at the recycling depot about 40 minutes later.

Gabriel, who was dressed in just a sweater, was later found in the snowbank. Her purse was found a distance from her body.

Her family said that wasnÕ t like her, that she would never wander or go out in the bitter cold without a jacket. They think she may have been

chased.

Ò We just want to know how she got there, because obviously she didnÕ t walk there,Ó said Lindsey Traverse, a cousin.

The family is planning to file a complaint against the RCMP.

They began a vigil Tuesday at 6 p.m. to honour Gabriel and encourage people to help them find out what happened to her.

Gabriel, who had four sisters and two brothers, was the first in her family to graduate from high school and had dreamed of becoming a nurse one day.

Ò Rocelyn was like the rock and the light of our family,Ó said Samantha Gabriel, a cousin. Ò When you needed something or someone, she was always there for you.Ó

SOURCE -CBC News

Aboriginal Happenings From Across Canada

NEWS*BRIEFS


NEW TRIBE DEC/JAN 2014 5

COMMUNITY


TRIBE*TALENT

Lyric Latham, 14


Feb 03 - 14Calgary Corporate Challenge Human BonspielOlympic PlazaCalgary, AB

Feb 06 - 09Calgary Boat & Outdoors ShowBMO CentreCalgary, AB

Feb 08Hypothermic Half MarathonEau ClaireCalgary

Feb 10 - 12Picture this...fi lm festivalWest Island CollegeCalgary, AB

Feb 11 - 16West Side StorySouthern Alberta Jubilee AuditoriumCalgary, AB

Feb 14Valentine’s Day

Feb 146th Annual Women’s Memorial MarchScarboro United ChurchCalgary, AB

Feb 15Dean Brody in ConcertStampede CorralCalgary, AB

Feb 17 - 23Reel Fun Film FestivalEau Claire TheatresCalgary, AB

Feb 18Winter Carnival at Fort CalgaryFort Calgary

Feb 20Hedley in ConcertEnmax CentreLethbridge,AB

Feb 21 - 23Calgary World of WheelsBMO CentreCalgary, AB

Feb 27The Sound of MusicCardel TheatreCalgary,AB

Calgary Flames Home Games

02/01/2014 8:00 PM Minnesota Wild @ Calgary Flames02/27/2014 7:30 PM Los Angeles Kings @ Calgary Flames

Calgary Hitmen Home Games

02/11/2014 07:00 PM Prince Albert Raiders @ Calgary Hitmen02/14/2014 07:00 PM Sakatoon Blades @ Calgary Hitmen02/17/2014 04:00 PM Red Deer Rebels @ Calgary Hitmen02/28/2014 07:00 PM Kamloops Blazers @ Calgary Hitmen

Calgary YMCA Rec NightEvery Tuesday7:00pm - 10:00 pm

If you have an event youÕ d like us to include in our monthly calendar, email it to us - [email protected] by the third Wednesday of the month.

Submission deadline for theMarch 2014 issue: February 26

FEBRUARY,2014

What’s Going On?


COMMUNITY

Inexpensive Valentine’s

Valentines day gives everyone the opportunity to express their love and friendship to others. Adults have the ability to spend a lot of money on gifts and dinners, but teenagers often find their wallets empty on this special day. Fortunately, there are several fun and romantic things that you can do without spending absurd amounts of money.

If your special someone likes to stay indoors, surprise them with a stack of movies and a takeout menu. Pizza and Chinese food are not very expensive and taste great.

In the time it takes the delivery service to arrive, you can get your movie chosen and throw some blankets on the couch. As an added bonus, you will have more time with each other and less dishes to do. Find a few movies that fit into both of your favorite genre’s. Some action movies include romance and believe it or not, some guys do like chick-flicks. Movie rentals are inexpensive and allow you to see new movies, or you can search your own collection for an old classic.

On the other hand, if you both

enjoy cooking, you could prepare a meal together. Working together on dinner leads to goofing off and laughing when you make a mess together. Even a dish as tasty as spaghetti costs next to nothing to make, but gives you the opportunity to have a candlelit dinner and some fun cooking it. Once you have enjoyed your meal, you can then decide whether to watch a movie or just sit and enjoy each other’s company.

Most of the time, teenagers communicate via the internet or text message, but this is not always


COMMUNITYas personal as a valentines day message should be. A cute way to express your affection is through a letter. In fact, legend has it that the first ever valentine was a letter from a man in love, signed with his name, Valentine. With all of the technology today, handwritten letters are left in the dust. What most people do not know is that letters written by hand are more intimate and thoughtful than an email or text message.

Even if you cannot afford a gift, you still have everything you need to make one. All of those pictures of the two of you can easily be printed out and turned into a beautiful photo album. If you are extra crafty, you can even make a scrapbook with little notes about each photo. A photo album may sound cheesy, but think of all the times you have looked at an old picture and thought of all of the memories attached to it.

February is a cold month for Calgary and you can take advantage of this by going ice-skating. Even if neither of you have done it before you can learn together. Most importantly, you will have an excuse to hang on to each other so that you do not fall. Ice skating also means freezing

your butt off and needing to warm up afterwards, and there is no better way to warm up than snuggling with someone you care about.

If you are fortunate enough to live in one of the warmer areas of the country, you can go on a picnic. Take a basket and load it

with sandwiches, fruit, soda, and anything that the two of you like. Find a spot where you can be alone and just enjoy each other without the distractions of the outside world.

An option for both warm and cold weather is the zoo. Imagine seeing your boyfriend or girlfriend laugh as the monkeys play, or smile at a baby tiger. You will see the sweet and childlike sides of each other that don’t usually show.

Going to the zoo also gives you the opportunity to hold hands and walk around together, which gives you time to talk and connect even more than you already have.

Maybe none of the other options fit the two of you, and you both share a talent for video games. Spend the

day playing games together. You can challenge each other to a tournament, and make awards for the winner of each match. Some girls love to play video games, but do not get offered the chance very often. This is a great way for the two of you to connect through a common interest, or one of you teaching the other something new.

Along with the ideas listed, there are so many other creative

and memorable things you can do without spending all of your money. A quick search online, or even talking to your friends could give you the perfect plan for the perfect holiday. This Valentines day, you should be concerned with having fun together and building your relationship. You will have plenty of opportunities to spend money on valentines day in the future.


FICTION

Dear Johnny,

IÕ m sorry that I didnÕ t write you sooner. Things have been tough here. Getting shipped out here, getting my stuff in order, moving into my cell, and getting used to the life. 20 years. ThatÕ s a long time to spend locked up like this, away from you and your mother. Such a long time to sit in a jail cell, around people like me, who did things like me. People who are waiting to attack you for no reason.

I know that you wonÕ t understand this letter for awhile. You canÕ t read and even when you can, I donÕ t think youÕ ll really get this

until youÕ re older. I hope your mom will hold on to this letter for you, until the time is right. Please, Shanna, please: put this someplace safe and remember to take it out when Johnny is about 13. ThatÕ s when I started all this, everything started so simple. Nothing big, nothing serious: just a little bit here, and a little bit there. And now, IÕ m here. Until after youÕ re out of school. After youÕ ve kissed your first girl, drove your first car, had your first job, maybe even had a kid.

YouÕ re so young now, that I know you canÕ t understand all of this. Where IÕ ve gone. Why you canÕ t

see me. ItÕ ll be a few years before you can visit, I know that much. I donÕ t want you coming here so young, seeing me in here, until you get it. But, I just need you to understand now, that youÕ re reading this, why IÕ m here, what IÕ ve done to deserve to be here, and how you can avoid ending up here, next to your old man.

I started young. We didnÕ t have much, your grandpa and grandma and I, so I started putting candy bars in my pockets. At 13, just putting candy bars in my pocket at the grocery store. The first time I did it, I couldnÕ t believe IÕ d gotten away with it. I ate the candy bar on the way home and

By: Andrew Pearson

BREAKINGTHE

CYCLE

FICTION


it tasted so sweet. Because IÕ d felt like I really earned it, taking that risk.

My buddyÕ s started stealing and things just got worse. We discovered pot, booze and that seemed like the life we wanted. Just getting messed up all the time and staying out of school. Started selling pot to people in school and made good money. I just barely finished school, just to please your grandparents. But, I didnÕ t do much beyond selling drugs and robbing.

See, it seemed so easy, so simple, to just take from people. They do the hard work and then I take it from them. I earned it, by the risk, of taking it. Your mom tried to get me to stop. Tried to get me to get a real job. I worked as a carpenter, a builder, at a gas station, things like that. She stayed at the hospital all night, taking care of people. What

was I doing? Pocketing drills from my boss and selling them cheap.

I kept getting fired, making most of my money from pot and stealing. But, then you were born and I really wanted to try to go straight. I looked down at you in the crib, and I saw my face, saw your mom, and I knew that IÕ d been dishonoring myself, your mother, and our tribe for my whole life. I wanted to go straight, but that turned out to be harder than I thought.

IÕ d spent 13 years doing crime and getting fired and nobody would hire me. They knew who I was, knew what IÕ d done. Nobody wanted to give me a second chance, and I hated them for it. I understand now, but I hated them then and I blamed them for my mistakes, the things IÕ d done my whole life. The things that put me where I am today.

So, I went to the bank with a gun, no real plan, hoping to take the money, store it, and use it to help raise you. But, the guard hit me from behind, took me down and here I am, in prison. Writing my two year old son, trying to keep him from becoming me and making my mistakes.

Johnny, stay focused on school and work. Work harder than IÕ ve ever done, help your mom, and keep your head clean. Your mom will need you to be strong and need you straight. I let her down every day of my life and could never make up for the mistakes IÕ ve made. You are the one thing I have left that could turn out right and good. DonÕ t try to be me: use me to get over me and make the right decisions that I avoided my whole life.


FLAVOR

On the Table

Heart Cookies

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups castor sugar1 cup unsalted butter1 large egg2 tsp vanilla extract2 1/2 cups plain fl our1 tsp baking powder1/2 tsp salt

Icing glaze

2 1/4 cups icing sugaer, sifted2 tbsp glucose syrup2 tbsp milkFood colouring of your choice DIRECTIONS

Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar in a bowl until light and fl uffy.Beat in egg and vanilla. Add fl our, baking powder and salt. Mix to combine.Divide dough in half and gather into balls. Flatten them to disks and cover in cling fi lm. Refrigerate for 1 hour.Preheat oven to 190°C. Line a baking sheet with baking paper and set aside.On a fl oured worksurface, roll dough to 1/2 cm thickness and cut with a heart-shaped cookie cutter.Place on the tray and bake for 13 minutes or until pale golden.

Transfer cookies to racks to cool.

connect



WORD

Honest Thoughts by Randy Parsons

I’ve been gone away from you and I hope you understand That I got to do what I must do to be better man

So lately I’ve been switching lanes…See I been doing my thing

Going down this road It’s been something new from me to you

But I had to do what I had to do to be a better man For you…

You ain’t got to worry even though the road is rockyYou don’t have to push me away

Because I will be back when I am a better man…I close my eye and I can see a better day

Where every thing is going in better waysWhere it only goes up and never comes down again.

Because when it does things seem to fade awayIt’s where love fades away with no warning

Where love can turn in to kryptonite…I was never the type to be in love

When you came around you changed my mindAs hard as I tried to get away nothing could change the way my

Feelings flow like no tomorrow…My invisible thoughts you never knew about

My invisible thoughts taking over meSo I told you and know they should of stayed the same…

So I got to do what I got to do to be a better man so I hope youUnderstand…

Creative


Mitigoogby Shelby Brown

COMMUNITY


Depression affects over ten percent of our population, and I find that even though we live in a digital world where information is at our fingertips on how to deal with depression and/or other mental health issues, there are still many myths and misconceptions out there that need to be addressed.

The following are some of the myths that are associated with depression:

“1) Depression isn’t a real illness 2) antidepressants can always cure depression 3) you can snap out of it 4) it happens because of a sad situation 5) if your parents have it, so will you 6) Antidepressants will change your personality 7) You’ll have to be on antidepressants forever 8) Depression only

affects women and lastly 9) Talking about it only makes it worse.”( http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/9-myths-depression#promoSlide)

Living with depression and/or other mental health issues is not easy. I know this all too well because it is a battle that I have fought since I was a teenager. It is something that I have to be cognizant of every day, because if I’m not careful, a relapse can send me spiraling back into negative patterns that I have worked like crazy to overcome. This can mean slipping back into feeling such despair that I’m crying all the time, isolating myself, avoiding things, and/or trying to deal with negative and harmful thoughts. The real test is not acting upon the negative

thoughts that can occupy my mind when my depression rears its ugly head.

There are two myths in particular that I would like to speak about. The first one is ‘you can snap out of it”. I deal with this myth quite a bit. Sometimes well meaning friends can say “hey, you just need to snap out it,” and then other times I find myself saying it to myself-even though I logically know its not as simple as snapping my fingers and making it disappear.

Depression is a serious health condition, and I want to tell you that no one chooses to be depressed. I know I don’t. No one wants to hurt so badly inside that they feel like they are in a darkness that they cannot get out of. Depression can

Myths and Misconceptions About DepressionBy: Christine Smith (McFarlane)

COMMUNITY


be a darkness that consumes you and if you do not get help, sadly it can kill you.

People mistakenly think that depression is merely a result of a person wallowing in their grief or sadness and can be cured by thinking positively and making a change in ones attitude. If this were the case, then there would not be crisis units, psychiatric wards, psychiatrists or therapists. There wouldn’t be distress lines for people to call when they are in need of someone to talk to, nor would there be campaigns such as Bell Canada’s “Let’s Talk”, “Partners for Mental Health” or the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and the numerous services they offer.

Addressing mental health issues and their myths and misconceptions is important for everyone to understand. I believe that unless we are all educated about mental health issues and illnesses there will always be a negative stigma attached to mental health. Depression is not a sign of weakness, laziness, or self-pity. It is a medical condition that arises from errors in your brain chemistry, function and structure due to environmental or biological factors. You don’t ask for depression, it just happens.

For those who battle depression, it is more than the occasional sad thought or unhappiness due to a death, a breakup or

disappointment, even though these feelings can lead to depression, depression is experiencing such a low that you feel like you cannot function. You feel lethargic, you find it hard to do every day things-like getting out of bed and facing your day, you lose interest in what you love doing the most (in my case, it has been reading for fun and writing).

A second misconception is that discussing depression merely reinforces destructive feelings and keeps a person focused on the negative. From my experience, being alone with my thoughts is much more harmful. Even though it is painful discussing what is getting to me, I find that a lot of times, I just need someone to listen, to hear me out, or even to just take the time to be with me, instead of avoiding me because I am feeling so low.

As a creative person, I’m a very quiet person. I’m used to putting pen to paper, instead of talking through things. Through therapy I am trying to learn how to voice how I feel, and though it is difficult, I realize it is something that I should have learned a long time ago. Having no voice, or believing that my voice did not matter was in how I was raised, and it takes works to learn something new.

A relapse happened to me recently and it meant going to the hospital and telling the doctors there that

“I need help.” I was fortunate that they listened closely to me and put me in the hospital’s Crisis Stabilization Unit for the weekend. In my stay at the CSU, they had me work on a crisis plan, and a nurse talked to me here and there throughout the day. This helped me to focus on myself, learn to recognize the signs that had brought me to the hospital, and make concrete plans on how to help myself again, if I should ever feel the way that I did when I was admitted.

Having a supportive, reliable, and non-judgmental listener is critical in the treatment of depression. If you are finding yourself depressed or wanting to hurt yourself, seek treatment right away. Do not feel ashamed that you need to ask for help. Someone outside yourself may be able to help guide you to see things differently, and most of all find what works for you in a good way- writing, drawing, talking to a professional etc.

I found that by ignoring the signs that I was relapsing with my depression, I was also giving into the negative stigma that mental health issues have in society. I was giving into the stigma by telling myself “ER is not an option,” “ Being admitted was a sign of failure,” when in reality it was the best thing for me to do, because my recovery would be for nothing if I did not live up to the courage and the fight that got me to where I am today.


COMMUNITY

Community

COMMUNITY


Introducing the newest members of the USAY team.

My name is Jacqueline Dubyk. I am the new Program Manager at USAY. Through my education, work experience and career interest, I have been given the opportunity to work with many great people, on multiple issues that address quality of life among indigenous peoples.

I received my Bachelor of Applied Child Studies degree from Mount Royal University, which is a unique four-year interdisciplinary degree that incorporates the knowledge, skills, and attitudes from early childhood education, child and youth care, social work, disabilities studies, mental health, psychology, and business.

In my previous roles, I have worked at both the Provincial and Territorial levels, as well as with the Treaty 6/7/8 communities developing linkages that support collaborative/inter and intra-sectoral working environments. I

have traveled extensively addressing Aboriginal issues, designing and implementing culturally specific Aboriginal programs.

I have many years experience both living and working in Alberta and the Territories. I was born in the North and was raised in Rankin Inlet, Iqaluit and Yellowknife, and have spent the last 10 years here in Calgary. As well, my work experience has provided me the opportunity to travel to many communities throughout Alberta and the Northwest Territories. Aside from work travel, I frequently travel throughout Canada, and abroad including traveling by train across Canada and attending school exchange program in Tours, France in High School.

I look forward to working with everyone at USAY, and those involved in the community on the many exciting programs and opportunities that USAY and partners has to offer.

Mentoring preserves a way of life based on spirituality, sacredness, reciprocity, education and social responsibility by helping to integrate cultural factors that preserve and protect the health and well-being of the young (Weinberger, 1999).

Oki. Niisto nitaniko (Hello, My name is) Josh Fox – Morin I’m First Nations from the Blood Tribe Kainai, currently residing out of Calgary, Alberta. Recently I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to be a part of the Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth. I’ll be taking on the role as the Aboriginal Youth Mentorship Coordinator here at USAY. The goal of the mentoring would be to support both youth and children in reaching their potential and instilling the value of completing high school with the support of the mentors and community. I’ll be in charge of the creation and development of the program, organizing weekly activity’s that support the project and

strengthen the relationships with the youth. It’s a great organization and I’m thrilled to be a part of the USAY family, the staff here is outstanding and everybody has made me feel welcomed and right at home.

Tansi! My name is Nikeysha Love Moses, nehiyow iskwew from Saddle Lake, Alberta. Presently, I am residing in Calgary and just completed my upgrading at Bow Valley College, which seems like a moment ago. I have now accomplished my Business Administration studies at the Academy of Learning Career & Business College. Enthusiastically, I’ve now joined the Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth and appreciatively, I’m now the Administrative Assistant. The atmosphere here is certainly welcoming and family oriented. All my associates are tremendously fun to be around, not forgetting to mention, we all work very hard on a daily basis, especially as a team. I am gratifyingly grateful to be surrounded by such talented individuals and look forward to our many actions to help make not only our First Nations Community benefit, but to help our fellow brothers and sisters inspire and blaze a trail along the way on all walks of life! Ih hye!


It’s been over 4 years since your last New Tribe magazine profile. In both your views, what do you think the biggest change that has occurred during that time?

Shannon: Wow, has it really been that long? A lot has happened in four years. Shauna and I are now more focused on acting. I like to tell people that I don’t model anymore, but, we still take the occasional modeling job…though, our passion is acting. We have also started to get into producing and photography. Getting behind the scenes is a very new thing for the both of us. We started getting into photography about a year ago. And, it was entirely by accident. My mom bought me a camera for Christmas and I took a few pictures and posted them online. The next thing I knew people were trying to hire me as a photographer.

Shauna: My environment has completely changed. I moved from Canada to the United States.

Acting vs. Modeling, which one is more fun? Which is harder?

Shannon: Acting, hands down. Acting is much more challenging. There is always something new to learn. A lot of people think that in order to be a good actor that you are born with it. I’m sure to a degree that may have a little truth to it. But, I feel as a true actor you must always be open to learning new things.

Shauna: Acting & acting. When you are modeling, you just have a relationship with the camera and when your acting you are listening, interacting and building relationships with people in front of the camera. You have to allocate your time to prepping for a show or movie and with modeling you just have to show up to set with no makeup, sit in a chair, get your makeup done and do the photoshoot.

You just got back from the Sundance Film Festival. Can you tell our readers more about that experience and what led you there?

Shannon: We were there to go to Shauna’s premiere of ‘Drunktown’s Finest’ in

which she is one of the supporting leads. It was awesome to watch her on the big screen. While you are at Sundance you are getting introduced to, meeting and hanging out with directors and actors that you grew up watching on the big screen. It was extremely surreal. And while you are there you can’t help but think to yourself that you are on the right track of your career. Being at Sundance was a dream.

Shauna: After four auditions for a feature film, I was lucky enough to be cast as a supporting lead role as the villain in a feature film called ‘Drunktown’s Finest’. Out of thousands of submissions, it was 1 of 68 films chosen for competition at ‘Sundance Film Festival’. It was an incredible experience. I got to bring my manager and sister to my premier and I met so many inspiring people while I was at Sundance (Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Steven Spielberg, Sam Rockwell) This business is challenging to get into so going to Sundance gave me inspiration and motivation to work harder so I can come back with another movie.

In the previous article I asked you to drop some names of famous people you worked with so far and got some impressive names like Zoey Deschanel and Neil McDonough. In the past four years who else can you add to that list?

Shannon: That interview was done when Shauna and I first started acting. Both of us have been very blessed to work with some high profile actors in our short acting career. I’m still waiting to work with Johnny Depp.

Shauna: I’ve been a huge fan of director Sydney Freeland, so I was so happy to get cast in her feature film with Robert Redford as the executive producer. I also got to work with Denise Richards, Alan Ritchson, Luis Bordonada, Darin Brooks, Jeremiah Bitsui and Kiowa Gordon.

You also mentioned at the time that you were thinking of moving to LA in the future and you obviously did so. How has that experience been and what have you learned from that process?

Shannon: You just have to do it. There is

a difference in saying that you are going to do something and doing something. One day I decided to go across to the US border to apply for a Social Security Number. I said to myself that if I got a US Social Security Number that I would pack up and move to Los Angeles. I applied and two weeks later I received a letter in the mail with my SSN in it. So, I bought a one-way airline ticket to Los Angeles and the rest is history. I was in Los Angeles for 6 months by myself and then Shauna joined me. The process was actually quite easy. A lot of First Nations people actually don’t know that under the Jay Treaty law that if you are a Native person born in Canada you can actually work and live in the United States.

Shauna: When I lived in Vancouver it was already grueling being away from my reservation because most of my family lives there still, but now I’m even further away from them. It’s tough because I’m extremely close with all my family. I’m sacrificing being away from them for my career. Thank goodness we live in the age of technology because I have a great Canadian long distance plan and most of my family has Skype...even my Grandma.

You two work a lot together but also have your solo projects as well. Any rivalries or jealousy ever develop? Who will win an Oscar first?

Shannon: You know we don’t get jealous of each other. When it comes to acting we usually both audition for the same projects. Though, due to different connections that our agents have we get different auditions. We have a formula: That if it is just one of us that have the audition then the other twin will usually help her work on the audition. But, if we both have the same audition then we will work on our auditions separately.

The only time there is real competition is when it comes to Fitness. Shauna and I are both fitness junkies and we work out in different ways. I go to a crossfit gym and Shauna likes to work out by herself.

Shauna: Shannon and I are extremely supportive with each other. Yes, there is healthy competition when booking

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work because we are always auditioning against each other, but we would rather one of us book the role then none of us getting the part. Her success is mine and mine is hers, we are twins.

You both have been involved in Idle no More, and other Aboriginal movements. Why do you get involved and why is it important to you?

Shannon: We grew up going to rallies. In fact it was mandatory. My Grandmother, mother and dad were proponents of keeping the environment clean and sacred. And they made sure to raise us to stick up for the earth because we are the only ones that will. We only have one planet. My mom would proudly say that she raised us as “fish huggers”.

Shauna: We were raised to treat Mother Earth with respect and love. The pipeline is not only running across North America, but the pipeline is painfully close to my community. It should be everybody’s responsibility to protect our water and land. My dad Duane Pearson was a huge advocate of protecting the elements that have no voice, the environment and animals. His recent passing makes me want to get even more involved then I ever was before.

Can you tell us what projects you have planned in the near future?

Shannon: I’m working on a few projects this year including ‘The Red Man’s View” and “ A Life Less Empty”. Shauna will also be in the movie “The Red Man’s View”. Other cast of ‘The Red Man’s View” include cast: “Michael Spears, Eddie Spears, Billy Drago, Crystle Lightning & Sean Wei Mah.”

Shauna: Shannon and I are going to be releasing a fitness video and a one minute short film every single week on our YouTube channel www.youtube.com/bakertwins

You both are role models for youth and especially within the Aboriginal community. What would you like to

say to today’s youth looking for advice on growing and learning in today’s society?

Shannon: You know, it was never our intention to be “role models”. I’m not saying that I never wanted to be a role model. It’s actually quite the opposite. Shauna and I tried very hard to live up to the standards and ideals that people expected from us. But, being called a role model can put a lot of pressure on a person: the pressure to be perfect. And I can tell you; Shauna and I are far from perfect. We grew up with the same problems that a lot of First Nations youth grow up with. We have dealt with various types of abuse including: sexual, emotional and physical. All of the pressures to be the perfect role model can be taxing. And in the end you are human and humans can make mistakes. All you can do is try to be a good person. I would tell youth in today’s society to remember their morals and ideals. I would tell them to be careful who they hang out with because hanging out with the wrong people can pull you into the opposite direction of where you want to go. I would tell them that it’s okay to make mistakes as long as you learn from them. I would tell them that to surround themselves with the people that they want to become. However, striving to be a good person through their journey in life is the most important advice I can give because you should always remember where you came from and know where you want to go.

Shauna: Everything in life happens for a reason, the good along with the bad. I’ve learned to take as much positive as I can out of negative situations. We are human and every human is bound to make the wrong choices, but it’s your responsibility to learn from it because as hard as this sounds, every single thing in life happens for a reason.

It’s been a very exciting run so far for both of you. Is there anything you would have done different? Yes, the hindsight question.

Shannon: You know, if I were to change

anything it would be to follow my own advice. Sometimes you can get lost in life. You can get lost in love. But throughout life you should always remain constant in your goals. I feel that Shauna and I tried very hard to get to where we are now. But, I think we could have tried harder. Sometimes you can get comfortable. And being comfortable can be a dangerous place because you aren’t as hungry as you use to be.

Shauna: The only time I ever have regret is when I know I’m not working as hard as I could be. Success isn’t just handed to you, believe me I wish it worked that way but it doesn’t because accomplishments comes with hard work, sacrifice and perseverance.

You both have had well documented careers, and also are very open with your personal lives via your social media accounts. What can you tell us that we don’t already know about Shauna and Shannon Baker?

Shannon: I guess it would be how important our family is. Despite the distance we are super close with our family back home in Canada.

Shauna: I have 11 toes. Anyway, what a lot of people don’t know about us is that Shannon and I are getting into a producing and directing films. Also, we aren’t the original ‘Baker Twins’, my mom Sharolise Baker has a twin brother named Pat Baker. (By the way, I was totally joking about the eleven toes).

Final shout out to our readers?

Shannon: Shauna and I manage our own social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter & Instagram) so be sure to follow us! My Twitter & Instagram is @ShannonBaker. And our shared account is @TheBakerTwins

Shauna: Follow me on any of my social media outlets @ShaunaBaker. I really do interact and respond with you all on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.


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BEATS

Turn up the VolumeBy Katty Jo Rabbit

Blood Orange Cupid Deluxe

This album was released a little while ago, but it just seems fitting to review this album as the album title and the issues in the music have to do with the timeless tales of the loved and unloved. With his song; him being Dev Hynes, Your not good enough, you can get a good understanding of what to expect, although the album art is a little disturbing, believe me you will like this album if you like the 80Õ s.

It is pretty interesting to note that Devonte Hynes played the drums, bass, guitar, and keyboard on most of the songs, other songs he collaborated with Clams Casino, Caroline Polachek and others who assisted him on his creative journey. He also takes inspiration from a story about LGBT youth seeking refuge in the underground of New York, where teens would sleep on the Subway and called it Uncle Ace. Always good to know some back story to the songs you listen too, as it helps to understand where the artist is coming from.

Okay, so the album is a bit messy in the sense that the 80Õ s nostalgia comes on strong, almost to the point of no return and where you begin to lose interest, and then you hear a track that involves the lovelorn anticipation that in most cases ends in heartbreak. Definitely a different road to travel with all the new music, but it helps you understand how you would have been if you had puff bangs and wore black and white checkered bib overalls.

Her Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

This soundtrack seems fitting to review as the movie itself covers heartfelt and loneliness issues that most If not all people will endure. Especially when we live in this media fanatic world where we have access to almost everyone and everything, who would think you could be lonely. But if you donÕ t realize it, the movie will make you think about how isolating technology can really be. Thank god the music kinda makes up for the sense of isolation with beautiful little musical moments.

If youÕ re looking to sweep her or him off their feet, play the Avril 14th by Aphex twin song full blast and cry in the middle of the room with no explanation, just kidding donÕ t do that, it wonÕ t help anything. On a side note, this has to be one of my all-time favorite classical songs ever! So if you did cry in the middle of the room with this song blasted and I walked in, I would understand. But seriously take a listen to this album with the one you adore. The sweet songs of Breeders and Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs will make that special moment event better. One questionable moment is in the song Cleopatra in New York (Zim Zam Mix) I am not feeling the worldly beats, if that is your thing then all means. I just don’t like the fit, the entire album is slow, sensual, bitter sweet and then out of the blue there is a random song. It ruins the entire flow and makes me think of weird hippy ladies using drumming to invoke ovulation. Best to just skip that song, but like I said before it works on different levels so if your single, the album will also speak to the yearning to have a sweet heart, which encapsulates the feeling of the movie completely, I love how the album works in that sense.

With thirteen songs on the track list, from the relatively new, to the really old school jams the album is worth a listen if youÕ re feeling romantic or lonely, hopefully youÕ re not too lonely because if you are, maybe you should stop texting and make a connection to the humans you have in your life.

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Music You Can Feel In Your Toes

Beyonce Self Titled

Being the fifth installation from the iconic superstar, sees her calling in the cats, from collaborations with Frank Ocean, Pharrell, to Caroline Polachek to an unknown producer named boots, this has worked well. You see Mr. Bey turn a different tune in this album and its exciting that she is able to experiment with her sounds, it is very rare to have superstars stray from the tried and true. At least with this album she starts to discover herself musically and the sexual themes work as she creates another side of herself for fanatics.

Some of the great moments in this album are with the songs Pretty Hurts, XO, Drunk on love, it is grittier and sexier, as if you couldnÕ t be sexier then BeyonceÕ but she has such a lazy elegant to her effort that it comes off seamlessly. I really like the ideals that she presents in her lyrics that, you can be married and still have it all, the career, the family, the beauty. Not a lot of people or artists depict the realism of what it means to be married to the man in your life. She is just amazing, she also wrote a feminist anthem, but let us keep the focus on her current feat. The visual album, 14 songs, 17 videos, this is the moment that most stars keep for when they are a little older and running out of creative juice, but not here. Definitely check out the Drunk in love video, props to her man for being so candid.

Either way, if youÕ re a fan you will like it, if youÕ re not you might like it in the fun fact that it is not your typical album. I also have to question her usage of the word surfbort? What does that even mean? Anyways best song on the album is Blow, where she sings Can you lick my skittles/ThatÕ s the sweetest in the middle itÕ s the perfect make out song as it lasts 15 minutes, how fitting.

Warpaint Warpaint

Listening to this album, the first impression was boredom and I thought they weren’t listening to any music that had to do with guitar music. It was said by the band themselves that they decided to listen to nothing but R&B, being the second album I was hoping they would step outside the box and make something absolutely amazing. DidnÕ t happen and now I am extremely disappointed and really donÕ t know what to say which is rare. What I will bring up is the fact that the formulated sounds doesnÕ t invoke any ideas of romance or even love lust at all, which in the past album they were able to do it with a flick of the wrist, Keep it healthy, meaning they played their instruments with great skill. Now it is bland, simply put not worth the free download. I am really sorry to say it too, because no matter how much you listen to the album it just doesnÕ t compare and it doesnÕ t make sense because all these girls are talented. More so then they let on, could it be they were actually trying to hard? Or maybe not hard enough, check out the songs Teese, Biggy, Love is to die, and Disco//very; believe me you wonÕ t be impressed but if you are then good on you for finding fun where it doesn’t exist.

Working with a producer, who also worked with Radiohead made me think there was going to be this great piece put together with some swagger, but the ethereal sounds, the lack of lyricism and the plain out disregard for their fans wanting more. Emily Kokal, Theresa Wayman, Jenny Lee Lindberg and Stella Mozgawa have failed miserably to entertain. And really isnÕ t that what being in an all girl band is about, entertaining the masses not just standing by and letting others decide for you what cool is? They could have done so much more, but didnÕ t and that is what make it a crappy album. Enough said.


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See Youat the Movies

Starring Aaron Eckhart, Bill Nighy, Yvonne Strahovski

I, Frankenstein is yet another attempt at putting a new spin on a very old tale. Brought to you by the makers of Underworld, this modernized version of the graphic novel attempts to portray the events that transpired two centuries after the novel left off.

The film starts with our mentally tortured hero returning from the North Pole where he has been learning martial arts and other forms of demon killing. Adam, formerly known as FrankensteinÕ s monster and played by Aaron Eckhart, makes no attempt to hide his hatred of humans and everyone else really. This hatred is only surpassed by his loathing of demons. Ironically, the Demon prince Naberius played by Bill Nighy has also been looking for Adam. He is apparently the key to Naberius reanimating his army of the dead. In his spare time Naberius has taken control a big corporation that their sole purpose is the study and application of reanimating the dead.

The plot is pretty easy to follow. AdamÕ s journey leads him to the doorstep of the Gargoyles who are really Angels that have sworn to fight the eternal battle between Heaven and Hell. While the demons need Adam dead the Gargoyles, at least their leader Queen Leonore played by Miranda Otto. The rest of her clan seems a little perturbed the Queen does not simply

kill Adam and the whole story would end.

Eckhart is accompanied by sexy neurologist Terra, played by Yvonne Strahovski, who is working for NaberiusÕ company. Her viewing and reaction to AdamÕ s chiseled physique is akin to the same scene in Captain America.

I, Frankenstein seems to be a combination of many different movies all in one. Even the name is reminiscent of I, robot and the same paradox of what being alive truly means is prevalent as well. From the Underworld series you have the eternal battle between two clans. Finally, from the Resident Evil franchise, you have the non-stop action scenes exploding everywhere. Where this film falls a little is the lack of intentional, and even unintentional, humor. There were so many missed opportunities to pull a stifled laugh out of the audience. Everything summed up, while this movie will not be breaking into any awards shows anytime soon, it is one of those non-stop action films that is a good way to spend a couple hours on a day you have nothing to do.


MOVIES

See Youat the Movies

Starring Ice Cube, Kevin Hart, John Leguizamo

Ride Along, directed by Tim Story, tells the tale of a security guard, Kevin Hart, who is obsessed with video games that has somehow landed himself the perfect girlfriend played by Tika Sumpter. The problem is that he has to get past the overprotective cop brother played by none other than Ice Cube. How far we have come since the NWA days Cube. In an attempt to get into the good graces of Cube, Hart decides his best course of action is to become a cop himself. A task that seems very realistic when he is accepted into the police academy. However, Cube is less than enthusiastic.

Cube, joined by partner John Leguizamo, decides to take Hart on a Ò Ride AlongÓ (donÕ t you love it when the title makes sense) to prove he is man enough for the job and his sister. This day plays out much like a comical version of Training Day with pranks to be had all around. Imagine Training Day meets Are We There Yet? meets Super Troopers. All of these shenanigans go on in the middle of Cube investigating a Serbian arms ring that, despite their best efforts, clues keep generating from HartÕ s inexperienced cop antics.

As far as cop-action comedies go, this one fits the usual formula. A tough veteran cop forced to partner with a rough, unseasoned non-stop one liner and they end up becoming the perfect match for each other. CubeÕ s stage presence is, as always, what carries him through his role and Hart, also as usual, is a non-stop barrel of laughs. From encounters with naked men bathing in honey to other situations that mimic a gag reel from Cops Hart holds true to what made him famous- making people laugh. This storyline is as old as time..from Beverley Hills Cop and 48 hours to Hollywood Homicide and Ruch hour you will find the same formula of ((laughs X action)/romance)) = movie. What really makes these films memorable is the chemistry between the actors. It has been a long time since Cube found his perfect match with Chris Tucker in Friday but I think that he has created an equal, if not greater, match with Hart. All in all, Ride Along is definitely worth seeing and its PG-13 rating means most of the family can enjoy this together.


CREATIVE

Savage, alcoholic, dirty Few words that have me ashamed

Why can’t people see we are all the same

I am not different from you As are you from me

You only believe in what you hearNot what you can see

Just like a book cover There is more to be analyzed

Some of our stories May even leave you surprised

You can go off thinking All the wrong things

But be careful of your words To most people it stings

I will yell it out in my language I will yell it out loud

I take pride in who I amIt makes me feel proud

You look at me like any otherLike I’m just a criminal

Well no, im better than that I am an Aboriginal…

I AM AN ABORIGINALBY CHAZ PRAIRIE CHICKEN

CREATIVE


CHRISTIANA LATHAM

36 NEW TRIBE JULY 2013 NEW TRIBE JUNE 2013 39

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