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Aboriginal Pathways

Aboriginal success stories are at the heart of a new series of short radio stories on CKUA Radio and sponsored by Syncrude.

Producer Cheryl Croucher is interviewing people from the aboriginal community about their work, their perspectives, their passions, their successes.

The series will air eight times a week on CKUA in a floating rotation.


Program #26: Gil Cardinal

One of Canada's most successful aboriginal filmmakers is Gil Cardinal. Born in Edmonton in 1950, Gil grew up a ward of the government. In 1987, he traced his roots through the documentary film "Foster Child", and it won him a Gemini for best direction. As a producer, Gil Cardinal is not shy about addressing the many issues the aboriginal community faces, like corruption. That's the focus of a new TV series called Blackstone.

Here is his story.


Program #25: Amiskwaciy Academy

Located on Airport Road in Edmonton, Amiskwaciy Academy has over 200 students. The school is named after the Cree word for Beaver Hills House, which is what the Cree used to call the Edmonton area. Principal Maureen Yates-Millions says Cree elders worked with school trustees to create Amiskwaciy Academy. Elder Francis Whiskeyjack is a medicine wheel specialist at the Academy. In his art classes, the students learn about beading, drums and rattles, along with a lot of lessons about life.

Here is his story.


Program #24: Leona Carter

Now in her early sixties, Leona Carter is a leader not only in the Aboriginal community, but also the broader society. She is into her second term with the University of Alberta Senate and she is Director of the Aboriginal Relations Office with the City of Edmonton. But her beginnings were humble. She grew up on the Onion Lake First Nations Reserve and spent ten years at the residential school a few miles down the road.

Here is her story.


Program #23: Delia Gray

In 2000, the Metis Nation of Alberta renamed its building in Edmonton to honour a very special elder, Delia Gray. Delia was born in Wabasca in 1917, but spent most of her childhood growing up on the family farm near St. Albert. Throughout her life, Delia Gray volunteered her services to the community, and helped establish Edmonton's Native Friendship Centre. Each year on November 16th, the Metis Nation of Alberta pays tribute to their matriarch by hosting the Delia Gray Memorial Gala.

Here is her story.


Program #22: Cris Derksen



Cris Derksen is a young cellist of Cree descent who is making a big splash in the music world with her unique style. She has traveled the world to perform, and recently performed at the Olympics. She was introduced to the cello while in elementary school, and attended the Victoria School for the Performing Arts in Edmonton as a teen. Some of her music is available on line at crisderksen.com.

Here is her story.


Program #21: Bertha Clark-Jones



Bertha Clark-Jones is a Metis elder who lives in Athabasca. Born in the Peace River country in 1922, Bertha grew up in a family of 14 children. Bertha founded the Voice of Alberta Native Women’s Society in the 1960’s. This grew into a national movement. In 2007, she was journeyed to Ottawa to be inducted as an Officer of the Order of Canada. She was also honoured at the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards for her lifetime of service to the community.

Here is her story.


Program #20: Pearl Calahasen



Pearl Calahasen was first elected to the Alberta Legislature in 1989. She has represented the riding of Slave Lake ever since, making her one of the longest serving MLA’s in Canada. The election in 1989 also made Pearl the first Metis woman to hold office in the legislature.

Here is her story.


Program #19: Dr. Anne Anderson

Professor James Dempsey from the U of A’s Faculty of Native Studies talks about he incredible contributions of Dr. Anne Anderson to preserving the Cree language. Born in St. Albert in 1906, Anne Anderson’s father was of Scottish and French descent, her mother was Cree. When Anne’s mother lay dying, she urged her daughter to record the Cree language so it wouldn’t be forgotten.

Here is her story.


Program #18: Lorne Cardinal



Lorne Cardinal was born in High Prairie, Alberta. He’s the brother of Aboriginal advocate Lewis Cardinal. TV audiences know Lorne as his character on Corner Gas, the off-beat RCMP constable Davis Quinton. Acting is a far cry from his early career choice of tree planter.

Here is his story.


Program #17: Lewis Cardinal

In 2007, Lewis Cardinal received the National Aboriginal Achievement Award for his dedication to public service. Born near High Prairie, Lewis is a member of the Sucker Creek First Nation. Highly educated, Lewis first made a name for himself as the director of Native Student Services at the University of Alberta. Today, he acts as a consultant and advisor to many agencies and helped establish the Aboriginal Voices Radio Network.

Here is his story.


Program #15 - #16: Sarah Pocklington



Singer Sarah Pocklington developed and taught one of the first Canadian university courses focused on contemporary aboriginal music. She also is an original member of the female acapella group called Asani. As a singer, she has traveled the world and met famous people like Queen Elizabeth II, the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu.

Here is her story:
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Program #14: Sonny Flett



Sonny Flett is a Metis elder who lives in Fort Chipewyan. At 75, Sonny is still very involved in his community. He’s a counselor for the Municipality of Wod Buffalo and for 27 years he was president of his Metis local. Sonny also participated in the Northern Rivers Basin Study and helped bring an important aboriginal perspective to the scientific review.

Here is his story.


Program #13: Henry Norwest

Henry “Ducky” Norwest was born at Fort Saskatchewan in 1884 and was credited with the most sniper kills in the British Empire during World War One. He is one of the many heroes of aboriginal descent that Dr. James Dempsey profiles in his book “Warriors of the King”.

Here is his story.


Program #11 - #12: Dr. James Dempsey



A member of the Blood Tribe in Southern Alberta, Dr. James Dempsey is now an associate professor in the Faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta. Fascinated with native warfare, Dempsey’s first book is a study of Blackfoot pictograph war art.

Here is his story:
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Program #10: Garry Todd

Garry Todd is a Metis artist who graduated with a degree in fine arts from the University. Among his works is a series of painting based on the photos of Edward Curtis who documented native life during the early 1900’s.

Here is his story.


Program #9: Dorothy McDonald

Dorothy McDonald was a chief of the Fort McKay band near Fort McMurray. She was profiled in a book called “Firekeepers of the 21st Century”. It’s a history of female chiefs in Canada written by Dr. Cora Voyageur.

Here is her story.


Program #8: Dr. Cora Voyageur



In 1997, Cora Voyageur graduated from the University of Alberta as the very first First Nations woman to receive a PhD from that institution. Today Cora is a professor of sociology at the University of Alberta. Along with research and teaching, she also finds time to publish books. “Hidden in Plain Sight” is a two-volume history of aboriginal people that Dr. Voyageur co-editted.

Here is her story.


Program #5 - #7: Peter Erasmus


Michael Payne

One of the most colorful and important figures in the history of the Canadian west was Peter Erasmus. He was born at the Red River Colony in 1833, the son of a Danish setter and a Metis woman named Kitty. The memoirs of Peter Erasmus were recorded near the end of his life and published many years later as a book entitled “Buffalo Days and Nights.” According to historian Michael Payne, Peter Erasmus was present at almost every historic turning point for native people in the 19th century and his memoirs give a unique, first person insight into those events.

Here is his story:
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Program #4: Joane Cardinal-Schubert


Photos by Ken Bendiktsen, University of Calgary

Joane Cardinal-Schubert was a famous Aboriginal artist who lived in Calgary. She passed away September 18, 2009, but will be remembered for her stunning imagery and her pioneering work to promote Aboriginal artists across Canada.

Jackie Bugera of the Bearclaw Gallery comments on her life.

Get more information and view of some of her artwork here.


Program #2 - #3: Jerry Potts



On the western plains, one of the most famous names of the 1800’s was that of Jerry Potts. Born in 1840, his mother was native and his father a Scottish clerk who worked from the American Fur Company in Montana. As Gerald Conaty, the Director of Indigenous Studies at the Glenbow Museum explains, Jerry Potts was a man of transition, his feet firmly planted in two worlds, that of the traditional Blackfoot culture and that brought by European settlers.

Here is his story:
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Program #1: Ike Solway



Ike Solway is a member of the Siksika First Nation just east of Calgary. Ike is also one of the first graduates of the Aboriginal Land Stewardship program.

Here is his story.



Aboriginal Pathways is sponsored by Syncrude – proud to support Aboriginal people in sharing their knowledge, traditions and success. Learn more about Syncrude and its work with Aboriginal communities at syncrude.ca.