The Westerner for October 19, 2009

Musical Organ Donation:  Grace thanked the club for the organ donated to the Edmonton Petroleum Club in the name of our Club's late Past District Governors Bill Young and Alan MacLean.  There is a plaque on the top of the organ - have a look at it.

Cosmopolitan Music Society:  Jim Spalding has tickets $20 each for Lest We Forget Concert on November 7 @ Winspear Centre

Literacy Program @ James Gibbons School:  Sherry thanked the Rotarians for supporting Literacy by reading to the students at James Gibbons School.  They included Jerome, Bob Kimmerly, Doug MacDougall, Don McDermid, Chris, Brian, John together with guest Edmonton Eskimo Jesse Lumsden

50/50:  Congratulations to Lily and Ross who share $417

Finemaster:  Mike fined anyone not going to CleanScene fund rasing luncheon $1; anyone without either Rotary pin or badge $1

Happy Bucks:  Jim Spalding advertised and sold his 1988 Audi for $1500; Rob Dunseith and Elizabeth Johnson are going to particpate in the Washington Marathon; Jerome was walking down the street in Oak Bay (Victoria) and met Bill Cantelon who was administering to the environment - Bill sends his best wishes; Lynette and Myron are celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary; Chris had successful knee operation performed by Rotarian Dr. Tom Greidanus

Guest Speakers:  in line with Rotary Vocational Month, Jerome introduced Ralph Makokis (old friend of Mike's) and George Emery to talk on employment opportunities for aboriginals in Edmonton.  Ralph has a Masters Degree in Earth Sciences and George is a journeyman in one of the construction trades.  They incorporated GATE INC. which stands for Getting Aboriginals Trained and Employed.  They have an understanding with the federal government and have links to services in Edmonton.  They are looking for endorsement (support) and mentorship (partnership).

The plan is to revitalize culture (celebrate life) and living (blend with the Earth).  Survival kit outcomes include economic and social independence (contribute to society including paying taxes).  They plan to develop a Living Cultural Centre south of the river similar to the cultural centre in Hawaii centered on food and education.  There are 7-10 tribes with different languages in Alberta.  They plan to build the centre around the knowledge base of these tribes (plus some reserves will have cultural centres to foster educational tours by non aboringinals to experience the first nation lifestyle).

Blend with the Earth - current problems relating back to the Indian reserve restrictions mean: off reserve - no employment thus they pay no taxes; on reserve - no employment with substandard living conditions and if they work they don't pay taxes.  Up to 1962 they could not vote and could not leave the reserve without the Indian Agent's ok.  They have limited old age pension.

There are 58,000 aboriginals in Edmonton with more coming because of no employment on the reserves.  They bring problems with them - racism, disease, no stable employment.  GATE sees a potential work force.  They plan to develop a hiring hall and develop a partnership with industry - key requirement - need help from individual companies to hire an individual for 4 years to enable that person to appentice in a trade - help them to become journeymen.

Rammed Earth Home - walls 2 feet thick, tamped earth mixed with 10% cement on top of concrete footings - $5,000 for outside walls on 2,000 square foot home.  This is a hard wall with good insulation benefits.  See the Rammed Earth Centre in Kelowna.

Ralph and George have worked for 25 years and have good personal relations with industry.  They are trying to expand relationships to fill in the business experience voids that they have to get their program moving.

Ralph and George were thanked by Brian