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Off to the races...
Who will you vote for as our next leader of Alberta's NDP?
Calgary Buffalo
March 21, 2024
Greetings Calgary-Buffalo!
We have seen some dark days already this year. The UCP’s divisive politics continue to turn Albertans against one another. The provincial budget was dismal. Amongst its many failings, it did not keep spending in line with inflation and population growth. Subsequently and unsurprisingly, public healthcare and public education continue to be hit hard by this government. |  |
 | That said, spring is finally upon us, and there is reason to be excited and hopeful. Please read on for information on how to get/renew your Alberta NDP membership, so you can help make history and vote for our next leader of the ANDP! Who will you choose to take on the UCP and lead us to victory in the next election? |
In this Issue
Membership
Leadership race
Arts and Culture Updates
Local events
Arts and culture and the land
Photo feature: Lethbridge Arts and Culture Tour
Membership
Why join the ANDP? Membership not only gives you the right to vote for our next leader, but can also help you stay up-to-date on party activities, gives you the opportunity to influence party policies, and to participate in your electoral district association and in convention,
There are 2 ways you can become a voting member of the ANDP:
Join through the Calgary-Buffalo link (below). Make a monthly, pre-approved contribution (PAC) that keeps your membership up to date. It can be changed or canceled with one month’s notice. A PAC is a good way to provide steady support to the party while staying on budget. It also contributes towards activities in our riding.
Join through the party link (below). Make a one-time donation for an annual membership. A membership only costs $10 (but of course you can donate more).
Leadership
The leadership race is in full swing with upcoming events in Calgary, so get those memberships soon and keep your eyes on your email!
We have a full list of candidates, and not enough space here to properly honor their numerous accomplishments. To find out more, please check out their websites (links below):
Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse- MLA for Edmonton-Rutherford and proud member of Michel First Nation. https://voteforjodi.ca/jodis-leadership/
Kathleen Ganley- MLA for Calgary-Mountain View and Minister of Justice and Solicitor General from 2015-2019. https://teamganley.ca/meet-kathleen
Sarah Hoffman- MLA for Edmonton-Glenora and Deputy Premier and Minister of Health from 2015-2019. https://www.sarahhoffman.ca/
Gil McGowan- President of the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL).
Naheed Nenshi- Mayor of Calgary from 2010-2021. https://nenshi.ca/
Rakhi Pancholi- MLA for Edmonton-Whitemud and former Critic for Children’s Services and Education Critic. https://www.voterakhi.ca/
People often ask me who I am backing or how I will be voting in the leadership race…no comment…
Arts and Culture Updates
Local events
Arts and Culture and the Land
During my recent Arts and Culture tour in Lethbridge, I had the good fortune of meeting an amazing mother-daughter duo, Faye and Hali Heavy Shield, members of the Blood Tribe of Southern Alberta and extremely talented artists. Faye is an award winning artist who uses natural materials to create powerful and personal stories through art. Her Daughter, Hali, is a multidisciplinary artist who continues her families tradition of story telling through visual art and writing, her first book, Naaahsa is an Artist, is inspired by her adventures with her mother and Blackfoot culture. In an interview with Arts Commons Hali shared some of her reflections on the land:
“If we can learn about the land we live in, we cultivate understanding, compassion, and perhaps activism for some of the injustices that are a result of colonization…It’s good that we refer to Calgary with its Blackfoot name Mohkinstsis and see the Treaty 7 land acknowledgement throughout the city, but we must ask ourselves: what does this really mean in our day-to-day? Does the way we live reflect humility, kindness? “
It got me thinking. We have begun to use land acknowledgements as an act of reconciliation, its purpose to acknowledge that settlers like myself are here on land that is not ours, land that was shared with us through treaty. Acknowledging this is just a first step in reconciliation, however. We need to ask ourselves, how do I benefit and thrive living on the traditional lands of Indigenous people? How do I fulfill my own responsibilities to the treaties?
In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that we live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Iyarhe Nakoda Nations, the Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation within Alberta District 6, and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.
 Self Portrait by Hali Heavy Shield  Postcards from the Rez by Hali Heavy Shield |  Wave by Faye Heavy Shield https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtCorNUBBEM&t=5s |
PHOTO FEATURE: LETHBRIDGE ARTS AND CULTURE MIXER
Spending time with some great Lethbridge musicians, John Wort Hannam and Dave McCann