UNews - Officer

Closing de Grandmaison

trevor.kenney — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:40:51 +0000

The Nicholas de Grandmaison: Recent Acquisitions exhibit Closing Reception and Hoop Dance Performance takes place Tuesday, June 25 at 7 p.m. in the Main Gallery

Each face, with its deep lines, juxtaposing colours and gentle strokes, tells a story – a story of honour, dignity and character; joy and sorrow; life and death – a story of a people in the midst of transition.

By capturing the faces of Canada's First Nations people, painter Nicholas de Grandmaison (1892 – 1978) left a deeply personal record of history.

A Russian aristocrat forced out of his homeland, a prisoner of war and eventually an immigrant to Canada, de Grandmaison felt an intimate connection to the First Nations people and empathized with the massive cultural changes they were forced to endure during the mid-20th century.

From the 1930s up until his death, de Grandmaison was struck with an urgency to paint the Plains Indians because he believed their way of life was quickly disappearing.

Nicholas de Grandmaison travelled across the Canadian Prairies documenting history through the faces he painted. Recognized as one of the most significant portraitists of First Nations people in Canada, de Grandmaison's own story began across the Atlantic.

Nicholas de Grandmaison. Courtesy of U of L Archives.

Born in Russia in 1892, de Grandmaison's roots trace back to France and a great-grandfather who was rescued during the French Revolution. Because of his heritage, de Grandmaison's early years were privy to upper-class privileges his forefathers had been afforded by Catherine the Great a century earlier, including art lessons and learning about social graces as part of his schooling. After graduating from college, he attended a military school and was trained as an officer.

When the First World War broke out, de Grandmaison, who was in his early-20s, served as a soldier in East Prussia where his unit suffered a terrible defeat and he was sent to Germany as a prisoner of war. He spent a number years as a prisoner of war in Germany where he put his artistic talent to work, drawing his fellow prisoners and even some of the camp's officers.

Eventually, de Grandmaison regained his freedom, but his life was far from worry-free upon returning to Russia. As a monarchist, he ended up fleeing his civil war-ravaged homeland and escaping to Poland/Germany.

In time, de Grandmaison made his way to England. In London, with support from his friends, he attended St. John's Wood School of Art. That creative journey, however, did little to ease de Grandmaison's constant fear of deportation. So, using the winnings from a horse race wager, he set sail for Canada in 1923.

Upon disembarking in Quebec City, de Grandmaison connected with some harvesters who were headed to Manitoba. His career as a farm labourer, however, was not to be. After doing multiple odd jobs, de Grandmaison secured work at a large commercial art firm in Winnipeg. There, in addition to joining the Winnipeg Arts Club, he spent the next few years illustrating catalogues, painting portraits of chief justices, politicians and the children of local business leaders. But it wasn't until de Grandmaison ventured to northern Manitoba in 1930 that he found his true calling in life: capturing portraits of First Nations people.

He once wrote the First Nations people he saw inspired him "to forget the past and look forward to see and paint them all."

Nicholas de Grandmaison, Wolf Tail (Apisoh'soyi), 1960. From the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Art Collection. Gift of BMO Financial Group, 2012.

Wanting to capture First Nations people in an authentic setting ultimately compelled the artist to move to Alberta where he set out to paint First Nations people who lived far away from cities and towns, and consequently had managed to retain their customs.

While in Alberta, de Grandmaison married Sophia (Sonia) Orest Dournovo, a talented sculptor in her own right, and together they went on to have five children – all of whom would grow up to become artists or work in some facet of the art world.

When the children were young, de Grandmaison worked on a number of commissions as a way of supporting his growing family. Despite these everyday responsibilities, he remained devoted to drawing First Nations people.

Specifically, de Grandmaison was fascinated with his subjects' faces. In them, as he once described, he saw "…all the sorrow, oppression and history…indelibly written. They have character, colour and history in their blood."

But a rich past wasn't the only thing that de Grandmaison saw in the subjects; he was also keenly aware that their cultural practices were under great pressure from assimilation.

In fact, when the artist had arrived in Canada, First Nations people had been moved onto reserves and were being taught how to farm. This dramatic shift, as de Grandmaison came to understand, posed a serious threat to First Nations people's traditional way of life. So while first-hand memories were still vibrant, de Grandmaison felt duty-bound to document the history of First Nations people.

He accomplished this goal in two ways: by recording First Nations people as they told stories in their own languages and by preserving their features in pastel drawings. Today, those recordings and works of art – many of which are housed at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge – serve as proof of de Grandmaison's unwavering loyalty to Canada's First Nations communities.

"There are not many paintings that actually depict First Nations people as individuals," says Josephine Mills, director/curator of the U of L's Art Gallery. "De Grandmaison's paintings focus on the honour, dignity and character of each person. He didn't see First Nations people in a stereotypical light; he tried to show their individual personalities and life stories."

Nicholas de Grandmaison, Blackfoot Child, 1936. From the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Art Collection. Gift of BMO Financial Group, 2012.

Not only a technically skilled artist, Mills says, de Grandmaison possessed the exceptional ability to capture an individual's unique personality. Through careful colour selections, precise compositions and gentle lines, he was able to depict subjects' expressions as well as their character.

De Grandmaison's attention to detail was evident in every aspect of his work. For example, he recognized the importance of portraying First Nations people in their real clothing. It was a commitment to authenticity that stood de Grandmaison apart from other portraitists who chose to dress First Nations people in ornate and often culturally inaccurate costumes.

Instead, de Grandmaison was deeply deferential toward First Nations people, and this approach did not go unnoticed by First Nations communities. In fact, as a symbol of the respect and affection that First Nations people felt for de Grandmaison, he was named Chief Little Plume, honorary chief of the Piikani Nation. When de Grandmaison died in 1978, he was laid to rest on the Brocket Reserve in southern Alberta.

Thirty-five years later, the gestural, unfinished qualities of de Grandmaison's drawings continue to intrigue viewers and tell an important part of the Canadian story. And thanks to a recent gift to the U of L, even more people will now be able to appreciate the late artist's work.

In February 2013, the BMO Financial Group donated 67 original pastel portraits by de Grandmaison to the U of L's Art Gallery, along with $50,000 to care for and create access to the works. The collection, which is valued at more than $1.6 million, spans a period of more than 30 years and traces the development of de Grandmaison's talent and facility as one of the most important painters and portraitists of western First Nations people in Canada.

The donated portraits are part of a portfolio of works by de Grandmaison that were purchased by BMO in 1978 from the artist's family following his death. To that end, the collection now has an ideal home at the U of L, says Robert Hayes, senior vice president, prairies division of BMO Bank of Montreal.

"The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ already owns one of the most comprehensive collections of artworks and artifacts by this important Canadian portraitist. We are excited to enhance this collection with a gift that will allow it to continue to serve as a resource for students, faculty and independent scholars," says Hayes.

This gift of works from BMO Financial Group joins over 170 drawings, paintings and personal archival items (most of which have been deemed to be of outstanding significance and national importance) already housed by the U of L Art Collection and Archives, which the de Grandmaison family previously donated to the U of L.

"The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ takes seriously what it means to be entrusted with these cultural treasures," says Mahon. "These pieces hold special meaning for the U of L as most of de Grandmaison's work was created in this area. I find it fascinating that the communities Nicholas de Grandmaison was passionate about are the same communities the university remains passionate about today."

Being chosen as the keeper of the additional portraits is a testament to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's overall approach to art.

One of the most significant art collections in Canada, the U of L's Art Gallery's holdings number over 14,000 objects from Canada, America and Europe – and those works are not simply kept in storage on campus. "The gallery does a great deal with its works," says Mills. "We exhibit them, send them on tours, loan them to other galleries and use them to generate research."

In addition to using the works as teaching and research tool for faculty and students across the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, there are plans to initiate an oral history project that will collect stories from anyone who knew de Grandmaison and any of the subjects in his portraits. Mills has also commissioned First Nations artists, such as Jeffrey Thomas, to create new works in response to de Grandmaison's artwork, and there are future plans to loan the collection to other museums and create a touring exhibition.

"This generous gift will significantly enhance our collection, exhibitions, and public programs and thus be an excellent resource for our community," says Mills.

Most importantly, the gift preserves a part of the past.

"While we tend to understand history as big events, this piece of Canada's history focuses on the individuals and their stories," says Mills. "If we didn't have these paintings, we would be missing an important part of our Western heritage."

Editor's note: This article references Drawn From The Past – Nicholas de Grandmaison by Gordron Synder, Introduction by Joan Murray, as a factual resource.

The faces of history

trevor.kenney — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:12:40 +0000

The Nicholas de Grandmaison: Recent Acquisitions exhibit Closing Reception and Hoop Dance Performance takes place Tuesday, June 25 at 7 p.m. in the Main Gallery

Each face, with its deep lines, juxtaposing colours and gentle strokes, tells a story – a story of honour, dignity and character; joy and sorrow; life and death – a story of a people in the midst of transition.

By capturing the faces of Canada's First Nations people, painter Nicholas de Grandmaison (1892 – 1978) left a deeply personal record of history.

A Russian aristocrat forced out of his homeland, a prisoner of war and eventually an immigrant to Canada, de Grandmaison felt an intimate connection to the First Nations people and empathized with the massive cultural changes they were forced to endure during the mid-20th century.

From the 1930s up until his death, de Grandmaison was struck with an urgency to paint the Plains Indians because he believed their way of life was quickly disappearing.

Nicholas de Grandmaison. Courtesy of U of L Archives.

He once wrote the First Nations people he saw inspired him "to forget the past and look forward to see and paint them all."

Nicholas de Grandmaison, Wolf Tail (Apisoh'soyi), 1960. From the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Art Collection. Gift of BMO Financial Group, 2012.

But a rich past wasn't the only thing that de Grandmaison saw in the subjects; he was also keenly aware that their cultural practices were under great pressure from assimilation.

Nicholas de Grandmaison, Blackfoot Child, 1936. From the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Art Collection. Gift of BMO Financial Group, 2012.

Being chosen as the keeper of the additional portraits is a testament to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's overall approach to art.

"This generous gift will significantly enhance our collection, exhibitions, and public programs and thus be an excellent resource for our community," says Mills.

Most importantly, the gift preserves a part of the past.

Editor's note: This article references Drawn From The Past – Nicholas de Grandmaison by Gordron Synder, Introduction by Joan Murray, as a factual resource.

Lasting Images - Kenojuak Ashevak

trevor.kenney — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 21:58:20 +0000

Kenojuak Ashevak was born in Ikirasaq, Baffin Island in 1927. Her father was a shaman, who clashed with other members of the community who had recently converted to Christianity, and he was killed when Ashevak was six years old. After his death, her family moved to live with Ashevak's maternal grandmother, who taught her traditional craft techniques including sealskin repair and caribou hide preparation.

In 1946, Ashevak married and began to have children, but was separated from her family from 1952 to 1955 by a stay in Quebec City's Parc Savard hospital, where she convalesced from tuberculosis. Upon her recovery, Ashevak began working with Inuit art promoter James Archibald Houston, and in 1959 she and a group of other Cape Dorset artists formed the West Baffin Eskimo Cooperative workshop. Throughout her artistic career, Ashevak produced thousands of drawings, etchings, stone cut prints and soapstone sculptures, often featuring brightly coloured, stylized representations of animals and mythical beings.

She was the subject of a National Film Board documentary in 1963, made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1967, awarded honorary doctorates from Queen's ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Toronto, and her work is held in numerous private and public collections across Canada and internationally.

Ashevak died on January 8, 2013 in Cape Dorset.

This story first appeared in the February 2013 edition of the Legend. For a look at the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Kenojuak Ashevak, Summer Owl, 1979. From the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Art Collection. Gift of an anonymous donor, 1986.

Kenojuak Ashevak, Talelayu, 1979. From the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Art Collection. Purchased in 1988 with matching funds provided by the Alberta Advanced Education Endowment and Incentive Fund, as a result of the gift of an anonymous donor.

Kenojuak Ashevak, Multifeathered Bird, 1961. From the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Art Collection. Gift of Toni Onley, 1988.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ individuals earn Jubilee medal

trevor.kenney — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 04:54:39 +0000

Community leaders and volunteers from Lethbridge and southern Alberta -- including a number of individuals with ties to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge -- were honoured today with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

The medals were presented by His Honour, Col. [Ret'd] the Honourable Donald S. Ethell at a ceremony at the Galt Museum in Lethbridge.

"The Diamond Jubilee Medal is presented to citizens who share our Queen's commitment to service," said Lieutenant Governor Ethell.

"These community leaders have dedicated themselves to enhancing the quality of life in Southern Alberta and across the province and they have earned the recognition and thanks of their fellow citizens."

BACKGROUND AND BRIEF BIOGRAPHIES -- Recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, September 6, 2012, Lethbridge, Alberta

The following individuals were presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal by Lieutenant Governor Donald S. Ethell at the Galt Museum in Lethbridge on September 6, 2012.

The Hon. Raymond Speaker (Enchant)- Honorary Degree recipient, 2003

Ray Speaker enjoyed a long and distinguished political career at the provincial and federal levels and, after retiring from politics, he also served the nation as a Member of the Security Intelligence Review Committee. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada and a Member of Privy Council.

Henry Bergen (Coaldale) Honorary Degree recipient, 2008

Henry Bergen is an agricultural innovator whose engineering developments have resulted in important cost savings for producers while increasing crop yields and reducing negative impacts on the land. He is a Member of the Order of Canada and the Alberta Order of Excellence.

Reginald Bibby (Lethbridge) U of L Faculty member

Reginald Bibby is a leading national and international scholar in the field of sociology whose work has enhanced our understanding of Canadian identity. He is a professor at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and a founding director of the Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Sergeant (Ret'd) Clarence Cluff (Coaldale)

Clarence Cluff served overseas during the Second World War as a member of the 20th Independent Field Battery, RCA, Lethbridge, continues to serve in his capacity as Honourary Senior Gunner and has been an active community volunteer. Following an invitations to travel to England and meet the Queen and Princess Anne he came to be known by the Royal Family as "the Alberta Rancher".

Karen Collin BMgt '86 (Lethbridge)

Karen Collin is a key organizer at the Annual Lethbridge Dragonboat Festival and a quiet volunteer who does a great deal for the community. She is a volunteer dragonboating coach, helps to get other coaches on board and serves as a flag person at the events.

Irma Dogterom (Lethbridge)

Irma Dogterom is a researcher and author who has played a vital role in ensuring that Lethbridge residents realize the importance of their history. She was instrumental in efforts to have Legacy Ridge streets named after important women from Lethbridge history and she has been a long term board member of the Lethbridge Historical Society.

Leonard Haney (Picture Butte) Honorary Degree recipient, 2005

Leonard Haney is a noted seed grower and cattleman who has offered valued contributions in agriculture. He has also been a longstanding community volunteer with organizations such as the Lethbridge School Division and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. He is a Member of the Order of Canada and the Alberta Order of Excellence.

Jane Harris-Zsovan (Lethbridge)

In her role as Social Media Coordinator for the Monarchist League of Canada Jane Harris-Zsovan has been successful in the use of social media to promote the Crown in Canada.

James Horsman (Medicine Hat) U of L Chancellor Emeritus and Honorary Degree recipient,2004

Jim Horsman enjoyed a distinguished tenure as an Alberta MLA and Cabinet Minister. He has been a tireless volunteer, particularly in education, who has served institutions such as Medicine Hat College and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. He is a Member of the Order of Canada and the Alberta Order of Excellence.

Darcie James (Lethbridge)

Darcie James served for 28 years as a police officer and has been an active community volunteer. She was among the first female officers in Lethbridge and was the first to achieve the rank of Staff Sergeant. Now retired, she is manager of the Lethbridge Region Police Service's Victim Services Unit and is president of VSU Alberta.

June Kometz (Lethbridge)

For many years, June Kometz has shown her deep sense of Canadian spirit and national pride through her longstanding service spearheading the annual Canada Day Celebrations in Lethbridge.

Les Manning (Medicine Hat)

Les Manning is a noted artist, teacher and arts advocate. He helped develop ceramics studies at the Banff Centre for the Arts into an internationally respected artist residency program and has offered valued contributions to programs at Medalta Potteries National Historic Site. He is a Member of the Order of Canada.

Sheriff Troy MacKay (Lethbridge)

Troy MacKay is an Alberta Sheriff who has been a member of the public service for 14 years. He has provided distinguished support to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta since 2000 and also serves as longstanding volunteer with Alberta Special Olympics.

Irwin Kenneth McNeely (Lethbridge)

Irwin Kenneth McNeely served with the 39th Field Battery, RCA, Lethbridge during the Second World War and has been and active member of the Royal Canadian Legion for over 50 years. He has been a dedicated volunteer who is committed to making his city, province and nation a better place for live and raise a family.

Warrant Officer (Ret'd) Glenn Miller (Lethbridge)

WO (Ret'd) Glenn Miller is a great friend to the veterans of southwestern Alberta. His extensive research has added to the military history and heritage of the artillery in Lethbridge and his work as a visitor to schools, museums, the Legion and seniors homes helps to keep alive our military history and the memory of those who have served. He is Constituency Manager for MLA Bridget Pastoor.

Robert Elliot Moors (Lethbridge)

Following service with the Canadian Armed Forces, Bob Moors returned to Lethbridge for duties with the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires where he is presently a Chief Warrant Officer. He is a member of the Army, Navy and Air Force Association and has been a longstanding volunteer on behalf of his fellow veterans and the community as a whole.

Ian Morgan CD and Faye Morgan CD (Okotoks)

Ian and Faye Morgan have been longstanding community volunteers. They have donated countless hours working with the Alberta Summer Games, helping at community flu shot centres and contributing their time, energy and expertise to the Naval Museum in Calgary.

Lloyd (Loye) Olsen (Cardston)

Loye Olsen, along with his magnificent horses and horse drawn carriages, is a regular fixture at parades, rodeos and special events in Southwestern Alberta. He has donated countless hours over the years leading his horses and carriages and carrying dignitaries and others through parades in virtually every town in the region.

Margaret Roberts (Lethbridge)

Margaret Roberts is a very active and highly regarded member of the Friends of the Galt Museum who has volunteered in every department of the facility and in virtually every capacity, big and small. She was instrumental in planning the Galt's Centennial Celebrations.

Dr. Kenneth Sauer (Medicine Hat)

Kenneth Sauer has made great contributions as a volunteer in the areas of health, sport and community service, both in the community of Medicine Hat and at the provincial level. He is a Member of the Order of Canada and the Alberta Order of Excellence.

Joan Stebbins (Lethbridge) Honorary Degree recipient, 2009

Joan Stebbins established the Southern Alberta Art Gallery as one of Canada's leading contemporary art institutions and has been highly successful in making contemporary art accessible to the public. She is a Member of the Order of Canada and recipient of the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Distinguished Artist Award.

Constable Blaine Stodolka (Lethbridge)

Constable Blaine Stodolka has offered 23 years of exemplary service to the crown through his policing career. He has done extensive work with community groups involved with crime prevention initiatives and has made significant contributions through his volunteer work with the Special Olympic and Safety City Organizations.

Robert Tarleck (Lethbridge)

Bob Tarleck was the 34th Mayor of the City of Lethbridge and has been a great friend to the people and institutions of Lethbridge and surrounding areas. He served as director of volunteers for the Alberta Summer Games in Lethbridge and his efforts to establish positive relations between the City of Lethbridge and Alberta's First Nations led to him being honoured by the Kainai with a name meaning "Owner of Many Horses".

Lorne Vaughan

Citation unavailable at time of publication.

Study opportunities abound

trevor.kenney — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 21:45:30 +0000

Two students with distinctly different backgrounds, fields of study and career goals shared a common experience this summer – one that speaks to the internship opportunities available at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

Courtney Lockhart is a fourth-year political science major who grew up in Lethbridge and sees herself as a future Canadian Foreign Service Officer or human rights activist. Joshua Seerattan is a fourth-year international management major who hails from Edmonton and aspires to work in international trade. This past summer they both took advantage of a 10-week internship program at the Washington Center in Washington, D.C.

"I had an overwhelmingly rewarding summer in D.C.," says Lockhart, who had an internship with Global Centurion, a small, non-profit organization dedicated to fighting modern day slavery and human trafficking.
"I am definitely a more well rounded student after this experience. I gained professional skills that can't be taught in the classroom, and I learned how to transfer my classroom skills to relevant research and a work environment."

Fourth-year student Courtney Lockhart is shown here at the Lincoln Memorial. She was in Washington as part of the Washington Center internship program.

Seerattan's internship found him at the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) Office of International Trade. He was tasked to design questions for a trade exam to be administered to SBA counselors. The goal was to improve their knowledge in facilitating the export of U.S. small business goods and services.

"My work was directly related to my major because it was all about international business," says Seerattan. "The course work I did at the U of L gave me a good understanding of what they wanted and I'd already studied almost all of the material I needed to create the exam."

The Washington Center (TWC) was created in 1975 by William and Sheila Burke as an organization that would provide college students from all backgrounds and income levels with an opportunity to take their classroom learning into a professional internship setting. It is currently the largest academic internship program in the world.

Beyond the internship work, students are able to take evening classes and are a part of the TWC International Affairs program. For Lockhart, the experience was invaluable, reaffirming her desire to work in a Canadian embassy setting but also opening her eyes to whole new areas of interest.

"I have now become passionate about human trafficking issues, human rights and specifically women's rights and issues," she says. "I would really love to spend some of my career working directly with these issues as an activist for non-governmental organizations. I also developed some interest in law school."

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's International Centre for Students (ICS), as well as the Arts & Science Co-Op office, was able to facilitate both Lockhart's and Seerattan's journey after the students expressed an interest in the TWC program. It is one of multiple co-op and internship opportunities available at the U of L.

"My experience in D.C. was something that I could not get anywhere else," says Seerattan. "I'd advise any student to make sure they did an internship somewhere before they graduated. There are so many opportunities available out there and people on campus who will help you make it happen. Don't be lazy, do some research and find an internship that fits you – it's well worth it."

This story first appeared in the September issue of the Legend. To view the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Lasting Images - Iain Baxter&

trevor.kenney — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 18:02:37 +0000

Iain Baxter& is known as one of Canada's foremost conceptual artists. Born in England in 1936, Baxter&'s family moved to Canada a year later, and he spent most of his early career in Vancouver. From 1966-78, Baxter& and artist Ingrid Baxter formed the art collective N.E. Thing Co., which explored the boundaries between corporate advertising, mechanized production and fine art.

Baxter& went on to produce work in a wide variety of media, including drawing, painting, sculpture, photography and film. He is a Professor Emeritus at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Windsor, Ontario while continuing his artistic practice, and in 2003 was designated an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Iain Baxter&, Selections from Reflected Paris Beauty Spots, 1980 | From the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Art Collection; Purchased from the artist, 1985.

In 1980, Baxter& travelled to France to create work for an exhibition held at the Canadian Cultural Centre Paris, entitled Reflets sur polaroid de grains de beauté parisiens (Reflected Paris Beauty Spots).

Baxter& carried a small mirror through Paris and took Polaroid photographs of it, angled to reflect key landmarks and architecture around the city. Baxter& then photographed the original Polaroids against the body of a model, highlighting the contrast between the historical buildings and human flesh.

For the 30th anniversary of Baxter&'s premier Parisian exhibition, the Canadian Culture Centre Paris mounted a retrospective of Baxter&'s work entitled Canadian Perspective, displaying the original Reflected Paris Beauty Spots series (now held in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Art Collection) and other

works spanning five decades of Baxter&'s prolific career.

For a look at the March issue of the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Trend-tracking in action

trevor.kenney — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 04:30:09 +0000

Dr. Reg Bibby knows a thing or two about today's teens.

You may not like their asymmetrical hairdos, nose piercings or ironic t-shirts, but today's teenagers aren't turning Canadian culture on its head, as per the prevailing stereotype. On many levels, today's youth are actually looking better than previous generations, says sociologist and trend-tracker Dr. Reginald Bibby.

The notion of teenagers as threats to the well-being of Canadian society is a prejudicial stereotype that unfairly generalizes all teens. "There seems to be such a pervasive mindset that teens are simply not that likable and lovable," says Bibby.

In reality, quite the opposite is true, according to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge researcher who has been monitoring the attitudes and habits of Canadian teens and adults for three decades. Today's youth are solid citizens and are adjusting well to the new Canada, Bibby reports in his latest book, The Emerging Millennials: How Canada's Newest Generation is Responding to Change and Choice.

Working on Project Teen Canada, a series of national surveys that have examined Canadian teenagers' behaviour and values since 1984, Bibby and Associate Director James Penner completed the most recent installment in 2008. The survey of 5,500 teenagers across the country shows that the millennials are doing well. They're generous and polite. They report the most positive relationships with parents in three decades. The prevalence of vices like smoking, drinking and marijuana use have declined, as have depression, suicide and bullying.

Also on the decline is young people's interest in professional sports, including the beloved National Hockey League (NHL). Only about 50 per cent of young men and 20 per cent of young women follow the NHL. According to Bibby, their lack of interest demonstrates the acceleration of choices, but for an allegedly hockey-crazed country, it's a rather startling discovery that caught the attention of media outlets ranging from the National Post through Canada AM to the New York Times.

All in all, the baby boomer generation's "social experiment" of having both parents employed outside the home has known increasing success as older boomers and post-boomers have improved on how they balance careers and family life.

To quote a famous baby boomer lyric: the kids are all right.

While the large majority has been receptive to Bibby's overall good-news findings, not everyone is convinced. Bibby has found that invariably there are those who are down on teenagers, people who "don't want to be confused by the facts."

But such responses don't phase him. Dismantling tired stereotypes is important to the researcher who has explored social trends since coming to the U of L in 1975. Bibby's areas of myth-breaking have included attributing much teen-adult conflict to adults; questioning the extent to which people are abandoning religion; the importance of not only praising but tapping into our cultural diversity; documenting the limited growth of interest in the National Football League and National Basketball Association and the ongoing interest in the Canadian Football League; and making his most recent case for the elevation of the quality of teenage life in Canada.

Bibby's research philosophy has always been that it doesn't make sense to study trends abstractly; rather, it's essential to question Canadians directly.
"In my mind, if one wants to understand what people are thinking, there's no substitute for asking them," he says. "Therefore, a survey that is carried out well is simply a good conversation with people. It results in learning what Canadians are thinking – rather than telling them."

Disseminating the research is also an important aspect of Bibby's work. Over the years, he's consciously shared and explained his findings with Canadians through his books, media coverage and public presentations across the country.

His commitment to public awareness has not gone unnoticed. This fall, Bibby will receive the 2009 Distinguished Academic Award from the Confederation of Alberta Faculty Associations (CAFA), an award that recognizes the success of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ bringing their scholarly work to the broader community.

Not surprisingly, this isn't his first accolade. Bibby holds a U of L Board of Governors Research Chair in Sociology, has an honorary doctoral degree from Laurentian ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and in 2006 was appointed an officer of the Order of Canada in recognition of his research contributions to the country.

In the aftermath of the 2008 survey, the prolific researcher plans to take a breather from his survey-research. "I want to sit on a rock in some beautiful place and write poetry," he jokes. Instead of focusing on data collection, Bibby plans to spend more time analyzing the data he has accumulated and turn his attention to a new book on religion in Canada – Beyond the Gods and Back.

And, of course, he'll continue to hold up that mirror to Canadians.

"I really have been fortunate not only to do research but also to teach and make presentations that allow me to see to what extent people recognize themselves in the findings. It has made the research come alive."

Bibby is the author of 12 best-selling books with total sales of close to 150,000 copies. His research has received extensive media coverage and has been seen as the feature story on the cover of Maclean's on several occasions.

Bowie to Chair homelessness secretariat

trevor.kenney — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 17:17:11 +0000

Dr. Gary Bowie, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Professor Emeritus and long-time advocate of ending homelessness, is the new Chair of the Alberta Secretariat for Action on Homelessness.

"I am honoured to be working with Dr. Bowie. His depth of experience and insight into ending homelessness makes him the ideal person to guide the goals and vision of the Secretariat," says Jonathan Denis, minister of Housing and Urban Affairs. "I also want to thank former Chair Wayne Stewart for his outstanding work with the Secretariat."

Bowie has been working on homelessness issues for over a decade. As the former Chair of Social Housing in Action, he led a multi-sector community-initiative that developed a plan to end homelessness in the city of Lethbridge.

"I embrace this new opportunity and I look forward to taking on the challenges of finding ways to address specific issues such as preventing homelessness," says Bowie. "By working together with our community partners, we will fulfill our vision to end homelessness by implementing meaningful measures that transform the lives of homeless Albertans."

Two new members were also named to the board of the Secretariat. Mike Ellis is a Calgary police officer who has worked closely with homeless people and Patricia Mackenzie is a former Edmonton city councillor. Board member Jane Manning has been appointed to the position of Vice-Chair of the Secretariat.

Markin promoted to Order of Canada

trevor.kenney — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 20:37:18 +0000

Dr. Allan Markin, a ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Honorary Degree recipient (2006), oil and gas industry entrepreneur and philanthropist, was promoted to an Officer of the Order of Canada by Governor General Michaelle Jean Wednesday, Apr. 7 at Rideau Hall.

Markin was one of 43 individuals to participate in the Order of Canada ceremony, which was created in 1967 (Canada's centennial year) to recognize a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation.

Since its creation, more than 5,000 people from all sectors of society have been invested into the Order.

Markin represents one of Canada's great entrepreneurial success stories. Since 1989, he has helped to build Canadian Natural Resources Limited from a small company of six employees into one of Canada's largest independent oil and gas producers.

A generous philanthropist with a special interest in health and wellness, he endowed a Chair in health promotion at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary, and helped establish a public health institute there.

He also supports education and the arts, and has been a benefactor to Northern Lights College, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and St. Mary's ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ College.

Markin Hall, currently under construction on the U of L campus, bears his name in recognition of his key role in the Legacy of Leadership campaign, which raised more than $35 million to support scholarships and other academic endeavours at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

Markin received an Honorary Degree from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in 2006 and delivered the address to the graduands.

A complete list of the most recent Order of Canada recipients can be found at this website.

Significant And Mentionable

trevor.kenney — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 20:46:27 +0000

Global connections

When you think of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's global reach, you might not initially think of a connection to the current war in Afghanistan. However, that's just where some members of the U of L student and alumni community are right now, based in Kandahar, Afghanistan, literally and figuratively one of the world's hot spots.

Bombardier Keenan Geiger (left) is a current fourth-year Edmonton campus management student majoring in Human Resources. Now taking a break from school, he is on a seven-month deployment in Afghanistan as a reserve member of the Canadian Forces. His unit is part of the 20th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, based in Edmonton. Geiger shows off a U of L flag with Cpl. Andrew McDonald (middle) who graduated in 2006 with a bachelor of arts in political science, and (right) Calgary police officer and Lt. Kevin Collier, who holds a bachelor of management degree in accounting, which he obtained in 2004. U of L alumnus Tyler Paynton (BA '07), a member of the 18th Air Defence Regiment in Lethbridge, is also serving in Afghanistan but was not able to be in the photograph.

To send a brief message to Geiger or his colleagues in Afghanistan, e-mail: sam@uleth.ca

Grading education

This past fall, U of L researcher and veteran educator Dr. Noella Piquette-Tomei was one of only a handful of Canadians invited to participate in the Return to Salamanca: Global Conference on Inclusive Education. There, she and fellow experts reviewed the Salamanca Statement and Framework for Action on Special Needs Education, an understanding signed by all members of the United Nations that pledges to further inclusive education, providing all children with opportunities to learn.

As a result of the conference, she has been asked to contribute to a case-study book that will be used across Canada by pre-service teachers and community workers for strategies when facing various disabilities.

Win President Bill Cade's car

Who is Michael Nolan? It's a question that's been murmured repeatedly around campus over the past few months. On Feb. 22, 2010, the surprising answer was revealed: a 1984 BMW 325e.

The car, which President Bill Cade bought brand new, was fondly named Michael Nolan after a distant family member who provided a trust fund for Cade's mother. In the spirit of giving back, Cade has donated the long-loved BMW to the Students' Union to be raffled off in support of student scholarships.

Tickets are $5 each or three for $12 and are on sale until the end of the semester, at a variety of functions, and from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays at the Students' Union office (SU180), the Advancement Office in ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall (A735) and the SU Service Centre in the SU Building.

For details about the car and to watch a video of President Bill Cade with Michael Nolan, visit: www.uleth.ca/unews/content/nolan-campaign-benefit-students

MythBusters prove science is cool

On Feb. 6, 2010, MythBusters Grant Imahara and Tory Belleci made a public presentation at the U of L as part of the Science Alberta Foundation's Science Happens Here program.

Those lucky enough to score tickets to the sold-out evening heard Belleci and Imahara speak candidly about their path to stardom, their craziest stunts and other personal trivia like favourite movies and songs on iTunes. But more importantly, audience members young and old were exposed to the fact that science has relevance.

"One of our founding goals was to encourage young Albertans to enter careers in science and technology, by fostering an interest in these areas," explains Dr. Arlene Ponting, CEO, Science Alberta Foundation. "We were pleased to work with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in delivering this unique event, as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ showcases some of the most innovative science in the province."

Chillin' for Charity

In late November, the student-run Jeux du Commerce (JDC) West 2010 Team hosted Chillin' for Charity, an

President Bill Cade takes a dip for charity.

event that raised approximately $15,000 for the United Way. Always willing to give back, U of L President Bill Cade was the first to jump into the icy cold water.

Whishaw earns prestigious ASTech award

Dr. Ian Whishaw, a founding member of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's pioneering neuroscience research group and a leader in behavioural neuroscience research internationally, was awarded the 2009 Alberta Science and Technology Outstanding Leadership in Alberta Science award.

Whishaw, who is among a select group of Alberta's top scientists and innovators to receive the award, is one of the top contributors to the field of behavioural neuroscience, and based on citations, is one of the 200 most influential neuroscientists in the world.

Mrazek presents at Copenhagen conference

In late December, Dr. Rick Mrazek returned from the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen where he was presenting his research on Rivers and Oceans and Water Under Fire. The topics of Mrazek's research include the negative impact of the northern Alberta tar sands, Canadian water consumption in relation to other countries, global assistance in terms of water and the dire state of the world's water supply.

Athletic accolades

On Nov. 5, 2009, fifth-year ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge fly-half/fullback Ashley Patzer was named player of the year in Canadian Interuniversity Sport women's rugby for the second time in her career. The five-foot-two Lethbridge native became the third double MVP since women's rugby was added to the CIS program in 1998.

Both Patzer and teammate Ashley MacDonald were named to the All-Canadian team. It is the second straight honour for MacDonald and fourth overall for Patzer.

U of L Pronghorns women's rugby coach, Neil Langevin, was also recognized. Langevin was the first coach from a Canada West women's rugby program to be named CIS coach of the year.

The girl in the picture

Kim Phuc graced the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge campus on Feb. 10, 2010, and shared a powerful message. Phuc, a Vietnamese-Canadian, is widely known as "the girl in the picture" for her role in an iconic photo taken during the Vietnam War.

On June 8, 1972, Phuc's village of Trang Bang came under attack by South Vietnamese planes, which mistakenly dropped napalm in an area where the North Vietnamese were infiltrating. While running for safety, nine-year-old Phuc was severely burned. The now famous photograph instantly became evidence of the cruelty of war toward child victims and a symbol of civilian suffering in war.

Nearly 40 years later, Phuc uses her experiences to advocate for peace and forgiveness. While on campus, she made a presentation to students and was the guest speaker at the 18th Annual International Dinner, A Celebration of Humanity.

U of L's iGEM team is golden

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge iGEM team won a gold medal at Massachusetts Institute of Technology iGEM International competition in Boston, Mass., at the end of October.

A total of 112 teams vied for gold, silver and bronze medals. Only 10 Canadian teams received gold medals, three of which went to teams in Alberta.

The iGEM competition is regarded as the premier undergraduate synthetic biology competition in North America. Student teams are given a kit of biological parts at the beginning of the summer from the Registry of Standard Biological Parts. Working at their own schools over the summer, they use these parts, along with new parts of their own design, to build biological systems. They then operate these systems in living cells.

The U of L team, led by Dr. Hans-Joachim Wieden, included Roxanne Shank, Alix Blackshaw, Lisza Bruder, Ashley Duncan, Fan Mo, Mackenzie Coatham, Megan Torry, Jeffrey Fischer and Kristen Rosler.

Daycare dream realized

It was a big day for some of the smallest members of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community. On Feb. 25, 2010, the U of L proudly celebrated the grand opening of its new Daycare. A long-envisioned dream, the $2 million project was completed on time and on budget. The facility, located near the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ residences, has space for 54 children and includes a large outdoor play area.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ moves up in rankings

In the 2009 Maclean's magazine annual ranking of Canadian universities, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge moved up one spot – from seventh to sixth – and retained its place in the top 10 listing of 22 primarily undergraduate institutions.

As well, the U of L maintained or increased its placement in 10 different measures, among them the amount of support for student services and scholarships and the number of awards per full-time faculty members.

While noteworthy results, the rankings do not include several items that show additional investment in student resources and do not reflect the U of L's focus on graduate studies.

"We increased our student scholarships and bursaries significantly, which increased our ranking, but those figures do not include an additional $2.4 million our students receive through the Alberta scholarship program," reminds U of L President Bill Cade. "As well, as we move forward with our strategic plan and continue to develop as a comprehensive research university, there's no accommodation for our dramatic increase in masters and doctoral candidates in our School of Graduate Studies."

In a separate national ranking focused on research, the U of L moved up three places as one of Canada's top 50 research universities. The results were released by Research Infosource Inc. and based on Statistics Canada data and the Research Infosource Canadian ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ R&D database.

With a 22 per cent increase in funding, well ahead of the national average of six per cent, the U of L's gain demonstrates the institution's strength in key research areas.

"During the reporting period (2007-08), our research funding increased from $13 million to more than $16 million, and moved us up from 38th to 35th place, in the middle range of the top 50 group," explains U of L Vice-President, Research, Dr. Dan Weeks.

"Our researchers should be extremely proud of this accomplishment – it is proof that the U of L is successfully moving forward in many directions. Even in a tough economy, we are seeing great success. I am pleased that we were among the top 15 universities to record significant percentages of overall research growth."

To view the entire issue of SAM in a flipbook format, visit this link.

UNews - Officer

Closing de Grandmaison

Each face, with its deep lines, juxtaposing colours and gentle strokes, tells a story – a story of honour, dignity and character; joy and sorrow; life and death – a story of a people in the midst of transition.

By capturing the faces of Canada's First Nations people, painter Nicholas de Grandmaison (1892 – 1978) left a deeply personal record of history.

A Russian aristocrat forced out of his homeland, a prisoner of war and eventually an immigrant to Canada, de Grandmaison felt an intimate connection to the First Nations people and empathized with the massive cultural changes they were forced to endure during the mid-20th century.

From the 1930s up until his death, de Grandmaison was struck with an urgency to paint the Plains Indians because he believed their way of life was quickly disappearing.

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The faces of history

Each face, with its deep lines, juxtaposing colours and gentle strokes, tells a story – a story of honour, dignity and character; joy and sorrow; life and death – a story of a people in the midst of transition.

By capturing the faces of Canada's First Nations people, painter Nicholas de Grandmaison (1892 – 1978) left a deeply personal record of history.

A Russian aristocrat forced out of his homeland, a prisoner of war and eventually an immigrant to Canada, de Grandmaison felt an intimate connection to the First Nations people and empathized with the massive cultural changes they were forced to endure during the mid-20th century.

From the 1930s up until his death, de Grandmaison was struck with an urgency to paint the Plains Indians because he believed their way of life was quickly disappearing.

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