Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

Recent events has brought issues of treaties, reserves, land claims, and the Indian Act to the forefront of political discourse in Canada. The speaker has written extensively on aboriginal history, culture and politics and has a keen understanding of the relationship between Aboriginal Peoples and the Government of Canada. As part of the U of L Native Awareness Week, the speaker will explain the many issues involved regarding the Indian Act. He will also discuss whether a very different relationship between Aboriginal Peoples and the Government of Canada is necessary in order to effect real change and lasting co-operation. Speaker: Paul Chartrand LL.M. Paul Chartrand is now providing consulting and advisory services on Aboriginal issues following a university career specializing in law and policy relating to indigenous peoples. He is from the Metis community of St Laurent Manitoba. He has held academic appointments in universities in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the USA, including that of tenured Professor of Law at the College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan, Visiting Scholar at Australian National University in Canberra and Director of the Aboriginal Governance graduate program at the University of Winnipeg. The author of some 60 publications, he has advised indigenous organizations on domestic and international issues, including the UN Declaration on The Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Canadian First Ministers Conferences on Aboriginal Constitutional Reform (1984-1991). He served as a commissioner on the federal Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP), the Manitoba Aboriginal Justice Implementation Commission (AJIC), and as a founding director of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation. He was also the first President and CEO of the Institute on Indigenous Government in Vancouver. Moderator: Linda Many Guns Date: Thursday, March 6, 2014 Time: 4:00 – 6:00 pm Location: Room PE275, First Choice Saving Centre, University of Lethbridge Free event, free parking, everyone welcome

Arden Shibley just returned from the Sochi Winter Olympic Games after spending more than two weeks experiencing Russia’s first attempt at hosting such winter games. In words and pictures, he will speak about and depict the nature of Sochi as a city, and the effects the Olympics had on it. He will also discuss if terrorist threats affected the mood and movement of athletes, tourists and locals alike. Did controversial homophobic laws in Russia affect the games and people? How well prepared was Sochi for the Olympics? Was media coverage restricted in any way? What were the generally best and worst experiences for visitors and competitors at the games? With the speaker’s camera and keen observance, we get an inside look at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. Speaker: Arden Shibley Arden Shibley is a second year New Media student at the University of Lethbridge. He also owns a local business as a professional photographer. Originally from Calgary, Arden moved to graphic design and photography following a number of years competing as a speed skater at the Olympic Oval there. After placing successfully in several photo and design competitions leading up to and during his first year of University, Arden became involved with local film and video productions and eventually began covering the World Cup Circuit and Olympic Team Selection events. Carrying the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch was the start of his passion with the games and while working to find a niche in the photography industry, Arden secured funding to travel to the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games as an independent journalist. Moderator: Dylan Purcell Date: Thursday, March 6, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)

For the past several months, two “hot button” topics are often leading the headlines in our local media. The proposed move by the province to centralize 911 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Dispatch Centres and the planned application by Goldenkey Oil Inc. to drill exploratory wells within municipal boundaries in West Lethbridge are issues that have garnered attention in our community. SACPA will be hosting Greg Weadick, MLA for Lethbridge West, as he addresses the Government of Alberta’s plans for Lethbridge, including EMS dispatch consolidation and the impact that potential future resource development may have on residential areas. Additionally, Mr. Weadick will discuss current issues within the Legislature including public sector pensions, collective bargaining rights, and how he plans to represent his vision for the future of Lethbridge in the upcoming Spring 2014 session. Speaker: Greg Weadick, MLA for Lethbridge West Greg Weadick was elected to his second term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Lethbridge-West on April 23, 2012. Currently serving as the Associate Minister of Recovery and Reconstruction of Southeast Alberta and member of the Southern Alberta Recovery Ministerial Task Force, Mr. Weadick has also held cabinet positions as the Minister of Advanced Education and Technology, as well as Associate Minister of Municipal Affairs. He has served on many all-party committees within the Legislative Assembly, including the Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services, the Standing Committee on the Economy and the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. Mr. Weadick has deep roots in Lethbridge, being the fourth generation of his family to call the city home. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Lethbridge in 1976 before beginning his career as a certified irrigation design consultant. He has also owned and operated several successful small businesses in Lethbridge. Mr. Weadick served on Lethbridge City council for nine years starting in 1991 and has volunteered with many local organizations in leadership roles. Moderator: Cameron MacLennan Date: Thursday, February 27, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)

For the past several months, two “hot button” topics are often leading the headlines in our local media. The proposed move by the province to centralize 911 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Dispatch Centres and the planned application by Goldenkey Oil Inc. to drill exploratory wells within municipal boundaries in West Lethbridge are issues that have garnered attention in our community. SACPA will be hosting Greg Weadick, MLA for Lethbridge West, as he addresses the Government of Alberta’s plans for Lethbridge, including EMS dispatch consolidation and the impact that potential future resource development may have on residential areas. Additionally, Mr. Weadick will discuss current issues within the Legislature including public sector pensions, collective bargaining rights, and how he plans to represent his vision for the future of Lethbridge in the upcoming Spring 2014 session. Speaker: Greg Weadick, MLA for Lethbridge West Greg Weadick was elected to his second term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Lethbridge-West on April 23, 2012. Currently serving as the Associate Minister of Recovery and Reconstruction of Southeast Alberta and member of the Southern Alberta Recovery Ministerial Task Force, Mr. Weadick has also held cabinet positions as the Minister of Advanced Education and Technology, as well as Associate Minister of Municipal Affairs. He has served on many all-party committees within the Legislative Assembly, including the Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services, the Standing Committee on the Economy and the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. Mr. Weadick has deep roots in Lethbridge, being the fourth generation of his family to call the city home. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Lethbridge in 1976 before beginning his career as a certified irrigation design consultant. He has also owned and operated several successful small businesses in Lethbridge. Mr. Weadick served on Lethbridge City council for nine years starting in 1991 and has volunteered with many local organizations in leadership roles. Moderator: Cameron MacLennan Date: Thursday, February 27, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)

Pesticides have played a great role in the green revolution by improving food production around the world and helping reduce disease transmission by insect vectors. Since Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring was published, there has been greater awareness of the fate and transport of pesticides in the environment, and studies on their potential impacts on both human and animal health have led to bans of several chemicals such as organochlorines and DDT. As new pesticides and technologies become available to growers, as climate change is impacting agriculture and as public concerns are rising, how will science contribute to better and smarter crop protection? Speaker: Dr. Claudia Sheedy Dr. Sheedy obtained her undergraduate degree at Université Laval in Quebec City, her M.Sc. at the University of Guelph and her Ph.D. at the University of Guelph in collaboration with the Institute for Biological Sciences of the National Research Council in Ottawa. Dr. Sheedy’s research interests consist mainly of trace residue analysis of pesticides, veterinary antibiotics and livestock estrogens in water by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and immunochemistry. Dr. Sheedy loves the Rocky Mountains, and enjoys skiing, hiking, mountain biking and ice climbing. Moderator: Klaus Jericho Date: Thursday, February 20, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)

Pesticides have played a great role in the green revolution by improving food production around the world and helping reduce disease transmission by insect vectors. Since Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring was published, there has been greater awareness of the fate and transport of pesticides in the environment, and studies on their potential impacts on both human and animal health have led to bans of several chemicals such as organochlorines and DDT. As new pesticides and technologies become available to growers, as climate change is impacting agriculture and as public concerns are rising, how will science contribute to better and smarter crop protection? Speaker: Dr. Claudia Sheedy Dr. Sheedy obtained her undergraduate degree at Université Laval in Quebec City, her M.Sc. at the University of Guelph and her Ph.D. at the University of Guelph in collaboration with the Institute for Biological Sciences of the National Research Council in Ottawa. Dr. Sheedy’s research interests consist mainly of trace residue analysis of pesticides, veterinary antibiotics and livestock estrogens in water by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and immunochemistry. Dr. Sheedy loves the Rocky Mountains, and enjoys skiing, hiking, mountain biking and ice climbing. Moderator: Klaus Jericho Date: Thursday, February 20, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)

The official opposition Wildrose Party has, since April 2012, observed Alberta’s provincial government experience many controversies, including oil sands management, resource development, the delivery of health care and Premier Allison Redford’s style of governing. The speaker will discuss some of the urgent issues facing the province of Alberta in 2014 and sketch some alternatives to the direction in which the Progressive Conservative party has chosen to govern. In particular he will speak to examples of red tape and bureaucracy that is presently apparent, while explaining how MLA’s will be better able to serve the interests of their constituents under a Wildrose Government. Speaker: Gary Bikman, MLA for Cardston Taber Warner Gary Bikman was elected April 23, 2012 and is presently the Official Opposition critic for Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour. He serves on the standing committees on “Resource Stewardship” and also on “Legislative Offices”. Gary was born and raised in Lethbridge and as a young man he lived in Sweden for two and a half years. He earned his B.Sc. Degree and an MBA at Brigham Young University. Gary has had extensive business experience, having owned and managed an oilfield service company for 25 years. He is also an educator. For many years he taught high school students a class on ethics and morality each weekday morning before school started. Gary taught Management Skills Development at the University of Lethbridge and Life Skills and Employability to trades students at Lethbridge College. Over the years, Gary was elected to several terms in municipal government and has served as Stirling’s mayor, deputy mayor and as a councillor.

Freedom of Speech: What does it Mean to You? The fifth annual Student Speaker Challenge kicked off on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014 with a total of eight students competing in this year’s event addressing the question: “Freedom of Speech: What Does it Mean to You? SACPA, LPIRG and the U of L Student Union are collaborating to supply financial and promotional support for the Student Speaker Challenge in addition to the encouragement University of Lethbridge provides. A panel of judges will determine who wins the competition, with a prize of $1000 going to the overall winner. Second place will receive $500 and $250 prizes will be awarded to the two students not advancing past the semifinals. All eight competitors will receive U of L Bookstore certificates worth $35. The Student Speaker Challenge final session will be held in the Markin Hall Atrium on Thursday, Feb 13 from 7 – 8:30 pm. The two Finalists competing for the $1000 first prize are Courtney Rieger and Abby Morning Bull. The two finalists will each speak for approx. 25 minutes before the winner is declared.

The official opposition Wildrose Party has, since April 2012, observed Alberta’s provincial government experience many controversies, including oil sands management, resource development, the delivery of health care and Premier Allison Redford’s style of governing. The speaker will discuss some of the urgent issues facing the province of Alberta in 2014 and sketch some alternatives to the direction in which the Progressive Conservative party has chosen to govern. In particular he will speak to examples of red tape and bureaucracy that is presently apparent, while explaining how MLA’s will be better able to serve the interests of their constituents under a Wildrose Government. Speaker: Gary Bikman, MLA for Cardston Taber Warner Gary Bikman was elected April 23, 2012 and is presently the Official Opposition critic for Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour. He serves on the standing committees on “Resource Stewardship” and also on “Legislative Offices”. Gary was born and raised in Lethbridge and as a young man he lived in Sweden for two and a half years. He earned his B.Sc. Degree and an MBA at Brigham Young University. Gary has had extensive business experience, having owned and managed an oilfield service company for 25 years. He is also an educator. For many years he taught high school students a class on ethics and morality each weekday morning before school started. Gary taught Management Skills Development at the University of Lethbridge and Life Skills and Employability to trades students at Lethbridge College. Over the years, Gary was elected to several terms in municipal government and has served as Stirling’s mayor, deputy mayor and as a councillor.

Freedom of Speech: What does it Mean to You? The fifth annual Student Speaker Challenge kicked off on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014 with a total of eight students competing in this year’s event addressing the question: “Freedom of Speech: What Does it Mean to You? SACPA, LPIRG and the U of L Student Union are collaborating to supply financial and promotional support for the Student Speaker Challenge in addition to the encouragement University of Lethbridge provides. A panel of judges will determine who wins the competition, with a prize of $1000 going to the overall winner. Second place will receive $500 and $250 prizes will be awarded to the two students not advancing past the semifinals. All eight competitors will receive U of L Bookstore certificates worth $35. The Student Speaker Challenge final session will be held in the Markin Hall Atrium on Thursday, Feb 13 from 7 – 8:30 pm. The two Finalists competing for the $1000 first prize are Courtney Rieger and Abby Morning Bull. The two finalists will each speak for approx. 25 minutes before the winner is declared.