A Drumheller woman has been recognized for her service to the aboriginal community.
    Donna Leeking received the Dorothy Daniels Justice Award, and was presented at the Esquao Awards in Edmonton earlier this year. These are awards put on by the Institute of the Advancement of Aboriginal Women (IAAW).
    She is grateful for her chance to excel.
    “That hand was extended to me, and I am all about paying it forward. I am a real self help person, I love to see people take a look at their lives and deal with their problems in a good way,” she said.
    Leeking, a proud Métis, was born and raised in Drumheller. She left for a few years and began working in social services. She returned home and started her career at the Drumheller Institution. Leeking has been working at the Drumheller Institution for more than 30 years. She is the Aboriginal Corrections Program Officer, and facilitates a violence program for aboriginals.
    “Corrections Canada has been very good to me, they allowed me to promote myself,” she said. “What they did for me, I do it for them… they even helped me to be proud of being native, which I wasn’t.”
    This is not her first award. She has received two medals for her exemplary service, as well as the Queen’s Jubilee Medal. She attributes some of her success to having strong role models.
    “I believe that because I was raised by my Kokum (grandmother), taught strong values,” she said. “My uncle Wilf Cunningham mentored me. He worked in corrections as an aboriginal liaison. These were two really strong people in my life who taught me well.”
    Elder Elsie Winnipeg nominated her, and Debbie Anderson, Manager of Assessment and Interventions at the Drumheller Institution, and Marilyn Kenny regional vice chair of the Parole Board of Canada, Prairie Region, supported her nomination.
    Unbeknownst to Leeking, her image is being used in a television campaign for the IAAW. She learned she was on TV from some of the people she works with.
    “One of the inmates said, ‘You’re a movie star now,’ ” she said. “Then I got a couple calls from people in the community who saw me on TV.”
    According to its website, the IAAW promotes the self-determination of aboriginal women who contribute to the well being of their communities, promotes personal growth of the recipients, and gives  encouragement for those in the audience. Leeking was awarded at the 16th annual Esquao Awards.

    It’s no secret that the area in and around the Drumheller Valley is home to a great many talented artists, musicians, dancers, and artisans, and September 30 to October 2 this community will be celebrating Alberta Art Days in Drumheller. 
    With funding from the Government of Alberta, the Canadian Badlands Passion Play, Downtown Drumheller, East Coulee School Museum, and the Canadian Badlands Artists Association have come together to host a weekend of events to showcase our local talent.
    “It’s exciting to be able to partner with other arts and culture groups in the valley to host an event like this in Drumheller. We have so much talent locally, it’s always great to be able to show it off,” says Mike Todor, member of the Canadian Badlands Artists Association.
    All events are completely free to take in. The weekend kicks off Friday night at the East Coulee School Museum with doors opening at 6:30 pm. Crowd favorites, The Fire Coulee Bandits are set to take the stage at 7 pm followed by another local group, Roadside Attraction.
    A roving living statue will be making appearances throughout the night. Refreshments and snacks will be available in support of the East Coulee School Museum.
    The festivities continue on Saturday afternoon in downtown Drumheller from noon to 6 pm. The Hoodoo Voodoos and the Lannigan Band will take the stage throughout the afternoon. Cameo appearances will also be made by students from Carol Todor dance school as well as by members of Kaleidoscope Theatre.
    The Canadian Badlands Artists Association will be on site displaying some of their work, operating a photo booth, and will have a space for kids to create their own works of art with sidewalk chalk. They will also be hosting photography and painting demonstrations accompanied by Question and answer sessions throughout the day; so be sure to bring your camera or paintbrush down for some helpful hints.
    The Farmer’s Market will also move downtown from its usual location from 1 to 4 pm to help promote the ‘art’ of buying locally. Other local artisans will also be on hand displaying their work. Equinox Arts and Culture Society, a new local group dedicated to supporting and strengthening non-profit organizations in building and sustaining healthy communities, will be offering up some delicious BBQ meals for a small fee.
    Saturday evening come see the badlands of the Drumheller Valley on the silver screen. The Napier Theatre will be screening Warner Brothers Picture’s Academy Award winning film Unforgiven starring Clint Eastwood and Gene Hackman at 7:30 pm. Space will be limited so be sure to arrive early.
    The weekend finishes off with the opening reception of the new exhibit in the gallery at the Drumheller Public Library from 1-3 pm on Sunday, October 2.
    Art Days in Drumheller is part of the celebrations occurring throughout the province during Alberta Arts Days 2011. Alberta Arts Days, which is part of National Culture Days and runs from September 30 to October 2, is all about discovering, experiencing and celebrating our unique blend of peoples and passions, and the importance of arts and culture to a healthy and vibrant Alberta. To learn more, visit www.AlbertaArtsDays.ca.