Search

The article presents news briefs from Alberta, Canada which occurred in the year 2011. Wildfires in May led to the evacuation of members of First Nations including Whitefish Lake, Lubicon Lake, and Fort MacKay. The Supreme Court of Canada rendered a verdict in the case Cunningham v. Alberta concerning membership in the Métis Nation. The Caribou Recovery Strategy developed by Environment Canada was criticised by First Nations leaders.

The article focuses on Alberta's electricity transmission highway. In 2009 the electricity system is operating near maximum capacity more frequently and for longer periods of time. The plan of the electricity administrators is to strengthen the major areas of the system and reduce the risk of electrical outages.

A calendar of events for the aboriginal people in Alberta in 2014 is presented which includes the 15th Annual Intertribal Gathering, 116th Annual Arlee Celebration, and the 30th Annual Great Mohican Powwow.

This section offers news briefs on the Aboriginal community in Alberta. Madame Justice B. A. Browne rejected arguments to strike down court action initiative by Beaver Lake Cree Nation. The Court of Appeal concluded that the Crown is not responsible in advising the Blood Tribe concerning taxation. Alison Redford and the Progressive Conservatives have won in the April 23, 2012 election.

The article provides information on the 2010 top Aborigine achievers and newsmakers in Alberta. It claims that those who were able to make it to list were chosen based on the impact they have on the Aboriginal population in the area. It lists Harry Sharphead of the Enoch Cree First Nation, Kehewin school principal Linda Gadwa and the Imagination Group president Marie Delorme.

The article offers information on the 2010 top 10 educational to human rights issues concerning the Aboriginal people in Alberta. It notes that the break up of the corporate board committee of the Northlands School Division (NSD) is the most surprising news of the year. It likewise lists the news on the memorandum which was signed on February 24 requiring the five participating parties to provide a better future for the children in Tsuu T'ina First Nation as the second.

The article presents news briefs from Alberta. Assembly of First Nation Chief Phil Fontaine will be awarded the Doctor of Laws honourary degree from the University of Calgary. Research has revealed that symptoms for heart attack are different among First Nations people. The Ta O'tha Community School, the new kindergarten to grade 12 school, was officially opened on May 1, 2009.

The article reports that the living descendants of the Papaschase band in southern Alberta will not give up their land rights despite a 2008 ruling of the Supreme Court of Canada. Chief Rose Lameman of the Papaschase said they will not leave their lands and they may take the case to international court. Lameman further declared that the ruling shows that the court has no responsibility in the legal and fiduciary obligations to the Indian treaty.

A list of Aboriginal scholarships in Alberta is presented. The scholarships available for Aboriginal students include the University of Alberta Scholarships, the Edmonton Métis Cultural Dance Society Community Scholarships - Post Secondary and the AlPac Aboriginal Education Partnership Program.

The article reports on the election of Willie Littlechild as the regional chief of Alberta's Assembly of First Nations. Incumbent chief Jason Goodstriker finished third in the elections. Littlechild will be expected to take the treaty rights perspective to Ottawa when he attends his first national executive meeting.

The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, and particularly its Aboriginal population, celebrated the grand opening of a new Aboriginal student center at the institutes' main campus in Edmonton, Alberta, on December 2. The center is just one part of a larger campaign called the Aboriginal Educational Success Initiative, chaired by Mel Benson, a recent winner of the National Aboriginal Achievement Award in the business and commerce category. A generous donation of $1 million from EnCana Corp., a multi-billion player in the oil and gas industry, helped make the student center a reality.

This article focuses on the author's personal experience about Christmas celebration. The author says that in Edmonton, Alberta, she attended some of the events during Mentis Week, a walk for National Addictions Awareness Week, and the conference on Healing Our Spirits. She further says that she had a chance to sit and talk with Mable Courtorielle from Slave Lake at the Mentis General Assembly held in August where she received the Governor General's Jubilee Medal for her efforts and advocacy in welfare matters, as well as for volunteering with several organizations as a board member.

Artists George Jones and Patty Loveless performed for more than 150 people at the concert "Tribute to Country Artists of Yesterday and Today" in Edmonton, Alberta, on November 22. The event was organized by the firm JCD productions, a husband and wife operation out of Sherwood Park. Debra Patenaude of JCD, said that this is their first step in providing Aboriginal people with an opportunity to promote their talents in the field of entertainment. Patenaude also said that she would like to see the show travel to different communities.

The author of the article spent his summer time in the Indian country with the most wonderful, friendly and respectful people in Alberta, enjoying tea made beside a campfire, and listening to their stories. It was also great for him to see hundreds of people meet and greet one another at powwows, treaty day celebrations, at the pilgrimage at Lac Ste. Anne. The five bands did not let anyone know until they had a number of concerns ironed out, said Jimmy Giroux, a Lesser Slave Lake Riverboat Queen board member. The author sat through most of the talent show during the Cold Lake First Nation Treaty Days celebration and enjoyed the musicians and singers.

This section offers news briefs on Alberta as of February 1, 2015. These include the negotiations of Cold Lake area chiefs and Keyano Pimee Exploration Co. Ltd. with Indus Energy NL to farm in to Cold Lake oil sands, a national conference to be held to honour murdered and missing indigenous women of Canada on May 25-27, 2015 and the search for new leaders by two opposition parties in Alberta.

The article offers information on the Renaissance Tower complex for the senior and handicapped residents in Alberta. It sates that the complex offers safe and comfortable living at affordable rate. It notes that it provides housing for Aboriginals and people with disabilities over 55 years old. It mentions that it has been accepting residents since December 2013.

The article reports on the decision of the Yellowhead Tribal College (YBC) and Tribal Chiefs Employment and Learning to offer online education to aboriginal students in the remote areas of Northern Alberta. YTC is offering some of its courses, which comprise the Management Study program, online. Tribal Chiefs is developing a survey which focuses primarily on its apprentices in northern Alberta, to look at retention issues.

The article discusses the minimal concern of the Alberta Government for the interest of First Nations people when the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) decided to delay its decision on the Jackpine mine expansion for 35 days instead of the 90-days delay requested.

The article reveals that Vivian Manasc of Manasc Isaac Architects found renewed hope and a brighter future after her firm became instrumental in rebuilding Slave Lake in Canada after the 2011 fire. Manasc are urging other First Nations members to design sustainable buildings that are resilient and climate-adaptable. She also recommends waterproofing basements, installing more sump pumps and investing in back-up generators.

The article reports on the flooding and heavy rain that forced the evacuation of members of the First Nation communities of Siksika, Tsuu T'ina and Stoney Nakoda Morley, and affected Morley and Eden Valley in Alberta on June 20, 2013. States of local emergency were declared and estimates show the number of residents who were forced to evacuate their homes. A funding package has been allocated by Premier Alison Redford as part of the first phase of emergency recovery and reconstruction.

The article reports on the difficulty of families to obtain access to the year old government care in Alberta. It states that an undisclosed grandmother and her granddaugher had difficulty of obtaining the government care access after she filed for filed for guardianship for the baby at the Alberta Human Services attributed to the injuries he obtained during birth. Moreover, it mentions that she and her family still do not obtained guardianship since they filed it January 2013.

The article presents updates related to indigenous arts in Alberta in 2012. Siksika First Nation's Treff Deerfoot performed the Men's Old Style Traditional Dance during the anniversary celebrations for Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo Jump Interpretive Centre. The Everyone's a Dreamer school tour was launched by country/rock musician Clayton Bellamy in March. Co-directors Jesse Gouchey and Xstine Cook have joined the imagineNative Film and Media Arts Festival held in Toronto, Ontario in October.

The article focuses on the statement issued by Alberta's Aboriginal Relations Minister Robin Campbell on January 29, 2013 that his government will not consider resource revenue sharing with First Nations. At the Western Aboriginal Consultation and Negotiation forum, he told the audience that they will work together to make sure the First Nations, Métis and Inuit are full participants in the province's success.

The article announces that a referendum on whether a 131-hectare parcel of resort land should maintain designation for recreational, residential and commercial use will take place both on the Siksika First Nation and in Calgary, Alberta on December 12, 2012. Siksika member Kelly Breaker comments on the implications of the ballot question and the absence of meaningful or comprehensive consultation. The benefits and drawbacks of a new land designation is also discussed.

The article reports that the government of Alberta has approved the Northern Gateway Pipeline project, according to Aboriginal groups and environmental organizations. Ron Kruhlak, counsel for the government, said that the assumptions of Richard Neufeld, counsel for Northern Gateway, were incorrect. Alexander First Nations did not pass on questioning the government panel.

The article reports that the family of Jackie Crazybull, who was killed in a random attack, is losing hope that the case will be solved after five years. The case is in the hands of the Unsolved Homicides Unit of the Calgary Police Service (CPS). The lack of communication is cited as one aspect of an investigation that families complain about.

The article reports that the Métis harvesting case will be heard by the Alberta Court of Appeal in Calgary, Alberta on February 7, 2013. The Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) has suffered setbacks at the Provincial Court and the Court of Queen's Bench. According to MNA senior executive officer Aaron Barner, their case is addressing the issue of the Métis right to harvest on an all province-wide basis.

The article discusses the cultural significance of the exhibition "Masckawacîs," or "Bear Hills," at the Royal Alberta Museum in Edmonton, Alberta and curated by Sandi Hiemer and Myra LaFrance. It comments on the exhibit's use of a mix of artwork and cultural artifacts to presents a portrait of the Hobbema community in Alberta. It addresses the community participation in collecting pieces for the exhibition.

The article discusses the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation and Dialogue by Treaty 6 Grand Chief Cameron Alexis and Edmonton, Alberta Mayor Stephen Mandel to prevent racism against Canadian First Nation members in Edmonton. It addresses the high number of Aboriginal people who have experienced a form of racism in Edmonton, as well as notes the history government inclusion for First Nation Groups.

The article discusses the impact of the appointment of Alison Redford to Premier of Alberta, Canada on relations with the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN). It addresses Redford's environmental policy, particularly focusing on her stance on oil production on Canadian Aboriginal lands. It comments on the likelihood of increased collaboration between the provincial government and First Nations leadership.

The article examines the possibility that Alberta Premier Alison Redford will create an independent ministry for Aboriginal Relations in the provincial government. Topics include Aboriginal Relations minister Robin Campbell's explanation for the government's communications with Aboriginals, why Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation spokesperson Eriel Deranger thinks a separate ministry is potentially destructive, and how Redford's government will affect the Alberta First Nation Energy Centre.

The article reports on the 2012 Recognizing Outstanding Organizations and People in Housing (ROOPH) awards ceremony. It profiles award winner Elsey Gauthier, who was recognized for her Outstanding Service for the Aboriginal Community because of her work promoting the needs of homeless Aboriginals through community development organization DiverseCity in Alberta.

The article reports on the criticism of the Aboriginal Commission on Human Rights and Justice to the statement of Dave Colburn, chairperson of the Edmonton Public School Board, for stating that Aboriginal student are the reason for the lower mark for Edmonton Public school. It states that Colburn has apologized for any misinterpretation of his comments. It is noted that 59% of the aboriginal people surveyed mentions that discrimination ranked the highest in the educational system.

The article discusses the election results of Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) on September 6, 2011 which led to the return of Audrey Poitras as president and addition of new people on the council.

A calendar of events for the Alberta area in June 2011 is presented which includes the Annual Wicihitowin Community Gathering/AGM on June 11 in Edmonton, the St. Albert Aboriginal Day Festival on June 26, and the Human Rights Information Session on June 22 in Calgary.

The article reports the resumption of the crude oil spill site clean-up operations in Alberta on May 25, 2011 after being postponed for 10 days due to wildfires in Slave Lake.

The article reports on the request of the Kanata Culture Enterprise Ltd. to reconsider its plan to mine the gravel pit in the River Valley in Edmonton, Alberta.

The article focuses on the financial aid received by Louis Bull Tribe, Montana First Nation, Samson Cree Nation and O'Chiese First Nation in Alberta. It states that the funding is part of a two-year program to help communities create new housing and upgrade existing homes. It mentions that the funding would stimulate the economies of the communities by creating on-reserve employment to the people living in the community.

The article offers news briefs in Edmonton, Alberta. It reports on various services including breakfast, lunch, hot shower, and transportation of the Boyle Street Community Services. It presents the 9th annual Alex Decoteau Run on June 3, 2010 in the celebration of the Alex Decoteau as the first Aboriginal police officer in Canada who became Edmonton's top 100 Citizens of the Century. The report on 2011 nominations for National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation.

The article announces awards in Alberta including the Health award to Dion Stout and the Culture, Heritage and Spirituality award to Crane Bear.

The article profiles Danielle Yeager, former director of industry relations at Horse Lake First Nation, in Hythe, northwestern Alberta.