Alberta Sweetgrass

Alberta representatives from First Nations Grain Management were part of a delegation led by Assembly of First Nations Chief Shawn Atleo on a trade mission to China, Oct. 21-31. Gordon Rauscher, president and CEO, and Victor Buffalo, chairman of FNGM, participated in the opening of the FNGM office in Dalian on Oct. 25. The goal of the mission was to discuss economic development partnership…

Jean Teillet, legal counsel for the Métis Nation of Alberta, has been awarded the designation of Indigenous Peoples’ Council by the Indigenous Bar Association. The IPC is awarded annually to an Indigenous lawyer in recognition of outstanding achievements in the practice of law. In particular, the IPC award takes into account the manner in which the individual pursues the goals and objectives…

The Mikisew Cree First Nation has rejoined the Cumulative Environmental Management Association as a full member. Melody Lepine will represent the Mikisew Cree. The revised CEMA – creating a sector based management board of four caucuses: Aboriginal, industry, government and non-governmental organizations – is why the Mikisew Cree renewed its membership. Said Chief Steve Courtoreille in a news…

An independent investigation has cleared an RCMP officer in the fatal shooting of a man on the Driftpile First Nation last fall. Bernard Emery Giroux, 37, died after being shot outside his house Nov. 19 when he aimed a loaded hunting rifle at officers. The investigation was undertaken by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team and took 11 months. It concluded the officer who shot Giroux “…

Newly appointed Education Minister Thomas Lukaszuk said he will continue to work with the First Nations on the Education Memorandum of Understanding which was signed February 2010 between the federal and provincial governments and Treaty 6, 7 and 8. Said Lukaszuk in a teleconference with the media, “I firmly believe that every child, and I underscore every child, in Alberta, should have access…

More than 4,000 people and groups have registered to speak at upcoming regulatory hearings over Enbridge Inc.’s proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline project. Annie Roy, spokeswoman for the hearing told the Calgary Herald that the National Energy Board Joint Review Panel, which will recommend a final opinion on Northern Gateway to the federal cabinet, is committed to hearing from each person.…

A founding meeting for Remembering the Children Society will be happening shortly so work can be undertaken to commemorate more unmarked graves of children who died in Alberta during their time in Indian Residential Schools.  The society is being launched from the group that was formed two years ago which planned the sacred ceremony remembering the students at the former Red Deer Indian…

Bigstone First Nation fire chief Vern Gladue and emergency services supervisor Trevor Bigstone congratulated students from Oski Pasikoniwew Kamik school as fire safety poster winners. The school is also working with individuals and agencies to expand the OPK food bank in order to meet the growing needs of the greater community within and beyond the reserve. Plans are in the works to initiate a…

Nothing is off the table – and that includes the impacts of industrial development – as the parameters of a health study in Fort McKay and area are set this month.

 “We’re committed to enter into a community-led process to identify priority questions and concerns related to health and if some of those concerns touch on either the quality of water or the air that people breathe then yes…

Premier Alison Redford’s decision to fold Aboriginal Relations with two high-profile portfolios into a single government department under a rookie minister has raised concerns with First Nations.

“It’s kind of a slap in the face. It was that way at one point and then they separated our people into a ministry of our own and now we’re back to where we used to be,” said Richard Kappo,…

A comment meant to address the diversity of students attending Edmonton public schools has raised red flags with the Aboriginal Commission on Human Rights and Justice.

“We were upset and concerned about the mentioning of Aboriginal students for the reason for the lower mark for Edmonton Public,” said Muriel Stanley Venne, chair of the Aboriginal commission.

In early October, Dave…

Michael Hudkins was one of 12 Aboriginal youth to be recognized for his accomplishments in a special ceremony held late September.

“It’s a wonderful award. It means that I’ve done something with my life. It’s the effort that is recognized from your peers,” said Hudkins, 28, a member of the Edmonton Fire Rescue.  Hudkins is originally from Rocky Mountain House.  His dad is German and his…

It may not be a surprise for Cpl. Mel Calahasen to have received his 25 year medal with the RCMP, but it is an accomplishment.

“My initial response was, ‘I did it,’” said Calahasen. “Unfortunately a lot of members that are First Nations in the RCMP don’t reach their 25 years.”

There are many reasons why Aboriginal members find it hard to stick out the quarter century milestone,…

A family from the Blood First Nation is making creative waves in the jewelry community.

The Iron Shirts, mother Bessie, her daughters Jessie and Doris, and Jessie’s son Tico, are making a name for themselves through their family business.

It all started during one of Jessie’s visits to her mother.
During this time Doris had some resin and Mother of Pearl beads. Jessie and…

Building relationships is what Aboriginal culture is about and that is why it is important that the federal government continue to fund the Urban Aboriginal Strategy initiative.

“We’re in the final stages of developing a community strategic plan,” said Karen McCarthy, executive director with Wicihitowin Circle.

Although Edmonton has been part of the UAS for five years, it has…