Welcome to AMMSA.COM, the news archive website for our family of Indigenous news publications.
Community focused with a grassroots appeal. Established in 1993 to serve the needs of the Indigenous people of Alberta.
Artist Roland Rollinmud is nearing completion of his 90-inch by 130-inch oil-based mural at the Cave and Basic Historical Site in Banff.
The Stony Nakoda First Nation man was commissioned to do the work in March 2010 to help mark the 100th anniversary of Parks Canada. The Cave and Basin, along with 16 miles around Sulphur Mountain, were the first pieces of land set aside by Parks Canada…
Ryan Bilinsky and Kelly Risley were two of 113 recipients to receive education funding from the 2011 Belcourt Brosseau Métis Awards.
“The BBMA has a lot of resources to learn from. The support they give to the students gave me an incentive to try harder. Learning about my Metis culture brought me closer to the community,” said Bilinsky, who volunteered for BBMA functions before being…
In October, Nicholas Howells’ piece, Crowfoot, was performed at the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo. Milton Schlosser, Howells’ former instructor, gave the solo performance comprised of piano, drums and speaking voice.
“Milton had approached me just over a year ago, and he wanted me to write a piece . . . that explored my Métis background. He had come across the quote from Chief Crowfoot. As…
Since changing its mission four years ago, officials with Calgary’s Awo Taan Healing Lodge have discovered its services are required as much as ever.
The facility, which opened in 1993, used to serve as a shelter for Native women. But in 2007 it became a healing lodge providing services and programs for all cultures.
Though it is open to all, Josie Nepinak, who is Awo Taan’s…
A “big sky” idea from Blue Quills First Nations College in St.Paul will help address the housing shortage in rural Alberta.
Every project launched by the college begins with a “big sky” idea, says the college’s website and that certainly seems to be the case here. Brent Collins, one of the college instructors and a former log-home builder, realized he could be part of a project to teach…
Dr. Nan Schuurmans recognized instantly that the crumbling house was an early work of esteemed Aboriginal architect Douglas Cardinal.
“I was looking for a bungalow to purchase and as soon as I saw the fireplace, I recognized Cardinal’s style of design because I’m a big admirer of his,” said Schuurmans. “The house was in rough shape and there had been talk of tearing it down, but it had…
Colour, black and white photographs an impressive display
Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum in Banff has a new permanent exhibit. Buffalo Nations World Ambassadors-Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Chief Walking Buffalo’s 1960 World Tour, was opened with pipe ceremony. Stoney Chief Walking Buffalo, George McLean or Tatanga Mani, was well known among his people and the…
Aboriginals recognized in business distinction awards
Nominations are open until Nov. 25 for the 2012 Alberta Business Awards of Distinction. The ABAD include a number of awards geared toward Aboriginal achievement in the business world: Aboriginal Woman Entrepreneur; Aboriginal Relations-Best Practise; and Eagle Feather Business. The 2011 distinction winners with…
Lethbridge College mural
Lethbridge College received a $10,600 grant from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts to create a mural at the front entrance illustrating First Nations, Métis and Inuit culture. “Lethbridge College is situated on traditional Blackfoot territory and is adjacent to two First Nation reserves with growing populations,” said Robin Little Bear, FNMI…
Clean up continues at Rainbow pipeline
Plains Midstream Canada continues to work on the contaminated site on land in the traditional Lubicon Lake Cree territory. Work has been ongoing for 22 weeks with over 200,000 work hours logged. In remediated areas where oil contamination has been removed, including the pond shorelines and along beaver runs, native species of…
Suncor plants five-millionth tree in northern Alberta
On Sept. 23, Suncor Energy celebrated planting its five-millionth tree at its oil sands site north of Fort McMurray. The event also marked the one-year anniversary of Wapisiw Lookout, the world’s first oil sands tailings pond to be revegetated and reclaimed. The tree planting ceremony featuring Ivy Wigmore, an Elder…
Red Crow college celebrates a quarter century
Red Crow Community College celebrated its 25th anniversary on Sept. 15 and 16. In the span of over 25-years, RCCC has evolved into a complete post-secondary institution, offering diploma and degree programs in partnership with Mount Royal University, Lethbridge College, Sinte Gleska, Gonzaga University, the University of…
State-of-the-art water treatment plant opened
Saddle Lake First Nation officially opened its new state-of-the-art water treatment plant on Sept. 14. The plant will use an advanced treatment process known as a reverse osmosis membrane system that will minimize chemical use, and will ensure the facility meets the latest water quality protocols. This project received $13…
Documentary highlights Native cowboys
Rodeo Riders, an action-packed one hour long documentary about Native cowboys and rodeo, premiered on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network on Sept. 7. The documentary, recently nominated for a Leo Award for excellence in cinematography, was shot over the summer of 2010 at the Calgary Stampede, in Tsuu T’ina Nation and Kainai…
Federal minister John Duncan signs the settlement agreement while provincial minister Len Webber (left) looks on. To the right of minister Duncan is Chief James Alook of Peerless Trout First Nation and Chief Gordon Auger of the Bigstone Cree Nation.
Photo: Denis Carnochan
Historic land claim settlement celebrated
A special ceremony was held in Wabasca on…