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Alberta Sweetgrass

  • Terry Lusty, Sweetgrass Writer, Conklin

Page 9

As many as 1,000 firefighters are battling the raging House River fire that ignited from unknown causes on May 17.

It is a fire that has now consumed more than 260,000 hectares (three times the size of Edmonton) located between the town of Lac La Biche and the city of Fort McMurray.

The wildfire, fueled by vast stands of pine and spruce and occasional gusting winds…

  • Matt Ross, Sweetgrass Writer, Kehewin

Page 9

Raging on Kehewin First Nation territory for four days in May, a forest fire brought to light a growing crisis facing Native communities in Alberta, just how ill-equipped they are to deal with forest fire season.

More than 30 per cent of Kehewin's 40-square kilometres, located north of Elk Point, was engulfed in flames between May 16 and 19. While no houses were lost,…

  • Matt Ross, Sweetgrass Writer, Kehewin

Page 8

Taking aim at an imaginary seal in a crowded school gym located in the prairies may be an unusual way of developing self-respect, but if the screeching laughter of dozens of children and the delight of hundreds of spectators is any indication, the seal dance did the trick.

It was one of many teaching tools used to build respect for self, earth and community, the theme of…

  • Inna Dansereau, Sweetgrass Writer, Red Deer

Page 8

Five black crosses, two tipis and a sacred fire marked the place where a vigil was held to honor Aboriginal children who have died while in foster care.

In spite of blasts of wind and rain, about 150 people showed up over the three-day vigil period held from May 20 to 22 at the Rotary Park in Red Deer to pay tribute to the innocent dead.

Eric Nystrom, one of the…

  • Catherine McLaughlin, Sweetgrass Writer, Dunvegan

Page 7

For generations, Dunvegan in northwestern Alberta near Grande Prairie was the traditional gathering site of the Beaver people. The Elders tell stories of seeing the river flats covered with tipis, long before the establishment of the site as a trading post, mission and market gardens.

But in the early 1900s, when the trading post closed, the Dunvegan Beaver band was…

  • Yvonne Irene Gladue, Sweetgrass Writer, Edmonton

Page 6

On May 30, more than 50 works of student art went on display at NorQuest College in downtown Edmonton. The art show was a part of the first student art exhibition and sale titled Art Attack.

Light refreshments, cheese and crackers, and dessert was served as more than 300 people mingled throughout the evening while a violin ensemble played softly in the background.

  • Heather Andrews Miller, Sweetgrass Writer, Banff

Page 5

Earning a residency at the Banff Centre gives artists an unprecedented opportunity to immerse themselves in their passions.

"No distractions, meals are prepared and everything is done for us. We can develop new work, spend time on an existing project, and collaborate with faculty and other artists-in-residence," said Muriel Miguel.

The artistic director of the…

  • Yvonne Irene Gladue, Sweetgrass Writer, Edmonton

Page 4

An initiative that will focus on the residential school experiences of Metis people was launched on May 22.

Co-ordinated by the Metis Nation of Alberta, in partnership with the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, the initiative is a three-year project that will see Metis residential school survivors and their families publish their experiences in a book called Metis Memories…

  • Inna Dansereau, Sweetgrass Writer, Edmonton

Page 2

The Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women (IAAW) celebrated the achievements of 31 women at a gala dinner in Edmonton on May 24.

Angels Among Us was this year's theme for the Esquao Awards, presented to the women in recognition of their contributions of love, energy, caring and commitment to their communities.

"We have stylized the Cree word for woman…

  • Sweetgrass Staff

Page 8

Folks from the Paul Band gathered on April 30 for a day of giving a little of themselves-their hair. The hair will be used to make wigs for those going through cancer treatment. CFWE radio personality Darcy Roux (centre) didn't have a braid to share, but wanted to support the cause, so he had his head shaved.

  • Inna Dansereau , Sweetgrass Writer, Edmonton

Page 15

After an April 12 adjudication session held by Museums Alberta, more than $156,000 of the Aboriginal Heritage Grants Program is still available for Aboriginal heritage programs.

Three Aboriginal projects were approved for a part of a $300,000 grant provided by the Alberta 2005 Centennial Legacies Grant Program. Kainai Interpretive Gallery Development, presented by Red…

  • Shari Narine, Sweetgrass Writer, Calgary

Page 13

The Calgary Board of Education's commitment to all its students has led the city's public education providers to offer a different approach to Aboriginal schooling beginning this September.

The new school year will see the doors open on a kindergarten to Grade 6 Aboriginal family school in the northeast part of the city.

"This is one way of better meeting the needs…

  • Bruce Weir, Sweetgrass Writer, Calgary

Page 12

Baseball caps, baggy pants and hooded sweatshirts were prominent as more than 1,000 Aboriginal high school students from Alberta, the interior of British Columbia, and the Northwest Territories gathered in Calgary on April 9 for a career fair organized by the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (NAAF).

Called Blueprint For The Future, the event featured 80…

  • Yvonne Irene Gladue, Sweetgrass Writer, Fort McMurray

Page 11

More than 300 family, friends and guests watched as 45 Aboriginal students were honored at the 5th annual Traditional Celebration of Achievement in Fort McMurray on May 03.

The students, who graduated from Father Patrick Mercredi community high school, Westwood community high school, Fort McMurray Composite high school and from the Chipewyan Prairie Dene high school in…

  • Debora Steel, Sweetgrass Writer, Alexander

Page 10

First Nations across Alberta held community walks on May 3 to draw attention to a condition suffered by an alarming number of Aboriginal people-diabetes.

In Alexander First Nation, located a 30-minute drive north of Edmonton, school children, health workers, Elders and guests from the surrounding countryside, converged on the community health centre to take part in a…