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The Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship Program was launched recently at the Fort McMurray Composite High School by former Prime Minister Paul Martin. A part of the Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative, the Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship Program works to educate Aboriginal youth about business including financial literacy, enhancing critical thinking skills and encouraging students to…
The Gunn Métis settlement has received status to participate in public hearings for TransAlta’s $1.5 billion gas-fired power plant proposed for the southwest shore of Wabamun Lake. However, Alberta Utilities Commission denied similar status to Samson Cree and Alexis Nakota Sioux First Nations. AUC ruled that neither First Nation had established that their treaty rights were “adversely and…
A joint-venture partnership between the Woodland Cree First Nation and ATCO Structures & Logistics will see the design, build and operation of a 150-person workforce accommodation lodge to house workers constructing the Otter Lake compressor station in the Peace River region. The lodge is scheduled to open in January 2015 and will provide accommodations until January 2016. ATCO and WCFN…
According to information filed with Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, Fort McKay First Nation Chief Jim Boucher collected the second highest salary in Canada at $644,441. Only Chief Ron Giesbrecht, of the Kwikwetlem First Nation at $914,219, earned more during the time period from April 1, 2013, to March 31, 2014. Other northeastern Chiefs Steve Courtoreille of the…
The full implications of a federal court ruling slapping the Harper government for implementing two omnibus bills in 2012 without consulting with Mikisew Cree Nation are not yet known. However, MCN Chief Steve Courtoreille says it can only strengthen the stand of First Nations.
“It feels great that there’s some hope in the justice system of this country,” said…
Sound, staging and heartfelt acting brought together a hauntingly compelling story of the Indian residential school experience in this year’s Strathmore High School drama production. Directed by drama and dance teacher Deanne Bertsch, with input from Blackfoot liaison and teacher Eulailia Running Rabbit, the show was an intense and powerful interpretation of Canada’s dark history in relation…
Those living on a First Nations reserve are 10 times more likely to die in a house fire than those living in the rest of Canada, according to a 2010 federal study. Horse Lake First Nation Chief Administrative Officer Darwin Eckstrom heard this sobering statistic while listening to a CBC broadcast last March and knew he had to do something to change it.
This November, Horse Lake First…
Vanessa Omeasoo got a bit more than she bargained for when meeting recently with officials from her bank.
Omeasoo had earlier participated in a TD Bank survey asking how people could improve their communities. Omeasoo, who has Cree and Blackfeet ancestry, and works as the Neyaskweyahk Restorative Justise co-ordinator, had plenty of ideas. As it turned out, those TD officials seeking…
A new book documents first-hand experiences of Indian residential schools to youth and adult readers through both words and photographs.
Residential Schools, With the Words and Images of Survivors is by Cree writer Larry Loyie. Loyie, who now lives in Edmonton, is himself a survivor of St. Bernard Mission residential school in Grouard, in northern Alberta. He began researching…
Staff and volunteers from The Mustard Seed were thrilled with the donations of hams and turkeys from Calgarians during its annual Turkey Ham Jam, held at four Calgary Co-op stores.
Turkeys, hams and chickens collected for Mustard Seed hampers
On Dec. 6, The Mustard Seed, Calgary Co-op and Country 105 collected frozen turkeys, hams and…
Tamisan Bencz-Knight, resource development assistant with the Edmonton Food Bank, and successful food and fundraiser Can Man Dan Johnstone.
Food, money raised to feed those in need
By camping out twice in a food bank truck 24 hours a day for a total of 143 hours, Can Man Dan Johnstone raised 11,440 kilograms and $13,675 for the Edmonton Food Bank. Johnstone, an…
The only woman Chief in the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations is now wearing the headdress of Grand Chief.
“I was shocked to learn I was the first woman Grand Chief (for Treaty 6 Confederacy). I guess I made history,” said Bernice Martial, who also serves as Cold Lake First Nation Chief.
Competing against men and winning is not new for Martial. When she won the election as…
While the loss of culture has had a devastating effect on Canada’s First Nations people in a variety of ways, a new study shows culture may play a role in the prevention of chronic disease.
Richard Oster, and his team of researchers from the University of Alberta, found that a community that is more connected to its traditional and cultural ways suffers lower rates of diabetes.
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University of Alberta professor Catherine Bell does not believe that the Daniels case – which is now on the Supreme Court of Canada’s schedule – will have an impact on the province’s Métis settlements.
“There’s going to be obligations even if, for some reason, the federal government had to pass a legislation, there would be an obligation to find a way to keep (the Métis settlements)…
The Driftpile First Nation is the location of a new land reclamation project funded by Shell Canada.
A one acre abandoned well site will be converted into a garden-like environment, with shrubs, trees, and other plants traditionally considered valuable in their community.
“We wanted to look at reclaiming land in a way the community would like versus the way the industry would…