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.
Eriel Tchekwie Deranger, a Dene Indigenous activist and member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation; Crystal Lameman, a member of the Beaver Lake Cree Nation and Sierra Club Climate and Energy Campaigner; and Melina Laboucan-Massimo, a member of the Lubicon Cree First Nation and a Climate and Energy campaigner with Greenpeace Canada; were in New York City on Sept. 21 for the largest…
Leaders of 11 First Nations from Alberta and Montana signed a treaty establishing an inter-tribal alliance to restore bison to areas of the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains where millions of the animals once roamed. The ceremony was held on Montana’s Blackfeet Reservation. It marks the first treaty among the US tribes and Canada First Nations since a series of agreements governing hunting…
A federal court has upheld the move by the Piikani First Nation to remove Chief Gayle Strikes With A Gun from office. First Nation officials say the removal stems from a conflict of interest, which initially led to Strikes With A Gun’s suspension in 2012. She was stripped of her title late last year. Acting chief Clayton Small Legs will continue to assume leadership duties until the band’s…
Police chiefs Lee Boyd, of the Blood Tribe, and Keith Blake, of Tsuu T’ina First Nation, were among 10 police chiefs, and the only First Nations police chiefs, to be recognized by the province in September in Alberta’s first official commissioning of senior officers in municipal and First Nations police agencies. The official parchments, awarded by Lt. Gov. Donald S. Ethell, identify their new…
A Maclean’s investigation has determined that of 327 bands that filed salary information under the federal government’s new First Nations Financial Transparency Act, Fort McKay First Nation Chief Jim Boucher is second only to Ron Giesbrecht, Chief of the Kwikwetlem First Nation in BC. Giesbrecht brought in $914,261 as of March 31, 2014, while Boucher earned $644,441 in the same one…
Ten years ago Siksika Nation faced the realty of frequent youth suicides. The community was so affected that Armond Duck Chief, Eddi Wolf Child, and Joni Big Old Man felt the need to change the way the youth perceived their reality.
In 2004 the three young adults established what was then known as the Siksika Nation Youth Movement, which involved weekly meetings with some of the Nation’…
Kikino Métis Settlement celebrated its 75 anniversary this summer and while infrastructure and industry are vital to the continued growth of the settlement, Kikino’s leaders say it is education and the community’s youth that hold the key to a successful future.
“I really believe the future in our community is bright,” said Kikino’s Chair Floyd Thompson. “As leaders, we know the…
Most National Hockey League players are counting down the days until they can begin another season. Kyle Chipchura, a 28-year-old Métis from Westlock, is no different. But he also has a couple of other reasons why he’s eager to start the 2014-15 campaign.
Chipchura, who is heading into his ninth season of pro hockey, is a member of the Arizona (formerly Phoenix) Coyotes.
In terms…
Maxine Courtoreille-Paul is hopeful that the time her nieces spent in kinship care with her will make a difference in their lives. She says it was the grounding she needed when she was a ward of the province. She was in her mid-20s when she finally discovered who she was.
“It took me until I was 25 to find out who I was as a person. I knew I didn’t fit in with the white people, and I…
The message was clear: Indigenous children will remain in their communities.
“They grow up with that loving, growing bond. That the family is involved, that the community is involved. That we don’t give Alberta Child Services not one more of our children,” said Jo-Ann Saddleback.
Alberta apprehends more children than any other province, she said, and the majority of those…
Alberta Chiefs want a national inquiry in to murdered and missing Aboriginal women and girls but they won’t be getting support from the province’s new premier.
The Assembly of Treaty Chiefs passed the resolution to move forward with the national inquiry the day after Premier Jim Prentice said there was no need.
“I’m not convinced that an inquiry is what we need to do at this…
In the opening scene of Making Treaty 7, Michelle Thrush comes on stage rocking and talking to the imaginary baby she holds in her arms, taking the audience back to a key moment in history: Sept. 21, 1877. Addressing her child, Thrush says, “Today we signed Treaty. We will smoke the pipe. Everything will change. We will no longer have emptiness in our bellies. The buffalo will be…
Matthew Wood has made a full time mission out of sharing his passion for Hip Hop music and dance with youth, and in doing so, being a mentor and positive influence.
Often referred to by his performing name “Creeasian,” Wood is well known in Edmonton’s Hip Hop circles having performed at Inner City High, the International Street Performers Festival, the International Fringe Theatre…
A little hoop magic
Tyrone Sitting Eagle, third generation hoop dancer, from Siksika, danced for large crowds at the Indian Village during the Calgary Stampede.
The Walrus Talks examines philanthropy
On Sept. 16, at the Showcase Grand, Lorna Crowshoe of the Blackfoot Women’s Society, and Casey Eagle Speaker, of Hull Services,…
Second annual Treaty 6 day marked
Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson and Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation Chief Tony Alexis, standing in for the Grand Chief, proclaimed Sept. 25 as Treaty 6 Recognition Day. The two were joined by other Treaty 6 Chiefs in a special ceremony held at City Hall. “Edmonton values are treaty values,” said Iveson, “and all people are welcome here.” The…