Alberta Sweetgrass

With the proclamation of Bill 11 on July 24, Human Services Minister Manmeet S. Bhullar has delivered on his promise to lift the publication ban on children who have died while in government care. Lifting the ban was discussed as part of a limited-topic two-day workshop hosted by Bhullar in January. “I believe it is a basic right of each and every one of us to express grief publicly. This…

The investigation into the death of a six-week old baby in care has led to Provincial Child and Youth Advocate Del Graff’s recommendation that a policy be developed directing infants in care to not share beds. In 2013, six-week-old Dawn (not her real name) was found unresponsive in her foster parents’ bed. She was transported to hospital and pronounced dead. Cause of death was undetermined.…

Chiefs present for the unveiling of the Treaty 8 sign in Whitecourt were Grand Chief of Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta and Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation Richard Kappo, Chief Romeo Cardinal from Bigstone Cree, Chief Arthur Noskey from Loon River Cree, Chief Jim Badger from Sucker Creek, Chief Rose Laboucan from Driftpile Cree  and Chief Rupert Meneen from Tallcree.

The Treaty 8 First…

John Whitford is paying it forward.  He remembers what it meant to him to learn to Red River jig and he is providing youngsters at the Kikino Metis Settlement with the same opportunity.

“I heard the fiddle the first time and that was it. I was ready to go after that,” said Whitford, who serves in the recreation department on the Metis settlement.

Whitford has no formal…

Officials from Banff’s Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies are anticipating large crowds for their latest exhibit called Indigenous Ingenuity.

“I think it’s going to appeal to a lot of people,” said the museum’s curator Anne Ewen, adding it won’t just be Aboriginals, who will be drawn to the exhibit.

If the exhibit opening, which was held on June 15 is any indication, then Ewen…

Chevi Rabbit (centre) led the third annual Hate to Hope march and rally on July 19. Despite rainy weather, the turnout was strong and included PC leadership candidate Thomas Lukaszuk, New Democrat MLA David Eggen and Dr. James Makokis. Rabbit was the victim of a hate crime in 2012 in the Strathcona area. Said Rabbit, “We hope to inspire Canadians to take action … and to grow a community…

A unique Housing First program that has both a trauma support worker and a cultural and spiritual educator was recently recognized with a Leader of the Pack award at the 7 Cities Housing First Practitioners Workshop Awards and Reception.

Team Leader Janice M. Shirt, of the Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society in Edmonton, accepted the award for her efforts in guiding her team in…

Building relationships and searching for long-term solutions have brought success for the Boyle Street Community Services Outreach Team when it comes to working with Edmonton’s homeless.

“It is important that our team is proactive,” said leader Aidan Inglis.

 A recent independent report undertaken by the City of Edmonton, which examined the actions of the Boyle Street…

Aboriginal artists big part of The Works

Edmonton City Hall stands as the backdrop to the Alberta Aboriginal Arts Tipi on Churchill Square. The tipi exhibited the work of contemporary emerging Edmonton Aboriginal artists from Dreamspeakers on Tour, Amiskwaciy Academy, and youth participants from Alberta Aboriginal Performing Arts
and was one of many exhibits at this…

When Aboriginal Home Visitation Services are expanded in the fall to Calgary families with infants and children to age three, an Aboriginal agency will be at the forefront.

That’s an important distinction, says Mark Laycock, director of Métis Calgary Family Services. “First contact often occurs with the disenfranchised, for example, an expectant mother.”

Although Laycock’s…

Organizers of the Healing Walk, which covers a section of the Alberta tar sands, will be shifting their focus next year.
“We’re not moving away from (campaigning against) open pit mining to focus on in situ…but we need to focus on other communities that are needing help,” said Jesse Cardinal, organizer of the Healing Walk and coordinator with Keepers of the Athabasca. “In situ is going to…

Cancer concerns for two First Nations living downstream on the Athabasca River have always been personal for Mikisew Cree Nation Chief Steve Courtoreille, but now they have reached an even higher level. Courtoreille has been diagnosed with cancer.
“But I am a fighter. I just don’t give up.  And so are my people,” he said. “I don’t have a problem in standing up to industry, in standing…

If there is a refrain that echoed through Indian Village at this year’s Stampede, it was the memory of last year’s flooding that resulted in many participants losing their teepees, artifacts and regalia to the ravaging waters that swept through Siksika and Morley. The loss and dislocation is ongoing as many of the centuries old artifacts were destroyed and are irreplaceable.

The Mark…

Valcourt Participates in Indian Village Grand Entry

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada Minister Bernard Valcourt was among the political figures and honoured guests, which included Alberta Minister of Aboriginal Relations Frank Oberle and Parliamentary Secretary Mark Strahl, to participate in the Grand Entry powwow at the opening of Indian Village. “It…

Fort McKay First Nation has joined the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business as a Patron Member. In a news release, Fort McKay Chief Jim Boucher said he felt “fully confident that our success can only continue to grow through the programs, commitment and support of organizations we can proudly call our own, like CCAB.” CCAB President and CEO JP Gladu called Fort McKay “one of the most…