Alberta Sweetgrass

When Bernadette Iahtail did not receive an invitation to the government’s recent child intervention roundtable, she didn’t fret about it. Instead she continued to plan Creating Hope Society’s March forum on addiction, family violence and child welfare, and took comfort in knowing that “Aboriginal allies” had been invited to the roundtable.

“Of course it bothers me not to be invited, but…

Alberta Chiefs are not sold on the federal government’s new education plan which was laid out Feb. 7 by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Standoff.

“We are still very concerned about where we are going with respect to any legislation impacting Indian education, but I believe we must be engaged and open to opportunity and building relationships based on trust,” said Treaty 7 Grand Chief…

Universities welcome plan to transform K-12 First Nations education
 
Release - February 10, 2014

Canada’s universities are very pleased with today’s announcement by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo of a landmark agreement that will lead to significant investments in First Nations education at the K-12…

Figures released by the provincial government in early December indicate that almost $175 million in preliminary disaster assistance has been provided to southern Alberta municipalities and First Nations to begin rebuilding after the June flood. There are still over 1,000 people living in temporary accommodations, including 326 in relief shelters on the Siksika First Nation. Almost $70 million…

The Joint Review Panel for Site C for BC Hydro's proposed dam was in Peace River Jan. 9 and 10. The panel began its hearings in Fort St. John, in BC, on Dec. 9, 2013, and will conclude in Fort St. John on Jan. 23. Peace River was the only Alberta stop. Concerns have been raised by First Nations both in BC and Alberta as the project would create hydro-electric power for the BC, but would also…

The Maskwacis Conflict Resolution Program, run by the Samson Cree Nation, has received $2.9 million from the federal government to address gang violence in Samson Cree Nation, Ermineskin First Nation, Louis Bull First Nation and Montana First Nation. The program will help youth make smart choices and avoid involvement in criminal activity by promoting community involvement, education and…

The Métis Nation of Alberta Association has launched a $3-billion lawsuit against B.C. Hydro and the federal government for damage to the Lake Athabasca delta created by two dams on British Columbia stretches of the Peace River. The suit, launched by the Fort Chipewyan chapter of the association, claims that the Bennett and Peace Canyon Dams have had disastrous effects on the Lake Athabasca…

The provincial government has established two Aboriginal women’s advisory councils, one of Métis members and one of First Nations members. The councils will report to the Aboriginal Relations minister and will be supported by a working group made up of senior representatives from Aboriginal Relations; Culture; Education; Enterprise and Advanced Education; Health; Human Services; and Justice…

Unifor, Canada’s largest private-sector union, has thrown its support behind First Nations in opposing the Northern Gateway pipeline project, vowing to hit picket lines in solidarity if the project goes ahead. Unifor, which is the recent merger of the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada, with more than 300,000 members across the country.…

Singer-songwriter Neil Young will be ending his four-city Honour the Treaties Tour in Calgary on Jan.19. His concerts will help raise money for court challenges by the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation revolving around the preservation of treaty rights, species at risk, access issues and public land policies. Last September, Young visited the Fort McMurray area and compared open-pit practises…

Alberta has a new Aboriginal Relations minister as Premier Alison Redford shuffled her Cabinet in mid-December. Taking on the portfolio as well as position of Deputy House Leader is Peace River MLA Frank Oberle, who was promoted from associate minister of Services for Persons with Disabilities. Oberle takes over from Robin Campbell, who is now the minister of Alberta Environment and…

Invited experts and stakeholders will be meeting Jan. 29 at a government-led roundtable to discuss investigations and public information involving deaths or serious injuries of children in care. An implementation team was announced by new Human Services Minister Manmeet S. Bhullar to move forward on his five-point plan to improve the child intervention system. That plan focuses on enhancing…

Despite a scheduled 35-day delay in rendering its decision, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency has given Shell Canada's Jackpine oilsands mine expansion plan the go-ahead. Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq said although the 100,000 barrels-per-day expansion was "likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects," it was "justified by the circumstances."

The decision…

On Jan. 9, Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation and Coalspur Mines Ltd. reached a confidential agreement for the Coalspur Vista project. Alexis Nakota Sioux was the last of three First Nations to relinquish its status as intervener in the upcoming Alberta Energy Regulator hearings.

In early December, Ermineskin Cree Nation and the Whitefish (Goodfish) Lake First Nation withdrew as interveners for…

The grades 3 and 4 from Grouard Northland School took in the Edmonton Oilers game against the Carolina Hurricanes on Dec. 10. The students won tickets by participating in the Edmonton Oilers and Edmonton Oil Kings "Reading, Give it a Shot" program. The program, which Northland School Division has participated in for 10 years, was developed to assist teachers inside and outside of the classroom…