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.
First Nations impacted further downstream by the largest coal slurry spill in Canadian history are considering legal action against Sherritt International, the operators of Obed Mountain Mine.
The breach from a pit 30 km east of Hinton on Oct. 31 released approximately 670 million litres of contaminated water into two tributaries leading to the Athabasca River.
“People are…
In Calgary in 2013
Calgary companies including Shell, Suncor, Enbridge and BMO Financial showed their ongoing support of initiatives that focused on the training and education of Aboriginal students. Young Aboriginal students exhibited leadership by fundraising for local causes while others learned about the history of residential schools. Events such as the Canada Day…
In Edmonton in 2013
Edmonton continues to push ahead in Aboriginal relations.
Figures from the latest National Household Survey indicate that Edmonton has the second largest urban Aboriginal population (behind Winnipeg) at 60,000. The city moved forward by signing memorandums with both the provincial government and the Métis Nation of Alberta, as well as…
Cold Lake First Nation is not pleased with the way the province is handling the clean-up of groundwater contamination following bitumen emulsion seepage to the surface at the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range. Over a million litres of oil spilled onto traditional Dene lands. “Cold Lake First Nation is demanding inclusion on the safe remediation of our lands, compensation and accommodation.…
Lubicon Lake First Nation leadership is split on support of a group of demonstrators who are threatening to blockade resource operations by Penn West Exploration. “As the elected governing chief and council – recognized as such by the provincial and federal governments - we do not agree with or condone these actions,” said Chief Billy Joe Laboucan, in a news release. However in…
Three men from Hobbema have been charged with first degree murder in the 2011 drive-by shooting death of Chelsea Yellowbird, 23, on the Samson Cree Nation. Charges have been laid against Shelby Minde, 23; Randall Omeasoo, 21; and Darren Ty Wacey Applegarth, 20. Yellowbird was shot in a backyard during a late-night party in the community on Sept. 5, 2011. Her five-year-old nephew Ethan…
First Nations leaders denounced both federal and provincial governments for their paternalistic attitudes and called on their membership to stand behind their Chiefs as they waged a battle for their constitutional rights.
“There’s a lot of work being done, it’s just that we’re not being listened to. That’s why we need your support. We need the support of the people to come out and stand…
Ignorance of residential school history is still prevalent in southern Alberta, a University of Lethbridge student’s audio documentary contends.
Produced by 19-year-old University of Lethbridge social work student, Lauren Crazybull, the audio documentary True Contact: Resonating Reconciliation in Southern Alberta focuses on Treaty 7 Blackfoot territory and examines the relation between…
A 35-day delay in a decision by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency in the Jackpine mine expansion means little.
“I think it’s pretty telling how the government handles a lot of the concerns brought up by First Nations, which is this tendency to create the optics that they are addressing the concerns or needs of First Nations. We see this all the time,” said Eriel Deranger,…
“Education is indeed the new buffalo and offers the promise of reconciliation through understanding, knowledge and through respect,” said Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo (centre) at the grand opening of Bow Valley College’s Iniikokaan Aboriginal Centre.
Grand Opening of Iniikokaan Aboriginal Centre at BVC celebrated…
Collaboration produces history-making graduates
History was made in November when 22 people graduated from the University of Alberta and Blue Quills First Nations College partnership program with master’s degrees in education, specializing in Educational Policy Studies, and with concentration in Indigenous Peoples Education. The graduates, 21 of whom are Aboriginal, are…
Now in the third phase of recovery from the floodwaters of 2013, Siksika First Nation has received an injection of $93 million from the provincial government, the terms of which are defined by a Memorandum of Understanding.
“I am very humbled that the Alberta government has stepped forward to help,” said Chief Fred Rabbit Carrier, who stood with Aboriginal Relations Minister Robin…
The next step for a pair of Edmonton women is to determine how best to meet the interests that have been voiced in order to offer affordable Aboriginal youth activity programming.
Susan Sinclair, a Cree language teacher, and Angela Coppola, a University of Alberta doctoral student, used an $11,000 grant from the U of A’s health science council to host four meetings in Edmonton during…
After a successful end to his novice rodeo career, Kale McKenzie is eager to take on the big boys.
The 21-year-old Métis, from Rocky Mountain House, entered Canadian Professional Rodeo Association championships as the top-seeded rider in novice saddle bronc competition, which concluded on Nov. 10 in Edmonton. When the dust stopped flying, he had placed second in his category, edged out…
First Nations are slamming the Alberta government for lack of communication, slow action and inadequate steps taken to deal with what is believed to be the largest coal slurry spill in Canadian history.
The breach at Sherritt International’s Obed Mountain Coal Mine from a pit 30 km east of Hinton occurred Oct. 31 and released approximately 670 million litres of contaminated water into…