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Alberta Sweetgrass

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Community focused with a grassroots appeal. Established in 1993 to serve the needs of the Indigenous people of Alberta.

  • December 24, 2013
  • Shari Narine Sweetgrass Contributing Editor EDMONTON

The independent voice given by the provincial government to stand up for children in care was noticeably absent when Human Services Minister David Hancock gathered workers in the child welfare system around him to address concerns about deaths in care.

Youth and Child Advocate Del Graff says he was neither made aware of the conference on Nov. 27 nor invited to attend.
That did not…

  • December 24, 2013
  • Shari Narine Sweetgrass Contributing Editor EDMONTON

The generosity of individuals, small businesses and corporations has helped those living on the fringe get through the latest cold snap, and the Christmas spirit  will bring more good will, but that shouldn’t be what the disadvantaged need to depend on to survive.

“It’s too bad we have to rely on donations… it’s unfortunate that we’re not funded to do that,” said Jane Slessor, adult…

  • December 4, 2013
  • Compiled by Shari Narine

 

Alberta and British Columbia have announced a framework agreement that will see the two provinces cooperate to make bitumen pipelines to the West Coast more acceptable. Under the agreement, the projects must meet world-class standards for spill response on land and at sea, must involve First Nations’ participation, and must involve a fair share of the economic benefits for BC…

  • December 4, 2013
  • Compiled by Shari Narine

 

Interim Environment Commissioner Neil Maxwell estimates that Environment Canada has such a backlog of recovery strategies required under the Species at Risk Act that it could take 10 years to catch up. Included in that backlog is the plan for the wood bison habitat in Northern Alberta. A recent environmental audit criticized the federal government for not doing enough to protect at-…

  • December 4, 2013
  • Compiled by Shari Narine

The Sucker Creek First Nation and Kelly Lake Métis Settlement Society of Alberta are among six Aboriginal groups to be awarded funding to participate in the regulatory process of the proposed Murray River Coal project near Tumbler Ridge. Each received $10,500. Three First Nations in British Columbia and the Métis Nation of BC also received financial help. Funding will be used to review and…

  • December 4, 2013
  • Compiled by Shari Narine

The Joint Review Panel is accepting comments on additional information provided by Shell Canada Limited regarding the proposed Pierre River Mine project near Fort McMurray. The additional information was provided in response to questions sent to Shell by the JRP in October 2012. The questions were issued following the public comment period on the environmental impact assessment and the…

  • December 4, 2013
  • Compiled by Shari Narine

 

The recently released Annual Report of the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate identifies two new issues that require attention by the ministry: children 10 years of age and younger living in staffed facilities and vulnerable children and youth coming in to care and not receiving the mental health services required. “I believe the Ministry of Human Services can and should take more…

  • December 4, 2013
  • Compiled by Shari Narine

 

Alberta Serious Incident Response Team has cleared police of any wrongdoing in an incident in which a woman’s arm was broken. On March 2, 2013, RCMP responded to a call at a home on the Samson Cree Nation. A woman was arrested and taken to the RCMP Hobbema detachment. While in custody, she sustained a fracture to her right arm. She was transported to hospital for medical treatment.…

  • December 4, 2013
  • Compiled by Shari Narine

 

On Nov. 12, the RCMP and KARE unit unveiled a billboard by the intersection of Highway 814 and Airport Road near Nisku calling on the public’s help to solve the murder of Amber Tuccaro. Tuccaro was reported missing on Aug. 18, 2010, after she failed to return to a hotel in Nisku, where she had been staying with her infant son and a female friend after flying in from Fort McMurray.…

  • December 4, 2013
  • Compiled by Shari Narine

 

All 15 graduates from a new Aboriginal camp security professionals training course offered at Blue Quills First Nations College were immediately employed by CKR Global (Risk Solutions) upon graduating in November. This is the first time the course has been offered. The program, designed by CKR Global (Risk Solutions) and sponsored by Canadian Natural Resources Limited, consisted of…

  • December 4, 2013
  • Paula E. Kirman Sweetgrass Writer EDMONTON

Protestors drove the point home when they placed 116 oil barrels on the steps of the Legislature to represent the amount of carbon dioxide that will be produced by Shell’s Jackpine mine expansion every second.

The installation was the backdrop to which 150 people braved Edmonton’s first day of significant snow and cold temperatures to rally with counterparts across the country on Nov.…

  • December 4, 2013
  • Heather Andrews Miller Sweetgrass Writer CALGARY

Mount Royal University in Calgary has recently announced a $1.25 million donation from BMO Financial Group to fund scholarships, bursaries and a peer mentorship program for Aboriginal students over the next seven years.

Mike Darling, regional vice-president, commercial banking for South Alberta with BMO, is impressed with Mount Royal University’s dedication to make the Aboriginal…

  • December 4, 2013
  • Susan Solway Sweetgrass Writer STANDOFF

The establishment of a public library within a First Nations community is one more way to make a difference on the Kainai First Nation.

The library is a huge stepping-stone that enables the community members to come together and support literacy, numeracy and the Blackfoot language within a healthy and positive environment, says library manager Linda Weasel Head.
“The schools are…

  • December 4, 2013
  • Darlene Chrapko Sweetgrass Writer CALGARY

Survivors of residential schools shared their stories when the Truth and Reconciliation Commission came to Calgary Nov. 4 and 5.  Those heart-wrenching stories were told in the spirit that the telling of the truth would help to move the healing forward.

“I challenge all levels of government to work with First Nations’ leaders and our communities and our Métis leaders and our Inuit to…

  • November 27, 2013
  • Sweetgrass Staff

 

RELEASE

The Government of Alberta and Tsuu T’ina Nation signed an agreement today setting the groundwork for the southwest leg of Calgary’s ring road.

In a ceremony on Tsuu T’ina land this morning, Alberta Premier Alison Redford, Tsuu T’ina Nation Chief Roy Whitney, and Alberta Transportation Minister Ric McIver put their names to the Transportation and Utility Corridor…