Alberta Sweetgrass

For 25 years, the Wahkotowin Society has been recognizing the achievements of promising Aboriginal students in Edmonton.

“We wanted to celebrate those kids who are trying their best but may not have top marks in their subjects,” said society member-at-large Susie Robinson.

The Wahkotowin Society, a group of caring individuals, was spearheaded by Eva Bereti and others who wanted…

The “peanut butter and drymeat sandwiches” exhibit on display in the Rutherford Library Atrium features the visual and written work of 30 students, who explore the experiences of first year Aboriginal students at the University of Alberta.

The exhibit, which runs from April 12 to May 15, is a project that launches the journey through the U of A’s Transition Year Program. It stems from…

Casey Julian Thunderspirit has learned that strength is not always found in numbers. The 15-year-old organized a march and rally to celebrate Earth Day and the Idle No More movement in downtown Edmonton on April 22.

Elder Taz Bouchier, a frequent speaker at Idle No More events, says she is proud of Thunderspirit and his effort because of the leadership he is showing at such a young age…

(From left) Elders Clarence (Agar) Wolfleg Sr., Reg Crowshoe, and Sykes Powderface tell traditional stories at the Calgary Spoken Word Festival.

Elders and youth project pays homage to the land

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Calgary Spoken Word Festival, Sheri-D Wilson brought together Treaty 7 Elders and youth in a project that explored the First…

Kelsey Wolver performed a hoop dance in Churchill Square during Earth Day celebrations in May.

The universality of sign language

The Art Gallery of Alberta hosted Occupy the Gallery last month in which students from the University of Alberta provided art work that depicted signs with meanings throughout history. On show were signs…

To receive recognition from Métis Nation 3 and his peers for giving back to the community means much to Matthew Kinderwater, recipient of the inaugural Humanitarian Award.
“It’s wonderful to receive. It’s one of those places that you put yourself in other people’s shoes to understand what they’re going through. It makes me feel privileged,” he said.

Working primarily with corporate…

The impact sexual exploitation has on the community has been recognized in a significant manner.

“A proclamation in a public space makes a statement that addressing sexual exploitation is a priority in Edmonton and recognizes the suffering caused by sexual exploitation,” said Kate Quinn, executive director of the Centre to End All Sexual Exploitation.

The proclamation was signed…

Ceremonies and information sharing sessions are becoming key parts of the Royal Alberta Museum returning the Manitou Stone to the First Nations.

Anna Faulds has been organizing meetings concerning the repatriation of the stone.

“There are still many people to hear from about their experiences with the Manitou Stone, and those that heard about it from their Elders,” said Faulds,…

Del Graff is hopeful that a report specific to the needs of children leaving care will get the attention it deserves from politicians.
Last month, Graff tabled the Special Report on Children Aging out of Care in the Legislature, which included five recommendations to better support children leaving government care.

The issue of children aging out of government care and not…

First Nations are not impressed with the province’s newest draft policy on consultation.

“I suspect the Chiefs are going to reject it because it’s father-knows-best again,” said Alberta Regional Chief Cameron Alexis, with the Assembly of First Nations. “The provincial government is deciding they want to move on this but they’re deciding what content is going to be in there and that’s…

It is not only a matter of not being consulted on the draft First Nations Education Act, it is a matter of only warranting a telephone conference call from federal Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister Bernard Valcourt.

“It was somewhat insulting to have a phone conversation… on something as important as this and at a stage of crisis, in my opinion, on education overall……

There is an important piece to the issue of murdered and missing Aboriginal girls and women that Mikisew Cree First Nation Chief Steve Courtoreille wants to see addressed.

“We have to educate our children,” he said. Educate girls on being safe and educate boys about treating girls and women with respect. “We want to send a strong message to the youth.”

The community of Fort…

A request by the O’Chiese First Nation of its gas bar’s financial records has resulted in two employees being charged with stealing more than $72,000. Kevin Thomas, 51, and Deborah Thomas, 50, both of Sylvan Lake, are each charged with theft over $5,000, forgery and uttering a forged document. The audit, conducted by an independent accounting firm, led to the suspicion that between March 2010…

Dene Nation Chief Bill Erasmus attended an Embassy event, at a large tourism expo in Berlin, Germany, to draw attention to the issue of Canadian oil sands development. Tourism officials from Alberta and other parts of Canada were promoting the natural beauty of Alberta and BC. Erasmus delivered a letter to tourism officials discussing concerns over Canada’s economy and the tar sands.†Erasmus’…

The Musée Héritage Museum, in St. Albert, is presenting Arctic Life: Lomen Brothers Photography, an exhibition from the Glenbow Museum from until June 16. Drawn to the north by tales of the gold rush and the untouched riches of Alaska, the Lomen family moved from Minnesota to Nome in 1903. Always looking for an opportunity, they purchased a photographic studio in 1908 and a drugstore in 1909.…