Alberta Sweetgrass

A judge conducting an inquiry into the death of a man being held in the Blood headquarters in Standoff is in agreement with recommendations put forth by the Blood Tribe Police Service and Blood Tribe Emergency Medical Services. Judge Paul G. Pharo said that if video surveillance of Curtis Justice Mills’ fall in a jail cell had been viewed immediately, as recommended by the band’s police…

A report released by the Keepers of the Athabasca indicates that many Canadian groups do not support oil sands development. “We did online research for statements in opposition to oil sands development and found it surprising how many statements of opposition were out there, not just from environmental groups, but also from First Nations … (but) from prominent Canadians such as former Alberta…

Statement from Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation

 
April 11th, 2013 Edmonton, AB - This morning the Supreme Court of Canada released its decision to not hear the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation’s (ACFN) appeal of the  Joint Review Panel’s refusal to hear   ACFN’s Section 35 constitutional challenge of Shell Oil Canada’s Jackpine Mine expansion project.
 
"We know that…

First Nations have been given until May 3 to respond to the draft First Nations Consultation Policy and Guidelines released April 2 by Alberta Aboriginal Relations. The proposal has Alberta’s consultation office determining “if consultation is triggered and to what level,” according to the matrix provided by the government. Developments could fall under one of three levels of…

A handful of northern Alberta First Nations have registered their concerns with the B.C. government about B.C. Hydro’s plans to build another dam on the Peace River. “It’s a very, very narrow approach to environmental assessment and we have so much concern,” said Melody Lepine, spokeswoman for the Mikisew Cree. B.C. Hydro is currently accepting public comments on the environmental assessment…

The Alberta Business Awards of Distinction were handed out by the Alberta Chambers of Commerce in March. The awards included two categories recognizing Aboriginal excellence in the business sector. Niwihcihaw Acceptance Ltd. of Hobbema won in the Eagle Feather Business Award category, which recognizes a First Nations-owned business “that demonstrates outstanding achievement in business and has…

The recently-named top men’s volleyball player in the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association believes he is capable of playing professional volleyball in Europe.

But Alwyn Piche, the 26-year-old Dene, is not sure if that is a path he wishes to pursue. Instead, he is leaning towards staying in Canada, finishing off his education and having perhaps a more stable job as a teacher.

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As a child, Carrie Langevin spent many hours at her grandmother’s side gathering plants and berries and learning the ancient Aboriginal secrets of healing and nutrition. Out of those lessons came a deep understanding and appreciation for the natural benefits of many native plants.

That experience evolved into a vision for her future, and today, Langevin is living the dream. Along with…

The chief executive officer of the Siksika Health Services will be among those taking part in a lengthy awareness raising walk with former National Hockey League star Theo Fleury.

CEO Tyler White is one of about 10 people from the Siksika Nation who will participate in the Victor Walk.

The event, which will be staged in Ontario from May 14-23, is being held to raise awareness of…

Edmonton’s downtown Bissell Centre is making a positive impact on the lives of many people with its FASD program.

The treatment strategy is helping to eliminate or lessen the occurrence of babies being born with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. But it is also helping adults who have been diagnosed with the often-disabling disorder.

“Every year in September is International FASD…

After pushing both the federal and provincial governments for years for funding to study health concerns in the Fort Chipewyan area, the Mikisew Cree First Nation is bowing out of the possibility of a provincially-funded study that will do just that.

“Primarily there’s no confidence by the leadership with Alberta Health or Health Canada because of our previous attempts to study health…

The LYNX website launched in 2008 has proven to be a perfect solution to the difficulties corporations were having in recruiting Aboriginal post-secondary graduates for positions with their companies.

 Since Career Services departments do not post jobs by ethnicity, the corporations would go directly to the Aboriginal Native centres, including the University of Calgary’s, says Cyndy…

Mckenzie Oliver was in Grade 8 when a passing conversation with her father first revealed her Métis bloodline. Luc Gauthier, on the other hand, has grown up proudly embracing his Métis roots.
Both teens are among the 13 Albertans honoured in March at the 2013 Alberta Aboriginal Youth Achievement Awards gala.

“It means a lot to me personally,” said Oliver who was both honoured and…

One grandmother has supervised visits with her granddaughter; the other grandmother does not.

One grandmother is fighting for custody of her granddaughter; the other grandmother does not have that option.

“My heart is heavy,” said Amanda Smith (last name changed to protect the identity of the child). “I cry every night.”

Last September, Smith’s granddaughter, Emily (name…

There’s still plenty of work to be done and money to be raised.
Yet Brantt Myhres, the former National Hockey League player who is hoping to launch an academic/hockey academy in Edmonton, is encouraged by some recent meetings.

Myhres, who is Métis, is the CEO and president of the Greater Strides Hockey Academy, a Calgary-based company which offers training programs to hockey groups…