Alberta Sweetgrass

Chris Robinson, executive director with the Royal Alberta Museum, introduces the museum’s newest collection, Innujaq: Dolls of the Canadian Arctic.

Inuit collection of dolls on display

Innujaq: Dolls of the Canadian Arctic is the first of a suite of four northern exhibitions the Royal Alberta Museum will be hosting over the next few months.  Innujaq is the…

Marilyn Buffalo was elected president of the Indian Association of Alberta at the annual general meeting on Nov. 3. The IAA is a grassroots treaty rights organization. “The IAA provided research to the treaty chiefs, who then acted in unity with the IAA. It was the right combination of force and influences to protect our rights,” said Buffalo, in a news release. Two board positions remain…

Brittany Smith, of Strathmore, is one of 10 recipients of this year’s RBC Aboriginal Student Awards Program. Over 500 applications were received from students who are pursuing post-secondary education. Smith, a Métis, is enrolled at the University of Saskatchewan, in Veterinary Medicine. “With the Aboriginal population growing nearly six times faster than the general population, it’s never…

Chief Wilton Littlechild, presently commissioner on the Indian Residential Schools’ Truth and Reconciliation Commission, was among a number of recent Aboriginal recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. Also awarded was Bertha Clark, of Athabasca. Clark is a respected Elder, trailblazer and champion for Indigenous women across Canada. She founded the organization now known as…

The province has added a provision into the Education Act that allows appointment — rather than election — of school board trustees from select communities, which would include First Nations. Jacquie Hansen, with the Alberta School Boards Association, said the new provisions outlined in the act, would likely be first utilized by certain rural school boards in the province that have agreements…

The Alberta Court of Appeal dismissed an application from Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and Métis groups for leave to appeal a decision of the Joint Review Panel to not review the adequacy of Crown consultation before deciding whether to approve Shell’s Jackpine Mine expansion project. The court’s decision was rendered Nov. 26. “If there is a violation of our constitutionally protected…

Alberta Chiefs have let Aboriginal Relations Minister Robin Campbell know they are concerned about a discussion paper released this fall on consultation, which is legally required before any projects can proceed on Crown lands. “It’s quite clear the goal is to continue to minimize what it really means to consult with First Nations,” said Grand Chief Marvin Yellowbird of Treaty 6. “The province…

First Nations and Alaskan Tribes have expressed support to explore the feasibility for a new “purpose built” railroad linking Alaska, Yukon, northern British Columbia and northern Alberta to the rest of North America. Proposed by G Seven Generations Ltd., the railroad would provide access to Pacific tidewater, enabling the import and export of commodities, including oil sands products. The…

Three teens pleaded guilty to taking turns firing a gun at a home in Hobbema, accidentally killing a five-year-old boy asleep in his bed. Ethan Yellowbird was struck in the head by a bullet fired at the house on the Samson Cree First Nation on July 11, 2011. The teens — aged 13, 16 and 17 at the time — each pleaded guilty to manslaughter on Nov. 7 during what was to have been the first day of…

Members of the Siksika First Nation will be voting this month on whether a 131-hectare parcel of resort land should maintain designation for recreational, residential and commercial use.
And while the referendum question, which states in part, “do you agree to the revocation and designation” of these lands, is simple enough, the issue is more complex, says Siksika member Kelly Breaker.…

Online exclusive

The Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and the Métis Nation of Alberta had asked the Alberta Court of Appeal to force a regulatory board to make a ruling on whether they had been adequately consulted on the massive project.

The groups also wanted the board to rule on the issue before it made a decision on whether the project could go ahead.

However, in a…

Roy Whitney has been elected Chief of the Tsuu T'ina Nation defeating Sandford Big Plume.

Results have been tabulated in the 2012 Chief and Council election at the Tsuu T'ina Nation, according to a release from the First Nation. Polls closed at 8:00 p.m. Monday.

Debate around a new ring road deal and ways to increase economic development were key issues during the election.

PriMarc is conducting an online survey to learn about the experience of Indigenous artists and arts organizations in getting access to funding.
 
Here is the link to the survey for individual artists:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Aboriginal_Arts_Individual
 
Here is the link to the survey for arts…

Lethbridge College Métis Elder Rod McLeod (centre) is flanked by Blackfoot Elder Francis First Charger (at podium) and Bruce Wolf Child. McLeod was given the Blackfoot name of Iistakata, which means “Dependable One,” as part of the college’s FNMI Days held Oct. 23-25. “The event brings a wonderful energy to the college that solidifies our commitment to sharing the heritage and traditions of…

Celebrating the artistry and impact of Through the Lens a new book, Through the Lens - Encouraging Creativity in Youth, will be released by the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies on Feb. 2, 2013, as part of Exposure, the Calgary Banff Canmore Photography Festival. Each year Through the Lens is made possible through the talents of young people, the unwavering support of the schools and the…