A woman from the Enoch Cree Nation is breaking new ground and inspiring others after being awarded the Mrs. North America Globe Classic title at a pageant in Las Vegas in March.

Lisa Ground is the first First Nations woman to claim the title and has since been busy representing the crown and acting as the national spokeswoman for Mrs. Globe’s partner charity, the W.I.N. Foundation.

“It’s such an honour. It makes my heart happy. They taught me at the pageant how to be my best self, and I count my blessings. That’s what the W.I.N. Foundation is all about,” she said. 

Church bells tolled across the nation every day for 22 days last month. And, according to the Anglican Church leaders who led the 22-Day initiative, the bells tolled not just a tribute, but also a warning—things have got to change.

A new graphic novel tells a strong story about a young Aboriginal man who breaks away from gang violence, but not before ending up in jail.

AltaLink supports Alberta Indigenous Games

Using art, Springbank school and Strathmore High School students expressed their empathy for those who endured residential schools, signifying a new beginning.

Words have to be followed by action. Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson made that clear to a room full of residential schools survivors, their families and others in the Delta Hotel in Ottawa at the closing event of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

He underscored his point when he placed a declaration of action into the Bentwood Box as an act of reconciliation on behalf of the Big City Mayors caucus of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. The caucus represents 21 cities, which collectively hold half of the country’s population.

Memorial marks deaths of those without adequate shelter

 Rev. Travis Enright, who is of Cree background, leads prayers and blessings at the tenth annual Edmonton Homeless Memorial on June 5. This year’s remembrance celebration honoured the lives of 47 men and women who died in the past year as a result of not having adequate shelter. The event is organized by a committee of the Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness. 

Poitras recognized by U of A with honourary degree

The building of trust is an ongoing process, says Cameron Alexis, outgoing Alberta Regional Chief for the Assembly of First Nations, particularly when it comes to interaction between Aboriginal people and the police.

The success of Ambrose Place and renewed interest from funders have rallied agencies working in Edmonton’s inner city to evaluate services and programs and identify gaps.

Richard Oster is hopeful that a partnership between the University of Alberta and an unidentified First Nation will result in more women successfully carrying babies to full term.