the island’s rich culture, but a 30-second tourism video produced by Destination Cape Breton, doesn’t mention First Nations and is being criticized for its lack of cultural diversity with nary a visible minority in sight. But destination Cape Breton said the video is meant to attract tourists from the Toronto market who visit the island for the Cabot Trail. “For the purpose of a 30-second spot — and we think about how short that is — it is about what are those things that can really impact,” said Destination Cape Breton CEO Mary Tulle. The spot was shown in Toronto for about three weeks.

Society will have no federal funding to support on-reserve social assistance programs. The society is condemning a “unilateral decision” by Aboriginal Affairs, BC region to cut the support for Persons with Disability on Reserve adjudication service. The society further accuses the government of bad faith negotiations of a contract.

The Lax Kw’alaams band has turned down a liquefied natural gas development that would have netted them $1.15 billion in benefits.

And in so doing lost out on Crown land the province had been offering. The band had valued the land at $108 million. The province said the land was contingent on the band supporting Pacific NorthWest LNG’s proposal.

PNW had proposed to construct an LNG terminal facility on Lelu Island in the port of Prince Rupert. The pipeline that would
run to the terminal would be owned by Prince Rupert Gas Transmission, a subsidiary of TransCanada.

It was a big test. When we heard about the $1.15 billion offered by Petronas (Pacific NorthWest LNG) to Lax Kw’alaams First Nation to support an LNG terminal on its traditional land at Lelu Island in Prince Rupert it made us wonder. How does a small group turn that kind of money down?

This is where the principles that have been espoused are challenged at their core. Does the offer wobble the knees? Make the stomach flip? Can the money compromise the group’s stated values?

Premier-elect Rachel Notley has pledged to work with Aboriginal people.

“And to Alberta’s Indigenous peoples, the trust that we have been given tonight is a call to be better neighbours and better partners. And I am looking forward to consulting with you and learning from you,” said Notley in her acceptance speech.

In the tight community of Siksika Nation, the Bow River flood of 2013 was a devastation that impacted everyone, some more so than others. Nearly two years later, the Nation is still dealing with the effects suffered by the disaster, including the psychosocial aspect of the event.

“It was the worst disaster that Siksika has ever had,” said Darlene Munro, program manager of the Dancing Deer Disaster Recovery Centre, “but nobody at the beginning looked at the human aspect of the rebuild.”

Munro realized the urgent need for individual mental health response. 

Filmmaker Alexandra Lazarowich wants to do more than tell the story of Cree soldiers from Alberta, who communicated vital military intelligence that contributed to the Allied victory plans in World War II. She wants to get them the recognition they have long been denied and so richly deserve.

 “We want justice for them. That’s what we want to do with this film. In my secret heart of hearts I’m hoping to get congressional medals for them. …They were never honoured while they were alive. This is the best we can do for them now,” she said.

A pair of professional players are teaming up with the Grande Prairie Lacrosse Association as well as the provincial and national governing bodies to promote the sport in First Nation communities.

Andrew McBride, the captain of the Calgary Roughnecks, who competed in the National Lacrosse League, and Jeremy Thompson, a member of the NLL’s Edmonton Rush, visited five schools in mid-April raising awareness of the sport.

Thompson, who is in his fourth NLL season, is Aboriginal; he grew up in Akwesasne, Ont.

Organizers of the third Alberta Indigenous Games have scaled back their anticipated participation numbers from previous events.

But Allan Ross, the CEO of this year’s games, which will be held July 12-16 in Edmonton, is hoping to more than double the number of competitors from previous events.

Athlete inspires young volleyball enthusiasts