BC Hydro’s Site-C Dam project on the Peace River, approximately seven kilometers west of Fort St. John in northeastern BC, has received the approval of the British Columbia government. The proposed dam will result in the flooding of 5,550 hectares of land within the traditional territory of Treaty 8 First Nations. This construction of Site-C will have significant negative impacts on the ability of Treaty 8 First Nations to exercise their constitutionally-protected treaty rights to harvest and to engage in various traditional activities on the land surrounding the reservoir.

In a surprise move, Wildrose Party leader and head of the Official Opposition Danielle Smith jumped ship and joined Prentice’s Conservative government. In her resignation letter of Dec. 18, Smith said nine of the 14 members of her caucus “have joined the government caucus in a reunification of Alberta’s conservatives.” The decision to accept the former Wildrose MLAs came after a lengthy debate of the Conservative caucus and was not unanimous.

A report by consultant Human Environment Group, obtained by the Edmonton Journal, is recommending that the Cumulative Effects Management Association, which is currently studying air pollutions levels, take on no new projects and by the end of 2015 complete all its research. At that time, CEMA would be rolled into a new, larger multi-stakeholder advisory group for the entire Lower Athabasca region, says the report. It is unclear who will take over CEMA’s research agenda.

The Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship Program was launched recently at the Fort McMurray Composite High School by former Prime Minister Paul Martin. A part of the Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative, the Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship Program works to educate Aboriginal youth about business including financial literacy, enhancing critical thinking skills and encouraging students to complete secondary and post-secondary studies, all while building relationships with local business and entrepreneurial communities.

The Gunn Métis settlement has received status to participate in public hearings for TransAlta’s $1.5 billion gas-fired power plant proposed for the southwest shore of Wabamun Lake. However, Alberta Utilities Commission denied similar status to Samson Cree and Alexis Nakota Sioux First Nations. AUC ruled that neither First Nation had established that their treaty rights were “adversely and directly affected” by the proposed plant, as their concerns about air pollution were “broad and generic.” Also denied status was the Village of Kapasiwin, on the eastern shore of the lake.

A joint-venture partnership between the Woodland Cree First Nation and ATCO Structures & Logistics will see the design, build and operation of a 150-person workforce accommodation lodge to house workers constructing the Otter Lake compressor station in the Peace River region. The lodge is scheduled to open in January 2015 and will provide accommodations until January 2016. ATCO and WCFN will be working together to provide camp services for this project including camp management, catering, housekeeping and janitorial.

The full implications of a federal court ruling slapping the Harper government for implementing two omnibus bills in 2012 without consulting with Mikisew Cree Nation are not yet known. However, MCN Chief Steve Courtoreille says it can only strengthen the stand of First Nations.

“It feels great that there’s some hope in the justice system of this country,” said Courtoreille. “But the sad part is that time and time again, the governments, both federal and provincial governments, they continue to create legislation and without consulting with the First Nations.”

Sound, staging and heartfelt acting brought together a hauntingly compelling story of the Indian residential school experience in this year’s Strathmore High School drama production. Directed by drama and dance teacher Deanne Bertsch, with input from Blackfoot liaison and teacher Eulailia Running Rabbit, the show was an intense and powerful interpretation of Canada’s dark history in relation to Aboriginal people.

Those living on a First Nations reserve are 10 times more likely to die in a house fire than those living in the rest of Canada, according to a 2010 federal study. Horse Lake First Nation Chief Administrative Officer Darwin Eckstrom heard this sobering statistic while listening to a CBC broadcast last March and knew he had to do something to change it.

This November, Horse Lake First Nation and the County of Grande Prairie entered into a two-year partnership that will bring advanced fire fighting skills and training to the volunteer fire fighters in Horse Lake.