A point-in-time count of homelessness in Alberta’s seven largest municipalities shows a bleak picture of over-representation for the urban Aboriginal population.

But Fort McKay First Nation Chief Jim Boucher takes hope from Premier Jim Prentice’s first Speech from the Throne.

Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi receives his first Métis sash from Marlene Lanz, president of Métis Nation Region 3.

Métis Nation Region 3 celebrates Métis Week

Artist and nurse Heather Clayton displays her years in the north through A Life in Portraits, an exhibition that runs until Dec. 17 at the Extension Gallery at Enterprise Square Atrium, in downtown Edmonton.

Pioneer nursing celebrated in art exhibit

A pilot project on Kikino Métis Settlement will see Habitat for Humanity’s ownership model provide homes for four local families.

“Kikino is setting the stage for others to follow. Our objective is to help all of the Métis communities. We’re working out with our pilot projects the best way to go,” said Habitat for Humanity Edmonton President Alfred Nikolai.

Once more, First Nations are claiming that the federal government has failed to consult when giving the go ahead to industry.

And once more legal action is the result.

The Mikisew Cree Nation and Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation filed legal papers in Vancouver federal court in November asking for a judicial review of the federal government’s October decision to give the nod to the Site C dam project on the Peace River.

Campaign to eliminate violence against Aboriginal women

A recent trip by Premier Jim Prentice to meet with Aboriginal leaders in the Fort Chipewyan region has received mixed reaction.

Fort McKay First Nation Chief Jim Boucher lauds Prentice for traveling north on Nov. 10 and meeting with him and his council for close to two hours.

“I think it’s a very important signal from the premier that he’s very concerned about the relationship between the First Nations and the province and our ability to resolve the issues,” said Boucher.

The new national chief for the Assembly of First Nations has put Ottawa on notice.

In his acceptance speech, Perry Bellegarde said, “Business as usual…that is not on. First Nations people will oppose any development which deprives our children of the legacy of our ancestors. We will no longer accept poverty and hopelessness while resource companies and governments grow fat off our lands and territories and resources. If our lands and resources are to be developed it will be done …. on our terms and our timeline.”

Conservative MP Rob Clarke wants an apology from Liberal Senator Lillian Dyck after she accused the Cree politician of acting like a white man. Dyck is also Cree. During the Senate debate on a First Nations transparency bill, Dyck suggested Clarke hadn’t shown the proper respect when testifying on the bill. She said he became boastful. “That, for a First Nations man, is not traditional First Nations behaviour. It was not at all. It is what we would call … white man behaviour,” said Dyck, who doesn’t consider the comment offensive. “You can be insulted by that if you like.” 

An actor used in police training scenarios at the Regina Police College at the University of Regina is alleging he was the victim of racial profiling by the Regina Police Service. “I felt like my rights were violated,” said Simon Ash-Moccasin.

He was walking home through downtown Regina when a police cruiser approached, he said. “I waved him on and continued walking. Then another cop came by and actually slowed down and began following me,” reports the Leader-Post.