A Maclean’s investigation has determined that of 327 bands that filed salary information under the federal government’s new First Nations Financial Transparency Act, Fort McKay First Nation Chief Jim Boucher is second only to Ron Giesbrecht, Chief of the Kwikwetlem First Nation in BC. Giesbrecht brought in $914,261 as of March 31, 2014, while Boucher earned $644,441 in the same one year time period. Maclean’s found that 35 chiefs earned six-figure salaries.

Ten years ago Siksika Nation faced the realty of frequent youth suicides. The community was so affected that Armond Duck Chief, Eddi Wolf Child, and Joni Big Old Man felt the need to change the way the youth perceived their reality.

In 2004 the three young adults established what was then known as the Siksika Nation Youth Movement, which involved weekly meetings with some of the Nation’s younger members to address the issue of youth suicide, and other concerns such as drug abuse and tobacco use, says Duck Chief.

Kikino Métis Settlement celebrated its 75 anniversary this summer and while infrastructure and industry are vital to the continued growth of the settlement, Kikino’s leaders say it is education and the community’s youth that hold the key to a successful future.

 “I really believe the future in our community is bright,” said Kikino’s Chair Floyd Thompson. “As leaders, we know the importance of education. There’s a quote that’s always stuck out in my mind. ‘Education is the golden key.’”

Most National Hockey League players are counting down the days until they can begin another season. Kyle Chipchura, a 28-year-old Métis from Westlock, is no different. But he also has a couple of other reasons why he’s eager to start the 2014-15 campaign.

Chipchura, who is heading into his ninth season of pro hockey, is a member of the Arizona (formerly Phoenix) Coyotes.

Maxine Courtoreille-Paul is hopeful that the time her nieces spent in kinship care with her will make a difference in their lives. She says it was the grounding she needed when she was a ward of the province. She was in her mid-20s when she finally discovered who she was. 

“It took me until I was 25 to find out who I was as a person. I knew I didn’t fit in with the white people, and I didn’t fit in with the First Nations, but I was Métis. I always kind of forced myself into the First Nations community because that’s where I seemed to blend in more easily,” she said.

The message was clear: Indigenous children will remain in their communities.

“They grow up with that loving, growing bond. That the family is involved, that the community is involved. That we don’t give Alberta Child Services not one more of our children,” said Jo-Ann Saddleback.

Alberta apprehends more children than any other province, she said, and the majority of those children are Aboriginal.

Alberta Chiefs want a national inquiry in to murdered and missing Aboriginal women and girls but they won’t be getting support from the province’s new premier.

The Assembly of Treaty Chiefs passed the resolution to move forward with the national inquiry the day after Premier Jim Prentice said there was no need.

In the opening scene of Making Treaty 7, Michelle Thrush comes on stage rocking and talking to the imaginary baby she holds in her arms, taking the audience back to a key moment in history: Sept. 21, 1877. Addressing her child, Thrush says, “Today we signed Treaty. We will smoke the pipe. Everything will change. We will no longer have emptiness in our bellies. The buffalo will be protected. Everything is going to change. We will work with the newcomers, share the land, teach our stories and songs. We cannot stop change.”

Matthew Wood has made a full time mission out of sharing his passion for Hip Hop music and dance with youth, and in doing so, being a mentor and positive influence.

Often referred to by his performing name “Creeasian,” Wood is well known in Edmonton’s Hip Hop circles having performed at Inner City High, the International Street Performers Festival, the International Fringe Theatre Festival, HipHop In the Park, iHuman Block party and more.

A little hoop magic

Tyrone Sitting Eagle, third generation hoop dancer, from Siksika, danced for large crowds at the Indian Village during the Calgary Stampede.