Second annual Treaty 6 day marked

Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson and Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation Chief Tony Alexis, standing in for the Grand Chief, proclaimed Sept. 25 as Treaty 6 Recognition Day. The two were joined by other Treaty 6 Chiefs in a special ceremony held at City Hall. “Edmonton values are treaty values,” said Iveson, “and all people are welcome here.” The event allows the city to further strengthen Edmonton’s renewed relationship with the Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations.

Forty years later, the little college that could has plans to grow and serve 500 students.

In 1972, Maskwacis Cultural College opened its doors as a cultural education centre in Hobbema.

“It was a place to preserve and protect our language, history and culture,” says Patricia Goodwill-Littlechild, MCC president.

Two years later, MCC began its first academic program, the Bachelor of Education from University of Calgary. The first four teachers graduated four years later.

Marilyn Shirt, dean of Indigenous language at Blue Quills First Nations College, has joined forces with Dr. Allison Eamer, a University of Ontario Institute of Technology professor, in a shared vision to preserve First Nations’ languages. When the two met at a languages conference in Hamilton four years ago, they discovered they had a common interest in exploring ways to use technology and distance learning to increase opportunities for learning languages.

The message is clear: new premier Jim Prentice needs to talk to First Nations leaders.

“He needs more dialogue with First Nations and obviously the jurisdictional issue needs to be addressed first and foremost. Our sovereign relationship is with the federal crown. We are a sovereign nation and we determine what is best for us as First Nations,” said Chief Brad Rabbit, of the Montana Cree First Nation.

A lot of young Canadian boys grow up with dreams of playing in the NHL. That dream came true for a young Metis boy from St. Albert, and now his family is celebrating his accomplishments after a special honour.
 
Joseph Benoit was born in 1916 and passed away in 1981, after a long and storied career in hockey and standing up for his country in WW2.

Media Release 
 
Perry Bellegarde, currently Chief of theFederation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) today announced his candidacy for the position of National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN).
 
"I am committed to being a catalyst for positive change for First Nations across Canada.  I want to see Aboriginal rights and title and our Treaty rights recognized, honoured and implemented," stated Perry Bellegarde. 
 

The Fort McMurray Métis is hoping to run about four membership drives a year, with the next tentative date set for somewhere in the first part of December, 2014.
 
Anyone with Métis heritage and can prove it, is potentially eligible to be a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta.
 
Kyle Harrietha is the General Manager of McMurray Métis and says there are many benefits in becoming a MNA member, like educational opportunities and social events.
 

A Vuntut Gwitchin man has been fined for hunting without permission outside his nation’s traditional territory. He has been ordered to learn about the rights of First Nations hunters, and their responsibilities. The hunter had told conservation officers he had permission from the Champagne Aishihik First Nation to hunt moose or bison, the latter of which requires a permit. But the hunter didn’t have a permit and he did not receive the permission of the Champagne Aishihik, which supported the prosecution of the 49-year-old man.

A communications officer with the Museum of Civilization in Quebec City said there was no damage to First Nations artifacts after a fire Sept. 15. It took 40 firefighters hours to contain the fire. The artifacts are out of the exhibit and are being examined, said the spokesperson. Staff had time to cover the artifacts in a recent exhibit with a tarp before leaving the burning building. There is smoke and water damage to the museum, however. The museum was undergoing renovations, and the fire broke out during repairs to the exterior.

Alberta’s newly-minted premier, Jim Prentice, says there is strong support of pipeline construction by First Nations. Getting oil and gas out of province is critical and First Nations, who are heavily invested in the industry, are among “the strongest allies” and “passionate about achieving West Coast access. Prentice wants to show progress on pipelines and will use his position as premier and as minister for Aboriginal Affairs and international and intergovernmental relations, to advocate for construction.