Chiefs present for the unveiling of the Treaty 8 sign in Whitecourt were Grand Chief of Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta and Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation Richard Kappo, Chief Romeo Cardinal from Bigstone Cree, Chief Arthur Noskey from Loon River Cree, Chief Jim Badger from Sucker Creek, Chief Rose Laboucan from Driftpile Cree  and Chief Rupert Meneen from Tallcree.

John Whitford is paying it forward.  He remembers what it meant to him to learn to Red River jig and he is providing youngsters at the Kikino Metis Settlement with the same opportunity.

“I heard the fiddle the first time and that was it. I was ready to go after that,” said Whitford, who serves in the recreation department on the Metis settlement.

Officials from Banff’s Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies are anticipating large crowds for their latest exhibit called Indigenous Ingenuity.

“I think it’s going to appeal to a lot of people,” said the museum’s curator Anne Ewen, adding it won’t just be Aboriginals, who will be drawn to the exhibit.

If the exhibit opening, which was held on June 15 is any indication, then Ewen will be correct with her prediction. About 350 people attended the opening.

Chevi Rabbit (centre) led the third annual Hate to Hope march and rally on July 19. Despite rainy weather, the turnout was strong and included PC leadership candidate Thomas Lukaszuk, New Democrat MLA David Eggen and Dr. James Makokis. Rabbit was the victim of a hate crime in 2012 in the Strathcona area. Said Rabbit, “We hope to inspire Canadians to take action … and to grow a community committed to ending bullying, hate crimes and homophobia.”

A unique Housing First program that has both a trauma support worker and a cultural and spiritual educator was recently recognized with a Leader of the Pack award at the 7 Cities Housing First Practitioners Workshop Awards and Reception.

Team Leader Janice M. Shirt, of the Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society in Edmonton, accepted the award for her efforts in guiding her team in tackling the ongoing issue of homelessness.

Building relationships and searching for long-term solutions have brought success for the Boyle Street Community Services Outreach Team when it comes to working with Edmonton’s homeless.

“It is important that our team is proactive,” said leader Aidan Inglis.

 A recent independent report undertaken by the City of Edmonton, which examined the actions of the Boyle Street Outreach Team from 2011-2013, attributes the team’s success in reaching its mandate to its ability to connect with people who live on the streets and assist them in transitioning to a stable lifestyle. 

Aboriginal artists big part of The Works

Edmonton City Hall stands as the backdrop to the Alberta Aboriginal Arts Tipi on Churchill Square. The tipi exhibited the work of contemporary emerging Edmonton Aboriginal artists from Dreamspeakers on Tour, Amiskwaciy Academy, and youth participants from Alberta Aboriginal Performing Arts
and was one of many exhibits at this year’s The Works festival. The festival had 25 different sites.

When Aboriginal Home Visitation Services are expanded in the fall to Calgary families with infants and children to age three, an Aboriginal agency will be at the forefront.

That’s an important distinction, says Mark Laycock, director of Métis Calgary Family Services. “First contact often occurs with the disenfranchised, for example, an expectant mother.”

Although Laycock’s organization submitted a proposal for the contract, MCFS was not successful.

Organizers of the Healing Walk, which covers a section of the Alberta tar sands, will be shifting their focus next year.
“We’re not moving away from (campaigning against) open pit mining to focus on in situ…but we need to focus on other communities that are needing help,” said Jesse Cardinal, organizer of the Healing Walk and coordinator with Keepers of the Athabasca. “In situ is going to be surpassing open pit mining and there’s a lot of concerns and issues around that.”

Cancer concerns for two First Nations living downstream on the Athabasca River have always been personal for Mikisew Cree Nation Chief Steve Courtoreille, but now they have reached an even higher level. Courtoreille has been diagnosed with cancer.
“But I am a fighter. I just don’t give up.  And so are my people,” he said. “I don’t have a problem in standing up to industry, in standing up to government, other First Nations to fight for our well-being, our lives.”