On June 19, the federal government gave approval to Enbridge’s Northern Gateway pipeline, which will carry 200-million barrels of diluted bitumen annually 1,177 km from Bruderheim to a marine terminal in Kitimat, BC. There it will be loaded on tankers bound for Asia. Alberta Premier Dave Hancock called it a “step forward in accessing new markets for Canada’s energy resources.”

As of June 20, the Blood Tribe was among 10 municipalities in southern Alberta to have declared states of local emergency due to flooding. Approximately 435 people had been evacuated from the Blood reserve, with 96 residences impacted by flooding and another 90 evacuated due to leaks in roofs, windows and doors. A reception centre was established in Standoff.  Several local roads were covered in water, but the public water supply remained stable.

Tamar Quist, with baby Peter and his mom, became the first midwife to work in Alberta Health Services north zone. Her midwife services are being offered at a clinic based in High Level and through prenatal and postpartum outreach programs in La Crete. Midwives are fully responsible for examinations, assessment of risk, screening and diagnostic tests, and collaborating with other health professionals when necessary.

A Cree high school in Alberta is one of four in the province that has received funding from the TransCanada Equipment Grant.
The Nipisihkopah Secondary School, located on the Maskwacis First Nation, is using its $10,000 grant to upgrade its fashion program.

But Alvina Flormann, the principal at the school, said it won’t just be students who benefit from the equipment upgrades.

The school has already spent $8,400 of its grant money.
Purchases include eight new sewing machines, a pair of sergers and some tables for the machines.

“At a time when there are a lot of stressors in our community, awards such as these are exactly what we need,” said Mark Laycock, director of Métis Calgary Family Services of the recognition received at the annual Métis Nation of Alberta Region 3 Entrepreneurial Awards held in late April. “In a sense it’s a way of qualifying and sanctioning the work we do. Dealing with families in crisis is difficult work.”  Métis Calgary Family Services was acknowledged with two awards in recognition of the organization’s support and service to the Métis community.

International Chief Wilton Littlechild will be invested in this year’s Alberta Order of Excellence.

“I would like to see that recognition add weight to my voice,” said Littlechild, who recently spoke at the United Nations assembly in New York, where he serves as the North American representative to the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

Jamie Medicine Crane of Young Medicine duo performs a traditional dance at Opening Ceremonies of Calgary’s Aboriginal Awareness week.

City commemorates flood of 2013

A comic book being published in Calgary will give young readers a chance to learn the Blackfoot language.

The graphic novel, entitled “Ihtsipatatiyoop” (“Creator” in English), will be a series of illustrations and text boxes designed to appeal to youth.

Heart of the City celebrations

Spirit Woman Singers performed at the Heart of the City in Giovanni Caboto Park on June 8. A traditional vocal and drum group, Spirit Woman Singers are committed to walking a spiritual path and singing for healing, inner peace, and inspiration. Heart of the City is an annual music and arts festival that takes place the first weekend in June and celebrates the talent of Edmonton’s inner city.

March 14, 1974, marks a significant date in Ruth Scalp Lock’s life, a turning point at the Winnipeg Inn on Portage and Main, where she experienced a spiritual awakening.

“I heard this voice that told me I had to do something about my life. A power higher than me was with me,” said Scalp Lock at the launch of her personal story, My Name is Shield Woman a hard road to healing, vision, and leadership, at Shelf Life Books on June 19.