Métis Elder Elsie Yanik likened receiving an honourary doctor of laws degree from the University of Alberta to Christmas in June.
“When I learned that the University of Alberta was going to give me an honourary degree, I felt a great sense of happiness and appreciation for everything. It was overwhelming. It was a familiar feeling. When you’ve been around for 97 years, most things become familiar. I remember one of the first times I felt this way it was 89 years ago,” Yanik said during graduation ceremonies on June 11.

Race, gender and sexual violence were emphasized at this year’s fourth annual Slut Walk in Edmonton.

The walk focused heavily on Canada’s missing and murdered Aboriginal women because a demographic “that has a significantly higher chance of being sexually assaulted and murdered are First Nations, Métis, and/or Inuit women,” said emcee Raine Northumberland. “If you haven’t heard of the Highway of Tears, look it up. If you haven’t heard of the annual Memorial Marches for Missing and Murdered Women, look them up.”

A familiar face is missing these days at the Alberta Children’s Services office in Slave Lake.

Sophia Cardinal, a popular receptionist at the facility for the past 28 years, retired earlier this year.

Cardinal, however, did much more than clerical work at the office.
The 60-year-old, a member of the Bigstone Cree Nation, often put clients at ease as it was welcoming for them to first see and speak to a fellow Aboriginal in the office.

A year after flood waters caused severe damage on the Siksika and Stony Nakoda First Nations, the Canadian Red Cross continues its work in the recovery phase.

“Immediately after the flood, we had teams of staff and volunteers to Siksika and Stoney First Nations, primarily focused on supporting the flood and evacuation centres as per invitation by the Nations themselves,” said Provincial Director Jenn McManus.

The next time an Aboriginal person is involved in a serious police incident, the agency that investigates such occurrences could include two Aboriginal team members.

Evelyn Simpson and Gina Degerness stood together, holding each other and crying.  They share something no mother wants to share:  their sons are missing.  Evelyn’s son Jason Freedom Adam went missing from Edmonton on Oct. 21, 2007. 
Degerness’ son Lucas Degerness disappeared from Prince George, BC, on June 7, 2007.

The women were among the two dozen or so people who gathered on the steps of Churchill Square in downtown Edmonton for the first annual rally to honour murdered and missing Aboriginal men and boys.

Three days after the federal government granted approval to the $7-billion Enbridge Northern Gateway oil sands pipeline, a group of women in Gitgaat First Nation held the first — albeit symbolic — blockade of the controversial project.

It is no doubt the first of many to come, as opposition continues amongst many First Nations in the province, who say they will never back down and allow the project through regardless of government rulings.

Métis fiddler John Arcand was one of two recipients of the 2014 Canada Council Molson Prize. Arcand received $50,000 in the arts category. He holds the Order of Canada, performs, teaches and promotes the traditions of Métis fiddle and dance. His unique sound builds on a long family tradition of fiddle and dance and is considered essential to the identity and recognition of Métis culture. During his career spanning more than 60 years, Arcand has created more than 370 tunes and produced 16 recordings. Philosopher Jean Grondin won $50,000 in the social sciences and humanities category.