Ignorance of residential school history is still prevalent in southern Alberta, a University of Lethbridge student’s audio documentary contends.

Produced by 19-year-old University of Lethbridge social work student, Lauren Crazybull, the audio documentary True Contact: Resonating Reconciliation in Southern Alberta focuses on Treaty 7 Blackfoot territory and examines the relation between Indian residential schools and how Aboriginals are perceived in Lethbridge and surrounding communities today.

A 35-day delay in a decision by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency in the Jackpine mine expansion means little.

“I think it’s pretty telling how the government handles a lot of the concerns brought up by First Nations, which is this tendency to create the optics that they are addressing the concerns or needs of First Nations. We see this all the time,” said Eriel Deranger, communications officer with the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation.

But the delay isn’t even half the time ACFN requested. The First Nation was looking for 90 days.

“Education is indeed the new buffalo and offers the promise of reconciliation through understanding, knowledge and through respect,” said Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo (centre) at the grand opening of Bow Valley College’s Iniikokaan Aboriginal Centre.

Grand Opening of Iniikokaan Aboriginal Centre at BVC celebrated

Collaboration produces history-making graduates

Now in the third phase of recovery from the floodwaters of 2013, Siksika First Nation has received an injection of $93 million from the provincial government, the terms of which are defined by a Memorandum of Understanding.

“I am very humbled that the Alberta government has stepped forward to help,” said Chief Fred Rabbit Carrier, who stood with Aboriginal Relations Minister Robin Campbell on Nov. 6 at Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park to announce flood recovery support for the Siksika Nation.  “The Alberta government has treated Siksika and Stoney as Albertans.”

The next step for a pair of Edmonton women is to determine how best to meet the interests that have been voiced in order to offer affordable Aboriginal youth activity programming.

Susan Sinclair, a Cree language teacher, and Angela Coppola, a University of Alberta doctoral student, used an $11,000 grant from the U of A’s health science council to host four meetings in Edmonton during September and October.

About 20-30 people attended each of the consultation meetings. First-time participants were provided small honorariums for taking part.

After a successful end to his novice rodeo career, Kale McKenzie is eager to take on the big boys.

The 21-year-old Métis, from Rocky Mountain House, entered Canadian Professional Rodeo Association championships as the top-seeded rider in novice saddle bronc competition, which concluded on Nov. 10 in Edmonton. When the dust stopped flying, he had placed second in his category, edged out  by Zeke Thurston of Big Valley, Alta.

First Nations are slamming the Alberta government for lack of communication, slow action and inadequate steps taken to deal with what is believed to be the largest coal slurry spill in Canadian history.

The breach at Sherritt International’s Obed Mountain Coal Mine from a pit 30 km east of Hinton occurred Oct. 31 and released approximately 670 million litres of contaminated water into two tributaries leading to the Athabasca River.

The independent voice given by the provincial government to stand up for children in care was noticeably absent when Human Services Minister David Hancock gathered workers in the child welfare system around him to address concerns about deaths in care.

Youth and Child Advocate Del Graff says he was neither made aware of the conference on Nov. 27 nor invited to attend.
That did not stop Hancock from counting the establishment of the Office of the Youth and Child Advocate as an independent office under Premier Alison Redford’s leadership as an accomplishment.

The generosity of individuals, small businesses and corporations has helped those living on the fringe get through the latest cold snap, and the Christmas spirit  will bring more good will, but that shouldn’t be what the disadvantaged need to depend on to survive.

“It’s too bad we have to rely on donations… it’s unfortunate that we’re not funded to do that,” said Jane Slessor, adult services manager at Boyle Street Community Services.