While some inroads have been made in recruiting Aboriginal health care workers to First Nations communities, a great need for physicians, dentists, diagnostic technicians and a host of other practitioners remains. With only three First Nations communities in Alberta serviced by Indigenous physicians, Saddle Lake, Siksika and Fort Chipewyan, there is a pressing need to recruit more Aboriginal physicians, said Dr. James Makokis, who recently returned to Saddle Lake to practice.

That the City of Edmonton is looked upon as a municipal leader in Aboriginal relations is no doubt thanks to Mayor Stephen Mandel.

After nine years at the helm, Mandel will not be seeking re-election this October. However Lewis Cardinal, who has worked closely with Mandel on Aboriginal initiatives, doesn’t see Mandel’s retirement as a blow to the local Aboriginal community.

“We can never forget the amount of help we have had from our surrounding municipalities,” said Siksika First Nation Chief Fred Rabbit Carrier. “I cannot forget our friends, the First Nations members who have really come forward to show their support. Finally the industry within our traditional Blackfoot territory have stepped up and provided us with a lot of help.”

Monetary and material donations keep pouring in as the hardest hit First Nations – Siksika, Tsuu T’ina and Stoney Nakoda – dig out from floods caused by overflowing river banks and rain.

Rain-swollen rivers and torrential downpours forced the evacuation of close to 2,000 First Nations members in southern Alberta and resulted in the Siksika Nation, Tsuu T’ina Nation and Stoney Nakoda Nations declaring states of local emergency on June 20.

Release:

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo and AFN Alberta Regional Chief Cameron Alexis will meet with First Nation leadership in Alberta this evening to get an update and overview of the flooding situation and work with First Nations to ensure urgent and long-term needs arising from this crisis are addressed.

On Thursday, June 27 the National Chief will visit some of the First Nation communities impacted by the recent flooding.

Itinerary (note: all times are Alberta time)