Stoney Nakoda Nations

Press relkease

June 24, 2013

The Stoney Nakoda Nations have suffered extensive damage to roads and homes as a result of recent flooding.

We are grateful for the tremendous work that has been done by our Public Works, housing departments, evacuation centre management and staff and emergency co-ordination team and volunteers who have been working tirelessly to provide assistance to our people.

Release:

Statement from the Honourable Bernard Valcourt Regarding First Nations Affected by Recent Flooding in Alberta

Ref. #2-3822

Ottawa, Ontario (June 24, 2013) - The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, issued the following statement today on Government of Canada support for First Nations affected by the 2013 spring flooding in Alberta.

"Our Government's priority is the health and safety of all Canadians affected by the devastating floods in Alberta.

List of Closures due to floods.

Morley:

Schools are closed to students but are open to accept donations

Siksika:

Schools are closed to students/teachers.

Siksika administration is closed except for essential services.

Message from Siksika Fire Chief

Calgary:

All Calgary School Board schools will be closed until Thursday.

Message for Community Members

Spookw has appealed a decision by the British Columbia Supreme Court that provides the Gitxsan Treaty Society (GTS) with 30 days to come under compliance with Section 85 of the province’s Society Act, which would then make the society a legal body.

In 2008, Gitanmaax Indian Band was joined by Gitwangak Band Council, Glen Vowell Indian Band and Kispiox Band Council, forming the Spookw, and undertook litigation against the Gitxsan Treaty Society, challenging GTS’s authority to represent the four bands in reconciliation of Aboriginal rights and treaty rights with the province of BC.

The Yale First Nation is entitled by virtue of their collective rights and title to enjoy the area known as the 5 mile fishery, reads a press release entitled the Stó:lo people reject Canada and BC decision to give exclusive title of 5 Mile Fishery to Yale First Nation.” But if Yale’s treaty is ratified, it will grant Yale constitutionally-protected authority to “gate-keep an area that has for thousands of years belonged to all of the Stó:lo people,” said Grand Chief Doug Kelly of the Stó:lo Tribal Council.

As with most good cons, the required element of greed was present in many of the victims of Michael Joseph Sisson, 38, who carried on a scam in Saskatchewan for six years, separating almost $54,000 from the pockets of people over that period of time. The “chief scam”, as it became known, was also successful, said Crown prosecutor Robin Ritter, because it capitalized on the belief that First Nations governments are corrupt. Sisson is behind bars now, having received a three-year sentence for multiple frauds.

Rank Comix for July 2013

Treaty caravan led by AMC

Grand Chief Derek Nepinak of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs was joined by other Aboriginal leaders on a 10-day motorcycle tour of First Nations across the prairies on what was dubbed the Treaty Freedom Caravan and Ride. The tour, covering more than 4,000 km, was to raise awareness of treaty rights. It departed June 6 from Winnipeg’s Lower Fort Garry where Treaty 1 was signed in 1871. Each First Nation that is visited will then light a fire on June 21, which is National Aboriginal Day.