The Urbane Indian

One of the perks of my profession is getting the opportunity to travel.  Lately I have really been abusing my carbon footprint all across the country, with several trips to B.C. and other equally exotic domestic lands, as always spreading the gospel of Native literature to the interested masses.

Wolf Songs and Fire Chats

There’s always a devastating silence when heroes leave. It’s as if the universe recognizes a profound gap in energy and slows down to honor it. It’s the sense that something significant and special has been removed and, for a moment, we are lessened by its absence. But equally true is the fact that we move on from it, that we use its lessons and teachings to fill us and make us more.

As we go to press, the Prime Minister of Canada has retreated to South America, far away from the storm that is whipping through the Conservative caucus over the dubious gift of $90,000 to disgraced Senator Mike Duffy from Stephen Harper’s very own chief of staff Nigel Wright.

That’s leadership for ya.

Quiet, accomplished and inspiring others to the end

Passed away April 30, 2013.

Aboriginal students in Grande Yellowhead high schools were nearly twice as likely to graduate last year compared to the provincial average. The three-year (grades 10–12) high school completion average for Aboriginal students in Grande Yellowhead high schools rose to 70 per cent last year, compared to about 50 per cent in 2011 and 2010. Alberta’s provincial three-year completion rate for Aboriginal students is 40 per cent, which has increased only slightly from 36 per cent in 2010.

In mid-April Premier Allison Redford made her fourth trip to Washington to reiterate her government’s support for the Keystone XL Pipeline project. She said the visit was to provide more information on Alberta’s regulations and she felt the trip was worthwhile. “We know there’s an awful lot of campaigning going on against Keystone. We want to make sure the other side is heard,” Redford said.  She added that while Alberta respects the regulatory process that needs to be carried out, she will return to the US as often as is necessary in order to promote the line.

NAIT and Cenovus Energy have launched an innovative program to help prNAIT, Cenovus provide youth leadership program

Last month Aboriginal Relations Minister Robin Campbell introduced Bill 19 Métis Settlements Amendment Act, 2013, which supports the previously announced Métis Settlements Long Term Arrangements. The amendments are the result of negotiations with the Métis Settlements leadership over the last year. “The arrangements provide the direction and the financial resources for Alberta’s Métis Settlements to reach their full potential and become self-sustaining communities,” said Campbell in a news release.

The Canadian Red Cross responded to two calls for help on First Nations last month providing 72-hours of assistance in both cases. On April 20, the Canadian Red Cross Personal Disaster Assistance Team responded to a fire which took place on the Louis Bull reserve, providing groceries for six people, clothing for four adults and three children, diapers and formula for two infants. Accommodation was provided by the band for the first two nights. The Red Cross also provided teddy bears to the children, as well as blankets to all.

A month after the province named Gerry Protti as chair of the Alberta Energy Regulator the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation joined non-governmental organizations and special interest groups to call for his resignation. Protti’s industry history which includes one of the founders of the Canadian Association for Petroleum Producers, an executive for Encana, and a lobbyist for the Energy Policy Institute of Canada, has brought “his ability to chair the Alberta Energy Regulator with transparency and accountability,” stated a news release from the ACFN.