Aboriginal artists and organizations had until the middle of this month to fill out a survey relating their experiences with current arts funding. The survey, funded through the Alberta Creative Development Initiative, was developed by Sherri Chisan, of Blue Quills First Nations College, and Calgary-based arts management consultant Sally Truss. The goal of the survey is to determine how well the current funding opportunities work for Aboriginal artists.

The Alberta government has partnered with the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation for the construction of new highway lanes, two pedestrian underpasses, and bridges and culverts over Goose Creek and Pelican Creek through the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, west of Valleyview on Highway 43. Construction is expected to start this month. Petrowest Construction LP was chosen by the Sturgeon Lake Council to be their partner and contractor on this project. “It’s been a long time coming and we look forward to starting and completing the project,” said Chief Richard Kappo, of the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation.

Fort Chipewyan will be one of 20 communities in which the Alberta government will host public sessions to hear Albertans’ thoughts on water. Public sessions, which will also take place in Fort McMurray and Slave Lake, get under way Feb. 19. The facilitated discussions will focus on four priority areas: healthy lakes; water use in hydraulic fracturing; drinking water and wastewater systems; and water management. In addition to these public sessions, government will hold several targeted stakeholder sessions in communities where Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils already exist.

On Feb. 6, a three-member panel of the Alberta Court of Appeal in Calgary heard the first Métis harvesting rights case to be considered by an appellate court since the landmark Powley case over a decade ago. The case – R. v. Hirsekorn – dates back to the Stelmach government’s 2007 cancellation of a Métis harvesting agreement that implemented the Powley decision in Alberta. Following the cancellation of this agreement, the Métis Nation of Alberta proceeded to organize traditional hunts across the province to protest the cancellation.

One step down from the National Hockey League, Colton Yellow Horn is showing he has what it takes.

Called up to play on Feb. 7 with the Manchester Monarchs, Los Angeles Kings’ American Hockey League affiliate, Yellow Horn notched an assist in his first game.

It’s a career chance Yellow Horn, 25, was hoping for.

“With the NHL coming back now there’s a lot of shifting going on,” Yellow Horn said.

A new community centre that will be built in Slave Lake is expected to benefit residents of the Sawridge First Nation as well as many Aboriginals in surrounding area.

Officials with the Lesser Slave Lake Regional Tri-Council announced in late November that a dozen energy companies would be donating $6.4 million in order to help build a new community centre in Slave Lake.

About one-third of Slave Lake was destroyed by wildfires in May of 2011.

Many of Edmonton’s homeless people face the same stumbling block every day: how to get the support they need when they don’t possess valid identification. To access medical care, the Food Bank or rental accommodation, identification is a necessity.
A brochure recently introduced by the United Way and Boyle Street Community Services gives support workers a new step-by-step tool to guide them through the process of helping people get their ID.

A new program being offered by the Creating Hope Society aims at targeting an area that has often been overlooked.

The Indigenous Father’s Initiative provides Indigenous fathers with a supportive environment where they can share their stories with other fathers in a safe and positive environment.

An Edmonton-based pilot project that in part helps Aboriginals enter the workforce has been deemed a success.

And officials with the Apprenticeship Prep Pilot Program are hoping the venture will continue in January of 2014.

The program, which is targeted at Aboriginals and immigrants under the age of 30, is a partnership between NorQuest College and the Alberta Pipe Trades College. The goal is to attract, retain and prepare these two target groups for careers in various trades.

Educating Indigenous students using an Indigenous whole child mindset has seen incredible results in provincial achievement tests for Grades 3, 6 and 9 at Mother Earth’s Children’s Charter School.

“Rather than teach to the test, the students are taught skills to be successful,” said principal Erin Danforth.