The provincial government has announced that seven cities will be receiving approximately $60 million to help the homeless. As part of the Outreach Support Services Initiative, the funding is providing $12.3 million more than 2011. Funds will go towards permanent supportive housing and support services to help address homelessness. Funding has been provided to organizations in Calgary, Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Fort McMurray, Red Deer, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat.

The Saddle Lake Boys and Girls Club has received $20,000 through the RBC After School Grants Project. RBC recently announced funding of more than $500,000 to help 21 Aboriginal community-based organizations across Canada to deliver after-school programs for the 2012-2013 school year. To qualify for an RBC grant, after-school programs must offer structured and supervised activities for children between the ages of six and 17. The programs must focus on what RBC calls the "three Ss" - safety, social skills and self-esteem.

The Alberta Wilderness Association is calling the provincial government out on permitting a new road to be built by Tourmaline Oil Corp. within critical habitat of the threatened Little Smoky caribou herd in west central Alberta. The AWA says the Alberta government is not following its own 2011 caribou policy to protect threatened caribou in this and other ranges in Alberta. “Alberta is allowing more roads and forest clearings to threaten the Little Smoky herd, which is at immediate risk of dying out.

The results of a public inquiry into the Aug. 27, 2009, death of Raymond Charles Yellowknee, 37, incarcerated at the Edmonton Institution, have been released. Yellowknee hanged himself using a belt looped through an exposed conduit. The investigation determined that leading up to his suicide, Yellowknee had been assaulted by two inmates and following that incident had been threatened. After correctional officers heard Yellowknee comment he might take his life, he was assessed on Aug. 21 by a psychologist, who determined Yellowknee was not in imminent danger. A report filed Sept.

First Nations leaders across the province have expressed opposition to the passage of Bill C-45, which occurred Dec. 14. Along with numerous Idle No More rallies and roadblocks held throughout the month of December and across the province, statements were issued by the leaders.

Speaking on the first day of the Special Chiefs Assembly on Dec. 4, Onion Lake Cree Nation Chief Wallace Fox urged fellow chiefs and Assembly of First Nations leaders to take at least the first day of the three days of meetings to Parliament Hill. While that did not happen, there was an impromptu march on Parliament Hill at noon on the first day. The assembly concluded with chiefs talking about taking action that ranged from continuing talks with Ottawa and provincial governments to further court action to blockades of roads and railways.