Treaty 8’s “Honouring our Treaty” gathering was held July 9-13, in Wabasca, hosted by Bigstone Cree First Nation. “Bridging the future, closing the gap” was the theme.  Along with the annual general meeting there was a tipi village, vendors and artisans. Volunteers were recognized on the final day of celebrations.

Photo: Denis Carnochan

Placing first at anything is always something extra special. Just ask Gloria Littlelight, who was raised by her Tsuu T’ina parents, the late Joseph and Dora Big Plume.

A Memorandum of Cooperation and Dialogue will not solve the issues of racism in Edmonton, but it is a beginning, says former Treaty 6 Grand Chief Cameron Alexis.

“We, as Chiefs of Alberta and Treaty 6 especially, we do have a concern about racism. Not just overtly but also covertly,” said Alexis. “We need to deal with this in a formalized fashion and I hope this memorandum could be a stepping stone to have a systematic approach to this.”

Rally organizer Steven Townsend and hate victim Chevi Rabbit, in front of a sign reading “From Hate to Hope,” were pleased with the turnout for the anti-hate march.

Rally shows support for diversity

In 2007, Blackfoot Crossing received the Travel Alberta ALTO Award for Sustainable Tourism.

Blackfoot Crossing celebrates five years

The trek to the “healing waters” of Lac Ste Anne was an especially significant one this year with special homage being paid to the coming canonization of North America’s first-ever Aboriginal, Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha.

“She is a role model for all,” said Fr. Gary Laboucane, a Métis, who has been returning for the event as long as he can remember.

The July 22-26 Lac Ste. Anne Pilgrimage, however, was overshadowed by lake water health warnings, a July 23 heavy rain, and rising gate and operational costs.

Now in its final months of exhibition, the Maskwacîs (Bear Hills) art show is sharing its special story at the Royal Alberta Museum in Edmonton.

Over the past two and a half years, more than 85,000 people have seen the exhibition and the feedback has been tremendous.

“It’s been really well received because it’s eclectic, a really in-depth snapshot from artists of all ages and skill levels, from senior to six,” said co-curator Sandi Hiemer. “How do you represent such a vivid and diverse community in one show? How do you capture all there is to say?”

Pat Ness remembers when the interpretive centre opened its doors at the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump site. She has been employed there for one-quarter of a century.

Nakita Kohan was two years old when her mother rescued her from the clutches of a neighbour who also happened to be a three-time sex offender. That horrific near-tragedy propelled Carrie Kohan into a new world of advocacy. Why, she asked, was a pedophile able to live in a family community?

Blue-green algae in Lac Ste. Anne are cause for concern for more than the people who waded into the lake during the annual pilgrimage.

“We get our water from Lac Ste. Anne,” said Chief Cameron Alexis, of the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation. “Now we’re being told don’t go into the water, don’t drink the water, don’t let your animals drink the water.”

The First Nation of 1,200 residents is located on the shores of Lac Ste. Anne and is the only community to access its drinking water from that lake.