According to the Edmonton Public Library, its Aboriginal Advisory Group has run its course.

However, a pipe ceremony held in 2008 that unveiled the group and began the formal relationship between Aboriginal people and the EPL meant the commitment was deeper and stronger, says Jacqueline Fayant, member of the AAG.

The Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation is proposing a co-management approach with the federal and provincial governments to protect the woodland caribou and wood bison in traditional ACFN territory.

However, said Eriel Deranger, spokesperson for ACFN Chief Allan Adam, provincial ministers Diana McQueen (Sustainable Resources Development) and Robin Campbell (Aboriginal Relations) had difficulty with the co-management approach presented by the ACFN although this is not the first time ACFN has proposed such a measure.

First Nations are claiming credit for new steps put into place by the provincial government to address pipeline safety concerns.

The Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations, Dene Nation, Keepers of the Athabasca, which includes the Fort McKay First Nation, and the Indigenous Environmental Network were among over 50 organizations to participate in a campaign urging Premier Alison Redford to “initiate an immediate independent province-wide review of pipeline safety in Alberta.”

The Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation is hopeful that having a new premier will mean a more open approach to dealings between First Nations and the provincial government.

“ACFN needs to have an open door policy with the provincial government so that we can have constructive dialogue rather than constantly challenging their policies and their framework agreements,” said Eriel Deranger, spokesperson for ACFN Chief Allan Adam. “We don’t want to just constantly be butting heads.”

A letter to Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Canada stating there is now only one chief for the Lubicon Lake is not enough for the government to relinquish its hold on the northern First Nation.

“That (decision about the Chief) was a decision made arbitrarily. Our understanding is that it was not done in concurrence with the membership,” said Chantal Patenaude, spokesperson for ANAC.

Thick smoke from two forest fires and flames as close as 17 km north from Meander River at one point forced a week-long precautionary health evacuation of 400 plus people for that Dene Tha’ First Nation’s community.

“I’m really happy with the way people pulled together. We had good cooperation from the community and volunteers were able to make things work for the evacuation,” said Chief James Ahnassay.

First Nations continue to push for resource development inclusion while balancing care for their traditional territory and the environment.