A recent meeting in Lethbridge between Alberta Education Minister Jeff Johnson and southern Alberta school boards did not include the Kainai Board of Education. When Richard Fox, superintendent of the Kainai Board of Education, expressed interest in attending he was told the meeting was for elected school board officials only. “I was just looking at this as an opportunity to meet the new minister,” Fox told the Lethbridge Herald.

Sunnybrook United Church, in Red Deer, was the scene of ceremonies held June 30 to remember the children who attended the Red Deer Industrial School from 1893-1919. Some of these children died and were buried in the nearby cemetery. “These ceremonies, involving the United Church as a strong supporter, recognize the importance of acknowledging the injustices perpetrated on the children who attended,” said Richard Lightening, Samson Band Hobbema, in a news release.

Written comments are being solicited by the Joint Review Panel reviewing Shell Canada Energy’s proposed Pierre River Mine project near Fort McMurray. It is the start of the Environmental Impact Statement, which assesses the anticipated effects of the proposed project on the environment. The panel will review the public comments received and will determine whether it will require additional information from Shell.

Aboriginal groups, governments and the public are invited to review the Environmental Impact Statement for Shell Canada Energy’s Jackpine Mine Expansion project near Fort McMurray and provide comments to the Joint Review Panel. Additional comments must be received in writing by Aug. 3 in order for the panel to consider them. The panel was established to assess the environmental effects of the proposed project and review Shell’s application.

Marle Roberts, Alberta president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, is calling on the government to take action as over two-thirds of Alberta’s First Nations communities have boil water advisories. “As the union for most municipal water workers in Alberta, we understand the importance of safe drinking water, and we’re appalled at the situation,” said Roberts in a news release. Roberts said the federal government should not require First Nations to cover one-fifth of the cost of operating water systems.

Flanked by park wardens, participants in the Áísínai’pi at Writing-On-Stone Plaque unveiling ceremony were (starting second from left)  Minister of Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation Christine Cusanelli; Piikani Band Councillor Fabian North Peigan; Dorothy First Rider, of the Mookaakin Cultural and Heritage Society; Ifan Thomas, Parks Canada, Waterton Lakes Field Unit superintendent; Rob Hugill, director, Southern Region, Alberta Parks; and illustrated plaque artist William Singer

Decorated veterans part of National Aboriginal Day celebrations

“Honouring our ancestors” was the theme for this year’s National Aboriginal Day and helping to mark the occasion were decorated Aboriginal veterans. Celebrations occurred right across the province and some communities, including Edmonton, dedicated the entire week to Aboriginal events.

New awards recently handed out by the Advancement of Aboriginal Women along with the Aboriginal Commission for Human Rights and Justice are aimed at bringing more recognition to some startling statistics.

 “Alberta has the second highest rate of missing and murdered Aboriginal women. This is just unacceptable, but it takes a community to stop these trends,” said Danielle Voyageur, event coordinator at IAAW.

Gabby Jubinville got a bit more than she bargained for after attending the tryouts of a provincial basketball team.

Jubinville, who is Cree and a member of the Enoch First Nation, managed to crack the roster of the Alberta girls under-16 team.

Jubinville had also tried out for the provincial under-15 squad a year ago but didn’t make that club.

The Jackson brothers from  Goodfish Lake want one day to be world champions in the sport of bull riding. But for now they will be developing their skills in the steer riding event.

Ricky-Lee, 15, Blake, 14,  and Tate 11 took part last month in the Fort McMurray Tour North Rodeo, a North American Indian Rodeo Association event.

“This was my first time in competition,” said Tate. “We practice by riding on a barrel at home and this is a lot different. I was a bit scared and a little bit nervous but it was fun. I think I stayed on for two seconds.”