State-of-the-art water treatment plant opened

Documentary highlights Native cowboys

Federal minister John Duncan signs the settlement agreement while provincial minister Len Webber (left) looks on. To the right of minister Duncan is Chief James Alook of Peerless Trout First Nation and Chief Gordon Auger of the Bigstone Cree Nation.

Photo: Denis Carnochan

Historic land claim settlement celebrated

Leigh Anderson, of the Stampede Royalty Committee, congratulates Amelia Crowshoe as the 2012  Stampede Indian Princess.

Centennial Stampede Princess crowned

SHINE hosts community barbecue

Discontent with how Ta-Otha Community School is operating has cost the Big Horn First Nation school 20 per cent of its students.

“Enough was enough,” said Deborah Cardinal, spokesperson for the Education Stakeholders Group. The group is a cross-section of 22 parents which includes Stoney band members, Métis, and Cree and Smallboy Camp individuals. It was formed because of concerns with the school, teaching staff and the Stoney Education Authority.

Over a decade of existence, the Belcourt-Brosseau Métis Awards has provided $4.3 million to 656 students and given out 900 awards. Ninety-six per cent of those recipients have completed their studies.

“The students are amazing and talented,” said Loraine Steele, chair of the BBMA panel. “The awards panel is proud to assist them with their education endeavours.”
BBMA sponsored students have pursued studies as doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, trades people and health practitioners.

In a quiet recess of the frenetic University of Alberta Hospital is an artistic showing of diverse Aboriginal talent.

Shifting Patterns, curated by Edmonton’s Aaron Paquette, features paintings, claywork and photography by established and emerging artists and graces the intimate McMullen Gallery from Oct. 8 through Dec. 4.

Diana Young Kennedy, Gallery and Collection administrator, is excited about showing contemporary Aboriginal Art at the hospital.

With class-action lawsuits filed on behalf of children of the ‘60s scoop’ in three provinces, Tony Merchant expects the process to move faster in Alberta.
 “My expectation is (that we’ll get certification and that) we will do that first in Alberta, that’s my plan,” said Merchant.  “The Alberta court system has a lot of experience with class actions…. There’s a comfort level with the familiarity with it by the judges of the court process.”

He doesn’t expect that certification to come for another four or five months.

The Housing First program in Edmonton has participated in an exciting project with the city’s Aboriginal population. Susan McGee is executive director and stated that many homeless people self-identify themselves as Aboriginal and often have travelled a journey impacted by residential school experiences.

“These circumstances are unique to them and we needed to conduct a research program so we could determine how to help them and how to use funds for an Aboriginal housing team,” she said.