Fear and mistrust of the system are two of the reasons why less Aboriginal families step up to the plate to open their doors to foster children.

“It’s scary to become a part of the system. I mean, Child Welfare doesn’t have a great reputation with Aboriginal communities. There’s a lot of fear in becoming that closely connected to the child protection system or to the legal system,” said Emelyn Desjarlais, supervisor and Aboriginal resource person with Crossroads, which has branches in Edmonton and Wetaskiwin.

Across the country there are First Nations families who are missing a valuable piece of their history because the Glenbow Museum auctioned off 167 cultural artifacts.
 “There’s a valuable link missing to a family, a link for family authentication, ceremonial authentication. It is the piece we need to have in order to pass down that knowledge to the next generation,” said Patricia Goodwill-Littlechild, executive director with Maskawacis Cultural Centre.  “It makes me very sad.”

Homeward Trust Edmonton is going one step further to reach its goal of ending homelessness.

The not-for-profit organization is seeking a not-for profit Aboriginal organization in Edmonton to collaborate on the development of an Aboriginal Housing First team and an Assertive Outreach Housing First team.

“This is an opportunity for an Aboriginal organization to improve access to housing for homeless Aboriginal community members,” said Susan McGee, executive director of Homeward Trust Edmonton.

Getting arrested wasn’t the intent but it has brought attention to the fight against fracking on the Blood First Nation.

“It felt horrible to be arrested for something I feel I was doing the right thing. We were there for the right reasons. It’s a terrible feeling to know that our own government and our own Chief and council are not keeping tribal members’ best interest in our health a top priority,” said Elle-Maija Tailfeathers.

Every year that Lionel Lepine has been involved in protesting tar sands development, in particular in his First Nation of Athabasca Chipeywan, the movement has grown. For Lepine personally, it grew one step further when he was arrested in Ottawa at the steps of the Parliament.

A bylaw aimed at “taking back our community” by either getting help for or getting rid of troubled residents is in the hands of the members of the Samson Cree First Nation.

 “We have to take over our community…. It should be safe for anybody anywhere in this community to where it once was with our grandparents,” said Councillor Kirk Buffalo.

Voters – what few turned out – sent a mixed message to the Métis Nation of Alberta on Sept. 6.

President Audrey Poitras was returned to her position to begin her sixth term, more than doubling her opponent Don McCargar. Poitras received 1,388 votes to McCargar’s 643.

Chief Allan Adam announced in front of a loud and boisterous crowd of over 500 that the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation will be taking court action once more, this time challenging the provincial government’s Public Lands Act in order to protect treaty rights.

“We’ve had enough,” said Adam, speaking from the steps of the Alberta Legislature on Sept. 26. “We’re standing up here because we’re tired of being trampled on. We’re tired of them suppressing us.”

Two names added to RCMP Honour Roll

Students receive new financial assistance