When Eva Menguinis took the title of Calgary Stampede Princess she had no idea that she would be joined by other royalty at this year’s event.

“Meeting the Duke and Duchess was the biggest highlight of my year,” said Menguinis, who is a member of the Tsuu T’ina Nation, but represents all five tribes of Treaty 7 at the Indian Village.

Downtown Edmonton organizations have combined forces to make the transition to the city’s capital easier for Aboriginals.

“The highest needs of the urban Aboriginal population are housing and employment and how to register their children for school. Programming is at bare bones right now and there is a gap for new Aboriginal people in town. Aboriginal families are looking for support and resources,” said Cheryl Whiskeyjack, executive director of Bent Arrow Healing Society.

Calgarians honour Aboriginal culture

Foodbank collection at Aboriginal Pavilion

A federal judge’s decision is a welcomed step in the fight to protect the woodland caribou in northeastern Alberta.
After waiting more than a month, three First Nations and two environmental groups are pleased that federal judge Justice Paul Crampton has ruled that Environment Canada minister Peter Kent “clearly erred in reaching his decision by failing to take into account the First Nations Applicants’ Treaty Rights and the honour of the Crown in interpreting his mandate under (the federal Species at Risk Act).”

Plains Midstream Canada has been given the go-ahead by the Energy Resources Conservation Board to resume operation of its Rainbow pipeline 20 days after making the application.

The pipeline had been shut down since April 29 when approximately 28,000 barrels of light, sweet crude oil were spilled in traditional Lubicon Lake territory.

The application was received by the government regulatory board on July 27, confirmed Bob Curran, ERCB spokesman.

Shared blood, shared language and shared concerns have brought the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation in to the folds of the Dene Nation.

“We’ll have a lot stronger voice once we come together and unify ourselves as one voice,” said ACFN Chief Allan Adam.

Issues that need a strong voice include water quality and quantity and woodland caribou habitat.

“The water comes from the south and we’re downstream from the development. In the early days it was pulp mills. Now it’s tar sands,” said Bill Erasmus, Dene National Chief.

A recent decision by the Supreme Court of Canada clearly supports the nomadic hunting rights of Métis on the western plains.

“We will be bringing the (Cunningham v. Alberta government) decision to the attention of the (Court of Queen’s Bench) and asking them if they want us to make an additional submission on it,” said Jason Madden, legal counsel for the Métis Nation of Alberta.

Members of the Samson Cree First Nation have to make a choice after the shooting death of a five-year-old boy who was asleep in a house: either they are for crime or they stand against crime.

“If you have information and you know about someone who has committed a murder (then) you’re supporting that person to the detriment of your community,” said RCMP Sgt. Patrick Webb.  “Some people have to make a choice and some people are doing it obviously and some people still have to make that choice so what we’re trying to do is get them to realize they have to make that choice.”

September court appearance