The University of Calgary is trying to recruit more Aboriginal students to its Faculty of Medicine.

“Right now, in a class of 170 students you might have one or two Aboriginal students,” said Sue Ann Facchini, program co-ordinator of the Aboriginal Health Program. “That is not representative.”

Facchini said Aboriginal people make up approximately five per cent of the population in Alberta and eventually, the U of C hopes five per cent of its med students are Aboriginal.

Reno Nash was 13 years old when he walked across the Winspear stage in 2008 to receive an Alberta Aboriginal Youth Achievement Award. Two years later, his brother Joshua, then 16, stepped up for his own Youth Achievement Award. The two brothers are shining examples of teenagers doing something right.

Refusing to be defeated or defined by adversity they experienced early in their lives, both Nash brothers are achievers in school and in sports.They are natural leaders determined to reach their goals, yet they still make time to help out at home.

Joe Dion walked on fire to get where he is today.
One of 14 Aboriginal Achievement Award winners recognized at a March 11 ceremony in Edmonton – three of whom are Albertans – the energetic Dion said his “firewalk” with motivational guru Tony Robbins was a life-changing event.

“It was 45-feet of glowing coals in Maui and I walked on them without burning. Tony showed me stuff that I know should be shared with First Nations. It would empower our people to know how powerful their minds are,” Dion said in a pre-awards gala interview.

A former employee who blew the whistle on allegations of financial mismanagement at a virtual health centre is continuing his fight, despite an investigation that found no wrong doing.

The First Nations EpiCentre, which was created in 2007, conducts epidemiology analysis and has received up to $5 million from Health Canada.

Steve Villebrun, a geographic information system’s consultant, worked with mapping software to establish location of diseases. He also mapped factors such as poor water quality that were contributing to illness in Aboriginal communities.

The Stoney Nakoda Nations is taking legal action against Indian and Northern Affairs Canada because the department is refusing to accept a bylaw passed by SNN.
The health bylaw would require the setback on a level three sour gas pipeline be 1.5 km from the reserve’s boundaries. INAC says SNN has overstepped its jurisdiction by setting development restrictions on lands that fall outside the reserve.

The provincial government and Suncor Energy Inc. are lining up on-side of the federal government and both parties have been granted intervener status by the federal court.

It has been three months since the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission and RCMP seized tobacco products from the Montana First Nation and charges have yet to be laid.

Lynn Hutchings-Mah, spokesperson for the AGLC, which is the primary lead organization, said the government investigation is still ongoing and she would not speculate as to when it would conclude.

“We’re still looking into the matter to make a determination if there’s any criminal charges,” said Sgt. Tim Taniguchi, with the K-Division of the RCMP.

New legislation introduced by the provincial government will  have little impact on missing Aboriginal women or people without assets.

Bill 8, the Missing Persons Act, is the first proposed legislation of its kind in Canada. The strength in the bill comes in the power it gives police agencies. If passed without amendments, police will have the ability to obtain personal information to help find missing persons in cases where there is no reason to suspect a crime has been committed. Information that can be accessed includes cell phone records and bank statements.

Enoch First Nation chief and council have been asked to step down in their role as Kitaskiwan Education Authority and to appoint a separate school board.

“We’re taking it under advisement. But right now we’re trying to finish our budget and we have year end to do. If we can put (discussion of the issue) between budgets, but we’re scrambling now,” said Clark Peacock, Enoch councilor, who holds the education portfolio.

Peacock said the request came from a group of Enoch members following a demonstration March 9 on Enoch land east of the River Cree Resort.

The federal budget was brought down by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty on March 22, and the reaction from First Nations leaders has been swift.

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn A-in-chut
Atleo said the budget holds nothing for First Nations people. What he was looking for in the budget was a new approach that would ensure equitable opportunity, stability and safety for First Nation citizens and communities.

Legal technicalities should not be what determine if First Nations children on reserves receive services comparable to their offreserve counterparts.