Masters program offered in north
At a Nov. 12 signing ceremony at the University of Saskatchewan, Minister of Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration, Rob Norris, announced $250,000 for a new Masters in Northern Governance and Development program that allows northern residents in Sask. to earn a degree from their home communities.
Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Chief Guy Lonechild was at the event and commended the International Centre for Northern Governance and Development (ICNGD) at the university for undertaking the initiative.

The last person charged in relation to the controversial 2004 Métis Nation –Saskatchewan (MNS) election was found not guilty last month, thus ending a dark chapter in Métis politics.

Brian Amyotte faced four forgery-related charges, and a jury of 10 women and two men found him not guilty on all counts.

He whispered “thank you” to the jurors as their spokesperson read the verdicts they reached after a day of deliberating. Amyotte’s wife wiped away tears and hugged him immediately after he was excused.

The Canadian Taxpayer’s Federation (CTF) released a report recently disclosing that 80 First Nations politicians in Canada were making more than the Prime Minister.
The story continues to garner media attention and the sensationalist highlights of the report are enough to make the common person angry with speculation as to what their tax dollars are doing in the hands of well-off Indian politicians.

To many grassroots First Nations people there is a similar outrage that has become so commonplace that it’s accepted as a fact of life.

The latest count of homeless on Edmonton streets shows the numbers are down, but the proportion of Aboriginal people without roofs over their heads remains the same.
The demographic breakdown indicates 38 per cent of those living on the streets are Aboriginal.

CFWE Radio – The Native Perspective’s (a subsidiary of the Aboriginal Multi-Media of Society of Alberta which publishes Alberta Sweetgrass ), cultural reporter Dianne Meili (right) and powwow music show host Lee Casteel built a “trapper’s cabin” gingerbread house at a November fundraiser for the Christmas Bureau of Edmonton.

The designation of Eden Valley reserve is holding up a new Suncor development.

Early last month, Justice Patricia Rowbotham of the Alberta Court of Appeal granted appeals filed separately by the Stoney Nakoda First Nations and two groups of private landowners the right to be heard on the grounds that the Energy Resources Conservation Board may have erred in its ruling that Eden Valley reserve was not an urban centre.

Among those speaking at a special ceremony commemorating Louis Riel were (from left): Elder Marge Freidel (Métis Nation of Alberta), MNA President Audrey Poitras, Minister of Aboriginal Relations Len Webber,  MLA Guy Boutillier (representing the Wildrose Alliance), Liberal leader David Swan; missing is Garry Parenteau representing the Métis Settlement General Council. The ceremony took place in the rotunda of the Alberta Legislature in Edmonton on Nov. 16 and marked 125 years ago that Riel died.

Audrey Poitras was “very, very surprised” to find out she was one of three Alberta Aboriginals to receive the National Aboriginal Achievement Award.

“I just know we have so many Aboriginal people who have done such awesome work that it’s a great honour that I’m acknowledged for my time,” said Poitras. Poitras is president for the Métis Nation of Alberta and was selected for her work in politics.

Former Calgary Flames’ hockey player Theoren Fleury has moved on from figure skating to music.

Fleury, a 42-year-old Métis, was one of the competitors on the second season of the hit Canadian television show Battle of the Blades. He skated with Jamie Sale, a former world champion and the 2002 Olympic gold medallist.

Battle of the Blades pairs up former National Hockey League players with professional female figure skaters. Eight teams participated in this year’s series.

Ponoka Outreach School staff, students and family members were treated to a traditional Cree feast on Oct. 23 at the Jim Omeasoo Cultural Centre.  Community Elders performed a traditional prayer ceremony to seek blessings for the students and their families as well as the school staff to ensure another successful year at the Outreach. Following the prayers, everyone enjoyed a great feast followed by the traditional presentation gifts for every person in attendance, known as a “giveaway.”