Photo: Students from Piikani High School take part in a water experience. The Piikani Grad Club is raising money to go to New York. (Photo: submitted)

January 14, 2016

Eight graduands from Piikani High School are working hard to raise money to pay for a trip to New York and their graduation ceremony.
“They’re a really enthusiastic group of people,” said Pam Wolf Tail, whose granddaughter Sorayya Frank is among the eight. “Anything they need to do, they do.”

Photo: Congress of Aboriginal Peoples National Chief Dwight Dorey (centre) with (from left) Ed Lavallee, Marilyn Buffalo, Sandra McKenzie and Sharon Baptiste.
(Photo: Shari Narine)

January 15, 2016
Cree Elder Ed Lavallee is adamant that Aboriginal people moving into urban centres need a voice and he believes that voice can come through the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples.

This untitled photograph was taken by Eugene Uhuad and appears in the Clareview Multicultural Centre in north Edmonton.
(Photo: Edmonton Arts Council)

Harnett to speak at exhibition

McKenzie Lake Lawyers does not expect the full $7.5 million set aside as part of a compensation package for those abused while in government care prior to 2008 to be used. But any money left over from compensating individuals will not go into a pot to offer holistic services for healing. 

Money remaining in the alternate criteria fund will revert back to the province, says Sabrina Lombardi, lawyer with the Ontario-based firm. The Alberta Child Welfare Class Action Settlement does not set aside money for mental health supports for those abused while in government care.

Significant amount of drugs seized from Standoff residence

January 12, 2016

On Friday, the government will start accepting applications from people who suffered abuse as permanent or temporary wards of the province prior to 2008.

Nelson Mayer, executive director with the Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association, doesn’t have definite numbers as to how many of those applying will be Aboriginal, but he does know the number will be substantial.

Elder in the Making - a film by Chris Hsiung - will be shown at the Metro Cinema on February 20, 2016.

The evening will commence with a prayer from Chief Tony Alexis of the Alexis Nakota Nation and following the film a short Q&A with Chris Hsiung and Cowboy Smithx. The show will help raise money and donations for the Edmonton Food bank!

Naomi Lori Horseman: missing since Jan. 6. (Photo: Facebook)

Public’s help requested in locating woman

January 11, 2016

Interim Liberal leader Dr. David Swann says there is not enough communication between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples.

Swann says he has become more aware of this since serving on the province’s mental health review committee.

“We need to talk more. We don’t connect between the two cultures. We’re two solitudes and we’re not getting anywhere with reconciliation if we don’t meet and talk and start resolving some of the unfairness, lack of access, poor quality of life that many First Nations people are enduring,” he said.