January 4, 2016

A recession means Edmonton’s Food Bank will be spending the majority of its energy filling hampers and feeding people instead of working on strategic plans established a few years back.

“Because of the change in economy … we know we’re going to be that band-aid for a little bit longer until we’re able to actually solve some more issues,” said Tamisan Bencz-Knight, manager of strategic relationships and partnerships with the food bank.

Mother charged in beating death of infant

New legislation gives Indigenous people more say

Talk about a lead balloon. A government review of child welfare in British Columbia dropped out of the sky, landing with a thud when it attacked the one person in the province that works steadfastly to stand tall and talk truth to power about the systemic problems in the Ministry of Child and Family Development—the Representative for Children and Youth, Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond.

UBC nursing researcher John Oliffe has been studying men’s health for more than 20 years, focusing on the mental and physical challenges experienced by men in modern society.

His most recent study focused on murder-suicides in North America and how these cases are linked to traditional masculine ideals and identities.

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The National Indian Brotherhood Trust Fund launched a call for applications Dec. 10 to support education programs aimed at healing and reconciliation. Applications will be accepted from First Nation and Metis individuals, governments and organizations with preference for former students of Indian residential schools.

It's the beginnings of change for the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, said outgoing chief Bryan LaForme, with more women elected to council than men. Chief R. Stacey LaForme will now lead the nation. It was the highest turnout on record, with 518 votes cast. “This new council will re-energize the Mississaugas of the New Credit. We will work in unity with administration and our membership to benefit our First Nation today and for future generations,” said the new chief.

Annual General Meeting held on Dec. 1, Donna Day of Bkejwanong Territory (Walpole Island) was recognized with a Community Service Award. Day works for Enodmaagejig (Place of Helpers) Social Services on Walpole Island as the Central Intake Worker. Her other roles include Justice Team Leader and the

First Nations leaders in British Columbia offered the Trudeau government their support to implement an oil tanker moratorium on the province’s north coast.

“A federal moratorium would protect not only the ocean, but also our lands, freshwater and the plants, animals and communities that depend on them,” said Chief Stanley Thomas of Saik’uz First Nation, a member of the six-nation Yinka Dene Alliance whose territories represent 25 per cent of the proposed route of the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipelines.

On Nov. 23, the Gitanyow hereditary chiefs, on behalf of all Gitanyow, filed an application for a court order to require Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Steve Thomson to comply with his obligations under provincial legislation to manage wildlife in the Nass area of British Columbia in Gamlaxyeltxw v. Minister of FLNRO