The RCMP Musical Ride galloped into Ermineskin Cree Nation on Aug. 26 and 27, one of just 21 communities where the quintessentially Canadian icons were scheduled to perform in July, August and September. It also marked the first time in history that RCMP horses were stabled on First Nations lands.

A new partnership project is working to provide emergency medical training opportunities to eligible non-settlement Metis learners across the province.
The partners, including Canadian Industrial Paramedics (CIP), North American Oil Sands Corporation (NAOSC), Portage College and the Metis Nations of Alberta, have joined together in a co-operative effort to recruit, sponsor and train members of the Aboriginal community to help meet industry demand for emergency medical care providers.

A consortium of literacy experts is urging Alberta's industrial, governmental and non-profit sectors to work together to increase literacy rates in Alberta, in order to ensure this province remains globally competitive.
To that end, sector leaders are invited to take part in a day-long Think Tank which will focus on implementing a mutually beneficial literacy policy for the province.
Earlier this month, MLAs, senior government officials and industry leaders were presented with a proposed literacy policy for consideration and review.

Aboriginal high school students from across the country are among the winners of the 2006 Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation's excellence awards. The awards recognize outstanding students for their leadership skills, community involvement, academic achievement and interest in innovation.
"The Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation is very proud to salute the entrance award recipients and looks forward to celebrating their continued achievements", said Gerard Veilleux, chair of the Foundation's Board of Directors.

She proudly wears the gold and bronze medals she won at the 2006 North American Indigenous Games held in Denver, Colorado from July 2 to 9. Fifteen-year-old Cheyenne Bigchild from the Sunchild Reserve competed for them against other Aboriginal youth from Canada and the United States.
In the midget category, Bigchild won gold in the 25-metre javelin throw and bronze in the 22-metre discus throw. During a telephone interview with Bigchild, Sweetgrass asked her what she did with her medals and she laughed saying that they were in her dad's pocket most of the time.

The fifth annual Paddling for Compassion event is scheduled for Sept. 16. Organized by Cornerstone Counselling Centre, the event not only raises money for an excellent cause but also provides the perfect occasion for people to get to know the river so many Edmontonians love-the North Saskatchewan.

Dale Auger has already secured himself a spot in the pantheon of contemporary art, but can he carve out a niche in contemporary literature? Well, he's sure gonna give it a try.

From the author of Keeper'n Me and For Joshua comes a novel of redemption and the power of transformation. Dream Wheels, by Richard Wagamese, is a testament to the healing power of family and an homage to the Ojibway and Sioux traditions.
Dream Wheels is the story of a physically and mentally damaged rodeo rider, a troubled and disillusioned kid and his bitter victimized mother.

The chiefs of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations have appointed Chief Morris Monias of the Heart Lake First Nation as their new spokesman. He replaces Chief Eddy Makokis of the Saddle Lake Cree Nation and Chief Henry Lewis of the Onion Lake Cree Nation. The chiefs' spokesman will liaise with the federal and provincial governments and departmental officials as well as with the other treaty area executives on common issues relating to the affiliated First Nations of Treaty No. 6. The Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations represents more than 4,200 Indigenous peoples.

The Urban Aboriginal Strategy has awarded $140,000 toward two programs in Calgary, the Awo Taan Native Women's Shelter Society's Paediatric Wellness Clinic and the Native Counselling Services of Alberta's Aboriginal Parenting Program.
The wellness clinic will receive about $64,000 to hire a registered nurse and enhance family centered services. Infants and youth residing in the shelter will now have daily access to healthcare services.
The parenting program will receive about $74,000 to develop a parenting course based on the medicine wheel to increase family functionality.