On Dec. 9, Bill 153, the Métis Nation of Ontario Secretariat Act, passed with unanimous consent in the Ontario legislature. The MNO Act does not deal with or interfere with the Métis Nation’s internal governance and institutions that are grounded on its inherent rights of self-government and self-determination, but it recognizes and accommodates the MNO Secretariat’s unique status as the corporate arm of the Métis Nation.

Tyler Fauvelle works on his sculpture of Francis Pegahmagabow. Born at Shawanaga First Nation, Pegahmagabow was the most highly-decorated First Nations soldier in Canadian history. This will be a life-sized monument to honour his heroic service. It will be located at the Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts in Parry Sound, Ont., overlooking Wasauksing First Nation (Parry Island), where Pegahmagabow lived his adult years. The bronze will be unveiled on National Aboriginal Day, June 21.

The Grandin Murals were recognized with an Award of Merit in the Community category at the Edmonton Urban Design Awards. The work undertaken by lead artist Aaron Paquette, who invited Sylvie Nadeau, the original artist, to contribute to the re-envisioned artworks, was a response to the 1989 mural commissioned by Francophonie Jeunesse de l’Alberta to honour Bishop Vital Grandin. Many within the Aboriginal community felt that the mural’s imagery evoked the troubling history of the residential schools and their impact on Canadian history.

A research project spearheaded by NorQuest College and the Edmonton Public Library has received a $239,296 grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. The “Building a Better Life” research project aims to understand how loneliness and lack of self-esteem impact people’s abilities to interact with others and take advantage of life opportunities. NorQuest College and EPL will use their research to help improve access to education and workforce opportunities for newcomers, Indigenous peoples and other marginalized communities in the Edmonton region.

Eleven years ago on Dec. 9 Maggie Burke, then 21, disappeared north of Edmonton’s downtown. Now, Crimestoppers has erected a billboard on117th Avenue and 95th Street, a block south of where Burke was last seen, hoping it might result in tips. Burke was a sex-trade worker and police suspect foul play. Her mother, Marie Burke, says the billboard makes the family realize Maggie’s disappearance is being taken seriously. Maggie has an 11-year-old daughter. The missing persons unit is currently investigating 83 long-term, or historical files, some dating back to the early 1970s.

#yegcanvas launched mid-December as an opportunity for 32 Edmonton-based artists to have their work displayed around the city. Already, work by Indigenous artists MJ Belcourt Moses and Brandon Atkinson can be viewed. Moses’ work is located in two LRT stations while Atkinson’s work can be found along the west end of 111 avenue. Lana Whiskeyjack and Dale Badger will also be featured in this program. The 45 pieces of work will be displayed from December to May 2016 on 10 billboards, located throughout the city, and on 15 LRT station posters along the Capital Line.

The Mustard Seed, along with the Calgary Co-op and Country 105, collected frozen turkeys, hams and chickens for those in need this holiday season. Four Co-op locations accepted donations, including cash and gift cards. One in 10 Calgarians lives below the poverty line, which means many won’t be able to afford a celebration dinner this holiday season.

The Rowan House Emergency Shelter was the recipient of two Charity Checkstops this season. Okotoks 9th annual Charity Checkstop raised $6,500 and one truck load of toys for the shelter, while High River and area first responders conducted their 3rd Annual Charity Checkstop and collected $6290.29 in cash and gift cards, which they split between the shelter and Foothill Victims Services. Okotoks also collected 5.5 truck loads of food for the Okotoks food bank, while High River collected a truck bed of groceries which went to the Salvation Army for their food bank.

December 1, 2015. First Nations Chiefs, council members, technicians, and industry representatives from across the country gatherED in Tsuut’ina First Nation for two days earlier this month to learn about vital topics pertaining to First Nations and energy transmission. The annual general meeting of the Indian Resources Council of Canada enabled invited guests and presenters to address and discuss related issues, challenges, and opportunities.

The Alberta Court of Appeal dismissed two applications by the O’Chiese First Nation for leave to appeal regulatory licence decisions by the Alberta Energy Regulator made in favour of Shell Canada Limited. The decision clarifies that a right to a regulatory appeal is not automatic simply because development is occurring on treaty lands.