Sweetgrass and CFWE - New Briefs - February 3, 2016

Trudeau in Alberta

February 3, 2016. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be meeting with Premier Rachel Notley in Edmonton on Wednesday. He will be heading to Calgary on Thursday. Wildrose Leader Brian Jean sent Trudeau a letter Tuesday inviting the Prime Minister to tour the oil sands. In a news release, Jean stated, “In a time of unprecedented economic turmoil, Alberta’s energy sector needs strong support including the endorsement of the Energy East pipeline from the leader of our country.” Trudeau has said the upcoming federal budget will include “concrete measures” to help Alberta.

 

 

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New Indigenous relations minister named

 

February 2, 2016. Premier Rachel Notley announced additions to her Cabinet on Tuesday and there is a new Indigenous relations minister.  Richard Feehan takes over the role from Kathleen Ganley, in the ministry that has been renamed from “Aboriginal” to “Indigenous” which “(reflects) the preference of Indigenous communities,” said Notley. Ganley remains as minister of justice and solicitor general. Four other ministers and one associate minister were added to the Cabinet. As well, a climate change office was created to assist in the implementation of Alberta’s climate leadership plan and will report to Environment and Parks Minister Shannon Phillips.

 

 

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Siksika Nation singer-songwriter nominated for Juno

 

February 2, 2016. Armond Duck Chief, a country singer-songwriter from the Siksika Nation, is among the five nominees for a Juno for the Aboriginal Album of the Year. Juno Award nominees were announced on Tuesday. Duck Chief’s album delivers tales of life, love, and the rodeo in a classic country style. He is joined by Come and Get Your Love: The Tribe Session, by Black Bear, from Manawan, of the Atikamekw Nation in Quebec; Power In The Blood, by Buffy Sainte-Marie, Cree activist from Saskatchewan; Rumble, by Derek Miller, a guitarist and singer-songwriter born in the Six Nations of the Grand River, on Mohawk Territory in Ontario; and Refined, by Don Amero, a Métis musician from Winnipeg. The 45^th Annual JUNO Awards take place on April 3 at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary. 

 

 

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MNA looking for novice hockey players

 

February 2, 2016. Novice-age Metis hockey players have until Feb. 10 to register for the Metis Nation of Alberta’s junior novice hockey team. The team will compete in the Alberta Native Provincials, to take place March 31-April 3 in Edmonton. To qualify, hockey players must be born in 2009 or 2010 and have proof of Metis ancestry.