Sweetgrass and CFWE - New Briefs - February 4, 2016

AFN facilitates pre-MMIW inquiry discussion

February 4, 2106.  The Assembly of First Nations hosts a panel discussion Thursday to examine how to move forward in the murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls national inquiry. The panel will consist of the AFN Women's Council, the AFN executive, one expert/representative from each region and additional experts/speakers, who will present some context on past inquiries. The nine questions presented in the government's discussion guide, which include who should lead the inquiry, what are the key issues that should be addressed, how to involve families and Aboriginal organizations, and how can cultural spaces and ceremony be incorporated into the inquiry, will also be discussed. The forum takes place at the River Cree Resort on the Enoch Creek Nation.

February 4, 2016. The 7^th annual Rubaboo Festival, in Edmonton, is drawing to a close.  On Thursday, festival goers will have the unique experience of witnessing multi-disciplinary art being created live in collaboration with Aboriginal and French artists. On Friday evening, Robin Poitras and Edward Poitras for Yvonne Chartrand “Sara Riel: The Long Journey,” a contemporary dance-based solo performance that explores the life of Sara Riel, sister to Louis Riel, will be presented. The dance evening will also feature the work of Arik Pipestem and Skye Demas. The festival wraps up Saturday with Master Bowman Jerry Saddleback demonstrating how to create a traditional bow and, in the evening, the Rubaboo Cabaret headlined by Moe Clark. The two weeks’ of art kicked off with “HUFF,” by Indigenous award-winning playwright Cliff Cardinal.

February 3, 2016. Premier Rachel Notley met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday at the Alberta Legislature. To help boost Alberta’s economy, Trudeau committed to fast-tracking close to $700 million of infrastructure investments for the province, as well as providing up to $250 million in the form of an advance fiscal stabilization payment, due to losses in natural resource revenue. In a joint statement, Trudeau and Notley said that Alberta’s climate leadership plan made discussions about pipelines and markets “easier,” noting, “The governments of Alberta and Canada share common goals and principles around energy market access, working together with other provincial, territorial, municipal and Indigenous leaders.” Wildrose leader Brian Jean said in a statement that he was “disappointed Mr. Trudeau failed to announce anything specific and failed to recognize and acknowledge the instability many of his government’s policies are bringing to our energy sector.”