Sweetgrass and CFWE news - April 19, 2016

Paul sentenced to 10 years for brutal sexual assault on girl

April 18, 2016. James Clifford Paul, 22, was sentenced to 10 years for brutally sexually assaulting a seven-year-old girl on the Paul First Nation. In delivering his sentence Monday in a Stony Plain courtroom, Judge Charles Gardner said that he struggled with his decision. While Paul was remorseful and suffered a violent upbringing with abuse and addiction, Paul’s crimes were “horrendously vicious.” In December 2014, Paul sexually assaulted and brutally beat the girl, who, as a result, suffered a severe traumatic brain injury and now is in a specialized foster home receiving therapy and constant care. Paul was originally charged with attempted murder, aggravated sexual assault and kidnapping. He pleaded guilty to sexual assault and aggravated assault. After the attack, Paul told police he was drunk and high on crystal meth at the time. In a written report, he said what he did that day shocks him and if he was in his right mind he never would have hurt the little girl. Paul was given credit for the 21-and-a-half months he’s already served in custody. Paul will have his name placed on the sex offender registry.

Woman found dead in burned out structure

April 18, 2016. A 59-year-old woman was located deceased within a burned structure on the Atikameg First Nation on Monday. The High Prairie RCMP and emergency services were called out to a severe structure fire on the First Nation in the early morning hours. The fire investigator has examined this scene. The incident is still under investigation. The name of the victim will not be released.

Edmonton man gets NSI New Voices nod

April 18, 2016. Darcy Waite, of Edmonton, is among nine young Aboriginal adults aged 18-35 selected by the National Screen Institute – Canada as the 2016 NSI New Voices students for training in the film and television industry. Students intern with a broadcaster or independent production company giving them firsthand knowledge of the business. Training also includes the production and screening of three short films. Minimum wage is provided throughout the course. NSI New Voices begins with a traditional feast on April 25. The feast is the first of the spiritual components that continue throughout the 14-week course in Winnipeg. Led by Elder Colin Mousseau, it incorporates a pipe ceremony and invokes the spirit of the ancestors who in turn bless the journey of the participants. NSI is renowned for having given many emerging filmmakers, television writers and producers their first breaks.

Woman turns herself into RCMP

April 18, 2016. Florencine Potts turned herself in at the Wetaskiwin RCMP where she was arrested and taken into custody without incident on Monday. Potts was transported to Maskwacis RCMP where she was taken before a Justice of the Peace and remanded in custody until her next provincial court appearance which is set for Thursday in Wetaskiwin. Maskwacis RCMP are grateful to the members of the community who assisted police in locating Potts and in bringing this situation to a peaceful conclusion. After being released from custody by a judge, Potts failed to appear in Wetaskiwin Provincial Court on Friday and an arrest warrant was issued. Potts was charged with second degree murder in the December death of her 15-month-old son Jay Johnson.

Centennial marked of when most Alberta women given right to vote

April 19, 2016. Dr. Tracey Lindberg, director of Indigenous education at Athabasca University, will be among the speakers Tuesday at a noon hour gathering at the Alberta Legislature to celebrate the centennial of the 1916 passing of the Equal Suffrage Statutory Law Amendment Act. The act gave most Alberta women the right to vote in provincial elections. However, it wasn’t until 1960, with the inclusion of Indigenous people through amendments to federal legislation that all Alberta women gained the right to vote. Also speaking at the celebration will be Status of Women Minister Stephanie McLean, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Robert E. Wanner, Wildrose Leader Brian Jean, and MLA Sandra Jansen (on PC leader Ric McIver).