Sweetgrass and CFWE news briefs - Dec. 9, 2015

CPS seeking public’s help to find woman who missed court date

December 9, 2015. Calgary Police Service is asking for the public’s help to locate a woman who missed a mandatory court appearance. Lena Raquel Crazybull, of Calgary, was due in court earlier this week. Attempts to locate her have been unsuccessful. Crazybull is in her early 20s, 5’6” tall, with brown eyes and either brown or dyed blond hair. She also has piercings on both cheeks. Warrants have been issued for her arrest, however, she is not accused of a criminal offense.

MJ Belcourt Moses’ caribou tufting (above) and bead work are already on display at the Edmonton LRT stations at Central and Century Park. (Photo: Brad Crowfoot)

Belcourt Moses, Atkinson launch #yegcanvas showings

December 9, 2015. #yegcanvas launched yesterday 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 seen. 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 work will be dCapital Line in a project developed by the Edmonton Arts Council in partnership with Pattison Outdoor Advertising. The art will be rotated every two months.

Candy Cane Lane to surpass one million pounds of food

December 9, 2015.  Candy Cane Lane kicks off for the season on Friday. The annual Edmonton event, which consists of incredibly decorated and lit homes along 148 street between 100 avenue and 92 avenue, raises much needed food for Edmonton’s Food Bank. Edmonton’s Food Bank supplies over 210 agencies, churches and food depots. Since September 2014, the food bank has experienced increased numbers of people needing help. This past October, 17,722 people were recipients of hampers, representing a 21.5 per cent increase over 2014. Edmonton’s Food Bank goal is $1.4 million and 275,000 kilograms of food for the 2015 Holiday Campaign. Over the last two decades, more than 995,000 pounds of food have been given along the lane in support of the local food bank. 

Mental health review addresses increased suicide rates

December 8, 2015. Alberta Health Minister Sarah Hoffman says an upcoming mental health review in the province will include a look at the spike in suicides. There were 252 suicides in Alberta from January to June 2014. During the same period this year there were 327 — a 30 per cent increase. The province's unemployment rate rose from 4.7 per cent to 5.7 per cent during the first six months of 2015. Liberal leader Dr. David Swann, a member of the government’s mental health review committee, said they are looking at the gaps in services. "We know there is an increased incidence of depression and anxiety in young people. First Nations have up to seven times as high a rate of suicide and they have much fewer resources," said Swann. "So we do need to beef up the resources." The October provincial budget offered an additional $10 million for mental health services and Hoffman said more money could come in the next fiscal year.

Christmas Bureau of Edmonton only quarter of way to goal

December 7, 2015. The Christmas Bureau of Edmonton is anticipating an 11.8 per cent increase in the number of Edmontonians requesting help this festive season. “This year we’re receiving applications from families who are turning to us for help because of job loss. It’s clear that there are many Edmonton families struggling this year,” said executive director Wendy Batty. To meet this need, the Christmas Bureau of Edmonton hopes to raise enough funds to help 67,000 Edmontonians. To date, only 20.2 per cent of the fundraising goal has been met. The Christmas Bureau of Edmonton was established in 1940 and provides festive meals for local families, seniors and individuals in need.