Sweetgrass and CFWE news briefs - February 19, 2016

St. Albert residents asked to weigh-in on Healing Garden design

February 19, 2016. The City of St. Albert is asking for input from residents on the design for a Healing Garden. The open house, scheduled for Feb. 24, will share information collected through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and also about the two residential schools that were located in St. Albert. The Healing Garden is a community project led by a planning committee consisting of survivors of Indian residential schools, representatives from the First Nations and Métis communities, the United Church, the Catholic Church, the general community and the City of St. Albert. The garden is being created in recognition and acknowledgement of the survivors of Indian residential schools in St. Albert. It is meant to be a therapeutic place of reconciliation that will bring awareness, education and cultural teachings to the community. Construction of the garden is expected to begin this spring.

Education framework agreement to benefit 1,000 students

February 18, 2016. Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council and the province signed an agreement that will benefit the 1,000 students in the First Nations of Loon River, Lubicon Lake Band, Peerless Trout, Whitefish Lake and Woodland Cree First Nations. The Kee Tas Kee Now agreement outlines the framework for establishing a First Nations education authority. It enhances supports and strengthens the capacity to provide education to these students in order to increase attendance and high school completion. Students will continue to receive education in a culturally-relevant environment in their community, while benefitting from improved educational supports similar to those of other students in Alberta such as curriculum development and technology. The agreement, developed with input from Alberta Education, Indigenous Relations and Kee Tas Kee Now education partners, provides a framework for how other school authorities can work together to develop strategies to improve the educational outcomes of First Nations students in their respective jurisdictions.

Fatal collision results in ASIRT investigation

February 18, 2016. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team is looking into a fatal traffic accident that occurred Thursday morning. An officer of the Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service attempted to stop a suspicious truck that was seen travelling at a high rate of speed. The truck left Tsuut’ina land and entered Calgary on 37 street travelling northbound in the southbound lane. It collided with a motorist travelling northbound. Two occupants from the truck have been taken into custody by the Calgary Police Service and their investigation is ongoing. ASIRT investigators are asking anyone who was in the area of 37 Street and 146 Avenue SW at approximately 6:30 a.m. on Feb. 18 and who may have seen the events leading up to, and including the collision, to contact ASIRT at 403-592-4306. ASIRT’s mandate is to effectively, independently, and objectively investigate incidents involving Alberta’s police that have resulted in serious injury or death to any person, as well as serious or sensitive allegations of police misconduct.