Sweetgrass and CFWE news briefs - February 9, 2016

First Nations discuss role in Canada’s energy future at forum

February 9, 2016. Joe Dion, CEO with Frog Lake Resources Corp., will be among the speakers at the First Nations Forum on Energy: Setting Priorities, hosted by the Assembly of First Nations in Vancouver on Wednesday and Thursday. The forum is an opportunity for First Nations to examine their role in Canada’s energy future and discuss key issues. First Nations leaders and experts from Alberta will be among those meeting with leading representatives from government and industry. The energy sector is an important and fast-growing area of the country’s economy and the political, legal and economic landscape places First Nations in a central role in this work. The forum is an opportunity to address fundamental issues related to development and the energy sector, and for participants to engage in focused discussions around key topics and priorities.

Local hip hop celebrated with documentary premiere

February 9, 2016. The success of Cypher Wild, a weekly summertime BBoy block party in Churchill Square, in downtown Edmonton, will be celebrated Friday with the premiere of the documentary Cypher Wild – Keep the Circle Strong. The film documents and celebrates the community-building power of dance, hip hop and art. Along with premiering the film in the theatre at the Stanley A. Milner library in Edmonton, the Friday afternoon event will feature performances by AVA8, Twindians, Duo Emcees, Mosaic, and Kaz Mega with a Traditional Powwow Dance and a BBoy/B-Girl dance showcase.

Grand Chief expresses disappointment with Trudeau’s lack of acknowledgement

February 8, 2016. Speaking on another matter on Monday, Treaty 6 Grand Chief Tony Alexis took the time to express disappointment with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s visit to Edmonton last week. “Even the prime minister, Trudeau, came here last week and didn’t acknowledge he was in the Treaty 6 territory. He stepped onto the land here without even communicating with the confederacy,” said Alexis. Trudeau made stops in Edmonton and Calgary meeting with Premier Rachel Notley as well as provincial and municipal officials and oil company representatives. “We need to redefine what those relationships are going to be with the prime minister, the premier as well as the cities and even amongst ourselves,” said Alexis.

Extensive theft investigation results in two charged

February 8, 2016. Cold Lake RCMP made what they are calling a “significant arrest” on Feb. 3, when they apprehended Douglas Brian Charland, 39, of Cold Lake. Charland was responsible for several high profile and significant property crime investigations over the past five months, including the theft of and extensive damage to a lease operator steamer, valued at approximately $245,000, and a backhoe, valued at $160,000. Charland faces two charges of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, mischief over $5,000, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, break and enter and theft over $5,000, unauthorized use of a credit card and theft and misuse of a credit card.  The break and enter and theft stems from a break and enter to JD Collision on Oct. 15, 2015, where a truck was stolen from the secure compound.  The unauthorized use and theft of a credit card relates to the use of a gas card belonging to Seven Lakes Oilfield. Also arrested and charged in the Feb. 3 theft investigation was Calvin Jacknife, 45, of Kehewin Cree Nation.  Jacknife faces a charge of theft over $5,000 and mischief over $5,000. Both men were released on recognizance and are to appear in Cold Lake Provincial Court on Wednesday.

Swann asks federal minister to review media consolidation

February 8, 2016. Alberta Liberal Leader David Swann has sent a letter to Canadian Heritage Minister Melanie Joly asking her to review spending cuts to the CBC and the potential damage of continued media consolidation in Alberta. “A free, diverse and independent media is the cornerstone of democracy,” said Swann. “Because of previous cuts, the CBC is barely standing while major consolidations of media properties continue to remove diversity of opinion from the public domain.” Swann has asked Joly review and challenge the sanctioning of future consolidation of media properties. While he acknowledges media is a business, he said, “In a democracy, media also has an obligation to the public interest. This interest is best served by diverse private ownership and a strong public broadcaster.” Swann referred to the consolidation of the Postmedia newsrooms, creating “in effect, a single paper province-wide.”