Sweetgrass and CFWE news briefs - Jan. 11, 2016

DiCaprio acknowledges Indigenous peoples in Golden Globe speech

January 11, 2016. In accepting his Golden Globe award for Best Actor in a Drama on Sunday, Leonardo DiCaprio recognized the First Nations people he worked with while filming The Revenant in Alberta. Said DiCaprio, “I want to share this award with all the First Nations peoples represented in this film and all the Indigenous communities around the world…It is time that we recognize your history and that we protect your Indigenous lands and corporate interests.” Director Alejando Gonzalez Inarritu reached out to several First Nations communities, including Tsuu T’ina, Ermineskin Cree Nation, Sunchild, Maskwacis, and Frog Lake, to fill the roles of extras and actors for the film. Many were involved in the expansive battle scenes shot in Morley. The Revenant also took the award for Best Picture.

Derek Littlejohn faces six charges, including arson in the fire that destroyed this Bearberry area house. (Photo: submitted by RCMP)

One arrested in house arson

January 11, 2016. Derek Littlejohn will appear in Didsbury Provincial Court Monday for a Show Cause Hearing in relation to arson charges. On the evening of Jan. 7, the Sundre RCMP detachment, together with firefighters and EMS, responded to a 911 call involving a house fire at a rural residence northwest of Sundre in the Bearberry area along Secondary Highway 584. When police arrived, the house was engulfed in flames. Investigation revealed that Littlejohn, from the Sundre area, had doused the house with gasoline as well as a female resident, who was in the home. The house caught fire after gasoline had been thrown on a wood-burning stove. The 45-year-old woman, who owns the home, escaped uninjured and fled to a neighbouring residence.  It was at that time the call to 911 was made. The man and the woman are known to one another. Littlejohn faces six charges: arson (damage to property occupied by others); arson (damage to property); criminal negligence (reckless endangerment for life); assault with a weapon; forcible confinement; and breach of probation.

Tips from public lead to Laboucan’s arrest

January 10, 2016. Jesse Prestly Laboucan, wanted by RCMP on a warrant for murder, was arrested late Friday in High Level without incident. Laboucan, 20, was wanted for the murder of Ryan Joseph Ellefson, which took place on July 29, 2015, in High Prairie. The police were significantly aided by numerous tips generated by the public. Ultimately Laboucan contacted the RCMP and turned himself in. He will be remanded into custody for a future court appearance. On Jan. 8, Dakota Anderson, 20, of Gift Lake, was arrested and also charged in Ellefson’s murder. Anderson’s first court appearance is scheduled for Monday in High Prairie Provincial Court.

CTF criticizes Trudeau government for backing out on FNFTA sanctions

January 10, 2016. The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is criticizing the federal government for suspending sanctions on First Nations that have failed to comply with the First Nations Financial Transparency Act. “More than 93 per cent of First Nations have complied, they’ve published their salaries and expenses for leadership and they’ve provided basic financial documents…,” said Todd MacKay, Prairie director for the CTF. He says while some Chiefs were volunteering their time, other Chiefs were earning more than the prime minister. “….That transparency needs to be there, people on First Nations need to know about it.”

Engbridge says it will meet Northern Gateway deadlines

January 10, 2016. Enbridge spokesman Ivan Giesbrecht said the company has a plan in place that will allow Northern Gateway pipeline to meet National Energy Board deadlines. “Part of that plan includes establishing respectful dialogue and achieving improved relationships with First Nations and Métis communities. Our support within these communities continues to grow,” said Giesbrecht in an email to Vancouver Sun. In its Dec. 21 filing to the NEB, Enbridge said it continues to have support of its funding participants — which include Cenovus, MEG Energy, Nexen, Suncor, Total E & P Canada — through support agreements. Among deadlines in the 209 conditions the project must meet, NEB approval expires if construction has not started before the end of 2016. NEB spokeswoman Tara O’Donovan said the regulatory agency does grant extension, provided the applicant has “sufficiently justified the need for an extension.”

Indigenous artwork sought for new LRT location

January 8, 2016. The City of Edmonton has put out the call to Canadian Indigenous artists for the Tawatinâ Bridge public art competition. The Tawatinâ Bridge – meaning “valley” in Cree – will span the North Saskatchewan River from a tunnel at the east end of Louise McKinney Park. The bridge replaces the existing Cloverdale footbridge. It will be one of 12 stops along the first stage of the new Valley line for the LRT. There are two potential site locations for Tawatinâ Bridge public artwork, both of which provide a significant and highly visible public art installation opportunity. The Edmonton Arts Council Public Art Program, on behalf of the city, is seeking a Canadian Indigenous artist or artist team to do the work. Deadline for submissions is March 3, 2016. The work will be installed between August and September 2018. Edmonton Arts Council is also calling for submissions for artwork for the Churchill Station Connector and the Davis Ramp, both part of the new Valley line. Submission deadlines for this work is also March 3. Installation for these pieces will take place between August and November 2018.

Members of the Piikani grad club cater an event in an effort to raise money for a May trip to New York City. (Photo: GoFundMe)

Piikani grad club sets sights on New York trip

January 8, 2016. Students from the graduation class at Piikani High School are raising funds to go on a trip to New York City. Originally, the class had hoped to go overseas, but with the uncertainty in world travel they changed their destination. The students have been doing bottle drives, catering and bingos, and have also started a GoFundMe campaign. The money will be used to pay for a chartered bus, hotel rooms, food and entertainment, which will include tickets to Broadway, and other tourist events. The grad club will be leaving on their trip in May.

MLA invited to rejoin NDP caucus

January 8, 2016. The MLA, who sponsored a private member’s bill that allows abused spouses to break a lease if they or their children are in danger of violence, has been rejoined the NDP caucus. When Calgary-Bow MLA Deborah Drever introduced that bill, which received unanimous support, she was sitting as an independent member, having been ousted from the NDP because of controversial social media postings, which surfaced shortly after the May provincial election. Drever said she was happy to receive a call from Premier Rachel Notley on Thursday, inviting her back into the government fold.

Alberta, Manitoba sign MOU on climate change priorities

January 8, 2016. The Alberta and Manitoba governments have signed a memorandum of understanding to further co-operation on their shared goals of greenhouse-gas emission reductions, innovation, energy efficiency and renewable energy development including hydroelectricity. The premiers agreed that Canada’s energy infrastructure must be built in an environmentally responsible and safe way. “Our partnership with Manitoba will help support greener jobs, cleaner energy and a healthier prosperity for all Canadians,” said Alberta Premier Rachel Notley. Notley and Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger also discussed the ongoing work on missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and exchanged views on the importance of current negotiations toward a renewed Agreement on Internal Trade.