Sweetgrass and CFWE news briefs - Jan. 13, 2016

Significant amount of drugs seized from Standoff residence

January 12, 2016. On Monday, the Blood Tribe Police Service Crime Reduction Unit, with the assistance of BTPS Patrols, seized a significant amount of illicit drugs from a residence in Standoff on the Blood Indian Reserve. Investigation at the scene lead to the arrest of Kyle Mitchell Saddleback, who was on release conditions for previous charges and had been served papers through a Blood Band Council Resolution not to be on the Blood Indian Reserve. Seized was 109 grams of suspected crack cocaine (with a local street value of $10,900) and 359 tablets of suspected fentanyl (local street value of $17,950). Saddleback, 29, was charged with possession for purpose of trafficking cocaine, possession for purpose of trafficking fentanyl, nine counts of breach of recognizance, and breach of Band Council Resolution. He was remanded in custody and will appear in court Thursday in Lethbridge for a bail hearing.

Horseman located

January 13, 2016. Naomi Lori Horseman has been located safe and unharmed. On Tuesday, Grande Prairie RCMP requested public assistance in locating Horseman, 26, who had not been heard from since Jan. 6, while staying in Grande Prairie.

Alberta supports Trans Mountain pipeline expansion

January 12, 2016. Premier Rachel Notley has expressed support for the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project. In a statement issued Tuesday Notley said she had written the National Energy Board in support of Kinder Morgan, and had encouraged the company to work with British Columbia to address that province’s concerns. Said Notley, “Building pipelines to tidewater and to new markets, while at the same time taking action to curb emissions, are the two essential components required to diversify our economy, restore our prosperity and assert ourselves as one of the world’s most progressive, responsible and forward-looking energy producers.” Notley lauded her government’s new climate leadership strategy, noting, “This plan has brought together an alliance never before seen in Alberta, including leading environmentalists, oil sands executives and First Nations.” While interim Liberal leader David Swann approved the NDP government’s vocal support for the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project, Wildrose leader Brian Jean accused Notley of “shrugging off” the B.C. government’s opposition to the project. The NEB is set to rule on the proposed pipeline project by May 2016.

Wildrose recommends mental health framework for Aboriginal communities

January 12, 2016.  Wildrose is calling on the province to develop a mental health framework for Alberta’s First Nations and Metis communities as one of the 10 recommendations in its new report, Healthier Albertans, Healthier Communities. Wildrose will submit what it refers to as “10 common sense” recommendations to the Mental Health Review Panel and the Health Minister’s office. The recommendations are a means to help Alberta improve its health services. “It is my sincere hope that the Mental Health Review Panel and the NDP government will take the Wildrose plan seriously, and implement these common sense solutions right away to save lives and improve quality of care for those living with mental illness,” said leader Brian Jean in a statement.

NEB commits to sustained dialogue with Indigenous communities

January 12, 2016. The National Energy Board has released Engaging Canadians on Pipeline Safety. The report follows a 34-city national engagement tour which NEB chair and CEO Peter Watson starting in January 2015 in Atlantic Canada and concluding June 3 in Calgary with the NEB pipeline safety forum. During that time, NEB met with First Nations and Metis leaders, among other groups. Says the report, “In meetings with Indigenous leaders and community representatives across Canada and the North, the NEB gained a new understanding of the gaps in engagement between these groups and the energy industry, the questions that have been left unanswered, and the need for meaningful relationship building.” The NEB has committed to “sustained dialogue on lifecycle regulation,” which includes the lifecycle of energy infrastructure, energy literacy, safety and environmental protection. The report goes on to say, “We will further continue a proactive dialogue with Indigenous people and communities on their unique viewpoints, needs and requirements for lifecycle regulatory information, and develop our Indigenous engagement programs to provide sustained and consistent interaction.”