Sweetgrass and CFWE news briefs - Nov. 12, 2015

Theatre used to bridge divide between Aboriginal, non-Aboriginal students

November 12, 2015. Students who are taking part in a theatre week on the Tsuut'ina reserve will perform parts of the plays that they have come up with today. The groups will then get together and develop an entirely new piece of theatre which will also be performed on stage. About 100 teenagers from four schools in the Calgary area gathered on the Tsuut'ina First Nation this week to use theatre to talk about First Nations history. The students, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, worked with local troupe, Trickster Theatre, to create their own plays about First Nation treaties. Four schools took part in the project: Tatsikiisaapo'p middle school, Strathmore high school, Sir John Franklin middle school and Tsuut'ina middle and high school. "[Theatre] enables us to viscerally kind of understand it and get a greater sense of empathy with what we are looking at," said David Chantler, the founder of Trickster Theatre. 

Body found in Red Deer

November 11, 2015. The Red Deer RCMP are investigating a body found Wednesday morning  in a heavily wooded area of Red Deer, north of 32nd Street and east of Taylor Drive. The RCMP is investigating the circumstances of the death and say it is too early to conclude if the matter is of a criminal nature. At this time, the identity of the body is not known. The area has been secured and the investigation continues.

Charges laid in death of Peerless Lake woman

November 11, 2015. RCMP Red Earth Creek and RCMP Edmonton Major Crimes Unit have charged  Peter Noskey, 35, with manslaughter in the death of  Vicky Cardinal, as well as with a charge of failing to comply with a recognizance. Cardinal died in an Edmonton hospital on Sunday. She was transported from Peerless Lake to Edmonton on Nov. 5 for treatment of serious injuries. Noskey and Cardinal were living together in a common-law relationship on the Peerless Trout First Nation.  Noskey will remain in custody and is scheduled to appear in Provincial Court on Nov. 17 in Red Earth Creek.

Shooting death on Atikameg First Nations

November, 10 2015.  At approximately 3 am on Tuesday High Prairie RCMP responded to a call of shots fired at a residence on the Atikameg First Nation. Upon arrival the RCMP learned the victim, a 35-year-old man, had died of his injuries. The investigation continues and is in very early stages. High Prairie RCMP are receiving assistance from the Major Crimes Unit. 

UPDATE: Second degree murder charges laid in Atikameg death

November 11, 2015. Arlen Chase Chalifoux, 18, has been charged with one count of second degree murder in relation to the death of a 35 year old male. On Tuesday, RCMP responded to a call of shots fired at a residence on the Atikameg First Nation. Upon arrival the RCMP learned the victim had died of his injuries. Chalifoux has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to make his first appear in High Prairie Provincial Court on Monday.