Sweetgrass and CFWE news - May 24, 2016

BTPS to go door-to-door to collect unused prescription drugs

May 24, 2016. Beginning Tuesday, the Blood Tribe Police Service will be working with the Blood Tribe Prescription Drug Project to collect unused prescription medication and dispose of it correctly. The misuse and abuse of prescription medications has become a public safety issue for communities and police services across the country, leading to incidents of overdose and in some cases, death, says BTPS. BTPS and the drug project will be going house to house to collect unused or expired prescriptions in Moses Lake and Lavern today and in Standoff on Wednesday. Presentations will be delivered at the schools on the Blood Reserve on Thursday. An information session with a pharmacist will take place at the Blood Tribe administration building on Friday.

Premier, ministers meet to discuss Fort McMurray recovery efforts

May 24, 2016. The Wood Buffalo Ministerial Recovery Task Force is scheduled to meet twice this week. The task force, which will undertake recovery efforts following the devastating Fort McMurray wildfires, was announced May 6 and is chaired by Premier Rachel Notley. Indigenous Relations Minister Richard Feehan also has a seat on that task force along with ministers from health, infrastructure and transportation, finance, environment and parks, agriculture and forestry, human services and, seniors and housing. The task force will meet Wednesday and Thursday.

Association of First Nations Archaeologists and Historians to be formed 

May 23, 2016. The Mountain Cree Band is spearheading the creation of the Association of First Nations Archaeologists and Historians. The intent of the AFNAH is to, among other tasks, advocate First Nations positions of cultural history and cultural property; advocate for the rights of First Nations to play a leading role in the management of and inclusion in the archaeology in Alberta; and, establish an archaeological Code of Ethics under which archaeologists are to work in Alberta. In a news release, Mountain Cree Band CEO Joseph Fromhold says all First Nations are invited to join. “This will provide a strong and unified bargaining position in dealing with the province and industry.” Membership is also open to private consulting firms owned by Aboriginal parties. AFNAH will provide training to individuals with experience as archaeological field-workers and monitors so that they meet a professional standard as Certified Field Technicians. AFNAH currently has 30 members representing 13 First Nations as well as nine consulting firms as members.

ACFS helps out with computers

May 23, 2016. Alberta Computers for Schools is supplying computers for the children who have been displaced by the Fort McMurray fire and are temporarily attending schools operated by the Edmonton Public School District and the Calgary Board of Education. ACFS is also providing equipment to employees of the Fort McMurray School District that have been relocated in the Alberta Education offices in Edmonton. CFS is a national program that refurbishes and delivers, at little or no cost, technology and training donated by government organizations, private businesses and individuals in support of digital inclusion and economic participation. Computers are distributed to schools and community organizations for youth, seniors, low-income Canadians, new Canadians, First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, and other eligible recipients.

Man falsely claims to have been victim of Fort McMurray fire

May 23, 2016. Darryl Lincoln Joseph Rondeau, from Victoria, BC, will be making his second court appearance on June 1, after having been charged with fraud under $5,000. On May 12, Claresholm RCMP received a complaint from Family and Community Support Services that a couple was claiming to be evacuees from the Fort McMurray wildfires. An investigation determined that the couple had never lived in Fort McMurray and had no ties to Alberta and that they were taking advantage of the people in the community of Claresholm, who thought they were helping people who lost their home in the wildfires. Citizens provided a place to stay, clothes, meals and a purchase of work boots. The investigation continues as Claresholm RCMP want to speak with all of the possible victims and look at any further charges. No charges have been laid on any other person as yet.