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Study to look at impact of childhood abuse
November 14, 2016. A new partnership between the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre and the University of Calgary's Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education will study the impact of child abuse on the developing brain. The goal is to use a scientific approach to understand which interventions work best to mitigate the impact of child abuse, to compare the impact of childhood sexual abuse to that of other forms of childhood trauma, and to understand why some children are more resilient than others. "Despite emerging evidence that child abuse impacts the developing brain, the nature and extent of the effects are not well understood," said Dr. Paul Arnold, child psychiatrist and director of the Mathison Centre at UCalgary's Cumming School of Medicine. The study will provide a framework for personalized care informed by science. This first phase of the study is a two-year pilot study enrolling 240 children ages six to 17. After the initial pilot study, researchers hope to expand the study and enroll up to 1,000 children and follow them over a 10-15 year time period. The planned longitudinal study will be one of the most comprehensive studies of child abuse victims ever conducted. The SKCAC screens about 125 children for child abuse each month, with two-thirds of those cases related to sexual abuse. Childhood abuse increases the risk for mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, substance abuse and suicide.
Weasel Head accompanies Phillips to COP in Morocco
November 14, 2016. Blood Tribe Chief Charles Weasel Head will represent Alberta along with Environment Minister Shannon Phillips in Morocco at the Conference of the Parties United Nations Framework on Climate Change. They left for Marrakech last Thursday and will spend this week at meetings networking and participating in roundtable discussions. While in Marrakech, the team will showcase the steps the province has taken to carry out the Climate Leadership Plan and share perspectives with representatives from governments and businesses. They will work to create international partners in innovation, technology and program implementation, and show that Alberta can be both an energy producer and a world leader on climate action. The estimated cost for the international mission for Phillips, Weasel Head, one political staff and two department staff is approximately $32,000.
Band member taking legal action for Onion Lake to disclose finances
November 14, 2016. Last week, Onion Lake Cree Nation band member Charmaine Stick launched an application in Regina asking the court to force the band to disclose its salaries, expenses and financial statements. Stick said there is more concern now because the band has delayed the development of dozens of new housing units in the community. Onion Lake was one of several First Nations across Canada that had funding for non-essential services withheld in 2015 for failing to comply with the First Nations Financial Transparency Act. Onion Lake took Ottawa to court over the act, arguing that the band already does annual audited statements that are available to band members and that it follows federal protocols. After the Liberal government came to power last year, Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett reinstated the funding and scrapped the act's compliance measures.
RCMP investigating man’s death in Maskwacis
November 14, 2016. An autopsy is scheduled Monday afternoon for a 27-year-old male who died from injuries following a physical altercation Friday morning. Maskwacis RCMP responded to a call early Friday morning. The man succumbed to his injuries in hospital. The investigation is now being headed by RCMP Major Crimes South, which is working with the Wetaskiwin/Maskwacis GIS, the Maskwacis Crime Reduction Unit and the Red Deer Forensic Identification Section. Police believe this was not a random act and the public is not at risk. RCMP wish to speak to anyone who was present during this altercation. If you know anything about this incident please contact the Maskwacis Detachment at 780-585-3767 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
Metis flag raisings in Calgary, Edmonton
November 14, 2016. To mark the start of Metis Week, the cities of Edmonton and Calgary are raising Metis flags at their respective city halls on Monday. On Wednesday, a tribute to Riel will be held at the Alberta Legislature with Indigenous Relations Minister Richard Feehan delivering a speech. The High Level Bridge in Edmonton will also be lit after sunset Wednesday in white and blue. Activities are planned throughout the week and throughout the province to mark Metis life.