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Hit-and-run leaves pedestrian dead
November 30, 2016. St. Paul RCMP are investigating a hit-and-run that resulted in the death of a 27-year-old male pedestrian on a road in Saddle Lake First Nation. A witness at the scene, who assisted the pedestrian, reported a white Ford F-150 truck struck the pedestrian while he was lying in the roadway. The truck also collided with a vehicle nearby and then fled the scene. The man was pronounced deceased at the scene. His name will not be released. No one else was injured. The incident occurred Nov. 26 in the late afternoon. If you witnessed this incident or have information regarding the collision, please call the St. Paul RCMP at 780-645-8888 or call your local police. If you want to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
TransAlta to consult with First Nations on new hydro power project
November 30, 2016. TransAlta Corp. says it will begin consulting with First Nations and environmental groups on a new central Alberta hydro power project estimated to cost up to $2.5 billion. The project is expected to add 600 to 900 megawatts of power, becoming TransAlta’s largest producer of hydroelectricity. Should the company secure a long-term power contract, construction would begin in 2021 and would be finished four or five years later. The pumped hydro project will be located near the company’s existing Brazeau hydro dam in the Drayton Valley area. It involves diverting water from TransAlta’s existing reservoir of rain and glacier runoff into a dry riverbed, which will feed into a power station that will generate electricity when demand is high. Counsel Connie Tuharsky said the O’Chiese First Nation is disappointed to have learned about the project through the media and not from the company. “The land where they are going to develop is encumbered by treaty rights,” said Tuharsky.
Trump senior advisor to tour oil sands in January
November 30, 2016. Alberta Prosperity Fund says Kellyanne Conway, Donald Trump’s campaign manager, is scheduled to tour the oil sands the week before the U.S. president-elect is sworn in to office. In a Facebook posting, the organization says, “Alberta Prosperity Fund is unbelievably honoured to be hosting such an influential figure for a constructive dialogue on the Canada/US relationship. Albertans should be proud.” In a statement, the organization said Conway will be “jetting to Fort McMurray for a select oil sands tour.” She will “hold talks” with Alberta business leaders in a private fundraising dinner.
CAAN workshop to be held in Edmonton
November 30, 2016. The Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network will be hosting workshops in Edmonton, Vancouver, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Haines Junction, and Toronto from Dec.2-6, to continue discussions on Aboriginal HIV and AIDS issues in Canada. First Nations, Inuit, and Métis organizations continue to respond to HIV and AIDS with community-based initiatives, but they are still over-represented and experiencing epidemic proportions 2.7 times higher than other Canadians. In a parallel theme to international World AIDS Day: Hands Up for #HIVPrevention, Aboriginal peoples across Canada are putting up their hands to create community readiness and culturally safe approaches in order to stop this epidemic. Hands up by leading an Indigenous response, testing to "know your status," eliminating stigma and discrimination, ensuring equitable access, and protecting our whole community. This series of events across Canada will connect Aboriginal organizations, government partners, health care providers, and community leaders as they reflect on what has been achieved with regard to an Indigenous response to HIV, what must still be achieved, and how Public Health Agency of Canada funding cuts will affect HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention.