Camrose man charged in 2014 death of woman
October 17, 2016. Charges have been laid in the 2014 death of Jessica Wyoma Lynn Bosis, from Maskwacis. Charged with second degree murder is John Joseph William Profeit 38, of Camrose. He was arrested in Camrose on Oct. 14. Boysis was last seen on July 15, 2014. Her body was found in a treed area behind a Wetaskiwin business three days later on July 18, 2014. The police investigation into the circumstances surrounding Boysis’ disappearance and death was led by investigators from the RCMP Major Crimes South with assistance from the Wetaskiwin Municipal RCMP detachment and members of the RCMP’s Forensic Identification Section. Profeit is scheduled to make his first court appearance in Wetaskiwin on Nov. 1.
MHC creates new FNMI liaison position
October 17, 2016. Medicine Hat College now has an Indigenous student support specialist. Kristen Jordan, who has worked as a social worker for 12 years, joined the college one month ago in the newly-created position. Jordan graduated from Medicine Hat College in 2005 and has worked with First Nations, Metis, and Inuit people in Edmonton, and was also the first FNMI family school liaison worker with the Fort Saskatchewan School District, developing their cultural program from the ground up.
RCMP seek help in grader theft
October 17, 2016. Cold Lake RCMP are asking for assistance to identify the person(s) responsible for the theft of a grader, worth $350,000. On Oct. 7, a yellow John Deere 772G grader was stolen from Range Road 430 and Township Road 620 on the Cold Lake First Nations. The grader was found stuck in a field on the First Nations on Oct. 11. Anyone who has information about this theft is asked to call Cold Lake RCMP at 780-594-3302 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
First Nations represented on new energy diversification committee
October 17, 2016. Marie C. Robidoux, principal consultant for Aboriginal Relations and Business Development, EGCL, and Rocky Sinclair, CEO for Alberta Indian Investment Corporation, are two of seven members appointed by the province to its new Energy Diversification Advisory Committee. The committee is assigned to help diversify Alberta’s energy sector and explore opportunities to create jobs and stimulate investment by adding value to the province’s energy resources. The creation of the committee follows directly from Alberta’s Royalty Review Advisory Panel, which recommended that the province seize opportunities to diversify the energy industry and better position Alberta for long-term success. The committee brings together a diversity of expertise and will meet with a variety of stakeholders to make recommendations in a report to the energy minister in the fall of 2017. Public engagement details have yet to be announced. The committee’s budget is $150,000 for the year. It will receive administrative, engagement and research support from existing government staff.
Deaths, ODs at remand centre underscore need for PHE
October 17, 2016. Alberta Liberal Leader David Swann continues to push for the government to declare a public health emergency citing the 23 overdoses and three deaths that have occurred this year in the secure Edmonton Remand Centre as another reason. “Alberta health officials have repeatedly stated a public health emergency is not necessary. However, the slow drip of information and regular revelations of new problems indicate the Government of Alberta does not have the grip on this crisis it says it does,” said Swann in a statement. A PHE, he said, would allow the Chief Medical Officer of Health to mobilize health and corrections staff to adequately manage the initiation of opioid treatment. “This evolving epidemic is impossible to manage and reverse through normal means, there are simply too many different elements of the problem,” said Swann.
Indigenous leaders to gather in Banff for conference
October 17, 2016. National leaders for the Assembly of First Nations, Metis National Council and Inuit Tapariit Kanatami will be among those meeting in Banff Oct. 19 and 20 as part of the Aboriginal Economic Development Corporation Conference. Fort McKay First Nation Chief Jim Boucher is one of three keynote speakers. The AEDCC is held to recognize the efforts of AEDCs to grow Aboriginal economies, promote community prosperity and contribute to the Canadian economy. The themes of this year’s conference will be financing and the importance of maintaining positive relationships between AEDCs and their communities. This event will support networking and knowledge sharing among AEDC executives, community leaders, government and corporate Canada.