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Treaty 8 education system among topics of discussion
October 24, 2016. First Nations parents gathered in Grande Prairie on Saturday to hear a discussion on the future of Aboriginal education. Language and cultural identity in the education system and the work being undertaken by Treaty 8 to develop its own First Nations education system were discussed. A First Nations education system could take the form of a school division with a board and elected trustees, said Joseph Jobin, chief operating officer for Treaty 8, but that is only one possibility. The keynote speaker was Dr. LeRoy Little Bear, founder of the Native American Studies Department at the University of Lethbridge, and recently invested in the Alberta Order of Excellence.
Alberta agrees to meet with three First Nations to talk water
October 24, 2016. Ermineskin Cree Nation, Samson Cree Nation and the Blood Tribe have sent a joint letter to Premier Rachel Notley requesting a meeting to “find a mutually acceptable solution” to resolve a long-standing dispute over ownership and control of water resources on reserves. “We are prepared to resist any action taken by the Government of Alberta to take away the water that flows within and under our lands – our survival depends on it,” the letter states. “However, we believe it is possible to find a better way forward based on mutual respect and reconciliation instead of conflict.” Notley’s office said the ministers of environment and parks and Indigenous relations would meet the chiefs of the three First Nations. Clayton Leonard, the lawyer representing the three First Nations, said his clients were “cautiously optimistic” at the government’s response.
Homeless Connect attracts 2,000
October 24, 2016. An estimated 2,000 people received essential services at the 17th annual Homeless Connect event in Edmonton on Sunday. Over 70 different service providers were available at the Shaw Conference Centre. The event, organized by Homeward Trust Edmonton, is held twice during the year, in the spring and fall, and aims to connect the less fortunate and those who are homeless with the services they need in a respectful manner. Services include health-related, haircuts, clothing, housing information, employment and training, laundry, and tax preparation.
NSD students to attend WE Day in Calgary
October 24, 2016. Northland School Division students from Dr. Mary Jackson School (Keg River), Elizabeth School (Elizabeth Métis Settlement), Grouard Northland School, Mistassiniy School and St. Theresa School (Wabasca-Desmarais), Peerless Lake School and Calling Lake School will join thousands of other students at the Scotiabank Saddledome, in Calgary, on Oct. 26 as part of WE Day. These students have committed to improving their community and the world. Last year, students from J.F. Dion School, in Fishing Lake Metis Settlement, earned their way to WE Day by hosting fundraisers in the community to support Feed the Children. Students were also able to raise enough money to support a village by hiring a school teacher and making sure they have clean, safe water.
CLFN lawyer is temporary appointed to NEB
October 24, 2016. Wilma Jacknife, a lawyer from Cold Lake First Nations, is among four temporary members appointed by Jim Carr, federal minister of natural resources, to the National Energy Board to carry out community and Indigenous engagement. In June, the NEB announced that it would assign temporary members to travel along the proposed Energy East pipeline route to undertake enhanced community and Indigenous engagement. Jacknife is joined by Damien Côté, of Quebec; Ronald Durelle, of New Brunswick; and Alain Jolicoeur, of Ontario. Jacknife’s work concentrates on Indigenous and First Nations law, First Nations governance and negotiating impact benefit agreements.
Honouring our Ancestors
October 24, 2016. Richard Van Camp and Marilyn Buffalo will honour Indigenous ancestors and discuss their contributions at the personal and national level. Writer Van Camp has been interviewing Elders for the past 25 years and will share what he has learned from his Elders. In honour of her great-grandfather Henry Louis Norwest, who was a World War One sniper and is buried in France, Buffalo researched family history and organized memorial feasts and family reunions for many years while her grandmother Harriet Buffalo was alive. The discussion will take place Tuesday evening at the Whitemud Crossing Library, in Edmonton.