Image
Image Caption
Bellegarde says industry needs to build “respectful relationship”
October 4, 2016. Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde told leaders from government, industry and First Nations that it was unrealistic to expect unanimity from Chiefs to either support or oppose pipeline development. “Build a respectful relationship with Indigenous peoples,” Bellegarde told industry. “We can be your best partners or sometimes your worst enemies, if you don’t build that respectful relationship.” He said a complete overhaul of the regulatory system was needed because, as it stood now, it denied inherent rights to Aboriginal people. First Nations researcher Ken Coates warned government and industry that if they fail to get support from Indigenous groups on resource projects, they will likely end up in court — and lose most of those cases. Stephen Buffalo, chief executive of the Indian Resource Council, called the debate “extremely polarized…. We will make sure things are done right to protect Mother Earth, but we need a revenue stream too." The men were speaking at the Pipeline Gridlock Conference in Calgary on Monday/
Tarsands supports Fort McKay First Nation economy
October 4, 2016. Chief Jim Boucher of the Fort McKay First Nation told those in attendance at the Pipeline Gridlock Conference in Calgary on Monday that he was disappointed in a treaty recently signed by 50 Canadian First Nations and U.S. tribes opposing the use of their lands for the expanded production of Alberta’s oilsands. “Our community up there in the Athabasca tarsands is immersed in the economy quite substantially and our people would have the most to lose if they turn off the taps with regard to oilsands development,” said Boucher. The band-owned Fort McKay Group of Companies offers services to the oilsands industry and Boucher said the group has earned $2.3 billion over the past five years.
UNESCO continues study of Wood Buffalo park
October 4, 2016. First Nations and environmental groups want the federal government to revisit its approval of the Site C dam which they worry poses a risk to Wood Buffalo National Park. Two UNESCO investigators have been in Alberta for the last week visiting the national park and talking to government, industry, Aboriginal and scientific presenters. The investigators were invited to Canada by the federal government after the Mikisew Cree Nation contacted the agency in December and expressed concerns about the park, which has been a World Heritage site since 1983. Investigators are expected to deliver their report to UNESCO in late November. The agency is to decide next summer whether to list the park as threatened. UNESCO’s decision or recommendations are non-binding on Canada.
Documentary on Camsell hospital gets additional screening
October 4, 2016. Due to overwhelming community response, a second screening for a documentary on the Camsell hospital has been added. It will show Tuesday at the Whitemud Crossing Branch of the Edmonton Public Library. The 13-minute documentary, directed by Edmonton filmmaker Jason Gondziola and produced by the Edmonton Heritage Council, premiered Monday evening. Many members of Indigenous communities were sent to the Camsell for tuberculosis. Many did not return home. The Camsell, especially when it acted as an Indian Hospital between 1946 and 1968, is a perfect intersection of colonial health policies, aviation, the North, medical history, and residential schools. The “Camsell” project emerged as a response to questions and ideas raised during a day-long symposium held earlier this year, wherein former staff, patients, and families gathered from as far as Cambridge Bay, Nunavut to discuss reconciliation and ongoing research related to the Camsell Hospital from Canadian academics.
Honouring murdered, missing Indigenous women, girls
October 4, 2016. Today close to 100 communities across Canada will host Sister in Spirit Vigils, illustrating the strength and leadership of Indigenous women, families, and communities in supporting family members in their grief and raising public awareness to address this crisis in Canadian society. The violence experienced by Aboriginal women and girls in Canada is a national tragedy, says the Native Women’s Association of Canada.
Convention ends with call to re-classify plains buffalo
October 4, 2016. Dozens of First Nations and tribes who signed a Buffalo Treaty beginning in 2014 are calling on Alberta to classify bison as wildlife. Presently the plains buffalo are considered domestic animals. In Saskatchewan and British Columbia they are classified as wildlife. The call came following a three-day conference in Banff for the American Bison Society. Sue Cotterill, director of species at risk, non-game and wildlife disease policy with Alberta Environment, said the government is already in the process of revising Alberta’s bison status report. She said the revision is looking at all free-ranging plains and wood bison, but not domestic bison that are raised as livestock under Alberta Agriculture and Forestry regulations. Once the bison status is revised, the department will look at threats to the species, size of the population and availability of habitat. Once they make a recommendation, a multi-stakeholder advisory body is created and presents to Alberta Environment and Parks under the Wildlife Act. Cotterill said she expects the whole process to be completed by the spring of 2017.
RCMP investigate suspicious death in Cadotte Lake
October 4, 2016. The RCMP’s Major Crimes Unit – North is investigating the death of a 25-year-old man found in a residence in Cadotte Lake. Peace River RCMP detachment responded to a call from Cadotte Lake in the early morning hours of Oct. 3. The death is being treated as suspicious and an individual known to the deceased has been taken into custody. This is not believed to have been a random act and police are not looking for anyone else at this time.
Woman charged in stabbing death of man
October 4, 2016. Vanessa Poucette has been charged with second degree murder following a stabbing incident at a residence in Morley. Cochrane RCMP responded to a complaint of a stabbing on Oct. 1. Brennon Riley Twoyoungmen, 42, was found outside the residence and declared deceased at the scene. An autopsy confirmed the manner of death. Poucette, 46, of Morley, was arrested without incident. She is scheduled to attend court in Calgary on Oct. 6
UnBQ recognized for literacy work
October 4, 2016. University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills has received the Council of Federation Literacy Award. In accepting the award from Alberta Advanced Education Minister Marlin Schmidt, university president Vincent Steinhauer quoted Mahatma Gandhi: “Poverty is the worst form of violence.” He said, “Couple that with being illiterate in a society where you need English to be a contributing member of society and it becomes a double-edged sword that cuts deep into our Peoples, further eliminating them from becoming contributing members of Canadian society.” The Blue Quills Literacy Centre is unique in its approach to literacy and adult literacy, a multi-dimensional approach that incorporates reading, writing, family, Indigenous world view, and Indigenous languages and relationships. The Literacy Award was created in 2004 and recognizes the important role literacy plays in facilitating Canadians’ participation as full and active citizens in all areas of society.