Alberta News in Brief for September 7

Wednesday, September 7th, 2016 11:52am

Cemetery considered for historical designation

September 7, 2016. A cemetery connected to a residential school in Saskatchewan is being considered for historical designation.  More than 500 children from 45 Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba First Nations attended the Regina Indian Industrial School. The cemetery, operated by the Presbyterian Church for 20 years, contains 35 known unmarked graves and those of three children of the school’s first principal. The Regina Planning Commission will discuss the heritage designation application on Wednesday and then the matter will be referred to city council to be discussed Sept. 26. The application for historical designation has received support from First Nations, the First Presbyterian Church, and Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Giving the cemetery heritage status would be in line with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action. Administration is recommending approval.

 

Bennett to attend official opening of Siksika school

September 7, 2016. Indian and Northern Affairs Canada Minister Carolyn Bennett is in Siksika Nation today for the grand opening of the new Chief Crowfoot School. The elementary school is operated by the Siksika Board of Education. It serves 180 students with 12 classrooms and approximately 26 staff. Specialized programming includes physical education, religious studies, concentrated learning program, computers, speech, Siksika culture and a breakfast program. Bennett will accompany Chief Vincent Yellow Old Woman on a tour of the new school.