Agreements allowing two oil and gas companies access to land on the Blood First Nation have netted the southern band at least $50 million.

“It’s money up front when the final lease is executed,” said David Shade, general manager with Kainaiwa Resources, responsible for negotiating leases for the band. The money will be placed into the band’s capital account in Ottawa by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.

New Calgary Stampede Princess named

Métis design showcased in museum

After several close attempts in recent years, an Alberta-based women’s team has recaptured its national fastball crown.

The Red Nation Jets, based in Alexis Nakota Sioux First Nation, won the women’s division at this year’s Canadian Native Fastball Championships, which concluded on Aug. 1. The Whitecap Dakota Nation hosted the three-day tournament, attracting 70 teams.

A first-of-its-kind program in Canada to promote Aboriginal economic development received a national bronze award from the Institute of Public Administration of Canada at a conference in Ottawa on Aug. 24. The IPAC Awards recognize the efforts of public administration across Canada to minimize bureaucracy while addressing complex social issues like poverty, employment, and education.

“It is vitally important to encourage and embrace bold innovations and collaboration in the public sector,” said Wynne Young, IPAC president and member of the jury who selected the award winners.

First Nations leaders from Northern Alberta have been sounding alarm bells for nearly four years about the rapid development of the tar sands, but attention from Hollywood may finally elicit a response.
Award-winning filmmaker James Cameron did a three-day tour on Sept. 27-29 of the oil development. He also met with First Nations leaders, industry officials, and Premier Ed Stelmach.

In front of hordes of reporters, Cameron stated his conclusion — development needs to slow down.

New Zealand writer shares film, life story

The city of Edmonton will once again run a program aimed at improving aquatic and leadership skills for Aboriginal teens and young adults.

The city that boasts the second largest urban Aboriginal population in Canada is celebrating a milestone and leading the country as an example of how relations can be strengthened between municipal governments and its Aboriginal residents.

The message received by a handful of senators is clear: for Aboriginal children to be successful in the classroom, there needs to be community and parental buy-in.

What’s not as clear is how that goal will be achieved.
Rose Laboucan, chief of the Driftpile First Nation, said, “Those children that have parents there for them . . . . those are the children that will succeed.”

But today’s parents and grandparents, and by extension today’s students, are victims of residential schools and still feeling the impact.