Alberta Sweetgrass - January 2014 WHAT'S INSIDE:
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Alberta Sweetgrass News Briefs Page 3 2013 – The Year in Review Page 4
THE ABORIGINAL NEWSPAPER OF ALBERTA
JANUARY 2014 VOLUME 21 • NUMBER 2
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At a rally in November, Mikisew Cree Nation Chief Steve Courtereille said his people are concerned about the Obed Mountain Mine spill and challenged the government to “get it together.”
First Nations consider legal action against Sherritt By Shari Narine Sweetgrass Contributing Editor ATHABASCA CHIPEWYAN FIRST NATION
First Nations impacted further downstream by the largest coal slurry spill in Canadian history are considering legal action against Sherritt International, the operators of Obed Mountain Mine. The breach from a pit 30 km east of Hinton on Oct. 31 released approximately 670 million litres of contaminated water into two tributaries leading to the Athabasca River. “People are getting tired. They’re fed up with the nonsense that’s been going on, everything from the treaties to what’s happening with industry,” said Mikisew Cree Nation Chief Steve Courtereille. “We want to know why the government isn’t doing anything.” The provincial government may also be named in legal action being considered by the Mikisew Cree and Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation. “This isn’t new for ACFN and Mikisew to have concerns for the river system and Sherritt was the straw that broke the camel’s
back,” said ACFN spokesperson Eriel Deranger. “And considering it was the largest spill in history and the information was not really being shared openly by Sherritt or the government and there are still a lot of questions that the Nation has.” Meetings between the two First Nations and Sherritt were scheduled for December, but had to be postponed until January because of the death of Mikisew band councillor Willie Courtoreille, the brother of the Chief. Sean McCaughan, senior vice president for Sherritt International’s coal operations, says face-to-face meetings with those communities will help to address concerns. Similar meetings have already occurred with the Alexis Sioux Nakota Nation, who have been out to the site. McCaughan says he has spoken to ACFN Chief Allan Adam. “We’re very interested in sitting down with them and walking through our information,” said McCaughan, who noted that both Sherritt and the Alberta government have made their data public.
But that data has raised concerns with Bruce MacLean, who manages the Mikisew Cree and Athasbasca Chipewyan First Nation community-based monitoring program. “We noticed a very distinct increase in turbidity levels,” said MacLean. “The concern is that the contamination that came out of that spill was heavily tied to the sediment. It’s the increase in heavy metals in the PeaceAthabasca delta that’s going to have the issues. The chemicals that we are worried about are certainly the ones that are carcinogenic.” The group undertook monitoring at two sites, one on the Athabasca River and one off the shore of town overtop the water intake, both further downstream than where Sherritt took its readings, says MacLean. Baseline samples for turbidity and other water chemistry variables were collected six days prior to when the plume was anticipated to reach the site, says MacLean. A three-fold increase in turbidity was observed when the plume was scheduled to arrive. “What Alberta (Sustainable Resource Development) was
finding and what the company’s own (monitorings) were suggesting was that there was no increase,” said MacLean, who challenges Sherritt’s claim that the plume had completely dissipated by that point. “Our data would suggest very strongly that wasn’t the case.” With the majority of contaminant tied to the sediment now deposited at the bottom of the Athabasca River, MacLean doesn’t anticipate the full impact of the spill to be known until high water in the spring remobilizes the sludge and moves it down river. “And it will do that over subsequent years. What the ultimate toll is on the delta is going to be really hard to tell,” he said, noting that fish habitat has already been impacted. McCaughan says he has not seen the data collected by MacLean’s group. “I think that’s one of the reasons we’d love to sit down with them and why we suggested having a technical session with them,” he said. “We (would)Ö like to meet with them and understand their concerns.” ACFN and Mikisew Cree are also pushing for charges to be
laid under provisions of the federal Fisheries Act and Alberta’s Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act. “We had some concerns around the operations that Sherritt had been running and whether or not they were in violation of their licensing,” said Deranger. (See First Nations on page 3.) CANADIAN PUBLICATION MAIL # 40063755
Alberta Sweetgrass - January 2014
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ALBERTA NEWS Councils formed to address Aboriginal women’s issues The provincial government has established two Aboriginal women’s advisory councils, one of Métis members and one of First Nations members. The councils will report to the Aboriginal Relations minister and will be supported by a working group made up of senior representatives from Aboriginal Relations; Culture; Education; Enterprise and Advanced Education; Health; Human Services; and Justice and Solicitor General to address the issues they identify. Outgoing Aboriginal Relations Minister Robin Campbell said the work will hopefully result in a set of defined government priorities and recommendations by late spring 2014. After initial recommendations, the ministry will begin working with other areas of government to examine training or education programs available to address the issues. Koren Lightning-Earle, a Samson Cree councillor and president of the Indigenous Bar Association, is co-chair of the 23member First Nations Women’s Economic Security Council, while Rachelle Venne, chief executive of the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women, is co-chair of the 13-member MÈtis Women’s Economic Security Council. The councils will be given a budget in the Aboriginal Relations ministry and are expecting to meet at least twice annually. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Reading themselves to a hockey game The grades 3 and 4 from Grouard Northland School took in the Edmonton Oilers game against the Carolina Hurricanes on Dec. 10. The students won tickets by participating in the Edmonton Oilers and Edmonton Oil Kings “Reading, Give it a Shot” program. The program, which Northland School Division has participated in for 10 years, was developed to assist teachers inside and outside of the classroom to help motivate and encourage their students to read. (Photo: Northland School Division)
Alexis Nakota Sioux maintains intervener status for Vista project On Jan. 9, Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation and Coalspur Mines Ltd. reached a confidential agreement for the Coalspur Vista project. Alexis Nakota Sioux was the last of three First Nations to relinquish its status as intervener in the upcoming Alberta Energy Regulator hearings.In early December, Ermineskin Cree Nation and the Whitefish (Goodfish) Lake First Nation withdrew as interveners for the project having entered into separate agreements with Coalspur Mines. The agreements provide mutually beneficial opportunities for community development, infrastructure and business opportunities, as well as ensure First Nation participation in ongoing environmental monitoring of Coalspur’s operations and mitigate impacts on the First Nations’ traditional land uses. Coalspur now has agreements with six First Nations. However, AER still begin its hearing Jan. 13 in Hinton, saying both technical staff and the commission had questions for Coalspur Mines.
Jackpine mine expansion gets federal approval Despite a scheduled 35-day delay in rendering its decision, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency has given Shell Canada’s Jackpine oilsands mine expansion plan the go-ahead. Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq said although the 100,000 barrels-per-day expansion was “likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects,” it was “justified by the circumstances.” The decision came while the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation was still in talks with the federal government. Concerns for the expansion, which increases Shell’s control from 7,500 hectares†to 13,000 hectares have been expressed by Fort McKay and Mikisew†Cree First Nations as well as Metis locals. In an earlier interview with Sweetgrass, ACFN spokesperson Eriel Deranger said ACFN would pursue legal action.
Roundtable for children in care Invited experts and stakeholders will be meeting Jan. 29 at a government-led roundtable to discuss investigations and public information involving deaths or serious injuries of children in care. An implementation team was announced by new Human Services Minister Manmeet S. Bhullar to move forward on his five-point plan to improve the child intervention system. That plan focuses on enhancing information
sharing, addressing the root causes that bring children into care, and supporting collaborative research to improve services to children and their families. “We will move quickly to implement our plan to increase protections for every child in this province and we will push for continuous improvement of supports for vulnerable children and their families,” said Bhullar.
New Aboriginal Relations minister Alberta has a new Aboriginal Relations minister as Premier Alison Redford shuffled her Cabinet in midDecember. Taking on the portfolio as well as position of Deputy House Leader is Peace River MLA Frank Oberle, who was promoted from associate minister of†Services for Persons with Disabilities. Oberle takes over from Robin Campbell, who is now the minister of Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development as well as Government House Leader. In a news release issued by Redford, she said, “The strengthened ministerial team will lead the next phase of the Building Alberta Plan, with a focus on expanding our economy, driving innovation and working every day to create an even better quality of life for Albertans.” The Wildrose Official Opposition did its own shuffling but leader Danielle Smith remained with the Aboriginal Relations portfolio.
Young’s four-city concert tour to raise funds for ACFN court battles Singer-songwriter Neil Young will be ending his fourcity Honour the Treaties Tour in Calgary on Jan.19. His concerts will help raise money for court challenges by the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation revolving around the preservation of treaty rights, species at risk, access issues and public land policies. Last September, Young visited the Fort McMurray area and compared open-pit practises with Hiroshima after the atomic bomb blast. ACFN spokesperson Eriel Deranger said the band had not asked Young for his support when he was in the region. He will be joined on stage by special guest star jazz singer-pianist and fellow Canadian Diana Krall in Calgary, Toronto (Jan. 12), Winnipeg (Jan. 16), and Regina (Jan. 17).
Largest private-sector union supports First Nations Unifor, Canada’s largest private-sector union, has thrown its support behind First Nations in opposing the Northern Gateway pipeline project, vowing to hit picket lines in solidarity if the project goes ahead. Unifor, which is the recent merger of the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada, with more than 300,000 members across the country. represents workers in nearly every sector of the economy, including those in oil and gas, mining and smelting and construction. In November, the union released a position paper calling for a Canada-wide moratorium on all new oil and gas fracking, citing concerns over safety and environmental risks as well as a lack of informed consent by First Nations about fracking on native land.
Fort Chipewyan MÈtis chapter launches lawsuit The Métis Nation of Alberta Association has launched a $3-billion lawsuit against B.C. Hydro and the federal government for damage to the Lake Athabasca delta created by two dams on British Columbia stretches of the Peace River. The suit, launched by the Fort Chipewyan chapter of the association, claims that the Bennett and Peace Canyon Dams have had disastrous effects on the Lake Athabasca delta created by the meeting of the Peace and Athabasca Rivers in northeastern Alberta. The dams have substantially reduced the flow of the Peace River and dried the delta by “virtually eliminating” the spring flooding. That lack of flow has had “irreversible” debilitating effects on wildlife and plants that the Métis rely upon to continue their way of life, the suit states. The reduced flow also infringes upon entrenched Métis water rights.
Funding received by Maskwacis for anti-gang violence program The Maskwacis Conflict Resolution Program, run by the Samson Cree Nation, has received $2.9 million from the federal government to address gang violence in Samson Cree Nation, Ermineskin First Nation, Louis Bull First Nation and Montana First Nation. The program will help youth make smart choices and avoid involvement in criminal activity by promoting community involvement, education and employment skills, and counselling programs, said Wetaskiwin MP Blaine Calkins. Jan. 1 marked the official change of name for Hobbema to Maskwacis.
Site C Dam JRP in Alberta The Joint Review Panel for Site C for BC Hydro’s proposed dam was in Peace River Jan. 9 and 10. The panel began its hearings in Fort St. John, in BC, on Dec. 9, 2013, and will conclude in Fort St. John on Jan. 23. Peace River was the only Alberta stop. Concerns have been raised by First Nations both in BC and Alberta as the project would create hydro-electric power for the BC, but would also flood First Nations land and hunting grounds.
Figures updated for flood recovery work Figures released by the provincial government in early December indicate that almost $175 million in preliminary disaster assistance has been provided to southern Alberta municipalities and First Nations to begin rebuilding after the June flood. There are still over 1,000 people living in temporary accommodations, including 326 in relief shelters on the Siksika First Nation. Almost $70 million was distributed in immediate support as preloaded debit cards or cheques to more than 56,000 Albertans forced from their homes. When Premier Alison Redford reworked her Cabinet in mid-December, flood recovery work remained a priority as three associate ministers for regional recovery and reconstruction remained: Kyle Fawcett (southwest region), Greg Weadick (southeast region) and Rick Fraser (High River).
Compiled by Shari Narine
YEAR IN REVIEW
Alberta Sweetgrass - January 2014
Idle No More movement finishes year in show of strength With the first half of the year spent trying to understand the Idle No More movement through panel discussions at universities and town halls, participants took to the streets and the steps of the Alberta Legislature in the latter part of 2013. First Nations leaders continued to denounce both federal and provincial governments for their paternalistic attitudes. Leaders called on membership to stand up for their constitutional rights, to protect their land and their water. At the heart of numerous protests were federal omnibus bills C-38 and C-45, which Mikisew Cree and Frog Lake PHOTO: SHARI NARINE
(From left) Brenda Ashley, April Isadore, and Joe Isadore, all from Driftpile First Nation, braved the bitter cold to stand on the steps of the Alberta Legislature during a mass rally in November.
First Nations consider legal action (Continued from page 1.) McCaughan says the province is on site investigating the incident. “They’re well into their investigation and it will continue on for some time and we’ll await what comes out of the investigation,” he said. In late December, Sherritt publicly announced that it was divesting the company of its coal business and that Westmoreland Coal Company would be
acquiring those assets. “They did notify us that it does not mean they’ve sold their responsibilities and obligations to ensure that all legal matters regarding the spill are addressed and they will be addressed by Sherritt themselves,” said Deranger. Stressed McCaughan, “Sherritt is committed to handling this right and doing what’s right. As a company we place a lot of value on this.”
Child deaths in government care raise concerns
A series of investigative articles run in November by the province’s two major daily newspapers stating that 145 children in Alberta had died in foster care since 1999 has resulted in Human Services Minister David Hancock scheduling a roundtable for January 2014 to determine, in part, if the review system for deaths in care is appropriate. Of the 94 children whose ethnicity was recorded, 74 were Aboriginal. The articles noted that the government has received 258 non-binding recommendations since 1999
through a variety of offices, forums and reports on how to improve the system. Some of those recommendations have come from Youth and Child Advocate Del Graff. Earlier in the year, Graff released a report entitled “Remembering Brian,” which outlined the gaps in government services as well as policies and guidelines that contributed to the suicide death of the 16-year-old Metis boy, who was in government care. “Remembering Brian” presented recommendations to improve the system. In Graff’s latest annual report tabled in the Legislature, he wrote, “I believe the Ministry of Human Services can and should take more concrete action on the recommendations made in my reports that will improve
3 First Nations successfully pushed to judicial reviews with their concerns to be heard January 2014, along with Bill 22, the provincial government’s consultation policy for economic development on First Nations’ land. Also making the rally signs were industrial accidents such as the Obed coal slurry spill and the CNRL breaches at the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range. One rally saw 116 oil barrels placed on the steps of the Legislature to represent the amount of carbon dioxide that will be produced by Shell Canada’s Jackpine mine expansion every second. A number of rallies, including the one held Oct. 7 to mark 250 years of the signing of the British Royal Proclamation, took place nation-wide. services and outcomes for vulnerable children.” Aboriginal youth comprise only nine per cent of Alberta’s population, but account for close to 60 per cent of children in care. Graff said he would participate in the roundtable. In August, Justice Bart Rosborough, who presided over a public fatality inquiry into the death of Baby K, a 14-monthold girl from the Samson Cree First Nation, who died on March 28, 2009, of pneumonia while in government care of a delegated First Nations Authority, recommended that the province examine whether there is a disparity in funding for children in care on reserves and if that disparity exists, that the province enter into negotiations with the federal government.
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EDMONTON
Edmonton continues to push it recognizes the urban aspect of ahead in Aboriginal relations. the Aboriginal community. I Figures from the latest National Household Survey indicate that Edmonton has the second largest urban Aboriginal population (behind Winnpeg) at 60,000. The city moved forward by signing memorandums with both the provincial government and the Métis Nation of Alberta, as well as proclaiming Aug. 23 as Treaty 6 Recognition Day, holding a special ceremony at City Hall and raising the Treaty No. 6 flag. These urban Aboriginal agreements have set Edmonton ahead of any other city in the country and the Canadian Federation of Municipalities has held these agreements up as a benchmark for other municipalities. UNESCO has also noted the work undertaken by Edmonton in moving Aboriginal relations forward. However, 2013 marked the end of Mayor Stephen Mandel’s time as he resigned after serving three terms. “We’ve tried to do lots. We would have liked to have done more… but it took a little bit of time to get going,” said Mandel. Don Iveson took over in October in a decisive mayoral victory.
City, province join forces to improve urban Aboriginal opportunities In May, the city and the province signed a memorandum to improve the quality of life and opportunities for urban Aboriginals. “I think that the most important thing that (this Memorandum of Coordination and Collaboration) does is that
think for those living in Edmonton, or those living in other major urban centres, that’s something long overdue,” said Mayor Stephen Mandel. The memorandum called for the establishment of an action plan in the areas of youth leadership and development; economic development; transitions from rural to urban communities as well as transitions from one stage or place within the city to another; supporting opportunities for Aboriginal women; and, safe and secure communities. However, no additional money was set aside to meet these goals. Aboriginal Relations Minister Robin Campbell expected other Alberta cities to follow suit.
Sainte-Marie inducted into the EPS moves forward on Aboriginal policing strategy A tipi hand crafted by Wolfchild Tipis and Tents and bearing the EPS crest was dedicated on National Aboriginal Day as part of the Edmonton Police Service’s new Aboriginal policing strategy. “We’ve become more visible out in the community and as a result we’re making strides within government, within the police force, within different sectors of society. There’s been different initiatives being developed over the years trying to encourage the participation of the Aboriginal community and that’s a good step,” said Papaschase First Nation Chief Calvin Bruneau, who spoke at the dedication
ceremony. EPS Chief Rod Knecht said the new strategy, which is currently under development through the newlycreated EPS Aboriginal relations unit, will take a threeprong approach: to foster positive relations with the growing urban Aboriginal population in Edmonton; to recruit both police and civilian employees to the EPS; and, to increase the cultural sensitivity and awareness towards Aboriginal community within the EPS.
MNA marks relationship memorandum
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In September, outgoing Mayor Stephen Mandel culminated a strong nine-year relationship with the Métis Nation of Alberta in the form of a Memorandum of Shared Recognition and Cooperation. “We’ve had a lot of … positive working relationships that have produced results over those nine years,” said MNA President Audrey Poitras, “and it was very important certainly to me that somewhere along the line we cement that relationship (and that) we ensure that it is part of what becomes history between the City of Edmonton and the Métis Nation.” Poitras said it was rewarding to be entering into an arrangement that did not involve court rooms. The memorandum is a formal agreement to engage and empower Métis people in the city.
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CALGARY In Calgary in 2013 Calgary companies including Shell, Suncor, Enbridge and BMO Financial showed their ongoing support of initiatives that focused on the training and education of Aboriginal students. Young Aboriginal students exhibited leadership by fundraising for local causes while others learned about the history of residential schools. Events such as the Canada Day pow wow, the celebration of Aboriginal culture at Heritage Park, and the Aboriginal Youth Explosion at Mount Royal University have become annual events, exhibiting a growing awareness, understanding and appreciation of the richness of Aboriginal culture and customs in Calgary.
Calgary ring road gets Tsuu T’ina approval On Oct. 24, 644 Nation members of Tsuu T’ina voted in favour of swapping their land for provincial Crown land along with a monetary settlement from the province to give the Calgary ring road the go-ahead. “If this had been just about the road it never would have been approved,” said Tsuu T’ina Chief Roy Whitney, speaking the day after 993 ballots were cast. “(Members) voted for a better, more secure future for their children and grandchildren and great grandchildren.” That brighter future came along with a guarantee for land that wasn’t present in the 2009 agreement that Tsuu T’ina members overwhelmingly rejected. Whitney said the “language” of
Alberta Sweetgrass - January 2014
the 2013 final agreement provided the First Nation with the certainty that wasn’t included in the 2009 version. Alberta Transportation Minister Ric McIver agreed that was the case. The new agreement has Tsuu T’ina transfer 1,058 acres of land to Alberta for the creation of a transportation and utility corridor, which will complete the southeast portion of the Calgary ring road. In return, Alberta will provide 338.1 acres of new reserve land. Payment of $275 million is to be made to Tsuu T’ina’s capital account in Ottawa. The agreement also calls for an additional payment of close to $45 million to be made for the replacement of First Nation housing, buildings and infrastructure on the land that is sold to the province and another $21 million to be used for improvements to Tsuu T’ina’s existing roads.
Last Tsuu T’ina War Vet Dies at 97 Harold Crowchild, the last member of the Tsuu T’ina Nation to serve in the Second World War, died on Jan. 12 at age 97. He served with the headquarters 4th Canadian Armed Division in active duty. He also served in the United Kingdom, France, Holland and Germany as a trooper. A heavily decorated soldier, his medals and decorations from the war included Star, France/Germany, Star and Defence medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp, War Medal 1939-1945. He will be
5 remembered as the warrior “Iron Shield.” Crowchild was also a revered Elder and true cowboy who loved the rodeo and his horses which he rode and broke into his 80s.
Strathcona-Tweedsmuir students honour spirits of residential school children Thirty-two Grades 4 to 6 students from StrathconaTweedsmuir School visited the site of St. Joseph Industrial School, south of Calgary which operated from 1884 to 1924, also known as the old Dunbow School grounds. As part of the school’s Human Outreach Project, the experience built on their study of Aboriginal education. Almost 1,000 students had been housed at the residential school, losing their identities when their Native names were changed to Christian names and then numbers for easy tracking. Numerous children succumbed to illness or died in the fire that destroyed the school house in the 1920s and were buried in the cemetery. When the Highwood River flooded in 1996, many of the coffins that floated into the river were retrieved and reburied. With small suede moccasins hanging from their necks, the students also spread ceremonial tobacco on the graves of the 75 children. They released butterflies from tiny boxes, each bearing the name of an Aboriginal child, symbolically freeing the spirits of the students.
Compiled by Darlene Chrapko
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YEAR IN REVIEW Student innovation and caring rewarded
PHOTO: CARMEN HODGES
First Nations and MĂŠtis students at Glenbow School in Cochrane have been extraordinarily successful as social entrepreneurs, raising money for the Iyahrhe Food Bank on the Stoney Nakoda Nation. The students had received recognition for a unique project that began with group paintings using photographs of their ancestors which they decided to market as cards. With help and mentorship from the BMO Bank of Montreal in Canmore, the Grades 1-4 students created successful business and marketing plans. When their success won them a National Award for Innovation that included a $500 cash prize
they also donated the prize money to the food bank. Their first run brought in $1,000, enabling them to pay back $500 to the school’s parent council which lent them startup costs for a printer. The students have now had their third printing of cards, presenting a cheque for $2,122.86 to the food bank. To date they have raised just over $2,900. Kids at Chief Napeweaw Comprehensive School at Frog Lake decided to pitch in and help by selling the cards in their own community, raising $300 for the food bank. The Warrior Paint: Painting to Fight Hunger cards have been sold through the Glenbow School and at a number of businesses in Cochrane and Banff.
Check us out all our online Aboriginal community events listings: www.ammsa.com
YEAR IN REVIEW UN Rapporteur in Hobbema
COLD LAKE CFWE RADIO BINGO SELLERS • Cold Lake Cold Lake Native Friendship Centre • Cold Lake Norlite I.D.A. Pharmacy • Joussard Larsen’s General Store
• Kinuso J’s One Stop • Slave Lake Winks of Slave Lake • Desmarais Bigstone Food Store Ltd. • Wabasca E & M Foods Ltd.
For a complete list of radio bingo sellers visit: www.radiobingo.ca
United Nations Special Rapporteur James Anaya signed the UN flag which now hangs at the Ermineskin Junior/Senior High School where a crowd packed into the gymnasium on Oct. 11 to hear concerns voiced by First Nations leaders. Anaya was in Canada on an eight-day tour. “The well-being gap between Aboriginal and nonAboriginal people in Canada has not narrowed over the last several years, treaty and Aboriginals claims remain persistently unresolved, and overall there appear to be high levels of distrust among Aboriginal peoples toward government at both the federal and provincial levels,” said Anaya. “Concerted measures, based on mutual understanding and real partnership with Aboriginal peoples, through their own representative institutions, are vital to the longterm resolution of these issues.” Anaya’s final report and recommendations are still pending. FILE PHOTO
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Alberta Sweetgrass - January 2014
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