Alberta

The 2021 Census is ensuring Indigenous voices are heard while getting important statistical information to decision-makers and all users of statistics about Indigenous people. An Edmontonian of Métis descent, Statistics Canada Indigenous Advisor, Krista Chiponski, is helping make the project possible by building relationships between Statistics Canada and Indigenous communities. She says she wants to, encourage Indigenous communities to share how Statistics Canada can provi...de information that is effective, usable and accessible while helping communities tell their story through statistics. Read more about the project and Krista’s work: https://bit.ly/3pchpVQ

This April, small businesses can apply for the Enhanced COVID-19 Business Benefit from the Alberta government.

Take a staycation through this virtual exhibit of rock art at Writing-on-Stone / Áísínai’pi provincial park. Explore the meaning and history behind the park’s petroglyphs and pictographs on Blackfoot Traditional Territory in southern Alberta.

This month, we introduce the Indigenous Language Facebook Series. To start, do you know how many Indigenous languages are in Alberta? Indigenous languages in Alberta are part of 5 major language families. They are groups of related languages and include a total of nearly 30 living languages. The five key language families and their languages are: Algonquian: Plains Cree, Woods Cree, Saulteaux, Ojibway, Western Ojibwa, Blackfoot, Michif, Arapaho, and Mi'kmaq... Athapaskan: Dene Suliné (Chipewyan), Dunneza (Beaver), Sahtugot'ine (North Slavey), Dene Tha (South Slavey), Tlicho (Dogrib), Gwich'in, Tsuut'ina (Sarsi), Tsilhqot'in (Chilcotin), Dakelh (Carrier), Jicarilla Apache, and Navajo Siouan: Nakoda (Stoney), Lakota, Dakota, Assiniboine (Nakota) Eskimo-aleut: Inuktitut, Inuvialuktun, Innuinaqtun Salishan: Nlaka'pmx (Thompson Salish), Secwepemc (Shuswap), Okanagan Learn more about this and other interesting Indigenous language facts by following our Facebook series. [Source: University of Alberta’s Canadian Indigenous Languages and Literacy Development Institute]

This $100-million collaboration between First Nations represented by the Indian Resource Council, the Metis Settlements and the Government of Alberta shows unprecedented progress towards reconcili-action in the protection of land, lives and livelihoods. -Chief William (Billy) Morin, Enoch Cree Nation The Alberta government is providing a $400 million boost to inactive well cleanup efforts through the federally funded Site Rehabilitation Program, creating thousands of jobs a...nd helping to restore the land. This funding $100 million of which will be for cleanup in and around First Nations reserves and Metis Settlements further demonstrates government’s commitment to ensure Indigenous Peoples, their communities and organizations are partners in prosperity.

Indigenous daughters, sisters, mothers, aunts and loved ones whose lives were ended by violence are remembered every day by their families. On February 14, the public is encouraged to join them and take action. This Sunday is the 30th anniversary of Women’s Memorial Marches to remember and honour the memory of Indigenous women and pay tribute to those who advocate for change and a safer society. Alberta’s government is taking action on this important issue. We created the ...Alberta Joint Working Group for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) to respond to the Final Report of National Inquiry into MMIWG. This Sunday, please take the time to reflect on how each of us can advocate against gender-based violence and how make to Alberta a safer place for Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people.

Small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic can apply for a second payment through the Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant. Read more: https://bit.ly/39pYjXQ

Alberta is declaring a state of public health emergency and putting aggressive measures in place to protect the health system and reduce the rising spread of CO...VID-19 cases. PUBLIC AND PRIVATE GATHERINGS (PROVINCE-WIDE) Effective immediately, no indoor social gatherings will be permitted. Individuals who live alone may have up to 2 non-household close contacts who are able to visit in their homes. They must be the same two people throughout the duration of these measures. Social gatherings in indoor workplaces, such as lunchroom gatherings, are also not allowed. Outdoor social gatherings are permitted to a maximum of 10 people. Funeral services and wedding ceremonies must follow all public health guidance and are limited to a maximum of 10 in-person attendees. Receptions will not be permitted. Not following the mandatory restrictions could result in fines and enforcement. The Emergency Alert System will be used to ensure Albertans are aware of the mandatory requirements. PLACES OF WORSHIP (REGIONS UNDER ENHANCED STATUS) Effective immediately, places of worship are limited to a maximum of 1/3 normal attendance per service, physical distancing between households and masking will be required. Faith based leaders are encouraged to move services online. BUSINESS AND SERVICE RESTRICTIONS (EFFECTIVE NOV 27) Businesses within the enhanced status regions that must be closed for in-person service include: Banquet halls, conference centres, trade shows, auditoria and concert venues, non-approved/licensed markets, community centres Children’s play places or indoor playgrounds All levels of team and individual sport Businesses that may remain open with 25% occupancy including: Retail, including liquor and cannabis Grocery stores Pharmacies Clothing stores Computer and technology stores Hardware Additional services that may remain open with 25% occupancy including: Movie theatres Museums and galleries Libraries Casinos, offering slots only. Table games must be closed at this time. Indoor entertainment centres including amusement parks, water parks, bingo halls and racing centres. Indoor fitness, recreation, sports and physical activity centres, including dance and yoga studios, martial arts, gymnastics and private or public swimming pools. Restaurants, bars, pubs and lounges will be open with restrictions: Max of 6 people from the same immediate household at a table and no movement between tables People who live alone can meet with up to 2 non-household contacts as long as they’re the same two throughout the duration of these restrictions Only seated eating and drinking is permitted. No other services or entertainment will be allowed. K-12 SCHOOLS (PROVINCE-WIDE) In all schools, grades 7-12 will move to at-home learning on Nov. 30, ending in-person classes early. Students in Early Childhood Services and Grades K-6 will remain learning in-person until Dec. 18. All students will return to at-home learning after their winter break and resume in-person learning on January 11, 2021. This measure is mandatory. Alberta’s government is making diploma exams optional for the rest of the school year. Students and their parents can choose whether to write the exam or receive an exemption for the April, June, and August 2021 exam sessions. MANDATORY MASK REQUIREMENTS A new mandatory mask requirement is in place in Edmonton, Calgary and surrounding areas for indoor workplaces. This includes any location where employees are present, and applies to visitors, including delivery personnel, and employees or contractors. Masking will be mandatory in places of worship and existing school masking requirements will continue. More information is available at https://www.alberta.ca/enhanced-public-health-measures.aspx

Every flag tells the story of a people and their history. The Métis flag predates the flag of Canada by at least 150 years, and is the oldest patriotic flag, indigenous to Canada. The Métis flag or flag of the Métis Nation features a white infinity sign on a red or blue background. The blue background is used much more often. The red Métis flag was first used by Métis resistance fighters in Rupert's Land. The infinity symbol represents the mixing of cultures, to create a unique and distinct culture, that of the Métis people and symbolizes that the Métis culture will exist forever.

LIVE at 4:30 - Watch Alberta's Chief Medical Officer of Health and officials provide an update on COVID-19 and the ongoing work to protect public health.

Métis people are recognized as a distinct Indigenous nation in Canada, with a distinct cultural belief system, political structure, history, and language, called Michif. Find out more about being Métis from people who talk about growing up Métis. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wVoC16yTW4

On Nov 26, join Anishinaabe/Ojibway scholar and law researcher John Burrows whose work explores two prominent schools of thought in Indigenous-settler relations resurgence and reconciliation. Gashkadano-giizis [refers to] the ice freezing over moon, which signals it’s time to prepare, gather, slow down and reflectIndigenous ways of tracking seasons identify natural patterns and tell us what people have historically done on the land at different times. For more information, visit https://www.ucalgary.ca/news/reconcile-earth

Indigenous company, Natural Law Energy has signed an equity investment of up to $1 billion on the Keystone XL Pipeline. The project will bring jobs and wealth to First Nations communities as partners in prosperity. Read Premier Kenney’s Statement: https://bit.ly/3kEkD20 Read more about the announcement from TC Energy: https://bit.ly/32VAtiN

Alberta is home to more than 114,000 Métis people. But did you know that more than 5,600 Métis people live on constitutionally protected land? Alberta is the only province in Canada with lands set aside for Métis people. Read more about the Metis Settlements of Alberta: https://bit.ly/3nxNmY7

Create your Indigenous Cultural Tourism pathway: Indigenous Tourism Alberta is looking for passionate First Nations to create small teams to set direction for grassroots tourism development in their community. Program starts January 2021. https://indigenoustourismalberta.ca//cultural-tourism-pat/

During Métis Week, let’s celebrate Métis women for the important historical and contemporary contributions they bring to their nation. Métis women like Audrey Poitras, president of the Métis Nation of Alberta, carry on the legacy of strength and determination. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gpVOnXMttc "Métis women were integral to the fur trade. They were sought after as marriage partners for fur trade managers because of their kinship ties to local First Nations and Métis.... Some Métis women, known as Country Born, married high-ranking officials and became members of the Red River aristocracy. Métis women also married fur trade labourers such as French-Canadian voyageurs. Their work was vitally important, as they provided food such as garden produce, berries, fish and game to the fur trade posts. They also made and sold hand-worked items such as sashes and quilts." Source: Canadian Geographic Indigenous Peoples, Atlas of Canada

Metis people across Canada are commemorating the great Métis leader, the Honourable Louis Riel, who was hanged 135 years ago today. He was a champion of Métis rights who brought Manitoba into confederation. Hear what the Rick Wilson Minister of Indigenous Relations has to say about Louis Riel and the Métis people of Alberta.

Alberta is proud to be home to more than 114,000 Métis people, the highest population in western Canada and the second highest in Canada. Discover and celebrate the unique culture, history and contributions of Métis people during Métis Week. Join in virtual celebrations ranging from honouring the great Métis leader, Louis Riel, to learning words in Michif, to Métis jigging and fiddling. https://www.alberta.ca/annual-metis-week-celebrations.aspx