First Nations say Alberta data centre approach won't attract big tech players
The chiefs of the Alexander First Nation, Paul First Nation, Enoch Cree Nation and Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation outlined their concerns in an open letter to Premier Danielle Smith and members of her government.
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CBC
5 hours ago
- CBC
Ginoogaming First Nation's chief calls renaming of Indian Road a 'starting point'
Chief Sheri Taylor of Ginoogaming First Nation says the renaming of Indian Road in Longlac, Ont., is a good start, but there's a long way to go when it comes to reconciliation between the Municipality of Greenstone and nearby First Nations. Greenstone's municipal council passed a bylaw approving the road's new name last week. Taylor says she was first approached about the proposed change last summer, and turned to her community's council of elders and knowledge keepers for input. "Behind all that was that it simply just can't be a name change to a road; it has to be more done in the spirit of reconciliation," Taylor said. "What comes with that? The responsibility on the behalf of the municipality in regards to the way a lot of the historical and the systematic issues and racism that our people have felt over the years." Ginoogaming's council came up with the name Nishnabe Miikena, which translates from Ojibway to Nishnabe, or Anishinaabe, Road. "Anishinaabe refers to our people, the Ojibway people, the first people, the good people," said Taylor. The Municipality of Greenstone, located within the Thunder Bay district in northwestern Ontario, includes a number of smaller communities, such as Geraldton, Longlac and Nakina. It covers an area of over 3,100 square kilometres along the Trans-Canada Highway. It's located on the traditional territories of several First Nations, including Animbigoo Zaagi'igan Anishinaabek, Aroland, Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek, Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek, Ginoogaming and Long Lake #58. While she gives credit to the municipality for acknowledging the importance of a more appropriate road name, Taylor said it's also necessary to recognize the historic tensions caused by towns being "developed in our homelands." A road renaming project is part of Greenstone's official Reconciliation Action Plan. In a report to council, the municipality's chief administrative officer said the new name "recognizes the historical intent of the naming of Indian Road (to recognize those with Indigenous heritage in the region) while also being more culturally appropriate." The bylaw approving the name change will come into effect Oct. 1 "to allow for ordering of signs, notice, and event planning." During the Aug. 11 municipal council meeting, Coun. Elaine Mannisto of the Longlac ward said she's received "explosive comments" from those who live on Indian Road that oppose the change. "One of the comments they made was that they all received letters asking about this initially and that they didn't agree to a name change, and now the proposal is to change the name," Mannisto said. However, Taylor said this kind of response "comes from a lack of knowing the history." "It comes from a lack of not understanding where we come from, too, so there's a lot of work that has to be done." It comes from a lack of not understanding where we come from, too, so there's a lot of work that has to be done. - Chief Sheri Taylor, Ginoogaming First Nation "There's many examples of the old systematic discrimination that has happened to our people, one of them being the Indian Act," she said. "There's residential schools, Indian day schools, Sixties Scoop, there's overrepresentation in the child welfare system, there's incarceration rates." One way to address these inequalities is by promoting economic development within the area's First Nations, she said. "Our people, First Nations people, have contributed enormously to the economic growth of Greenstone, and that doesn't seem to be recognized," said Taylor. "I think as they move along, those types of things need to be recognized — that our people have made major contributions to what Greenstone is today."
Calgary Herald
2 days ago
- Calgary Herald
Opinion: Independence at what cost to Alberta taxpayers?
Independence is one of those words that we all think we know the definition of. Most of us really don't, just like teenagers who embrace the idea of expanded freedom without understanding the responsibility that goes along with it. Article content To become independent, Alberta would have to quickly recreate agencies and infrastructure that took dozens of decades for the federal government to establish. People would have to decide if they wanted to stay in an independent Alberta or move elsewhere. Some Canadians might choose to move to Alberta. Alberta might have to decide whether it will allow the 'immigration' of such Canadians. Article content Article content Article content Article content Federal criminal codes will need to be first. Prisoners will have to be relocated. Incarcerated Albertans will have to be brought home. Article content Military bases will need to be emptied of personnel and equipment. If Alberta intends to have its own military, it will have to recruit and find somewhere to purchase equipment, from mess kits to airplanes. Article content The provincial police force will need to be augmented. Alberta will need its own air traffic controllers, customs and border guards, immigration officers, produce inspectors and the support staff that makes everything possible. Article content Becoming an independent nation is going to be expensive. Just the signs on all the buildings and new stationery and currency will cost more than a fighter jet. How would all this get paid for? Article content Article content Proponents assume the oilsands can sign the cheque. There's the notion that those lands belong to our sovereign First Nations, who have publicly said they will not follow Alberta into independence. Article content Alberta will have lots of expenses and no treasure chest to pay for them. Article content Its only choice might be to join the United States as that 51st state that U.S. President Donald Trump keeps mentioning. So much for independence. Article content Alberta leadership has wanted American-style health care for some time. But we should be careful what we wish for. My wife fractured her back while living in the United States. She received virtually no treatment or rehab, as she didn't have the right insurance. After eight years in a wheelchair, she taught herself to walk again. Article content What would independence mean for Alberta? Not what most people believe.
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
Treaty 6 applies for intervener status in Alberta separation question review
Edmonton Watch Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations is applying for intervenor status in an upcoming judicial review of a referendum question on Alberta separation.
