Latest news with #SiksikaFirstNation
Calgary Herald
2 days ago
- General
- Calgary Herald
Sacred Siksika ribstones are back in Alberta from Canadian Museum of History
Article content An important ceremonial object was handed over to the Siksika First Nation on Friday in what the Indigenous community calls a 'profound act of justice and reconciliation.' Article content The items returned to the community were Ribstone artifacts, which had been held in the Canadian Museum of History for over 100 years. Article content Article content Ribstones are skeletal objects of the bison, which is venerated in Indigenous cultures as a staff of life, a source of abundance, and as entities creating balance in the natural world. Article content Article content The repatriation of these objects was overseen by the Soyohpawahko Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park, which ensured the safe return of the artifacts to Indigenous land. The event was punctuated by presentations, a traditional ceremony and various cultural performances. Article content Article content 'The return of the Siksika Nation Ribstone marks the restoration of a sacred artifact—etched with ancestral prayers—to its rightful place,' said Shannon Bear Chief, general manager of the historical park. Article content 'This is more than repatriation; it is the reclamation of identity, sovereignty, and spiritual strength.' Article content Objects such as ribstones were usually placed in locations of symbolic importance to the community, and many would visit the sites to offer prayers and conduct ceremonies. Article content Access to these places was severed after Indigenous communities were confined to their reserves in the late 19th century, said Jack Ives, anthropology professor at the University of Alberta, who is a former provincial archaeologist behind the push to repatriate ceremonial objects to Indigenous bodies. Article content Their culture was further assailed by the advent of residential schools and policies such as the Sixties Scoop, which drove Indigenous people away from their traditional practices.
Global News
07-05-2025
- Climate
- Global News
Growing concerns over wildfires in Alberta fuelled by soaring temperatures and gusting winds
Firefighters from the Siksika First Nation appear to have gotten the upper hand Wednesday battling a wildfire that broke out a day earlier south of Cluny, but gusting winds are creating some challenges as crews continue to watch for flare-ups. The fire, which has forced nearby residents from their homes, is amongst a growing number of wildfires burning across Alberta — fueled by warm temperatures and strong winds — with little precipitation in the forecast. Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: The fire, which has forced nearby residents from their homes, is amongst a growing number of wildfires burning across Alberta — fueled by warm temperatures and strong winds — with little precipitation in the forecast. An update, posted on social media by the Siksika Nation Tribal Association on Wednesday, said firefighters have managed to contain the fire burning south of Cluny. Facebook/SiksikaNationTribalAdministration So far the most serious fires have been burning north of Edmonton, but concerns are growing about the fire danger in other parts of the province, prompting officials there to put new fire bans and restrictions in place. Story continues below advertisement On Tuesday Vulcan County, southeast of Calgary and Leduc County, south of Edmonton, posted fire bans. That means that no campfires or other outdoor fires are allowed, including in campgrounds, backcountry or random camping areas, burn barrels, wood pellet smokers, charcoal briquettes and fireworks. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy A notice posted on the Leduc County website advises residents to 'use extreme caution when using anything that could cause a fire to ignite, including grinding or welding tools or even a vehicle's exhaust in dry grass.' The county warns that 'due to increased winds and dry conditions, fires can ignite and become uncontrollable extremely quickly.' Most of the counties surrounding Edmonton already have fire bans or fire restrictions in place. There are also fire bans in place in at least 37 provincial parks, including such popular ones as Wabumun Lake and the Ghost River wilderness area. View image in full screen Temperatures in the low to high 20s along with gusty winds across most of Alberta this week have made fighting the growing number of fires, such as this one in Sturgeon Country near Edmonton, a huge challenge for firefighters. Global News While the fire situation in southern Alberta is not as dire as it is further north, officials in the Calgary Forest area warn that we are just 'starting to see hints of spring a green-up,' meaning there is lots of dead and dry grass that creates an 'extreme fire risk' and could fuel fast moving wildfires. Story continues below advertisement While there is currently no fire ban in place in Calgary, the Deputy Chief of the Calgary Emergency Management Agency, Coby Duerr, said it's important for residents of the area to be prepared. 'I think that when we look at it from a climate change perspective we see that there's a shift — we see more complex events happening, we see them happening more often and we see them happening on top of each other,' said Duerr. 'That is happening across our country and especially in Alberta.' View image in full screen With much of Alberta just starting to see a spring 'green-up' fire officials warn there is lots of dead and dry grass that creates an extreme fire risk. Global News And the weather forecast for the rest of the week doesn't appear to offer much help to firefighters. In Edmonton the forecast high on Wednesday was 24 C with a chance of showers on Thursday and sunny skies the rest of the week. Story continues below advertisement In Calgary, temperatures in the low 20s are forecast for the remainder of the week with a chance of rain on Monday. In Lethbridge, there's no precipitation in the forecast until Monday, with temperatures the rest of this week in the low to high 20s. More information on all the fire bans and restrictions across the province is available online at: and Information on all the wildfires currently burning across the province is also available online at
