Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta

MEDIA

PRess Releases

The following are press releases from our organization:

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Grand CHIEF pleased with canadian human rights tribunal decision

Date: January 26, 2016

Chief Steve Courtoreille, Grand Chief of Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta adds his voice to celebrate the efforts of Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director of First Nations Child and Family Caring Society. "Today's victory is due to the commitment and dedication of Dr. Blackstock," states the Grand Chief...

Read the full Press Release here

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Treaty 8 chiefs optimistic after meeting with premier

Date: October 21, 2015

Yesterday, the Treaty 8 Chiefs met with Premier Notley at a meeting between the provincial government and the Chiefs of Treaty No. 8.  This meeting was composed of the Premier, Ministers, and the Chiefs from across northern Alberta.  The Chiefs have expressed their cautious optimism after the meeting...

Read the full Press Release here

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Swan River first nation holds a cultural camp to raise awareness

Date: August 25, 2015

Another First Nation within Treaty No. 8 is holding a cultural camp to raise awareness on a "broken First Nation consultation policy".

Swan River First Nation, along with Driftpile Cree Nation, is the second community in recent months to set up a cultural camp to highlight the unabated development activity happening on their traditional territory...

Read the full Press Release here

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GRAND CHIEF Supports ACtion against clearcutting

Date: July 31, 2015

In a move to highlight the dangers of clearcutting forests, Driftpile Cree Nation is holding a Cultural Camp near an area of propsed clearcutting by West Fraser and Millar Western lumber companies.  Chief Steve Courtoreille, Grand Chief of Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta adds his voice to support the effort of the people of Driftpile...

Read the full Press Release here

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Grand chief and deputy grand chief sworn iN

Date: July 20, 2015

Last week, at Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta's Annual General Meeting, was the swearing in ceremony for the Grand Chief and the Deputy Grand Chief of Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta.  At the event, hosted by Sucker Creek First Nation, attendees witnessed the stepping up of the Grand Chief and the Deputy.  These positions are held for a period of one year and are decided through election by the Chiefs of Treaty No. 8 [Alberta]...

Read the full Press Release here

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Chiefs congratulate Premier notley on historic wiN

Date: May 6, 2015

In a historic win last night, the Alberta New Democrats will now form a majority government after Alberta's Provincial Election.

"These are exciting and hopeful times that we live in," states Chief Courtoreille, Grand Chief of Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta, "as one of the youngest populations in Alberta, many of our people have never even seen a government that wasn't Progressive Conservative.  This is a truly monumental achievement for our new Premier and her party.  I want to express our congratulations on behalf of all the Chiefs of Treaty No. 8."

Read the full Press Release here

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TREATY 8 ENHANCING EDUCATION

Date: March 13, 2015

Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta is excited to announce it's partnership with Castle Rock Research aimed at helping to improve the educational outcomes of Treaty 8 [Alberta]'s on-reserve students.

"Castle Rock is leading the way in quality educational solutions for students and educators.  We are thrilled to be able to extend these tools to students across Treaty," states Chief Billy Joe Laboucan, Chief of Education for Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta.

Read the full Press Release here

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Treaty 8 chiefs optimistic after meeting with prentice

Date: December 5, 2014

Treaty 8 Chiefs met with Premier Prentice today at a meeting between the provincial government and the Chiefs of Alberta.  This meeting was composed of the Premier, Ministers and the Chiefs of Treaty 6, 7 and 8.  The Chiefs have expressed their cautious optimism after the meeting.

"For all the discussion the Premier has had with the media regarding working with First Nations, it is hopeful to see a willingness to work with us," states Chief Steve Courtoreille, Grand Chief with Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta before adding, "we have serious issues with consultation in this province and it sounds like he is willing to step forward with some action."....

Read the full Press Release here

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Sign vandalism sparks disappointment among chiefs

Date: November 21, 2014

Vandalism of a road sign has left Chiefs of Treaty No. 8 [Alberta] very disappointed.  Signs marking "Entering Treaty No. 8 Territory" have been going up all across the province marking out the actual borders of the Alberta portion of the territory covered by Treaty No. 8, signed between the Crown and First Nations in 1899.  One of these signs, near Plamondon, Alberta on Highway 63 to Fort McMurray, has been cut down and destroyed by an unknown party....

Read the full Press Release here

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First Nations call for "Not Another child"

Date: October 16, 2014

First Nation members gathered today at the Alberta Legislature to protest the deaths of all the children who have died in the provincial child care system.  This peaceful demonstration highlights a tragic issue affecting children within the province....

Read the full Press Release here

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Insufficient consultation on consultation regulationS

Date: August 28, 2014

Today Treaty 8 [Alberta] First Nation leaders chose to boycott an "Engagement session" with the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations that was meant to discuss the Aboriginal Consultation Levy Act.  The Treaty No. 8 [Alberta] First Nations have repeatedly raised concerns with the Act and consultation in the province for over ten years....

Read the full Press Release here

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Raising Treaty no. 8 territory signs

Date: August 5, 2014

The Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta will be erecting signs on the borders of their territory that falls within the province of Alberta that is covered by the 8th numbered Treaty.

Treaty No. 8 was signed with the Federal Government on June 21, 1899 and covers a vast and diverse geographical area that encompasses portions of three provinces and one territory...

Read the full Press Release here

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Treaty 8 chiefs re-elect grand chief

Date: July 11, 2014

At this year's Treaty 8 Honouring our Treaty Gathering, the time came for the Chiefs of Treaty No. 8 [Alberta] to elect a Grand Chief and Deputy Grand Chief for the upcoming year.  We are pleased to announce the re-election of Chief Richard Kappo of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation to continue to be the Grand Chief of Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta for this year.  Joining him is Chief Steve Courtoreille of Mikisew Cree First Nation taking the position as Deputy Grand Chief...

Read the full Press Release here

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Chiefs call on minister to meet on education

Date: June 12, 2014

With the fate of Bill C-33, First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act, being in question, the Chiefs of Treaty No. 8 [Alberta] are calling on Minister Valcourt to work with them, instead of scrapping the bill, to create something that addresses the educational needs of the children of Treaty No. 8.

Read the full Press Release here

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First Nations education act is the same car with new paint

Date: April 16, 2014

With First Nations finally getting a look at the new First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act, the discovery that all the changes to the act are cosmetic has caused deep concern among the First Nations of Treaty 8 [Alberta]...

Read the full Press Release here

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Treaty 8 wishes premier redford their best

Date: March 20, 2014

Yesterday, with Premier Alison Redford announcing her resignation, the Chiefs of Treaty No. 8 [Alberta] wish to extend their thanks to her for her years of service.

"While we didn't always see eye to eye on every issue with Premier Redford and her cabinet, we were able to work together and make some progress on First Nations issues..."

Read the full Press Release here

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Education announcement promises much but leaves first nations waiting on follow through

Date: February 7, 2014

The Government of Canada has just announced new changes to their proposed First Nations Education Act.  Making the announcement today in Kainai Nation territory, just south of Calgary, the Conservative government's comments have First Nations in Treaty No. 8 [Alberta] wondering what's next...

Read the full Press Release here

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Financial centralization causes frustration among first nations

Date: February 5, 2014

The Government of Canada announced in June of last year that it was going to be making a move towars centralization of it's financial processing procedure.  As this annoucement moved from a plan to reality it has caused some heavy frustration and concerns among some First Nations within Treaty No. 8...

Read the full Press Release here

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Treaty 8 children in care

Date: November 28, 2013

Recently, the media has reported that fatalities of children in care in Alberta are alarmingly underreported by the Alberta Government.  These articles have highlighted shocking gaps in both the child intervention system and the terrible fates of some children that are taken out of their homes...

Read the full Press Release here

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Another Spill further contaminates the athabasca

Date: November 14, 2013

Recently, it was announced that there has been another accidental release into the Athabasca River.  This time the culprit is a coal mine operated by Sherrit International.  This one-billion-litre leak...

Read the full Press Release here

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First Nations Plan a peaceful rally facing inadequate consultation

Date: November 12, 2013

The First Nations of Treaty No. 6, Treaty No. 7, and Treaty No. 8 and its member organizations, and affiliates will be holding a Peaceful Rally on November 28th, 2013 in Edmonton, Alberta at the Alberta Legislative Building...

Read the full Press Release here

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First Nations Education and a convservative sleight of hand

Date: October 25, 2013

With the latest release of the draft legislation for a First Nations Education Act the Harper government is trying to pull off quite the magic trick...

Read the full Press Release here

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treaty 8 chiefs stand in solidarity with elsipogtog

Date: October 18, 2013

The recent protesting by Elsipogtog First Nation in Rexton, New Brunswick over fracking and shale gas development has erupted in violence...

Read the full Press Release here

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Alberta's new wetland policy: what does it protect?

Date: September 19, 2013

The Government of Alberta has finally released it's long anticipated Wetlands Policy and it doesn't have the teeth it needs to protect wetlands in a province so heavily invested in resource development...

Read the full Press Release here

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Chiefs have no input on consultation policy changes

Date: September 10, 2013

The Government of Alberta has recently released it's latest installment of Consultation Policy and draft Guidelines and long standing recommendations from First Nations are still noticeably absent from the document...

Read the full Press Release here

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Treaty 8 Chiefs Call For Apology to BE backed up

Date: July 26, 2013

Recent news regarding experimentation that occured within Indian Residential Schools has caused deep alarm and concern among the Chiefs of Treaty No. 8 [Alberta]...

Read the full Press Release here