Original Source: canada.ca
A safe and healthy place to learn is vital to a good education. The Government of Canada is committed to working in partnership with First Nations communities to build school facilities that improve educational outcomes and foster pride and cultural identity for First Nations students.
Today, the Honourable Seamus O'Regan, Minister of Indigenous Services, joined Chief Tony Alexis to participate in a sod turning ceremony at Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation in Alberta. This event marks the official start of construction of the new junior-senior high school in the community.
The new school will address overcrowding issues at the current school and will also provide more career and technology studies options to prepare the First Nation students for post-secondary education and employment opportunities.
"We're working with First Nations to address the gap in education outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Our government has made important commitments and today we're watching those commitments turn into real and meaningful change. I want to congratulate Chief Tony Alexis, the council and community of the First Nation. Mostly, though, I want to congratulate the students and future students who will benefit from the new school that will help to prepare them for success in all their future endeavours."
The Honourable Seamus O'Regan, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indigenous Services
"Over the last two years, my council and staff have worked alongside the federal government for a new school. When education was introduced to our people through residential schools - it was done terribly. Today, we recognize the importance of education and we will continue to achieve more academically. The new school will facilitate learning, space for ceremony and room to expand our programming. This will allow our youngest members to become masters of the institutions while still celebrating and preserving our beautiful culture."
Chief Tony Alexis
Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation
Iron Coalition Launches as Indigenous-Led, Alberta-Based Organization With Intention to Acquire Ownership in the Trans Mountain Pipeline
Today the announcement of the Iron Coalition took place. Chief Tony Alexis has been meeting with various Chiefs to discuss the development of this pipeline. These discussions led to the development of the Iron Coalition.
Iron Coalition has been mandated by the Assembly of Treaty Chiefs (AoTC) and is giving all Métis communities and First Nations in Alberta the opportunity to secure ownership in the pipeline and bring economic benefit directly back to their communities.
Iron Coalition will provide its members with the opportunity to generate revenue through ownership of the TMX pipeline that can be invested back into their communities with no capital costs. As a community-based initiative, 100 per cent of proceeds will be directed back to each member community based on ownership share and community population, ensuring everyone will directly benefit from pipeline ownership.
The leadership of Iron Coalition is comprised of Chief Tony Alexis, Chief Calvin Bruneau, Papaschase First Nation and President Ron Quintal, Fort McKay Métis.
For more information please visit:
www.ironcoalition.com
You may also wish to view the following press release on the official launch of Iron Coalition and the benefit it brings to First Nation communities in Alberta:
Press Release
On Tuesday, May 14, 2019, the Alexis Chief & Council met with Alexis elders, members and youth to discuss the development of a Constitution.
The leadership is proposing to establish a Constitution to protect the nations lands, resources and interests. This is the first meeting of many.
The leadership invites elders, youth and members to join the conversation.
Prayer Intentions & Ceremony
Community Meetings & Discussions with Elders & Members
Isga Translations & Drafting of Constitution
Review with Members & Revisions
Final Review & Community Referendum
Community Ceremony & Celebration Implementation
Climate change has already begun its negative impact on First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in Canada. With the help of Jason Kenney, the harm would continue with his plan to scrap the Climate Leadership Plan. It seems Kenney values Doug Ford’s position on this plan over the Indigenous people’s who actually live here in Alberta.
Indigenous people have always been protectors of the earth. Our knowledge has been key to preserving our air, water and land. It is reckless and negligent to permanently damage the health and well-being of our future generations by not taking climate change seriously. This is not the issue to divide Canadians on, especially Albertans.
When Kenney talks about cancelling the Climate Leadership Plan, it means cancelled investments of over $85 million used to create jobs in Indigenous communities, lower energy costs and most importantly, reduce pollution in Alberta. We have seen success in countries across the world taking this issue seriously. Sweden's emissions reduced by 22 per cent between 1990 and 2013, during the same time its economy grew by 58 per cent. We can do the same here in Alberta, reduce our emissions while growing our economy under the Climate Leadership Plan.
Jason Kenney is willing to put our children and our future in jeopardy when he talks about cancelling the Climate Leadership Plan. It’s extremely unfortunate that he is not willing to think of the long term effects of his harmful take on climate change.
Statement from Chief Tony Alexis