Chief David Crowchild Memorial Award recipient Shawna Morning Bull

Shawna Morning Bull (submitted photo)

Piikani Nation's Shawna Morning Bull was recently announced as the winner of the Chief David Crowchild Memorial Award, which was presented to her by Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi on June 20 at Calgary City Hall during National Indigenous Peoples Day and Aboriginal Awareness Week . 

“I am extremely honored to be receiving such an important award as the Chief David Crowchild Award. I am earnestly grateful for this recognition I have received for my work in the indigenous and non-indigenous community of and the surrounding communities of Mohkinstsis (Calgary). Humbled to my peers that they feel I deserve this honour and thankful for their ongoing encouragement for the work I do.” - Shawna Morning Bull

Indigenous language stakeholders to gather at 25th Stabilizing Indigenous Languages Symposium

University of Lethbridge - As Indigenous communities across North America face the challenge of keeping their traditional languages alive, an important conference is coming to the University of Lethbridge.

The U of L’s Departments of Modern Languages and Indigenous Studies have teamed with the Peigan Board of Education/Piikani Nation to host the 25th Stabilizing Indigenous Languages Symposium (SILS 2018), June 7-9 at the University. The symposium, supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), will bring together Indigenous language stakeholders from North America and beyond, including elders, community leaders and academics, as they seek to develop best practices and share resources and knowledge as they attempt to preserve Indigenous languages.

Blackfoot First Nations give traditional blessing at Waterton Lakes National Park and honour Parks Canada's team members

Parks Canada - Across the country, Parks Canada and Indigenous peoples are partners in conserving, restoring, and presenting Canada's natural and cultural heritage. On April 20 Parks Canada was honoured to host a traditional Blackfoot blessing ceremony by Kainai and Piikani First Nations in Waterton Lakes National Park.

The blessing ceremony is a traditional event and a way to give thanks for the past, present, and future.

Forces team up for southern Alberta drug bust

ALERT - ALERT, RCMP and the Blood Tribe Police Service joined forces this week to arrest three people in Fort Macleod who were allegedly selling drugs to users throughout southern Alberta.

ALERT’s Lethbridge organized crime and gang team initiated the short-term investigation earlier this month when information was received about drug trafficking in the area, specifically on the Blood and Piikani reserves west of Lethbridge.

Brayden Provost joins Fresno City College Golf Team

Photos: Brayden Provost at Sunnyside Country Club competing in his first ever college event

Submitted - Brayden Provost's golfing skills have taken him from the Pincher Creek Golf Club to Fresno California, where the Blackfoot member and recent graduate of Piikani Nation Secondary School is currently attending Fresno City College and playing on the College Golf Team.  Brayden has made the starting line up as a freshmen.  Brayden is studying Business Administration as a major and Native American Indian Studies as a minor. 

Conditions were tough on Monday February 19, 2018 as when he competed in his first ever college event at Sunnyside Country Club, with a strong 30 mile an hour wind, and cold temperatures. He shot 9 over on the front nine and double boogied 17 to come in 1 over on the back nine to finish with an 82.  He has upcoming tournaments in Lemore California, Buena Vista California, and a trip to Stanford University California on February 26, 2018.

Pincher Creek Rotary donates dictionaries to local schools

Photos supplied by Rotary of Pincher Creek

Karin Buhrmann - The Rotary Club of Pincher Creek has just finished handing out Canadian dictionaries to all the grade 3 students in the Crowsnest Pass, Lundbreck, Pincher Creek and Brocket, about 160 in total.  The Rotary Club has sponsored this dictionary project for the last eight years.

Brocket teacher arrested for Child Pornography offences

Mark Anderson Piitaawotaan (Pincher Creek Voice file photo)

ALERT - An elementary school teacher in Brocket, Alberta, has been charged with child sexual exploitation offences following an investigation by ALERT’s Internet Child Exploitation unit.

Mark Anderson was arrested on January 11, 2018 with the assistance of Pincher Creek RCMP, Piikani Nation RCMP and Lethbridge Police. The 44-year-old man teaches at Brocket Elementary School and is also involved in various youth-oriented community programs on the Piikani Nation Reserve, such as minor sports and Scouts Canada.

Anderson is charged with possessing, accessing, and distributing child pornography.

While the investigation and charges are related to online offences, ICE is encouraging anyone with information about this case to come forward and contact police. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact local police or cybertip.ca.

Piikani Nation's Karen A. Crowshoe appointed to Provincial Court

Government of Alberta - Karen A. Crowshoe has been appointed to the Provincial Court of Alberta, Calgary Criminal. Crowshoe received her Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of British Columbia and became a member of the Alberta bar in 1994. Her legal career has focused largely on providing counsel for First Nation governments and agencies in matters such as treaty rights, specific claims, on-reserve business and economic development and First Nation elections and governance. She also has extensive experience in the development of on-reserve child welfare services and on-reserve governance legislation. A member of the Piikani Nation, one of three First Nations that comprise the Blackfoot Confederacy, Crowshoe continues to be a dedicated representative of her community and supporter of First Nations in southern Alberta, including as a member of the Iron Shirt Culture and Heritage Society, which is committed to the preservation of Piikani culture and traditions. Her community work includes serving as a youth mentor with the United Way of Calgary and as a board member for the Piikani Youth and Education Foundation. She also taught native studies courses at the University of Lethbridge and Red Crow Community College.

All Piikani Nation members to receive $5000 per capita lease claim settlement Dec. 13-15

Chris Davis - The Piikani Nation will be distributing a $50 million settlement from the Government of Canada December 13 to 15. According to a Piikani Nation press release, the settlement resulted from a 2005 Specific Claim that alleged Canada mismanaged grazing leases on Indian Reserve 147 (now called Piikani 147) from 1989 to 1943. Negotiations began in 2015, and on September 7, 2017 the Government of Canada offered Piikani Nation the $50 million settlement. Piikani Nation will not be asked to surrender or release and reserve lands as part of the settlement.

Napi's Playground School Library revitalized

Fu Hui Educational Foundation President Jusdy San with Napi's Playground students

T. Lucas/C. Davis - Napi's Playground School at Piikani Nation hosted a reopening ceremony for their extensively renovated library on November 15. Guests in attendance included representatives of the Fu Hui Educational Foundation (FHEF) and the Martin Family Initiative (MFI). Both organizations provided financial support to the school to refit the library. The guests were toured through Napi Playground (Piikani Nation's elementary school) and visited with students in their classrooms before the presentation.

If you thought it was windy yesterday...

Click map for links to the most recent warnings for your specific area.

Wind warnings have been issued for most of southern Alberta.  The strongest winds will be near Pincher Creek with gusts up to 130 km/h.

Alerts for: Crowsnest Pass - Pincher Creek - Waterton Lakes Nat. Park:

Issued by Environment Canada at 9:22 pm MDT Monday 16 October 16, 2017

Wind warning in effect for:

• M.D. of Pincher Creek near Beauvais Lake Prov. Park, Cowley, Burmis, Maycroft. Pincher Creek, and Twin Butte
• M.D. of Ranchland
• Municipality of Crowsnest Pass including Coleman and Frank
• Piikani Reserve
• Waterton Lakes Nat. Park and Blood Res. 148A

Strong winds that may cause damage are expected or occurring.

An intense low is forecast to develop over western Alberta Tuesday tracking into Saskatchewan Tuesday night.

The transforming of medicine: A sacred trust of wisdom and hope

Treena Tallow

Treena Tallow, AHS Advisor - Canada is on the path of closing a dark chapter in Canadian history with respect to its treatment of Indigenous people. A legacy plagued with trauma, hurt, and distrust is on the threshold of becoming a time of healing.

On a cold November day, I was sitting with two respected Elders: Phillis and Marcia (not their real names). We discussed politics and family life. I was so pleased to see the two catching up on old times: they hadn’t seen each other since they were children in residential school. I could see the joy and happiness they shared in that moment. The two hugged and eagerly reconnected. I observed a long standing deep connection. Then the moment came that would change my life forever: Marcia declared with a lump in her throat “Not a day goes by that I thank the Creator that I was born an ugly child”.

Piikani Youth Rodeo roundup

Toni Lucas - The Piikani Youth Rodeo wrapped up its last run of the summer on Wednesday, August 30.  This incarnation of the Brocket Youth Rodeo started in 2013. as a way of getting kids together to learn new skills and develop self esteem. The event is sponsored by Aakom-Kiyii Health Services, which provides a number of vital outreach programs for Piikani Nation youth. Every Wednesday evening through the summer kids from all over the region have gathered at Brocket's Crowlodge Rodeo Arena where they can have an opportunity to learn and practice their skills in various events, including basic horsemanship, barrel racing, pole bending, calf riding, mutton busting, bull riding and more.

Fatal MVC east of Pincher Creek

Pincher Creek RCMP - On August 24, 2017 at 5:15 pm, RCMP officers from Pincher Creek and Piikani Nation attended a three vehicle motor vehicle collision involving two pickup trucks and a semi. The collision occurred on Highway 507 and range road 27-2, approximately 30 kilometres east of Pincher Creek. The 66 year old female driver and 72 year old passenger from one of the pickup trucks were transported to hospital with serious injuries. While on route to the hospital the 72 year old male passenger died from his injuries. The driver of the other pickup and semi truck driver were not injured. The RCMP collision analyst was called to the scene and the matter is still under investigation. As this incident remains under investigation, no further information is available in relation to the cause or contributing factors of the collision.

Fire bans continue, hot and dry harvest season sparking fires

Fire bans in effect for most of southern Alberta

Area fire chiefs want to remind residents that a Fire Ban is in effect for most of southern Alberta, due to above normal temperatures, forecasted to continue, which continue to create the potential for fire starts and extreme fire behavior. The above normal temperatures are forecasted to continue. If you have a fire start or see a fire call 911 immediately.  Fire bans are in effect for the Town of Pincher Creek, the MD of Pincher Creek, and Piikani First Nation. All fires are banned and fire pit permits are suspended until further notice.

"If you see something that looks like smoke right now, we would rather go and investigate and find it is just dust, than find out it is too late and we have a wildfire." - Peigan Fire Chief Floyd Provost

Aftermath of fire at Piikani Nation (Peigan Fire photos)

Stubble fire at Piikani Nation

Peigan Fire responded to a stubble fire that was reported to 911 at 5:22 pm on August 18. Fort Macleod Fire provided mutual aid and assistance. The fire was burning south of the Peigan CPR Crossing in Band Farmland. Fire crews were on-scene until just after 12:30 am August 19. According to Peigan Fire Chief Floyd Provost a harvester was swathing a crop when a spark was created from contact with a rock, igniting straw stubble. The fire burned eastward approximately half a kilometre to the reserve boundary fenceline pushed by a westerly wind; and then crossed the municipal boundary and burned approximately two kilometers into the MD of Willow Creek before being contained by the creek bottom there. The fire burned a total length of approximately 2.5 km, and was approximately 1 km at the widest point. A large number of local farmers assisted in containing the fire. RCMP from Fort Macleod and Peigan assisted with traffic control and notification of a possible evacuation. Crop land, pasture land, a hay field, and fence lines were lost to the fire. Fire units were instructed to protect the power transmission line in the immediate area.

"With the tinder dry conditions right now, everybody should be aware right now, and be cautious about fires," said Provost. "Safety is paramount." He encouraged people to not wait before calling 911 with smoke sightings right now. "If you see something that looks like smoke right now, we would rather go and investigate and find it is just dust, than find out it is too late and we have a wildfire.

"With harvest in full swing, a lot of farmers are being extra cautious," added Provost, including having a water truck nearby when working in the fields, or having equipment ready to make a fire perimeter if anything does spark up.

Smoke from this fire could be seen far east of Fort Macleod.

Bale fire at Pincher Creek Hutterite Colony

Bale fire at PC Hutterite Colony

Pincher Creek Emergency Services (PCES) responded to a bale fire at the Pincher Creek Hutterite Colony on Sunday, August 20 at approximately 11:30 am.  The colony is located two miles west of Pincher Creek, just north of Highway 507.  Approximately one acre was affected, and approximately 30 straw bales were consumed.  The fire was largely under control by the time PCES arrived due to quick action from colony members.  "The Colony had actually put a guard around it with a disc (harrower), when we arrived," said PCES Chief Dave Cox.  PCES and the members of the colony worked together, breaking open bales and extinguishing the fire.  Cox explained that sparks caused by machinery or metal striking rock can easily turn into a blaze in the dry conditions we currently are experiencing.

For more information about fire bans in Alberta visit https://albertafirebans.ca

Looking past the divide

"When volleyball or basketball season rolls around, our attitudes change."

Joyce Sasse, Spiritual Gleanings - When asked about racism in her school, a thoughtful teenage friend wrote the following:

“I know from experience that it is hard to get along with people who are so different from me.

“In my class, there are four First Nations girls in particular with whom there has definitely been some friction within the class. I don’t think it’s because of racism, but rather because we have nothing to do with each other and seemingly have so little in common. So, any interaction we do have results in arguments.

Fire ban expanded for southern Alberta, including Pincher Creek area

Effective July 27, the Alberta government has announced an expansion of the ongoing fire ban into more areas of southern Alberta.  According to a press release, the fire ban will be in effect in the regions of the Forest Protection Area south of the Red Deer River along the mountains and foothills to the northern boundary of Waterton Lakes National Park.  All fires are banned and fire pit permits are suspended in the Town of Pincher Creek, the MD of Pincher Creek No. 9, and Piikani First Nation, until further notice.  Off Road Vehicles can also spark fires.

No fires are permitted during the fire ban, including campfires in campgrounds, until further notice. 

 Gas or propane stoves/barbecues and portable propane fire pits are allowed during the ban.  All fire permits are suspended and no new permits will be issued in the fire ban areas. The use of fireworks and exploding targets is also prohibited.  Albertans found to be violating the fire ban could be issued a $287 ticket.

Uniting community through prayer

Joyce Sasse = It was an honour to be invited to a “Community Day of Prayer” at the Piikani Nation. Time had been set aside by the Elders’ Society and the Faith Communities of the Reserve during Aboriginal Week. The intention was to help participants focus on holding fast to spiritual truths. They were supported by leaders of various community wellness programs.

Firearm used to damage wind turbine on the Piikani First Nation

RCMP Alberta - Piikani RCMP are asking for the public's assistance in locating the person or persons responsible for shooting at and damaging the Weather Dancer wind turbine on the Piikani First Nation.  Sometime between April 18 and May 31, the Weather Dancer wind turbine was shot with multiple bullets from a high powered rifle. A technician discovered the bullet holes in the transformer and turbinell when servicing the wind turbine on June 12. Costs to repair the damages are estimated at $25,000.

Anyone with information on this crime is asked to contact the Piikani RCMP at 403-965-2000. If you want to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1.800.222.8477 (TIPS), by internet atwww.tipsubmit.com, or by SMS (check your local Crime Stoppers [www.crimestoppers.ab.ca] for instructions on how). You do not have to reveal your identity to Crime Stoppers, and if you provide information to Crime Stoppers that leads to an arrest(s), the recovery of stolen property, and/or a seizure of illicit drugs, you may be eligible for a cash reward.

Community invited to help reconstruct vandalized public art piece

University of Lethbridge - University of Lethbridge art student Sarah Russell planned to share a message of unity through her artwork in the LandMarks2017 exhibition. However, vandals rearranged her work into a crude image on the side of the coulee in Indian Battle Park. Russell’s artwork, which represented the Blackfoot symbol for unity, now needs just that – people to unite to help rebuild the installation before the opening reception on June 20.