Mikisew Cree Say Court Ruling On Environmental Law Consultation A Victory

EDMONTON - A judge says the federal government should have consulted with an Alberta First Nation before making significant changes to environmental laws.

The Mikisew Cree challenged the changes that affect water and fisheries laws that were part of two Conservative omnibus budget bills passed in 2012.

In his ruling last Friday, Federal Court Judge Roger Hughes says the Crown failed to consult with the Mikisew before each bill was introduced in Parliament.

Cree chief refuses to recognize contentious bill

EDMONTON - Friday’s legal win means the Mikisew Cree now consider Ottawa’s omnibus budget bills null and void, warned Chief Steve Courtoreille Saturday.

The wide-ranging bills, passed into law in June and December 2012, removed federal environmental oversight on most of the lakes, streams and rivers in the Mikisew Cree traditional territory in northeastern Alberta.

On Friday, Federal Court Justice Roger Hughes ruled the Harper Government erred when it failed to consult with the Mikisew Cree before introducing the changes to parliament since those changes will clearly affect their right to use their traditional territory.

Chippewa Cree Stimulus Funds Diverted, 5 Accused In Fake Billing Scheme

GREAT FALLS, Mont. - A Chippewa Cree tribal leader, a former state lawmaker and three others used a fake billing system and a shell company to pocket hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal stimulus aid meant for the Montana tribe, federal prosecutors said Tuesday.

The Chippewa Cree Tribe received $33 million in federal funding between 2009 and 2010 for construction of a $361 million pipeline to supply fresh drinking water for the Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation and surrounding counties in northern Montana. Most of that $33 million came from the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment act, also known as the stimulus.

Onion Lake will flout new finance transparency rules

The Onion Lake Cree Nation will defy the federal government’s new law ordering First Nations bands to publicly disclose financial information, Chief Wallace Fox says.

The move sets Onion Lake on a collision course with the Harper government, which has said any band that fails to abide by the new rules will have its funding cut off.

Onion Lake Cree Nation threatens legal action against Ottawa over funding agreement ‘signed under duress’

Onion Lake Cree Nation is threatening legal action against the federal department of Aboriginal Affairs over new terms included in the funding agreement between Ottawa and First Nations.

In a March 18 dated letter to Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt, Onion Cree Nation Chief Wallace Fox says his community is seeking to enter into third-party mediation with the department to settle a new funding agreement.

Nishiyuu Journey By Cree Youth Ends As Harper Greets Pandas

Two months and 1,600 kilometres later, a group of Cree youth arrived in Ottawa today, completing their trek from Northern Quebec in support of Idle No More and the Quebec Cree Nation.

They were met with cheers, chants and waving flags as the group stepped onto Parliament Hill. Some attendees tweeted that an eagle circled overhead soon after the trekkers arrived.

HudBay Minerals Sues Mathias Colomb Cree Nation Over Protests At Manitoba Mine

WINNIPEG — A legal battle has erupted between HudBay Minerals Inc. and a northern Manitoba First Nation over two Idle No More rallies this winter.

HudBay is suing the Mathias Colomb Cree Nation over the rallies it says blocked the entrance to where the company's gold, zinc and copper mine is being developed.

Highway 2 Blockade Alberta: Driftpile Cree Nation Plan Peaceful Protest On Dec. 15

In the wake of a massive Canada-wide aboriginal day of action, one band is now planning to block a major highway in Alberta.

The Driftpile Cree Nation will be holding a peaceful blockade of Highway 2 in Driftpile, Alta. Saturday to protest the passing of the omnibus budget bill, C-45.