Pearl Lorentzen

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

On June 11, M.D. of Opportunity council passed a Councillor Robin Guild motion to approve $49,300 in community grants.

The Wabasca Rodeo Association received $40,000. The rodeo is July 4 to 6, It is a rodeo, which includes chuckwagon and chariot races.

Sesequon Healing received $5,000 for a camp at Rock Island, north of Calling Lake. The camp is open to everyone.

Calling Lake School received $3,000 for activities and festivities throughout the year.

One event had passed; this was a July 8 po-car rally fundraiser for Chipewyan Lake wildfire evacuees. The M.D. had given $1,300.

The event raised $8,000, said Councillor Darlene Jackson. The organizers spoke to the evacuees, who said they wanted to wait to purchase items until they had moved into their temporary homes or were moving back home.

Grad gift
Councillor Cheri Courtorielle added the M.D. grad gift to the June 11 agenda.

The M.D. gives a $200 cheque to each graduate from schools in its communities. Bigstone Cree Nation gives chocolates or flowers plus a gift card, with a max value of $300 to Bigstone members who graduate.

“We should kind of make them the same,” said Courtorielle. In Calling Lake, she added, four of the eight graduates are not Bigstone members.

Councillor Jackson was in favour as long as it was done in all hamlets.

Reeve Marcel Auger was also in favour, suggesting the M.D. and Bigstone gifts be equal amounts, just like the M.D. and Bigstone’s sponsorship of athletes at Alberta Indigenous Games.

“It doesn’t have to be same,” said Jackson, “as long as they get something with the cheque.”

Council decided to add gift baskets for all students.

Reeve Auger was also invited to say a few words at the Bigstone high school graduation. He asked for something to give the students, which administration will look into.