Lots of projects on the go
By Leela Sharon Aheer Chestermere-Strathmore MLA
Wheatland Housing Management Body (WHMB) is continuing their work and planning for a new senior’s lodge in Strathmore on the property East of Kinsmen Lake. The WHMB building committee is currently focused on the financial aspects of the proposal and are engaged with their planners in working out details for a sound, affordable plan that will serve the citizens of Strathmore and Wheatland County for many years into the future.
In early Fall of 2022, the WHMB will be scheduling several community information and consultation events in all our communities. If you have questions, please reach out to the WHMB spokesperson, Glenn Koester, at 403-901-3702.
It looks like the new Langdon High School is coming along. This $43 million project will be able to accommodate up to 925 students in Grades 7-12, with room to expand to 1,225 students in the future. This project is the result of the community and all levels of government working together. I am so excited to see the project develop.
This past weekend we were out at many events and visiting in the community. The issues with the curriculum came up quite a bit. Could you please write to me at chestermere.strathmore@assembly.ab.ca and let us know what you think? We have been and continue to collect as much feedback as possible to present to the Minister of Education. Thank you in advance.
I wanted to highlight the health care announcement that will see a chartered surgical facility on a First Nation, in the Enoch Cree Nation. Maskekosihk means land of medicine. This could mean as many as 3,000 publicly funded hip and knee surgeries each year. The contract is still being worked on and if all goes well, the facility should be completed by this time next year.
“Chief Billy Morin said the new Sovereign Medical facility will meet all medical standards while also being a chance to offer services to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous patients, including those who might feel uncomfortable in a standard hospital setting.” (Ashley Joannou, June 01, 2022, The Edmonton Journal)
This month we are celebrating National Indigenous Heritage Month. Minister Wilson just released the following statement:
“National Indigenous History Month is an important time of year to learn about the history and rich cultures of Indigenous Peoples in Alberta. This year, the Alberta government is pleased to recognize their strength and resiliency. For thousands of years, Indigenous Peoples have been a part of Alberta. They guided Europeans during the fur trade. Instead of the friendships and alliances expected through trade and Treaty, they met racism and attempts at being assimilated. Through it all, Indigenous ceremonies, traditions and ways of life have endured. We see this throughout Alberta, from the medicine wheel to the use of tobacco and smudging. We must also remember the strong, vibrant and rich Indigenous cultures that have stretched across Alberta for centuries. They hold meaning and value and will not be extinguished. This year, make National Indigenous History Month one to remember. Open your hearts and your minds to Indigenous history and cultures and share the pride of the more than 258,000 First Nations and Métis people and Inuit in Alberta.”
As always, we love to hear from you!
(Leela Sharon Aheer is the MLA Elect for Chestermere-Strathmore)