ATC - Athabasca Tribal Council

10/23/2026

On October 8, ATC's CEO Karla Buffalo and Lena Anikina of ATC met with Dale Vey and Cheri Powell of 4G Motorsports to thank them for generously donating door prizes for the upcoming Community Fall Feast in Fort Chipewyan.

4G Motorsports generously donated door prizes like safety gear and warm-weather items for the event!

As a token of appreciation, Karla and Lena presented Dale and Cheri with a beautiful canvas featuring the northern lights shining above the community of Fort Chipewyan.

Athabasca Tribal Council sincerely thanks 4G Motorsports for supporting our northern community and helping bring families together for a day of connection, culture and celebration. Thank you for your generosity and for being part of this special community event!

Hiy hiy, marsi cho, wela’lin, thank you!

10/21/2026

Our Equipment Training Program is now accepting applications from First Nations, Inuit & Métis individuals living in Fort McMurray who are 18 years of age or older for the Indigenous Haul Truck Operator Program.

Program requirements include:
✅Grade 12 or Equivalent (GED or CAEC) or 10 Years of Work Experience
✅Hold a Class 5 License non GDL
✅Clean Drivers Abstract
✅Pass a Physical Demands Test
✅Pass a Drug and Alcohol Test

The 4-week, in-person program takes place from January 11 – February 5, 2027, and includes:
🚚Simulator Haul Truck Operator Training
🚚Life Management Skills-Building
🚚Employment Skills-Building
🚚Safety Training

If you are interested in this program opportunity, please contact:
Melanie Fost
Project Coordinator
780-713-5355 | [email protected]

It's recommended to apply early as this program has limited spots available! Applications will be accepted until November 27, 2026.

Learn more at: atcfn.ca/haul-truck

10/20/2026

We are excited to share the Women Building Futures Journey to Trades, a FREE program that supports women in exploring and preparing for careers in the skilled trades.

The program will run in Fort McMurray March to July 2027, and applications are set to open early November.

Eligibility is women who are unemployed or work less than 20 hours
• Unemployed or working fewer than 20 hours per week
• Interested in a career change or new employment
• Ready to build a stable, rewarding career

Free training, career coaching and employment support
• Free training and career preparation that is government funded
• Career coaching and employment readiness support
• Comprehensive wraparound supports
• Connections to employment opportunities

Email:
[email protected] for more information.

Why Women Building Futures
For over 30 years, Women Building Futures has helped thousands of women gain the skills, confidence, and support needed to enter high-demand careers and achieve economic independence.

10/19/2026

10/19/2026

IMPORTANT UPDATE

If you are a First Nation voter being turned away from the polling station and not allowed to vote call 780-881-7062 for assistance.

10/16/2026

NEWS RELEASE - October 16, 2026

Athabasca Tribal Council Celebrates the Grand Opening of Sitskaw Park in Waterways - A new cultural gathering place for First Nations, families and future generations in the Wood Buffalo region.

Athabasca Tribal Council (ATC) is proud to celebrate the grand opening of Sitskaw Park, a new cultural gathering place in Waterways that will keep First Nations culture, language, teachings and traditions alive for generations.

Located along Saline Creek Parkway and the Clearwater River, Sitskaw Park is a place for people to come together on the land, share knowledge, honour their ancestors and reconnect with the cultural practices that have always been central to First Nations ways of life.

The name Sitskaw is a Cree word recognizing the area where the Clearwater River flows into the Athabasca River; two incredibly important Rivers to the Firsts Nations people of the region.
ATC recognizes the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) for its contribution and support in helping prepare the site and helping bring this gathering place to life.

“Sitskaw Park is about bringing our people together and ensuring our culture is lived, shared and passed on,” said Chief Allan Adam. “Our young people deserve to learn directly from our Elders—on the land, through our stories, ceremonies and traditions. This is a place for families and Nations to reconnect, and for the next generation to know who they are and where they come from.”

Karla Buffalo, CEO of Athabasca Tribal Council, said the park creates space for cultural teachings, healing and connection across the region.

“Sitskaw Park matters because our culture is something we practice, share and carry forward together,” said Buffalo. “It gives our First Nations, Elders, families and youth a place to gather, learn and strengthen connections. We thank the RMWB for helping prepare the site and look forward to seeing it grow through the people and teachings that will fill it.”

The grand opening begins with four days of community cultural programming from October 17 to 20, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. daily. Everyone is welcome to attend any or all activities. Soup and bannock will be served for lunch each day, with coffee, tea and jams available.

Four Days of Culture, Connection and Community
• Saturday, October 17 — Community Open House: Smudging, tipi teachings with Gary Boostrom, bison smoking and traditional dry-meat preparation.
• Sunday, October 18 — Walking the Red Road: An introduction to Wellbriety, Elder teachings and a Wellbriety meeting focused on recovery and healing.
• Monday, October 19 — Honouring Our Families: An MMEIP families sharing circle and traditional storytelling, including the Cree Creation Story.
• Tuesday, October 20 — Culture, Protocol & Reconciliation: Moontime teachings, ribbon skirt teachings, land acknowledgements and a tour of the cultural grounds.

Join Us at Sitskaw Park
Parking is available at the Tom Weber Boat Launch. Visitors should follow the signs to the site and be prepared to walk to the cultural grounds. Shuttle service is also available.
Athabasca Tribal Council welcomes community members, families and visitors to take part and help make Sitskaw Park a place of connection, learning and belonging.

Media Contact:
Athabasca Tribal Council
Fred Russell
[email protected]
780-713-6354

10/16/2026

🌿 A Place to Gather, Reconnect and Share in Culture!

Athabasca Tribal Council warmly invites community members and families to four days of cultural programming at Sitskaw Park in Waterways, October 17–20. Join us for one day or all four.

Your presence helps bring this cultural space to life!

Join Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and community members to share teachings, learn traditional practices, and strengthen connections to culture, land, and one another.

10/15/2026

🏞️ A Place to Gather, Reconnect and Share in Culture!

Athabasca Tribal Council warmly invites community members and families to four days of cultural programming at Sitskaw Park in Waterways, October 17–20.
Join us for one day or all four! Your presence helps bring this cultural space to life!

Join Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and community members to share teachings, learn traditional practices, and strengthen connections to culture, land, and one another.

10/14/2026

🗳️ ADVANCE VOTING IS NOW OPEN!

Albertans can now cast their ballots in the provincial referendum without waiting until Election Day!

📅 Advance voting: October 13–17, 2026

📍 Where to vote: Find an advance voting location in your electoral division at https://map.elections.ab.ca. You can also check your Where to Vote card.

✅ Before you go, here's how to prepare:

• Check your voting location before heading out. You can vote at any advance voting location within your electoral division.

• Bring accepted identification. You can use one piece of government-issued photo ID showing your full name and current physical address, or two pieces of ID showing your full name, with at least one showing your current physical address.

• Review the referendum questions ahead of time so you can make an informed decision.

• Not registered? Eligible voters can register when they arrive to vote.

👥 Who can vote? You must be a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old on October 19, 2026, and ordinarily reside in Alberta.

♿ Accessible voting assistance is available for those who need it.

📌 Mark your calendar: The final day to vote is Monday, October 19, 2026.

Your voice matters. Take a few minutes to prepare, check your voting location, and make a plan to participate.

For official information about voting locations, identification requirements, eligibility and referendum questions, visit https://www.elections.ab.ca/.

10/13/2026

Our Equipment Training Program is now accepting applications from First Nations, Inuit & Métis individuals living in Fort McMurray who are 18 years of age or older and able to provide their own pair of steel-toe boots. 🥾🥾

🗓️ November 25 – 27
⏰ 8AM - 4PM daily
📍 Leavitt Training Private Branch (275 MacAlpine Crescent, Fort McMurray)

This 3-day program includes a novice session of practical training and assessment with supervised online theory lessons to set accepted applicants up for success as they pursue careers in the trades!

Over the course of the program, attendees will have the opportunity to finesse their skills in operating the following equipment:

🚧 Telehandler/Variable Reach Rough Terrain Forklift
🚧 Counterbalanced/Vertical Mast Forklift
🚧 Skid Steer Loader

If you are interested in this program opportunity, please contact
Brooklynne Piche
Employment & Training Coordinator
780-792-9885 | [email protected]

It's recommended to apply early as this program has limited spots available! Applications will be accepted until November 18, 2026.