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Gathering of Nations 2013. Hundreds of photos... visit our photo galleries

By Alo White with Dianne Meili

Father struggles with terrible grief Alo White of Naotkamegwanning First Nation in Northwestern Ontario enjoyed hearing his son Nathan sing traditional Anishinaabe songs after he was initiated into his community’s Midewin lodge. “Tatibanhanaqwet,...

‘Treated like terrorists’ said former chief following raid

By David P. Ball Windspeaker Contributor BURNS LAKE, B.C.

An occupation of the Burns Lake band office in northern B.C. ended dramatically on April 7 when between 30 and 50 RCMP officers stormed the building–some allegedly with firearms drawn–to evict seven protesters holed up inside, including four...

Vancouver Island band abandons key consultation process

By David P. Ball

Kwakiutl Indian Band has rejected B.C. government attempts to negotiate a “new relationship” with First Nations, saying that talks had failed to respect its right to refuse consent to industrial development on their territories. Only weeks before...

Groundswell of support needed to motivate feds

By Shari Narine Windspeaker Contributor EDMONTON

Getting Canadians involved in an issue that transcends racial lines is the only way the federal government will move ahead on a call for a National Public Commission of Inquiry into violence against Indigenous women and girls. “This is an issue that...

Education disparity is unspeakable discrimination, says Martin

By Barb Nahwegahbow Windspeaker Contributor TORONTO

National Chief Shawn Atleo and former prime minister Paul Martin shared the stage at the University of Toronto’s Hart House Theatre on April 18 for a lecture hosted by the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). Dean of OISE, Julia O’...

Pilot project to bring help prevent more murdered, missing women

By Shari Narine Contributing Sweetgrass Editor FORT CHIPEWYAN

There is an important piece to the issue of murdered and missing Aboriginal girls and women that Mikisew Cree First Nation Chief Steve Courtoreille wants to see addressed. “We have to educate our children,” he said. Educate girls on being safe and...

Another delay in murder trial

Compiled by Shari Narine

Nine years following the death of 25-year-old University of Saskatchewan student Daleen Bosse, the man accused in her murder has yet to stand trial. On April 15, Douglas Hales, 34, opted for new legal representation and the trial has been...

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medals awarded

Compiled by Shari Narine

Cree Elder Tony Cote with Lieutenant-Governor Vaughn Solomon Schofield was one of two recent recipients of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. Both Cote and Métis educator and social worker Rose Richardson of Green Lake received recognition for a...

First Nations reject province’s consultation policy

By Shari Narine Sweetgrass Contributing Editor EDMONTON

First Nations are not impressed with the province’s newest draft policy on consultation. “I suspect the Chiefs are going to reject it because it’s father-knows-best again,” said Alberta Regional Chief Cameron Alexis, with the Assembly of First...

Chiefs insist on in-person meeting with Valcourt to discuss Education Act

By Shari Narine Sweetgrass Contributing Editor CALGARY

It is not only a matter of not being consulted on the draft First Nations Education Act, it is a matter of only warranting a telephone conference call from federal Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister Bernard Valcourt. “It was...