Welcome to AMMSA.COM, the news archive website for our family of Indigenous news publications.
Launched in 2002. A publication specifically designed to serve the Indigenous people of Ontario.
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An attractively printed little book of poems and short stories written by participants in the Native Men's Residence Creative Writing Program has just been published with that organization's support in Toronto. The contributors are Native homeless people and volunteer workshop facilitators.
The 42-page paperback booklet is called Healing Journey. The reason it is important…
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"Hello. My name is Branda and I'm living with genocide," a woman announces into a mikereally a scrub brush-in the Genocide Support Group scene of The Scrubbing Project. Presented by Native Earth Performing Arts and Turtle Gals Performance Ensemble, The Scrubbing Project opened in mid-November at Toronto's Factory Theatre and had a three-week run.
The Scrubbing Project is…
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After an Ottawa-based group of 52 provincial forest associations, governmental and environmental groups known as the National Forest Strategy Coalition (NFSC) hosted consultation workshops in six cities in October to set the direction for a renewed National Forest Strategy (NFS), some Aboriginal groups decided they didn't like the direction the strategy was headed and formed…
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Because economic development is crucial for small reserves as well as for towns, several communities in the Manitoulin-LaCloche area have chosen to co-operate for mutual benefit. Instead of working in isolation, a diverse group of individuals meets in the spring and fall to share progress and tips on economic initiatives.
The Manitoulin-LaCloche Economic Partners group…
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With a large contingent of First Nations youth aged 20 to 30 entering the job market, economic development has become a top priority for many communities.
Dawn Madahbee, general manager of Waubetek Business Development Corporation in Birch Island, believes it is important for bands to join forces to create jobs. She told a recent meeting of the Manitoulin-LaCloche Economic…
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Reaching out to help troubled and disadvantaged youth before despair and substance abuse claim their lives is the purpose of Tumivut, a new youth shelter being built in Toronto. It will be administered by Na-Me-Res, the long established Native men's residence in the city's west end.
Na-Me-Res Executive Director Greg Rogers said Tumivut, which means Our Footprints, will…
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The first major fundraising dinner for a new Oneida longhouse attracted 400 community members and Mohawk Elders at the Oneida Community Centre on Nov. 23.
The longhouse is a ceremonial building of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois Confederacy).
The dinner raised more than $7,400. Nick and Mary Deleary, who live on reserve, donated six acres of land to the project.
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Maria Campbell met an eager audience in Toronto, the evening of Nov. 18. Campbell is an associate professor at the University of Saskatchewan, department of English. Best known for her autobiography Halfbreed, which she wrote in 1973, she is a respected Metis author. Campbell was guest speaker at the University of Toronto's Distinguished Speaker Series, hosted by the Aboriginal…
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The spoken word can often fade away, but the written word may endure forever. That's the philosophy of Wikwemikong poet, Melissa L. Manitowabi. The young mother and entrepreneur has recently embarked on a publishing venture designed to promote family unity and individual healing.
Although Manitowabi has been writing poetry seriously for three years, her business named Meli…
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When two highly successful events merge, the result is sure to be phenomenal. The events that came together in Thunder Bay, Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, were the Niigaantige Aboriginal Youth Achievement Awards and the Niigaantige Looking to the Future Career Fair. Susan Aglukark, Ted Nolan, and Buffy Ste. Marie were in attendance as role models and to encourage the young participants on to…
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The federal government's drug policy drew heated criticism from delegates at the Canadian Harm Reduction Conference held in Toronto in late November to discuss treatment for drug users.
"Could we design a worst system if we tried?" asked Dr. Diane Riley of the International Harm Reduction Association, at the closing plenary on Nov. 24.
Riley believes that Canada…
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A new art exhibit called Memory Keepers with a photographic suite by Mohawk artist Shelley Niro opened Nov. 7 at the University of Western Ontario's McIntosh Gallery.
Niro and London artist Bernice Vincent were present in the crowd of 150 for the opening of the two women's show.
The artists' statement says the show "examines the extent to which memorials achieve a…
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Sixteen authors from New Zealand, Australia and Canada participated in Honouring Words: an International Indigenous Authors Celebration tour that started Oct. 19 in Vancouver and ended on Oct. 30 in Cape Croker. The tour was in Winnipeg from Oct. 24 to 26.
Honouring Words began as a dream of writer, publisher and spoken word artist, Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm more than 10 years…
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A year of hard work by students at the faculty of law, University of Toronto, paid off on the evening of Nov. 25. The occasion was the launch of the Indigenous Law Journal, a student-run publication.
The dean, students, professors, and a crowd of about 100 gathered for a reception in the Rowell Room at the law school's Flavelle House. Drumming, speeches and a table of fine…
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Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Vernon Roote and Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Robert Nault signed an education self-government agreement-in-principle (AIP) Nov. 29. This is the largest agreement on education ever signed, and one of only two in Ontario. It was endorsed by 27 of the 43 Anishinabek First Nations covering a large portion of the province…