Welcome to AMMSA.COM, the news archive website for our family of Indigenous news publications.
Launched in 1997. A news publication specifically designed for the Indigenous people of British Columbia and Yukon.
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When arson destroyed the 'Namgis bighouse in Alert Bay, it burned at the soul of the entire community. And when the spectacular bighouse was recreated and rebuilt in 1998, powerful emotions swept across all Kwakwaka'wakw nations as they celebrated a culture and spirit that could not be destroyed.
From anti-potlatch laws to residential schools to a jilted lover with a torch…
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On Aug. 29, 1997, Gukwdzi, the 'Namgis bighouse in Alert Bay, was burned to the ground by the estranged common-law husband of a 'Namgis woman.
Although the arsonist had only recently arrived on Cormorant Island from his home in El Salvador, he knew exactly how to strike at the heart of a community he felt had spurned him.
On June 5, 1998, Justice Allan Thackray…
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On Aug. 29, 1997, Gukwdzi, the 'Namgis bighouse in Alert Bay, was burned to the ground by the estranged common-law husband of a 'Namgis woman.
Although the arsonist had only recently arrived on Cormorant Island from his home in El Salvador, he knew exactly how to strike at the heart of a community he felt had spurned him.
On June 5, 1998, Justice Allan Thackray…
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May 25 was an historic day for First Nations in British Columbia when three provincial Aboriginal political groups came together in unity.
The Carrier-Sekani Tribal Council organized a rally that included a march to the steps of the legislative buildings in the capital city. The Union of BC Indian Chiefs, the First Nations Summit and the Alliance of Interior Chiefs were…
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May 25 was an historic day for First Nations in British Columbia when three provincial Aboriginal political groups came together in unity.
The Carrier-Sekani Tribal Council organized a rally that included a march to the steps of the legislative buildings in the capital city. The Union of BC Indian Chiefs, the First Nations Summit and the Alliance of Interior Chiefs were…
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Connect with your history, and you will see your future.
That was a message handed down by speaker after speaker during the 2000 Graduation Ceremonies at the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology in Merritt held on April 29.
Elders, instructors and fellow students reminded the graduates to remember their Elders, their roots and their history as they take their…
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It's not too often the Western Arctic is concerned with American presidential elections, but this time is different.
Gwich'in from across the Northwest Territories, Yukon and Alaska are being asked by the Porcupine Caribou Management Board to take part in a Millennium Trek designed to raise awareness about what they say is the need to further protect caribou herds'…
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A newly signed renewal of an interim measures agreement for Clayoquot Sound will mean area First Nations will have an addition $8 million to spend on economic development over the next five years.
The renewal agreement, signed March 29, extends the original interim agreement reached between the province of B.C. and the Hawiih, or hereditary chiefs, of the Nuu-chah-nulth…
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Pacific Rim National Park Reserve was the site of a celebration May 5, as Clayoquot Sound was formally dedicated as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Biosphere Reserve.
Politicians representing all levels of government attended the event, as well as First Nations leaders from across the province and dignitaries from around the…
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I recently had the honor of attending Dr. Martin Brokenleg's two-day workshop on "Reclaiming Our Youth." As we begin to heal ourselves from the past, we have to start to our future - the next generation. As we struggle with the consequences of addiction, our youth have learned from us and they are currently no different.
Perhaps the biggest mistake that adults make…
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It has been just over four months since Patrick James learned that he has leukemia (cancer of the blood), a disease that took the life of his brother 13 years ago. James' only hope for survival is to receive a bone marrow transplant before he becomes too ill.
The procedure is relatively simple for the donor but there is a problem, a huge one; Patrick needs a compatible…
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The Conayt Friendship Society of Merritt is hoping you?ll join them on June 2nd through 4th for their second annual powwow to be held in the Shulus arbor at the Lower Nicola nation, four miles west of Merritt on Hwy. 8.
Cultural co-ordinator Cecil Nepoose has been working since January, along with a volunteer powwow celebration committee, to put all the pieces of the…
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Howard Rainer was one of the many speakers at the Seventh Annual "Believe in the Healing" conference held in Victoria April 2 to 4, but despite his involvement in the event, Rainer believes the time for healing is over.
Rainer, a motivational speaker who teaches at Brigham Young University, was the keynote speaker at the conference, presenting the address, "It's Time to…
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About 500 people from across Canada gathered in the Victoria Conference Centre April 2 to 4 to take part in the 7th annual "Believe in the Healing" conference.
The conference was aimed at those involved in helping to empower children and youth, including school administrators, teachers and school board trustees, First Nations associations, bands, community workers, school…
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A three-day conference to discuss methods of encouraging Aboriginal students to stay in university resulted is a fruitful exchange of ideas, organizers said.
The RETAIN 2000 conference at the University of Northern British Columbia drew about 300 delegates and volunteers, said co-ordinator Yvonne Pierreroy.
Some delegates came from as far away as South Africa, New…