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Windspeaker Publication

Windspeaker Publication

Established in 1983 to serve the needs of northern Alberta, Windspeaker became a national newspaper on its 10th anniversary in 1993.

  • March 3, 2001
  • Maria Garcia, Windspeaker Contributor, SYDNEY, Australia

Page 20

In the struggles of Indigenous people all over the world, we perceive one startling similarity, the sacredness of the earth. In the creation of ritual art for public viewing, the Australian Aborigines continually reaffirm this connection. They declare their unity with the Dreamtime ancestors who created the land and who now dwell within it.

In Aboriginal society, women…

  • March 3, 2001
  • Marie Burke, Windspeaker Staff Writer, IQALUIT, N.W.T.

Page 19

The application has been heard for the creation of the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network in what was reported to be a festive atmosphere with intervenors coming from an ample number of supporters.

The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission heard presentations from Adam Beach, Tina Keeper and the Assembly of First Nations on behalf of APTN in…

  • March 3, 2001
  • Jackie Bissley, Windspeaker Contributor

Page 17

Tina Keeper may appear to be keeping a low profile ever since North of 60 was cancelled last year, but nothing could be further from the truth.

Besides staying very active in the local Winnipeg theatre scene (she's just finished a month-long run performing in a local production), Keeper will soon be seen starring in the new television film, In the Blue Ground: A…

  • March 3, 2001
  • Jackie Bissley, Windspeaker Contributor

Page 17

Some of the faces that helped to establish North of 60 as one of Canada's most widely watched television series over its six year run, reunite on the screen in the upcoming In the Blue Ground: A North of 60 Movie, slated to air March 28 on CBC.

Based on the successful CBC series set in the fictional town of Lynx River, N.W.T, this two-hour television movie is something of…

  • March 3, 2001
  • Sabrina Whyatt, Windspeaker Contributor, BIG COVE, N.B

Page 16

Where there's rock 'n' roll, there's drugs 'n' alcohol - a stereotype that the group Eagle Feather is trying to change.

"We are telling our youth that it's OK to enjoy rock music without getting drunk or even being in a bar," said J. Hubert Francis, lead singer of the band.

With the release of their third album a few months ago, Eagle Feather has been showing…

  • March 3, 2001
  • Pamela Sexsmith Green, Windspeaker Staff Writer, SASKATOON

Page 15

The sight of an eagle soaring high above the earth, flying with the cloud people, is a powerful experience. In Aboriginal tradition, the eagle represents the strongest of spiritual powers, and when the bird dies, these powers remain in the feathers, claws and body parts.

Eagle feathers are in great demand for the traditional spiritual ceremonies of the Cree, Dene,…

  • March 3, 2001
  • Pamela Sexsmith Green, Windspeaker Contributor, SASKATOON

Page 13

In these fast paced times of post-modern pan-Indian cultural shock (maybe shlock would be a better word) the Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre has taken a strong stance.

"The SICC is not here to promote competition powwow. We are here to promote and preserve traditional culture," said Darlene Speidel, director of Cultural Resource Development at the centre in Saskatoon…

  • March 3, 2001
  • Emanuel Lowi, Windspeaker Contributor, INUKJUAK, Que.

Page 13

Sometimes it gets so crowded in Meeko Nastapoka's place that she has to move into the canvas tent she's pitched out back.

She has been a widow since 1980, and her home would be large enough if she shared it with just her own children - or even with her grandchildren too.

But after 11 years of renting the house, Nastapoka, now 70, lives here with 14 other family…

  • March 3, 2001
  • Marie Burke, Windspeaker Staff Writer, KANGIQSUALUJJUAQ, Que.

Page 12

The people of Kangiqsualujjauq are working long hours in an effort to recover from the devastating avalanche that buried a section of their community on New Year's Eve and killed nine people and injured another 25.

"It's slowly, slowly moving. We are trying to get organized," said Maggie Emudluk, mayor for the Inuit municipality. At this time people are trying to recover…

  • March 3, 2001
  • Drew Hayden Taylor, Windspeaker Columnist

Page 11

I have always wanted to say this, and for the first time in my life, I've got to. Awhile ago, I was asked by some friends to hang out with them at a powwow on Manitoulin Island. Unfortunately, I was unable to because - here it comes - I had to fly to Hollywood to work on a script for Robert Redford's Sundance Institute. There, I said it again. I can now die a happy man.

  • March 3, 2001
  • Paul Barnsley, Windspeaker Staff Writer, VANCOUVER

Page 10

A Tsimshiam mother is grieving the loss of her daughter while investigators prepare to examine why seven-year-old Leslie-Ann Gamble died in Vancouver's B.C. Children's Hospital on Jan. 11.

Leslie-Ann and her four-year-old brother, Andrew, were seized by social workers on Nov. 2. Both children were born with a rare pituitary gland disorder that prevents their bodies from…

  • March 3, 2001
  • Len Kruzenga, Windspeaker Contributor, CROSS LAKE, Man.

Page 9

When Manitoba's northern affairs minister, David Newman, insinuated that Cross Lake was jeopardizing the development of a $65 million titanium mine through its insistence that the governments of Canada and Manitoba and Manitoba Hydro honor a 1977 Northern Flood Agreement, it only served to heighten a dispute that has been raging for two decades.

Newman's very public…

  • March 3, 2001
  • Terry Lusty, Windspeaker Contributor, EDMONTON

Page 8

Jennifer Vivier was in trouble, big trouble.

It all started about four years ago when the then 13-year-old Metis from Edmonton was living in Calgary and having difficulties with her mobility.

She couldn't walk. She fell out of bed and couldn't get up by herself. She couldn't dress herself or eat without someone else's assistance. Her sense of balance was gone,…

  • March 3, 2001
  • Paul Barnsley, Windspeaker Staff Writer, ONEIDA OF THE THAMES FIRST NATION, Ont.

Page 7

An Ontario First Nations political organization has asked the Canadian Human Rights Commission to rule that a landmark pay equity decision that affected federal government employees should have been extended to band employees.

The discrimination complaint was filed by the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians on Nov. 27 on behalf of several Ontario band-employed…

  • March 3, 2001
  • Paul Barnsley, Windspeaker Staff Writer, VANCOUVER

Page 7

Viola Thomas, president of United Native Nations, is fighting to get a man convicted of multiple sex offenses against young Native boys back in jail for good. She wants the man declared a dangerous offender and sentenced to a life term.

Several community leaders spoke at a press conference on Dec. 18, which was called to bring attention to the release of Ralph Rowe from…