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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 2, 2001
  • Marie Burke, Windspeaker Staff Writer, PIKANGIKUM FIRST NATION, Ont.

Page 1

In a quest for better First Nations health services in northern Ontario, First Nations chiefs took part in an 11-day fast that began on April 9 at the Sioux Lookout Zone Hospital.

Chief Paddy Peters and Chief Donny Morris of Kitchenuhmaykoosib entered the hospital and began their fast in the chapel. The chiefs took water only during their fast.

Chief Vernon Morris…

  • March 2, 2001
  • Marlene McKinnon, Windspeaker Contributor, DUFFIELD, Alta.

Page 30

When you think of a golf course, your mind probably turns to hot summer days rather than reading, writing and arithmetic. But for eight months, 26 members from the Paul Band walked or car pooled to the Iron Head Club House and Golf Course near Wabamun, Alta. to attend classes with the hope of achieving their high school general equivalency diplomas.

The students were pre-…

  • March 2, 2001
  • Sonja McKay, Windspeaker Contributor, EDMONTON

Page 29

Sandra Power believes education plays a pivotal role in both the personal and financial well-being of many First Nations people and enhances the quality of life, not only for the individual, but their entire family and, possibly, even future generations.

As a child growing up on the Muscowpetung First Nation in Saskatchewan, Power said emphasis was not put on education…

  • March 2, 2001
  • Pamela Green, Windspeaker Staff Writer, LLOYDMINSTER

Page 27

It looks like a regular school from the outside. But looks can be deceiving.

L.E.A.P., the alternative high school in Lloydminster, is anything but ordinary. It's a place where teenagers facing tough home and social problems, substance abuse recovery or trouble with the law, can find a safe haven and get on with their lives and schooling.

It's a school that offers…

  • March 2, 2001
  • Jackie Bissley, Windspeaker Contributor, VANCOUVER

Page 26

It was back in 1991 when Loretta Todd emerged on the scene with her first documentary The Learning Path, a film that looked at three First Nation women's experiences in the education system. That was more than seven years ago, and today Todd, a Metis originally from Edmonton, is recognized as one of Canada's foremost documentary film-makers.

Todd's interest in film-making…

  • March 2, 2001
  • Marie Burke, Windspeaker Staff Writer, TORONTO

Page 25

For Aboriginal students and aspiring arts professionals who are looking for some financial help to go to school, the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation should be the first number on their list to call.

The foundation has three main scholarship programs available to status and non-status First Nations people, Inuit and Metis students - the Arts Scholarship Program…

  • March 2, 2001
  • Tracey K Bonneau, Windspeaker Contributor, PENTICTON, B.C.

Page 24

The Penticton Indian Band has filed for monetary compensation for loss of an area known as the Penticton timber reserve. The multi-million dollar land claim has been filed on 1,100 acres of prime industrial and residential land within the city of Penticton.

In 1877, when reserves were being established, the Joint Reserve Commission created the Penticton timber reserve.…

  • March 2, 2001
  • Tracey K Bonneau, Windspeaker Contributor, WESTBANK, B.C.

Page 24

Administrative staff of the Westbank First Nation have applied for certification to join the British Columbia Government and Service Employees Union.

Chief Ron Derrickson, saying he will contest the initiative to the bitter end, has declared the application to be a potential disaster for his community.

To make things more interesting, recently defeated Westbank…

  • March 2, 2001
  • Marie Burke, Windspeaker Staff Writer, EDMONTON

Page 23

The construction of a $4 billion natural gas pipeline is scheduled to begin in Alberta in the new year with help from Aboriginal people. The partnership was marked by the signing of contracts by the Metis Zone IV Regional Council, Metis Nation of Alberta and the Western Cree Tribal Council with Alliance Pipeline.

The contract between Alliance and the Metis will see Metis…

  • March 2, 2001
  • Debora Lockyer Steel, Windspeaker Staff Writer, VANCOUVER

Page 22

Trains, planes and automobiles. Throw in a boat and bus ride and you have CANDO's 5th annual national conference held in Vancouver from Nov. 25 to Nov. 28.

CANDO is the better know acronym of the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers. Representatives from Aboriginal economic development organizations across Canada gathered to share economic…

  • March 2, 2001
  • Debora Lockyer Steel, Windspeaker Staff Writer

Page 21

Meals for Good Health

By Karen Graham

Canadian Diabetes Association

$29.95, 232 pages (hc)

A book by registered dietitian and diabetes educator Karen Graham, in co-operation with the Canadian Diabetes Association, takes the guesswork out of meal planning.

Meals for Good Health features 60 recipes that are not only fast and easy, but low in fat…

  • March 2, 2001
  • Paul Sinkewicz, Windspeaker Contributor, PRINCE ALBERT, Sask.

Page 21

Getting back to traditional lifestyles is one of the best ways to combat the pandemic of diabetes raging through Saskatchewan, according to Tracy Nash and Jan Kroll.

The pair constitute the Diabetes Education Program administered by the Prince Albert Grand Council. Nash is a dietician, and Kroll is a registered nurse.

They spend most of their time out on the road,…

  • March 2, 2001
  • Den Tobias Deane, Windspeaker Columnist

Page 20

When I first began contemplating working in the field of HIV/AIDS, I hadn't anticipated the many mountains that would be placed in front of me. I, like all, have had my share of knocks in the past and, in a way, they have prepared me for all that I have encountered and will encounter in this work.

I hear a lot of people at the grassroots level asking for help in the form…

  • March 2, 2001
  • Marie Burke, Windspeaker Staff Writer, EDMONTON

Page 17

Only seven days after the provincial government announced the week of Nov. 15 as Celebrate Adoption Week, Lyle Oberg, minister of Family and Social Services, admited the adoption record for Aboriginal children in the province is shameful.

Alberta Liberal Family and Social Services critic, Linda Sloan, questioned Oberg about the inadequate support for Aboriginal children…

  • March 2, 2001
  • Sam Laskaris, Windspeaker Contributor, TORONTO

Page 16

While growing up in Six Nations, Ont., Kim Squire yearned for the opportunity to attend a National Hockey League game in one of Canada's most famous buildings - Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens, but his wish was never fulfilled. And it's doubtful it ever will now that the NHL's Maple Leafs have just a few matches remaining before they move into their new home, the Air Canada Centre…