Welcome to AMMSA.COM, the news archive website for our family of Indigenous news publications.
Established in 1983 to serve the needs of northern Alberta, Windspeaker became a national newspaper on its 10th anniversary in 1993.
Whitecap Dakota First Nation in Saskatchewan and the federal government have signed a Framework Agreement to negotiate self-government. “The signing of this agreement is an important milestone along a path of renewal and reconciliation,” said Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan. “Self-government agreements give Aboriginal groups greater control over the decisions that affect their…
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami President Mary Simon wants to set up a meeting similar to the Crown/First Nations Gathering Prime Minister Stephen Harper, reports Nunatsiaq News. “We want our own Inuit-specific meeting to focus on Inuit and Arctic issues,” she said. “We need to talk about some of the critical issues facing Inuit today.” Education and mental health services would be high on her agenda…
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo expressed his support for the construction of all-weather roads to improve accessibility to and from remote First Nation communities, urging all levels of government to work with First Nations to ensure appropriate measures are taken when ice roads are not available. “Northern First Nation communities that rely on ice roads for…
The federal government announced an investment of about $700,000 to Miawpukek First Nation for water infrastructure upgrades and emergency management activities. Miawpukek First Nation was established as a reserve in 1987 and is located on the Island of Newfoundland. The community has 2,780 members, with an on-reserve population of 830 members. “The Government of Canada believes that by…
A State of Emergency was declared by Cat Lake First Nation in northern Ontario which estimates seven out of 10 adults and youth there are abusing prescription medication. Cat Lake is looking for help in dealing with a pandemic of oxycodone use. “Cat Lake First Nation can no longer deal with the situation of prescription drug abuse alone. This affects all of our community, not only the users,”…
A high-end, privately funded healthcare facility is slated for development on Westbank First Nation territory in Kelowna B.C., band Chief Robert Louie has announced.
“Yes. It is our intention [to build a health centre]. We’ve been working on this for almost two years now,” Louie said. “We’ve put a lot of thinking into this. It’s the first of its kind in Canada.” Louie said the facility,…
The House of Commons Finance Committee has recommended the privatization of reserve lands. The suggestion was made when the committee presented its pre-budget report before the holiday break. The committee thinks a policy such as this would help reduce poverty on First Nations.
The idea is not a new one, and has been kicked around for a decade or more and, to some, it hasn’t been well…
Newfoundland and Labrador residential school survivors who were excluded from the initial Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement (IRSSA) have been given the go-ahead by that province’s Court of Appeal to launch a lawsuit against the federal government.
The ruling was delivered Dec. 21, 2011.
“It’s good news for people who have been waiting for such a long time for a…
Certification from the First Nation Financial Management Board will allow the Osoyoos Indian Band to undertake development at a faster pace than if it had to solely rely on government funding.
“We can get funding from the open market at interest rates below what banks can give us,” said Brian Titus, chief operating officer for the Osoyoos Indian Band Development Corp.
OIB, along…
DEAR AUNTIE
By J’net AyAy Qwa Yak Sheelth Cavanagh
Dear Auntie:
While Christmas is usually a very happy time in my family, this year we lost our father just weeks before. My sisters and I are trying to cope, but dad’s passing has Mom reeling. She actually looks scared and confused.
They had been together for 57 years. How do I help her when I’m still dealing with my own…
DEAR AUNTIE
By J’net AyAy Qwa Yak Sheelth Cavanagh
Dear Auntie:
I was recently elected to council, and while I feel very proud to serve my community, I am having regrets about putting my name forward in the first place. Every council meeting is a screaming match. Nothing gets done without tensions boiling over. This is not how I was taught to behave. I was taught to listen…
THE URBANE INDIAN
One of the big stories of last year was the occupation of a number of urban parks and public spaces all across North America to protest the fact that the vast majority of wealth and power is limited to the top one per cent of society.
Thus all those chants of “We are the 99 per cent” we heard on the news.
That’s hardly a shocker to most First Nations…
Artist—Garry Oker
Song—Ride
Album—Ride (2011)
Label—Independent
Garry Oker is an artist who has gone beyond the single medium most artists get pigeon holed into. This cd shows he is still evolving. This album of music is Oker’s musical journey into his Aboriginal identity. As one can appreciate, spirituality is part and parcel with Aboriginal culture and Oker allows us…
Windspeaker: What one quality do you most value in a friend?
Torry Eagle Speaker: Honesty. We all need at least one honest friend to rely on.
W: What is it that really makes you mad?
T.E.S.: Negative people who try to bring me down. I’ve been told not to focus on it and to pray for those people, also to use reverse psychology, such as smiling or shaking hands with that person…