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Established in 1983 to serve the needs of northern Alberta, Windspeaker became a national newspaper on its 10th anniversary in 1993.
On the morning of Nov. 12, National Chief Shawn Atleo was tending to the business of First Nations in Canada when he received a phone call from the Minister of Indian Affairs John Duncan who had good news to share.
Canada’s Ambassador to the United Nations was meeting that day with the president of the United Nations General Assembly, Joseph Deiss, to advise him that Canada’s government…
If a tip line had been in place when Ernie Crey’s sister went missing in 2000, or if a national centre for coordinated efforts had been established 10 years ago, it may have made a difference.
“I think it would have made a difference, but not all the difference,” said Crey.
Crey was responding to an announcement from Rona Ambrose, the minister responsible for the Status of Women…
“The ultimate objective of the First Nations Property Ownership Act is to support the aspirations of First Nations people: to assist them to unlock the tremendous economic potential of First Nations land…”
That’s a quote from Tom Flanagan’s “Beyond the Indian Act.” I think it sounds nice; supporting our aspirations, unlocking our potential. Though I had to ask myself if it was really my…
In his Sept. 23 speech to the United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister Stephen Harper outlined various reasons why Canada should be elected to the Security Council. He spoke of the importance of making a significant difference in the lives of the world’s most disadvantaged people. He encouraged enlightened sovereignty over narrow self-interest, as well as justice and human rights. He…
It’s been said that you can’t please everybody. That is true. And as a professional columnist, I have, over the passing years, pleased many, annoyed a few, and downright pissed off a handful.
This column is about that last subsection of the population. There is a person out there named Alexander who is quite miffed with me. According to a posting he placed on my Web site, I am a racist…
Errol Ranville and assembled company have been a traditional country-rock staple in Indian Country for a long time. If it wasn’t for C-Weed and his Band blazing the early trail for contemporary Aboriginal artists, it’s hard to predict where many Aboriginal artists would be today or how well accepted they would be. Errol has also been responsible for launching and assisting the music careers…
Windspeaker: What one quality do you most value in a friend?
Tracey Deer: I think the quality I appreciate most is that my friends be understanding. For a friend to stand by me despite my faults, especially when I disappear into work, is really incredible.
W: What is it that really makes you mad?
T.D.: Ignorance, jealousy and hatred are so prevalent and destructive. Our people…
For urban hip hop group Winnipeg’s Most, three wins out of four nominations during the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards on Nov. 5 was a huge validation of all their hard work.
Along with the Best New Artist award were the Best Duo/Group and the Best Rap/Hip Hop CD awards. A nomination for Single of the Year for ‘All That I Know’ fell short in favor of Shane Yellowbird’s “Barefoot…
The diamond in the rough became a polished gem of a man
When Billy Diamond was a skinny, seventeen-year-old he watched young Cree leader Robert Kanatewat tell bureaucrats that English would be the language used in the new community school to teach students, not French.
The government officials agreed with him, and the visiting Kanatewat flew out of the reserve, then known as Rupert…
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research has taken strides to ensure that the health of Canada’s Indigenous population is not only one of the major focuses of the CIHR, but that the Indigenous population is “part of the health research that affects their own health,” said Dr. Malcolm King, scientific director of the CIHR- Institute of Aboriginal Peoples’ Health.
King spoke at a…
TIM HORTONS WILL OPEN
three locations in Iqaluit, Nunavut in November, adding to its more than 3,000 stores across Canada. It will then be in every province and territory in the country. Many of Iqaluit’s residents are excited about the prospect. Tim Hortons has partnered with the North West Company and will set up a kiosk in each location, running its bakery out of the…
Ontario First Nations are once again battling it out with industry and the activity that takes place near their homes.
This time the issue is with Canada’s nuclear power energy company Bruce Power. The business of the company is set in the areas of the Great Lakes, and First Nations are concerned with a possible threat to the environment.
Bruce Power is set to refurbish its…
An education bundle was created at the Whitecap Dakota First Nation community school to commemorate an agreement that is the first of its kind in Saskatchewan.
Elders, government officials, chiefs, band members and students looked on as a document was signed Oct. 14. The document focuses on providing the 11,000 students in band schools at Whitecap, Kinistin, Mistawasis, Muskeg Lake,…
Mary Spencer eventually wants to return to her university studies, but that’s probably at least a couple of more years away as she focuses on another goal she’s had since last year.
The 25-year-old Aboriginal boxer, who won her third world championship in Barbados in September, is hoping to represent Canada at the 2012 London Olympics. Women’s boxing will make its Olympic debut at those…
New sports body
Ontario’s Aboriginal sports body has a new name and a new Board of Directors. The Aboriginal Sport & Wellness Council of Ontario (ASWCO) held its first meeting Sept. 17 and Sept. 18 in Sudbury. ASWCO is governed by 12 volunteer directors.
The board has representatives from all parts of the province with four members each from the northern,…