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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.
Dear Editor:
I know that it will not be easy in selling the vision of a national Aboriginal agenda. Coming up with a slogan may be just as hard, but you can think about this slogan: Our prosperity is your prosperity.
Crucial days are passing without any action on initiatives of huge importance to First Nations people across Canada. Anger and worry are increasing, so is frustration on the ground. So one has to ask: Is the Stephen Harper government wreaking a little political revenge on one Phillip Fontaine?
Two "historic" agreements that will be the barometer of the Fontaine administration's success…
There are now 1,126 Aboriginal apprentices working in Alberta. This is an increase of 888 apprentices in less than four years, and a cause to celebrate.
"This is the highest number we've ever had," said Dave Hancock, minister of Advanced Education. "It's particularly a testament to companies like Premay Equipment Ltd. who invest in the future workforce by hiring and training apprentices…
Dear Tuma:
My band records the minutes of the band council meetings and then the secretary transfers them to paper, but they are summarized. (eg. Band will consult the lawyer on this issue.) There must have been a discussion on the matter. Could I ask for the recorded minutes or do I have to settle for the summary, even if it concerns me? Could I stay in the band council meeting to hear…
Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney has taken up the cause of opposing the hunt of harp seals on Canada's Atlantic coast. Wearing bright orange floatation suits, he and his wife staged a photo opportunity with a harp seal pup on the ice. They didn't seem quite sure how to pose near the live pup, which was serving as their prop. But there they were, props themselves, publicizing the message that…
It was in China of all places that I found out something quite disturbing. Believe it or not, I found myself being in the unique position of disagreeing with the views of our beloved federal government. Shocking ... Yes I know. A Native person differing in opinion from that of the Canadian government ... I almost alerted the media. And, equally surprising, it had nothing to do with land claims…
Artist-Donna Kay with Little Island Cree
Album-The Journey
Song-Calling You
Label-Independent
Producer-Peter Bacsalmasi
Singer, songwriter and percussionist Donna Kay has a chance to demonstrate all three of her talents on her new CD, The Journey. Kay provides both vocals and percussion on each song on the album, and wrote 10 of the 12 tracks featured.
…Shoshona Kish and Raven Kanatakta are two young Aboriginal artists who have come together to plant their 'seeds' of empowerment and celebration of life through their spiritual roots, blues, reggae, jazz and First Nations mixed music.
Their debut CD, seeds has been in stores since Jan. 31 and it has already sold out at Sam the Record Man in Toronto.
DiggingRoots first came…
It's clearly unconstitutional, but there it is in Saskatchewan's Labour Standards Act regulations, an exemption that allows employers to escape paying overtime to workers in the northern third of the province.
Section 7 of the regulations, which were last updated in 1995, exempts companies located north of the 62nd township, an area that begins just north of the city of Prince Albert,…
Ron Phillips beat the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA, formerly Revenue Canada) in court, but he says the matter is far from concluded.
As reported last month in Windspeaker Business Quarterly magazine, the Winnipeg businessman was ordered to pay close to $100,000 in back taxes, interest and penalties because he did not collect GST for the educational training sessions he…
A Native activist's untrained eye has detected something that University of Windsor law professor David Tanovich has examined in detail in his recently released book.
Isabel Cuerrier is a Native woman on a mission. She wants to draw attention to what she sees as obvious examples of the unequal application of justice by Canadian authorities when it comes to Native people.
She has…
Marcel Balfour won't forget March 17, 2006 in a hurry. That was the day his election as chief of the Norway House Cree Nation became official. He defeated acting-chief Fred Muskego by 40 votes, 943 to 903.
This was not just any band election. Balfour was a duly elected band councillor who was stripped of his salary and responsibilities and kept out of the decision-making process by…
As Tyee Ha'wilth (chief) Mike Maquinna threw a cedar bough into Muchalhat Inlet, he remembered the impact Tsu'xiit the killer whale had on his community and the world.
"Everyone learned a lot about killer whales and their habitat, and also learned who we are as Mowachaht/Muchalaht people," said Maquinna. "He was a part of our community, and we hold him in very high regard. In our…
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada says it's getting serious about the quality of drinking water in First Nation communities. The move comes early in the life of the new Conservative Party of Canada government.
Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice and Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Phil Fontaine appeared together at a press conference on March 21 to announce the new…
First Nation officials have been told to prepare for a busy season once newly elected Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Conservative Party of Canada government begin their legislative session after the April 3 throne speech.
Several technicians we contacted this month have been told to take time off and use up any backlogged overtime before Parliament resumes.
The new…