Windspeaker Publication

The RCMP and the Commission for Public Complaints (CPC), want to improve the general Canadian view of the RCMP by making reforms to its processes.
An extensive review is underway by the CPC to find ways to improve the process for filing complaints and to raise public awareness of their program.
In a study conducted by the CPC, only 60 per cent of persons in Canadian communities policed…

The Aboriginal Tourism Association of British Columbia hosted an awards gala on March 5 in Vancouver to honour exceptional leaders in B.C.'s emerging tourism industry.
This year's winners were:
Paula Cranmer Underhill of the Sto:lo Tourism Commission, Coast Hotels and Resorts Ambassador Award; Douglas Green of Cariboo Chilcotin Jetboat Adventures, Inspirational Leadership Award; Deanna…

When the Aboriginal Multi-Media Society came into being under the Alberta Societies Act in 1983, it was formed to be a communications society committed to serving the needs of the Aboriginal people of northern Alberta with Windspeaker, a monthly newspaper.
Today it is the model for Aboriginal communications throughout North America and can tell a remarkable story of survival and growth…

In an emotional and momentous display of repentance and forgiveness, church and First Nations leaders gathered in Saskatoon to remember the atrocities committed in some residential schools and to discuss ways to move forward in solidarity.
The Saskatoon stop of "Remembering the Children" - a multi-city tour intended to promote the work of Canada's upcoming Indian Residential Schools Truth…

It's 8 am and Claire Clark is where she is every morning at least three days a week, huffing and puffing on an elliptical cardio machine at her local gym.
Two years ago she was told she'd have to start taking medication for high cholesterol, but her concerted effort to exercise regularly has put that health issue to rest.
"There was no way I wanted to take drugs, so I hit the gym and it'…

It's 8 am and Claire Clark is where she is every morning at least three days a week, huffing and puffing on an elliptical cardio machine at her local gym.
Two years ago she was told she'd have to start taking medication for high cholesterol, but her concerted effort to exercise regularly has put that health issue to rest.
"There was no way I wanted to take drugs, so I hit the gym and it'…

It's 8 am and Claire Clark is where she is every morning at least three days a week, huffing and puffing on an elliptical cardio machine at her local gym.
Two years ago she was told she'd have to start taking medication for high cholesterol, but her concerted effort to exercise regularly has put that health issue to rest.
"There was no way I wanted to take drugs, so I hit the gym and it'…

As an esteemed scholar and Cree educator, Noella Steinhauer acknowledges that supporting Aboriginal identity in mainstream education is a crucial need.
She is armed with knowledge as she enters her new position as Director of Education for the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (NAAF), where she will help Aboriginal students from across Canada succeed in their educational pursuits…

"As nurturers and caregivers Aboriginal women are the back-bone of a community, so when the women are supported, the whole community benefits," said Judy White, the facilitator and steering committee chair of the third Annual Aboriginal Women's Conference held in St. John's Newfoundland from March 12 to 14.
The theme of this year's conference was 'The Path to Economic Prosperity.' It…

The Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO) and the Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on March 14, to jointly deliver workshops for Aboriginal women across Canada in the Aboriginal Women for Tomorrow (AWFT) program.
"They (NWAC) have been part of it in the past, but by signing the MOU it formalizes our partnership with them,"…

There's no doubt that the Canadian government persists in projecting an image of Canada as peacemaker and protector of human rights, both at home and abroad. Recently, however, more and more citizens are stepping forward to challenge that perception.
For instance, former United Nations Human Rights Commissioner Louise Arbour has openly criticized Canada for its outmoded and self-…

The Office of the Wet'suwet'en demands the immediate removal of Liberal backbencher MLA Dennis MacKay as a member of the province's Standing Committee on Children and Youth, and wants him to resign as the government representative for the Bulkley Valley-Stikine constituency.
MacKay lobbed a verbal hand grenade into the centre of the Wet'suwet'en community of First Nations in the Smithers/…

First Nation woman regains Indian status

An Ontario Superior Court ruling on March 5 ruled that a Matachewan First Nation member, Laura Flood, should have her legal status granted back under the Indian Act after she lost it under a 1952 enfranchisement policy.
During the 1950's, the Government of Canada policy had her surrender her legal status as an Indian to become a Canadian…

First Nations leaders in Northern Ontario were sentenced to jail after refusing to back down in their fight for rights to their traditional lands.
On March 17, Ontario Superior Court Judge Patrick Smith sentenced Chief Donny Morris and other council members of the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) First Nation - located about 1,000 kilometres north of Thunder Bay - each to six months in…

The end of February marked two years since protests by Six Nations members stopped the building of a subdivision on disputed lands in Caledonia, ON.
The passing of the anniversary has sparked a new round of public discussion and calls for action.
Federal Liberal Aboriginal Affairs critic Anita Neville called on the federal government to take action and bring a resolution to the dispute…