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Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) contends that a six-month window given to First Nations to "refresh" their specific claims for disputed reserve lands is a "fair offering," but the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) insists that the "arbitrary" timeline is not long enough.
In an open letter sent to INAC Minister Chuck Strahl, UBCIC Grand Chief Stewart Phillip called…
On Jan. 8, Will Gooden, a Métis man from Manitoba, received a favorable judgment in a court case that involved an incident that has been hanging over his head for four years.When Gooden shot and killed a duck near the Turtle Mountains, he never believed it would be an issue with Manitoba Conservation on account he was carrying a Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) harvester's card.
But he was…
SOME WISE INVESTMENTS AND THE
prudently timed sale of said investments has netted a windfall for northern First Nations in Saskatchewan. They have sold their interest in a number of hotels and commercial properties in Prince Albert for almost $20 million.
The bands of the Prince Albert Grand Council had pooled their money to invest in real estate, and when the market peaked last year,…
The "Remembering The Children" gathering held at the Canadian Native Friendship Centre on Jan. 21 was intended as an opportunity to share, heal and walk together in a new phase of Canada's journey in the post-residential school system era. It brought together members of the Aboriginal community, as well as ecumenical leaders from across Canada for a time of remembering, reconciling and…
While Aboriginal-specific infrastructure investments, including $200 million for First Nations schools, are a positive sign, we are disappointed the federal government did not announce significant investments in operational education expenses such as teachers' salaries, computer equipment, especial education funding... The First nations youth of today will be a significan percentage of the…
We cannot discount the tremendous need for social housing on-reserve. In reality, the majority of our citizens are unable to afford their own homes and have difficulty finding affordable housing. As far as I'm concerned, this investment is a good start and needs further consideration in future budgets.
First Nations must be included in the recovery of the Canadian economy. We hope this brings immediate action on infrastructure improvements that will create jobs, build safer, healthier communities, and help NAN First Nations increase their access to quality education while strengthening local economies.
Investments in education would get more of our people working and help eliminate poverty. As well, our governments should have access to credit to spark their economies and develop partnerships with the private sector. Our request for the loan fund amounts to 0.5 percent of the $200 billion that this budget puts into the credit system. We believe our request was reasonable and we will continue…
The 2009 federal budget delivered on Jan. 27 has fallen well short of expectations voiced by First Nations leaders, and the result will be increased lobbying to get those needs met.
"It is hopeful, but it is missing two of the key ingredients needed to eradicate poverty and certainly improve the lives of First Nations people no matter where they live," said Angus Toulouse, Assembly of First…
AUTHOR, EDUCATOR AND SELF-DESCRIBED
activist Gerald Taiaiake Alfred has posted a review of the book Disrobing the Aboriginal Industry (Widdowson and Howard) on his Web site at www.taiaiake.com. Readers will remember this work as the hymnbook that columnist Margaret Wente was singing from when she wrote her notorious article that…
I am writing on this very cool and historic Saturday, Jan. 17, with the Obama /Biden train about to leave Philadelphia enroute to Washington DC. It is getting unprecedented coverage on the TV news channels. Many Canadians, including ordinary Canadians, will be enroute from Canada via bus and taking other modes of transit. While we are going through difficult economic times all over North…
The scatter-shot approach to federal budget making employed by the Conservative government on Jan. 27 has put a smile on the faces of many. There was something in the budget for everyone. Tax breaks for the middle class, some social housing for the poor, five extra weeks for those unlucky enough to have lost their jobs in this time of economic crisis, but lucky enough to qualify for employment…
Diary entry, February 2, 1944
Anzio, Italy
"Well past dusk I awoke as I always did, clear-headed and ready to move. Everything was quiet, even the shelling stopped. I reached into my kit bag and felt the familiar bumps of the beads my mother had sewn onto the uppers of my moccasins such beautiful footwear to do such ugly work.
"I tied the moosehide laces tightly, blackened my…
Don't be surprised if you walk past a well-known college in B.C. and notice the aromas of fresh bannock, braised bison and smoked trout coming from the campus.
Vancouver Community College's (VCC) culinary program with a focus in Aboriginal cuisine is taking off into its second year, and local First Nations chefs say it is a big step towards keeping the tradition of Aboriginal cooking alive…
Americans hire Nolan
He's back.
Ted Nolan, an Ojibway from the Garden River First Nation near Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., has returned to the professional hockey ranks, and this time around his departure from the pros was nowhere near as long as before.
Nolan, a former National Hockey League player and coach, was hired by the American Hockey League's Rochester Americans on July 1 to be…