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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.
The Innu First Nations Uashat mak Mani-utenam and Matimekush-Lac John celebrated the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision Oct. 15 to refuse to hear an appeal by Rio Tinto (IOC) in a $900 million lawsuit against the company. Rio Tinto (IOC) attempted to have the case dismissed before trial. “Rio Tinto and its subsidiary IOC have been seeking to delay the judicial process in the hopes that they…
One of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation commissioners “feels expectant” that the election of a Liberal government in Ottawa will “give birth to new life” in the relationship between government and First Nations.
Dr. Marie Wilson, speaking at Aamjiwnaang in Sarnia, Ont., Oct. 20 , said Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau said “very important things” in his election-night speech…
Alaska’s governor and the Anchorage mayor have proclaimed the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples Day, the federal holiday that is traditionally called Columbus Day. The proclamation came at the opening of the First Alaskans Institute Elders and Youth Conference. Liz Medicine Crow of the First Alaskans Institute told the Alaska Dispatch News that it was “recognition that Indigenous…
Cora Morgan, Manitoba’s First Nations advocate for children in care, has accused the provincial government and child-welfare officials of trying to muzzle her. She held a press conference to discuss how Child and Family Services officials have responded to her criticisms of the system. She said the information she presents is “always” discounted. “They discount the severity of these issues,”…
In the few days leading up to the federal election, the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec-Labrador called for a change in the name of the department responsible for Aboriginal people. It wants Aboriginal Affairs to be called the Department of Relations with First Nations. What’s in a name? Well the AFNQL says the newly-elected government needs to “restore the bond of trust with the leaders…
Dr. Danièle Behn Smith has been appointed as British Columbia's new Aboriginal health physician adviser. Smith will work alongside Dr. Perry Kendall and deputy provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry to provide independent advice and support to the Ministry of Health on First Nations and Aboriginal health issues. Smith will focus on closing the gap in health outcomes between First Nations…
The Teslin Tlingit Council, the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, and the Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation have filed a petition in Yukon Supreme Court regarding amendments to the Yukon Environmental and Socio-Economic Assessment Act. They have resisted the amendments saying they violate their land claim agreements. “The amendments through Bill S-6 undermine or weaken Yukon’s…
The New Brunswick Commission on Hydraulic Fracturing met privately with members of the Elsipogtog First Nation who said the risks of shale gas outweigh the benefits and they don’t want the activity in their territory, reports the CBC. “We’re asking that the commission just recommend a permanent moratorium on hydraulic fracturing,” said Willi Nolan, spokesperson for the Mi’kmaq group. She had…
Can the rift between Trudeau and Suzuki be mended? Crazy question? Not really.
How does the new Prime Minister-elect overcome his comment that the views of renowned environmental activist David Suzuki on climate change are ‘sanctimonious crap’? How does Trudeau put aside Suzuki calling him a ‘twerp’ in return?
It was a few weeks ago now that the conversation happened, according…
Artist depicted contemporary life in Nunavut
A pencil-crayon drawing on black paper looks stark beside framed scenes of vivid blue lakes and shimmering mountains on the walls of an Oakville, Ont. art gallery.
Yet this simple depiction–a kitchen window revealing flat land beyond–holds its own. The perspective of this studied domestic scene, with its clean,…
It remains to be seen what Carey Price will do for an encore.
Though he is in the prime of his career, only time will tell if Price, the 28-year-old star goaltender with the National Hockey League’s Montreal Canadiens, can improve upon his performances of a year ago. (Price, a member of British Columbia’s Ulkatcho First Nation, certainly became a household name during the 2014/15…
Headrick joins university squad
As it turned out, Owen Headrick was indeed ready to make the jump up to the NCAA ranks. (The 18-year-old defenceman from the Garden River First Nation in northern Ontario is a rookie with the Lake Superior State Lakers, a Division 1 hockey squad based in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. (Headrick had spent the past two seasons playing…
Day pledges to bring attention to national health concerns
Ontario Regional Chief Isadore Day, who recently assumed responsibility for the Assembly of First Nations national health portfolio, has issued a call to action. He says health for First Nations people in Canada is deplorable and unconscionable and he will make a determined effort to raise the awareness on the…
Neskantaga First Nation has had a boil water advisory for more than 20 years. “It is one of the longest ones in Canada,” said Chief Wayne Moonias.
“Canada is a country that’s rich in resources and our First Nation is still struggling to have safe drinking water in their homes.” Neskantaga First Nation is a remote community located 400 kms north of Thunder Bay.
Chief Moonias was…
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission only recently released their final report calling for Canada-wide education on Indian residential schools, but two Canadian territories have been at it for a few years.
Nunavut and the Northwest Territories are the first in Canada to make the material mandatory for high school graduation, and the Northwest Territories has taken it a step further…