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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.
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The dam threatening Napi's River is slowly nearing completion despite opposition from environmentalist and Native groups.
The dam is located about 10 km west of the Peigan reserve, just past the point where the three rivers join to become the Oldman River.
The dam will cost about $335 million, most of which comes from the Heritage Trust Fund, a fund set up by former…
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Metis textbook gets mixed reviews
The unveiling of a recently published school textbook on Metis culture and history was greeted with enthusiasm and criticism on Feb. 17.
The book Canada's People: The Metis was a "collaboration of Dale (Ripley) and Phyllis (Cardinal) ? a non-Native and a Native person," said Leith Campbell, supervisor of Native education for…
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Secretary of State David Crombie has announced a $90,460 grant to the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC). This grant will assist the NAFC to host a three-day national conference on issues affecting Aboriginal disabled persons in Ottawa in March 29, 30 and 31.
The NAFC represents some 99 friendship centres across Canada which provide services to Aboriginal…
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National
Bill C-31, an amendment to the Indian Act, is "grossly flawed" and is leaving the lives of thousands across Canada in a "turmoil" says the Native Women's Association of Canada.
The organization addressed the controversial amendment when representatives appeared before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, Feb. 23.
In a…
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Late Bulletin
At press time Windspeaker learned the federal and provincial government had agreed to grant the Lubicon band a 66 square km parcel of land.
However, Bernard Ominayak was not part of the negotiations and will meet Premier Getty on March 4 to discuss the tentative deal.
The two governments are already discussing possibilities of housing and…
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Local media less enthused
While the foreign media may have opened the eyes of the world to the struggle of the Lubicon band, the home town press seemed less enthusiastic about bringing the Cree band's message to Canadians during the Olympic boycott, says band advisor Fred Lennarson.
"We had far more inquiries and interviews from the international media then from the…
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A senate task force recommending Aboriginal people be recognized as distinct societies under the Meech Lake accord has met with mixed reaction from Aboriginal leaders. The task force also suggests Aboriginal and treaty rights and self-government become ongoing items on the agenda of constitutional conferences.
The Native Council of Canada (NCC) says the proposals are a "…
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Community
From the bingo and dance Friday night to the final awards presentation Sunday evening, the second annual Cold Lake First Nations Winter Carnival was entertaining and fun.
There were two nights of dancing, hours of talent show, numerous outdoor races and a fancy harness parade on Sunday.
It provided giggles and chuckles in the laughing contest, a…
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A family evicted from their home last month after refusing to pay mortgage dues because of structural flaws, which they say caused the basement to flood and the sewer to back up, are closer to having the house repaired.
Louise Gardiner says a group of six people, including housing officials and engineers, have assessed the house "from top to bottom" and will make a report…
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The name of a 27-year-old Hobbema man killed in a highway accident has been released.
Delford Louis Saddleback of Hobbema died when his pickup truck hit a trailer being towed by another pickup, say RCMP.
He was driving east on Highway 61 about 6 km from Hobbema on Saturday, Feb. 20 when his truck collided with a large steel horse carrier being pulled by another…
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A Caslan youth has been charged in connection with a break and enter in which financial records, receipt books, and some money were taken from the Metis settlement office in mid-November.
The 17-year-old male was charged Jan. 2 and will appear in court March 14 to face theft, and break and enter charges.
However, there is "no proof" that the youth took files or…
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Is the highly competitive and emotional game of hockey a breeding ground for racism?
An incident last month indicates the answer may be "yes", according to sources at Jan. 10 bantam hockey game in Edson. Coaches of both the Edson and Stony Plain teams confirm a fight broke out after the game and off the ice, most likely precipitated by name-calling aimed at Edson player,…
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The Rabbitskin family is enjoying a happy and sober life together after alcoholism threatened to split and destroy their home forever.
The Cree family of six from the Chisasibi reserve in northern Quebec are growing closer since coming to a drug rehabilitation centre, Poundmaker's Lodge, near Edmonton.
"It's just beautiful to see them still sober," said Poundmaker's…
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Eight people face sexual assault charges in connection with a young girl who was removed from her Alberta foster home against her will and returned to her natural parents on a northern Manitoba reserve.
The teenage girl has been returned to her foster parents, who had cared for her since 1972, after she threatened suicide to end the torment and regular sexual assaults she…
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An outbreak of distemper has killed hundreds of Arctic sled dogs and is threatening to bankrupt local hunters and guides. The epidemic which has killed almost 1,000 dogs started in the central Arctic last year and has now spread as far east as Greenland.
In Arctic Bay, on the northern tip of Baffin Island 145 working dogs have died and polar bear hunts in the area will…