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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 Metis Association of Alberta is in a crisis situation says ousted member Ron LaRocque who claims the association is not only struggling with a $80,000 debt but must deal with allegations of election mismanagement.
The debt occurred, says LaRocque after an honorarium of $15,000 was given to former president Sam Sinclair and severance pay totalling $40,000 was paid to…
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Assumption, Alta.
The Dene Tha' referendum on the leadership of Chief Harry Chonkolay has again been postponed.
Scheduled for Sept.. 7, the referendum was abruptly cancelled when electoral officer Roy Meneen, from the Tall Cree Band, failed to show up, said an Assumption band office worker, who refused to give his name.
"People were showing…
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Edmonton
The controversial Child Welfare Act will be given a new interpretation, says a recently appointed social service children's advocate.
Bernd Walter, who was named to the government appointed post of children's advocate last week, says a new system will soon be in place to define the role of the province
when placing children with foster…
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Duffield, Alta.
A Duffield Indian has just returned from an international conference held in Japan, where he joined with 2,000 other people to declare the 21st century - "The century of hope".
"I'm hopeful," there'll be changes, said Ed Burnstick, whose children and grandchildren will inherit the future.
"The way things are going worldwide…
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Tansi, Ahnee and hello.
This summer is winding down. There's a chill in the air these mornings and on my frequent drives into the country I've noticed the hawks becoming more numerous and busy as
they prepare themselves for the long flight to the south.
There are even the first sightings of leaves on the ground. Somewhere in this change of…
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Edmonton
Athabasca MLA Mike Cardinal says he'll take his 30 percent pay hike, approved recently by an all-party legislative committee, without batting a eyelash.
"I sure the hell earn mine (salary)," he said when contacted by Windspeaker.
Cardinal said he decided "with no second thought" to take the increase being given to MLAs.
"In…
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Lac La Biche, Alta.
Help may be in the wings for a financially strapped friendship centre in northern Alberta which is on the verge of closing its doors.
William Landstrom, president of the Lac La Biche Native Friendship Centre, is optimistic about getting much needed funding from Alberta Municipal Affairs despite the fact that
friendship…
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Edmonton
A government probe into Native justice in Alberta will be delayed for one month until October.
A committee made up of Indian, Metis and government representatives was scheduled to begin a study Sept.. 1 to determine why a disproportionate number of Natives are in
provincial jails.
But last week, it was revealed there will…
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Ottawa
A Native justice spokesman for the Assembly of First Nations is conducting a Canada-wide study of the federal prison system in response to a report he claims ignores Native
concerns.
Paul Doxtator began his cross-Canada tour of federal penitentiaries on behalf of the AFN last month to speak to members of Native brotherhoods within the…
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Hobbema, Alta.
Hobbema's suicide rate only two years ago considered the highest in Alberta and possibly of any Indian band in the country, has been substantially reduced by 95 per cent in
the past two years.
Statistics released by Hobbema's Nayo-Skan Drug and Alcohol Counselling Service to Windspeaker show that from a statistical high of 17…
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Kehewin, Alta.
Kehewin Band Chief Gordon Gadwa's explanation for the revolt on is reserve is being dismissed by a leader of his opposition.
"The real issue is him," said Irvin Kehewin. "And it's not through pettiness or jealousy."
In a recent interview, Gadwa fingered a decision to pay gas royalties to Indians given treaty rights under Bill C-…
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Edmonton
A prominent Alberta Indian leader plans to tackle one of the province's largest corporate giants in court after being mauled and humiliated in public by three of its employees.
Percy Potts, vice president of Treaty 6 for the Indian Association of Alberta (IAA), told Windspeaker Wednesday he plans to file legal action against Triple Five…
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Edmonton
The tuberculosis rate among Alberta's Treaty Indians is "very unacceptable," says an IAA official.
"I think it can be brought down considerably," said Gregg Smith, Treaty 7 vice-president with the Indian Association of Alberta.
"It's going to require work from not only health providers but from our own people in wanting it brought down…
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Edmonton
Construction of a $1.3 billion pulp mill be Alberta Pacific Forest industries near Athabasca may never get off the ground if its future owners can't convince the government and
public it will be environmentally safe.
That was the warning from Alberta's Environment Minister Ralph Klein last week after finding major flaws in the…
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As part of its 50th Anniversary celebrations, the National Film Board will be showing a series of films about the Aboriginal peoples of Canada every Wednesday during the
months of September, October and November.
Beginning Sept. 6, at 12 p.m., 3 p.m. And 7 p.m. In the NFB Theatre, located downtown at Canada Place.
"The 50th Anniversary…