Welcome to AMMSA.COM, the news archive website for our family of Indigenous news publications.
Established in 1983 to serve the needs of northern Alberta, Windspeaker became a national newspaper on its 10th anniversary in 1993.
Page 17
Paddle Prairie, AB
Her face reflects her long life and hardships, but the inner depths focus on strength, wisdom, and a sense of humor.
One of the first settlers in the area Mary Christian, 95, recalls moving here by horse and wagon.
Born in Grouard, she moved to Wabasca area with her parents. Her father was a trapper and many times she made…
Page 9
Ottawa
Metis leader Louis Riel may be on the verge of being recognized as Father of Confederation, more than a century after he was hanged by the federal government for being a
traitor.
On Aug. 25, the Aboriginal caucus of Manitoba's Progressive Conservative party unanimously passed a resolution in Ottawa calling on the party to recognize Riel…
Page 9
Conklin, AB
The Metis Association of Alberta wants the provincial government to fund a comprehensive program to address the needs of rural Metis in the province.
MAA president Larry Desmeules told a gathering of Metis at a regional meeting in Conklin last week that such a program would help address the needs of Metis living within
improvement…
Page 6
Tansi, Ahnee and hello. It's been a long summer. Sometimes it seems that the further along this Earthwalk one gets, the longer the lessons take to learn. Summer. This is the
season of learning. This is the time on the Great Wheel of Life when much is revealed and the searchers find themselves growing, maturing and trusting in the wisdom of the
earth.…
Page 4
Montreal, Que.
Internal violence that erupted this week on a New York Mohawk reserve could threaten the sovereignty of Indian bands near Montreal.
That's the warning from band councillor Davis Rice of the Kahnawake Mohawk band.
Rice told Windspeaker members of his Quebec based Mohawk band are "on edge" because of heated confrontations between U…
Page 4
Edmonton
The Lubicon Lake Indian band in northwestern Alberta is drawing support form one of Canada's largest religious sectors in opposing the newly-created Woodland Cree band
recognized recently by the federal government.
The United Church of Canada plans to join a coalition of support groups during National Lubicon Day, slated for Oct. 15.…
Page 3
Kehewin, AB.
Kehewin chief Gordon Gadwa, tentatively ousted as leader by a group of reserve residents alleging fiscal mismanagement, says the real issue is the payment of gas royalties to
former enfranchised Indians who have been reinstated with treaty rights under the federal government's Bill C-31.
"Many of our long-time band members had…
Page 3
Grande Cache, AB.
Residents in four Native housing co-operatives are breathing a sigh of relief after the provincial government rescinded a tax notice this week, effectively ending the possibility
their land could be sold.
On Aug. 28, residents in Susa Creek, Joachim Enterprises, Grand Cache Lake Enterprises and Muskee Sepee were informed that…
Page 2
Kehewin, AB
A grieving Kehewin man is hiding from police while he and his wife continue their fight to regain custody of three children apprehended by Alberta Social services.
"I don't want them in a foster home anymore," said Vernon Solowjay.
"I hope we can get a court injunction to bring my kids' home to the reserve."
He said the…
Page 1
Edmonton, AB
A family shopping spree turned into a nightmare of humiliation for Indian leader Percy Potts when he was charged with trespassing at the Eaton Centre shopping mall in
downtown Edmonton August 29.
Potts, a Treaty 6 vice-president for the Indian Association of Alberta, was wrestled to the ground and handcuffed by mall security guards…
Page 1
Kehewin, AB.
Gordon Gadwa is under mounting pressure to formally step down as chief of Kehewin Reserve.
Members expressed a strong lack of confidence in the chief at a meeting Aug. 31 held at the reserve's cultural centre, which drew close to 90 residents.
Gadwa, 44, has ruled the east-central Alberta reserve for more than 10 years. But there's…
Page 13
Native priests must adhere to the vow of celibacy but it is an obstacle for the Native community according to Father Guy Lavallee.
Although the road is long, it is important that native people work within the church to try to right the inequalities and struggles of Aboriginal people, he adds.
Young Native people have a lot to learn from their Elders and must be…
Page 13
When a priest is ordained he must take four vows including the vow of chastity and it is this vow that keeps so many Native people away from the ministry, says Father Cliff Sinclair.
"It has been our tradition for many years to raise a family," he says, adding that the vows of poverty, perseverance and obedience are part of the Native tradition.
Sinclair says he…
Page 13
God's teachings were sent to Native people long before the first European settlers landed in North America, says an Ojibway priest, Father John Hascall.
"People talk about the old way and the new ways as if they were two, but all is one," he says.
AS a chill breeze ruffled the golden leaves on the trees lining the banks of the McKenzie River, Father Hascall,…
Page 12
Nature and people's devout faith combined to welcome "Yahtita"
As the waves of the Red Sea parted for Moses, so did the clouds divide to let the sun shine on Fort Simpson for the visit of Pope John Paul II.
Steady rain had fallen upon worshippers early in the morning as they waited to greet the Pontiff. Everywhere people huddled under large sheets of plastic.…