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 1
One chief in British Columbia has raised the alarm about a recent contract struck between the provinces and Ottawa, saying First Nations are now under provincial rather than federal jurisdiction when it comes to welfare rates.
British Columbia's provincial government dropped social assistance rates by 12 per cent this summer, and First Nations rates followed automatically…
Page 1
First Nations leaders may have hit on an agreement that works for them regarding the controversial draft First Nations Fiscal Institutions act. The question now is whether the minister is willing to listen.
At the end of a two-day special chiefs' assembly on Nov. 20, an "accommodation" resolution was passed that called on Indian Affairs Minister Robert Nault to have his…
Page 33
Mi'kmaq people living on Cape Breton Island have an easier time pursuing a post-secondary education, thanks to a number of programs and supports offered to them by the University College of Cape Breton (UCCB).
The UCCB, located in Sydney, N.S. has long offered Mi'kmaq and other Aboriginal students, support services through its Mi'kmaq student services. But last year the…
Page 32
What started as a distant dream has become a reality for the Aboriginal Multi-Media Society of Alberta (AMMSA), publishers of Windspeaker and owner-operators of CFWE, the Native Perspective, an Aboriginal radio station that can be heard across Alberta.
Now the CFWE signal can be heard clearer and stronger than ever before in the Bonnyville/St. Paul area of the province…
Page 29
The Crees of northern Quebec have always had close ties to the land. It is where they lived, hunted, fished and trapped to provide food for their families. Even today, many Quebec Crees maintain links to the land, although those links are often more tenuous because of mining, forestry and hydro operations within their traditional territories.
You don't have to look far to…
Page 28
Thanks to a small group of youth determined to do something about the situation of solvent abuse in their community, help from the federal government is on the way.
A group of 20 people from Wabaseemoong made up of youth and Elders walked from their home community located near Kenora, Ont. all the way to Ottawa to bring a message to Indian and Northern Affairs (INAC)…
Page 27
Being diagnosed with a chronic disease is never an easy thing, but it is something that more and more of Canada's Aboriginal populace are facing. Diabetes, a disease that interferes with the body's ability to use the sugars in food, is widespread among both the First Nations and Metis populations, and its prevalence is only increasing as people are tested and identified.
…Page 25
Thirty women's shelters in Alberta offer a safe place for abused women and other women in need.
"Our primary concern is for the victim, and the children if any are present," said Brenda Brochu. As executive director of the Peace River Regional Women's Shelter, she and the shelter's staff have helped many women through the years with support, advocacy and information on…
Page 24
Tickets are going fast for the Louis Riel Gala, which will be held at the Sands Hotel in Edmonton on Nov. 14. The evening will feature the second annual Joey Gladue and Delia Gray Scholarship awards, a performance by the Creeland Dancers from Duck Lake, Sask., guest speakers, a Metis fashion show, a live and silent auction, all held together by master of ceremonies Don Burnstick…
Page 21
Recognizing and evaluating the need for management expertise is a major step in the development of an artist's career. An artist must not only have a unique talent, but a total belief in him or her self and an overwhelming desire to succeed.
"What are the my goals? How much do I want to invest in a music career? And what sacrifices will I make to get there?" are just…
Page 20
Toronto's SkyDome will be the place to be at the end of November, during the annual Canadian Aboriginal Festival.
The festival will run from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1, featuring all the events and activities regular festival goers are familiar with, along with a couple of new events.
One of the new additions is a fundraising dinner and concert on Nov. 29. The concert will…
Page 18
As of Oct. 28, the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network news team is on the air every day. The half-hour news show will air Monday to Friday at 6:30 p.m. Central Time (7:30 in Toronto, 4:30 in Vancouver). On Friday, Contact, the call-in show starring Rick Harp, will follow.
There will be a couple of changes viewers will notice: the show is now called APTN National News.…
Page 16
British Columbia Vice-chief Satsan (Herb George) and National Chief Matthew Coon Come exchanged letters in October that reveal the strong feelings the debate over the proposed fiscal institutions act has created.
The B.C. vice-chief began the exchange with a strongly worded letter to Coon Come, dated Oct. 9. The national chief responded in writing the next day.
…
Page 15
Gradually, very gradually, lives are being touched. Attitudes are changing and people are finding something meaningful and deep inside themselves that they didn't know existed. The catalyst for this change is a series of cultural awareness workshops. At the heart is a most unusual chaplain in a most unusual setting-a jail.
Leonard Bananish, chaplain at the Thunder Bay…
Page 14
It was another successful year for the annual Aboriginal youth conference that brings young people from across the country and beyond to Edmonton for a weekend of fun and education.
Dreamcatcher 2002, held Oct. 18 to 20 at Grant MacEwan College's downtown campus, even attracted participants from New Zealand.
On the agenda for opening ceremonies were performances by…