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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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Charges that three non-Native teenagers committed a hate crime when they allegedly opened fire on a school and six homes on the Blood reserve with paint-ball guns on Oct. 9 were reduced to 13 counts of vandalism by the Crown Attorney two weeks later.
The Blood Tribe chief and council are not happy with the decision.
"I still question why the charge was dropped. And…
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EDITORIAL
As everyone stresses communication and unity as the only things that will keep the Metis Association together, last week's general assembly indicates this is exactly what's not going to happen.
Only about 800 people showed up at the Lac Cardinal for the assembly. This compares to about 4,000 to 6,000 that used to attend the event. The Assembly once stood…
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From all appearances, it looks as if the second attempt in 13 years to open a friendship centre in Wetaskiwin will prove to be successful.
Twelve years ago, the original centre was forced to shut its doors due to lack of funds. It had only operated for 11 months. Today, the city has another centre and an open house was held August 14 welcoming visitors from throughout the…
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In a surprise move, moments before the close of the Metis Association assembly, Paul Sinclair pulled out of the presidential race over what he calls the disrespectful treatment accorded to president, Sam Sinclair, and his fear that candidate Jo-Ann Daniels would win the presidency.
In an interview after the final day of the two-day assembly, Sinclair said because he feared…
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The applause and standing ovation which followed Sam Sinclair's farewell speed as president of the Metis Association of Alberta changed quickly to angry words and an attack on Sinclair's leadership when a resolution that $25,000 in severence pay be given to Sinclair was introduced to the assembly.
During a heated and at times emotional debate, MAA treasurer Paul Sinclair…
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Business was put on the backburner as politics and in-fighting dominated the Metis Association of Alberta annual assembly held at Lac Cardinal, August 15 and 16.
Although the assembly began with a plea from president Sam Sinclair for unity, a long drawn-out debate on a motion made by Zone two vice president, August Collins calling for the suspension of Zone one vice…
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Bruce Starlight is bitter and angry over his treatment at the hands of Olympiques Calgary Olympics (OCO) which, he says, forced him to walk away from his job last May without giving official notice.
Starlight, a Sarcee band member and coordinator of the Treaty Seven Corporation, a company formed to organize Native cultural participation in the olympics, says he is…
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A suit against the Canadian and British Columbia governments for Native control of 57,000 square kilometers of northwestern BC will continue even though the Natives' funding for the case has been cut by the federal government.
The Gitksan and Wet'suwet'en bands were promised $3.5 million by the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs to fight the case, but that amount…
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Thousands of northern Natives are expected to flock into Fort Simpson, NWT Sept. 20 for a four and a half hour visit by Pope John Paul II.
This will be the second time the Pope has tried to visit the community; fog prevented him from landing there three years ago.
Native leaders and politicians are hoping the visit will focus global attention on the lifestyle of the…
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Four prairie Natives were given a all-expense paid trip to South Africa to investigate conditions in that country and to publicize their own grievances.
Gerald Wuttunee of the Red Pheasant band, Bryan Tootoosis of the Poundmaker band, Lindsay Cyr, chief of the Pasquas, and Eldon Bellegarde, representing 16 Saskatchewan bands, had their trip paid by the South African…
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Donna Weaselchild, a Blackfoot Indian from Calgary, has been elected president of the Native Women's Association in Calgary.
Weaselchild said the organization must begin dealing with more local issues rather than focusing on international issues.
The Canadian government has also announced a $457,000 grant to the group to assist in operating expenses for 1987-88.…
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National aboriginal leaders are demanding a renewal of the constitutional process dealing with their right to self-government.
"Our agenda is unfinished," said National Chief Georges Erasmus of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) as he appeared before the special joint committee on the 1987 constitutional accord, August 19. "The process should continue until the agenda is…
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Lubicon chief Bernard Ominiyak, is pleased with the progress of his appeal to the United nations over the alleged 'genocide' of the Lubicon Cree band, but is still awaiting reaction from both the provincial and federal governments over the ruling.
The United Nations ruled that they will hear the Lubicon case sometime next year and meanwhile rule 86 will be enforced, which…
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Dissenting residents of the Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement, and government officials are tight-lipped over the recent election of two illiterate Settlement Council members.
Council called in the High Level RCP detachment after a sit-in at the Settlement administration offices by about 30 people took place Friday, August 14.
Gregg Calliou, council chairman charged…
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The Alexander education symposium which began with a rally in Edmonton's William Hawrelack park Sunday, ended with a slate of 21 recommendations which many hope will halt the 'crisis' in Indian education.
An implementation team was selected from each of the provinces. Adele Arcand will serve as coordinator; with Wally Janvier from Alberta; John Kim Bell from Toronto; Daryl…