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 3
Saddle Lake residents hope their new leaders will pave the way for change on their northern Alberta reserve.
According to optimistic band members of the Saddle Lake reserve, they could be in store for long awaited road improvements now that a new administration is in place.
Ben Houle, co-owner of Houle and Cardinal Bus Lines, believes the new chief and council have…
Page 2
There are no villains or criminals responsible for the abduction of Lila McCarthy's children, admits a social service spokesman for the Indian Association of Alberta.
The system is to blame, however, he says.
When Percy Potts speaks about the government's social service policies concerning Native people in Alberta there is a sadness in his tone.
He's not…
Page 1
A 20 year old Blood Reserve man is almost speechless at being refused medical treatment following his arrest Friday by the Pincher Creek RCMP.
Willis Beebe, nursing a jaw broken in two places and speaking quietly through closed teeth, is upset because RCMP did not allow him to see a doctor after they arrested him for
public intoxication.
Beebe said he asked…
Page 1
The provincial government has put up for sale the land of four Indian communities near the west-central town of Grand Cache to collect on outstanding property taxes.
On Aug. 11, members of four Native co-operative housing projects on the outskirts of Grande Cache, located 450 km west of Edmonton received notice their land would be put up
for auction on Sept. 15.…
Page 1
The grieving parents of a recently-buried Kehewin youth, are shocked by the loss of their three remaining children who they accuse government workers of abducting last Friday.
They have accused social service workers of using deceit to take their children from a prearranged foster home located on the reserve.
Lila McCarthy and her common-law husband Vernon Soloway…
Page 18
Sturgeon Lake, AB.
"The last nine years of my grandfather's life, we were like room mates. My grandfather was a very warm and loving person. He loved everyone and treated everyone equal. My
grandfather never judged anyone. It was the way he was," says Jim Aleck.
Aleck's grandfather is the famous Chief Dan George whose wisdom was passing on at a recent youth…
Page 18
Sturgeon Lake, AB.
One dark night last year, 17 year old Spencer (not his real name) and his younger cousin decided to steal a car.
That night turned into a nightmare for the two youth, one they would rather forget.
Both boys were drinking heavily and "popping pills" that night when Spencer decided they should steal a car in Stoney Plain.
After they…
Page 17
The First Annual Youth-Elders Conference held at Sturgeon Lake Aug. 6-9 was attended by hundreds of people across Alberta.
Elders from Fort McMurray, Sucker Creek, Calling Lake, Wabasca, High Prairie, Ontario and the Poundmaker's Lodge in Edmonton offered their expertise to the many youth who
attended the conference.
According to addictions counsellor John…
Page 16
Housing on Jean D'or reserve is getting worse every year, complains 55 year old Morice Loonskin.
Living n a deteriorating house, Loonskin monitored the construction f his new home next door.
Loonskin questions the construction of the building. "Even before the siding or the floor were put in there was water in the basement."
His wife, who suffers with…
Page 15
Lesser Slave MLA Pearl Calahasen is keeping a low profile amid suggestions when may be in line for a provincial cabinet post.
Calahasen declined to comment on whether she's discussed a cabinet post with Premier Don Getty but she'd clearly like the opportunity.
"I wouldn't mind a challenge like that. I always accept challenges," she said.
Calahasen, 36, was…
Page 15
Being a trapper all his life, 80 year old Gabe Lazott finds that since his retirement six years ago, life can be boring.
Keeping an immaculate house seems to be the only pleasure he finds in life these days.
Reminiscing causes Lazott to smile and brings a twinkle to his eyes.
He recalls when in his younger days he had a good year at trapping.
"I…
Page 11
Band members here are in a quandary trying to get compensation for flood damage to their homes, one year after a flood forced evacuation of the reserve.
But a provincial government flood relief official claims compensation has been slow because there has been a misunderstanding over the program's eligibility policy.
Driftpile Chief Clifford Freeman said this week…
Page 10
The Dene Tha' Indian band has postponed a referendum on the leadership of Chief Harry Chonkolay after the recent deaths of two band members.
The referendum had been scheduled for Aug. 3 but has now been postponed to Sept. 7, said a band administration worker, who declined to give his name.
The decision was made at the Aug. 10 band council meeting.
Tragedy…
Page 9
"Don't leave your culture behind," says the former leader of the Federation of Metis Settlements.
Maurice L'Hirondelle, 79, former leader of the group which represents people living in eight Metis settlements in Alberta, stressed that message in a speech to a group of Native
students who will start classes this fall at the University of Alberta.
The U of A's…
Page 5
And 18 year RCMP veteran now working in Cardston says a Blood Tribe police force will not work.
"Right now, there's no cooperation, no dedication and no commitment," said Cpl. Alfred Rudd at the Rolf inquiry Wednesday.
"They really don't know what a police force is."
He said the band would be better off continuing the way it is.
"A combination of RCMP…