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Windspeaker Publication

Windspeaker Publication

Established in 1983 to serve the needs of northern Alberta, Windspeaker became a national newspaper on its 10th anniversary in 1993.

  • October 12, 2002
  • Windspeaker Staff

Page 3

A group of Manitoba Native leaders presented a letter to Buckingham Palace last week, urging the Queen to get involved by helping to bring post-secondary education to Canada's

reserves.

"We. The first nations of Manitoba, together with our breathen first nations across Canada urgently request Her Majesty the Queen...to join us in protection of our sacred treaty…

  • October 12, 2002
  • Windspeaker Staff

Page 3

Environmentalists have set up another potential roadblock to stop the Alberta government from building the Oldman River Dam.

In a new lawsuit, the Friends of the Oldman group alleges the Crowsnest River is being ruined by related efforts to improve fishing.

They claim the provincial Public Works Department is fouling the southern Alberta river with a fish…

  • October 12, 2002
  • Gord Smiley, Windspeaker Correspondent, Stand Off Alberta

Page 3

Alberta's chief medical examiner says medical personnel should be involved at a death scene investigation though he admits that's not always the case, a provincial inquiry heard

Wednesday.

Dr. John Butt told the Rolf Commission investigating a series of Blood Indian deaths he believes a death scene should be investigated by both police and medical experts.

"…

  • October 12, 2002
  • Dana Wagg, Windspeaker Staff Writer, Wabasca Alberta

Page 3

An outbreak of whooping cough at Wabasca area has finally been brought under control, says the local doctor.

However, it's been at least a month since there have been any cases of the dreaded, childhood illness, said Dr. Vishay Dunraj.

"It's definitely settled down," Dunraj said.

The outbreak had parents in the area and from the nearby Bigstone reserve…

  • October 12, 2002
  • Dana Wagg, Windspeaker Staff Writer, Calling Lake Alberta

Page 2

Anger and grief stemming from the early deaths of several local residents has spawned a major attack against drug and alcohol abuse in this community.

Calling Lake becomes only the second mobile treatment program to be held in Alberta.

The O'Chiese reserve in west-central Alberta was the first reserve in the province to hold such a program in 1987.

"Very…

  • October 12, 2002
  • Jeff Morrow, Windspeaker Staff Writer, Edmonton

Page 1

The Aboriginal Multi Media Society of Alberta (AMMSA) has been beaming satellite transmissions from its radio station in Lac La Biche since July 27.

The only problem with the operation, says station director Ray Fox, is no one knows they can tune it in.

Four Native communities in northern Alberta are being sent radio signals on CFWE 89.9 FM via satellite.

  • October 12, 2002
  • Jeff Morrow, Windspeaker Staff Writer, Ottawa

Page 1

Canada's spy agency could reopen a nationwide investigation of Native groups suspected of subversion if a recently signed mutual defense pact gains momentum, an agency

spokesman said.

Gerry Cummings told Windspeaker the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) is monitoring the development of the Treaty Alliance of North American Aboriginal Nations.

He…

  • October 12, 2002
  • Rocky Woodward, Windspeaker Correspondent, Ma-me-o Beach, Alberta

Page 18

Pimatisowin. In Cree, it means "life".

This is the name given to the unique ambulance service that travels with the Roasting Cattle Company.

In most cases, ambulance service is obtained from the town or closest town a rodeo s being held at.

But Pimtisowin ambulance workers have earned the trust of the cowboys who ride in rodeos supplied by Roasting Cattle…

  • October 12, 2002
  • Jeff Morrow, Windspeaker Staff Writer, Edmonton

Page 15

A $50 million tourist resort will be built on the banks of the Athabasca River to help restore Native heritage to Northern Alberta, says the president of Blackstar Development Corp. In

Edmonton.

Native entrepreneur Leo Jacobs says Indian heritage in the Athabasca region has been ignored for too long. So, enticing world travelers to experience life before the…

  • October 12, 2002
  • Dana Wagg, Windspeaker Staff Writer, Sarcee Reserve Alberta

Page 12

He's known to some of his peers as the Wayne Gretzky of grass dancing.

And while he's used to being praised for his powwow dancing, the compliment still brings a smile to the face of Sheldon Scalplock.

"I'm getting a lot of compliments from a lot of the older people," Scalplock said.

"There is a lot of younger people I encourage when they're first grass…

  • October 12, 2002
  • Dana Wagg, Windspeaker Staff Writer, Calgary

Page 8

The Blackfoot Band has reached a unique funding agreement with Ottawa.

The deal, which is the first of its kind in Alberta, will give $6.6 million to the southern Alberta band in 1989 under an Alternative Funding Arrangement (AFA) with the federal

government.

"This agreement is a stepping stone towards developing an Indian self-government framework before…

  • October 12, 2002
  • Jeanne Lepine, Windspeaker Staff Writer, Edmonton

Page 7

Alberta's treaty women of Alberta believe their concerns were ignored at the recent Indian Association of Alberta assembly, says he President of the Advisory Council of Treaty

Women.

Helen Gladue said poor communication from both the federal and provincial governments, and lack of written reports from various leaders are of great concern to the organization.

  • October 12, 2002
  • Jeff Morrow, Windspeaker Staff Writer, Edmonton

Page 6

More than half the people murdered in Edmonton this year were Native, said the head of the Edmonton Police Department homicide division.

The stabbing death of John Bennett Thresher, a 25-year-old Indian from the Northwest Territories, was the third skid row murder in over a month and the 10th murder victim of 1989,

Murray Barker said.

Barker said six of…

  • October 12, 2002
  • Dana Wagg, Windspeaker Staff Writer, Ottawa

Page 5

Ignorance remains the biggest obstacle for Natives, the disabled and visible minorities who are trying to get ahead in the work force, says the head of Canadian Human Rights

Commission.

"The biggest obstacle is lack of awareness of the nature of the problem, simply the realistic appreciation that there is a problem," said Chief Commissioner Max Yalden.

"If…

  • October 12, 2002
  • Dana Wagg, Windspeaker Staff Writer, Oldman River Dam

Page 5

Mercury levels of members of the Peigan Reserve will be closely monitored to ensure their health isn't endangered by the construction of the Oldman River Dam.

Dams can lead to mercury pollution as happened in Quebec when giant dams were built at James Bay an in northern Manitoba.

Health and Welfare officials will take hair samples of Peigan Indians before the Oldman…