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More than a century has elapsed since Cree Chief Poundmaker was tried and convicted on charges of treason in connection with the Northwest Rebellion of 1885.
Yet time hasn't faded the feeling that the chief's conviction, and the subsequent treatment of his people, was unjust and unwarranted.
So the Poundmaker Band, located in west central Saskatchewan, petitioned…
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The Squamish First Nation of North Vancouver has entered into a partnership with a Montreal engineering firm with a proposal to upgrade the crossing from Vancouver to the North Shore.
The plans for a second bridge to twin the 50 year old existing Lions Gate Bridge across the First Narrows were unveiled in Vancouver May 25.
The proposal was one of eight presented…
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I often hear people talk about writing. Some say, "Oh, I would just love to be a writer but it takes me so long to write what I want to say. And then, it never comes out sounding how I want it to." My response is usually pretty standard: I try to tell people that writers are not born "good" writers, it takes considerable time and effort - and the only way to get better is to…
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It's a matter of respect - a pat on the back, a hearty handshake and sincere 'thank you' is the very least one could expect as a response to a person who lays his life on the line to protect another's interests.
But for many members of Canada's First Nations - thousands of Aboriginals who offered up themselves as a barrier between tyranny and freedom by serving in Canada'…
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Warm weather has brought more than just geese to the Crees of James Bay. It's also ushered in an unprecedented and wide-ranging discussion among Crees about their future as a people.
Months before Indian Affairs Minister Ron Irwin provoked controversy with his statement that Quebec First Nations can stay in Canada if Quebec separates, Crees were busy debating and planning…
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Things go better with Coke, or, at least, that's what Calgary officer Norm Manyfingers thought until he was brought up on a charge of discreditable conduct for having a refreshing sip of the carbonated drink in public while on duty.
Manyfingers went before a disciplinary hearing of the Calgary police Internal Affairs department June 1 to defend himself against the…
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June 6 marks the 50th anniversary of D-Day, the invasion of Normandy by the Allied Forces during the Second World War. But while Canadian veterans of this historic landing are honored at commemoration ceremonies across the country, the homage may be too little, too late for the Aboriginal defenders of Canada's freedom.
The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples…
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"See you in court, Minister", was the message sent to Indian Affairs' Ron Irwin when he attended the British Columbia First Nations' summit meeting.
Thomas Lindley and Raymond Derickson are taking the minister to court as last resort in what Derickson has described as a four-year fight to present a conspiracy to extinguish Indian people.
Irwin was presented a writ…
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The stage has been set for the expansion of the gaming industry in Saskatchewan with the formalization of a casino development agreement between the provincial governmental and the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations.
The agreement, still to be ratified by the Saskatchewan Legislature, will see two permanent casinos created and operated by the province in…
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The lure of the national stage is not enough to woo Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs' Phil Fontaine into the race for top spot at the Assembly of First Nations. Instead, Fontaine has chosen to seek another term as Grand Chief of the AMC and work toward the dismantling of Indian Affairs in Manitoba.
Fontaine's announcement came May 27, just days before the nomination deadline…
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There's been a flurry of activity in Ottawa recently, as Indian Affairs Minister Ron Irwin stepped-up efforts to still the waters of discontent in and around the Mohawk community of Kanesatake, Quebec.
Tensions between Kanesatake and neighboring Oka town council began to boil May 19 when Mohawks started work on land adjacent to their crowded burial ground to expand the…
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First Nation communities must have leaders who have the vision, ambition, and ability to broaden their economic interests beyond the current narrow poltical-fiscal purpose of achieving larger government grants and more control over band budgets. They need to formulate and implement effective, meaningful, economic development initiatives that will bring employment and business…
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The Department of Justice Canada is offering three-year scholarships to Metis and non-status Indians interested in attending law school starting in the 1994-95 academic year.
The scholarships are the second steps in a program designed to encourage Aboriginal students to enter the legal profession. Each year, the Program of Legal Studies for Aboriginal People offers pre-…
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Edgar and Arnold Ahenakew want to make sure traditional funerals are not a thing of the past.
That is why they have formed Keyanow Funeral Services in Prince Albert.
"It was something we thought there was a need for," explained Edgar Ahenakew.
"People are not treated with the proper respect and dignity. A funeral in a Native setting is a lot different than…
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"Empowerment" is more than a 90's buzz-word to the northern British Columbia community of the Lheit'Lit'en Nation. It is a way of taking charge, moving ahead - and claiming the future through education and resource management.
As Chief Peter Quaw says, "If you plan, you will succeed!"
Six years ago, this community of 210 was experiencing severe economic problems.…