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 2
The shooting of a Bigstone band member by an RCMP officer has angered the chief of the Bigstone Cree Band and the man's mother.
Bigstone Chief Chuckie Beaver says the band will be filing a complaint with the RCMP public complaints' commission over the incident.
Lesley Gladue, 22, was shot after a high speed chase near Wabasca-Desmarais Aug. 24 after ha and an…
Page 2
Having diverted the Oldman River to its original creek bed, some Peigan nation members are now settling their sights on halting construction of the $350-million Oldman River Dam.
On Tuesday at 8:45 p.m. a Caterpillar at work in the northern area of the Peigan reserve scooped up a bucket of dirt to remove the last barrier between the river and the creek. Water started to…
Page 15
Kathy Shirt finds peace and well-being from painting. "Many of life's experience need to be expressed," she says. And Shirt should know. Through the years she has known good times and bad like attending the Indian residential school at Blue Quills, raising her children and getting accustomed to city life.
"Then a few years back, I was involved in a motor vehicle accident…
Page 15
"I guess going to Grant MacEwan really helped," laughs Brenda Jones. She has nine works of works of art accepted for inclusion in Asum Mena, the annual art exhibit and show sponsored by the Alberta Indian Arts and Crafts Society. "Two sculptures, five paintings and two drawings all went into the show," she says.
Last year, Jones only had one exhibit in Asum Mena, but it…
Page 15
After more than 10 years out in the work force Ernest Gladu has gone back to school. "I decided I'd have to go back and finish Grade 12," explains the father of three. "Continuing education at Victoria Composite High School is where you'll find me most evenings for the next while."
Gladu was employed in the Fort McMurray area in the construction business for over 10 years…
Page 14
"When I get started, I just can't quit till it's done," says Steena Fortier. The young artist, whose painting entitled "Dusk" was accepted to appear in the annual Asum Mena art competition sponsored by the Alberta Indian Arts and Crafts Society, enjoys water colors and acrylics.
"I love the creativity of it," she says of her painting. "I paint landscapes, skies, animals,…
Page 13
"There are so many things all of us have - something we can do others can't. It's just a natural gift from the creator."
This is how Saddle Lake's Lawrence Large describes his artistic abilities which include sketching, designing logos and greeting cards, illustrating books and painting acrylics.
Being involved in the Saddle Lake Cree cultural program for the past…
Page 9
A big part of Paddle Prairies culture has been laid to rest.
Albert Wanuch, a long-time resident of the community, passed away Aug. 11 at the age of 63. Wanuch had a sincere desire to stand up for Metis people. His life centered around them.
He was born at Carcajou, on the edge of Paddle Prairie settlement - where he spent most of his life - just prior to Christmas…
Page 4
There's a new anthem making the rounds in Indian country.
It goes:
O Canada, your home's on Native land,
With new patriot love we balk at your command.
With knowing hearts, we seethe and rise
The Mohawk, Blood and Cree.
And guard our stand, O Canada.
We'll guard our stand on thee..
God owns the land,
Not you or me.…
Page 4
Native people in Alberta need no lessons from Mohawks in Oka about the frustrations of land disputes. They are experts on their own turf.
Their measured response to the Mohawk blockades is particularly admirable in this light. After years of waiting for fair resolutions to their own land claims, their natural sympathy must lie with the Mohawks of Oka.
Alberta chiefs…
Page 4
The revolution in Indian country is gathering momentum and there's little now the federal government can do to stop it.
It of course started with Elijah Harper's defiant and courageous opposition to the proposed Meech Lake accord.
But things really took off when Surete du Quebec police officers stormed the Kanesatake Mohawk blockade near Oka, Quebec.
Oka is…
Page 3
Jeanette Calahasen has announced she is running for the presidency of the Metis Association of Alberta.
Calahasen said she will provide "significant and effective" leadership for Alberta's 60,000 Metis people through "teamwork."
Calahasen said she will provide "significant and effective" leadership to change the social and economic fabric of the Metis community. She…
Page 3
As far as Metis Lyle Donald is concerned the only way Metis people are going to make things happen is by working together as a team.
A candidate for the MAA Zone 4 vice-president's position Donald says for too long Metis, especially in Zone 4, have split as a community because of leaders who want to do their jobs individually and not as a team.
He believes all…
Page 3
Two Metis men angry with the way they'd been treated by the MAA picketed the office on Thursday.
Pierre Fournier, owner of the Aboriginal Group, a company that picks up waste oil in Edmonton, and Metis farmer Charles Desjarlais were confronted by Edmonton city police after MAA officials alleged Fournier threatened staff with violence.
Fournier was ordered not to…
Page 3
The Roman Catholic Church would not support the spilling of blood by armed Mohawk Indians from Oka, Quebec, who are struggling to retain their traditional lands, says a spokesperson from the Roman Catholic Social Justice Commission in Edmonton.
But it is one that's recognized as a "last-ditch" effort by the country's aboriginal people fighting for their rights, said Linda…