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.
The federal government has temporarily shelved First Nations education legislation following the sudden resignation of Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo on May 2.
A prepared statement from the office of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister Bernard Valcourt issued three days later said, “given the recent resignation of the National Chief, following today’…
Trailblazing musician needed a Spanish pseudonym
As a touring Métis musician in the 1960s, Manitoba’s Charles Nabess had to assume the pseudonym “Carlos” to perform on some stages, and was introduced to audiences as a Spanish guitar player.
“Promoters couldn’t deal with a Native leader of a band touring and emulating stars like the Rolling Stones and the Beatles – the bands…
According to Chief Shining Turtle, Franklin Paibomsai, Bill C-10, the Tobacco Bill, is yet another government attack on First Nations.
The chief of Whitefish River First Nation in Ontario said the government has told Canadian taxpayers the Bill is aimed at getting contraband tobacco off the streets, but “it’s really aimed at prevention of First Nations trade and economy. It’s about…
Now that the RCMP has offered its own startling figures on the number of murdered and missing Aboriginal women and girls, those calling for a public national inquiry on the subject feel that Canadians will be willing to listen.
“A lot of the public and government agencies probably had the opinion that the numbers NWAC had come out with between 2005 and 2010 were inflated,” said…
The United Nations Special Rapporteur has told the Canadian government that it is not doing enough to improve the economic, living, and social conditions of its Indigenous peoples despite having mechanisms in place to do so.
“Canada’s relationship with the Indigenous peoples within its borders is governed by a well-developed legal framework (and) a number of policy initiatives that in…
As with many things in life, there are many benefits and just as many drawbacks to being a writer: The proverbial double edged sword. I have frequently written about many of my favourite aspects to the career I have chosen. I love the travel opportunities it has provided. I love the people it has allowed me to meet. I love being able to discuss issues, topics and humorous stories that…
Tsleil-Waututh Nation has launched the first Indigenous legal challenge to oil sands pipelines crossing B.C. with a federal appeals court lawsuit filed on May 2.
The First Nation’s battle against Kinder Morgan’s proposed expansion of its Trans Mountain pipeline from Alberta is heating up with the legal challenge against the National Energy Board’s review process.
“I feel…
By Judith Sayers
Guest Column
To my recollection, there has never been a more combative and disrespectful Minister of Aboriginal Affairs than Minister Bernard Valcourt. He has come out swinging against First Nations in a manner that is stirring up a lot of First Nations communities to retaliate against his statements and methods. He has called our chiefs “rogues” and made use of…
An open letter:
Do you have children? I do. Thinking about my children’s future, and the future of other kids in my community is what motivates me to get out into the world and work hard for my community.
One of my biggest joys in life is watching my kids grow and learn. This winter, my four- year-old daughter took to the ice in her first-ever hockey tournament. She was eager to…
On April 26, 2013, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs wrote to federal Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt thanking him for attending a meeting of BC’s First Nations Leadership Council early that month in Coast Salish territory in Vancouver. It was a kind of back-handed thank you, however. The second line in the letter read “it appeared that you were not aware of the Union of BC Indian…
Six theories on what led to Atleo’s fall
Shawn A-in-chut Atleo’s sudden resignation as Assembly of First Nations national chief on May 2 caught much of the country off-guard. He is the first national chief ever to throw in the towel.
For close observers of Native politics in Canada, however, long-simmering tensions in the organization muted the surprise.…
Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Chief Perry Bellegarde is adamant that a news release he issued May 1 recommending that the FSIN not support federal First Nations education legislation is not the betrayal Grand Chief Doug Kelly of the Sto:lo Tribal Council says it was.
The day after FSIN’s news release, Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo stunned everyone by…
Release: In late 2013, the Commissioner of the RCMP initiated an RCMP-led study of reported incidents of missing and murdered Aboriginal women across all police jurisdictions in Canada.
This report summarizes that effort and will guide Canadian Police operational decision-making on a solid foundation. It will mean more targeted crime prevention, better community engagement…
The Harper government has announced through the Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt that it will be putting the First Nation education bill on
hold until the Assembly of First Nations clarifies its position regarding the
bill after the surprise resignation of Shawn Atleo on May 2, 2014.
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt’s office said in a
statement…
On May 2, 2014 Shawn Atleo announces his resignation as national chief of the Assembly of First
Nations.
Many chiefs from across the country have opposed his support for the
federal Conservative government’s efforts to revamp education for Firsdt Nations with the First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act (FNCFNEA).
"This work is too important. I am not…