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.
In the winter of 2012-2013, round dances erupted in malls, universities, airports, major intersections in cities and First Nations communities. Hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of Indigenous people and non-Indigenous allies joined hands to dance. That was part of the phenomenon that was called Idle No More (INM).
On April 4, a book that documents and celebrates the INM movement in…
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invites reaction to Harper’s claim
Curator
Jaimie Isaac (right), a member of the Sagkeeng First Nation, and artist Leah
Decter have crossed the country with Decter’s (official denial) trade value in progress, an interactive project which invites
people to sew into the quilt their response to Stephen Harper’s comment at the
G20…
The Ontario Power Authority (OPA) announced
the 17 communities that have been chosen to participate in this year’s saveONenergy Aboriginal Conservation Program, which helps reduce electricity used in residential housing, eligible businesses and band-owned/operated facilities, such as community centres. The program, now in its second year, provides customized conservation services to help…
The Chiefs of Ontario have launched a data collection project
that they hope will provide a solid foundation for developing policy and increasing advocacy efforts. It’s called the First Nations Regional Early Childhood Education and Employment Survey. It is a product of the First Nations Information Governance Centre. The survey respects the principles of Ownership, Control, Access and…
British Columbia rescinded an Order in Council after
First Nations reacted with anger. The Order would have removed regulations requiring environmental assessments for natural gas developments, ski resorts and year-round resorts. The decision was made without any consultation with British Columbians, including First Nations. Government and industry officials were asked to leave the Shale…
A North-South Alliance between Marten Falls First Nation and Aroland First Nation in Ontario was reaffirmed
April 14. Chief Eli Moonias of Marten Falls and Chief Sonny Gagnon of Aroland are anticipating Ring of Fire development with the alliance. “The development of the Ring of Fire requires infrastructure, and the first priority is to build a road that will allow people and goods to move…
Replace beads and trinkets with fair offers and environmental guarantees. That’s the message to governments and multinational corporations from a conference called Value it: Connecting the dots, which will run May 2 and May 3 in Westbank First Nation. The conference is being organized by Indigenous Nations Economies and Trade (INET) in partnership with Grand Chief Ron Derrickson to help…
The Wickaninnish Sand Dunes near Ucluelet in B.C.’s
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is re-opened after being closed in February 2012 when an unexploded mortar shell from the Second World War II was found. The Department of National Defense believes the risk of additional explosives being uncovered is low, though the site can never be declared hazard-free. DND conducted a geophysical…
The Globe and Mail reports proposed new measures
that would require mining and oil companies to disclose payments made to band councils and their corporations. The paper says it is part of Ottawa’s agenda to enhance the transparency of First Nations. Natural Resources Canada says it is “consulting” with industry, non-governmental organizations and Aboriginal communities over this…
On April 8, Ontario Regional Chief Stan Beardy issued
a warning to industry and to governments. Cuts to core funding for First Nations organizations, in an attempt to dismantle collective voices of First Nations, will not address the risk that extractive industries face when wanting to develop on or near First Nations’ territories. “We know all too well that cutbacks are an attempt to…
Survivors Committee member Eugene Arcand is urging survivors to “stay calm” as his committee pushes for changes to the personal credit portion of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement.
“Don’t react to the psychological warfare we have endured for the past five years of this residential school settlement agreement… Now is not the time to lower our level of intelligence and…
Lionel Chartrand was not sure whether the Canadian Aboriginal Curling Championships would even be held this year.
The national bonspiel had been cancelled in 2013 and it appeared doubtful it would be revived this year.
But following some hurried preparations, organizers did indeed manage to stage the event this year. It was held April 18 to April 20 at Saskatoon’s Granite Curling…
Canada’s Corrections watchdog has launched an investigation into the increasing “over-medication” of female prisoners — some into a perpetual “zombie-like” state while incarcerated.
One Native woman is believed to have gone into a coma because of being drugged by authorities.
With Aboriginal women making up a disproportionate number of those incarcerated across the country,…
Alaska wins Arctic Winter Games
The host Alaska contingent ended up winning the most medals at this year’s Arctic Winter Games. The Games are held every two years and feature representatives from the circumpolar north. As a result, many of the competitors at the AWG are Aboriginal. The multi-sport competition was staged March 15 to March 22 in Fairbanks, Alaska. Team…
Fort Chipewyan First Nations push for cancer study
The public release of ongoing work undertaken by Cancer Control Alberta has local First Nations enraged. The work declared that although certain cancers are prevalent in the region, which is steeped in tarsands development, none are due to environmental concerns. Local chiefs are angry that the report was released to…