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.
It wasn’t received well the first time. It didn’t go through the second time and died on the Order paper the third time. The Conservatives are still facing opposition on the Matrimonial Rights and Interest Act, or Bill S-2 as it’s currently known.
The bill was debated in the House of Commons on Nov. 1. During the debate, Opposition MPs Jean Crowder (NDP) and Carolyn Bennett (Liberal)…
Militant AIM activist led Wounded Knee uprising
Braving the damp cold of a late autumn rainstorm, Winnipeg’s Harrison Friesen was one of many across North America who held vigil for AIM activist Russell Means after he passed away on Oct. 21.
“I was proud of everyone who came out to show respect for a great leader and warrior of our time,” Friesen said in a…
“We’re still at Mother Nature’s mercy.”
Looking back on his community’s helicopter evacuation from Michipicoten First Nation in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy on Oct. 29, Chief Joe Buckell told Windspeaker that the reserve near Wawa, Ont. has learned an important lesson for the future.
“We’re going to start preparing for this,” he added, describing the helicopters full of…
A prominent First Nations group is calling for the release of the full investigation report that influenced B.C. Crown Council to excuse Terrace RCMP of charges in an incident that left a First Nations man with a serious brain injury.
On Nov. 6, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC), along with the BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA), demanded the full disclosure of all evidence…
It’s an unusual thing to ask of readers, but we’re going to do it anyway. Turn to the final page of editorial in this paper—the footprints page—and read this article first. The story on this page every month deals with a person who has passed away who has created a path forward for us, or broke trail, or…
War veteran pushed for compensation and recognition
Howard Anderson’s unassuming personality was evident in the look on his face when he received a Regina Pats replica hockey team jersey on the day of his passing.
“There we were down on centre ice and the team captain skated up to him to give him a jersey the team wore in 1924, the same year he was born,” said…
The Union of BC Indian Chiefs say funding cuts of the Harper government’s Budget Implementation Act not only significantly weakened and dangerously compromises vital legislation, such as the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and the Fisheries Act, it has allowed the Harper government to renew a nationwide attack on the collective and inherent rights of Indigenous peoples. “The gutting of…
Teachers in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories are learning how to deliver a new course for their Grade 10 students, the mandatory classes on residential schools. And they are preparing for some fallout from the information that will be delivered, with counsellors ready to respond. “There’s things where we can’t predict where this is going to go,” said the author of the curriculum John…
Bob Rae, the leader of the federal Liberal party, has set out in a private member’s motion an appeal to replace the Indian Act, with nation to nation consultation between government and First Nations. “First Nations have been very clear. We must shed the colonial institutions and frameworks that have characterized the Crown-First Nations relationship to date if we want to work together towards…
SUN News reports the federal government has approved a $71-million settlement to compensate Curve Lake, Hiawatha and Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nations for lands flooded during the construction of the Trent-Severn Waterway in Ontario. The claim was filed in 1988 for compensation for the flooding of 12,000 acres of island lands in 1837, 1856 and 1880. The Trent-Severn Waterway is a 386…
Indspire (Formerly the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation) announced the 2013 recipients of the Indspire Awards (formerly the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards). Making the list in the Education category is the Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo. There are 10 career achievement award recipients and three youth award winners, one each from the Inuit,…
Kateri Tekakwitha, a Mohawk/Algonquin, who died at age 24 in 1680 near Montreal, was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on Oct. 21 before an estimated 80,000 pilgrims who gathered in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City. “Saint Kateri, Protectress of Canada and the first Native American saint, we entrust to you the renewal of the faith in the First Nations and in North America,” the Pope said. “May…
John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, joined Grand Chief Mike Kanentakeron Mitchell of the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and community members at a ceremony Oct. 17 to commemorate the final settlement of a specific claim dating back to the 1820s. The negotiated settlement includes about $5 million in financial compensation. The Kawehnoke specific claim related to…
A Manitoba-based Junior A hockey team is proving it will be a force to be reckoned with this season. And the Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) Blizzard is enjoying its share of success so far this year by icing a roster comprised predominantly of Aboriginal players.
Besides being an early favourite to capture the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) crown, the Blizzard has also been ranked…