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.
There are a lot of mysteries hidden in the mists and shallows of Frog Lake, some ancient, some historical and some the stuff of legends. There are stories told of huge snakes and serpents battling it out in sky and water with the thunderbirds, colorful tales of a mysterious race of Little People, and strange legends that tell of moving rocks - huge boulders that move up and down the shoreline…
Modern stone carvers, using sophisticated hand or electronic tools, spend long hours carving pieces of stone into sculpture or markers. So imagine the time and effort it must have taken for the early Aboriginal people of the prairies to carve stone, using only another piece of stone.
Such stone carvings, called petroglyphs by archaeologists, are dotted here and there across the prairie…
For tourists tired of the rampant commercialism plaguing most tourist destinations, Shawenequanape Kipichewin camp, located at Lake Katherine in Riding Mountain National Park in Manitoba, is a guaranteed antidote.
Developed by the West Region Tribal Council's seven member first nations, this traditional Ojibway camp opened in 1995 in an attempt to create a sustainable eco-tourism…
Currently on exhibit at the Southwest Museum's new satellite space in Los Angeles, is an extravaganza of Pueblo and Navajo loom-woven textiles.
Common Threads brings together 93 of the most culturally significant and aesthetically captivating weavings - a collection that spans a 150-year period.
Rare ponchos, pictorial tapestries, chief-style blankets and mantas (many of which…
Sometimes you get a lucky break in life, fate kicks in, and all of a sudden you find yourself thrown into the deep end of the pool, over your head, swimming with the big boys. The next day you wake up and find out that you've gone from being a kid who fooled around with the mic at Sunday afternoon rodeos to being a respected powwow commentator ready to take on the circuit.
"That how I…
Page 4
The Supreme Court verified on May 20 what anyone with even the most basic understanding of Canadian constitutional law already knew: bands that prevent members from voting in band elections because of where they live are discriminating against their own members and denying those members one of their most basic constitutional rights.
We often wonder about the political…
Page 4
The people's right to self-determination is directly compromised by the large numbers of governments that keep secrets - secrets designed to simply protect some official from being embarrassed or found out, or secrets which shield government employees from rightful prosecution for criminal activity.
First Nations people, African-Americans, and all other North Americans…
Page 4
These days, there's a lot of talk going around in the city about people like us. The talk is that people like us are close minded and brainwashed by the Indian Act; we're racists; we're backwards and insensitive. We are "internally colonised." We're from Indian reserves and we don't trust outsiders. Worst of all, we don't like it when Indians marry whites.
What have we…
Page 4
Major departures from the political scene in Indian Country this month, important people all and, interestingly enough, none of them Aboriginal.
First to go was Jane Stewart. We were present in Vancouver to witness what was, perhaps, the departed Indian Affairs minister's last speech while holding that portfolio. She delivered it, no doubt knowing that she would be moving…
Page 4
Roger Obonsawin had lots to say when he was contacted for comment on his Federal Court of Canada victory in the Schilling case.
He said he believes the Assembly of First Nations has lost sight of the fact that taking government money leaves them open to intimidation and political manipulation. He talked about his opinion that the Statement of Reconciliation was meaningless…
Page 28
Jane Stewart, the first woman ever appointed to serve as the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, was sworn in early on June 11. She and the rest of the new cabinet immediately met to discuss strategy that Wednesday and again the next day. That Friday, the new minister checked out her new office for the first time and began calling Aboriginal leaders across the…
Page 28
Jane Stewart, the first woman ever appointed to serve as the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, was sworn in early on June 11. She and the rest of the new cabinet immediately met to discuss strategy that Wednesday and again the next day. That Friday, the new minister checked out her new office for the first time and began calling Aboriginal leaders across the…
Page 28
Jane Stewart, the first woman ever appointed to serve as the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, was sworn in early on June 11. She and the rest of the new cabinet immediately met to discuss strategy that Wednesday and again the next day. That Friday, the new minister checked out her new office for the first time and began calling Aboriginal leaders across the…
Page 25
A lawsuit filed early in June in the Ontario Court of Justice (provincial division) could lead to drastic changes in the way funding is directed to off-reserve Aboriginal people across Canada.
The statement of claim names the federal government as the defendant, but many observers fear the court will be asked to force band councils to pay more attention to members who…
Page 25
A lawsuit filed early in June in the Ontario Court of Justice (provincial division) could lead to drastic changes in the way funding is directed to off-reserve Aboriginal people across Canada.
The statement of claim names the federal government as the defendant, but many observers fear the court will be asked to force band councils to pay more attention to members who…