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Windspeaker Publication

Windspeaker Publication

Established in 1983 to serve the needs of northern Alberta, Windspeaker became a national newspaper on its 10th anniversary in 1993.

  • February 27, 2001
  • E. Fredua-Kwarteng, Guest Columnist, Cape Dorset, Nunavut

Page 4

Teaching can be characterized as a process, not a terminal activity. Therefore, it should address issues relevant to students.

Periodically, every progressive educator should question what is worthwhile for students to learn and what the students find intriguing. Consequently, I have been thinking critically about what students should be taught in senior secondary school…

  • February 27, 2001
  • Windspeaker Staff

Page 4

When a Liberal like Brian Tobin feels it's OK to tell the National Post about his professed worries about the mental health of Native leaders and feel he's doing the right thing by tarring Native leaders as dysfunctional drunks, we know it's time to update all the labels that identify political parties.

We used to think that left meant tolerant as well as liberal and right…

  • February 27, 2001
  • Paul Barnsley, Windspeaker Staff Writer, MONTREAL

Page 2

It's been 10 years since the world watched as Canadian soldiers rolled their tanks into a small town in Quebec, called into action to end a dispute between Mohawks and a town council that wanted to build a golf course on a Native burial site.

The Oka Crisis, or as Native leaders prefer to call the 78-day standoff in 1990, the confrontation at Oka, shook the entire country…

  • February 27, 2001
  • Paul Barnsley, Windspeaker Staff Writer, MONTREAL

Page 1

The psychiatric profession seems to be coming to some dramatic conclusions as it attempts to deal with mental health issues in Indigenous communities.

Three days of discussion at Montreal's Jewish General Hospital, sponsored by McGill University's Institute of Community and Family Psychiatry, revealed that mainstream medical practitioners are realizing they're going to…

  • February 27, 2001
  • Paul Barnsley, Windspeaker Staff Writer, ST. JOHN'S, Nfld.

Page 1

Newfoundland Premier Brian Tobin made remarks on June 8 that Indigenous leaders found very disturbing.

Speaking to the National Post, a newspaper that the Assembly of First Nations has criticized as anti-Native, Tobin said, "Alcohol isn't being openly acknowledged for the problem that it is, in significant part because members of the leadership of northern communities are…

  • February 27, 2001
  • Drew Hayden Taylor

Page 13

As winter slowly turns into spring, and the continuous cycle of the seasons completes yet another full year, it occurs to individuals like me that yet another birthday is fast approaching. And you have mixed feelings about it. In your early years, you measure birthdays by different milestones.

For instance, you turn 13; you are officially a teenager (parents be afraid, be…

  • February 26, 2001
  • Cheryl Petten, Windspeaker Staff Writer, WINNIPEG

Page 29

Aboriginal educators and health care providers from across the country are expected to convene in Winnipeg in April to take part in the Effective Strategies health and education conferences.

The first conference is called Effective Strategies - Aboriginal Children & Youth: Empowerment/Self-Determination, the 14th Annual Conference on Native Education. The second is…

  • February 26, 2001
  • Cheryl Petten, Windspeaker Staff Writer, SASKATOON

Page 28

Aboriginal youth from across the province of Saskatchewan will have a chance to learn more about career choices available to them during a First Nations youth career symposium to be held in Saskatoon from May 10 to 11.

Leadership: Choices 2000+ is a joint venture of the Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) Urban First Nation Services Inc. and the Federation of Saskatchewan…

  • February 26, 2001
  • Cherie Dimaline, Windspeaker Contributor, TORONTO

Page 27

Lori Sokoluk is going to change the world. At 26 she has worked at Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, the Metis Nation of Ontario and other mainstream and Aboriginal organizations. She has attended seminars, taken courses and sat through lectures. Last year she volunteered at the Canadian Aboriginal Festival to help promote Metis cultural awareness, and she visited elementary…

  • February 26, 2001
  • Pamela Sexsmith, Windspeaker Contributor, TORONTO

Page 26

Landing feet first in the vibrant Toronto theatre scene can be pretty intense, especially if you happen to be a Native student hailing from Yellowknife, Kodiak Island, Alaska or some small reserve in Saskatchewan.

But some people belong on the stage, said Saskatchewan actress Carol Greyeyes, principal and artistic director of the Indigenous Theatre School. They gotta sing…

  • February 26, 2001
  • Avery Ascher, Windspeaker Contributor, BISSETT, Man.

Page 25

You know something's got to be pretty cool for kids to voluntarily skip recess. But when the afternoon recess bell rang at San Antonio School in Bissett, Man. on Feb. 4, a small group of Grade 7 students stayed right where they were - having a real-time chat with a really cool guy via the Internet.

That really cool guy was Darrick Baxter. Baxter is a young Aboriginal…

  • February 26, 2001
  • Cheryl Petten, Windspeaker Staff Writer, MONTREAL

Page 25

Teachers working in Aboriginal communities across the province of Quebec are learning the skills they require, thanks to an ongoing partnership between their communities and the Office of First Nations and Inuit Education.

The Office of First Nations and Inuit Education has been providing community-based teacher education for Aboriginal teachers since its creation in the…

  • February 26, 2001
  • Cheryl Petten, Windspeaker Staff Writer, GEORGIAN BAY, Ont.

Page 22

If you're an Aboriginal person interested in a career in tourism, the gaming and hospitality industries, or health or social service administration, or you just want to build a strong educational foundation before you begin your post-secondary studies, the courses you're looking for are available to you at Georgian College.

The programs are offered through a partnership…

  • February 26, 2001
  • Cheryl Petten, Windspeaker Staff Writer, WINNIPEG

Page 21

Social services providers in Manitoba have an opportunity to gain a better understanding of how to serve their Native clients, while at the same time working toward a Bachelor of Social Work degree, thanks to a program offered by the University of Manitoba.

The First Nation Community Wellness diploma program was created by the university's Aboriginal Focus programs in…

  • February 26, 2001
  • Cheryl Petten, Windspeaker Staff Writer, MONTREAL

Page 19

A joint project of the Cree School Board and McGill University is giving Cree people in Quebec a chance to improve reading and writing skills in their Aboriginal language.

The board, in partnership with the university's Office of First Nations and Inuit Education, is offering the Certificate in Aboriginal Literacy Education program to Cree-speaking residents. The program…