The Urbane Indian

Canada and America are two different countries, but with
similar characteristics. One was born in violence and rebellion, a middle finger extended to King George, while the other was conceived in quiet negotiation, with probably a few ‘I’m sorrys” to Queen Victoria. Over the years, these two step-siblings have grown and manifested themselves in new and different ways. 

Clad in woodland camouflage pants, black shirt and Native Pride cap, Daryl Redsky stoops down on the gravel road spanning the Manitoba-Ontario boundary and lets out an excited shout as the wind picks up along what his First Nation has dubbed “Freedom Road.”

It’s the embryo of what he and others in Shoal Lake 40 hope are the isolated reserve’s long-dreamt link to the outside world, and most importantly to clean drinking water after nearly two decades under a boil-water advisory, despite sitting atop the City of Winnipeg’s tap water.

Very few writers in Canada can actually make a living from
their writing. Writer Drew Hayden Taylor is one of those writers. A member of Curve Lake First Nation near Peterborough, Ont., Taylor is a novelist, playwright, short story writer, and television script writer. In a recent interview, the handsome, blue-eyed writer said, “I don’t have a day job. Writing is my full-time job and I’m very flattered that I’m able to do that.”

Four 15-foot totem poles are now at home at the entrance to the Saanich Peninsula Hospital telling all who enter the facility that this is the territory of the WSÁNEĆ First Nations communities and that the hospital is committed to culturally safe care.

A housing project for the Elders of Flying Dust First Nation
in Saskatchewan has created opportunities for Flying Dust First Nation youth to
obtain training and skills in building and ensures the homes are both
adequately built and meets the needs of the community.

Flying Dust First Nation, located 300 km northwest of
Saskatoon, and Habitat for Humanity Canada hosted an All Chiefs Build of a
10-unit Elders’ lodge. It was the start of a partnership between Chief Richard
Gladue, his council and Habitat for Humanity Lloydminster.