More treatment and support to battle prescription drug addiction will go to on-reserve members of Manitoba First Nations, reports the Thompson Citizen. A funding announcement of $2.96 million over five years was made by the federal government on April 14. “This funding will ensure there is access to culturally-relevant care and support,” reads a press statement.

ON APRIL 15 TO APRIL 20, five Nicola Valley chiefs occupied the constituency office of B.C. Premier Christy Clark in West Kelowna to protest the importing of “sewer sludge” into the Nicola Valley. A press release states that the sewage is being trucked in from other municipalities to be spread on farm lands, ranches and forests. “We take care of our own sewage and expect other municipalities to do the same,” reads the statement. The chiefs said harvesting from their lands and waterways has been jeopardized by this risky practice.

Finance Minister Joe Oliver calls his 2015
federal budget, delivered to the House of Commons on April 21, “Strong
Leadership”, but for Aboriginal people there is no mention in the document as
to where this government plans to take us.

The legend of Carey Price continues to grow.

The 27-year-old goalie, a member of British Columbia’s Ulkatcho First Nation, had a spectacular regular season with the National Hockey League’s Montreal Canadiens.

Price’s regular season performances are expected to earn him a pair of prestigious awards. He is favored to not only win the league’s top goalie award, but also be chosen as the NHL’s most valuable player.

The winners will be announced at this year’s NHL awards ceremony, scheduled for June 24 in Las Vegas.

Indigenous youth from across North America will be heading to the World Series later this year. Their own World Series, that is.

Officials in Lethbridge, Alta. are planning to stage the inaugural Indigenous Baseball World Series this summer. The event, scheduled to run Aug. 24 to Aug. 29, would feature an Under-12 division, as well as a high school category.

Ethan Bear and his Seattle Thunderbirds’ teammates were knocked out in the opening round of this year’s Western Hockey League playoffs.

But for Bear, a 17-year-old Cree defenceman from Saskatchewan’s Ochapowace First Nation, this defeat did not signify the end of his hockey season.

That’s because following the Thunderbirds’ defeat, Bear was chosen to represent Canada at the world boys’ under-18 tournament being held in Switzerland. The 10-nation world tournament was staged April 16 to April 26.

Both of the squads considered THE teams to beat at this year’s National Aboriginal Hockey Championships are from Saskatchewan. But that’s only because rankings for this year’s tournament, which began April 2 in Halifax, are based solely on the results from the 2014 NAHC.

Saskatchewan clubs won both the girls’ and boys’ division at last year’s tournament, which was held in Kahnawake, Que.

As a result, both of the Saskatchewan entries are seeded Number 1 at this year’s event, which continues until May 2. Both categories at the upcoming nationals will feature eight entrants.

The Saik’uz First Nation and Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. have announced the signing of an agreement to jointly develop a wind energy project at Nulki Hills near Vanderhoof, B.C.

In a 50-50 partnership they will develop up to 210 MW of clean renewable power. The project is currently undergoing a BC Environmental Assessment. The partners have agreed to work together to obtain an Environmental Assessment Certificate from the province and an electricity purchase agreement from BC Hydro for the project.

Plateau Pipe Line Ltd. has applied to the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office to waive the environmental assessment certificate on a 160-kilometre pipeline that would carry condensate and natural gas liquids to a terminal in Taylor. If it proves the pipeline “will not have significant adverse environmental, economic, social, heritage or health effects,” or that those effects can be minimized, the company can be granted an exemption, though it would still be required to consult with First Nations, residents and local governments.

The Heiltsuk First Nation Stood together in April to protect the herring stocks in their territory by occupying the offices of Fisheries and Oceans Canada until a planned gillnet fishery was canceled.

The Assembly of First Nations commended the Heiltsuk for their commitment to a peaceful and cooperative resolution of issues related to their traditional fishery. “I want to lift up the Heiltsuk First Nation for taking a clear, firm stand for their inherent rights,” said National Chief Perry Bellegarde.