Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MNS) President Robert Doucette is confident that the upcoming court-ordered legislative assembly will bring about the changes needed to the MNS constitution that will help curb the in-fighting that has brought the organization to a screeching halt.

But Helene Johnson does not believe the solution lies in changes to the constitution.

Doucette and Johnson are members of what Saskatoon Queen’s Bench Justice Brian Scherman labeled opposing “factions” in his 17-page decision rendered early April.

The last minute decision by British Columbia’s cabinet to not confirm George Abbott as the new chief treaty commissioner has brought into question the province’s motivations.

First Nations involved in the treaty process are not viewing Doug Eyford’s report, A New Direction: Advancing Aboriginal and Treaty Rights, as anything other than a reiteration of known facts—and one more report to sit on a government shelf.

“A lot of what he’s saying in his report is what we’ve been saying forever and a day,” said Cheryl Casimer, political executive with the First Nations Summit task group.

If Bill C-51 had been law when Chief Donny Morris of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) and his council were thrown into jail in 2008, Morris expects their experience would have been different.

“That’s what I’m afraid of. I don’t know what the future holds for anybody who will be protesting in the future… when it happened to us in a remote area, I think it would be bigger now because now (the federal government) will have more power.

The March 18 acquittal of the man charged with the 2011 murder of Cindy Gladue sparked a series of protests and rallies across the country on April 2. In Toronto, about 400 people gathered for a rally in front of the Bay Street office of the Ontario Attorney General.

Musqueam Indian Band wants to jack up rents eightfold for long-term leaseholders who’ve made a home on a subdivision of the reserve, one surrounded by mansions of Vancouver’s skyrocketing West Side that have themselves seen a 400 per cent spike in property values.

Tensions over the impending 20-year lease renewals on June 8 have sparked a threat of litigation and a heated series of meetings as the band re-negotiates with non-members who live on the reserve.

Rapid-fire word artist had impact on all, especially youth

There was no moment of silence for Zaccheus Jackson Nyce at his live-streamed memorial last September. Instead, a moment of ‘noise’ was offered up to his spirit in raucous poetry slam style.

For a full minute the crowd of more than 400 yelled, stomped and screamed before settling down to hear family members, friends, musicians and poets share recollections of the fast-talking poet and performance artist.

A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between Trent University, Confederation College and First Nations Technical Institute acknowledging a unique relationship in Ontario. The MOU recognizes the ongoing partnership, which creates pathways for Aboriginal learners across the three institutions.†All three partners deliver Indigenous Studies programming that is well established, innovative and recognized for academic leadership. This initiative provides greater alignment for Aboriginal learners transitioning from a First Nations institute to a northern college to a university.

Peel District School Board trustees approved a motion to start meetings with the statement:†We would like to acknowledge that we are on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation. Mississauga Wards 6 and 11 Trustee Robert Crocker brought the motion forward. Crocker is a former history teacher who always made a concerted effort to make First Nations history a part of his lesson plans. When he became a trustee last fall, Crocker was appointed the board’s representative to the First Nation, MÈtis and Inuit Circle.

Aroland, Eabametoong and Marten Falls First Nations have signed a forest tenure agreement on the Ogoki Forest in northwestern Ontario. The communities want to take control of forest management planning, harvesting, road construction, silviculture, environmental monitoring, reporting and also establish forest-based First Nations business ventures. Matawa Economic Development and Four Rivers Environmental Services are providing technical support, coordination and facilitation to assist the communities in the negotiations with the province.