The Canadian Press reports that a four-year program at Walpole Island and Kettle and Stony Point First Nations’ elementary schools has dramatically raised literacy rates. Once well behind provincial standards in reading and writing, students are exceeding those standards in some cases as of 2014. Former Prime Minister Paul Martin said he is impressed and hopes other reserves across Canada can emulate the program. He hopes the federal government will invest in similar programs as there is nothing holding First Nations children back if given adequate resources and teaching.

It’s with a heavy heart that we report on such tragedy as the one that took the lives of two young children in a house fire on the Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation in February. Aggravating an already horrible situation is the finger-pointing that has occurred in the aftermath. The tendency, of course, is to look for someone to blame for such a senseless loss. And that seems always to overshadow real and terrible grief.

A Vancouver Island First Nation has signed a $30-million contract with multinational engineering firm Worley Parsons for environmental and geotechnical assessments and design work on a proposed liquefied natural gas facility.

Huu-ay-aht First Nation, in partnership with Vancouver-based Steelhead LNG, signed the contract on Feb. 6. The signing came despite the recent freefall in global crude oil prices and widespread industry pessimism about LNG developments.

Aboriginal curlers sought for nationals

Organizers of the 2015 National Aboriginal Curling Championships are hoping to attract 48 teams to this year's event. The national bonspiel will be staged April 2 to April 6 at the Granite Curling Club in Saskatoon.

The Canadian event will feature a men’s division, with a maximum of 32 teams, and a ladies’ category, with as many as 16 entrants.

Right to impose property tax upheld

The Federal Court has determined that Buffalo Point First Nation’s reserve at Lake of the Woods has the right to tax cottage owners.

Justice Douglas Campbell upheld First Nations’ jurisdiction to enact property taxation laws, and the First Nations Tax Commission’s authority to review and approve these laws.

Dr. Shauneen Pete, David Wessel and Wilma Bell-Wessel were recognized for their dedication and leadership in global and Indigenous education at the Saskatchewan Council for International Cooperation Global Citizen Awards in February.

“At first I was surprised to have been nominated for the award and as I found out more about it, and about the organization, I was very honoured,” said Pete, an associate professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Regina, who also serves as the executive lead on Indigenization.