David Abbott, a North York resident, is the latest recipient of the City of Toronto’s Aboriginal Affairs Award. Abbott was recognized specifically for his work with the Aboriginal Economic Business Development Project, although he has served on a number of boards including the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto and the Native Women’s Resource Centre of Toronto and is currently on the advisory board for the Aboriginal Professional Association of Canada.

The Métis Nation of Ontario has released a historic report on the Métis in the Mattawa/Nipissing region. The report was prepared by two independent research companies: StoneCircle Consulting and Know History and is a result of a tripartite research initiative financially supported by the Ontario government, the federal government and the MNO.

The North Bay Indian Friendship Centre has received grants of $360,000 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation and $100,000 from the Ontario Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs to support the Urban Aboriginal Strategy, which will implement the findings of a report entitled Walking the Red Road, Our community’s journey to help each person live a good life.

After hearing from some families, part-time illustrator Evan Munday stopped tweeting his illustrations of missing Indigenous women to Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Munday, of Toronto, started his campaign Jan. 5.

The Six Nations elected council says it will use all legal means available to prevent Ottawa from declaring 42.8 acres of land within the Hamilton-Port Dover Plank Road as part of the Mississaugas of the New Credit. Six Nations says the land belongs to them and not the New Credit, so the express consent of Six Nations is required. In 2014, the federal government outlined its intention to make an Order-In-Council declaring the land to become part of the New Credit reserve.

A monument to residential school survivors will be on display at the University of Regina’s RIC Atrium until Feb. 27. The Witness Blanket, created by BC Kwagiulth†artist Carey Newman, whose father is residential school survivor, is a wood-based art installation incorporating more than 800 items connected to residential school experiences across Canada. “The Witness Blanket serves as a living testament to the survivors of residential schooling – and more importantly to those young people who never made it home again from this state-sanctioned required experience,” said Dr.

Wayne Whitehead, from the Pelican Lake First Nation, has been fined for illegal outfitting in the province and unlawful possession of wildlife. A complaint was first made against Whitehead in November 2012. An investigation by conservation officers found Whitehead was unlawfully outfitting by providing a hunt outside his authorized area on First Nation land. A second complaint in February 2013 led conservation officers to find Whitehead was in unlawful possession of a moose.

A house fire near Prince Albert on New Year’s Day claimed the home of Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations senate member Sol Sanderson and his wife. It is believed that a problem with the chimney led to the fire. Grandson Dane Robins set up an online fundraiser for his grandparents as they had no insurance as they were waiting to finalize the sale of their Prince Albert home.

A judge has ruled that the Pasqua First Nation has the right to bring an action before the Federal Court of Canada against both Saskatchewan and Canada for failure to implement their Treaty Land Entitlement obligations. In July 2014, the First Nation filed a Statement of Claim before the Federal Court alleging that Canada and Saskatchewan had failed to properly implement their TLE Settlement promises and to make any Crown lands or minerals available for purchase by Pasqua.

Upon the election of Perry Bellegarde as national chief for the Assembly of First Nations, First Vice Chief Kim Jonathan took over as Grand Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations in accordance to the organization’s charter. It is the first time a woman has held this position. “I commend and salute her and acknowledge her,” said Bellegarde. “She’s strong with a team approach.” Elections for a new grand chief, first and third vice chiefs will be held in October 2015.