The auditor general’s recommendations on the federal government’s Nutrition North Program are welcomed by National Inuit Leader Terry Audla, but the president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami is quick to point out that the report encompasses only one aspect of living in Canada’s north.

“You need to look at not only the subsidy programs, (but) income disparity, income distribution, transference of knowledge when it comes … to being able to live off the land, and there’s an education aspect as well,” said Audla.

Pioneering painter earned fame for creating childhood images

Initially ostracized by the leaders of her Santa Clara Pueblo in New Mexico for pursuing a full-time career as a painter, Pablita Velarde ignored criticism and went on to exhibit her work throughout the United States and Europe. 

In the 1940s, when women were expected to be potters, selling their work at local trading posts, art fairs and roadside stands, Velarde disregarded custom to become a leading professional American Indian artist, capturing everyday and ceremonial life from her childhood.

The Cree Nation in Quebec has taken a stand against uranium development and mining in their territory, Eeyou Istchee.

To bring public awareness and to garner support, youth of the Cree Nation embarked on the Stand Against Uranium Walk on Sunday, Nov. 24. They began their walk in Mistissini, said Joshua Iserhoff, Youth Grand Chief of the Cree Youth Council for the Cree Nation government.

A decision by the province of British Columbia to proceed with the controversial Site C hydroelectric dam has been described as “incredibly stupid.” The project will see a third hydroelectric station built in the Peace River region of B.C.

As well as calling the decision stupid, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, also said it was “ill-advised.”

For the second time in as many years, patients at Attawapiskat hospital have had to be emergency airlifted to other facilities.

On Nov. 30, senior management with Weeneebayko Health Authority, which operates Attawapiskat hospital, were notified of an oil leak caused by a cracked pipe running to the furnace from the oil pump. The initial estimate was that 1,000 to 2,000 litres of oil leaked, says WHA acting CEO Robert Adolph.

The need for change within the Assembly of First Nations was underscored Dec. 9 when a university student was shut down as he attempted to ask a question of the three candidates for the position of national chief during a forum.

“I cannot acknowledge you. You do not have a chief badge,” said Chief Electoral Officer Loretta Pete Lambert to Clifford Sinclair, who stood at one of six microphones on the floor.

Sinclair demanded to be heard and shouts from the crowd backed him up saying chiefs needed to listen to the grassroots. But Sinclair’s microphone remained turned off.

The Supreme Court of Canada’s recent decision in the Tsilhqot’in case has changed Canada forever. Justice has been served. But for how long? The answer is ours to determine.

The Supreme Court, on instructions from previous Aboriginal title cases, has clearly affirmed the legitimacy in Canadian law of Aboriginal title over our traditional territories.

We require the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs Bernard Valcourt to walk gently—be careful—when he speaks about missing and murdered Aboriginal women in future. We have been offended by his comments to the Ottawa Citizen Newspaper in speaking about an inquiry into murdered and missing Aboriginal women, violence against Aboriginal women in First Nations communities and his perception that Aboriginal men, generally, have a lack of respect for women in First Nations communities. We need him to be very careful. He is treading on very thin ice.

Elder Elmer Courchene presents the Eagle feather
to National Chief-elect Perry Bellegarde. (Photo: Shari Narine)