British Columbia is home to 203 unique First Nations and 34 languages with 61 dialects and is known as a “hot spot” by language experts, an epicentre of staggering linguistic diversity.

Haisla Nation Chief Councillor Ellis Ross and Kitimat Mayor Joanne Monaghan celebrated a recent land sale as a step forward for the Kitimat region, the Haisla Nation and the province.
   

Métis lawyer Jason Madden represented the Métis Nation of Ontario, which was granted intervener status for the appeal on Treaty 3 harvesting rights heard by the Supreme Court of Canada May 15 in Ottawa. The appeal, Keewatin et al. v. Ontario, has been advanced by Grassy Narrows First Nation for more than five years. The case is about the Treaty 3 harvesting clause and Canada’s ongoing role in ensuring these harvesting rights are protected when lands are “taken up” in Treaty 3 territory.

Aboriginal actors were given the opportunity in early June to try out for Fire Song, a film written by Adam Garnet Jones, a Cree and MÈtis filmmaker based out of Toronto. Auditions for a variety of roles, both men and women and all ages, were held in Wabigoon Lake, Fort William First Nation and Thunder Bay. About four years in the works, Fire Song follows Shane, an academically successful youth from a northern Ontario reserve who is conflicted on whether to pursue his post-secondary education in the city or stay behind and support his family, which had been recently impacted by suicide.

“Almost day in, day out now for us these days, education remains a priority,” said Ghislain Picard, spokeperson for the Assembly of First Nations. Picard expects the subject to be front and centre when chiefs gather in Halifax in mid-July.

Whether First Nations chiefs are on board with AFN’s May 27 resolution to direct the federal government to scrap Bill C-33 or believe they can move forward with an amended Bill C-33, “we’ve got to put the children first,” said Siksika Nation Chief Vincent Yellow Horn, who also holds the portfolio for education for Treaty 7.

St. Catharines city council has given direction for a monument to celebrate the pivotal role played by First Nations’ people in Laura Secord’s heroic trek. The Friends of Laura Secord are planning to create a “living stone hearth monument” near the place where Secord would have emerged from the woods after scrambling up the Niagara Escarpment and was met by a First Nations encampment, said Caroline McCormick, a direct descendent of Secord. The ensuing invasion by American forces, which happened two days later, was successfully defeated thanks to First Nations people.

Eight young Métis from across Ontario left May 26 from Mooney’s Bay Park Harbour in Ottawa on a 90-day 2,000-km canoe trip that takes them to Thunder Bay. The youth, who are either attending post-secondary institutions in the fall or recent graduates, will be visiting Métis communities throughout, promoting Métis culture and heritage. “This is a unique summer job opportunity the MNO is providing,” said MNO President Gary Lipinski at the launch.

Millbrook chief remained dedicated to his vision

“There wouldn’t be anything (in Millbrook First Nation) if it wasn’t for Lawrence’s tenacity to go out front and get things done.”

For Victor Lethbridge, being shortlisted with authors who have followed their writing passion for years is accomplishment enough. After all, Lethbridge is late coming to the writing party.

Though she still only has a limited amount of field lacrosse experience, an Aboriginal teen from British Columbia will soon by heading to the U.S. on a scholarship.

Selena Lasota, an 18-year-old who lives in Campbell River and is a member of the Katzie First Nation, accepted a scholarship offer from Illinois’ Northwestern University Wildcats.

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