The Urbane Indian

Remember when riding the school bus was easy and simple. No pressure or anger, other than the odd bully. No socio-political issues of exclusion, equity, diversity or racism. It was just a simpler time, and the only thing that mattered was getting to and from school.

Indigenous women in Canada experience rates of violence more than three times that of non-Indigenous women and young Indigenous women are five times more likely to die of violence. Moreover, recent research shows that more than 800 Indigenous women and girls have disappeared or been murdered in Canada over the past several decades.

Apologies are critical, said Edmonton Archbishop Richard Smith of the Archdiocese of Edmonton, but they do not erase the past. They are beautiful to hear, but the memories of wrong-doing remain, and that, despite the pain these memories stir up, is a good thing, because as soon as we forget our past, we have a tendency to repeat it. “We need to learn and to remember.”

Release: March 18, 2014 - Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement regarding the resignation of Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance:
 
“It is with great reluctance that today I accepted the resignation from Cabinet of Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, so that he can eventually return to the private sector.
 

Release: via CNW

The general manager of Fort McMurray Métis Local 1935 is seeking the federal Liberal nomination for Fort McMurray-Athabasca.

Black and white photographs by three University of Lethbridge art students will be featured in Iiht·ÌsÌnaakio’p (Camera), an art exhibition curated by Rob First Charger. The concept behind the photographic exhibition, with work by Rudy Black Plume, Star Crop Eared Wolf and Joel No Runner, is a reflection of historical and contemporary photographs created by Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal photographers. The three artists depict First Nations people in a continuum of time, created for a contemporary time and audience.

The Siksika Nation Fire and Rescue Team is among the 175 nominations for first responders received by the government for recognition in relation to the southern Alberta flood last June. More than 1,300 nominations have been received recognizing those who went above and beyond to help others in the wake of the floods, as part of Alberta’s Heroes of the Flood recognition program. Also receiving nominations were the Calgary Stampede Indian Princess Committee and Siksika Housing Department. All nominees will receive a certificate and letter of appreciation.

Keystone XL pipeline opponent California Democrat Senator Barbara Boxer says the pipeline would worsen the environmental effects of Canadian oil sands development by opening the door to industry expansion. When the U.S. State Department released its final environmental impact statement Jan.

Former Indian Affairs and Northern Development Canada minister Jim Prentice is working with Enbridge to sell First Nations on the company’s Northern Gateway pipeline. “I am doing this because I believe that First Nations should be full partners in resource development and they should be owners of projects like the Northern Gateway,” Prentice said in a statement. “This project can bring jobs, economic opportunity, community development and educational opportunities to First Nation Canadians.