Chippewas of the Thames, Temagami and Wasauksing join six other First Nations across the country as members of the First Nations Land Management regime. “Adding more First Nations into land management will help propel much needed economic prosperity capabilities into the lives and communities of First Nations. Beneficiaries will include Canada, regional and local communities, and individual First Nation communities right across the country,” said Chief Robert Louie of the First Nations Land Advisory Board in a news release.

A team from the Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium (International) based at Western University has launched IndigiLINK, a cutting edge online Indigenous knowledge sharing platform. IndigiLINK has several unique engagement tools that allows for maximizing opportunities to collaborate between Indigenous knowledge holders, government agencies, organizations and professional and academic communities around the world.

A new 67 MW-unit at Little Long Generating Station, part of the Lower Mattagami Project, is now generating clean, renewable, emissions-free electricity ahead of schedule and on budget. The project is a unique partnership between the Moose Cree First Nation and Ontario Power Generation, in which the First Nation has 25 per cent equity interest. “This project has enabled our First Nation to establish a strong economic foundation to build on in the years ahead,” said Moose Cree First Nation Chief Norm Hardisty Jr. in a news release.

Flying Post First Nation and Red Pine Exploration Inc. have signed an agreement for the exploration and development of Red Pine’s Cayenne-Chili property located about 110 km south-west of Timmins and which falls entirely within Flying Post’s traditional territory.

The joint panel reviewing the proposed Marathon Platinum Group Metals and Copper Mine project has revised the start date to Feb. 18 for the public hearing, following requests from various participants. The primary purpose for the hearing, which is expected to take four weeks, is for the panel to receive information to complete its environmental assessment of the project. First Nations will get the opportunity for input through community hearing sessions which are expected to take place in Pic River, Pic Mobert and Pays Plat. Community sessions will also be held for Métis organizations.

The Chippewas of the Thames First Nation will be awarding a contract to begin upgrading its water treatment facility. Meanwhile interim upgrades, funded by the federal government, will be designed to provide a safe and reliable source of water for residents in the community. Additional upgrades will include installing a pre-treatment system that will remove the manganese and/or iron. Upon completion, the upgrades will bring the plant up to provincial standards. The work is expected to go to tender soon and to be completed by late 2014.

The Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation has been successful in defending their right to proceed to the Specific Claims Tribunal of Canada. Canada made an offer to settle the AOK First Nation’s claim without any negotiation and on a “take it or leave it” basis.  The AOK First Nation challenged Canada’s process of engagement for claims that Canada deems as “small” (claims valued at less than $3 million).

The banning of a hoodie worn to school by a 13-year-old First Nations girl has resulted in a Day of Action to take place Jan. 28 organized by Idle No More and Defenders of the Land. Grade 8 student Tenelle Starr, a 13-year-old in Balcarres, wore a hoodie to school with the words, “Got Land?” on the front and “Thank an Indian” on the back. School officials initially asked her to remove her shirt. When Starr wore the hoodie another day, she was instructed by school officials to wear it inside out.

The First Nations University of Canada has been recognized nationally by Actua with the “Making Friends with Science” award. FNUniv’s Health and Science Camp was singled out by Actua, a national charitable organisation that is focused on engaging youth who are typically underrepresented and underserved in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

A team of auditors from Deloitte and Touche is examining claims made against the chief and council of the Big Island Lake Cree Nation that they used government money meant for social assistance to buy themselves vehicles, horses and trailers. No charges have been laid and none of the allegations has been proven in court. The audit work is ongoing, covering the period April 2009 to March 2012.