Craig Blacksmith with the Canupawakpa Dakota First Nation has been charged with a number of offences under Manitoba's Tobacco Tax Act. Blacksmith, who is representing himself in court, a trial that began Sept. 17, said he isn't beholden to provincial law. He will argue the First Nation doesn't have official treaty status within Canada, so the government has no jurisdiction. The Dakota Chundee smoke shop south of Virden opened in 2011 and has been raided several times by police. It has since shut down.

Photo caption: Natasha Morrison, 18, grew up in and out of foster care in several small communities in Manitoba, including Reston and Gladstone, where she graduated from high school. She has six younger siblings. This year, she will be attending the University of Winnipeg through a new innovative program.

The Métis Nation-Saskatchewan continues to be embroiled in controversy as members try to oust President Robert Doucette. A decision on an application for a court injunction against Doucette, filed by Vice President Gerald Morin and his supporters, was delayed by the judge until Oct. 10. The delay allowed the MN-S legislative assembly to go ahead on Sept. 7 and Sept. 8, but not without resignations, people walking out and people refusing to vote on motions. It is unclear whether changes made at the legislative assembly are permanent.

Opitciwan joint-venture sawmill located in Quebec has been awarded the Aboriginal Forest Products Business Leadership Award by the Forest Products Association of Canada and the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business. The sawmill is a joint venture between the Atikamekw Council of Obedjiwan and Resolute Forest Products. The council has a 55 per cent controlling interest. “The success of this operation lies in the complementary strengths of the partners,” said Richard Garneau, president and CEO.

The historic Marie Antoinette, the Bell of Batoche, will be making a short visit to Batoche National Historic Site and ringing in the Thanksgiving weekend. “Thanks to the Union Nationale Métisse Saint-Joseph du Manitoba, Gabriel Dumont Institute, and Friends of Batoche National Historic Site, Parks Canada will have the bell on display in the Batoche visitor centre,” said Adriana Bacheschi, visitor experience manager of Batoche National Historic Site. The original Bell at Batoche was taken as a war trophy following the Northwest Resistance in 1885.