The Matawa First Nations chiefs have decided to end the Judicial Review litigation that challenged the type of environmental assessment process being used for the Cliffs Chromite Project. The case was scheduled to be heard by the federal court in mid-September. This summer the government of Ontario began talks with the Matawa First Nations on the Ring of Fire. “We never wanted a judge to decide our future if we could avoid it,” said Chief Sonny Gagnon of Aroland First Nation.

The Eabametoong First Nation delivered a tourism development and training program for 10 community members who wanted to learn more about operating their own hunting and fishing camp outpost. The five-day training boot camp was held at the Ozhiski Outpost, which is situated on Eabametoong First Nation traditional territory, and owned and operated by Weiben Slipperjack. The participants were transported by floatplane from Eabametoong First Nation dock to the camp. The training was provided by RD the Rugged Dude, who is a well-known expert in camp outpost operations.

Words matter and ideas matter, said Chief Douglas White III of the Snuneymuxw First Nation in B.C. on Vancouver Island. He was addressing a group of about 80 protesters that gathered outside of the Nanaimo Daily News Sept. 24.

“You be careful what you say.” White shared the teaching with the group, which came together to denounce the publishing of yet another offensive letter that disparages and denigrates Aboriginal people.

A letter to Premier Bob McLeod, GNWT Sept. 13, 2013.
In a few weeks, the NWT Supreme Court will hear the case of Mr. Barrett Lenoir, a member of Liidii Kue First Nation, who was charged under the Forest Management Act, section 40 (c) after being stopped while in possession of wood cut on Crown land.

Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo says action on First Nations education is top priority. “The residential schools were an attack on First Nations cultures and the sites of assaults, abuse and experiments on our children, none of which would have happened had First Nations been in control of education for our young people,” said Atleo.  The AFN Chiefs Committee on Education met in Ottawa regarding the government’s “Blueprint for Legislation” which contains elements of the federal government’s proposed legislation on First Nation education. On Sept.

The Manitoulin Expositor reports that First Nation leaders have reacted positively to appointments made to an 11-person panel on Sept. 19. The panel will be in charge of implementing the recommendations made in a report that will increase Aboriginal representation on criminal and inquest juries. Former Supreme Court justice Frank Iacobucci was commissioned to write the report in 2011.

First Nations leaders and representatives of seven federal government departments met in Vancouver in late September regarding energy projects in western Canada, including the Northern Gateway pipeline proposal. The feds wanted the opportunity to hear First Nations concerns about the projects, reports the Canadian Press. The focus of the conversation was government’s plans for resource development, said Chief Andy Phillips of the Scowlitz First Nation.

Bernice King, the daughter of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., told people gathered for a walk for reconciliation in Vancouver Sept. 22 that economic injustice must be addressed with Canada’s First Nations. She told the crowd that an apology and money for programs does not erase the history of pain and abuse suffered by Aboriginal people. “We still suffer in America, as an African-American community,” she told media, referring to America’s history of slavery and oppression.

Hupacasath First Nation will appeal a federal court ruling that dismissed its challenge of Canada's China Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement. Spokesperson Brenda Sayers said Hupacasath, a nation of about 300 members, urgently needs funds to finance the appeal. The FIPA provides mutual protections for Canadian companies operating in China and Chinese investments in Canada.

Tolko and West Fraser logging operations near Williams Lake has been halted by Tsilhqot’in First Nation protesters. Jerry Mooney of Tolko said 55 of one of its contractor’s employees are being affected by the blockades Sept. 23. “It appears it’s four or five individuals near our logging camp at the junction of the 2800 and 3200 Roads,” Mooney is quoted in the Williams Lake Tribune. Yunesit’in (Stone) Chief Russell Myers Ross said the peaceful blockade is the result of frustrations boiling over. On Sept. 13, another blockade was set up to stop equipment going into an area known as Yannah.