In a split decision, the Ontario Court of Appeal quashed a manslaughter conviction against Clifford Kokopenace. The court ruled that the provincial government violated Kokopenace’s rights by failing to ensure Aboriginals were properly represented on jury rolls despite knowing about the long-standing problem. A non-Aboriginal jury in Kenora convicted Kokopenace in 2008 of stabbing a friend to death on the Grassy Narrows reserve. In 2011, the Appeal Court upheld the manslaughter conviction as reasonable.

The Chiefs of Ontario have been granted status to participate in the initial investigative phase of the Inquest into the Deaths of Seven First Nation Youths. COO’s objective is to collaborate with the coroner and the other parties to secure a broad inquest that will examine root causes and arrive at meaningful and realistic recommendations for all affected First Nations in Ontario. The inquest will focus on the deaths of seven First Nations youth who were pursuing their education in Thunder Bay away from their families and communities at the time of their deaths.

Linguist and author preserved Lakota language

Albert White Hat Sr., who passed away on June 11 at the age of 74, was an inspiration to anyone working to preserve or learn Indigenous languages.

The Elder was an activist for traditional Lakota ways of living, according to his daughter, Emily White Hat. He authored Reading and Writing the Lakota Language, and co-produced the book and CD Lakota Ceremonial Songs.

Back to Batoche Days will be an emotional affair this year when the Bell of Batoche is unveiled on July 20 in a special ceremony.
“I cannot describe to you what it means to the Métis people to have the bell returned… Everything about that bell has meaning,” said Claire Belanger-Parker, event manager. Parker has worked diligently since March when she was brought into the hush-hush plan to return the bell to the Métis people.

Michif artist Christi Belcourt is a visionary, an activist and a community organizer. Most of all, though, she’s a believer.

She’s a believer in the power of art to create positive change, and a believer in people. But even Belcourt was overwhelmed at the response when she put out a call on social media for people to contribute to the commemorative art installation called Walking With Our Sisters. The project is a tribute to the estimated 600 missing and murdered Aboriginal women.

Artist—Billy Joe Green and the Inglorious
Bluez Blasterz
Song—No Way Home
Album—Swingin' Tomahawk
Year—2013

A Saskatchewan First Nation is about to become the first First Nation to have sole control over money Ottawa holds in trust for it.

In a referendum held June 28, members of the Kawacatoose First Nation voted 1,009 to 201 in favour of opting into the First Nations Oil and Gas and Moneys Management Act. There were 1,988 eligible voters. The referendum had to pass by a double majority, with the majority of electors voting and the majority of those voting in favour.

“It’s got the word ‘major’ written all over it,” Bob Rae quips as he describes the vast northern Ontario mining region dubbed the Ring of Fire, to which he is now devoting his energy.

On June 19, the long-time Member of Parliament, one-time Liberal Party chief, and former NDP provincial premier revealed he would be stepping down in order to negotiate on behalf of nine First Nations over the region’s resource development.

The maverick politician shocked many Canadians with his sudden departure from public life, 35 years after he was first elected to Parliament in 1978.

At least 31 people have now been arrested in anti-shale gas fracking protests in New Brunswick, including a journalist who alleges police attempted to pay him to become an informant.
Most of those arrested trying to stop SWN Resources Canada’s seismic testing have been Indigenous land defenders at a Sacred Fire encampment organized by local Mi’kmaq opponents from Elsipogtog First Nation.

One in every 25 Native children is taken from their families, according to new data. That is 13 times more than the non-Aboriginal apprehension rate, despite Natives making up just a fraction of the general population.

With more Native kids in custody today than ever attended Indian residential schools, child welfare advocates continue to raise the alarm about the record numbers of children being seized, many adopted out into non-Aboriginal families or sucked into the criminal justice system.