The launch of Parliament’s Special Committee on Violence Against Indigenous Women was applauded as a rare show of political consensus, drawing unanimous all-party support on Feb. 27.

Since then, it has met every Thursday evening, adopting a three-step framework–studying root causes of violence, front-line services, and prevention–and has heard from federal departments, police, and the Native Women’s Association of Canada.

After nearly a decade fighting criminal fishing charges in B.C. courts, Stó:lo nation’s Kwitsel Tatel (Patricia Kelly) won not only an absolute discharge on May 9, but now the government must pay her nearly $2,500 for seizing her crate of salmon in 2004, accusing her of selling it illegally.

Not only is the incidence of cancer on the rise among Ontario’s First Nations population, but the cancer survival rate is worse than for other Ontarians.

 In recognition of these unique and pressing healthcare needs, a Relationship Protocol was signed on June 5 between Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) and the Anishinabek Nation.

The agreement was signed at the Anishinabek Nation’s Annual Assembly held at Munsee-Delaware First Nation near London, Ont.

Cultural connection in the city plays a significant role in helping the Aboriginal population stave off addiction to illicit and prescription drugs.

The recently released results of a study undertaken by Dr. Cheryl Currie come as no surprise to Maxine Salopree, president of the Canadian Native Friendship Centre in Edmonton. But Salopree is grateful that Currie has taken the time to study the impact culture has to healthy city living.

On June 15, more than 1,000 people gathered at the Edmonton Shaw Conference Centre for the Alberta Body Building Provincials.

Of the 240 competitors in various classes of body building—figure, form and fitness — four of the women were also members of the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation.

Roxanne Mosionier, age 47, June Mitchell, age 41, Alison Wale, age 29, and Malorie Trottier, age 25, were just part of the seven-member Team Dragon Fit who travelled from Valleyview, Alta. for their first ever competition in the Fitness Class.

Treaty caravan led by AMC

Grand Chief Derek Nepinak of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs was joined by other Aboriginal leaders on a 10-day motorcycle tour of First Nations across the prairies on what was dubbed the Treaty Freedom Caravan and Ride. The tour, covering more than 4,000 km, was to raise awareness of treaty rights. It departed June 6 from Winnipeg’s Lower Fort Garry where Treaty 1 was signed in 1871. Each First Nation that is visited will then light a fire on June 21, which is National Aboriginal Day.

The Aboriginal offering at this year’s Works and Arts Design Festival are entitled “No Rhyme or Reason.” Aptly named, says curator Terrance Houle, as it is a reflection of who he is.

Spookw has appealed a decision by the British Columbia Supreme Court that provides the Gitxsan Treaty Society (GTS) with 30 days to come under compliance with Section 85 of the province’s Society Act, which would then make the society a legal body.
In 2008, Gitanmaax Indian Band was joined by Gitwangak Band Council, Glen Vowell Indian Band and Kispiox Band Council, forming the Spookw, and undertook litigation against the Gitxsan Treaty Society, challenging GTS’s authority to represent the four bands in reconciliation of Aboriginal rights and treaty rights with the province of BC.

With Ottawa embroiled in a mushrooming number of financial embarrassments, observers across Indian Country are raising their collective eyebrows over the Conservatives’ focus on alleged First Nations improprieties.

Officials with four Manitoba First Nations are tight-lipped after learning the province is undertaking litigation against them.

“It’s not our responsibility. We never flooded the land,” said Chief Garnet Woodhouse of the Pinaymootang First Nation, referring to actions that took place that led to massive flooding in 2011.