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Storyteller says teachers can help reduce conflict

Louis Bird, 79, never set out to be a storyteller. It’s hard to believe when you see him sitting on stage at the Daniels Spectrum centre in Regent Park, far from his traditional homeland, captivating his Toronto audience for almost two hours, pulling story after story from the hundreds in his repertoire.

Bird, with a sense of the Trickster about him, took his audience on a journey into the past, into the heartland of the Omushkego territory and into the heart and soul of his people.

Chiefs reject consultation levy legislation in Alberta

Alberta First Nations chiefs have been blindsided by what the provincial government is touting as “enabling legislation” on consultation.

Herb Arcand, acting grand chief of the Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations, said First Nations were not consulted on Bill 22, the Aboriginal Consultation Levy Act, which will collect fees from companies that plan to develop on Crown land. These fees will be distributed to First Nations or Aboriginal groups to enable consultation.

Pheasant Rump First Nation Chief to be sentenced

On May 1, Terrance McArthur, chief of the Pheasant Rump Nakota Nation, Sask., pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a teenage girl on reserve. McArthur, who was elected in 2011, remained in office as of press time, and that is making the community nervous, with many calling for the chief’s resignation. The First Nation has rules that would force the resignation had the chief been convicted of an indictable offence, but the Crown proceeded by summary conviction, so McArthur is not required to step down.

Legislative reforms needed to protect heritage

When Margaretta James stepped into the room that today houses the Yuquot Whalers’ Shrine–a centuries-old sacred collection of carved figures, human skulls and whale sculptures–she was overwhelmed by a sense of its striking spiritual power.
“For me, it was one of those hair-raising back-of-your-neck experiences,” recalled James, director of the Land of Maquinna Cultural Society. “You could just feel the power of it.

“… you experience one of those moments you can barely describe; you erupt with feelings and emotions.”

UN rapporteur tour given the go-ahead

For the second time in as many years a United Nations special rapporteur will be visiting Canada and connecting with First Nations.

Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, said First Nations and Aboriginal organizations across the country need to take credit for the visit to Canada by Dr. James Anaya, special rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. A date for the visit has yet to be set.