First papers in new series highlight the alternative futures facing Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians in defining new relationships around natural resource development

OTTAWA, 1 May, 2013 – Canada’s leading independent, non-partisan think tank, the Macdonald-Laurier Institute (MLI) announces today the launch of a signature project aimed at showing how natural resource wealth may be used to reset the relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians.

The Inconvenient Indian:
A Curious Account of Native People in North America
By Thomas King

Review by Christine McFarlane

Have you ever really looked at history and the stories behind them? Do you question if these stories are fact or myth or accept them as the absolute truth? You would like to think that what you are reading in your history books is truth, but…

On April 19, the Odawa Friendship Centre held a thanksgiving and unveiling ceremony at Ottawa’s Elgin Street courthouse attended by about 300 people.

“We wanted to publicly acknowledge our partnership with the courts and give thanks to them, the Crown Attorney’s Office and all our other supporters,” said Mark Marsolais, a citizen of Whitefish River Ojibway First Nation in Ontario with over 20 years’ experience in the justice system.

The University of Saskatchewan has launched a new Web site that brings together all of the university’s Aboriginal initiatives, lists all of the events, resources and programs affiliated with the university’s Aboriginal academic and community activities, and outlines partnership activities. It also provides an overview of U of S’s English River facilities, located on a First Nation reserve. It also provides an interactive Aboriginal Engagement Map, showing activities, academic and cultural programs, services and events that are happening on campus and in other Saskatchewan communities.

SaskMétis Economic Development Corp. has signed an agreement with Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada to deliver a grant contribution program to Métis businesses in Saskatchewan.  The Métis Assistance Program will be similar to the former business contribution program that had been delivered by Aboriginal Business Canada. The MAP program will provide funding for eligible business project costs. SaskMétis Economic Development Corporation was created in 1987 to finance the start-up, purchase and/or expansion of viable Métis-controlled small businesses in Saskatchewan.

A 38-year-old man will make a return appearance in court on May 23 on charges related to a bomb threat at the Dakota Dunes Casino on the Whitecap Dakota First Nation. The casino was evacuated on April 6 after the threat was received. It was re-opened two-and-a-half hours later.  According to RCMP, members of the Saskatoon detachment responded around 8:20 p.m. after a threat was made. The building was evacuated, though there were no injuries immediately reported.