The Anishnabek Nation unveiled a monument March 25 to honour citizens who have felt the impacts of Indian Residential Schools. The monument was part of the Honouring Our Children, Families and Communities project of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. “I really see this monument as a testament to the resilience of our people,” said Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee. “We should take that collective strength that the residential school survivors have exhibited, refuse to be treated as victims, and take control of our own destiny.

A reconciliation agreement between British Columbia and the Snuneymuxw First Nation will bring economic benefits to the Snuneymuxw, while increasing certainty for business in the Nanaimo region, reads a press release issued March 27. The agreement creates economic opportunities for the Snuneymuxw on Vancouver Island through the transfer of three land parcels, totaling 877 hectares (2,100 acres), in the Mount Benson area. These will provide forestry-related opportunities that can be used to generate revenue and to create employment for Snuneymuxw members.

APTN reports that Human Rights complaints filed by First Nations against band councils is on the rise, with 138 filed against band councils in 2011 as compared to 87 in 2011. Complaints against the federal government, the network says, has dropped to 34 from 55 in the same two-year period. The Indian Act prevented human rights complaints against bands until 2011.

On reserve? Check your phone bill.

Musician Paul Simon has loaned one of his famous works to a new ad campaign that opposes the Northern Gateway project. The ad, which uses the song The Sound of Silence, made famous by the group Simon & Garfunkel, was launched on the 24th anniversary of one of the worst oil spills in history. The Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska in 1989 was catastrophic, said Art Sterritt with Coastal First Nations and provides a great argument for keeping massive oil tankers out of BC waters. The TV and social media ads are to air on networks along the proposed pipeline route.

CBC has reported that an elderly woman from Roseau River First Nation in Manitoba was yelled at by security staff at Portage Place Shopping Centre and kicked out of the mall. Annie Henry, 79, is seeking an apology. She is diabetic and has a pacemaker and, when she was short of breath, needed to rest. She sat down on some marble planters and a security guard yelled as her, according to Henry’s daughter, but her mother was not well enough to move. The guard then told her she was “officially kicked out of the mall, and then allegedly said “I don’t care if she has a heart attack.”

So King Ralph.. Premier Klein... Bluebird has passed away yesterday..

My dad said his Blackfoot Indian name was Bluebird.... Because he passed out in the back of a school bus when he was drinking with the boys in his pre-premier days.

Ralph spoke fluent Blackfoot and loved our people...He even married a Blackfoot woman Colleen.

My dad also told me that he was at Londonderry Mall [in Edmonton] a few years ago and he heard someone speaking Blackfoot and looked over the balcony and there was Ralph, making a speech, some of it in Blackfoot.

Tsuu T'ina Nation Chief and Council were saddened today to learn of the passing of former Premier Ralph Klein.

"On behalf of our Nation members we share in the feeling of loss as our Nation and all Albertans lose a good friend," offered Chief Roy Whitney.

Windspeaker: What one quality do you most value in a friend?  
Debbie Houle: Honesty

W: What is it that really makes you mad?  
D.H: Greed.

W: When are you at your happiest?
D.H: I am most happiest when I am hanging out with my son, Darren.

W: What one word best describes you when you are at your worst?
D.H: Fugly!

Elouise Cobell may not be alive to see the full fruits of her decade spearheading U.S. history’s largest class action lawsuit–the Blackfoot activist died of cancer in 2011 at age 65–but as the payments from the $3.4 billion settlement roll out across Indian country, those close to her are reminded of her determination.