The 13-point declaration that ended Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence’s hunger strike on Jan. 24 is neither a way for her to save face nor an unrealistic set of goals.

“It’s an absolute victory,” said Danny Metatawabin, spokesperson for Spence.

Metatawabin helped draft the declaration, which he said was not prompted by pressure placed on Spence or Cross Lake First Nation Elder Raymond Robinson to end their hunger strikes.  The declaration was signed by the Assembly of First Nations, federal New Democrats and Liberals, and the Native Women’s Association of Canada.

“The way we see it,” Sylvia McAdam tells Windspeaker, “we’re just going to keep moving on until our goal of Indigenous sovereignty and the protection of land and water is in place.”

Success is not defined by a single meeting with the Prime Minister. Success is about what led up to the Jan. 11 meeting with him and what will follow.

“At the end of the day, what’s most important is that we had an eight-point consensus document … but it’s only going to mean something if we continue to gather strength and keep the pressure on,” said Snuneymuxw Nation Chief Doug White.

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

Wawmeesh George Hamilton: Family. Being as close — if not closer — than family.

W: What is it that really makes you mad?

W.G.H: Corrupt Indian politicians that ruin it for those leaders who legitimately toil for their people.

W: When are you at your happiest?

W.G.H: When I’m with my family, ferreting out then assembling a story, or behind my camera shooting.

W: What one word best describes you when you are at your worst?

W.G.H: Thriving — to be my best.

Draw, draw, draw and then draw some more

As lung cancer sapped the strength of Inuit artist Kenojuak Ashevak, best known for her colorful image of The Enchanted Owl first produced on Canada’s 1970 six cent stamp, she unfalteringly created art.

“There she would be on her mattress, lying on her stomach, drawing, drawing, drawing,” said nephew Tim Pitsiulak. “Northern houses become cold quickly and the heat is not always there” so bed was the best place for the frail Ashevak, who passed away Jan. 7 at 85.

Artist—D.M. Lafortune

Song—Minuet  For the Staircase Children

Album—Beauty and Hard Times

Year—2012

WOLF SONGS & FIRE CHATS

I turned 57 years old in October. There’s a lot of dust from a lot of roads on these boots and it sometimes feels as though I’ve been around an awful long time. I suppose when you’ve been around long enough to assemble a ton of recollections that it feels the same for everybody. But I’m always so busy that I seldom take the time to reflect on where I’ve been and what I’ve done.

THE URBANE INDIAN

Paraphrasing a fellow playwright, “Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious by this son of…”  I think it’s supposed to be the son of York, but many Native people in the Idle No More movement believe it actually refers to a different ‘son of a…” Fill in the Prime Ministerial blank yourself.

OCAD University is getting set to launch a program that is the first of its kind in Ontario, according to Bonnie Devine, founding chair of the Aboriginal Visual Culture Program.

Starting in September, students will be able to get a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a major in Aboriginal Visual Culture.

Blackfoot artist Adrian Stimson premiered Holding Our Breath, an exhibition based on his first-hand experiences and observations at a military base in Afghanistan, at the Grunt Gallery in Vancouver Jan. 4.

Stimson received a grant through the Canadian Forces Artist Program that allowed him to spend three weeks on a military base in Kandahar.

“For me it was an opportunity as an experiential learner and an artist to really get in there and sort of get a view of what that conflict really is about,” said Stimson.