From Ha-Shilth-Sa.com

I know you are eager for word of the meeting (Friday). The Prime Minister was in attendance and stayed the entire time. Also present from the government were Minister Duncan, Minister Clement, Minister Aglukkaq and Parliamentary Secretary Rickford, along with Deputy Ministers and PMO staff.

Assembly of First Nations National Executive Release Statement: First Nations United for Real Change

January 11, 2013

(Ottawa, ON) –Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, together with the AFN National Executive today released the following statement expressing the need to continue all efforts to achieve the transformative change required for First Nations in Canada:

First Nations United For Real Change 

Through decades of advocacy by First Nations leaders, we have been unwavering. 

List of chiefs meeting with Prime Minister Harper:

AFN National Chief Shawn Atleo;
Nova Scotia and Newfoundland: Terry Paul, Deborah Robinson;
New Brunswick: Roger Augustine, George Ginnish;
Québec: Ghislain Picard, Matthew Coon Come;
Saskatchewan: Leo Omani, Norma Johnston, Marcel Head;
British Columbia: Jody Wilson-Raybould, Ed John, Doug White; Yukon: Mike Smith; Eric Fairclough;
Alberta: Charles Weaselhead, Ronald Twinn, Craig Mckinaw;
Sasha Maracle, National Youth Council; Elder Bertha Commonda

Speaking to fellow Chiefs on Thursday night, an impassioned AFN National Chief Shawn Atleo made the following remarks:

"This is not something that we created as First Nations. It was thrust on us. The unilateral actions of others," Shawn Atleo.

"As I'm standing right here our spirit is not broken. Our spirit is strong. Our people are proud. Young people are leading the way. Chiefs we better make sure we follow the young people. They are not the leaders of tomorrow they are the leaders right now," Shawn Atleo.

Link to full video is below.

Friday update:

Friday update:
Ovide Mercredi and other Quebec Chiefs have stated their support for AFN NCNational Chief Shawn Atleo and his willingness to go ahead with today's scheduled meeting with the Prime Minister. They have also received support from BC Chiefs.

The Chiefs from Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the Atlantic have refused to attend the meeting.

Friday update:
Ovide Mercredi and other Quebec Chiefs have stated their support for AFN NCNational Chief Shawn Atleo and his willingness to go ahead with today's scheduled meeting with the Prime Minister. They have also received support from BC Chiefs.

The Chiefs from Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the Atlantic have refused to attend the meeting.

Online exclusive

Métis leader Harry Daniels, the plaintiff in the case, had sought to have the court clarify whether Ottawa or the provinces were responsible for the more than 600,000 Aboriginal peoples ( 400,000 Métis and 200,000 non-status) across Canada who live off-reserve.

This decision will redefine Aboriginal policy.

Daniels wanted all Natives, regardless of whether they were Métis or lived on a reserve, to be declared “Indians” according to the legal definition. That request was granted Tuesday.

First Nations 101: Tons of stuff you need to know about First Nations people
Lynda Gray
Published By:
Adaawx Publishing
Pages:  275
Review by Christine McFarlane

“First Nations 101 written by author Lynda Gray is an informative and opinionated guide to First Nations issues. It is written in an accessible style and offers sections on Identity, Social Control, Community Issues, Fairness and Justice, Health and Wellness, Arts and The Road Forward: Forging A New Path.

Toronto, with an Aboriginal population of more than 75,000, it is often called Canada’s largest reserve. However, there has never been anything that has proclaimed the presence of Aboriginal people in the city as loudly and as clearly as All My Relations, an art mural unveiled in Toronto’s Allan Gardens on Nov, 9. Allan Gardens is located in the heart of downtown.

The Energy Resources Conservation Board is inviting feedback on a new approach to regulating unconventional resources, such as shale oil and shale gas. The new approach includes “early and meaningful stakeholder engagement, minimizing surface impacts, protecting water, and maximizing resource recovery,” says a news release issued by the government. While the technology used to develop unconventional resources is not new in Alberta, the scale of the development has the potential to be much larger than in the past.