An agreement signed between the provincial government and the Lac La Ronge Indian Child and Family Services Agency will come into full effect by Dec. 1, giving authority for child and family services for both on- and off-reserve residents to the La Ronge band. The agency took over child protection and foster care services to off-reserve residents in La Ronge, Air Ronge, Pinehouse, Brabant Lake, Southend and Stanley Mission in October. The band’s child and family services agency has been offering after-hours emergency services to off-reserve residents since December 2010.

Elliott Kahpeaysewat, former Chief of the Moosomin First Nation, is challenging his dismissal by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada. The department says an independent investigation found evidence that Kahpeaysewat gave money to multiple electors for their votes in the January election for chief and council. However, Kahpeaysewat says affidavits filed against him were fabricated. The former Chief says his lawyer has filed for a judicial review, challenging Ottawa’s authority to remove him from office.

The provincial government will be monitoring the operation of Northern Bear online casino to check out the legalities. Bernie Shepherd, CEO of Northern Bear, began operating the online casino on Nov. 5. Provincial approval is required by Canadian gambling laws and the province has not given the go-ahead to the venture. “I’m establishing our jurisdiction,” said Shepherd. The online casino is being run by the White Bear First Nation. “We have inherent rights - treaty rights and constitutional rights.

Following the presentation of medals and banners, former Chief Lorne Wadikata, of the Wahpeton Dakota First Nation, spoke about the King George III medal.

Elizabeth Phipps, Grade 2/3 teacher at Fairhaven Elementary School, in Saskatoon, has been recognized by Canada’s History Society for her innovative teaching approach. Phipps is one of seven recipients of the society’s 2012 Governor General’s Awards for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History.

Eric Roy, the 17-year-old Métis from Beauval, is being projected as an early pick for the 2013 National Hockey League entry draft next June. Roy, a defenceman, is currently in his third season with the Manitoba-based Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League. He was named the Wheat Kings’ most improved player last season tallying 53 points in 69 games. Roy was 14 when he left home to play a season of midget hockey in Prince Albert before joining the Wheat Kings.

Four of the 14 Indspire 2013 recipients hail from Saskatchewan. Winston Wuttunee, of Red Pheasant, Eagle Hills, received the Culture, Heritage and Spirituality award. Wuttunee, a renowned Cree entertainer and respected Elder, performs songs that carry messages of cultural pride in order to help his people through difficult situations such as suicide, lost identity and drug and alcohol abuse. Metis Theoren Fleury, born in Oxbow, was the recipient of the Sports award. Fleury’s National Hockey League career spanned 10 years and included stops with the Calgary Flames and New York Rangers.

“We have to do something. By law, if you are silent, then your silence is consent,” said Sylvia McAdam, one of the coordinators for the rally organized by grassroots against Bill C-45. The rally took place in Saskatoon on Nov. 10.

Bill C-45 or the Jobs and Growth Act is the second omnibus bill to be introduced by the federal government to further implement provisions of the March budget.

The bill is a threat to First Nations, says McAdam, member of the Big River First Nation and Indigenous Studies instructor at the First Nations University of Canada.

“Saskatchewan History Online” showcases the province’s culture and history, including First Nations and Métis culture, in a central location. This allows anyone to find collections that were less accessible due to the physical location or the fragility of the work. Users of the portal will be able to search the collection using keywords similar to a library search to find artifacts like photos, scrapbooks and personal items that tell Saskatchewan’s history. The government committed $950,000 over three years in 2010 for the project.

Cowessess First Nation has selected Saft to design, produce and install a battery energy storage system as part of the high wind and storage project near Regina This will be Saft’s first wind power application in North America. Saft is a world leader in the design and manufacture of advanced technology batteries for industry. The system is designed to harness intermittent wind power and provide a more continuous and predictable output for both on-grid and off-grid applications.