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Sentencing delayed for chief, other officials in TLE fraud charges

Sentencing for Poundmaker Cree Nation Chief Duane Antoine and seven other reserve officials for Treaty Land Entitlement fraud has been put off until January 2013. Sentencing was initially  scheduled for Sept. 18 in North Battleford Provincial Court but lawyer Grant Scharfstein,who represents six of the accused, asked that the hearing be postponed to allow his clients more time to raise money for restitution. Counsel for Chief Antoine was agreeable to the postponement.

SIIT president passes away

Called “a true champion of First Nation education” by Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations vice-chief Simon Bird, the Aboriginal and educational communities are mourning the passing of Randell Morris, president of the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies.  Morris passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 16 at the age of 47. He took over as president in 2008. SIIT was closed on Oct. 17 in his honour. Morris was a member of the George Gordon First Nation.

Federal action against pharmacy for alleged overcharging NIHB

The pharmacy at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Ile-a-la-Crosse is under investigation by the federal government for allegedly overcharging the Non-Insured Health Benefits program and billing for drugs that were not dispensed. The NIHB program provides coverage to eligible First Nations and Inuit people who are not insured by private or provincial plans. Health Canada launched an investigation into the pharmacy after the province’s College of Pharmacists raised concerns five years ago.

Federal government removes Moosomin Chief

Despite leadership turmoil, councillor and chairperson Brad Swiftwolfe is confident Moosomin First Nation can continue to forge ahead with business partnerships in order to pull out of third-party management.

“Since (Chief Elliot Kahpeaysewat’s dismissal) in the past two weeks, we’ve visited a whole lot of our business partners and everything was okay. Basically, it still is the council that makes the decision at the end the day, it’s just that the spokesman is not there,” Swiftwolfe said.

Consecration ceremony held for Indigenous Bishop of Saskatchewan

Consecration ceremony for Adam Samson Halkett (back row, third from left) as Indigenous Bishop of Saskatchewan for the Anglican church was held on Oct. 12 in Prince Albert. “As the spirit moves in the First Nations communities, the dreams and the visions of our Elders are becoming reality,” said Halkett in a speech. “As I begin my journey, I’ll use your prayers. I’ll stand with the chiefs. I’ll stand with the leadership in our communities where our youth are suffering today. But with God’s help we can get that, that key. So I give thanks for your prayers. Be here with us, and bless you.

Twenty years later, land acquisition still presents challenges

Turning entitled land into reserve land means the difference between bringing members home to the reserve and offering programs that are not funded through federal dollars.

“We need to ensure all lands we received are productive and ensuring there’s potential revenue coming back to our community for unfunded programs,” said Chief Marie-Anne Day Walker-Pelletier of the Okanese First Nation.

LOU begins formal partnership to improve child care

Elder Maria Linklater is encouraged by the formal steps that have been taken to bring home First Nations children who are in provincial care. But she cautions that signing a letter of understanding is not enough.

“We must be really serious about it. Not just for today, but forever for the future. Because there are still lots of children who are stuck in care,” Linklater said, speaking at the Sept. 18 ceremony which unveiled the formal relationship between the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations and Saskatchewan’s Advocate for Children and Youth.

The Union of BC Indian Chiefs say funding cuts...

The Union of BC Indian Chiefs say funding cuts of the Harper government’s Budget Implementation Act not only significantly weakened and dangerously compromises vital legislation, such as the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and the Fisheries Act, it has allowed the Harper government to renew a nationwide attack on the collective and inherent rights of Indigenous peoples.