A grand opening was held for Buffalo Berry Place, a 12-unit rental housing development on the Whitecap Dakota First Nation. The unit marks the first time the provincial government has funded on-reserve affordable housing, which is typically federal responsibility. The provincial government supplied $1.7 million of the $2.4 million total cost of the complex. At the time of the grand opening, only one of the one and two-bedroom units remained vacant. One unit is also fully wheelchair accessible.

A record 10 Aboriginal students graduating from the Edwards School of Business were among the 245 Aboriginal students to graduate from the University of Saskatchewan this year. Walter Linklater, an Elder at the U of S Aboriginal Student Centre, describes education as the “new buffalo” for Aboriginal people and thinks graduation numbers from Saskatchewan universities will only increase. He attributes that increase to more Aboriginal people moving to the cities and more of them self-identifying as Aboriginal.

Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority casinos saw a 27 per cent increase in net earnings in 2011-2012 with revenues of $267.2 million and profits of $81.6 million. “Both of these figures are new record levels for our company,” president and CEO Zane Hansen told the Star Phoenix. Dakota Dunes was the highest grossing casino with Northern Lights casino, in Prince Albert, ranking second. Three per cent of net earnings went to sponsorships, community events, scholarships and employee volunteer initiatives and included a $500,000 donation to the Children’s Hospital of Saskatchewan.

More than 130 people on the Onion Lake First Nation and in the Rural Municipality of Frenchman Butte were forced to evacuate their homes for a day as a precaution because of wildfire burns. The order came down May 16 but was lifted May 17. The fire was designated as being held and no homes were destroyed. Trained crews fought the battle on the ground and a helicopter on site dropped water to keep hot spots contained.

Members of the Cote First Nation are eligible to receive $20,000 each as part of a comprehensive land claim settlement valued at $130 million. The settlement was reached between the First Nation and the federal government last fall and has been ratified by band members. The deal also includes provisions for the band to purchase 15-thousand acres of land to add to the reserve. A portion of the settlement money will go into a trust fund to ensure there is an ongoing source of revenue for the band.

Jay Lyndon Thomas, 18, of Pelican Lake First Nation, has been charged with second degree murder in the death of Robi Davis Thomas, 23. The death was the result of an altercation on Pelican Lake First Nation at a graduation celebration. Spiritwood RCMP were called to an open field where the altercation took place. Assisting with the examination of the crime scene were members of the RCMP Forensic Identification Unit out of North Battleford and the RCMP Major Crimes Unit North. Jay Thomas was remanded for court in North Battleford and appeared June 11.

A tipi brought in from the Fort Qu’Appelle campus by a group of Adult Basic Education students was raised at the Yorkton campus recently to celebrate the diversity of the region and showcase the skills students have acquired in their time at Parkland College. The tipi was first prepared and raised by a student-led committee in Fort Qu’Appelle in September 2011. It provides a year-round sacred space for students, and is also used at powwows, graduation, and for cultural teachings. The celebration at Yorkton  included traditional drummers and dancers.

Country music legend Charlie Pride was made an honorary member of the Lac La Ronge First Nation following his concert on the First Nation at the end of May. Chief Tammy Cook-Searson said she and the band councillors were so impressed by the singer, they decided to bestow membership on him. Pride was also given a Cree name that means Big Eagle because he arrived by air. 

Saskatoon Tribal Chief Felix Thomas is the new chair of the board of directors for the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority. The appointment was effective June 6. Thomas joined the SIGA board of directors in 2008. Thomas replaces Acting Chair Chief Edward Henderson of the Montreal Lake Cree Nation who joined the board in December 2005. SIG casinos saw a 27 per cent increase in net earnings in 2011-2012 with revenues of $267.2 million and profits of $81.6 million.

Darren Okemaysim is working on setting up the Peyasiw Foundation, which will be a cancer support network that he would like to have linked to the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency. Okemaysim is in the process of drafting the objectives and the possible deliverable outcomes. He was diagnosed with cancer nine months ago and the experience pushed him to learn more about the disease. It also pushed him to seek a First Nations cancer support group. He found out there was none. “I want to share stories,” Okemaysim told the Regina Leader-Post. “I want to hear stories. I want support.