The Federal Government has approved an 18-month contract for all First Nations across Canada to have their water and wastewater tested. It is no secret that many First Nations have been surviving with water that is below standards for years. However, one leader of Saskatchewan First Nation is skeptical that improvements will be made.
Ochapowace First Nation band councilor Elvis Henry said his band has had their water tested several times, but very little has been done to solve any of the problems.

What can Perry Bellegarde do as a national leader of Aboriginal people in Canada?
If elected as National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), Bellegarde said he will focus on economic development, education, the environment, fiscal arrangements between the Federal Crown and First Nations, jurisdiction, and languages and culture.
But Bellegarde's biggest vision is perhaps to bring about positive change to all First Nations people across Canada.

A lot has been happening at the First Nations University of Canada (FNUC) in the past few months: a $2.5 million freeze of government funding, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) agreement between the Saskatoon campus and Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST), and a controversial speech at a FNUC festival and open house in June.

The Little Pine First Nation has lost its band office and medical health centre to a fire that was set intentionally by a 15-year old youth.
On June 21, the Cut Knife RCMP responded to the fire at about 4a.m. They were unable to contain the flames. The Little Pine office building was a complete loss, along with the shed located beside the band office. Police believe the fire was started in the shed.

It has been one year since the apology was delivered by Stephen Harper for the abuse suffered by Aboriginal children in Canada's church-operated Indian residential schools, and many people across Canada want to ensure that day is never forgotten, including Assembly of First Nations National(AFN) Chief, Phil Fontaine.
"(This day) is about reminding Canadians how very important we are to them and how they need us if we are to build a beautiful future for this country," Fontaine said.

A recent report released by the Parliamentary Budget Officer states that inadequate planning, redirected budgets, and no inspections has placed many First Nations schools across Canada in a poor state and furthermore, criticizes Indian and Northern Affairs Canada(INAC) for its management of the schools.
When looking at Canada's 803 First Nations schools, the report says, 10 are closed and 77 are listed as temporary structures. Forty-nine per cent of the schools are in good condition and nearly 21 per cent are not inspected.

Saskatchewan's Onion Lake Cree Nation is rolling up its sleeves and welcoming a $22 million construction investment that will create more employment opportunities.
"This investment is more than building much needed housing and infrastructure. This is about creating jobs for our band members," said Chief Wallace Fox in a press release.

The number of H1N1 Human Swine Flu cases increased substantially in Saskatchewan over the last month, and the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a pandemic. But the province's health officials say the best thing to do is not to panic, and to follow simple preventative measures to keep the disease from spreading.
"For this virus, the single best thing is to wash hands and wipe down surfaces that are used by many people, such as door knobs and computers," said Saskatchewan's Chief Medical Health Officer, Dr. Moira McKinnon.

A rehabilitated eagle was released by Kim Relcalma-Clutsei, a member of the Qualicum Band, on Saturday, April 7.

Bird handler Julie Mackey who assisted Relcalma-Clutsei with the release said it was exciting and nerve wracking at the same time.

"You want everything to go perfect … and it always does," she said.

The eagle was taken to the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre (NIWRC) in Errington, BC on December 9 last year after it was rescued near the Big Qualicum River Fish Hatchery.

Sporting history was made in Hobbema when the Ermineskin Junior Senior High School played host to the provincial boys’ high school A basketball championships from Mar. 15-17.

This marked the first time the Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association had staged a provincial championship at a First Nations school.

Competition was tough and the 12th seeded Ermineskin Eagles lost all three of their games.

“It’s always nice to win games,” said Coach Mike Sonnenberg, “but it was an experience for us.”