Buckley Belanger, a longtime NDP MLA representing northern Saskatchewan, is considering a run for leader.

Sundance Energy Corporation has finished exploratory test wells on its 40,000 acre Ochapowace First Nations Lands and on its 58,000 acre Muskowekwan First Nations Lands. The two exploratory test wells indicate oil and gas and Sundance has determined that the reservoirs present are capable of supporting potential hydrocarbon production.

(From left) Chiefs Wallace Fox (Onion Lake Cree Nation), Rose Laboucan (Drift Pile First Nation), Jim Badger (Sucker Creek First Nation) and Craig Mackinaw (Ermineskin Cree Nation) signed a memorandum of understanding in front of gas and oil industry partners and the government.

The findings of a recently-released survey on community-perception of the Regina Police Services do not surprise the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations.

Almost 75 per cent of Aboriginal people living in the province’s capital distrust the city police. Morley Watson, FSIN Vice-Chief, takes those results further.

“I think generally because of the residential school effects across this province, I think that generally (that percentage is representative) right from one end of the province to the other,” he said.

A family feud that carried from one reserve to another is threatening to split Pheasant Rump First Nation.

And a move by Chief Terry McArthur in late February to bring the two sides together for discussion resulted “in a very volatile atmosphere, a lot of tension” on the reserve.

Forty-one years ago Lynn Thompson was stolen from off the Pine Creek First Nation in Manitoba.

“We were told by our grandparents, if white people come around, you run in to the bush,” said Thompson.

Temporary housing for BHP Billiton Jansen potash mine workers will provide construction and long-term service jobs for three First Nations in the region.

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Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo is not as critical as his regional counterparts of the federal budget that was brought down on March 29.

“It leaves room for hope,” said Atleo, although he admits that the budget – toted to hold more First Nations-specific initiatives than any other Conservative budget – isn’t everything asked for.

But Atleo said the funding that was committed is at least stable and predictable for the two or three years that it is spread out over.

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The federal budget tabled March 29 committed $275 million to First Nations elementary and secondary education over three years. But that figures falls well short of the $500 million the Assembly of First Nations said is required to bring on-reserve learning up to par with provincial schools.

March 31 - Globe and Mail

A surprising victory was won Saturday night in an Ottawa boxing ring when MP Justin Trudeau beat his opponent Conservative Senator Patrick Brazeau.

By most accounts Senator Brazeau was favoured to win the bout.

But although Brazeau came out strong in the first round of the Olympic-style match on Saturday, he appeared to tire quickly. By the second round,  Trudeau was able to extend his reach and get several hits in to Mr. Brazeau and had him on the ropes. The referee stopped the match in favour of Trudeau during the third round.