Fatty Legs, a true story written by Margaret Pokiak Fenton and Christy Jordan Fenton, has been chosen as the First Nation Communities Read program 2011/12 selected title.

It’s a story of courage and great endurance.

The story was selected by a six-member jury of librarians from First Nation public libraries in Ontario, with support from the Southern Ontario Library Association. It was selected from 29 titles submitted by 13 publishers from across Canada and timed to fit with Ontario Public Library Week (Oct. 16 to Oct. 22).

On Sept. 29, Fort McKay First Nation and Fort McKay Métis Nation, in partnership with Alberta Health and Wellness and Alberta Aboriginal Relations, announced their shared commitment to work together on a community health assessment for the Fort McKay community.

“This community health assessment is an historical first for Alberta,” said Gene Zwozdesky, minister of Health and Wellness.

This year’s passing of Elder Ernest “Ernie” Kaientaronkwen Benedict and his daughter Salli Kawennotakie Benedict deprived the Mohawk community of two great visionaries. Both dedicated their lives to strengthening their nation’s identity.

The elder Benedict was born in 1918 at a time when his people were still tied to their natural environment, nourished by the crops they grew and the fish they harvested from the many rivers flowing through Mohawk Territory.

Artist—Genevieve Fisher
Song—Some Letter that you Wrote me
Album—Without Borders (2010)
Label—Independent

THE URBANE INDIAN

Being a professional writer often requires a different set of perceptions and interests. Like most authors (particularly in the fiction genre) who try to put a little effort into what they do, I spend most of my professional time—and a sizable amount of my off-hours time—imagining ‘what if….’?

In places like my car, my mind will wander off as I ponder some mysterious and peculiar concept involving me wondering ‘what ifÖ.” and I frequently get caught up pondering those possibilities, i.e. something did something that caused something to happen.

Windspeaker: What one quality do you most value in a friend?
Don Amero: Trust. I think it’s then when you can truly confide in someone.

W: What is it that really makes you mad?
D.A.: Bad drivers. Especially ones on cell phones... other people’s lives are at risk people!

W: When are you at your happiest?
D.A.: Sitting at home having dinner with my wife and watching our favorite TV show ‘Happy Endings’

W: What one word best describes you when you are at your worst?
D.A.: Lazy! I hate not getting things done.

Dear Auntie:
I have feelings for a married co-worker. It all started with a simple lunch, and now we’re sharing the intimate details of our lives. He understands me. I understand him. And I think he’s ready to leave his wife. I want to move forward, but I don’t want to pressure him into that decision. I don’t want to be the person who breaks up a marriage.
Signed
Waiting on the Sidelines

The 12th Annual imagineNATIVE Film & Media Arts Festival kicked off in Toronto Oct. 19 at the Native Canadian Centre bringing festival goers and performers together from the far reaches of the earth.

It all began with Cynthia Lickers-Sage, a co-founder of imagineNATIVE with Lisa Steele. They were working at Vtape, Canada’s largest independent international distribution centre, when the idea of a festival of this type started to form.

On Oct. 8, the first ever Teweikan Music Gala was held in Quebec City amidst the rich décor of the Capitole Theatre.

Geoffrey Kelley, the Quebec Minister responsible for Native Affairs, attended the gala organized by the Société de communication Atikamekw-Montagnais (SOCAM) under the direction of Bernard Hervieux.

First Nations, hundreds strong, marched to the steps of their legislatures demanding that the Saskatchewan and Alberta provincial governments honor treaty rights.

“Our people are saying this injustice is no longer okay and we will step forward and we will even use tools of mainstream democracy, like rallies in front of legislatures, to make sure that our voices are going to be heard,” said Assembly of First Nations Chief Shawn Atleo. Atleo attended the rally in Edmonton.