A dozen young Aboriginal people from across Saskatchewan who view higher education as a priority have been chosen as role models to appear in the 2012 version of A Proud Generation Calendar.

“We’re really big on education,” said Conway Samuelson, the calendar’s recruitment specialist, who oversees the nomination process.

A Saskatoon company that has worked extensively with Aboriginal communities recently won a pair of national awards.

Métis from Saskatchewan and across Canada were mourning the loss of one of their leaders in late August.
Phillip Chartier, a lifelong advocate of Métis rights, died on Aug. 29 following a battle with cancer. He was 61.
Chartier is survived by his wife and their five children; Terry, Adrian, Peter, Sean and Kayla. His family also includes eight grandchildren and one great grandchild.
“It’s a real big loss to the Métis,” said Marlene Hansen, the area director for the North West Region of Métis Nation-Saskatchewan and a close friend of Chartier.

The Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology is hoping that six new student advisors will help Aboriginal students experience success in their studies and transition.

“Students can do it, they just need some support,” said Myrna Yuzicapi, special advisor to SIAST Aboriginal Initiatives and supervisor of the six advisors. “We have a wide range of certificate and diploma programs and that’s one reason why we have such a large population of Aboriginal students. There’s so much to choose from that can lead to numerous employment opportunities.”

An international program that raises social competence among children began operating in September at four Saskatoon schools. Roots of Empathy was officially launched in May.

Susanna Kislenko is manager of national development of Roots of Empathy and said that the time was right to begin in Saskatchewan.

“As the last province to break into, this has been years in the making. The reason why it was the best time now was the support from the Royal Bank of Canada and that was the push we needed,” said Kislenko.

A new book called Gabriel Dumont: Li Chef Michif in Images and in Words shows the life and times of the Métis leader through a new and different lens.

Author Darren Préfontaine said he wanted to compile this book because there was so much information about Gabriel Dumont in the oral histories and archival records that had never made it into the public sphere.

The latest partnership venture on Onion Lake Cree Nation is the way of the future for oil and gas development on First Nations.

“I think it’s time First Nations, especially in this sector, come to the table with no less than 50/50 with any joint venture,” said Chief Wallace Fox. “The pick and shovel days are gone for Onion Lake Cree. We are going to be in business and have demonstrated that and we are here to work with whoever wants to work with us.”

Elections Saskatchewan’s broad interpretation of one of 53 acceptable pieces of identification will make polling stations more accessible for First Nations voters.

Lynn Thompson and Valery Longman are the only two  formerly adopted Aboriginal children named in a class action lawsuit launched against the federal government in the Court of Queen’s Bench in Regina but they represent other First Nations and Métis children taken from their homes in what has become known as the ‘60s scoop.’

When Saskatchewan voters go to the polls on Nov. 7 they will have a record number of Aboriginal candidates to consider as their provincial members.

“We’re ready to take our place in the province. We’re becoming more informed in terms of the issues, and Saskatchewan legislation affects us,” said Jennifer Campeau, Saskatoon Fairview candidate for the Saskatchewan Party.  Campeau’s father is Métis and her mother First Nation. “So I think we would like to be at the table as well.”

The Saskatchewan Party is fielding five Aboriginal candidates in 58 ridings.