Latvia hires Nolan
Former National Hockey League coach of the year Ted Nolan will once again be behind the bench, but the 53-year-old Ojibwe from Ontario’s Garden River First Nation is not returning to the NHL. In fact, he won’t even be guiding a minor professional or junior team in North America. Instead, Nolan is taking his coaching expertise overseas. On Aug. 3 it was announced that Nolan has been hired by the Latvian Hockey Association to serve as the head coach of its national men’s team.

A pair of Aboriginal fastball teams that had some close finishes in recent years were finally able to get over the hump and celebrate national championships.

The Kinbasket Development Corporation (KDC) Braves from Invermere, B.C. won the men’s title at the Canadian Native Fastball Championships, which concluded Aug. 1 in Winnipeg.

And Regina-based Aboriginal Memorial Incorporated (AMI) Pride captured the women’s crown.

Artist—Damien Cheecham
Song—It's Just a Dream
Album—Damien Cheecham (2010)
Label—Independent

Windspeaker: What one quality do you most value in a friend?
J.R.: Honesty. Usually people that are honest carry a healthy self esteem as well. It’s a two for one.

Reverend Larry Kroker was named an honorary chief on Aug. 6 by the northwestern Ontario community of Fort William First Nation.

The event coincided with the 40th anniversary of Kroker’s ordination, the day upon which he became a priest.

On July 20, more than 80 people came out to the event “The Silence is Broken, But the Violence Continues: Now What?” held at the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto.
Four panelists spoke about where the efforts should go to end the murders and disappearances of Indigenous women, two-spirited and transgendered people. Panelists were Lee Maracle, Darlene Ritchie, Krysta Williams, and Erin Konsmo of the Native Youth Sexual Health Network.
There was also a screening of the film “Survival, Strength, Sisterhood: Power of Women in the Downtown Eastside.”

It’s Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug’s (K.I’s) own law, which translates from Oji-Cree to mean “I’m looking after my land.”

The community ratified its Watershed Declaration and Consultation Protocol July 5. Both documents were ratified with a resounding 96 per cent of the votes in a community referendum.

The water declaration is to protect 13,025 square kilometres of lakes, rivers, forests and wetlands in the KI territory. The consultation protocol sets out how consent will be given before any decisions are made about lands and resources.

Members of the Heiltsuk First Nation of British Columbia’s north coast gathered at the Simon Fraser University [SFU] campus in Burnaby Aug. 30 to participate in a ceremony that will end in the homecoming of their ancient relatives.

Coastal First Nations chiefs, community members, and representatives from the academic world filled the entrance of the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology at SFU to witness the Heiltsuk people reclaim a large quantity of ancestral remains that had been housed at the institution since the 1970s.

DEAR AUNTIE

Dear Auntie:
The deadline for the Common Experience Payment is almost here. For the past year I’ve been trying to get my dad to apply. He spent a lot of time in residential school, and he should get the money that is owing to him. But he refuses to take part. He said he doesn’t want anything to do with it, and he won’t talk about that time of his life. He just waves his hand at me and walks away. That money could do a lot for him and his whole family. What can I say to convince him to make the right choice for all of us.

Yours truly,
Shaking my head

THE URBANE INDIAN
Drew Hayden Taylor

Being an Elder is not easy. Not that I know personally, but I’ve heard rumors. It’s both a vocation and a dedication. It’s a position that requires you to be smart. You also have to be empathic. A good sense of humor also helps, as well as excellent communication skills.
These are the differences between somebody who is an Elder, and somebody who is just old. And all of these talents have to come from years of experiencing life and adding life to experiences.