“I will be here in the West doorway, that is where I am today.

I am that Thunder in the sky, I am the cleansing when you cry.”

Before her death on Jan. 4, 2011, Lillian Pitawanakwat, Thunderbird Eagle Woman (Ninkii BinessMijissi Kwe) of the Thunderbird clan, wrote out comforting words for those left behind.

Cyndy Vanier, who delivered Lillian’s eulogy, said the Elder gave her notes before she passed away, and “these are probably the things she’d want you to know if she were able to speak them to us today.”

It is not only “immoral” but “stupid economically” for the federal government to continue to underfund the education of the fastest growing, youngest segment of the Canadian population.

“(It’s) as dumb as anything…. These are the people on who we are going to build a nation and we’re not going to educate them? It’s just beyond belief,” said former Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin.

Officials from Regina and Saskatchewan are in a celebratory mood.

But they also realize they have three years of hard work ahead of them as they prepare to host the 2014 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG).

The NAIG Council awarded Regina the multi-sports competition after final bid presentations were made in mid-May in Moncton.

Two other cities–Halifax and London, Ont.–had also submitted bids to host the continent’s showcase competition for Aboriginal athletes.

Each city that was keen to host the 2014 NAIG had to undergo a three-step stage.

Artist—Little Hawk
Song—Six  Nations
Album—Vigilance
Label—Ojiji Music

Troy Westwood may be better known as one of Canadian Football League’s more colorful kickers with 17 years in the CFL and playing with the Winnipeg Blues Bombers but thanks to his Aboriginal relations, he began his music career as one of the founders of Eagle & Hawk and then returned to music from football as Little Hawk. Troy has been adopted into the Aboriginal music industry and with the number of Aboriginal Music Awards under his belt is proving he’s earned his way in this community.

Windspeaker: What one quality do you most value in a friend?

Dakota Brant: The reality checks! Any friend can be prepared to give you a hug and a shoulder to lean on, but strong spirited friends can help you collect your thoughts and ask you “what do you need to do to go from here?”

W.: What is it that really makes you mad?

British Columbia Treaty 8 First Nations are furious. They say their right to meaningful consultation regarding the future development of a massive dam and hydroelectric generating station on their traditional land has been violated.

Three years ago, two First Nations women in British Columbia were complete strangers. Today, one woman is planning to give the other the ultimate gift–the gift of life.

When 19-year-old Alissa Derrick of the Wetsuweten First Nation in Smithers, B.C. met Adrienne Charlie in 2009 she had no idea that the 33-year-old would play such an instrumental role in saving her life.

History was made on May 26 when the vast majority of 167 B.C. Aboriginal leaders voted in favour of a resolution framework that promises to open the door to First Nations-controlled healthcare.

Close to 500 people attended the fourth annual Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey 2011 Forum on the Tripartite First Nations Health Plan in Richmond May 24 to May 26. Only band chiefs or their proxies were permitted to vote on the resolution, however.

DEAR AUNTIE

Dear Auntie:
My uncle is an important person in my life. He sits and teaches me stories and songs and he takes me hunting with him and talks about the land, and all kinds of interesting stuff. But lately, he’s been different. He’s been drinking, and he’s not the same person. My mom says she doesn’t want me around his house anymore. Says something bad is going to happen someday there. I want my uncle back. What can I do?
Signed
Missing My Relative

THE URBANE INDIAN

It seems there is much ado about something in the city of Toronto these days, and oddly enough, it’s in the theatre world.

It seems Soulpepper Theatre’s recent production of the 1960 classic musical The Fantasticks has raised the ire of many local Aboriginal artists.