We have a couple of stories in this newspaper this month that take a look at the news from a more spiritual angle than you might normally get. We like to touch back to this perspective when we can to ground us, or remind us, that there is more to this worldly endeavor than just politics and land claims, conflict and struggle. It lifts us up, renews us, and humbles us.

Despite an early thaw, and concerns that the river would be impassable, organizers of the grand opening of Washow Lodge on the shores of the Harricanna River near Moose Factory Island breathed a sigh of relief when bush planes arrived with officials for opening ceremonies held on March 31.

The Moose Cree’s long-awaited lodge and outdoor centre will host guests in the early summer if all continues to go well.

The opening ceremony and ribbon-cutting took place on the snow-covered ground facing the lodge just as the first geese of the season flew overhead.

The chiefs of Ontario are devising a number of strategies to make the provincial and federal governments sit up and take notice of their concerns about the plan to impose the harmonized sales tax (HST) come July.

Grand Chief Patrick Madahbee of the Anishinabek Nation, representing 42 First Nations, predicts it’s going to be a long winter of sustained activity in the province. Expect direct action, political lobbying, and litigation.

Singer/songwriter Shy-Anne has made great strides in her music and teaching careers since the blessing of her spirit name, Black Thunder Bird, in June 2007.

The connection to Black Thunder Bird has been reflected in the Métis artist’s recent triumphs at the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music awards held at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg on Nov. 5, landing her top spot as Female Entertainer of the Year.

“When I received that name it was like I needed it to get through to the next step…I have a sneaky suspicion that if I turn my back on that, then it will all crumble.

Former Treaty 3 grand chief Leon Jourdain will get his day in court.

An Ontario Superior Court judge has ordered that Jourdain’s claims of negligent investigation, malicious prosecution and defamation against members of the Ontario Provincial Police in Kenora can proceed to trial.

Tenacity and hard work has paid off for three Aboriginal filmmakers from Vancouver after their films won the honors in a digital short film competition hosted in collaboration with the Aboriginal People’s Television Network [APTN] and Capilano University’s Indigenous Independent Filmmaking Program [IIDF].

On Dec. 2, Indigenous leader Kim Recalma-Clutesi was awarded the 2010 Ecotrust Indigenous Leadership Award for her exceptional conservation efforts that have helped shape, not only British Columbia, but the national Indigenous community as well.

A jury of tribal leaders within Ecotrust’s Native Program Services handed out four awards, each comes with an investment of funds that will go into the community or to the honorees’ personal initiatives.

Traditional and modern artistry merged and exploded on to the stage as a line-up of talented Aboriginal artists gathered to kick off the 10th Annual Talking Stick Festival during the opening gala on Feb. 1.

Nearly 200 people packed Vancouver’s Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre to launch the two-week city-wide festival honouring First Nations and Métis art and artists.

“It’s a beautiful resurgence of culture,” said Squamish Chief Ian Campbell of the festival.

The hereditary chiefs of the Nuu-chah-nulth territories stood together on Jan. 19 and spoke with one voice to send a message to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DF0).

It said the Nuu-chah-nulth ha’wiih (hereditary leadership) will take care of their resources within their ha’houlthees (chiefly lands), and they will ensure that their people get the fish they need.

“There is no way we are going to let our people starve,” said Ahoushat Tyee Ha’wilth (head chief) Maquinna Lewis George.