Several entertainers took the stage on April 20 at the Broadway Theatre in Saskatoon to help raise funds for a group of Oskayak students who will travel to New Zealand in July. Performers for the night included Mykal Gamble, Eekwol, and the comedic trio, the Bionic Bannock Boys.

Every First Nations government has a host of community concerns waiting to be addressed. They range from immediate, day-to-day issues to long-term development.
In my own community, Flying Dust First Nation, concerns are met by chief and council and by collective efforts of programs to address the peoples’ needs.  But I think to expect the chief and council to solve each and every problem and manage every individual request is too cumbersome and not entirely democratic.

The facts around a current case of kidnapping and torture against three youth on the Pelican Lake First Nation have shocked the community.

Francis Hernandez 47 and accomplice Larry Lee Thomas 27 are facing charges for sexual assault with a weapon, unlawful confinement and exposing obscene matter.
Other charges include: uttering threats, overcoming resistance to the commission of an indictable offence and a variety of other offences that total over 30 charges.
Another accomplice Manon Boisvert 39 is facing a charge of unlawful confinement.

Core Neighbourhood Youth Coop (CNYC) on 20th Street was pleased to recognize one of their corporate sponsors, Affinity Credit Union, in a special way for their generosity and support.

Affinity Board Members Linda Moulin and Cathy Cislecki presented a cheque to CNYC youth representative, Christian Bear, who accepted on behalf of the organization.

Saskatchewan is known for hosting world class sporting events and for all its sports enthusiasts. (Go Rider’s!)
And of course, Saskatchewan’s community is famous for their volunteer spirit—the people who make such events possible.

That’s why the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN), in partnership with the City of Regina, is bidding to host the 2014 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG)

Families sue for handling of 9-1-1 call

The families of Kerry Canepotatoe and Melissa Rabbitskin are filing a lawsuit against the RCMP and the provincial government after the women found themselves stranded on a back road in April 2010.

The two cousins were traveling to Island Lake First Nation along with Rabbitskin’s two children when the car swerved off the road.

After making various calls to 9-1-1 on a dying cell phone, the dispatcher failed to respond and chose not the send any type of assistance to the women.

As Saskatchewan faced rapidly rising water levels, people banded together to make sure First Nations communities survived the flood.

Close to 200 people from the Red Earth First Nation were evacuated from their homes.

Some stayed with family but many were transported to Saskatoon where they either stayed in a hotel or at the Cosmo Civic Centre.

Ferlin Nawakayas of the Red Earth First Nation, helped co-ordinate relief efforts for the evacuees.

“It’s never easy when people evacuate,” he said. “For the kids it’s hard.”

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

W: What is it that really makes you mad?
MAL: Feeling useless. It can be frustrating being in film, because sometimes I doubt myself if I don’t have the latest and greatest equipment. You just have to get over that and shoot something.

Author and historian sought to set the record straight on Aboriginal peoples

Olive Dickason lived a quintessentially Canadian life, a Métis who was an advocate for women’s rights, First Nations and Métis rights, and seniors’ rights. She was more than an advocate; she was at the forefront of the struggles. She was an inspired and inspirational teacher and mentor who changed Canadian history.

“It came as an absolute surprise,” said Sandra Laronde, when asked about her nomination for an honorary degree at Trent University’s upcoming graduation ceremony June 1.

Laronde, who is Teme-Augama Anishnabe of the Temagami Nation in Ontario, said she is doubly honored to be one of five distinguished Canadians selected for this degree, and to give the keynote speech to the graduating class.

Although a graduate of the University of Toronto, Laronde said “I have developed a special affinity to Trent University because of its Aboriginal programs.”