The Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre held its annual First Nations Language Keepers Conference December 3 & 4 at the Saskatoon Inn in Saskatoon.

The annual gathering is quickly becoming a leading national conference in creating awareness of First Nations languages and cultures.

The goal of the conference is to bring together academics, knowledge keepers, master speakers, students, Elders and community leaders to share best practices in the revitalization and retention of language and culture in First Nations communities across Canada and the United States.

A report released on Dec. 16 by the Child and Welfare ministry panel titled ‘For the Good of Our Children and Youth’ presented 12 recommendations to solve some of the issues prevalent in the child welfare system.

The report recognizes the important decision-making role of First Nations and Métis leaders in the system, as Aboriginal children represent approximately 80% of those in care across the province.

Following a one-year hiatus, the Red Earth Aboriginal Minor Hockey Tournament was finally able to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

The tournament, which began in 2000, was supposed to have its decade-long anniversary in 2009. But organizers were forced to cancel that event due to the widespread concerns of H1N1, which saw the cancellation of numerous sporting events.

Modern times have thrown strict democracy at First Nations with the current election system and as a result many bands are struggling with those effects.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Chief Superintendent Russell Mirasty, a proud member of the Lac La Ronge Cree Band in northern Saskatchewan, has been appointed to the rank of Commanding Officer of the “F” Division in Saskatchewan. 

In an article in Maclean’s magazine, Mirasty remembers being one of only two First Nations in his troop at Depot Division, when he joined the RCMP in 1976.

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) has begun a process that could potentially invest $1 million over three years to two northern First Nations communities.

The village of Pinehouse and the English River First Nation are both interested in exploring the multi billion-dollar industry of nuclear waste storage.

The incumbent president of the Métis National Council reclaimed his seat at this year’s December general assembly in Saskatoon.

Clem Chartier allowed his name to stand as he sought a third term as MNC president. A former RCMP officer, government employee and businessman, John Keyuk from Ontario, was the only person who ran against Chartier, who grew up in Ile-a-la-Crosse and has been involved in Métis politics at the provincial and national level for years.

Chief charged for trafficking drugs

The recently re-elected chief of the Key First Nation, Clarence Papequash, 58, was charged with trafficking prescription narcotics in Jan. that included OxyContin and Hydromorphone.

He told media he did nothing wrong and will not resign as chief after he was charged as part of a six-month investigation by RCMP. He was arrested as one of 16 people involved in the drug trafficking, with more arrests expected to be made.

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) has a proposal in the works to build a First Nations-owned $90 million dollar remand centre for First Nations prisoners awaiting trial.

The envisioned facility would be adjacent to the Saskatoon Correctional Centre on 60th Street East, have a detoxification or ‘dry out’ unit with medical supervision and may have a women’s unit, according to media sources.

A new chief in March for the Beaver Lake Cree Nation is likely to result in a new philosophy when it comes to battling oil sands development in the Fort Chipewyan area.

“A new leadership might decide to take a little more aggressive action,” said Ron Lameman, advisor to current Chief Al Lameman.

At the heart of Ron Lameman’s comments is the newly released report, Royal Society of Canada Expert Panel: Environmental and Health Impacts of Canada’s Oil Sands Industry.