GLEN HARE, THE DEPUTY
Grand Council Chief of the Anishinabek Nation, wonders why Indian and Northern Affairs Canada is spending exorbitant amounts on overseas travel. The federal bureaucracy is responsible for improving the lives of First Nations people in Canada, he said, so why are thousands of dollars to such places Russia, Belgium and Great Britain being spent.

When Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore announced recently that he was not only renewing funding for BC Aboriginal language retention and preservation programs, but was increasing the funding substantially from $232,000 to $834,000, our first response was....language prevention programs in BC were only sharing $200,000!?

Métis leader Louis Riel was hanged in Regina 125 years ago, after a court decision ruled that he committed treason against the Canadian Government for his part in the Northwest Resistance.

On November 16th, the Regina Métis Council organized a vigil on the spot where Riel spent his final moments—the RCMP barracks on Dewdney Avenue.

Russell Fayant, interim President with the Regina Métis Council, said this year’s vigil was special because the group had permission to be on the RCMP grounds.

Hopes were dashed on Dec. 1 that a judge’s decision would open the borders between Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta for Métis harvesting.

Pieces of First Nations and Métis art splashed with bright colors and drawn with intricate designs, handmade beaded jewelry and moccasins, and personal care natural products were amongst the items on display at a Dec. 4 art fair in Saskatoon.

For its sixth year, the “Annual Emerging Artist Christmas Art Fair” allowed local Aboriginal artists to display their work to prospective buyers just as the Christmas season approached.

Welcome to another Kiweetnook Rez Christmas, where three Kohkums are always up to mischief.
“On the reserve, we don’t say love, we say luff” says a character at the beginning – and luffly luff it is, from start to finish.

Written and directed by Curtis Peeteetuce of the Sask Native Theatre Company (SNTC), the play uses four actors to portray nine characters, all bring the house down with their acting, lines, and physical comedy.
But the storyline beneath all the laughter seriously explores the many facets of love.

The media hype around the PISIM Project in Cumberland House has been stellar, but not all that happened has been positive, according to Northern Lights School Division school board member Alan Bishoff. Bishoff said the circumstances surrounding the project have brought him a lot of frustration.

“Part of my frustration with this (project) is that I was not involved with the building of it,” he said in an interview with Sage, even though he is an experienced contractor who came up with the initial idea.

The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples (SSCAP) released a report this year entitled “First Nations Elections: The Choice is Inherently Theirs.”

The report requests a definite obligation by the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND) to work with First Nations communities that choose their political leadership under the current Indian Act electoral system.

They also request that DIAND promote and enhance the capacity of First Nations communities in determining their leadership based on ‘customary’ or ‘community based methods’.

Well, at least now we know that figure skating will in all likelihood not be a part of Theoren “Theo” Fleury’s future.

The former National Hockey League star was one of the competitors on the second season of the hit Canadian television show Battle of the Blades.

A national restorative justice symposium ‘Reflexions: Past, Present and Future’ held in Regina from Nov. 14-16, featured Aboriginal presenters from around the province.
One of these was Saskatoon lawyer Don Worme, who was keynote speaker in the opening plenary. Worme is originally from the Kawacatoose First Nation in Treaty 4 territory, and spoke of the past, present and future of restorative justice in Canada.