Dr. Margo Greenwood was presented Nov. 23 to the House of Commons in the Canadian Parliament as one of the 14 recipients of this year’s National Aboriginal Achievement Awards.

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF

OK, everybody raise their hands who thinks Glooscap First Nation Chief Shirley Clarke and her band councilors could use some media training. The chief of the “tiny native reserve of 300 people in rural Nova Scotia” has been getting a pounding from reporter Richard Foot of the National Post. His articles on the salaries of the First Nations leadership are making front page news across the country and fuelling the right wing myth that all band councils are corrupt and elected officials are getting rich off the backs of their communities.

The Native Women’s Association of Canada is downgrading its approval of how $10 million will be spent by the federal government over the next two years to address the issue of missing or murdered Aboriginal women.

FORT WILLIAM FIRST NATION

On the morning of Nov. 12, National Chief Shawn Atleo was tending to the business of First Nations in Canada when he received a phone call from the Minister of Indian Affairs John Duncan who had good news to share.

If a tip line had been in place when Ernie Crey’s sister went missing in 2000, or if a national centre for coordinated efforts had been established 10 years ago, it may have made a difference.

“I think it would have made a difference, but not all the difference,” said Crey.

“The ultimate objective of the First Nations Property Ownership Act is to support the aspirations of First Nations people: to assist them to unlock the tremendous economic potential of First Nations land…”

In his Sept. 23 speech to the United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister Stephen Harper outlined various reasons why Canada should be elected to the Security Council.  He spoke of the importance of making a significant difference in the lives of the world’s most disadvantaged people. He encouraged enlightened sovereignty over narrow self-interest, as well as justice and human rights. He pledged to listen to others, speak the truth and, above all, be accountable.

It’s been said that you can’t please everybody. That is true. And as a professional columnist, I have, over the passing years, pleased many, annoyed a few, and downright pissed off a handful.

This column is about that last subsection of the population. There is a person out there named Alexander who is quite miffed with me. According to a posting he placed on my Web site, I am a racist. I was quite surprised to find that out, but then again, who wouldn’t be, excluding those with red necks (not red skins) and white pointed hats and gowns.

But first, some background.