A collaborative approach by the Pasqua First Nation and Canadian Pacific Railway has resulted in the preservation of sacred sites significant to First Nations people. An area identified for the railway to transport potash from K & S Potash mine near Bethune caused concern for the Pasqua First Nation as it cut through natural prairie, which was also a migration route for First Nation people from the Last Mountain Lake area. Members of the First Nation were hired as site inspectors and they went ahead of the railway construction to identify areas of cultural and spiritual significance.

Starting in 2016, all
bachelor of education students at Queen’s University will be taking a mandatory
course on Aboriginal education, history and culture. Educators say the course
will help future teachers support Indigenous students while creating a
welcoming, inclusive learning environment. “If we have teachers in elementary
and secondary schools who don’t have enough awareness of Indigenous issues,
Indigenous intellectual tradition, and culture, then they’re not going to be

The Ontario Waterpower
Association and the University of Sudbury have formed a partnership
aimed at enhancing Indigenous education for waterpower industry professionals.
“The University of Sudbury’s department of Indigenous studies
promotes an understanding of Aboriginal peoples, their traditions, aspirations
and participation in communities,” said Paul Norris, president of the OWA.
“This relationship will help advance education while enhancing the
understanding of Indigenous culture for members of our association.” As an

Bronze monuments
honouring the Huron-Wendat Confederacy and John Graves Simcoe, the first
Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, were unveiled on Aug. 1 at the Rotary
Champlain Wendat Park in Penetanguishene.  The monuments, by Tyler
Fauvelle, were commissioned by the Town of Penetanguishene as part of the
community’s Rendez-Vous Champlain 2015 celebration.  The event
commemorated the 400th anniversary of Samuel de Champlain’s first landing in
what is now Penetanguishene, on the shores of Georgian Bay. Sculpted in

Alvin Fiddler was elected
Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, the largest political territorial
organization in the Ontario region. Fiddler was elected with 30 votes on first
ballot over incumbent Harvey Yesno with 12 votes and Les Louttit with two by
NAN Chiefs at the 34th Annual Keewaywin
Conference in Aroland First Nation held on Aug. 12.  Three Deputy
Grand Chiefs were also elected: Anna Betty Achneepineskum (Marten Falls), Derek
Fox (Bearskin Lake) and Terry Waboose (Eabametoong). Fiddler joined the Truth

Camp Loon 2015 saw 149
Junior Canadian Rangers from 19 First Nations from across the far north in
Ontario spend eight days in July in the bush north of Geraldton. The advanced
training emphasized safety on the land and water and in personal lifestyles.
The tent camp has been held annually since 2000 and operated this year with the
assistance of 47 Canadian Rangers, who are part-time reserve soldiers, and 52
other military personnel.

Manitoba Keewatinowi
Okimakanak Grand Chief David Harper is being challenged for the position by
Tyler Duncan of Norway House Cree Nation, William Elvis Thomas of
Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation, and Sheila North Wilson of the Bunibonibee Cree
Nation. Harper is also chief of the Garden Hill First Nation. MKO’s annual
general assembly is being held at the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation on Sept. 1 to
Sept. 3 with the election occurring on Sept. 2.

The Winnipeg Art Gallery
and the Department of History at the University of Winnipeg have appointed Dr.
Julie Nagam as the first UWinnipeg/WAG Chair in History of Indigenous Arts in
North America. This joint position is the first of its kind in Canada,
involving research and teaching in the department of history at UWinnipeg and
curatorial and exhibition work at the WAG. Nagam is responsible for researching
and developing a series of courses, exhibitions and related programs designed to

On Aug. 14, the Federal
Court of Appeal agreed that the federal government failed to meet its duty to
consult with Treaty 1 First Nations in transferring the Kapyong Barracks
(located in Winnipeg) to the Canada Lands Company. The Court of Appeal also
made a number of observations on how the Crown should conduct itself in
discussions with First Nations on their preferences for meeting the Crown’s
long-neglected treaty land entitlement obligations. The Court said that treaty