2002- Year in Review

Year in review-January 2002

In our inaugural issue last January, Ontario Birchbark was published under the name Windspeaker Ontario. This first issue and the next two appeared as a 12-page insert in our news publication, Windspeaker. An article by publisher Bert Crowfoot titled Ontario now in AMMSA family outlined the aims of our fledgling publication.

The focus was decidedly on arts and entertainment, as we covered the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards where the Hometown Ronnie Douglas Blues Band won Best Jazz or Blues Album for the second time; the Canadian Aboriginal Festival events at Toronto's Skydome which provided a cornucopia of photos of performers from across the country; and the second annual ImagineNATIVE Media Arts Festival, which gave the award for Best Film to highly acclaimed Atanarjuat (The Fast Runner). Outside of Toronto, a cross-border art exchange between students of the Eenchokay Birchstick school in Pikangikum and the Upland District High School in suburban Los Angeles provided insight into the ways youth view themselves.

Year in review-February 2002

In February, AMMSA's newest paper announced the twenty-seventh Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, James K. Bartleman, had been appointed by Prime Minister Jean Chretien. Bartleman, a career diplomat and a member of the Chippewas of Rama, was named to the post for a five-year term on Jan. 10 last year.

Iroquois Elders got a chance to be heard through the medium of film-maker and activist Danny Beaton, in his film The Iroquois Speak Out For Mother Earth. Beaton said his aim in making the picturewas to bring the message of the Elders about the sacredness of Mother Earth to as many people as he could.

In our Careers section, the National Aboriginal Forestry Association put out a call for people to address a lack of Aboriginal foresters working beyond the technician level. Anyone with an interest in a broad range of management options in the forest industry, was directed to find out the requirements through visiting the association's Web site at www.fsccanada.org.

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Year in review-March 2002

The March issue of the Aboriginal Newspaper of Ontario featured a full-page story and photos of the Woodland Cultural Centre museum's quilting display. The 14 quilts in the museum were part of a larger travelling exhibit called To Honor and Comfort: Native Quilting Traditions.

A story about the Moose Cree First Nation's investment in a $2.2 million wilderness centre in James Bay highlighted the growing eco-tourism industry.

Also in March, we gave you two-page, centre spread coverage of the Northern Star Unity Cup hockey tournament that took place in North Bay. The charity event raised more than $5,000 for scholarships and bursaries to support First Nations post-secondary education.

This issue also noted a vigil for jailed activist Leonard Peltier, which was held at the Anishnawbe Health Centre in Toronto to draw attention to Peltier having spent 26 years of two life sentences in prison.

Year in review-April and May 2002

April marked the emergence of Ontario Birchbark under its new name, and published separately from Windspeaker for the first time.

We told you about Mcmaster University's hosting of Human Rights Awareness Week activities. Three women-the head of the university's Indigenous Studies Department, Dr. Dawn Hill, author Kim Anderson, and executive director of the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres Sylvia Maracle-talked about the social inequities faced by Aboriginal women and initiated discussion about the effects of colonization on women in particular.

Another story in this issue described Susan Schank's struggle to regain Indian status that her great, great, great-grandmother lost because she married an Englishman. Schank was also working to try to get her ancestor's grave site recognized and protected from land developers.

We also covered the Ontario Court of Appeal's decision upholding Metis hunting rights in the province

In our Sports section, we covered the Aboriginal Sport Circle Awards, which included 15 regional winners of the Tom Longboat Award and 13 regional winners of National Aboriginal Coaching Award. The awards were given out at the Canadian Sport Awards ceremonies in Toronto.

In May, the new Miss Indian World, Tia Smith, graced the front page of Ontario Birchbark.

In the same issue, Sudbury's Melissa Bromley from Sudbury was announced as the National Metis Youth Role Model.

Our coverage of the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships let you in on the fact that an equal ratio of male and female players, 17 each, were named to the tournament's all-star teams.

Men returning to traditional values were the subject of another story that told of the results of a group of men who committed themselves to meeting periodically over a two-year period to develop their traditions, culture and spirituality.

Year in review-June and July 2002

June's issue of Ontario Birchbark gave you our valuable Guide to Indian Country so you could plan your powwow trail from June through September.

We carried two stories pointing up the consternation felt by Aboriginal social service workers about changes to government regulations affecting their profession in Bill C-76. In particular, we highlighted the activities of the 40-member Circle of Original Peoples who organized to support First Nations social service workers.

Also in June, we gave you a story about Rez Bluez Productions in Toronto, which is promoting Native artists involved in both traditional and pop culture.

Self-taught carver Wilmer Nadjiwon, 81, who is also known as an outspoken defender of traditional Native governance models, was the subject of our cover in the July issue. Nadjiwon's extensive repertoire of carvings have often brought him the money to travel around the province and explain his views about governance.

Who hasn't heard of Verne Harper by now? The Elder whose life was in a self-described "mess" three decaes ago, was the subject of a happy story about his winning the Courage to Come Back Award from the province's Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation.

In an issue that covered a lot of well-deserved recognition and awards to prominent Aboriginal people, Metis lawyer Jean Teillet is one story that stands out. Teillet was awarded the Law Society of Upper Canada's first Lincoln Alexander Award for her tireless efforts to advance Aboriginal people's causes.

Our story on the Aboriginal Artists Gathering, Exhibition and Sale in North Bay highlighted another first-time event. Judging by the attention the exhibit got, it won't be the last time for such a gathering, which included contemporary and traditional models of Aboriginal craftsmanship.

Year in review-September 2002

Four inductees into the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame and Museum were the subject of a news item in our September issue of Ontario Birchbark. The recognition caught the two inductees who are still living by surprise, as it is many years since either Lawrence Martin Jr. or Len Moses has played the game. Better late than never for this honor, and we were happy to report the achievements of the four.

Labour Day and powwow are pretty well synonymous on Manitoulin, so we brought you highlights of M'Chigeeng's powwow as well as photos of the Providence Bay Fair on Manitoulin Island. At the height of the powwow season, we couldn't forget the Nawash traditional powwow and the Tyendinaga Mohawks' powwow either.

On a more serious note, we also reported national issues such as the Metis veterans' fight for compensation from the federal government in recognition of their war time service to Canada. Another article highlighted the important work of a group that tries to help adoptees find their biological parents.

The sheer scope and numbers of World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto warranted a story about the Aboriginal people who count themselves among the world's Roman Catholics celebrating their relgion in Toronto.

Year in review-October 2002

At the start of the 21st century, oral tradition is alive and well, but so is a new emphasis on Native peoples' written literature. That's why wel-known novelist Thomas King was featured on the front page of our October issue.

We also told you about the opening of a new visitors' centre at Petroglyphs Provincial Park near Peterborough, which explains Anishnaabe culture from the point of view of Anishinaabe people themselves.

Another story told you about the efforts of the Ojibway and Cree Cultural Centre in Timmins to support language and culture and students and researchers through its collection of books, art, photography and music.

Youth doing well was the subject of a lengthy piece on the youth forum sponsored by the parent council of Wikwemikong.

Year in review-November 2002

In the November's issue of Ontario Birchbark, we wrote about the increasingly popular, annual ImagineNATIVE media arts festival featuring film, video, television, radio and multimedia offerings held in Toronto, as well as the Thanksgiving weekend outdoor family festival known as Wataybugaw, held at Toronto's Harbourfront Centre.

From southern Ontario, we gave you a story about Suzanne Rochon Burnett, who received an honorary doctor of letters degree from Brock University, and whose photo was featured on our November cover.

Year in review-December 2002

In our December issue of 2002, you read about who won what in the fourth annual Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards.

Up in Thunder Bay, we told you about the Niigaantige Aboriginal Youth Achievement Awards and career fair that were held together last fall and attracted some big-name talent from the entertainment and sports industries.

From Manitoulin Island came a story about poet Melissa L. Maitowabi, who markets her work from home via plaques, scrolls, cards and calenders.

Our last issue of the year also highlighted the Anishinabek Nation's progress towards self-government, a