Article Origin
Volume
15
Issue
9
Year
2011
New leaders created in program that focuses on young people
Training of new leaders was the focus of the Next-Up program. This is the first time the program has run in Saskatchewan. It attracted 13 young people, who met on a weekly basis for seven months exploring a range of topics including Aboriginal-settler relations, anti-oppression training, food sovereignty, economics, conflict transformation, fundraising, media, advocacy, trade unions and movement sustainability. “We’ve had a great first year in Saskatoon,” said coordinator Tracey Mitchell. “Several more experienced activists and community leaders have told us that they feel excited about being able to pass the torch to or share leadership with these young leaders.”
Renaming of federal department brings criticism, praise
Chief Guy Lonechild, of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, and Robert Doucette, president of Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, are lining up on different sides when it comes to the renaming of the federal department that deals with their people. Prime Minister Stephen Harper has renamed the ministry that was formerly Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, replacing “Indian” with “Aboriginal.” Lonechild told the Star Phoenix that he is “alarmed” by the move. “The name change - Aboriginal affairs - does not sit well with the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations. We are separate and distinct people in the country when it comes to Indian-status people.” However, Doucette told the CBC that the change is “a broader, general term and inclusive.” John Duncan will resume his position as minister of the renamed department.
Project EPOCH results in cocaine, cash, firearm, vehicle seizures
Project EPOCH was a six-month joint investigation involving multiple policing partners targeting drug trafficking in Meadow Lake and area and resulted in multiple arrests and the seizure of drugs and property. Project EPOCH was carried out on May 13 with four separate, simultaneous search warrants on two residences on the Flying Dust First Nation and on two residences in the City of Meadow Lake. The search netted 106 grams of crack cocaine, $11,000 in cash, four vehicles and four firearms. Eight adults and one youth were arrested at the time of the raids and two other people were detained the following day. Charges laid included trafficking a controlled substance, possession for the purpose of trafficking a controlled substance, proceeds of crime, breach of undertaking, and unsafe storage of a firearm. The operation involved members from detachments in Meadow Lake, Loon Lake and Pierceland, along with CFSEU Prince Albert Office, Saskatoon Office of “F” Division Integrated Proceeds of Crime Section, North Battleford General Investigations Section, Police Dog Services from Meadow Lake, Saskatoon, and Swift Current.
General low unemployment rate not reflective of Aboriginal experience
In April, for the second-straight month, Saskatchewan’s five per-cent unemployment rate was the lowest in Canada, well below the national average of 7.6 per cent, according to Statistics Canada. However, the statistics are not so favourable for Aboriginal employment in the province. According to StatsCan, the First Nations unemployment rate is now 26 per cent, an increase of 5.3 per cent over the last year, while the Métis unemployment rate is 14.8 per cent, an increase of five per cent over the last year. “It’s cause for concern when First Nations and Métis unemployment is skyrocketing, important sectors and regions are losing jobs, and our province shed 3,500 full-time jobs while the rest of Canada added over 253,000,” Cam Broten, NDP Critic for Education, Employment and Immigration, told the Star Phoenix.
New cargo facility at Edmonton International Airport
Construction began in April on a $16-million multi-tenant cargo facility at Edmonton International Airport, and more than half its space is already leased. Work on the project was initiated by a group of Saskatchewan First Nations. A feasibility assessment completed in 2010 led to the creation of an equal partnership between the First Nations investment group and the Terracap Group, an Ontario-based property-development group. Edmonton Air Cargo Development Group Ltd. Partnership will own the building, which will open in early 2012. The cargo facility is the first project announced for 200 acres of land adjacent to the main runway that the airport authority serviced last year at a cost of more than $20 million.
Information gathering agreement could lead to diamond mine development
An agreement has been signed by Shore Gold Inc. and Muskoday First Nation to gather information on Aboriginal traditional land use and traditional knowledge in the Fort à la Corne forest, which includes the proposed site of the Star-Orion South Diamond Project, located 60 km east of Prince Albert. The agreement with Muskoday, effective April 19, 2011, follows similar agreements Shore Gold concluded last year with James Smith Cree Nation, Chakastaypasin Band of the Cree, Peter Chapman First Nation, Red Earth Cree Nation, Sturgeon Lake First Nation and Métis Nation - Saskatchewan Eastern Region II and Western Region II. Shore is working toward making a production decision which would lead to development of Saskatchewan’s first diamond mine at the proposed site. The company recently filed an Environmental Impact Statement with Saskatchewan Environment and federal authorities and has undertaken other activities to advance the project.
Curator instrumental in repatriation policies wins award
The man who played a major role in establishing the Royal Saskatchewan Museum Act and developing a repatriation and shared stewardship policy for sacred and culturally sensitive objects in the Royal Saskatchewan Museum’s Ethnology collection has received the prestigious Canadian Museum Association’s Award of Distinguished Service. David Baron’s work on the RSM’s policy is the most recent chapter in a longstanding relationship between the museum and members of Saskatchewan’s First Nations and Métis communities. “This well-deserved award acknowledges David Baron’s profound interest in Saskatchewan’s natural and human history,” said Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Bill Hutchinson in a news release.
Consultations begin on proposed provincial parks
Spring and summer consultations with First Nations and Métis groups as well as with specialists in tourism, environment, and governments are on the Saskatchewan government’s agenda as it considers two areas in the province for a possible park to be created. One of the proposed park areas being considering is north of Prince Albert and includes the existing Emma Lake and Anglin Lake recreation sites and adjacent Crown land. The second proposed park is south of Hudson Bay and includes the McBride Lake, Pepaw Lake, Parr Hill Lake, Saginas Lake and Woody River recreation sites and adjacent Crown land. “Government is committed to adding more parks to our provincial parks system to provide more recreation and conservation opportunities,” said Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Bill Hutchinson in a news release. It is hoped that a final decision can be made by the end of 2011. Building of the park, including accessible roads, electricity to campgrounds and trail networks, will take a few years.
More funding for Métis Education and Employment Strategy
The Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration is providing $21.4 million for Adult Basic Education and literacy programs in Saskatchewan this year, an increase of over 20 per cent. Increased funding will benefit approximately 7,600 adult students and, as part of the First Nations and Métis Education and Employment Strategy, $4.43 million is targeted specifically for Aboriginal students. “Our government recognizes that the future growth and prosperity of our province is linked to the success of First Nations and Métis students. Way2Work is a great example of an innovative adult basic education program for First Nations adults living on-reserve,” said Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration Minister Rob Norris in a news release. The Way2Work Project in Balcarres, is an ABE partnership between Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies and the File Hills Employment and Training Centre.
Four First Nations to benefit from Bannock Creek project
The Star Phoenix reports that Saturn Minerals Inc. has acquired 49,727 hectares of oil and gas rights near Porcupine Plain. The firm successfully bid for a petroleum and natural gas exploration permit during a recent land sale held by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy and Resources. The Bannock Creek project gives Saturn the exclusive right to explore for the commodities within the permit boundaries. The company said its final percentage ownership of the Bannock Creek project is subject to the terms of a letter of intent signed between Saturn and the Yellow Quill First Nation, Kinistin Saulteaux First Nation, Fishing Lake First Nation and the Key First Nation earlier this year. Saturn says summer exploration and drilling plans for the Bannock Creek project have yet to be finalized.
Compiled by Shari Narine
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