The Government of Saskatchewan has acted on one of the recommendations of the Task Force on Housing Affordability and appointed an expanded, more representative Board of Directors. Lestor Lafond, who lives in Saskatoon, has served the business community in a number of capacities and is involved as chairperson/director in a number of organizations that promote new business enterprises for aboriginal people.
Fourteen young people were honoured on Thursday, October 29th, in Winnipeg at the 16th annual Manitoba Aboriginal Youth Achievement Awards presentation. The recipients, who range from 16 to 24 years of age each received a $1,000 scholarship.
Greg Campbell of Moose Cree First Nation is one of 10 recipients of the 2009 Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) Aboriginal Student Scholarship Awards. The 28 year old is in his second year of business accounting program at Northern College in Timmins, Ontario and will use the $4,000 award to address the costs of tuition, textbooks, supplies and living expenses during the academic year.
Bill C-8 would ensure women on reserves have the same legal rights as other Canadians to matrimonial property, meaning they and their children are entitled to court-ordered protection to remain in their home in cases of domestic violence. Currently there is no debate scheduled on the parliamentary calender that would resume deliberations regarding this issue.
Almost seven decades after the construction of the Whitesand Dam, constructed by the Churchill River Power Company, a subsidiary of Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Co., a formal compensation offer has been made to the Barren Lands First Nation.
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada has announced, along with the Samson Cree Nation, the grand opening of Cree Star Transport Ltd.. The Samson Cree Nation, with help from the Federal Government, hope to create new jobs for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal workers and keep the economy growing.
Saskatchewan First Nations and Métis Minister, Bill Hutchinson, announced yesterday, along with Enterprise Saskatchewan, the decision to create three new Enterprise Regions in the Northern Administration District of the province.
The study, "Risk Factors and Chronic Conditions Among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Populations" indicated that, Aboriginal people in the North were more likely than Aboriginal people in southern Canada to be obese, smoke daily and have infrequent physical activity, but also less likely to report chronic conditions.
As part of Education Week, the Saskatchewan Government has released results from the Treaty Education Survey that measured student knowledge and understanding of treaties. This is in response to the decision earlier this fall by the Ministry of Education to make treaty education mandatory in the Saskatchewan provincial school system from Kindergarten to Grade 12.
On Monday October 19, 2009 the Government of Canada and the Province of Manitoba signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to have the Manitoba Emergency Organization provide services to First Nation communities within provincial boundaries on behalf of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. The implementation of the MOU will result in a closer working relationship between First Nations, neighbouring communities and government agencies.
Sask Gaming, which operates Casino Moose Jaw and Casino Regina was honoured on October 16 in Regina by the EMCY (Enriching My Canada and Yours) Foundation for its efforts at promoting a diverse workforce. According to the Minister responsible for Sask Gaming, Bill Hutchinson, 40% of the casino's employees are Aboriginal.
Rental housing for low to moderate income seniors officially opened on Friday October 16 in the northern Saskatchewan community of Pinehouse. The $425,000 project, undertaken by the Northern Village of Pinehouse consists of four two-bedroom single detached units which include "green" features such as the use of renewable energy for heating. The project also provided training and work experience for some local individuals.
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada has announced a celebration of the talent of Aboriginal artists at the 2010 Olympics.
The Assembly of First Nations has announced a Fitness Challenge for First Nations Students.
"Teachers are organizing students into teams who will engage in 30 minutes of physical activity each day, in ten minute intervals. This can include sports or activities as simple as walking or dancing. The challenge begins today and runs for one month, wrapping up on November 14th - World Diabetes Day."
First Nations and Métis Relations Minister Bill Hutchinson met with individuals from the Saskatchewan School Boards Association, Northern Lights School Division, Creighton School Division and Ile-a-la-Crosse School to sign a an Aboriginal Employment Development partnership agreement. See also Aboriginal Employment Development for further information.
Tom Clark presents, "Discourses of Ethnic Obligation and National Reconciliation: Close Readings of 2008's Parliamentary Apology Resolutions in Canada and Australia." The lecture takes place October 21, 2009 at 3:30pm in 108 Arts.
Among Saskatchewan Patient First Commissioner Tony Dagnone's 16 recommendations, two, (Recommendations 4 and 12) are specific to First Nations and Métis people.
Manitoba Family Services and Housing Minister Gord Mackintosh, asked for a meeting with Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl to discuss how Ottawa funds child welfare services on reserves, and received, what the Winnipeg Free Press termed, a "two-line kiss-off" reply.
Thursday in La Ronge Lieutenant Governor Gordon Barnhart along with First Nations and Métis Relations Minister Bill Hutchinson were marking the 20th anniversary of the Northern Saskatchewan Student Awards Program.
Due to a recent Superior Court ruling, all profits from Casino Rama, located on the Mnjikaning First Nation, are obliged to be shared among all of Ontario's 133 First Nations. According to Rama Chief Sharon Stinson Henry, the money must be spent on five ares in each reserve: Community development, culture, economic development, health and education.
The Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment Training Association has received financial support from the Government of Canada. Through the Aboriginal Skills and Training Strategic Investment Fund's contribution of $367,000 training will be provided to support Aboriginal participation in the construction industry.
Eleven public, private and non-profit organizations signed an agreement in La Ronge Thurday October 8 committing $12.7 million over the next five years for increasing employment opportunities for northern Saskatchewan residents. This committment is the fourth phase of the Multi-Party Training Plan (MPTP) which addresses the skill barriers to northerners qualifying for jobs.
The Hon. Tony Clement, MP for Parry Sound-Muskoka, Minister of Industry congratulated the Moose Deer Point First Nation on the awarding of a $20 million contract to begin construction of a new water treatment plant for the community located southeast of Parry Sound, Ontario.
Olympic Gold Medalist Joan McCusker visited La Ronge on Monday to promote the upcoming Olympic Torch Relay which will include a pass through this Northern Saskatchewan community on November 7, 2009.
Purich Publishing has published a new book, Negotiating the Numbered Treaties: An Intellectual and Political Biography of Alexander Morris by Robert J. Talbot
"Morris was responsible for negotiating Treaties 3 to 6, and renegotiating Treaties 1 and 2 in the 1870s, and by the end of his term as Lieutenant-Governor of Manitoba and the North West Territories, he was seriously at odds with the government over its failure to implement the treaties."
The book, The Treaties of Canada with the Indians of Manitoba and the North-West Territories Including the Negotiations on Which They Were Based, and Other Information Relating Thereto by Alexander Morris (1826-1889) is available for download from Google books.
Purich Publishing is please to announce the expected release date of The Duty to Consult: New Relationships with Aboriginal Peoples by Dwight G. Newman (Associate Professor of Law at the University of Saskatchewan) on October 9, 2009.
![[book_cover]](http://iportal.usask.ca/docs/blog/DutyToConsult.jpg)
"The duty to consult has massive implications for governments, Aboriginal communities, and many industries, particularly the resource industries. This book examines the doctine through court decisions, legislation, policies developed by those affected by the duty, and offers thoughts on what constitutes "good" consultation."
SaskTel announced that digital cellular improvements have been extended to two Saskatchewan First Nations, Star Blanket Cree Nation and Little Black Bear First Nation.
Premier Darrel Dexter and Chief Ben Sylliboy of the Mi'kmaq Grand Council were among the attendees at the Treaty Day awards ceremony to mark the start of Mi'kmaq History Month in Nova Scotia.
Rob Clarke, Member of Parliament for Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River announced Skills Link funding totalling $65,428 for the Kikinahk Friendship Centre to support its youth intervention and work experience program.
Doug Cuthand, reports that H1N1 is only the latest of many health challenges facing Indian Country. He cites crowded, unsanitary living conditions as ideal breeding grounds for many diseases other than H1N1.
Elder Alma Kytwayhat from the Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation is one of the twelve citizens who will receive Saskatchewan's highest honour, the Saskatchewan Order of Merit. She will be invested with the other 2009 recipients at ceremonies that will take place on November 5 in Saskatoon and November 17 in Regina.
Graydon Nicholas was sworn in Wednesday as New Brunswick's first aboriginal lieutenant-governor. He spoke in Maliseet, English and French at the ceremony. He was the first aboriginal in New Brunswick to earn a law degree, the first aboriginal to be a judge and now the first aboriginal lieutenant-governor.
