July 2010

On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, James Bezan, Member of Parliament (Selkirk-Interlake), announced on July 27, 2010 funding for the Fisher River Cree Nation Band.
This funding will assist in the production of the exhibition "Fisher River Cree Nation Exhibition Project," which commemorates the 135th anniversary of the signing of the Norway House Treaty in 1875. The exhibition will include wall-mounted panels with photographs, maps, and texts; an exhibition case with artifacts; and a digitized community history. The exhibition text will be translated into Cree by local elders.

Posted at 10:52 AM | Permalink

A Globe and Mail National Affairs columnist Jeffrey Simpson wrote an article on a successful British Columbia Aboriginal entrepreneur, Mark Podlasly. Podlasly, who has returned to B.C., comments on how only half of Aboriginal Canadians still live on reserves. He states that they have migrated to various cities to find better education and jobs, and suggests that Aboriginal leadership should start to take that into account.

Posted at 01:42 PM | Permalink

Mary Simon, head of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) is defending the new, tougher shipping regulations which went into effect on July 1, 2010. The world's largest association of maritime cargo carriers is calling the new rules, "drastic". The new system has a mandatory ship-tracking system component for any foreign or domestic vessel greater than 300 tonnes traveling Canada's Arctic waters.

Posted at 09:12 AM | Permalink

The 2010 Canadian Native Fastball Championships will be held from Friday, July 30 to Monday, August 2 at the Whitecap Dakota First Nation located approximately 20 minutes south of Saskatoon on Highway 219. The roster will include up to 80 teams, including 8 teams of men and women over 40 years of age.

Posted at 01:26 PM | Permalink

The University of Alberta’s Faculty of Native Studies has created a new online peer-reviewed journal that looks at emerging issues and challenges facing Aboriginal people who live outside of reserve boundaries. The new journal, titled Aboriginal Policy Studies may still be accepting calls for papers even though the flexible deadline was May 31st, 2010.

Posted at 12:13 PM | Permalink

The objective of an arbour project at the Kinistin Saulteaux First Nation is “to strengthen traditions, celebrate culture, and work at increasing ownership of community improvements.” This important addition to the community is the result of a partnership between the First Nations community and the Cities and Environment Unit (CEU) at Dalhousie University.

Posted at 08:33 AM | Permalink

A new home for the Yellowquill College, a gas station, a depot, and an 80,000 square-foot office building will consist of Winnipeg’s first urban reserve. Winnipeg city council has approved Long Plain First Nation's bid for the economic zone, and Ottawa is expected to grant approval for the creation of the urban reserve within the next few months.

Posted at 01:24 PM | Permalink

Beginning in September, art students in New Brunswick will have the opportunity to learn about aboriginal art from the Maritimes. The classes will allow students to explore First Nations art, craft, and design in depth.

Posted at 08:10 AM | Permalink

A proposed management system for the Athabasca River that would allow oilsands operators to withdraw water during critical times of low flows will greatly affect the ability of the Athabasca Chipewyan and Mikisew Cree First Nations to sustain their traditional way of life.

Posted at 01:50 PM | Permalink

Over 75,000 people attended Back to Batoche from July 18th-25th, taking part in the celebration of Metis history, people, and heritage. With mostly everything going smoothly, the disappearance of a priceless artifact on the second last day of the celebrations was one of the only major problems at the event. Thankfully, the artifact was recovered the last day of the event.

Posted at 09:06 AM | Permalink

In March, the Canadian Minister of Justice budgeted $10 million over two years to address the issue of murdered and missing women in Canada. The amount is being questioned by many justice organizations such as Amnesty International and Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC).

Posted at 01:29 PM | Permalink

There is a call for submissions for Volume 10 of the Indigenous Law Journal. The deadline is September 30, 2010

For more information visit the Indigenous Law Journal website.

Posted at 08:00 AM | Permalink

The Field Museum of Natural History located in Chicago has agreed to return the remains of 22 Inuit individuals who were exhumed from marked graves at a Christian cemetery near Hopedale and Nain, NL. in 1927-28. "We are deeply saddened by this incident," Field Museum president John McCarter said. "While Field Museum employees of today did not commit this wrong, we recognize that these actions did not comply with ethical archeological practices, either past or current."

Posted at 02:16 PM | Permalink

June, July and August 2010 marks the 20th Awards Ceremony for the Montreal First Peoples Festival which honours First Peoples' artistic achievements.

Posted at 07:56 AM | Permalink

The AFN announced Wednesday that an agreement has been signed with Mike Holmes, star of the home-renovation show Holmes on Homes. The agreement establishes a pilot project to build energy efficient, environmentally friendly homes and other infrastructure in a select First Nation community.

Posted at 01:42 PM | Permalink

The University of Saskatchewan Centre for Continuing & Distance Education (CCDE), through their Indigenous Peoples Program, is offering a seminar titled, "Working as an Engineer in Saskatchewan." The course will run from September 8th, 2010 - December 1st, 2010. The deadline for application is August 14th, 2010.

Posted at 07:54 AM | Permalink

On behalf of the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport), the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Natural Resources, and his provincial counterpart, the Honourable Michelle Courchesne, Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports, announced on July 20, 2010 a new agreement designed to promote sport, physical activity, and recreation programs for the province's Aboriginal youth. With this agreement, the Government of Canada is providing $50,000 to Quebec for the 2009-2010 fiscal year to hire sport and recreation coordinators and organize inter-school games. This amount, which will be matched by the Government of Quebec, is in addition to the two governments' previously announced contributions of $3,804,960 for participation in sport activities in Quebec from 2008 to 2011.

Posted at 12:42 PM | Permalink

Shawn Atleo, AFN’s National Chief, is calling for a new relationship with the federal government and an end to the Indian Act within five years. Atleo claims that federal laws governing Aboriginal people have led to high rates of suicide, poverty, and health problems.

Posted at 07:57 AM | Permalink

The Assembly of First Nations is holding its annual meeting in Winnipeg this week and a plan to set up a national aboriginal gaming commission is one of the items on the agenda. The goal would be for First Nations communities to have more direct management and authority over jurisdiction and revenue sharing, in terms of gaming.

Posted at 02:37 PM | Permalink

A body of water off Washington state and British Columbia has a new name -- the Salish Sea, in recognition of the Coast Salish peoples' use of this waterway for thousands of years. B.C. Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister George Abbott noted the province committed to adopting the name Salish Sea "as an act of reconciliation honouring the Coast Salish Nations and this rich and diverse marine ecosystem."

Posted at 08:12 AM | Permalink

The passport of the Iroquois Confederacy is a simple blue booklet, without the bar codes or electronic chips of its modern Canadian equivalent. Yet for 33 years, customs officials around the world have quietly given it a nod, acknowledging its power for the people who carry it. Now, Britain has refused to issue visas to allow an Iroquois lacrosse team, with members from Canada and the U.S., access to travel for the world championships.

Posted at 08:58 AM | Permalink

Jamie Saulnier, who founded Connotec Inc. 10 years ago, created the First Nations Apprenticeship Program, a division of Connotec. Jamie saw a need for trades people and so in the last three years he invested over $400,000 in the program. When viewing promising recruits the program looks more for attitude and keenness, than job experience. Successful recruits are hired as general labourers, spend two months shadowing members of every trade the company offers and when the two months are up, each worker gets to choose the trade they want to get more training in.

Posted at 01:00 PM | Permalink

The 31st AFN Annual General Assembly is taking place on July 20-22, 2010 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The assembly will include a trade show that will facilitate networking among First Nations, organizations, businesses, and government. A spiritual summit, three day powwow, rodeo, and two-day aboriginal youth conference are also being held in conjunction with the assembly. The general assembly will follow an agenda that highlights panel discussions and reports on various topics, including nation building, land rights, education, environment and economics.

Posted at 08:33 AM | Permalink

On July 14 it was announced that the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation will receive just over $179,000 through the Government of Canada's Homelessness Partnering Strategy which will benefit at least 17 homeless Aboriginal men and women in Prince Albert SK. "We are thankful to the Government of Canada for its financial contribution, as well as its support in our journey towards innovative community development," said Chief Darrell McCallum of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation. "As a First Nation, the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation is honoured to be involved in this partnership, and together with the Government of Canada, local businesses, and our Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation communities, we are creating a continuum of housing for Prince Albert residents."

Posted at 11:44 AM | Permalink

On July 14, 2010 it was announced that the Prince Albert Métis Women's Association (PAMWA), received $770,000 through the Affordable Housing Initiative. The PAMWA project consists of a 10-unit transitional home for at-risk youth. The building is located at 807-7th Street East in Prince Albert, close to schools and services. The total cost is about $851,000, with $770,000 in federal and provincial funding and the balance coming from PAMWA.

Posted at 11:32 AM | Permalink

After the Iroquois national lacrosse team’s passports were refused last week by U.S. authorities, in order to cross state borders, and then waivered by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the team has again been denied access to cross a border, this time into the United Kingdom. The lacrosse team, which is considered to be a recognized part of a full member nation, the Iroquois Confederacy, and have passports and documentation issued by the Iroquois Confederacy, now have to deal with passports that are not considered legitimate in the United States or the United Kingdom.

Posted at 02:07 PM | Permalink

Back to Batoche Days 2010 kicks off on Sunday, July 18th and runs until July 25th. Back to Batoche is Saskatchewan’s commemoration of Metis culture, traditions, and heritage. Check out the program outlining the great entertainment, including Michelle Wright and Donny Parenteau, and activities, such as jigging contests and cultural workshops. The celebrations also include many workshops directed toward youth.

Posted at 12:00 PM | Permalink

Statistics Canada, on July 13, 2010, released a report as part of it's Canadian Social Trends series, Participation in Sports and Cultural Activities Among Aboriginal Children and Youth. Recent studies show that participating in extracurricular activities can have many benefits for children, including positive academic achievement, improved psychological functioning and good peer relationships.

Posted at 07:04 AM | Permalink

So far 650 kids have signed up for the summer camps which will take place in aboriginal communities throughout Saskatchewan. The camps are geared toward students aged 5 to 17, but everyone is welcome to join in on the activities. The pilot project involves the Prairie Valley school division, Northern Lights school division and Ile-a-la-Crosse school division, in partnership with Frontier College and the government of Saskatchewan.

Posted at 01:33 PM | Permalink

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) wants to see more First Nations people going to the polls in Saskatchewan. Chief Guy Lonechild sent letters last week to both Canada's and Saskatchewan's chief electoral officers requesting meetings to discuss increasing Aboriginal participation in the provincial and federal elections. Acting chief electoral officer for Saskatchewan, Dave Wilkie, agreed that increased aboriginal voter participation is an important issue.

Posted at 06:48 AM | Permalink

The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, on July 9, 2010, congratulated the Alderville First Nation, the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte and the Ojibways of the Pic River First Nation on the opening of their innovative multi-unit housing developments. These projects were made possible through investments under Canada's Economic Action Plan (CEAP).

These projects are also part of the $400 million investment under CEAP to support First Nations nationally in the construction of new on-reserve housing, renovations, or existing social housing, and for complementary housing activities.

Posted at 02:43 PM | Permalink

Gillian Austin, research co-ordinator for the non-profit Atlantic Aboriginal Economic Development Integrated Program, which is located in Dartmouth, N.S., released a study with the comment, "Aboriginal employment levels, they've been slowly increasing but they are still way behind. "
Austin said that a Canadian Federation of Independent Business study found that in the first quarter of this year, 40 per cent of small firms said they struggled to find employees. On another note, Aboriginal people of working age will number close to a million, or about 3.4 per cent of the working-age population in Canada by the end of 2017.

Posted at 07:13 AM | Permalink

The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) has released a report on University services for Aboriginal students. Answering the call: The 2010 Inventory of Canadian university programs and services for Aboriginal students, the title of the report, found, among many other things, an increase in scholarships for Aboriginal students and more institutions offering Native or Aboriginal degree programs.

Posted at 01:15 PM | Permalink

During a trip to Quebec, the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, announced investments planned under Canada's Economic Action Plan. The province will receive funding for projects that will improve water, school and housing facilities for First Nation communities.

Specifically, through Canada's Economic Action Plan, over $50 million will be allocated to major infrastructure projects in Quebec, including:
-$13 million to improve the drinking water treatment system in Kahnawake
-$3.3 million for Phase 1 of improvements to the drinking water treatment facilities in Betsiamites
-$10 million to improve the drinking water treatments systems in Kitigan Zibi
-$6.4 million to renovate and expand the Uauitshitun School in Natashquan
-$3 million to expand Otapi High School in Manawan, and
approximately $16 million invested in various housing projects in 30 Quebec First Nation communities.

Posted at 07:04 AM | Permalink

The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, Dr. Matthew Coon Come, Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee), and the Honourable Eva Aariak, Premier of Nunavut, on July 7, 2010 signed the Eeyou Marine Region Land Claims Agreement (EMRLCA).
The Government of Canada will provide to the Crees a capital transfer of $50 million, to be paid over a period of nine years, and implementation funding of $5 million, upon the coming into force of the Agreement.

Posted at 01:56 PM | Permalink

Saskatoon based First Nations Bank of Canada CEO Keith Martell sat down for an interview with the Globe and Mail's Gordon Pitts recently. He discussed the recent expansion into Nunavut and how it is critical for the young, growing, Aboriginal population to stay in school and become full participants in the Canadian economy.

Posted at 07:46 AM | Permalink

Sunday, July 11, marks 20 years since the start of the Oka Crisis, a 78 day standoff between the Mohawks in the community of Kanesatake and police and military. There are currently, differing views of whether the relationship between the government and First Nations has improved.

Posted at 01:10 PM | Permalink

The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Member of Parliament (Egmont), on behalf of the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport), and the Honourable Carolyn Bertram, Prince Edward Island's Minister of Health and Wellness and Minister responsible for Sport, announced on July 5, 2010 the renewal of an agreement between the Government of Canada and the Province of Prince Edward Island in support of Aboriginal sport participation.
The agreement brings the total Government of Canada contribution to sport participation in Prince Edward Island to $258,100 for 2009-2010. An existing contribution of $208,100 supports sport participation, while an additional $50,000 (along with matching provincial funds) will support sport programs that increase sport participation among Aboriginal youth in the province.

Posted at 11:17 AM | Permalink

McNally Robinson is pleased to present the "Master of the Metis Fiddle", John Arcand, on Wednesday July 28 at 7:30 PM. The Order of Canada recipient will also being appearing at the 13th Annual John Arcand Fiddle Festival to be held August 12-15 at Windy Acres, which is located 7 km southwest of Saskatoon, on Highway 60.

Posted at 08:57 AM | Permalink

The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, Pierre Corbeil, Quebec Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, and Ghislain Picard, Chief of the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador (AFNQL), announced on July 6, 2010 that they had reached a tripartite framework agreement to improve the administration of income assistance in First Nations communities.
"This agreement is important because it provides a formal process for resolving recurrent irritants encountered by those in charge of income security and social development in our communities. Given the multitude of federal and provincial jurisdictional conflicts that hinder our development, this agreement is certainly very good news," stated Ghislain Picard,Chief of the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador (AFNQL).

Posted at 01:10 PM | Permalink

The Government of Canada is providing 2 million dollars to the Manitoba First Nations Information Communications Technologies Training Initiative through it's Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership Program (ASEP). This will enable 60 First Nations people to receive training in information and communications technology.

Posted at 06:59 AM | Permalink

With funding received from the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Mi'kmaw Kina'matnewey, the education authority for the Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq, an online interactive web-based learning tool has been launched. Named for a Mi'kmaw verb meaning making or leaving footprints: www.jilaptoq.ca is becoming a portal for teachers that want to find content relating to Mi'kmaq language and culture. The dictionary currently contains over 6,000 words in a talking dictionary format.

Posted at 01:46 PM | Permalink

A job has been posted with the Saskatchewan Aboriginal Literacy Network Inc. for the position of a part time Bookkeeper. The successful applicant will do bookkeeping for the non-profit organization. Application deadline is Friday, July 30th at 5:00pm.

Posted at 09:45 AM | Permalink

A job has been posted with the Saskatchewan Aboriginal Literacy Network Inc. for the position of Communications Director. The successful applicant will research, develop, and coordinate fundraising, events, and public relations activities for the non-profit organization. Application deadline is Friday, July 30th at 5:00pm.

Posted at 09:43 AM | Permalink

Canada Revenue Agency has released a GST/HST Info Sheet (#GI-072) regarding the introduction of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) in Ontario and British Columbia, which occurred on July 1, 2010. Included in the announcement is news that effective September 1, 2010 a point-of-sale exemption equal to the 8% provincial portion of the HST will be provided on eligible purchases. In the interim refunds can be obtained by submitting receipts to the Ontario Ministry of Revenue.

Posted at 06:39 AM | Permalink

Singer and composer Deborah Cheetham wrote and composed Pecan Summer, an opera based on an event in 1939 in which a group of Yorta Yorta men, women, and children went on strike against an abusive employer at a government-run farm in New South Wales. After three years of recruiting and searching for Aboriginal cast members, Cheetham previewed Australia's first Aboriginal opera in Melbourne on Monday, July 5th. The formal premiere for Pecan Summer is set for October of this year.

Posted at 03:19 PM | Permalink

Aboriginal Statistics at a Glance provides a thematic guide to Aboriginal data, focusing on Aboriginal identity for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit populations in Canada. Data sources include the 1996, 2001 and 2006 censuses of population, the 2006 Aboriginal Peoples Survey, the 2005 Canadian Community Health Survey, and the 2007/2008 Adult Correctional Services Survey.

Posted at 12:00 PM | Permalink

On July 3 the Government of Canada unveiled a commemorative plaque to celebrate the accomplishments of Nescambiouuit (1660-1727), a war chief and spokesman of the Abenakis. “Nescambiouit is an Abenaki of great reputation. His exceptional qualities were recognized not only by his people, but by the King of France. It is therefore with respect that we pay homage to him today,” said the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada.

Posted at 07:18 AM | Permalink

The Saskatchewan First Nations Veterans' Association is holding their 2nd Annual Texas Scramble Golf Tournament at two locations. The North Tournament is being held on Friday, July 9 at Kachur's Golf and Country Club in Prince Albert, SK. The South Tournament is being held on Thursday, August 26 at the York Lake Golf and Country Club in Yorkton, SK. Registrations are being accepted by fax.

Posted at 01:48 PM | Permalink

Protesters at the G20 point out that Canada still has not signed the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, that over 500 Aboriginal women are still missing or have been murdered, and pipelines and tar sands are threatening and destroying traditional First Nations lands. First Nations rights were at the forefront for social justice activists at the G8 and G20 summits.

Posted at 08:25 AM | Permalink

Friday evening on the Kawacatoose First Nation a tornado touched down and destroyed over a dozen homes in less than a minute. The tornado has been rated by Environment Canada as an F3 on the damage scale, with F5 being the maximum rating. Environment Canada officials stated that this was a very rare event, as about 5% of tornados are rated at F3. No lives were lost and about one hundred community members have been relocated to temporary accommodation. The community is located near Raymore, SK. The photograph gallery of 32 images reveals how powerful the tornado was.

Posted at 01:34 PM | Permalink

British Columbia's Minister of State for Mining, Randy Hawkes, is under fire for recent comments regarding mining, human rights and First Nations peoples traditional ways. On June 7, 2010, Harvard Law School issued a report commenting on the unfair burden mining has placed on First Nations. In response to the report, Randy Hawkes suggested that it is the traditional lifestyles of First Nations peoples that is to blame for the social challenges they are currently facing. Chief Willson is disturbed by, what he feels, is the discriminatory attitude that underscores the comment by Randy Hawkes.

Posted at 09:10 AM | Permalink

Assembly of First Nations National Chief, A-in-chut (Shawn) Atleo, presents his first annual report in advance of the Annual General Assembly, of the Assembly of First Nations, which will be taking place July 20-22 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Posted at 08:28 AM | Permalink

The First Nations Certainty of Land Title Act, Bill C-24, passed through parliament and allows on-reserve commercial real estate projects to benefit from greater certainty of title. This certainty of land title increases investor confidence and results in the value of on-reserve property being more comparable to off-reserve property.

Posted at 08:40 AM | Permalink

University of Saskatchewan Professor Joe Garcea, of the Department of Political Studies, stated that Saskatoon Greystone MLA, Rob Norris, was rewarded in the recent cabinet shuffle for his handling of the First Nations University of Canada (FNUC) file. Premier Brad Wall did remove the "Labour" portfolio from Advanced Education, Employment and Labour to become Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration. "This shows that the premier has an increased amount of confidence in Norris and is rewarding him for his talent," Garcea said. "The question is whether or not he can do it all. There's a lot on his plate."

Posted at 10:52 AM | Permalink

The 31st Annual General Assembly is taking place on July 20-22, 2010 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The assembly will include a trade show that will facilitate networking among First Nations, organizations, businesses, and government. The general assembly will follow an agenda that highlights panel discussions and reports on topics such as nation building, land rights, education, and environmental interests.

Posted at 08:47 AM | Permalink