February 2011

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada “National Research Centre” Conference takes place in Vancouver, B.C., from March 1 - 3, 2011 at the Sheraton Wall Centre.

Archivists, researchers, historians and others interested in issues of social justice and Indigenous rights are encouraged to attend. Residential school survivors, members and representatives of Canada’s First Nation, Métis and Inuit communities, and their community partners, are also encouraged to attend the conference.

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The ninth annual Aboriginal Youth Conference: Gathering Our Voices will have a theme titled, “A Vision of Our Future.” The conference will focus on areas that have been identified as especially relevant to Aboriginal youth, including: health, language, culture, employment, education and lifelong learning, and the environment. Aboriginal Youth aged 14–24 are invited to take part in the conference held in Prince Rupert, BC, March 21-24, 2011.

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The 10th Annual Indigenous Women's Symposium will be held March 4th to 6th, 2011, in Peterborough, Ontario. The symposium will focus on Indigenous women's knowledge and relationships with homelands. Keynote speaker features Manulani Meyer who earned her doctorate researching Hawaiian ways of knowing.

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This year's Interprovincial Association on Native Employment Conference will provide a forum on recruitment, retention, and advancement of Aboriginal people in the workplace. The Conference includes a Leadership Panel featuring: Zane Hansen, Sean Willy, Randell Morris, and Bonnie Blakely. It will be held at the Radisson Hotel, 405 20th Street East, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, March 8, 9 & 10, 2011.

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The University of Saskatchewans Indigenous Peoples Justice Program will shut down next year causing Aboriginal education to suffer unless the program’s content can be incorporated into other courses. The university is hoping to incorporate the program’s content of Aboriginal-Indigenous knowledge into other political science, sociology, and law courses.

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Pura Fé’s upcoming concert with Brother Yusef will be at the Hilton Garden Inn, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, February 25, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. Pura Fé’s music celebrates her heritage and legacy combining Aboriginal music with traditional blues.

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Kevin Arcand, singer and songwriter from Melfort, Saskatchewan has been named to the national cast for Kinsmen Telemiracle 35, which airs March 5 and 6. Arcand was a community performer last year, and was asked to join the national cast this year after making an impression on producers. Arcand will also be performing Feb. 28 at the Kinsmen Mini Miracle in Prince Albert, with Donny Parenteau and other artists.

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The Teslin Tlingit Council in southern Yukon has signed a historic agreement to run its own justice system. The system will allow the self-governing First Nation to enact its own laws in a variety of areas including: wildlife protection, control of the First Nation's settlement land, controlling overcrowding of homes, local zoning and planning, adoption, the solemnization of marriages, and wills and inheritances. The Teslin Tlingit Council's new legislation is expected to come into effect in the next six months.

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The Student Teachers Anti-Racism Society (STARS) presents EraceISM: Anti-racism in Action, in recognition of the United Nation's international day for the elimination of racial discrimination. Dr. Emma LaRocque, professor in the Department of Native Studies at the University of Manitoba, will be the keynote speaker.

The conference will take place Saturday, March 26th at the U of S, in the Education Building Rm. 1004 from 9:30-3:30.

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Tuberculosis infection rates in Nunavut hit a record high in 2010, similar to rates seen in developing countries. The Canadian Medical Journal Association states that the rates are the the worst its been since the territory was created in 1999.

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Jarita Greyeyes, a female youth representative from the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, has left her position on the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) youth council citing a lack of transparency within the national organization when it comes to disclosing individual council members travel and per diems.

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Sâkêwêwak Storytellers Festival presents renowned storytellers, artists, and academics from around the world, who engage audiences in contemporary cultural expression, thought and dialogue derived from oral traditions. The festival will take place in Regina at various locations, February 23rd - 27th, 2011. Featured storytellers this year include: Cecil King (ON), Allan Adam (SK), Shirley Ida Williams (ON) and Randy Morin (SK). Featured artists this year include: Cheryl L’Hirondelle (AB), Eekwol (SK), Digging Roots (ON), Terrance Littletent (SK), Chancz Perry (SK), and special guests La Cofradia from El Salvador. There also will be storytellers luncheons, storytellers bus tours, and a hip hop hoop dance.

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Thirty chiefs tabled a petition in the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) assembly on Wednesday asking for the resignation of Chief Guy Lonechild. This follows the revelations about a 2009 impaired driving incident in which Guy Lonechild was charged with refusing a breath test and failing to stop for police.

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Saskatchewan Aboriginal Storytelling month continues at the First Nations University of Canada, 710 Duke Street Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Thursday February 17, 2011. Events will begin at 10:00AM and go to 2:30PM, and will include five different presenters, including Barry Ahenakew, Darryl Chamakese, John Spyglass, Ross Gardypie, and Louise Half.

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Cheryl and Henry Kloppenburg have donated 55 Inuit sculptures including a stone and antler carving, by Christine Aaluk Sivanertak of Naujaat (Repulse Bay), entitled "Mother and Child with Bear Spirit" to the University of Saskatchewan. The sculptures will be on permanent display in the Agriculture Building.

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The new assistant dean of Aboriginal affairs, Kristina Fagan, will play an important leadership role in developing and implementing policies and practices to improve rates of student success among Aboriginal students within the College of Arts and Science.

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Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs invites ALL interested individuals (Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal who are
16 years and over) to the First National Intergenerational Conference and Workshops that will provide the tools to help effectively deal with the intergenerational impacts of the Indian Residential School Legacy. The Conference will be at the Convention Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, February, 22-24, 2011.

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Saskatchewan First Nations are working with the provincial government on an idea that would see a First Nations consortium building and owning a $90-million remand prison in Saskatoon, for people awaiting trial. Last year, the provincial government said a new Saskatoon remand centre is a top priority, but it couldn't afford the $90-million price tag. First Nations have already partnered with governments on a number of small "healing lodges" for inmates across the province, but this proposal would be unique in scale and ambition.

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The Canadian Aboriginal singer/songwriter appears in a video produced to accompany the song she co-wrote with Jordan Elcheson, "Can't Change the World". The video has gained national and international attention and was nominated for a 2010 Canadian Aboriginal Music Award.

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The Circle of Learning is a grant-funded program designed to recruit and support American Indians and Alaska Natives who are interested in earning a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree. Students need to be admitted to the School’s MLIS program before being considered for scholarship funding. Applications are being accepted now through to March 31, 2011 for admission to San Jose State University’s School of Library and Information Science for Fall 2011. Fall classes will begin August 24, 2011.

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John Duncan, Indian and Northern Affairs Minister, tried to calm fears that the Canadian Standards Association, hired to develop a verifiication strategy for Métis identification systems, will in fact be determining"Who is Métis". David Chartrand, President of the Manitoba Métis Federation, said the contract was never discussed with Métis leaders, causing concern that the government is attempting to define their membership.

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After decades of dispute with the federal government, members of the Roseau River First Nation band agreed to accept a $80.6 million settlement for the land stripped from the reserve in order to make it available for settlers.

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The Muskoday Organic Growers Co-op and Heifer International Canada believe that Saskatchewan First Nations could reduce unemployment, on reserves, by growing vegetables organically, as reported by Paul Hanley in the Saskatoon Star Phoenix. The Muskoday First Nation, located near Prince Albert, is an example of this process. They have been producing organic fruits and vegetables since 2005.

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The Vancouver School Board is considering a program that will keep more First Nations students in school. Board chair Patti Bacchus is concerned about the high drop-out rate for Aboriginal students, the low graduation rates, and the feelings expressed by many students that they just don't belong. Two community forums will be held to float the idea of a separate Aboriginal mini-school for high school students.

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Honourable Elijah Harper and CBC's Carla Robinson will be the keynote speakers at the Native Studies Graduate Students' Society Banquet. The dinner and fundraiser will take place at the Dakota Dunes Casino, located just outside Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, on Thursday, March 10, 2011, with cocktails at 6:00 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. There will also be a silent auction.

For more information or tickets contact Jennifer Campeau at:
jennifer.campeau@usask.ca

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A Traditional Story Telling event will be taking place Monday evenings at Tamara’s House, located at 1605 Victoria Avenue, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, starting at 6:00 p.m. and going until 7:30. This is an incredible opportunity to hear Aboriginal stories, traditions, knowledge and teachings.

Elders for February: Sylvia McAdam, Darryl Chamakese, and Becky Thomas.

This event will be open to the public. Please contact Kelly at 683-8667 at the Drop In, at Tamara's House, for further information.

Also A Women's Circle Ceremony will be held Thursday evenings in the Drop In Center at Tamara's House. Doors will be open at 6:30 pm and the ceremony will begin at 7pm, with an elder opening the event with a smudge ceremony and prayer.

There are limited funds for child care; therefore if you would like to secure your spot please contact Kelly in the Drop In at 683-8667 at least one day in advance.

*This program is for women only.

Star Blanket Making will be held February 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th from 1 to 4 p.m. Each woman will learn to make a bag or baby blanket. It is an opportunity to learn to make the morning star symbol that has been honoured in native imagery for centuries. Star Blankets are given to honour friends and loved ones, deaths and births, and ceremonial occasions. Please call Kelly P. at 683-8667 to sign up.

*This program is for women only.

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Bluebird North: Where Writers Sing and Tell is a songwriters' showcase, featuring a different line-up of talented Canadian songwriters who take turns sharing songs and stories in an informal, acoustic atmosphere. Bluebird North: featuring: Don Amero, Bean (a.k.a. Dana Kowalsky), Scott Nolan and James Struthers are the Roots, Folk and Indie Pop artists who will be performing at the Park Theatre, Winnipeg, Manitoba on Tuesday, February 8, 2011 starting at 7:30 p.m.

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The 6th Annual Aboriginal Storytelling Celebration, featuring Wes Fineday and Simon Moccasin, will be held on Sunday, February 6th, 2 to 5 p.m., at the North Battleford Library, located at 1392 - 101 Street, North Battleford, Saskatchewan.

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The 2011 National Aboriginal Achievement Award recipients were introduced in the House of Commons. The presentation of the 14 honourees in Ottawa, following the official announcement by the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation of their Awards, begins a celebration which will culminate in the 18th National Aboriginal Achievement Awards show to be held in their honour in Edmonton, Alberta March 11, 2011.

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An International parliamentary conference titled, Parliaments, minorities and indigenous peoples: Effective participation in politics was held October 31, 2011 - November 3, 2011. The Chiapas Declaration was created as an outcome of the conference to ensure the rights of Indigenous peoples and minorities will be considered in a serious and responsible manner. The declaration is based on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, ILO Convention 169, and other international instruments concerning Indigenous Peoples.

Click here the view the Chiapas Declaration in Spanish.

Click here to view the Chipas Declaration in French.

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Guy Lonechild's failure to make public charges of impaired driving and failing to stop for police, laid during the election campaign for chief of Saskatchewan Indian Nations has raised concerns about governance and the conduct of elections.

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Beaver Pond is an old-growth forest with historic and spiritual significance according to First Nations. On Sunday, First Nations from the Ottawa region were joined by hundreds of other local people to participate in a "day of prayer" to save Beaver Pond, including Chief Mireille Lapointe of the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation. KNL Development, had agreed to delay clear-cutting until January 31st, 2011 in order for the Algonquins to complete an archaeological report, but the land now is being cleared, without legal consultation with the Algonquin people.

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The 10th Anniversary of the New Sun Conference on Aboriginal Arts: "Shining Through" will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2011 at Carleton University Rm 5050, 5th Floor, Minto Centre from 9:00am - 4:30pm.

The conference will feature, Douglas Cardinal, Armand Garnet Ruffo, Mosha Folger, Nadia Myre, and Jim Albert.

For more information please click here.

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University of Saskatchewan history professor Jim Miller has received the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Gold Medal for Achievement in Research. He has received this for his dedication to academic study in the field of Aboriginal relations between Aboriginal people and non-Aboriginal people in Canada. His current work centres on reconciliation for residential school survivors.

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In a bid to preserve memories and foster important storytelling traditions, the N'Amerind Friendship Centre has partnered with the Alzheimer Society of London and Middlesex for a memory program. At regular meetings throughout the 10- to 12-week program, the seniors will share memories with their teen partners, who are expected to help create a memory book.

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