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John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, awarded 15 exceptional Canadians at the19th annual National Aboriginal Achievement Awards (NAAA) gala in Vancouver, British Columbia.
The last of the 22 new homes arrived last week at the Attawapiskat First Nation in northern Ontario. The homes, which are manfactured in New Brunswick to northern standards with extra insulation and enhanced ventilation systems, are expected to be occupied by families shortly.
Teresa Smith, Ottawa Citizen, February 24, 2012
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission's (TRC) interim report was released last Friday containing 20 recommendations according the CBC News. Some of the recommendations focus on health, education and commemoration as well as the establishment of residential school history classes.
The Tobique First Nation, located in northwestern New Brunswick, recently celebrated the opening of the Kindergarten to Grade 8 (K-8) Mah-Sos School. Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) contributed $10.3 million, which was funded by the Building Canada Gas Tax Fund (GTF).
The Government of Canada's Skills and Partnership Fund is assisting the First Nations Agricultural Association with $856,000 to help up to 120 Aboriginal people in Kamloops, B.C. develop better job skills. The fund is part of a strategy to help First Nations, Metis and Inuit receive training to obtain and secure meaningful employment.
The Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, announced federal government support to improve fire protection on Manitoba reserves. The $4 million in funding will be used to acquire six fire trucks, three garages plus new gear and training.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation Chief Stand Beardy, states that with the end of production of OxyContin, he is concerned about the thousands of First Nations people in Northern Ontario addicted to the drug. The new version, called OxyNEO, is formulated to be less addictive making abuse more difficult.
CBC News, Feb 17, 2012
The Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, and Michael Ahrihron Delisle, Jr., Grand Chief of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake, announced today the conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Kahnawake–Canada Relationship. The MOU establishes better frameworks for land management issues and membership questions in the First Nation.
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is hosting the National Justice Forum, which is being held February 21st-23rd, 2012 at the Westin Bayshore Hotel in Vancouver, British Columbia. Some of the goals of the Forum are to discuss trends in corrections with the Correctional Service of Canada and to honour the families of murdered and missing First Nations women.
The First Nations Studies Department at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), Graduate Students, and the Lheidli T'enneh are hosting the 1st Annual Women Warriors: Indigenous Voices Conference. The conference will take place March 11th, 12th & 13th, 2012. Early bird registration deadline is February 24th, 2012 and the final deadline is March 6th, 2012.
The 7th Annual Aboriginal Health Forum will take place February 27th-28th, 2012 at the TELUS Convention Centre in Calgary, Alberta. The agenda is designed to provide current information on new developments in healthcare programs and available services.
Saskatchewan's First Nations chiefs voted unanimously to reject the plan coming out of the meeting between Prime Minister Stephen Harper and First Nations leaders from across Canada. The latest sign of discord came out of the Winter Assembly of the Saskatchewan Federation of Indian Nations (FSIN), held this past week.
Jason Warick, The StarPhoenix February 16, 2012
According to Statistics Canada figures, released last week from the 2011 Census, population growth on Saskatchewan's First Nations was 15.7%, more than double the overall provincial rate of 6.7%. Population on Saskatchewan First Nations is now estimated to be 55,743 up from 48,181 in the 2006 Census.
The Government of Canada has partnered with SaskTel and the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) to improve Internet services in 68 Saskatchewan First Nation communities. Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada will be investing $11.6 million over 5 years and Sasktel will be contributing technical and other expertise. The project is envisioned to be completed in 2014.
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo, will be delivering the Fourth Gertler Family Lectureship in Law which honours the Robert McKercher Family. This event will take place on Wednesday February 15th, 2012 at 7:30 PM at Convocation Hall, College Building located at 107 Administration Place, University of Saskatchewan.
University of Saskatchewan Native Studies students are holding a Chili & Bannock Lunch every 2nd Friday starting February 17th (March 2nd, 16th & 30th). The event takes place at Room 145 Kirk Hall between 11:30 and 1:15.
The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) is having their Winter Session of the Legislative Assembly on February 15th & 16th, 2012 at the Dakota Dunes, Whitecap Dakota Nation located south of Saskatoon, SK on Highway 219.
The 2012 International Indigenous Development Research Conference is being held in Auckland, New Zealand on June 27th-30th, 2012. The conference will focus on indigeneity and the multidisciplinary approach employed in indigenous development.
The Mikai' sto Foundation is hosting a Fundraising Gala, focusing on a celebration of First Nations talent on March 16th, 2012 at the Coast Lethbridge Hotel in Lethbridge, Alberta, starting at 5:00 pm. The proceeds and donations for this event are earmarked for building a new Learners Resource Centre on the Kainai/Blood Reserve. Further information can be found from the news release and the advertising rate sheet.
Several Saskatchewan First Nations residents are being honoured by being one of the first 32 Saskatchewan recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. The honourees included:
Chief Tammy Cook-Searson, Lac La Ronge Indian Band - La Ronge
The Honourable Lillian Dyck, Senator - Saskatoon
Elder Betty McKenna, First Nations Leader - Moose Jaw
Assistant Commissioner Russ Mirasty, RCMP "F" Division - Regina
In her book, The Strength of Women, Associate Professor of the Dept of Native Studies, at the University of Saskatchewan, Priscilla Settee has collected personal stories from Aboriginal women that talk of not only injustice, racism, genocide and sexism, but also of hope and awakenings.
The Government of Canada is investing $1.3 million with the Paqtnkek Mi'kmaw Nation in Nova Scotia through the Skills and Partnership Fund to learn job skills. The Paqtneke Mi'kmaw Nation will recieve training and acquire the necessary skills for construction and commercial development of Highway 104.
The British Columbia Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres & Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Friendship Centre are hosting, Gathering Our Voices 2012, March 20th-23rd, 2012 in Nanaimo, British Columbia. This year's theme is, "A Generation on the Move".
Early registration discounts are available until February 10th, 2012.
Kirk Goodtrack, former Chair of the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) Board of Directors and resident of the Wood Mountain Lakota First Nation, says there should be no Chiefs or politicians on the SIGA Board. He feels the current Board, with fourteen members, including eight chiefs, is more concerned about individual interests than the common good.
CBC News, posted February 7, 2012
Legacybowesgroup is hosting the First Nations National HR (Human Resources) Conference. The event, which focuses on issues and challenges facing First Nations organizations, will take place February 28th - 29th, 2012 in Winnipeg, Manitoba at the Canad Inns Destination Centre - Polo Park.
The 2011/12 Points Athabasca Northern Spirits Showcase is taking place in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan on Saturday, February 18th, 2012 at 2:00 PM at the Prince Albert Exhibition Centre.
The Canadian Institute is hosting the 6th Annual Forum on Aboriginal Law, Consultation and Accommodation. The conference takes place February 22nd-23rd at the Metropolitan Hotel in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Registration is available on line.
Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief, Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, complimented the FIrst Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC), the British Columbia (BC) provincial government and the federal government for a successful agreement regarding First Nation Control of First Nation Education.
On Monday January 30th, 2012 members of the Sakimay First Nation in Saskatchewan voted to ratify a flood claim agreement. The First Nation will now receive $21,191,732 in compensation for unauthorized flooding on Crooked Lake in the 1940's.
Kerry Benjo, Leader-Post, February 1, 2012
On Saturday, January 28th, 2012 the Métis Nation - Saskatchewan and the Assemblée communautaire fransaskoise signed a solidarity pact to work together on common challenges. The agreement, which was six years in the making, is the first in Canada to be signed by the two parties.
CBC News, January 29th, 2012
