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In a ruling this week, the British Columbia Court of Appeal has upheld aboriginal land rights and title. The affirmation of the B.C. Supreme Court ruling did however tighten the criteria for proving land occupancy. Due to the significance of the findings the case is expected to go on to the Supreme Court of Canada.
Vancouver — The Globe and Mail
Published Wednesday, Jun. 27 2012
The Native Canadian Centre of Toronto is hosting a National Aboriginal History Month Celebration Event on June 30th, 2012 from 12:00 PM-8:00 PM at Yonge & Dundas Square. There will be entertainers as well as craft vendors exhibiting and selling their wares and food.
The 2012 edition of the Canadian North Great Northern Arts Festival will be taking place at Inuvik, Northwest Territories on July 13th-22nd. This year's festival theme is the year of the drum.
A youth panel was held at last week's Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) held in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Over 600 students from over 40 schools attended, stressing the need for mandatory residential school curriculum content.
By Creeson Agecoutay, The StarPhoenix June 23, 2012
Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn Atleo recently signalled his support of the ground breaking for the new elementary school at the community of Attawapiskat, Ontario. Based on a 2011 AFN survey, 219 First Nation communities indicated they need a new school.
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) has released Manitoba report, the second regional report after the results for British Columbia were released last year. The First Nations Food, Nutrition and Environmental Study (FNFNES) is a ten year, Health Canada partnership between the AFN, University of Montreal and University of Northern British Columbia.
To mark the work of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada, The University of Saskatchewan Library is launching, Knowledge Keepers: Authorship-Artistry-Archives, an exhibition of First Nation, Métis and Inuit materials. The physical exhibition can be viewed in The Link, first floor, Murray Library until December 18, 2012 or the virtual exhibition can be viewed at: http://library.usask.ca/indigenous
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Saskatchewan Division held their annual Aboriginal Conference last week. The theme was safe water. Delegates received a prayer from Elder Dexter Asapace of Kawacatoose First Nation and also heard from the Director of the Safe Drinking Water Foundation (SDWF).
Since legislation was changed in 2008, Aboriginal people have filed over 300 complaints with the Canadian Human Rights Commission. When the Canadian Human Rights Act was amended in 2008 First Nations governments were given three years to prepare, while the legislation applied to the federal government immediately. Of the complaints filed, 162 were against First Nations governments and 150 against the federal government.
CBC News Posted: Jun 18, 2012
The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer has received proper nomination papers from 8 individuals for the office of National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN). The election will take place on July 18th, 2012 at the AFN 33rd Annual General Assembly in Toronto, ON.
The Saskatchewan Provincial Government issued a news release stating, ""The province remains committed to sharing cultural understanding and building strong bridges between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities throughout the province," said the Minister responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs, Jim Reiter.
The Office of the Treaty Commissioner and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education, announced yesterday a partnership which will see the creation of education resource material to accurately portray the the Dakota peoples' role in building Canada.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) is holding hearings in Saskatchewan as part of its five year mandate to hear the stories of Canada's residential schools. Recently the TRC was in La Ronge, SK and heard from Richard Halkett who testified before the TRC. Today the TRC begins a four day national event in Saskatoon, SK.
Jason Warick, The StarPhoenix June 21, 2012
Canada's head of state, the Governor General of Canada spoke yesterday marking National Aboriginal Day celebrations.
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada has compiled a list of events taking place to commemorate National Aboriginal Day which takes place on June 21st annually.
Wanuskewin Heritage Park is hosting their 20th Anniversary Cultural Celebrations & Pow Wow June 20th & 21st, 2012. Admission is free and there are over $45,000 in prizes available.
His Excellency, the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada and Mrs. Sharon Johnston will participate in several events in Ottawa on Wednesday June 20th, 2012, the eve of National Aboriginal Day which is celebrated on June 21st every year.
The Indian Residential School Survivor Walk is taking place June 18th, 19th, 20th & 21st, 2012. The route will be from St. Michael's Residential School, Duck Lake, SK to Prairieland Park in Saskatoon, SK. This event is organized by Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs.
The 4 Directions residential facility for at-risk youth held it's grand opening recently on the Muskowekwan First Nation. The facility will offer youth between the ages of 12 and 16 an opportunity to receive assistance to achieve a stable lifestyle. The Muskowekwan First Nation is located in eastern Saskatchewan near Lestock, SK.
The Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, recently unveiled artwork commemorating the legacy of former Indian Residential School students. An artistic piece, made by Métis artist Christi Belcourt, will be transformed into stained glass and installed in Centre Block on Parliament Hill. The installation is expected to be complete in late 2012.
The Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) recently announced that Mr. Terry Audla has been elected president of the Inuit Tapriit Kanatami (ITK). Mr. Audla took 12 of 13 votes cast by the voting delegates and assumes the office of President for a three year term. The ITK is the national Inuit organization in Canada.
The Partnership with the City of Saskatoon and the United Way of Saskatoon and Area, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, is offering an information session to support and encourage reconciliation of the Indian Residential School legacy and to invite everyone to participate in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission national event taking place in Saskatoon. This event takes place on Tuesday June 19th at 2:00 pm at the Saskatoon Farmers Market 414 Ave. B. South.
On the fourth anniversary of the apology to former residential school students, a rally was held by current students on June 11th on Parliament Hill to protest a lack of progress on positive change for Aboriginal Canadians.
The Canadian Press Posted: Jun 11, 2012
Last week, the official opening of the Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute, a project that the Government of Canada contributed over $4.6 million in financial assistance. The facility is a museum dedicated to the promotion of the culture and history of the Cree Nation. Located in Oujé-Bougoumou, Quebec the complex comprises exhibition halls, a resource and documentation centre, and spaces for housing museological and archaeolgical assets.
The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) which runs 6 casinos in the province recently reported record revenues and profits. Revenue came in at 267.2 million and profit was reported to be 81.6 million with 50% of the profits being paid to Saskatchewan's 72 First Nations. SIGA employs 1,900 people, including 1,300 First Nations workers.
Betty Ann Adam, The StarPhoenix June 7, 2012
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) welcomed a recently released report by the United Nations (UN) which recommends collaborative approaches to ending violence against Indigenous females. AFN National Chief Shawn Atleo, concurs with the findings which urge the Government of Canada to create a coordinated approach to solving the problem.
A University of Manitoba professor lectured students at Southeast Collegiate about diabetes on May 4, 2012 and used a glucometer to perform blood-sugar tests on about 80 people but failed to realize that the device is only supposed to be used once then discarded. Southeast Collegiate is located in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The Canadian Press Thursday, Jun. 07 2012
The Canadian Bar Association, National Aboriginal Law Section, is hosting the Annual National Aboriginal Law Conference. This event will take place June 14th & 15th, 2012 at the Delta Bessborough Hotel in Saskatoon, SK.
The Canadian School of Peacebuilding, an Institute of Canadian Mennonite University, is offering the course Great Leaders of Peace: Stories of Aboriginal, Canadian & International Leaders on June 18th-22nd, 2012. The instructor of this course is Ovide Mercredi, former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations.
Former residential school survivors are testifying at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) hearings in La Ronge, Saskatchewan this week. The TRC has already conducted hearings in Regina, Onion Lake and Fort Qu'Appelle with a national event in Saskatoon later this month.
Jason Warick And Jenn Sharp, The StarPhoenix June 7, 2012
More than 40 years after the practice of dumping mercury into the English-Wabigoon River system was halted, First Nations people still continue to suffer the effects of mercury poisoning according to a recently released report. The report, chronicles the long-term effects on individuals in the area.
CBC News Posted: Jun 4, 2012
Former Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN), Blaine Favel, is receiving an honorary doctor of laws degree from the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) today at TCU Place. Favel received his bachelor of education from the U of S in 1987 and also obtained a law degree from Queen's University in 1990. In addition, he earned a master's in business administration from Harvard Business School becoming the first First Nations person to do so.
By Creeson Agecoutay, The StarPhoenix June 5, 2012
The Saskatchewan First Nations Veterans' Association (SFNVA) is hosting the 4th Annual Texas Scramble Golf Tournament at the Dakota Dunes Golf Links, located 20 minutes south of Saskatoon, SK on June 14th, 2012. All proceeds of this event will go to benefit the SFNVA.
University of Toronto Professor, Keren Rice has received $50,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts for her work reviving the Slavey language. She helped create a dictionary, A Grammar of Slave and she has a request from the community of Fort Good Hope, N.W.T. to produce an electronic version for smart phone use.
CBC News Posted: Jun 4, 2012 2:43 PM CT
On Friday June 1st, 2012 June Draude Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, officially opened Buffalo Berry Place, a new $2.4 million, 12-unit rental housing project designed to house people employed on Whitecap Dakota First Nation. The apartment style development consists of one and two bedroom units and one unit that is completely wheelchair accessible.
The Saskatchewan Federation of Indian Nations (FSIN) Spring Legislative Assembly will be hosted by the Swampy Cree First Nations (Red Earth, Shoal Lake, Cumberland House) on June 26th & 27th, 2012 in Nipawin, SK. Further details will be forthcoming shortly.
Recently, the Rick Hansen Foundation (RHF) and the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) signed a protocol committing both organizations to work together to promote awareness and support in the areas of inclusivity, health and wellness.
