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Recent proposed Canadian Forces recruitment advertisements aimed an aboriginal audience were found to be, "offensive to the point of being comical", according to a new report. Six focus groups of aboriginals aged 18-34 were surveyed and six non-aboriginal groups were questioned as well. The Canadian Forces have made a priority of have a compliment of personnel to better reflect Canada's population makeup.
The Saskatchewan Federation of Indian Nations (FSIN) is asking for input into possible changes to the 100 year old Indian Act after a Saskatchewan Member of Parliament (MP), Rob Clarke launched a website last week containing a survey section regarding the proposed bill which has already passed the first reading in the House of Commons. Clarke recently spoke at an FSIN assembly, but did not allow questions or seek input from the leaders present.
The Saskatchewan Federation of Indian Nations (FSIN) is holding it's Election Assembly on October 24 & 25, 2012 at TCU Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Filing of declarations must be recieved no later than 12:00 Noon on Monday, September 24, 2012.
With half of the eight candidates for the office of National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) having been women, Heather Scofield of the Globe and Mail reports on how the emergence of women in First Nations politics started at the local level.
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada is reminding former students that the deadline for the Common Experience Payment was September 19, 2011. However, in cases of disability, undue hardship, and "exceptional circumstances", applications will be accepted until September 19, 2012.
Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn Atleo is proposing to Canada's premiers to recognize First Nations as full and equal partners in natural resource development. The AFN National Chief was meeting yesterday with premiers at Lunenburg, N.S. before the annual Council of the Federation summit.
The Fifth Annual Meeting of the Native American & Indigenous Studies Association (NAISA) is issuing a call for papers. The meeting is being hosted by the University of Saskatchewan June 13-15, 2013. The deadline for proposal submission is November 15, 2012. For further information go to:
naisa.org
The Government of Saskatchewan has announced funding of $200,000 for the Métis Nation Saskatchewan (MNS) to support research on improving Métis education and employment outcomes. This funding will support work being done by the Joint Task Force on First Nations and Métis Education and Employment. For more information on the Joint Task Force on First Nations and Métis Education and Employment please visit www.jointtaskforce.ca.
After being called out by the United Nations Special Rapporeur on the Right to Food over Arctic food insecurity earlier this year, the Government of Canada put out a Request for Proposals (RFP) to study greenhouses for the North. Heather Exner-Pirot of the University of Saskatchewan’s International Centre for Northern Governance and Development, states that commercially viable northern greenhouses are, "absolutely" feasible.
ANNA MEHLER PAPERNY The Globe and Mail Monday, Jul. 16 2012
The 2012 Canadian Native Fastball Championships will be held August 3rd-5th (6th if needed), 2012 in Cranbrook, British Columbia. For further information please contact Dean Martin (dean@kinbasket.net or 250-351-3678).
The Government of Canada and the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network, have succeeded in moving Aboriginal AIDS issues to the main conference program at the XIX International AIDS Conference, which is being held next week (July 22nd-27th) in Washington, D.C. The gathering will bring together over 20,000 delegates from scientific research, civil society, community, and government from around the world.
Chiefs from across Canada voted yesterday to re-elect Shawn Atleo as National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN). Three rounds of balloting occurred before Atleo received the required 60% of the votes cast.
Research released yesterday by two University of Saskatchewan researchers reveals that First Nation girls have higher rates of diabetes compared to other children. The study, published in the Canadian Journal of Diabetes by Dr. Roland Dyck and Nathaniel Osgood from the Indigenous People's Heath Research Centre (IPHRC), covered 25 years, longer than any other childhood diabetes study done in Canada.
Incumbent Shawn Atleo, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) led after the first round balloting in the race to become the next national chief of the AFN. He received 284 of a possible 540 votes cast. There are 633 chiefs eligible to vote and 60% of the vote is required for a winner to be declared.
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is scheduled to begin the process to elect a new National Chief for a three year term. There are 8 candidates competing for the position. In the previous contest in 2009 it took 9 ballots and 23 hours to select the current National Chief, Shawn Atleo who is running for reelection.
Candidates for the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) are increasingly turning to social media to raise awareness of their campaigns. Manitoba lawyer Joan Jack has had her profile raised due to her use of these technologies. “It’s the new moccasin telegraph,” said Jack.
HEATHER SCOFFIELD The Canadian Press
The 2012 edition of Metisfest will be taking place July 27th-29th, 2012 at the Shamrock Centre located in Killarney, Manitoba, situated on the north east corner of the Turtle Mountains. For more information call 1-877-437-8733 or log on to: www.metisfest.com
Students from the Native Studies 430.4 course, "Issues in Cultural Preservation" commemorated the Indian Residential School (IRS) survivors at the recent Truth & Reconciliation Commission (TRC) National Event held in Saskatoon. The exhibit consists of 21 large posters depicting IRS life through historical photographs with an accompanying short historical profile of each school.
The British Columbia Sliammon First Nation (also know as the Tla'amin Nation) located on the Sunshine Coast has narrowly ratified it's treaty with the provincial and federal governments. A successful vote required 50% of eligible voters, plus one. Of the 615 voters that were registered, 318 were in favour, only 9 more than the requirements.
The Canadian Association of Native Development Officers (CANDO) is holding its 10th Annual Charity Golf Tournament in support of CANDO's charitable foundation, the National Indigenous Economic Education Foundation (NIEEF). This event takes place on Friday July 20th, 2012 at the Dakota Dunes Golf Links, 202 Dakota Dunes Way, Whitecap, SK., located approximately 20 minutes south of Saskatoon.
First Nations Perspectives: The Journal of the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre is holding a Call for Manuscripts for their 2012 edition. The deadline for submissions is September 30, 2012.
"Métis Rose", a video presentation created by Marjorie Beaucage about Elder Rose Fleury will be shown on Thursday July 19th, 2010 at 1:00PM at the Batoche Historic Site.
This past weekend a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Whitecap Dakota First Nation and the Government of Canada recognizing the longstanding relationship between the two parties. The agreement commits the government to initiating further discussions with the First Nation to potentially resolve the land issue which was based on exclusion from the previous treaty agreements because they were considered American at the time.
A recent article in Wawatay News, a aboriginal media outlet in northern Ontario chronicled the struggles of First Nation LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people. The story also reported on the recent, Pride in the Park, celebrated in Thunder Bay, Ontario on June 16, 2012.
On Friday, Senator Fabian Manning (Newfoundland and Labrador), on behalf of the Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, joined Chief Mi’sel Joe, Miawpukek First Nation, for the official opening of the Reuben Lewis Memorial Bridge. Miawpukek First Nation was established as a reserve in 1987 in Newfoundland. The community has 2,877 members, with an on-reserve population of approximately 849 members.
The Government of Canada has filed a statement of claim with the Manitoba Court of Queen's Bench last month alleging misappropriation of $4.6 million in job training funds. The funding was part of an agreement to build a training centre for First Nations members to help build and operate the Wiskwatim dam and generating station, which opened this week. Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN) Chief Jerry Primrose told CBC News he wants to talk with NCN's lawyers before commenting on the lawsuit.
CBC News Posted: Jul 5, 2012
The Saskatchewan Federation of Indian Nations (FSIN) recently signed a three year Public Safety Cooperation Protocol agreement with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The purpose of the protocol is to establish trusting and reciprocal relationships between First Nations communities and the RCMP. The text of the agreement can be viewed here.
The June 29th, 2012 Executive Communique from the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) reported on the findings of the FSIN Spring Assembly. The Chiefs-in-Assembly heard from 5 of the candidates for Chief of the Assembly of First Nations and from the Member of Parliament for Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River Rob Clarke, who addressed the gathering but declined to take any questions.
Former NHL player Brantt Myhres has brought the Greater Strides hockey program to Aboriginal communities over a year ago and he hopes to construct a school to house the top 50 Aboriginal student athletes in Canada. Myhres, who struggled with substance abuse during his NHL career feels that his career was probably shortened by 5 years due to his off ice struggles.
Michael Gregory, edmontonjournal.com July 2, 2012
The Indigenous Leadership Development Institute is hosting the 4th Annual Women's Golf Tournament on Tuesday July 10th, 2012 at the Larters at St. Andrews Golf and Country Club. Proceeds go to support Empowering Indigenous Youth in Governance and Leadership (EIYGL)
The IndigenACTION 5 km Friendship Walk/Run is being held on Sunday July 15th, 2012 in Toronto, ON. Registration is 8:00 AM with the race start at 9:00 AM. IndigenACTION aims to support Indigenous athletes and promote health and wellness in First Nations communities.
