Volume 15, Issue 6

Canada’s Natives rapidly multiplying

Statistics Canada says the country’s Aboriginal population has surged past one million, though there may be far more not accounted for. According to 2006 census data released January 15, the population of those who identify themselves as Inuit, Metis or First Nations had reached 1,172,790. These new numbers indicate a spike ... read more ››

Cree School Board celebrates 30 years

The Cree School Board is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and they are doing it in style. The board has commissioned a one-hour video commemorating the momentous occasion that will take viewers through the early beginnings of the CSB right up until present day. The Cree School Board is a ... read more ››

Going green at the auto show

The Montreal International Auto Show turned the big 4-0 this year and as one of Canada’s largest vehicle shows with almost 300,000 visitors annually, the show pulled out every stop possible to deliver yet another stellar year. Running January 18-27, Montreal’s auto show has typically been a launch pad and North ... read more ››

Jobs! jobs! Jobs!: There are many opportunities for high-paying, skilled employment

There has been incessant talk in the media recently of how to implement Canada’s aboriginal population into the economy as the baby boomer generation has started to retire, leaving massive gaps in the country’s workforce that Canada does not have the human resources to fill. Several government officials have also discussed ... read more ››

Meeting the needs of special-needs students

This year the Cree School Board implemented three new projects to help teachers support students with special needs and others experiencing difficulties in class. New educators at our schools often lack the training they need to help special-needs students. For several years, the Cree School Board has benefited from an excellent ... read more ››

Montreal’s Igloofest ices beat elite

When it comes to parties, Montreal has become a regular stop on the international dance circuit. But no North American event is as unique as Igloofest, the outdoor wintertime dance party in Old Montreal. Now in its second year, Igloofest brought bundled-up Montrealers out by the thousands to dance to the ... read more ››

Native Studies: What’s right for you?

If you have ever dreamed of investing time and effort in your own culture by taking university level courses in Aboriginal studies, there are a wide variety of programs both in Quebec and across Canada. The only problem comes in determining which one is right for you. In Quebec there is ... read more ››

Native Women’s Shelter election results

The Annual General Meeting for the Native Women’s Shelter of Montréal took place at the Maritime Plaza Hotel January 18, organized by Executive Director Nakuset. Board elections were held, with the following results: Alana-Dawn Phillips – President Dana-Marie Williams – Vice President Janine Metallic – Treasurer Darlene Wapachee – Secretary Kaha:wi Jacobs – Board member Stephanie ... read more ››

Plugging the employment gaps: What course of study will fill jobs and lead to lasting careers?

Between “think tanks” and economic conferences, the buzz in the communities these days is about getting more community members into the workplace to address the community’s employment needs. There is a tremendous amount of work available for skilled workers that will frequently be contracted out to those from outside the ... read more ››

Survivor compensation: churches get off easy

For those who attended residential schools run by the Catholic Church and have been waiting on the final 30 per cent of their settlement cheques, the wait is now over as the church has settled with the federal government instead of making individual reparation cheques to survivors. As survivors began filing ... read more ››

Violence in Cree schools: School board launches campaign to confront problem

The Cree School Board is not going to take the growing problem of youth violence lying down. In partnership with the Northern Quebec Teacher’s Association, the CSB will kick off a one-day violence-themed awareness campaign February 15. “There is a lot of vandalism and violence in the schools,” said Judith Michel, ... read more ››

We all share Planet Earth

Television is our window into the greater world. It is a view of our planet that we may never get to see in person during our lifetime, showing us places we may have read about or heard of from other people. I remember sitting at home in Attawapiskat in the evenings ... read more ››

Wemindji leads country in fight against diabetes

If they gave an award out for kicking butt for a great cause, Wemindji would win it hands down. The Cree communities of Wemindji, Waskaganish, Eastmain and Chisasibi have risen to the top in the uphill battle against diabetes by selling paper reindeer and sleighs to raise almost $35,000. Wemindji stands on ... read more ››

What’s special about special education?

Students with special needs – who are they? Can they still learn? Why do some of them have educators and some of them don’t? Can people with special needs succeed in their communities? It’s easy to recognize the students who use a wheelchair or a walker, who are visually or hearing ... read more ››