Volume 15, Issue 10

“LET EVERY MAN BE RESPECTED AS AN INDIVIDUAL AND NO MAN IDOLIZED.” ALBERT EINSTEIN

What makes a good leader? With all the campaigning and media coverage happening in the U.S. right now, I can’t help but keep the idea of elections and leadership on my mind. Nothing seems to disappoint people more than campaign promises that aren’t met. We tend to gauge a successful term ... read more ››

“We’ve never seen a REAL SCHOOL. If the Government has its way, we NEVER will.”

Though the community of Attawapiskat in northern Ontario has been fighting for a new school for eight years, it was not until a few weeks ago when Charlie Angus, NDP MP for Timmins-James Bay, posted a video on the videosharing network, YouTube.com, that Attawapiskat suddenly became a national issue. The story ... read more ››

2008 National Outfitter’s Hunting & Fishing Show

Though the 2008 National Outfitter’s Hunting and Fishing Show went off without a hitch, the show itself has seen bigger years. Like any large-scale exposition, hundreds of exhibitors lined the aisles of Montreal’s Palais de Congres from February 12 to 15 but instead of the many product hawkers, dog breeders and ... read more ››

Alanis Obomsawin to receive lifetime achievement award

Documentary filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin will accept the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement in a ceremony May 3 in Ottawa. A member of the Abenaki Nation, Obomsawin is honoured for her lifelong achievement in documentary film, including over 30 documentaries which have inspired audiences throughout Canada and internationally. ... read more ››

Algonquins of Barriere Lake in deep trouble: Blockade erected at tiny troubled reserve

After months of infighting, mud-slinging and name-calling, the Algonquins of Barriere Lake have hit a low point that resulted in the erection of a barricade on March 2 and with it, caused even more irreparable damage to the tiny reserve of 350. After being appointed by the Elders and the community ... read more ››

Chantiers Chibougamau erects Route 167 blockade: Paix des Braves cited as major reason for logging restrictions

The Paix des Braves Agreement is being called into question by forestry company Chantiers Chibougamau as it held a protest blocking Route 167 in mid-March. A looming cut in wood allocation had protestors citing the 2002 Quebec-Cree deal as the primary reason for their troubles. The blockade was erected on March ... read more ››

Chief and Council members jailed as Kl and Platinex dispute heats up

Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug Chief Donny Morris and Council members face six months in jail as their fight against Platinex Inc. continues. In a decision March 17, the Ontario Superior Court sentenced the Kl chief and councillors to a six-month prison term for contempt of court. The Kl leaders defied an October 25 ... read more ››

International Woman’s Day Rocks

A nurse popped into my office one cold winter day and asked whether I was interested about writing a story for the Nation covering the events of International Woman’s Day in Whapmagoostui. She went on to explain that the women and the social leaders of the community had a vision ... read more ››

Montreal journalist Rupert Bottenberg introduces comic-book art to high school students

To promote literacy and help kids develop strategies against bullying, Montreal journalist and comic-book artist Rupert Bottenberg travelled to Kangiqsualujjuaq, Nunavik in northern Quebec this past February to teach high school students the fine art of creating comic strips. Bottenberg came to the north as part of a program called “Don’t ... read more ››

One baby at a time

Adam Had’em is known as the shortest poem ever written in the English language. It was written in 1904 by American poet Strickland Gillilan. Oddly enough it was given the title “Lines on the Antiquity of Microbes”. This little bit of writing was once a small series of words but ... read more ››

The blockade effect

The word blockade is most often associated with disgruntled Native groups who are getting nowhere through the usual channels of negotiating with the government, or in the form of a court case snaking its way through the painfully slow judicial process. Recently, forestry company Chantiers Chibougamau and its supporters from Chibougamau, ... read more ››

Two Elders die in snowmobile accident in Kuujjuarapik

The communities of Kuujjuarapik and Whapmagoostui are in mourning as two Elders were struck by a snowmobile March 14. Mina Tooktoo Meeko died instantly from her injuries. Mary Angatookalook Fleming was rushed to the Montreal General Hospital but succumbed to her wounds the following morning. Family members say that Meeko, 70, ... read more ››

Working together: Val d’Or Friendship Centre fights to eliminate racism

The Native Friendship Centre of Val d’Or doesn’t do things in a small way. It looked at racial discrimination eight years ago and decided to do something about it. It’s a process that has grown from a march to a week-long schedule of activities. As Friendship Centre president Jacqueline Kistabish said, ... read more ››