Volume 16, Issue 8

Another Candidacy for AFN Chief

Perry Bellegarde, former Grand Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, formally announced his candidacy for Assembly of First Nations Grand Chief on February 17. The announcement was made in Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan. Should he be elected, Bellegarde said that he would be focusing on economic development and employment, education ... read more ››

Constructing the Future

While it has always been said that two heads are better than one, imagine the potential of a few hundred heads gathered in Val d’Or for a two-day event that will focus on construction in Eeyou Istchee? The idea behind “Build With Vision,” the upcoming Cree construction conference on March 10-11, ... read more ››

First Nations Bid to replace the cancelled Plains of Abraham Reenactment

In light of the cancellation of the Plains of Abraham reenactment that was scheduled to happen this summer, the Huron-Wendat First Nation has proposed a hatchet-burying ceremony to take its place. The National Battlefields Commission pulled the original event, a large-scale reenactment of the 1759 battle between the French and English, ... read more ››

Former Kativik Police Chief to Face Corruption Charges

Facing fraud charges after a complaint by the Kativik Regional Government, former Kativik Police Chief Brian Jones has just found himself on the other side of the law. According to Nunatsiaq News, the allegations against Jones stem from a misuse of money seized by police during drug busts carried out in ... read more ››

Keep pesticides out of the house

Would you wash your hands or brush your teeth with pesticides? Would you put them inside your shoes or under your arms? You might be doing it right now without even knowing it. Triclosan (also known as Irgasan and Microban) is an anti-microbial pesticide, a substance used to destroy or suppress ... read more ››

On The Trail Of Technology

I spend a lot of my time on a computer as it is the primary tool for my work. Most people I know also dedicate a lot of their day to a computer at work or home. A computer, especially one with an internet connection is necessary for any office ... read more ››

Smart is the new cool

It was an iconic image. When The Economist published a cover image of a moose sporting hip sunglasses to illustrate “Canada’s new spirit” five years ago, the prestigious British magazine intended to highlight the country’s tolerant, progressive governance that complemented our surging economy. The unspoken subtext was that the image ... read more ››

Something to Celebrate

When an Aboriginal-related story hits the airwaves or the headlines, chances are that there’s usually a negative angle to it with Indigenous people once again facing a loss of rights or decimation at the hands of government, big business or both. But, what about those within Canada who have made a ... read more ››

Taking Part in Olympic History

For the first time in Canadian history, Canada’s Aboriginals will not just be a token mention at the Olympic and Paralympics Games but a full-fledged partner and the official hosts as well. The Four Host First Nations (FHFN) for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games are the Lil’wat, the Musqueam, the ... read more ››

Taking the Issue of Canada’s Dirty Oil Straight to the American Consumers

The Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and the Mikisew Cree First Nation want to tell oil consumers south of the border just how dirty Canada’s oil sands products are. Northern Alberta’s Aboriginal communities took out a full-page ad in USA Today, the largest-circulation newspaper in the U.S., in an attempt to change ... read more ››

The ides of March is coming

The wind swirled the newspapers around in a funnel-shaped cloud of debris in the poor section of Montreal. These newspapers work as good insulation if stuffed in the ragged, cast-off summer jackets that can be found at the Sally Ann or at one of the numerous jam-packed shelters for the ... read more ››

The outdoors on display

The National Outfitters Hunting and Fishing show had three Cree booths this year. On hand were Osprey Excursions, Cree Outfitting and Tourism Association (COTA) and the Cree Nation of Mistissini tourism people. They had a great presence at a show where reputation is everything.   Elijah Awashish, co-owner, Osprey Excursions The Nation: So how ... read more ››

To my Grandmother

– Are you Cree? – Yes, I am. – Where are you from? – From Waswanipi. My mother is Jane Sagnash and my grandmother is Mary. Ghukum Mary. – Ohhh…of course. I know Ghukum Mary! Some of the Elders even tell me that they knew my grandfather. I feel pride when somebody tells me this, ... read more ››

Twilight Turnout Bigger than Expected

In a scene that can only be compared to American Idol auditions, thousands of Canadian and American First Nations individuals flocked to Vancouver for a shot to appear in the sequel to the blockbuster hit, Twilight. The casting-call ad, placed on the Craigslist website, called for “any First Nations/Aboriginal actors and ... read more ››

Winds of Change

Over the decades, the Crees have had many natural-resource projects thrust upon their territory. For as much as the funds have been rolled out in compensation for the use – or rather destruction – of their traditional territory, one thing has been missing in the equation since the times of ... read more ››