Volume 9, Issue 15

Algonquins/Canada/Quebec/U.N.’s Mix

My old friends, the Barrière Lake Algonquins, take their heroic struggle to the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues The opening session of the United Nations’ Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues has focused international attention on the looming land battle in the territory of the Algonquins of Barrière Lake. Nearly ... read more ››

Daddy Dearest…

Daddy Dearest… During the bachelorhood days of any man’s life, the issue of being a father was nearly always nine months away from the time of doing the “sweaty tango.” Fatherhood was a concept that was left to someone else, namely good ol’ daddy, who cared for you in most cases ... read more ››

Genetic Sleuths attack mystery of Cree Disease

An historic meeting this week in Montreal promises that future generations of Cree will have more control over their health. “A lot of parents wanted to know why it was happening,” Annie Bearskin says of the Cree disease, which took her granddaughter’s life in 1998. “Right now, they’re very happy with ... read more ››

Inupiat stunned by IWC decision

U.S. delegates at the IWC meeting in Japan, including Inupiat officials from Alaska, failed to reverse a ban on subsistance whaling by the International Whaling Commission. The final effort fell one vote short on the 48-nation commission, a delegation spokesman said. “We were right in the middle of a political football ... read more ››

Native fishery program extended

OTTAWA — A federal initiative to bring native communities into the fishery is being extended an extra two years, Fisheries Minister Robert Thibault said Friday. Thibault said the government has decided the program will run until 2006 in an attempt to avoid driving up the price of licences that are ... read more ››

Native water managers to be certified

OTTAWA – The federal government is set to announce new mandatory training and a funding review that will curb “serious liabilities” posed by unqualified staff and aging water plants on reserves. Indian Affairs Minister Robert Naulttold The Canadian Press announcements will come as early as June. “I think it’s important for ... read more ››

Partners in development

It was the first symposium of its kind to hit the north. The “Gateway to Building Economic Channels” drew over 400 people to Val d’Or for a three-day conference June 4-6. It was touted as a way to encourage strategic alliances, business partnerships and to build links with the Cree ... read more ››

Presence Autochtone

Back in the long, hot summer of 1990, Katsi’tsakwas Ellen Gabriel’s face was a regular feature on nightly newscasts as she became the symbol of Kanesatake’s resistance to the siege by Quebec police. Now, 12 years later, it will be her art on display as she headlines the visual arts segment ... read more ››

Reserves threatened by poor water systems

TORONTO – First Nations chiefs in Ontario want the federal government to heed warnings in the final report of the Walkerton Inquiry which they say could prevent a water disaster on a reserve. The Walkerton report noted that 83 reserves across Canada, including 22 in Ontario, have water systems at ... read more ››

the Dogs Ear

Pain: The Fifth Vital Sign By Marni Jackson Random House, Marni Jackson’s obsession with pain was sparked by a minor mishap. While biking through the mountains in Banff, Alberta, she was stung by a bee in the back of her throat. As she languished in bed nursing her puffy, aching mouth, ... read more ››

UN: Address problems of urban Natives

The Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues should discuss the situation of indigenous peoples living in urban areas, an indigenous representative told the Forum as it continued its review of United Nations activities relating to indigenous peoples. According to the representative from the Ainu Association of Sapporo (Japan), many Ainu had settled ... read more ››

Under The Northern Sky Dealing with Homelessness

Homelessness is a big problem that most people recognize as taking place only in large cities. I never could imagine someone in a small town being without a home or a roof over his or her head. In remote Native communities this is almost impossible as everyone is related to ... read more ››

Will on the Grill

Well, if you haven’t done it already, it’s time to get out the BBQ and clean it off. It is always one of my favourite ways to cook in the summer. It seems to get so hot in the kitchen when you turn on the oven and I’d rather feel ... read more ››