ARTICLES BY Steve Bonspiel

Air Creebec, Above and Beyond

After a little more than 20 years, there’s one airline you can count on when traveling to and from most Cree communities in Quebec, and Ontario. That airline is Air Creebec. Air Creebec came from very humble beginnings. In 1979, the Cree Chiefs at the time decided that as a nation, ... read more ››

Festivities in Chibougamau

The fifth annual August festival will be held from July 31 to August 3 in Chibougamau. This prestigious festival is open to northern artists and amateur musical bands that perform in front of roughly 2,000 spectators a day for the four-day event. Artisans and performers come from all over the north ... read more ››

Cree and Inuit Sign Historic Agreement

Pita Aatami, president of Makivik Corporation, and Grand Chief Ted Moses of the Grand Council of the Crees (GCC) signed an historic agreement on April 30th, 2003. The signing of the agreement, entitled the “Offshore Overlap Agreement”, took place at the Cree youth centre of Whapmagoostui. Representatives of the Cree and ... read more ››

Province Wants Delay in Release of Costs

The Ontario government plans to go to court to block the release of its legal bills in the wrongful death lawsuit brought by family members of native activist Anthony (Dudley) George. The government is seeking to block the release of its legal fees in the seven-year lawsuit brought by George’s ... read more ››

Indians Converge on Ottawa

Opposition to the First Nations Governance Act, also known as Bill C-7, remained high amongst many First Nations and their supporters as they prepared to march on Ottawa to protest the legislation. The Western Canada contingent left Vancouver April 22 led by Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of British ... read more ››

Liberals Name Pelletier New Aboriginal Affairs Minister

Newly-elected Premier of Quebec, Jean Charest, has named the new minister of Aboriginal affairs. His name is Benoit Pelletier, and he says he is very enthusiastic to have the portfolio. “It’s very good news, because it’s a very interesting file, a very interesting subject.” Pelletier was born in Quebec City 43 years ... read more ››

Chisasibi Airport Gets Needed Funds

Guy St. Julien, MP for Abitibi, announced on May 6th, 2003 on behalf of Transport Minister David Collenette the release of federal funding up to a maximum of $ 1,537,000 for two projects to improve safety at Chisasibi Airport under the federal government’s Airports Capital Assistance Program. The projects are part ... read more ››

Aboriginal Achievement Awards

The Aboriginal achievement awards were a huge success once again this year. The Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) recently joined forces with CBC and the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (NAAF) to broadcast this year’s ceremony. The highlight of this year’s show was a special lifetime achievement award given to legendary ... read more ››

Aboriginal Agri-food Exporting Companies

Nine Aboriginal agri-food exporting companies that are members of the First Peoples Business Association (FPBA) showcased their authentic products at the First Peoples Pavilion of Canada at the International Food, Beverage, Wine, and Spirits exhibition (SIAL) on April 2nd to the 4th 2003, at the Palais des Congres de Montreal. Building ... read more ››

Journalists at War: a Different Kind of Hero

In the “war on Iraq” there are heroes who do not get the recognition they deserve. These heroes are the hard-working men and women of the press. Think about this for a minute, soldiers (whom I consider heroes as well) have guns. Big guns at that. Journalists, if they are afforded ... read more ››

Kanesatake Mohawk Protest

Political conflicts are once again throwing the Mohawk Territory of Kanesatake into turmoil. The six members of the Mohawk band council are split down the middle as to which way they want to run the reserve. One of the heated topics involves the extension of a policing agreement signed between Kanesatake ... read more ››

Saskatoon Police Officers Sentenced

Police officers are meant to be there to protect the people. If anyone happens to be in danger, they are the ones who are there to help. At least that’s the way it works in theory. Darrell Night found out that what works in theory doesn’t always work in real life. ... read more ››

2003 Ivakkak Race a Success

This year’s Ivakkak dog race turned out to be quite a success, with a new winner, Charlie Watt Jr. being crowned. Watt has progressed every year since the inception of Ivakkak back in 2001. Having finished third in the inaugural year, and second last year, Watt had no-where to go ... read more ››

Bullying In Eeyou Istchee, What You Can Do To Stop It

Nobody likes a bully. Every one of us has been told that at one time or another. However, there is a lot more to it than just trying to ignore a bully. Bullies are not born, bullies are made. Sometimes, they can be the product of their environment at home. Violence ... read more ››

Waskaganish Areas Protected

Quebec says it will protect several areas of Cree territory near Waskaganish. The provincial government announced March 4 it would limit development and industrial activity on the Mistikawatin Peninsula, in Boatswain Bay, the Missisicabi Plain, the lower section of the Harricana River, and Muskuuchii. All of these areas are within ... read more ››

First Nations Pavilion

No matter what colour your skin is, or what religion you follow, education is important for all of us. In this day and age, education is the key not only for a good job, but also a brighter future. As native people, we are always striving to better ourselves in ... read more ››

Mohawk Revolution!

There is a Revolution going on in Kahnawake Mohawk territory. Not the kind that one would associate with violence, and guns, and an overthrown government, but more like a Revolution of the mind. Iris Montour is the editor, and co-founder of Revolution magazine. According to her, before Revolution, there was no outlet ... read more ››

Natives Take Insurance CO.’s to Court

Discrimination is, unfortunately, common in our society. Whether it be motivated by race, religion, or gender, it tends to rear its ugly head in all facets of life. Arguably the worst kind of which is blatant discrimination based on race. Ronald Bonspille, a member of the Kanesatake Mohawk band, has, like ... read more ››

SNC-Lavalin to Build Artillery Test Site in Cree Territory

SNC Technologies, a subsidiary of SNC-Lavalin has put forth a proposal to build a long-range artillery test site near Chibougamau. The site would be used to test 105-millimetre shells being manufactured for the Canadian armed forces as well as NATO. A similar range was partially closed down in 1999 at Nicolet. ... read more ››

One Beautiful Word

On the south shore of Montreal lies the Kahnawake Mohawk reserve. Although there are numerous economic ventures and places to socialize on the reserve, there is one thing sorely lacking. A library. A library is one of the most important aspects in helping a child further his or her education, along ... read more ››