Volume 8, Issue 24

Algonquins of Barriere Lake – Ignored by Minister, Vow to Stop All Logging on Their Lands

The Algonquins of Barriere Lake, a small reserve 280 kilometres north of Ottawa, who have been in the capital city for the last two weeks trying to force either the minister or deputy-minister of Indian Affairs to meet with them, have had to retreat to their home base, without having ... read more ››

Breaking the Myths

When I was growing up in my community of Attawapiskat on the James Bay coast, television was our window to the outside world. Sometimes this window provided a different image of the real world. As a boy I watched a lot of movies and regular television shows. I saw programs ... read more ››

In God we Trust, All Others Settle the Bill

I watched, with the world, news concerning the terrorist attacks in the US and the analysis. Imagine my shock when Native First Nations were lumped in with potential terrorist problems within Canada by one security analyst. One of his references was the Oka Crisis. I remember First Nations peoples sitting ... read more ››

Mistissini Fish Study Year Two Results

It’s year two for Mistissini’s innovative study on fish. Rather than wait for a problem to develop the community decided to a comprehensive study of the sports fish in the region. This year and last year scientists looked at speckled trout. There were some surprising initial results according to Dylan ... read more ››

National Chief Keeps Native Issues on Front Burner

Weeks after the horrific events of September 11, National Chief Matthew Coon Come addressed members of the Canadian Bar association to remind them of the tragic suffering faced by Native people in Canada on a daily basis. The head of the AFN spoke about the unusually high numbers of Natives ... read more ››

Quebec Court of Appeal Upholds Cree Rights

In a majority decision the Quebec Court of Appeal said that Canada and Quebec violated Cree rights concerning language, education and culture. It stemmed from a Cree arguement that had to be involved in any decision relating to Cree education and funding. The Court noted the importance of the rights, benefits ... read more ››

Shooting Incident Shocks Eastmain

Residents of Eastmain are still reeling from the aftershock of a shooting incident involving two local youths. The boys, aged 10 and 11, who can’t be named under the Youth Protection Act, went on a shooting spree, fled in stolen canoes, and were only apprehended with the assistance of a ... read more ››

The Joy of Flying

In the last several weeks, the world held it’s breath while the search for terrorists responsible for the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon building became a primary and burning concern for the Americas. Although terrorism is a gruesome subject, the most convenient way to travel has ... read more ››