International pressure will help plight of Canada's First Nations: National chief

Assembly of First Nations (AFN) national chief says international pressure will help lift the country's First Nations out of poverty. Speaking in Winnipeg, Phil Fontaine said Canada has been facing some tough questions at the United Nations about the sorry state of many First Nation communities.

Beaucage bids for National Chief

If Wasauksing band member and current Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief John Beaucage is elected as National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) in July, his first priority will be Aboriginal youth. Beaucage announced his candidacy in Ottawa on Tuesday. Chief Phil Fontaine is the current head of the Canada-wide body that advocates for Aboriginals.

Canada's Universal Periodic Review at the UN - The situation of Aboriginal peoples is denounced by 35 states

The image of Canada, as the great defender of human rights "does not hold water" when it's a matter of First Nations' rights. Two days ago, within the scope of Canada's Universal Periodic Review of the Human Rights Council, the representative of the Canadian government was unable to defend and justify Canada's numerous "acts of negligence" towards the First Nations. Out of 47 countries who interrogated the representative of Canada, 35 raised profound concerns for the fate of Canada's Aboriginal peoples.

How two Marxists disrobe the Native "industry"

For serious debate about Aboriginal politics in Canada, it's evident the discussion is skewed. One need go no further than the Aboriginal issues section of any local bookstore, or academic journal articles on the topic. Most publications tend to rarely deviate from the following narrative; Aboriginal societies existed as nation-states and were just as advanced as European societies; all of the problems which beset Indigenous communities can be attributed to "cultural loss" and colonization; and to restore full powers to First Nation communities will solve everything. To dispute any of the above assumptions is to be a "racist" or "Eurocentric" or against Aboriginal people. -- Joseph Quesnel, for The Calgary Herald

First Nations sue over salmon

Aboriginal people on northeastern Vancouver island have launched a class-action lawsuit against the B.C. government for damages caused by salmon farming to wild stocks. "We are focusing on the health of the wild salmon," Chief Bob Chamberlain of the Kwicksutaineuk Ah-Kwa-Mish First Nation said in an interview. "We have an obligation to look after our resources."

N.S. premier says his gov't will help address suicide problem at Eskasoni

Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald says his government will extend whatever help it can to address the suicide problem on the province's largest Native reserve at Eskasoni. MacDonald, who once taught in a First Nations community, says he has experienced the pain and suffering such a situation can cause. Counsellors, band members and residents have set up a makeshift crisis centre following the deaths of at least four people between the ages of 16 and 21 since December.

UN to examine Canada's human-rights record

Canada's human rights record will be examined this week by the United Nations. The presentation is expected to echo a federal document that paints a generally positive picture about rights being protected in Canada "by a combination of constitutional and legislative measures" but also acknowledging that improvements are needed in areas such as poverty, homelessness and ways to deal with the inequalities faced by Aboriginal peoples.

Corruption infects the councils of many First Nations reserves

Justice has finally been served at the Norway House Cree Nation at the north end of Lake Winnipeg. On Jan. 19, the Norway House Election Appeal Committee removed three band councillors - Mike Muswagon, Langford Saunders and Eliza Clark - from office because of corrupt practices during the band's March 2006 election. This is just one example of the corrupt band elections that continue to plague far too many Indian reserves across Canada. Since political power and control of band finances can become very intoxicating, on-reserve election corruption is rampant. Of those who experience the euphoria of leading their people, some decide to do whatever it takes to remain in office, including election fraud of the worst kind. -- an editorial by freelance writer Don Sandberg.

Jonathan Kay on Aboriginal assimilation and "the best Canadian policy book written in the last 10 years"

From journalist Jonathan Kay, " Disrobing the Aboriginal Industry: The Deception Behind Indigenous Cultural Preservation is the most important Canadian policy book I’ve read in the last decade".

Aboriginal man receives $7,000 in Saskatchewan human rights complaint

A Saskatchewan Human Rights tribunal has ordered a Saskatoon restaurant owner to pay $7,000 to a man who claimed he was kicked out of the restaurant because he's Aboriginal.

Budget a mixed bag for First Nations

Last week Parliament reconvened and a new budget was presented. Aboriginal people were not forgotten (apparently!) and we received a much-needed shot in the arm to improve living conditions on reserves. The government bragged up the amount of new money going to First Nations but in reality it is a mixture of good and bad news.

'Clean slate' for truth panel

Survivors of the Indian residential school system in Canada are closer to a long-awaited opportunity to publicly tell their stories, after a breakthrough yesterday in talks to rescue a special commission for that purpose.

Harper remains "hopeful" for First Nations

Written by Richard Amery, Lethbridge Herald.

Budget good first step, says Mohawk chief

The federal government is headed in the right direction to address needs on Aboriginal reserves in this week's federal budget, but far more needs to be done, said the chief of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte. Chief R. Donald Maracle said while Native communities across Canada -- including the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory -- are grateful for the proposed $1.4 billion in new Aboriginal spending over the next two years, the money won't go very far to address a backlog of issues facing reserves.

AMC has new face

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs has elected a new Regional Chief. Bill Traverse (pictured left, with Manitoba Grand Chief Ron Evans) of Kinoje First Nation.

Peguis paralysis

"I don't want to hear a single person complain that Ottawa is dragging its feet on settling land claims with Aboriginal groups. Not after Peguis First Nation -- again -- couldn't muster enough interest in their own community to get quorum for a vote over the weekend on a jackpot $126-million claim. We constantly hear how the federal government is delaying and frustrating attempts to settle First Nations land claims and treaty land entitlements. Yet after negotiating one of the biggest claims in Canadian history that would have provided Peguis with $126 million, their people didn't even bother to show up to vote. How nice. What a joke." -- The opinion of Tom Brodbeck of the Winnipeg Sun

Aboriginal community snubs $126M land claim offer

The largest land settlement in Canadian history is in a holding pattern after hundreds of people from a Manitoba Aboriginal community abstained from voting for the deal.

Former Peguis chief hopes to scuttle land claim vote

A former Manitoba Aboriginal chief is trying to scuttle a historic land-claim vote set for later this week. Louis Stevenson, the former chief of the Interlake Peguis First Nation, led a protest Wednesday in the community located 220 kilometres north of Winnipeg.

Fontaine wants $3 billion for First Nations

National AFN Chief Phil Fontaine is calling for $3 billion from the federal government for Aboriginal communities as he heads into pre-budget talks with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the premiers. He hopes a big first instalment will come in the Jan. 27 federal budget. More gross dependancy and talk of band-aid solutions, I wanna puke now...!

"A vicious cycle of booze, self-pity"

"I'm not sure that Christopher Pauchay grasps the magnitude of his shame. This is relevant because shaming is a crucial element, potentially, in the Aboriginal "sentencing circle" that will help provincial court Judge Barry Morgan when considering a sentence later this month for the 25-year-old." -- The perfect and privileged conservative, snotty Rosie DiManno expressing her uneducated opinion on the events surrounding the Christopher Pauchay matter. My thoughs and prayers are with you Chris! :P

Rampant sexual abuse of Native children in residential schools

From the Canadian Press -- Thousands of Native children suffered sexual abuse in Indian residential schools, newly disclosed figures show - a human tragedy so pervasive it's being called "monstrous." Again, just reporting but this isn't anything that we don't already know.

Brazeau poor First Nations rep on Senate

First Nations people across Canada gathered in June to witness the historic residential school apology from the Prime Minister. All the national leaders were allowed to speak at a special session of the House of Commons. It was a historic moment and all our leaders rose to the occasion. All except one. An editorial and opinion...NOT neccesarily mine! I just report...

Native leader to speak at Laurentian University

Chief John Beaucage, Grand Chief of the Anishinabek Nation, will be speaking at Laurentian University's Fraser Auditorium on Jan. 19 at 7 p.m.

Chiefs must help out foster kids: watchdog

B.C.'s watchdog for children says the onus for the care and safety of Aboriginal children in foster homes is on First Nations leaders as well as the Ministry of Children and Family Development. I agree.

Five people feared dead in house fire on Vancouver Island

A Vancouver Island teacher says 5 of her family members have been killed in a house fire on a First Nations reserve near the town of Chemainus, B.C., north of Victoria. Thoughts & Prayers!