AFN National Chief Shawn Atleo has been involved in some Idle No More rallies, and watching from the outside on others. But as he tells Wawatay’s Rick Garrick, through it all he has been inspired by what the grassroots people across the nation have accomplished so far.
Wawatay (WWT): How would you describe the Idle No More movement, and what it has done to date?
Stephanie Wesley’s series of articles on prostitution in Thunder Bay have been awarded Best Feature Series by the Canadian Community Newspaper Association (CCNA).
Wesley’s exploration of prostitution and its effects on First Nations women ran in Wawatay in August and September 2012.
The series also included a personal column on the effects reporting on the topic had on Wesley.
The first of four youth empowerment camps being held across Treaty 3 kicked off Monday August 12, in Couchiching First Nation.
Effort, skills and determination make good leadership qualities and that is the goal of a groundbreaking series of Youth Empowerment camps taking place in four communities across Treaty 3 this month.
First Nation leaders took part in a commemoration ceremony for recently identified graves at the St. Johns Indian Residential School site in Chapleau, Ontario.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, Chapleau Cree First Nation Chief Keeter Corston and other First Nation and community leaders took part.
“It is critical that the unmarked burial sites of these and all residential school children be found and the remains be put to rest in an appropriate and respectful manner,” said NAN Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler.
Louise Thomas did not hesitate for a moment when she was asked to become a member of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre’s (TBRHSC) Aboriginal Advisory Committee.
The owner and curator of the Ahnisnabae Art Gallery, which features the artwork of her late husband Roy Thomas, is one of the newest members of TBRHSC’s Aboriginal Advisory Committee.
“Carmen Blais (Aboriginal Engagement Lead and Patient Advocate) asked me to be a member because she felt I had a lot to offer,” said Thomas.
Premier visits the north
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne is on a northern tour this week as part of her work to strengthen regional economies.
In Sudbury, the premier will tour Crossworks Manufacturing’s diamond-cutting and polishing factory, the largest of its kind in North America. She will also visit Kenora for the first time since being sworn-in, and she will be the first premier in recent history to visit Fort Severn, Ontario’s most northern community. She will meet with Aboriginal leaders and deliver new books to children as they head back to school.
Chief Celia Echum was re-elected for her fourth straight two-year term by defeating challenger Joanne Towegishig by a landslide vote of 194 to 60 during the election for Chief and Council of Ginoogaming First Nation Aug. 21.
The six councillors are: Gabriel Echum, Sheri Taylor, Maurice Waboose, David Charles, Kelly Fortier and April Dore. Before becoming chief, Celia worked in a variety of disciplines as a certified health representative, band manager, and councillor.
Three Lake Nipigon Lake First Nations have signed on to work together to develop a waterpower project that will economically benefit the region.
Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinabek (AZA), Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek (BZA), and Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek (BNA) signed an Impact Management and Benefit Agreement with AXOR Group and Namewaminikan Hydro for the development of a 10 megawatt waterpower project on the Namewaminikan River.
Alanis Obomsawin’s documentary Hi-Ho Mistahey! about Attawapiskat’s Shannen Koostachin will make its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on Sept. 6.
When I was a boy growing up in my home community of Attawapiskat on the James Bay coast, I was deathly afraid of looking at the full moon.
I grew up...
I’m happy to see the ongoing support and assistance in our northern remote communities to help our people cope with so many lifelong and generational issues...