Rick Garrick — Wawatay News

Fort William’s Beverly Bannon is putting fun into her Anishinabemowin revitalization program.
“That’s how all my classes are, every class I have ever done, I go there and just have fun,” Bannon said about her twice-a-week language revitalization program, which is funded by Fort William First Nation. “I learn the language myself more fluently — like I’m starting to think Ojibwe and speak better Ojibwe by having these classes.”

Fort Severn is concerned about Ministry of Natural Resources plans to establish buffer zones around polar bear dens.
“We understand there will be a certain buffer zone for where the denning areas are,” said Fort Severn Chief Matthew Kakekaspan. “For example, if there are 50 dens, that’s 50 areas that are going to be covered within our area.”
Kakekaspan said his community is not sure how large the buffer zones will be but polar bears have not been known to go very far inland up to now and they always go back to where they have denned before.

First Nation leaders are calling for the federal government to continue support for the Native Women's Association of Canada’s Sisters in Spirit campaign.

The Anishinabek Nation is calling for more resources to look after children in foster care.
“Other governments must put a stop to the harm that has been caused to thousands of our kids – first in residential schools, then in foster homes,” said Deputy Grand Chief Glen Hare. “They have to give us the resources our communities need to look after our own children; their welfare is more important than providing jobs for outside agencies.”

Wasaya Airways will be distributing about 2,700 turkeys to its 26 service communities during the annual turkey run, including a turkey for each household in its 10 member communities.
“Usually we look at a seven to nine kilogram turkey,” said Tom Morris, president and CEO of Wasaya Airways. “As well, we do a candy run for the kids. Usually when we land in a community, the school kids come out and we give them candy.”