It has been four months since Oxycontin was discontinued in Ontario and First Nations communities across the north are still waiting to see a decrease in supply of the drug and to feel the effects of mass withdrawal.
An unidentified man has died after being struck by a vehicle on July 27 in North Spirit Lake First Nation.
Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service (NAPS) Crime Unit is in North Spirit Lake investigating the fatal hit and run incident that occurred in the community during the early hours of Friday July 27.
“I don’t know too much at this time, we (NAPS) are still on the scene. The matter is being investigated,” said NAPS Inspector Roland Morrison in a telephone interview. Morrison said that NAPS’ Crime Unit arrived in the community of approximately 500 in the early morning of July 27.
Eabematoong First Nation had their Summer Festival, full of various activities and challenges, during the week of July 16 to 21.
Last week, a three-person committee comprised of Stella Waboose, Naomi Atlookan and Doreen O’Keese organized the Summer Festival (known to many as Indian Days). The weeklong festivities included events like scavenger hunts, a wedding dress design challenge for women, Cake Boss cake decorating contests, blindfold-canoe races and So You Think You Can Dance competition.
Powwow-goers from all over convened on the Wauzhushk Onigum Nation Pow-wow Island during the weekend of July 20th for the Honouring Our Children and Elders powwow.
The powwow was held from July 20 to 22 near at Wauzhushk Onigum (Rat Portage) First Nation. The event was organized by Don Big George and Melanie Skead.
“My experience at the powwow was fantastic,” said Barbara Holmstrom, who attended the event as a spectator. “I enjoyed watching the dancers, young and old, dance in their style in their beautiful regalia.”
Ending violence against Aboriginal women and empowering First Nations youth by incorporating cultural values into the education system were the main focuses at a June 2012 summit held by the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA).
Maryanne Matthews, ONWA’s media communications officer, said that it is important to reach Aboriginal youth at a young age in hopes that they can learn to stand up for themselves and understand early that violence should not be tolerated.
Ali Fontaine, a country singer and a Sagkeeng First Nation band member, will be turning eighteen this month. So far in her young life, she has already won two Aboriginal Music People’s Choice Awards for her self-titled debut album – which was released in 2011 – and a Most Outstanding Manitoban award.
On her Aug. 16 birthday this year, Fontaine will be playing the same stage as Susan Aglukark at Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre for the Planet IndigenUS Festival.
The community of Nibinamik First Nation held their 14th Annual Youth Wilderness Retreat Program (YWRP) from July 23-28.
The YWRP consisted of various activities such as fish netting, boat and motor safety, moose hunting skills and preparation of traditional food. The event was coordinated by Jolene Anishinapaise with help from Nibinamik Health Director Don Sofea.
It was Anishinapaise’s first time as the coordinator of the youth retreat.
Laughter is something you are most likely going to hear when you are around a group of Anishinaabe people.
Your first reaction may be to smile too, because laughter is contagious. It is good to witness anyone laughing, whether they are Anishinaabe or not. Being able to tell a joke and make others burst out laughing is a natural talent possessed by many Anishinaabe people.
Three Anishinaabe comedians, all at varying stages in their comedic-careers, recently shared their thoughts on what it is that makes Anishinaabe people so capable of seeing the humour in everyday life.
The Canadian Lakehead Exhibition (CLE) wrapped up another successful fair on Aug. 12 in Thunder Bay.
The CLE has been around in one way or another since the early 1900’s. Back then, it was known as the West Algoma Agricultural Society until it was changed to the CLE in 1929.
Since then, the CLE has added a midway (which is an area of sideshows, games and other amusements).
Families partake each year in the many festivities and events that the CLE has to offer every August – including many First Nations residents who travel to the city to attend.
“We should never look at them as a problem, or an offender,” Bridget Perrier, 36, said of females who are prostitutes. “We should more or less look at them as a victim.”
Perrier spent years working as a prostitute, having started at a young age on the streets of Thunder Bay. It has been 10 years since she left the sex-trade industry, and she now works with other ex-prostitutes with a goal of getting more young women out of the cycle of prostitution.
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...
I was happy to see our First Nation youth continue to speak out against proposed mining development in the far north in the so-called Ring of Fire region....