Wawatay Staff

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?

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.

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.

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.