From The Globe and Mail

911 leaves North in cold

December 28, 2008

Kevin Doyle and Jessi Moekerk were driving across a snow-covered field near Yellowknife last month when the ground gave way and began to swallow their pickup truck whole.

What they thought was solid earth beneath them turned out to be an unmarked pond. As the truck sank through the ice, the doors jammed against a rising wall of snow.

May all the dreams in your eyes,

all the desires in your heart

and all the hopes in your life blend together,

to give you the most spectacular New Year ever.

Happy New Year 2009 to you and everyone around you!

From CBC.ca

Thousands rush to prove Mi'kmaq ancestry to join landless band

December 30, 2008

Thousands of people in the province are rushing to prove their Mi'kmaq ancestry so they can join a landless band set to form in late 2009.

The Qalipu band is part of a agreement between the federal government and the Federation of Newfoundland Indians that would give its members, about 7,800, status under the Indian Act.

Press Release ... 

Press Release ... 

CIDA Grant to Support Use of Communications Technologies by Indigenous Peoples

OTTAWA, Dec. 29 - A grant of $100,000 has been awarded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to support the development of The Indigenous Commission for Communications Technologies in the Americas (ICCTA). The grant was made possible through a partnership arrangement between ICCTA and the Métis National Council (MNC).

From the Australian

Julia Gillard pledges $2.3bn for remote education

Samantha Maiden - December 29, 2008

JULIA Gillard has pledged to pump $2.3 billion into improving indigenous education, confessing she was "hit in the guts" by theextent of illiteracy among remote students.

From the Halifax Chronicle Herald

Ottawa considering turning grants into loans for aboriginal students: Free Press

By THE CANADIAN PRESS - Dec 27

WINNIPEG — The federal government is considering turning university grants for aboriginal students into repayable loans.

The Winnipeg Free Press said in a report from Ottawa that Patricia Valladao, spokeswoman for Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, confirmed the Post-Secondary Student Support Program is under review.

From the Anchorage Daily News

Native leaders say climate affecting caribou populations

ALLIANCE: Indigenous groups want to participate in global warming talks.

By ARTHUR MAX, The Associated Press - December 23rd, 2008

POZNAN, Poland -- Chief Bill Erasmus of the Dene nation in northern Canada brought a stark warning about the climate crisis: The once abundant herds of caribou are dwindling, rivers are running lower and the ice is too thin to hunt on.

From Indian Country Today

Wizipan Garriott named Obama’s First Americans Public Liaison

By Rob Capriccioso - Story Updated: Dec 15, 2008

WASHINGTON – Wizipan Garriott, 28, has been appointed First Americans Public Liaison, a newly created position in President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team. The position is aimed at honoring a nation-to-nation relationship with tribes.

Amy Brundage, a spokeswoman for the team, confirmed Garriott’s role Dec. 10.

Press Release ...

About the Racism. Stop It!
National Video Competition

Lights! Camera! Action!

The Racism. Stop It! National Video Competition is part of Canada’s March 21 campaign against racial discrimination.

If you are between 12 and 20 years old, you are eligible to enter the Racism. Stop It! National Video Competition. Create a video about your thoughts on eliminating racism.

Ten videos will be chosen as winners and will be broadcast on national television, reaching millions of Canadians.