Community News

Making a difference by making First Nation issues and their voters a priority for parties

Anishinabek Nation press release

First Peoples Vote can move issues higher on Canada's agenda

    NIPISSING FIRST NATION, ON, Sept. 17 /CNW/ - First Nations could have a greater impact in the upcoming general election than ever before, says Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief John Beaucage.

Improving funding for First Nation education supports improved outcomes for everyone

From Canadian Press

Federal government should rethink cap on funding for aboriginal students: minister

WINNIPEG — The next federal government must increase education funding for aboriginal students to help keep them out of jails, hospitals and street gangs, Manitoba's aboriginal affairs minister said Wednesday.

Inquest into Kasheshewan First Nation deaths becoming a legal struggle for justice

APTN NATIONAL NEWS (APTN-TV), Winnipeg, 11 Sep 08

Anchor/Reporters: NOLA WUTTUNEE

INQUEST INTO KASHESHEWAN DEATHS POSTPONED

NOLA WUTTUNEE (APTN-TV): A pre-inquest hearing into the deaths of two young men from the Kasheshewan First Nations has now been postponed. The postponement happened yesterday when the legalities of the inquest came into question.

Ricardo Wesley and James Goodwin died in 2006 when a Kasheshewan jail burned to the ground. An inquest into those deaths was supposed to get underway in October in Northern Ontario.

Canada's health care fares poorly when compared to Western Europe

From the Canadian Press

Canada's health care fares poorly when compared to Western Europe; study

September 16, 2008

WINNIPEG - A new study that compares Canada's health care with that of 29 European countries has found that even best-performing provinces do not provide the standard of care that is commonplace in Western Europe.

Government's lack of vision and planning resulting in poor standing for broadband readiness

From CBC online

Canada's broadband networks not ready for future: report

By Peter Nowak, CBC News - September 15, 2008

Canada has slipped from its early broadband leadership position to barely ranking in the OECD's Top 10. (Associated Press)

Canada is woefully positioned for future internet usage and the quality of current broadband networks is barely enough to cope with current traffic because of a lack of investment by providers, according to a new study.

Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador challenging new government

Out with Colonialism and the Indian Act

MONTREAL, Sept. 13 - The Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador (AFNQL) is marking the 1st anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by participating in the Together for Aboriginal Rights! demonstration being held in the streets of Montreal today.

Corporate and industrial polluters creating further climate damage with Arctic ice disappearing

World Wildlife Fund press release 

Toronto: September 14, 2008

Declining ice thickness and what is looking like the second lowest coverage on record means that Arctic sea ice may well have reached its lowest levels ever in terms of total volume. The final figures on the minimum ice coverage for this year are expected in a matter of days, but this year’s minimum figures are already flirting with last year’s record low of 1.59 million square miles, or 4.13 million square kilometres.

NAN Annual Report 2007-2008 presented to chiefs at Keewaywin conference available online

NAN Annual Report 2007-2008

Grand Chief Stan Beardy

Booshoo and Wacheya to the people, Chiefs and Councils, Elders, women and youth of Nishnawbe Aski. On behalf of the Executive Council and staff of Nishnawbe Aski Nation I present the 2007-2008 NAN Annual Report. The following is a brief summary of overall activities within the portfolio of the Grand Chief (see other sections of this Annual Report for the full reports).

Talking about war and peace, poverty, housing, the environment and social justice during election campaign

From the Times & Transcript

United Church wants certain issues discussed in federal elections - But they do not support any party or candidate, says moderator

Charles Perry, Times & Transcript Staff, September 13th, 2008

The United Church of Canada takes every federal election seriously, but never to the point of endorsing a party or candidate, the church's moderator said yesterday.

Indian Residential School exhibit opening in Kenora - "We were taught differently"

From the Kenora Daily Miner and News

Residential school exhibit opens at museum

By Mike Aiken - Miner and News 

A landmark display chronicling the residential school experience opened Tuesday. It was put together in partnership with NeChee Friendship Centre, Lake of the Woods Ojibway Cultural Centre, as well as the Lake of the Woods Museum. Elders and Kathleen and Robin Greene were among those to speak at the opening.