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“I just kinda wanted to put Cold Lake as the landmark for this event.”
Cold Lake hosts first-ever Treaty 6 Contemporary Arts Festival
By Elliott Knopp, CFWERadio.ca
JUNE 13—Indigenous artisans and performers filled the Cold Lake Energy Centre on Saturday as part of the community’s first-ever Treaty 6 Contemporary Art Festival.
Handcrafted beadings, ribbon skirts and artistic displays were among many of the cultural aspects featured throughout the community arena.
Cold Lake hosts first-ever Treaty 6 Contemporary Arts Festival - CFWE (cfweradio.ca)
"Because of COVID, we had to be creative and think of different ways to bring students on campus, and look at honoring them, but also bringing community together as well."
kihêw waciston hosts Indigenous Artisan Market at MacEwan University
By Daniel Barker-Tremblay, CFWERadio.ca
JUNE 13—From Indigenous vendors to musical performances by JUNO award winner Fawn Wood, MacEwan University was full of life with the Indigenous Artisan Market at kihêw waciston on June 10. Terri Cardinal, director of Indigenous Initiatives with MacEwan University, talks about the recent changes to honour graduates and to bring the community together.
kihêw waciston hosts Indigenous Artisan Market at MacEwan University - CFWE (cfweradio.ca)
New stamp commemorates the life and legacy of Harry Daniels
JUNE 13—An image of the late Harry Daniels, Métis politician, activist, writer and actor, will grace a new commemorative stamp, unveiled today by Canada Post at an event in Regina. Daniels spent much of his life advocating for the rights of Métis and non-status Indians in Canada. This stamp set is the inaugural release in Canada Post's new multi-year Indigenous Leaders series.
https://windspeaker.com/news/windspeaker-news/new-stamp-commemorates-life-and-legacy-harry-daniels
“When chronically underrepresented groups are being driven from public conversations and crucial fields of influence, that is an existential threat to our democracy.”
Campaign launched to push back against hate, intimidation of women online
By Shari Narine, Windspeaker.com
JUNE 14—Hate speech on social media is working to silence the voices of women, said Shari Graydon, catalyst and director of Informed Opinions, an organization that aims to give that voice back. It has launched a $2 million campaign called Toxic Hush that allows women to voice and record their experiences and concerns.
“We are beyond thrilled that for the first time in Willow Lake Métis Nation history, we welcome our friends on Willow Lake lands in person.”
Lands purchased through equity interest in pipeline will help bring Willow Lake Métis home
By Crystal St.Pierre, Windspeaker.com
JUNE 14—Willow Lake Métis Nation celebrated a major milestone this month as the members officially purchased traditional homelands with money acquired through a partnership with Suncor. A 205-acre parcel of land near Anzac, Alta., will be developed to house an eco-bison ranch, community culture centre, Mother Earth’s garden, Métis housing, and net zero power generation plant.
“We try to create an environment of safety, tolerance, value and love.”
2 Rivers Remix returns with free live event and ‘moveable’ feasts of music and culture
By Crystal St.Pierre, Windspeaker.com
JUNE 14—Organizers of the 2 Rivers Remix Feast of Contemporary Indigenous Music and Culture are looking forward to bringing back the free live event, this year from a new location in St’uxwtews/Cache Creek, B.C. The main festival will run from July 8 to July 10, with “moveable” feasts starting June 30. “2 Rivers Remix festival is an all Indigenous focused, centred and led free festival,” said Meeka Morgan, artistic director of the event.
https://windspeaker.com/news/windspeaker-news/2-rivers-remix-returns-free-live-event-and-moveable-feasts-music-and-culture from legal action
Maskwacis standouts hosting career-oriented youth gala
By Elliott Knopp, The Raven
JUNE 14—An Indigenous community in Alberta is continuing to put an emphasis on future stability with significant public health concerns seemingly in the rear-view mirror. On June 25, several Maskwacis standouts will gather at the Four Nations Arena to host a gala for youth in the community.
Maskwacis standouts hosting career-oriented youth gala - 89.3 the Raven Edmonton (radiocms.com)
“We jumped the gun, essentially.”
Faced with considerable opposition to land claim, Alberta Métis plaintiffs withdraw from legal action
By Shari Narine, Windspeaker.com
JUNE 15—After facing push back on a number of fronts for proceeding with legal action, 17 plaintiffs from northern Alberta have decided to withdraw from the litigation known as the Durocher land claim. The decision is “not a political gesture,” said Ron Quintal, but a matter of prioritizing the needs of the communities above a legal battle that will be costly and could result in a loss, he said.
Nistawoyou Association Friendship Centre hosting National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration
By Elliott Knopp, The Raven
JUNE 15—The Nistawoyou Association Friendship Centre (NAFC) is set to host a community celebration honouring the 26th anniversary of National Indigenous Peoples Day. On June 21, the NAFC will welcome families into the Fort McMurray Heritage Village to celebrate the occasion and share aspects of First Nations, Métis and Inuit culture with those in attendance.
“It’s a lame duck government right now where we can’t make any decisions.”
First Nations council told to stop dragging its feet on mandated byelection for chief
By Shari Narine, Windspeaker.com
JUNE 15—Direction from an adjudicator for immediate steps to be taken by the K'atl'odeeche First Nation (NWT) to hold an election for chief is not being met. On May 25, adjudicator Michael E. Hansen released his decision stating Elaine Auger should not have been disqualified to run as chief because of a two-year residency requirement in the Nation’s custom election code.
“The assertion that there is somehow a custom to discriminate against women and descendants of women would be offensive if it was not so tragic…”
Whitefish Lake Nation’s custom election regulations challenged in court as discriminatory
By Shari Narine, Windspeaker.com
JUNE 15—Two women on the Whitefish Lake First Nation in northern Alberta are waiting to hear if they have the constitutional right to participate in their band's election process. On June 14, Federal Court Justice Paul Favel heard joint submissions that argued customary election regulations did not trump Sect. 15 equality rights for Karen McCarthy or Lorna Jackson-Littlewolfe.
"When you arrive you'll be able to see students’ artwork depicting the 12 moon cycles from an Indigenous perspective."
New exhibit ê-pimihâyahk (we are all flying together) now on display at Alberta Aviation Museum
By Daniel Barker-Tremblay, CFWERadio.ca
JUNE 16—The Alberta Aviation Museum, located at 11410 Kingsway NW, Edmonton, has partnered up with the Amiskwaciy Academy to showcase the new exhibit ê-pimihâyahk (we are all flying together) that opened June 11. Amiskwaciy Academy Teacher Stephine Sakkab shares what visitors can expect when they check out 12 art pieces on display for the next year.
New stamps unveiled by Canada Post in Indigenous Leaders series
JUNE 16—Two more stamps in Canada Post’s Indigenous Leaders series have been unveiled. On June 14 in Rankin Inlet, a new commemorative stamp recognizing the accomplishments of Inuit leader Jose Kusugak was celebrated. And on June 15, the commemorative stamp recognizing the 39-year leadership of Chief Marie-Anne Day Walker-Pelletier was presented at the Okanese First Nation in Saskatchewan.
AFN National Chief calls for forensic audit, independent inquiry on corruption in the organization
JUNE 16—In a statement released today by Assembly of First Nations National Chief RoseAnne Archibald, she says she is battling “corruption” within the AFN organization, which includes “backroom deals”, “large payouts to staff”, and incidences of “collusion”. She says the AFN Secretariat and two regional chiefs, “are choosing to focus on infighting rather than advocacy for the people that we serve.”
City of Edmonton warns of dangers with rising water levels
By Elliott Knopp, The Raven
The City of Edmonton is advising the public to practice caution when near the North Saskatchewan River over the weekend. On Thursday, the city released a statement explaining water levels are expected to increase until reaching their peak on Friday morning due to the heavy rainfall. Some areas along the river are expected to see some flooding because of the elevated water levels.
City of Edmonton warns of dangers with rising water levels - 89.3 the Raven Edmonton (radiocms.com)
“For many generations our peoples have always been on the outside looking in and trying to get inside the house to have a conversation.”
Indigenous-led 2030 Olympic/Paralympic Games hosting bid goes into a public engagement phase
By Sam Laskaris, Windspeaker.com
JUNE 16—The ‘How’ has been revealed, but the ‘How much’ is not expected to be revealed until next month. At a news conference held in Whistler on June 14, details were released on how the concept of hosting an Indigenous-led Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2030 in British Columbia would unfold. The concept is led by the leadership of four First Nations—Lilwat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh.
“You keep voting on something until you get your way. This is Third World.”
Métis locals consider legal action over MNA provincial council’s one-year extension in office
JUNE 17—Métis members are calling foul and contemplating legal action after a single ballot in an unexpected third round of voting June 4 resulted in a one-year extension in office for Métis Nation of Alberta President Audrey Poitras and the provincial council. Bev New, former president for Region 5 (High Prairie-Slave Lake area), says she didn’t even get a chance to ask for a recount.
"The most important thing about Indigenous Day Live, it is our opportunity to gather and celebrate."
APTN Indigenous Day Live event returns after two long years
By Daniel Barker-Tremblay, CFWERadio.ca
JUNE 17—The APTN Indigenous Day Live event is back this weekend after a two-year delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Adam Garnet Jones, director of TV content and special events and senior management for APTN, says that the most important thing about the event is gathering as a community.
APTN Indigenous Day Live event returns after two long years - CFWE (cfweradio.ca)
Suspended: AFN suspends National Chief
JUNE 17—In a statement this evening, the Assembly of First Nations executive committee and national Board of Directors announced the suspension of the National Chief RoseAnne Archibald, “effective immediately.” The suspension was prompted by her public statement issued on June 16, 2022, “that breached her obligations to the AFN – contrary to her Oath of Office, the organization’s Code of Conduct and AFN Whistleblower Policy”. This post also provides a response from the National Chief’s Office.
https://windspeaker.com/news/windspeaker-news/suspended-afn-suspends-national-chief
"It's important to carry my mother and my Grandfather's message when they say ‘Don't let my smudge go out’."
Bent Arrow Traditional Healing society hosts fourth annual Cultural Camp
By Daniel Barker-Tremblay, CFWERadio.ca
JUNE 18—This weekend, Edmonton’s Bent Arrow Healing Society is hosting its fourth annual Cultural Camp, leading up to National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21. The Cultural Camp is an event that teaches visitors more about Indigenous cultures and ceremonies with help from Elders.
Bent Arrow Traditional Healing society hosts fourth annual Cultural Camp - CFWE (cfweradio.ca)