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“This moment that might be perceived as a crisis is actually a great opportunity for us to clean and heal the organization. I think we’re on the right track for sure.”
RoseAnne Archibald to reveal documents to BC chiefs of alleged corrupt practices at AFN, she says
By Shari Narine, Windspeaker.com
JUNE 26—It's been a "challenging" 10 days, says RoseAnne Archibald in an extensive interview with Windspeaker.com. The first woman leader of the largest Indigenous organization in the country may have been suspended from her position as national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, but tomorrow she meets with BCAFN to present chiefs with documented evidence of alleged corruption at the AFN.
“Government must first and foremost ensure public safety. That means ensuring that police services are funded adequately and consistently.”
Funding from Alberta a stop-gap measure as Ottawa revisits First Nation policing
By Shari Narine, Windspeaker.com
JUNE 27—The three First Nations police services in Alberta are lauding the province for providing funding that will allow them to add more officers to their police forces. Last week, Justice Minister Tyler Shandro announced that the police services operated by Tsuut’ina, Blood Tribenand Lakeshore Regional Police Service would each receive funding to hire five new members over the next four years.
“Globally, the healthiest lands in the world right now are lands that are managed, owned or influenced by Indigenous peoples.”
Knowledge Basket shares database of Indigenous information to care for lands and water
By Crystal St.Pierre, Windspeaker.com
JUNE 27—The Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership has officially launched a new initiative titled the Knowledge Basket. It will provide resources to communities and officials involved with Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs). These are lands and waters where Indigenous governments have the primary role in protecting and conserving ecosystems.
“It will open wounds again.”
Memories “triggered” as plans developed for Pope’s visit to Maskwacis
By Shari Narine, Windspeaker.com
JUNE 27—Pope Francis will be in Maskwacis for no more than one hour on July 25, but the repercussions are already being felt and will continue to be felt long after. “We’re trying to assess it right now,” said Ermineskin Chief Randy Ermineskin. As the pre-planning stage begins, memories and feelings have been triggered in residential school survivors, he said.
https://windspeaker.com/news/windspeaker-news/memories-triggered-plans-…
“It means a lot. It’s a big step. And I think it’s a big statement.”
First Nation woman named to Ontario Hockey Federation board
By Sam Laskaris, Windspeaker.com
JUNE 28—Gayle Payette has made a bit of history. A member of M’Chigeeng First Nation on Manitoulin Island in Ontario, Payette officially joined the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF) board of directors on June 24. She was one of four new directors added to the board during the OHF’s annual general meeting, which was held at the Toronto Airport Marriott Hotel.
https://windspeaker.com/news/sports/first-nation-woman-named-ontario-hockey-federation-board
“There’s been a lot of questions as to how this unfolded.”
Too many questions remain with National Chief Archibald’s suspension, says BC Kukpi7 Wilson
By Shari Narine, Windspeaker.com
JUNE 28—Neskonlith Indian Band Kukpi7 Judy Wilson anticipates “a lot of realignment, a lot of house cleaning, a lot of policy (and) procedure strengthening or even redoing” by the time allegations of corruption are dealt with in the Assembly of First Nations (AFN). Wilson told Windspeaker.com on June 28 that corruption at the AFN is not a new issue to her.
“For me to play Marie on the bank of the north Saskatchewan River feels quite tremendous because that’s where she would have been…”
Star people reunite over and over through history in new play by Métis actor/writer
By Crystal St.Pierre, Windspeaker.com
JUNE 29—Tai Amy Grauman is excited to bring her highly anticipated play You used to call me Marie to stages and fields across western Canada starting on July 16. “The love story is about two star people who have come back to earth to their bodies at multiple different points in history… and all the stories are about them remembering each other,” and sometimes not, said Grauman.
"We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t have Elders and knowledge keepers who came before us to push the University of Alberta to do and welcome diversity into the space.”
Braiding Past, Present and Future is strategic plan that will guide UofA
By Crystal St.Pierre, Windspeaker.com
JUNE 29—Earlier this month members of the University of Alberta faculty, students and guests of the school celebrated the official launch of its Braiding Past, Present and Future: The University of Alberta Indigenous Strategic Plan. The event highlighted many speakers, traditional ceremony and powwow dancers.
“I’m very hopeful. I’m hoping that either through negotiations or through stage three ruling or Supreme Court of Canada ruling that we will get a just settlement, someway, somehow.”
Despite Supreme Court of Canada ruling, Robinson Treaties advocate hopeful for negotiated settlement
By Shari Narine, Windspeaker.com
JUNE 29—Last week the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the Ontario government could move forward on its appeal of the Robinson Huron-Superior Treaty annuity case. The Robinson Treaties, signed in 1850, provided for the augmentation of the perpetual annuity if revenues generated in the territory allowed the Crown to increase the payment without incurring a loss.
Be It Resolved: Lift the suspension; conduct third-party forensic audit and investigate toxic, corrupt AFN—Chiefs’ draft resolution
Two Algonquin chiefs have introduced a draft Assembly of First Nations AGA resolution to immediately remove the “unsubstantiated and unlawful suspension” of National Chief Roseanne Archibald and reactivate her email, phone and other benefits “immediately,” as first reported by APTN. The annual general assembly of the AFN is scheduled for July 5 to July 7 in Vancouver.
"It's going to get bigger, it's going to get bigger every year. It's for the future generations to come out and celebrate life"
First ever Tipi Village event in Ponoka Stampede
By Daniel Barker-Tremblay, CFWERadio.ca
JUNE 29—Right next to the Stampede grounds, the Town of Ponoka is hosting the first ever Tipi Village from June 27-July 3. Andrew Jones, manager of the Town of Ponoka, says the event is very exciting and is a great way to showcase Indigenous culture.
First ever Tipi Village event in Ponoka Stampede - CFWE (cfweradio.ca)
"I hope that the piece let's people know that there's an entry point and hope, and history doesn't need to be in the past. It's something that we're moving through."
Indigenous director creates short film on the history of Treaty 6
By Daniel Barker-Tremblay, CFWERadio.ca
JUNE 29—Premonition: on the eve of signing of Treaty 6, a short film that was created by Albert-based Indigenous director Barry Bilinksy, was shown for the first time during the Future of Film Festival this month in Toronto. The film shows the events after the signing which the circumstances Aboriginal people faced shortly after the signing of Treaty 6.
Indigenous director creates short film on the history of Treaty 6 - CFWE (cfweradio.ca)
"30,000 dollar amount of money that we can use to buy literacy supports, buy books, upgrade our library so those kids can really get learning and infuse that into the school."
Fort McMurray Composite High School receives $30,000 Indigo grant for library
By Daniel Barker-Tremblay, CFWERadio.ca
JUNE 30—The library in the Fort McMurray Composite High School will be getting an upgrade thanks to the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation Literacy Grant. The school was one of only two schools that received the grant within the province of Alberta. Back in 2020, the school suffered serious damages due to a flood that entered the building, and the library was one of the many areas heavily damaged.
Fort McMurray Composite High School receives $30,000 Indigo grant for library - CFWE (cfweradio.ca)
OPINION
Fort Norman Metis call on Pope to admit Catholic Church knew of abuses at Grollier Hall and conspired to hide them
JUNE 28—Statement from the Fort Norman Metis Community: The Catholic Church must be accountable for abuse that took place at Grollier Hall Students' Residence. The members of the Fort Norman Metis Community will not accept the last apology from Pope Francis and we look forward to a more fulsome one when he appears in Canada.
Statement from AFNQL: Pope's visit is too important to become a missed opportunity for residential school survivors
JULY 1—Disappointment and concern are emerging as First Nations survivors learn that they will have access to only 400 reserved spaces at the Basilica of Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré during the papal visit on July 28. The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) is calling on the Church to ensure that the reconciliation and healing of residential school survivors remain at the heart of Pope Francis' visit.