September 27, 2016.

Two and a half years of concentrated effort has resulted in four public buildings on the Louis Bull reserve having solar energy. But more than that, it has shown that First Nations can take a leadership role in green energy development.

“I really think that First Nations that are doing this type of work, like myself, Louis Bull, or the ones that are doing the wind turbines in the south, we are actually leading this initiative. We are actually showing this can be done on First Nations,” said Louis Bull Tribe Councillor Desmond Bull.

Historian was last War Chief of his tribe

By Dianne Meili

As a teenager, Joseph Medicine Crow heard eyewitness accounts of the 1876 Battle of the Little Bighorn from his step-grandfather, White Man Runs Him.

“He was one of Custer’s favourite scouts,” Herman Viola of the Smithsonian Institute wrote in the preface of “From the Heart of Crow Country”, one of Medicine Crow’s many historical books. White Man Runs Him lived with Joseph in his older years and many non-Indian historians came to listen to his memories of the Little Bighorn.

When Dr. Lisa Monchalin talks about the criminalization of Indigenous peoples it’s about more than the high number of those incarcerated – and about more than today.

“Injustice and crime are synonymous…. What’s going on (today) is a crime against Indigenous people. I take a much broader view. I’m not just relying on state definitions of crime because I think the state itself has continued to commit crimes against Indigenous peoples,” said Monchalin.

Photos by By Barb NahwegahbowA research report released Sept. 20 says the population at Grassy Narrows and Wabaseemoong First Nations are suffering from mercury poisoning. This includes those below the age of 30.

Dr. Masanori Hanada headed up a team that travelled from Japan to do the research for the report. Japanese experts on Minamata disease, a neurological syndrome caused by severe mercury poisoning, have been working with the communities since the 1970s. Their report contains findings from research conducted in 2014 when they visited the communities with a medical team.

September 21, 2016.

A 257-page report is being lauded by First Nation leadership, the province and industry as an example of how partnership can result in changes.

September 15, 2016.

Two days after Joel Ground wrapped up his final appearance on The Amazing Race Canada, he says without hesitation that the experience was “life-changing.”

Ground and step-daughter Ashley Callingbull finished third. The final episode aired on Tuesday and the 10 teams taking part were re-united in Toronto for After the Race.

The fourth annual Amazing Race Canada was filmed throughout May. All contestants were sworn to secrecy.

September 14, 2016.

The spokeswoman for the Alexander Women Warriors hopes that the silent majority will join in tomorrow when the group takes to the streets in an attempt to force the resignation of Alexander First Nation Chief Kurt Burnstick.

“We’re hoping to garner more strength,” said Janet Campbell. “We’re hoping that our rally will give them courage to come and stand with us and say, ‘Enough is enough.’”

Moose Cree war hero commemorated in home town

An Aboriginal Second World War soldier has been commemorated. A monument dedicated to Charles Henry Byce, the most decorated First Nations veteran of WWII, was unveiled Sept. 18 at the Royal Canadian Legion in Chapleau, Ont., Byce’s birth-town.

Sculptor Tyler Fauvelle was present for the unveiling, giving a short speech, and sharing his insight into the heroic life of Byce.

September 16, 2016.

Photographs that focus on Indigenous causes are part of a new three-person show documenting activism.

“All three artists are political and make art to change people’s lives. All three artists accept that there is a social responsibility in being an artist and that responsibility is of paramount importance – there is no frivolous subject matter here,” said Chris W. Carson in his curatorial statement.

Toronto’s Native Canadian Centre was the venue for a meeting between national Indigenous leaders and International Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland and Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, on Sept. 9.

Minister Freeland said the meeting was “the beginning of a really important dialogue between the government of Canada and First Nations, Métis and Inuit people about international trade.”

“It’s a discussion that’s long overdue,” she said.