Page 4

Over the years, ever since some smart-ass had the audacity to establish the summer solstice as "National Aboriginal Day," I have tended to disregard, if not boycott, celebrations of that day. Initially I was angry that Canada wanted to dismiss us by giving us a day. Angry, that is, until I attended the "blues night" at the Yale Hotel.

Page 4

Over the years, ever since some smart-ass had the audacity to establish the summer solstice as "National Aboriginal Day," I have tended to disregard, if not boycott, celebrations of that day. Initially I was angry that Canada wanted to dismiss us by giving us a day. Angry, that is, until I attended the "blues night" at the Yale Hotel.

Page 4

When we heard that churches have actually been using a legal strategy at trial in residential school cases that is based on the idea that an Indian's life is worth less than a white person's life, well, what can you say about that?

How about: it's disgusting, it's un-Christian (although some of sexual predator Arthur Plint's victims would say the opposite), it's racist, it's inhuman, it's shameful.

Page 4

When we heard that churches have actually been using a legal strategy at trial in residential school cases that is based on the idea that an Indian's life is worth less than a white person's life, well, what can you say about that?

How about: it's disgusting, it's un-Christian (although some of sexual predator Arthur Plint's victims would say the opposite), it's racist, it's inhuman, it's shameful.

Page 3

The planned expansion of the Sun Peaks ski resort near Kamloops, B.C. has brought Secwepemc (Shuswap) protesters into conflict with local residents and law enforcement authorities.

A similar protest in Melvin Creek (near Lillooet, B.C.) saw the RCMP arrest one non-Native and six Native protesters when police broke up a roadblock on Highway 99 on July 4.

Page 3

The planned expansion of the Sun Peaks ski resort near Kamloops, B.C. has brought Secwepemc (Shuswap) protesters into conflict with local residents and law enforcement authorities.

A similar protest in Melvin Creek (near Lillooet, B.C.) saw the RCMP arrest one non-Native and six Native protesters when police broke up a roadblock on Highway 99 on July 4.

Page 2

Windspeaker has learned that a motion was passed at a recent Assembly of First Nations executive council meeting that would see a proposal to abandon the boycott of the First Nations Governance Act consultations be put before the chiefs at the AFN general meeting in Halifax from July 17 to 19.

Manitoba vice-chief, Ken Young, verified that fact during a phone interview on July 11.

"It's just another option, something we're going to present to the chiefs for their consideration," he said.

Page 2

Windspeaker has learned that a motion was passed at a recent Assembly of First Nations executive council meeting that would see a proposal to abandon the boycott of the First Nations Governance Act consultations be put before the chiefs at the AFN general meeting in Halifax from July 17 to 19.

Manitoba vice-chief, Ken Young, verified that fact during a phone interview on July 11.

"It's just another option, something we're going to present to the chiefs for their consideration," he said.

Page 1

The Assembly of First Nations will have to operate this fiscal year on about half of the money it received last year. The Department of Indian Affairs (DIAND) has cuts AFN funding to $12 million from $19.8 million last year.

Sources say a variety of programs and positions are in jeopardy and morale is low. Several officials have said the quality of service provided to First Nations by the national organization is already suffering.

Page 1

The Assembly of First Nations will have to operate this fiscal year on about half of the money it received last year. The Department of Indian Affairs (DIAND) has cuts AFN funding to $12 million from $19.8 million last year.

Sources say a variety of programs and positions are in jeopardy and morale is low. Several officials have said the quality of service provided to First Nations by the national organization is already suffering.