First Nation high school students in British Columbia learned the art of entrepreneurship this spring with the guidance of volunteer college students and a program called Opening Doors.

Five luminaries of the Indigenous film and communication arts community were celebrated at the 11th annual Dreamspeakers Film Festival in Edmonton on June 10.

Their hands and signatures were cast in cement as the second set of inductees into the Dreamspeakers organization's Walk of Honour.

A world champion dragon boat racer and a member of the Canadian men's volleyball team have been selected as the national winners of the 2005 Tom Longboat Award.

Toronto's Marisha Roman, who helped Canada win five medals (three gold, two silver) at last year's world dragon boat championships in Germany, was chosen as the national female recipient. Dallas Soonias, who hails from Red Deer, Alta., was named as the male winner of the award for his performances with the national team as well as with the University of Alberta squad.

It’s official, the Saskatoon campus of the First Nations University of Canada (FNUC) will close its doors at the end of August this year and issue faculty and staff layoffs at all three campuses.

FNUC President Shauneen Pete made the announcement on May 3 to a roomful of students, staff, and faculty gathered at the Saskatoon campus and others listening via videoconference from the Regina and Prince Albert campuses, where more cuts are expected. It’s anticipated that the closure and layoffs will help manage FNUC’s deficit and work towards reorganizing the institution.

While there were still a large number of participants, this year’s Provincial Junior All-Native Basketball Tournament, held March 8 to 12 in Prince Rupert, had some disappointing attendance figures.

“That’s what happens when you get a global meltdown,” said George Sampson, a tournament organizer. “There’s a lot of industries that are hurting right now.”

Simon Fraser University (SFU) announced Feb. 12 that by August it will cease to deliver its Kamloops program. The decision is based on a number of factors, including unsafe buildings, the high cost of delivering the programs, and the opening of another university in Kamloops.

However, said John Driver, SFU vice-president, academic and provost, the time frame set to end program delivery will depend on the Tk’emlups Indian Band.

A throat singer from Nunavut and a Hupacasath artist from Vancouver Island are just a couple of the multi-talented Aboriginal musicians, artists, dancers and videographers that will be showcased at the Cultural Olympiad 2010, both before and during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

It is not a mirage but a Salish longhouse under construction on the plaza of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver’s downtown.

This 750-square metre Aboriginal pavilion in the centre of Olympic activity will be a gathering place for First Nation people to welcome the world to the 2010 Olympics and showcase the best of Aboriginal arts, crafts, sport and culture.

Planned by the Squamish, Lil’wat, Musqueam and Tsleil-Wautuuh of the Four Host First Nations, the $3 million pavilion reflects their history and culture.

It was the words of a slave that helped tip the scales of justice in favor of the Nuu-chah-nulth in their fisheries litigation case in British Columbia’s Supreme Court.
The court has recognized the rights of five First Nation communities—Ahousaht, Hesquiaht, Mowachaht/Muchalaht, Tla-o-qui-aht and Ehattesaht—on Vancouver Island to fish any species of fish and sell it in the commercial marketplace.

An Aboriginal training institute is doing everything it can to create opportunities for Winnipeg’s Aboriginal workforce.

The Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development Inc. (CAHRD) received close to $380,000 for one of their skill development programs on April 16, and they continue to keep their fingers crossed for funding to keep their work going.

“Our budget is around $6 million a year. We provide $12 million worth of training each year so we go out and get resources from people,” said CAHRD executive director Marileen Bartlett.