North America's only cruise ship terminal with a First Nations theme is one step closer to becoming a reality with an investment of $9 million from the Government of Canada. Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport) made the announcement in Campbell River Nov. 9. Indian and Northern Affairs Canada will provide $6 million and Western Economic Diversification will provide $3 million for the construction of the terminal.

Federal Justice Minister Irwin Cotler got an earful from the chiefs-in-assembly when he showed up at an Assembly of First Nations meeting to wave the Liberal Party of Canada flag on Dec. 8, and B.C. issues were well represented.

When it was announced late on Day 2 of the special chiefs' assembly that it would be Cotler who would represent the Liberals during a candidates election forum, a lot of excitement was generated. Cotler is one of the world's leading international law scholars and has a resume that is breathtakingly diverse.

A project organized by the National Campus and Community Radio Association (NCRA) is giving up-and-coming Aboriginal performing artists a chance to have their music heard.

Dig Your Roots-Aboriginal will showcase the talent of up to 100 Aboriginal artists from across the country, who will have their work featured on the Dig Your Roots Web site. Out of those 100 or so performers, 15 will be selected to appear on CD compilations and to take part in a series of regional concerts that will air live on the NCRA's member radio stations.

The Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF) announce two recepients of $500 bursary awards for the 2005/2006 academic year. The awards for the inaugural year for the Stewardship Community Bursary went to Brenda Boye, a BCIT student from Surrey and Leonard Guno, a Malaspina University-College student from New Aiyansh.

The National Aboriginal Achievement Awards will be handed out in Vancouver on Jan. 27, and two people living in British Columbia will be on the receiving end at the 13th annual achievement award gala.

The community development award will be presented to Wendy Grant-John for her efforts to bring economic and social development opportunities to her Coast Salish community of Musqueam.

Disgruntled members of the Tsimshian Nation are calling for a "timeout" to treaty negotiations, claiming that the current representatives at the table are self-appointed and operating under a shroud of secrecy.

The concerned group, comprised of community leaders from all of the Tsimshian bands, met in mid-December in Prince Rupert, just days after circulating a petition that demands a halt to the current process until a referendum of the membership is held.

Disgruntled members of the Tsimshian Nation are calling for a "timeout" to treaty negotiations, claiming that the current representatives at the table are self-appointed and operating under a shroud of secrecy.

The concerned group, comprised of community leaders from all of the Tsimshian bands, met in mid-December in Prince Rupert, just days after circulating a petition that demands a halt to the current process until a referendum of the membership is held.

Another Aboriginal woman has gone missing on the "Highway of Tears" near Prince Rupert, again raising fears that a serial killer is on the loose in northwestern British Columbia.

Note: Alfred Lennie passed away in Feb. 2006. We print this sacred story with the permission of his wife, Julie.
I was a trapper and guide in the Northwest Territories, 200 miles north of Tulita, at a place called Lennie Lake. I lived with my wife and daughter in a little log cabin, nestled in the bushes along the lake. Many times we would see wolf packs hunting and travelling out our window. I would take my rifle, load it with a few shells and shoot a few of them, until one day, when a lone wolf changed my life.

Organizations wishing to initiate Aboriginal arts programs have a new source of funding to access.

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts is offering $100,000 to be allotted by March 31, 2007. The maximum amount of money one organization can apply for is $10,000. Al Chapman, with the Arts Branch of Alberta Community Development, is hoping that Alberta Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development will add $50,000 to the pot.