The Huron-Wendat village of Wendake near Quebec City created a world premiere with its creation of the Carrefour des literatures autochtones de la Francophonie (CILAF). This gathering of Native writers from the Francophone world was a resounding success; such a success in fact that it far exceeded all expectations. There was standing room only at the closing performance. Thirty-one authors participated in this literary event never seen before.

It's not about dwelling on what's been lost; it's about celebrating what you have.
That's the message National Inuit Youth Council youth intervenor, Tommy Akulukjuk delivered on Parliament Hill when World Suicide Prevention Day was marked Sept.10.
"What we wanted to do on this day," said Akulukjuk, "is say that this is the day we celebrate life. This is the day we embrace life, the day we enjoy life."

Years ago, I had a friend who's life ambition ­ well, one of them anyways ­ was to write a book detailing the hundred most beautiful places in the world to make love. Needless to say, I was very eager to co-write that book with her but alas both it and the woman disappeared into the mists of what might have happened. Still, I thought it was a very cool idea. And, upon reflection, it still sounds like an interesting concept and I still wonder if such a book would be possible.

The Alberta Council of Women's Shelters (ACWS) hosted the first World Conference of Women's Shelters from Sept. 8 to 11 at Edmonton's Shaw Conference Centre . The conference room was filled with approximately 800 delegates from women's shelters across the globe. The unique opinions heard from all over the world were shared.

Imagine this, your mother has just packed your lunch and taken you to meet your new teacher, she gives you a tender hug, confidently sas you are going to have fun and then she quietly retreats. Now imagine a cattle round up as a herd is corralled then driven through the doors of a transport train.
The contrast between the above images is captured in the title of the new exhibit at the Lake of the Wood Museum in Kenora, Ontario. Bakaan nake'ii ngii-izhi-gakinoo'amaagoomin: We Were Taught Differently is the name of a seven-week exhibit at the museum.

It was an outcry of indignation that helped change the Indian Act to reinstate First Nations women who had lost their status after marrying a non-status person, but now an uproar over the unfair classification system that was incorporated into the modification is threatening to erupt into a constitutional challenge.
The legislation introduced in 1985, called Bill-C31, is being slammed for being a veiled attempt at extinguishing status Aboriginal people within generations.

Dion dumps candidate for racist remark

Drum music resonated through Churchill Square, and Aboriginals from Treaty 6, 7, and 8 united in one single powerful voice; a voice that demanded change in Canada's educational funding, as Aboriginal children are falling behind.
Aboriginals claim there are substantial inequalities in the allocation of funds, when the amounts given to Aboriginals are compared to the rest of Canada. There are also allegations of sifting funds before the money ever reaches Aboriginal hands.

It is a well-known and well-documented fact that Aboriginals have been mistreated within the confines of the Canadian system. Canadian history can present a plethora of unfortunate tales regarding the plight of Canada's First Nations. Even within the justice system, dark facts of exclusion are now making their way to the forefront.
On Sept. 10th, an affidavit was filed in connection with a coroner's inquest that stated only 44 natives were being considered for jury duty, in an area that is population heavy with First Nations.

"Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote." -George Jean Nathan
The First Peoples National Party of Canada (FPNP) is a party that is determined to take the road less traveled. They operate with a Web site that is not completely updated. They persevere with bare minimum funding. And they are determined to never waver with their beliefs and principles to the exclusion of all other big business, and party platforms. In fact, one of the only parallels they have with other parties is that they are relying on votes, and plenty of them.