Rob Pelletier was once a sparring partner for Muhammad Ali, one of the greatest boxers of all time.
But the 51-year-old, who now lives in Burlington, Ont., has perhaps an even bigger obstacle to face. He's issuing a challenge to Native leaders across North America.
Pelletier, who already has an extensive and impressive resume in sporting and fitness industries, has launched a new business called Iron Eagle Fitness Consulting.

Thanks to a pilot project a total of 300 Aboriginal youth are taking part in a free basketball program in New Brunswick this summer.
The Steve Nash Youth Basketball Program ­ a Canada Basketball program that is already established across the country ­ is being introduced in nine First Nations communities throughout New Brunswick.
Though official announcements have yet to be made, it is believed the program will also be introduced to various First Nation communities in western Canadian provinces in the near future.

Artist-Crystal Shawanda
Album-Dawn of a New Day
Song-You Can Let Go
Label-RCA Nashville
Producer-Scott Hendricks Productions

Windspeaker: What one quality do you most value in a friend?
John Kim Bell: Kindness

W: What is it that really makes you mad?
J.K.B.: Mediocrity. George Bernard Shaw declared that hell is full of mediocre people. I just love it when I see someone pursuing excellence. Part of this is determination, the ability in a person to push themselves and work hard and to take risks. Most people are 9- to 5-ers. Most don't care if they make a difference or not.

The non-profit organization, Prince George Aboriginal Business Development Association received $750,000 in Government funding.
The Association will receive $250,000 each year for three years.
The funding includes $412,500 from the Federal Government and $337,500 from the B.C. Provincial Government.

Long awaited apologies are becoming the topic du jour, as another tale makes its way to the forefront. On the West Coast of Vancouver Island lies a village named Tofino, and a story over 100 years old.
Tim Paul is a well-known carver there and his latest project maybe the most meaningful to date.
On July 14, at Tofino's annual Westcoast Maritime Festival, Paul unveiled a 6.5-meter tall totem paying tribute to his ancestor, John Anietsachist who he claims was wrongly convicted, and hanged 139 years ago.

Aabwehyehnmigziwin ­ that's the Anishnawbe word for apology. That's what Prime Minister Stephen Harper delivered in the House of Commons last week to Residential school survivors. Paraphrasing the immortal words of singer Connie Francis (who by the way was not Native), he said essentially "I'm sorry, dear. So sorry." And the First Nations people of Canada listened. There were thousands of Native people on the front lawn of the Parliament Buildings alone, eager to hear it. Televisions were set up in community centres in Native communities all across the country. And the people cried.

A campaign has been launched by the 42 chiefs from Ontario's Anishinabek First Nation to eliminate the inappropriate usage of the word 'Aboriginal.'
The Chiefs endorsed the resolution, which deemed that the terminology has a homogenizing effect towards the issues facing First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples, during the annual Grand Council Assembly that was held on the Whitefish River First Nation from July 23 to 25.

After eight of their own spent time behind bars earlier this year for standing up for their land, First Nations leaders in Ontario are lauding a ruling made by the province's Court of Appeal, and the reasons behind the court's decision.
"We're very pleased by the decision and the reasons that they outline," said Alvin Fiddler, Deputy Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), an organization representing 49 First Nation communities in an area covering two thirds of the province of Ontario.

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) held its annual general assembly from July 14 to July 17, beginning with the organization's annual golf tournament and ending with a call for support of resolutions on issues important to First Nations communities across the country.
The Aboriginal Financial Officers Association of Canada (AFOA) has put forward a resolution asking the chiefs gathered in Quebec City to recognize the important role played by the AFOA of Canada and AFOA Chapters to enhance Aboriginal financial management throughout the country.