During the hot days of summer, band members of the Red Pheasant and Mosquito First Nations plan to trek across the Saskatchewan plains on horse and wagon to bring awareness to addictions and promote cultural teachings and healthy lifestyles in their communities.
"It's going to take five days of riding wagons to reach the destination point and we're hoping to get not only youth involved but people themselves who are struggling with addictions," said organizer Ryan Bugler, who is an addictions counselor at the Red Pheasant First Nation.

Saskatchewan's Aboriginal and provincial leaders walked together in the spirit of unity on May 29 in a Solidarity March to bring awareness to issues concerning First Nations people.
The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) organized and hosted the Solidarity March in support of the National Day of Action. The day's events were to address issues such as poverty, education, and infrastructure on First Nations.

Three grand chiefs anticipate regular meetings with Premier Ed Stelmach will improve the lives of approximately 100,000 First Nations people living in Alberta.
First Nation leaders of Treaty 6, 7, and 8 inked a long-awaited historical agreement on May 29 with Premier Ed Stelmach that finally allows them to meet leader-to-leader on issues such as housing, health care, education and the environment.

Artist-Road Engine Dreams
Album-Road Engine Dreams
Song-Built 2 Break
Label- Independent
Producer-Road Engine Dreams

Windspeaker: What one quality do you most value in a friend?
Aaron Paquette: A tough one right off the bat! All the good answers are honesty, loyalty, that kind of thing, but if someone's your friend, hopefully they already have that in spades. I think I'd have to say the ability to sit with you in silence, neither one feeling forced to break the awkward moment because the moment isn't awkward at all! It's just you and an old friend sitting there. Well, now that I put it that way it sounds kind of boring...

Sustainability is about more than the environment - it's about taking care of socioeconomic issues and ensuring the inclusion of everyone.
That's the message Chief Kim Baird of the Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN) gave as a guest speaker at YWCA Canada's 116th Annual Membership Meeting held in Vancouver in June. Sustainability was the theme of the gathering. Baird shared stories of her community's struggles and successes.

Hundreds of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people gathered in solidarity in downtown Vancouver on May 29 to march together through the busy streets of the city to call attention to human rights issues facing First Nations people across the country.
Traffic was held at bay by a police escort as the sign-bearing train of people wound its way to the Vancouver Art Gallery, where First Nations leaders took the podium to join the voices of their counterparts across the country in calling for change.

Just from the smell I could immediately tell by the combination of sea air, smog, and silicone, I was back in the city of Los Angeles. Beverly Hills to be exact. The reason: I was there to accept an award from the First Americans in the Arts for my book on Native humour, ME FUNNY. They are an organization set up to help foster, develop and promote Native participation in the arts. Luckily for me that included Canadian writers. I always love coming to Los Angeles but I will hold judgement on whether I could live there or not. So many pros and cons.

A new $126 Million agreement between the Federal Government and a Manitoba First Nation for land that was illegally expropriated by Canada will be the largest ever settlement for a single First Nation in Canadian history.
The band with 8,400 members living on and off reserve will receive nearly $119 million once legal and negotiation fees are deducted.
Descendants from what now forms the Peguis First Nation, located in Manitoba's Interlake region were forced to move from their original settlement, the St. Peter's reserve, located north of the city of Winnipeg in 1907.

"If your child is apprehended in Fort Hope (Ontario), your first appearance in court is not going to be in your community," said Ellaree Metz, manager for the Talking Together Program run by the Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services Corporation. Metz discussed what it's like for First Nations parents living in a northern Ontario community who have had a child removed from their family.
"Both parents have to come out of the community for the court date. In many circumstances the child is placed out of the community." Metz continues, "How do you facilitate meaningful access?"