First Nations must be included in the recovery of the Canadian economy. We hope this brings immediate action on infrastructure improvements that will create jobs, build safer, healthier communities, and help NAN First Nations increase their access to quality education while strengthening local economies.

Investments in education would get more of our people working and help eliminate poverty. As well, our governments should have access to credit to spark their economies and develop partnerships with the private sector. Our request for the loan fund amounts to 0.5 percent of the $200 billion that this budget puts into the credit system. We believe our request was reasonable and we will continue to pursue it because it will benefit both First Nations
and Canada.

The 2009 federal budget delivered on Jan. 27 has fallen well short of expectations voiced by First Nations leaders, and the result will be increased lobbying to get those needs met.
"It is hopeful, but it is missing two of the key ingredients needed to eradicate poverty and certainly improve the lives of First Nations people no matter where they live," said Angus Toulouse, Assembly of First Nations regional chief for Ontario.
The budget included a $515 million infrastructure investment that is intended for school construction water quality, safety and police.

AUTHOR, EDUCATOR AND SELF-DESCRIBED

I am writing on this very cool and historic Saturday, Jan. 17, with the Obama /Biden train about to leave Philadelphia enroute to Washington DC. It is getting unprecedented coverage on the TV news channels. Many Canadians, including ordinary Canadians, will be enroute from Canada via bus and taking other modes of transit. While we are going through difficult economic times all over North America, the promise of change in the United States has captured the attention and hope of millions.

The scatter-shot approach to federal budget making employed by the Conservative government on Jan. 27 has put a smile on the faces of many. There was something in the budget for everyone. Tax breaks for the middle class, some social housing for the poor, five extra weeks for those unlucky enough to have lost their jobs in this time of economic crisis, but lucky enough to qualify for employment insurance. Ditches will be dug, cement will be poured, buildings will go up, roads will be rolled out and, low and behold, on reserves there may be schools built. Everybody's happy. And why not?

Diary entry, February 2, 1944
Anzio, Italy

Don't be surprised if you walk past a well-known college in B.C. and notice the aromas of fresh bannock, braised bison and smoked trout coming from the campus.
Vancouver Community College's (VCC) culinary program with a focus in Aboriginal cuisine is taking off into its second year, and local First Nations chefs say it is a big step towards keeping the tradition of Aboriginal cooking alive.
"My dream is that 10 years from now, nobody will need to ask what Aboriginal cuisine is," said Chef Ben Genaille, the instructor for the VCC Aboriginal culinary program.

Americans hire Nolan
He's back.
Ted Nolan, an Ojibway from the Garden River First Nation near Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., has returned to the professional hockey ranks, and this time around his departure from the pros was nowhere near as long as before.
Nolan, a former National Hockey League player and coach, was hired by the American Hockey League's Rochester Americans on July 1 to be their vice-president of hockey operations.
Nolan will be working for another Aboriginal in Rochester. The Americans are owned by Curt Styres, a successful businessman from Six Nations, Ont.

Yet another member of the Nolan family is hoping to make it to the National Hockey League.
Jordan Nolan, the son of former NHL hockey player and coach Ted Nolan, turned 20 on June 23, and received a spectacular belated birthday gift four days later when he was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the NHL Entry Draft.
Nolan, an Ojibway from the Garden River First Nation near Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., was chosen in the seventh round and was the 186th pick over-all.