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Dear Editor:

First Nations, the early French and English settlers are what John Ralston Saul calls in his book Reflections of a Siamese Twin the three pillars on which Canada was founded. Should any of these three pillars fall, Canada is history. These pillars-to use a bad metaphorical mix-must stand alone to remain strong; each must be able to carry its share of the weight for Canada to survive.

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Dear Editor:

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Dear Editor:

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Editorial

You will notice that the frenzy that was on display in the national mainstream media in late October and early November is not echoed in the pages of this publication.

Day after day, front-page stories in large circulation dailies were followed by "in depth reports" on the national television news packages: There's a problem with the drinking water on a remote Indian reserve in northern Ontario and the government isn't doing anything about it, we were breathlessly told over and over again. Gee, really?

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Editorial

You will notice that the frenzy that was on display in the national mainstream media in late October and early November is not echoed in the pages of this publication.

Day after day, front-page stories in large circulation dailies were followed by "in depth reports" on the national television news packages: There's a problem with the drinking water on a remote Indian reserve in northern Ontario and the government isn't doing anything about it, we were breathlessly told over and over again. Gee, really?

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The Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards announced the recipients of three special awards. The Lifetime Contribution to Aboriginal Music Award, presented to an individual who dedicates a large part of their life and career to promoting and developing Aboriginal music, is awarded to Willie Dunn.

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The Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards announced the recipients of three special awards. The Lifetime Contribution to Aboriginal Music Award, presented to an individual who dedicates a large part of their life and career to promoting and developing Aboriginal music, is awarded to Willie Dunn.

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The fifth annual Buffett Award for Indigenous Leadership will be presented to Chairman W. Ron Allen during a ceremony at Ecotrust's Centre in Portland, Oregon on Nov. 30, where four other finalists will also be honored for the commitments they've made to their communities and environments. Chief Robert Pasco (Nlaka'pamux) of Ashcroft, B.C. is among them.

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The fifth annual Buffett Award for Indigenous Leadership will be presented to Chairman W. Ron Allen during a ceremony at Ecotrust's Centre in Portland, Oregon on Nov. 30, where four other finalists will also be honored for the commitments they've made to their communities and environments. Chief Robert Pasco (Nlaka'pamux) of Ashcroft, B.C. is among them.

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Growing up in Northern Alberta, film-maker Loretta Todd remembers going to school and watching documentaries from the National Film Board of Canada about Native communities. She remembers the way Aboriginal people were depicted in these documentaries-demeaning and cliched representations that made other people in her class laugh. As a film-maker, Todd, who is Metis/Cree, has spent the last 15 years of her life challenging the stereotypes she believes are still deeply entrenched in today's media.