Page 20

If you think taking part in a literacy program just means sitting in a classroom, practicing your reading and writing, think again.

Right across Manitoba there are Aboriginal communities and organizations offering literacy programs that not only help students improve their reading and writing abilities, but teach them how to use computers, help them learn their traditional languages, or give them the tools to instill a love of learning in their children.

Page 20

If you think taking part in a literacy program just means sitting in a classroom, practicing your reading and writing, think again.

Right across Manitoba there are Aboriginal communities and organizations offering literacy programs that not only help students improve their reading and writing abilities, but teach them how to use computers, help them learn their traditional languages, or give them the tools to instill a love of learning in their children.

Page 19

After years of quiet, diligent work at the negotiating table, the leaders of the Lubicon Cree Nation and their supporters are starting to make some noise-again.

The years of silence was a condition of federal negotiators who would only participate in self-government and land compensation talks if the northern Alberta nation did not "negotiate in the media."

Negotiations came to a halt late in 2003, and after a series of unsuccessful attempts to get talks re-started the Lubicon leadership has decided to re-ignite public interest in their long struggle.

Page 19

After years of quiet, diligent work at the negotiating table, the leaders of the Lubicon Cree Nation and their supporters are starting to make some noise-again.

The years of silence was a condition of federal negotiators who would only participate in self-government and land compensation talks if the northern Alberta nation did not "negotiate in the media."

Negotiations came to a halt late in 2003, and after a series of unsuccessful attempts to get talks re-started the Lubicon leadership has decided to re-ignite public interest in their long struggle.

Page 19

The Lubicon Cree Nation was missed by treaty negotiators who travelled Western Canada in the late 1800s seeking land surrenders from the Indigenous peoples.

In 1939, government agents returned to Lubicon territory and determined the people were entitled to a reserve. The following year the government agreed to set aside land for the Lubicon, but the Second World War knocked the land survey off the agenda and the promise of reserve land was never kept.

Page 18

Pro Bono

Dear Tuma:

I used to work off reserve for many years and paid into the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). Now I am retired and living back home on the rez, but Revenue Canada tells me that I need to pay tax on my pension. I thought that this was non-taxable. Can you please tell me why they think my pension that I worked so hard for is now taxable?

Indians Pay Taxes Too

Dear Indians:

Page 18

Pro Bono

Dear Tuma:

I used to work off reserve for many years and paid into the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). Now I am retired and living back home on the rez, but Revenue Canada tells me that I need to pay tax on my pension. I thought that this was non-taxable. Can you please tell me why they think my pension that I worked so hard for is now taxable?

Indians Pay Taxes Too

Dear Indians:

Page 18

Nasovvok

The selection of Haitian immigrant Michaelle Jean as governor general of Canada has fast-forwarded the need to do the thinking required for an eventuality that will happen in its own time: the appointment of an Aboriginal governor general. The outer fringes of the rumor mill surrounding this appointment contained the odd reference to the possibility of an Aboriginal person being considered for this job. As if we need an Aboriginal vice-regent now!

Page 18

Nasovvok

The selection of Haitian immigrant Michaelle Jean as governor general of Canada has fast-forwarded the need to do the thinking required for an eventuality that will happen in its own time: the appointment of an Aboriginal governor general. The outer fringes of the rumor mill surrounding this appointment contained the odd reference to the possibility of an Aboriginal person being considered for this job. As if we need an Aboriginal vice-regent now!

Page 18

The Urbane Indian

For the last month or so I have been harassed by a constant series of telemarketers. It's reached the point where I'm afraid to answer my phone. I'm not talking about the innocuous calls from Bell, or some newspaper asking if I want to order the Sunday edition free of charge for three months-how could I possibly exist without it? I can handle those. I'm talking about the charities.