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Sunday, May 8 marked both an artistic milestone and the end of an era fueled by the artistic passion of Tom Hill at the Woodland Cultural Centre (WCC) in Brantford. First Nations Art celebrated its 30th annual showing and Hill launched his final art show before retiring from the position of museum director.

This year's exhibition includes 76 works of art by 45 artists. Mixed media, sculpture, beading, fibre art, soapstone carvings, photographs, paintings and pottery were all represented in the exhibition.

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The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) is interested in cultivating northern Ontario perspectives, according to Aboriginal Arts officer, Denise Bolduc.

"I encourage more people to fill out our jury and advisor forms so they may participate in panels to ensure there's more of a voice for the north," she said.

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The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) is interested in cultivating northern Ontario perspectives, according to Aboriginal Arts officer, Denise Bolduc.

"I encourage more people to fill out our jury and advisor forms so they may participate in panels to ensure there's more of a voice for the north," she said.

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In a celebration and tribute to Metis culture and history, the Metis Nation of Ontario is sponsoring the Metis Canoe Expedition II.

The expedition departed from Chippewa Park in Thunder Bay on June 1, and will venture into the interior of the northwest, following the historic trade routes used by Metis voyageurs in the 18th and 19th centuries.

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In a celebration and tribute to Metis culture and history, the Metis Nation of Ontario is sponsoring the Metis Canoe Expedition II.

The expedition departed from Chippewa Park in Thunder Bay on June 1, and will venture into the interior of the northwest, following the historic trade routes used by Metis voyageurs in the 18th and 19th centuries.

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The Anishinabek Nation will have greater control of natural resources in Ontario with the establishment of a new trapping licensing management regime as a part of the Anishinabek Trapping Harmonization Agreement.

On April 28, Anishinabek Nation Grand Chief John Beaucage and Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Minister David Ramsey signed the agreement in Sault Ste. Marie.

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The Anishinabek Nation will have greater control of natural resources in Ontario with the establishment of a new trapping licensing management regime as a part of the Anishinabek Trapping Harmonization Agreement.

On April 28, Anishinabek Nation Grand Chief John Beaucage and Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Minister David Ramsey signed the agreement in Sault Ste. Marie.

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The idea behind the now annual Mother Earth Water Walk germinated in the mind of Anishinabek grandmother Josephine Mandamin of Thunder Bay in 2001.

She was present at a Three Fires Sun Dance when she heard an Elder speaking of an Anishinabe prophecy that declared in 30 years time good clean water would be as precious as gold. Her thoughts grew from this, but what could she do to alert people about the constant despoiling of the sacred waters of Mother Earth?

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The idea behind the now annual Mother Earth Water Walk germinated in the mind of Anishinabek grandmother Josephine Mandamin of Thunder Bay in 2001.

She was present at a Three Fires Sun Dance when she heard an Elder speaking of an Anishinabe prophecy that declared in 30 years time good clean water would be as precious as gold. Her thoughts grew from this, but what could she do to alert people about the constant despoiling of the sacred waters of Mother Earth?

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It's been decades in the making, but the people of Rainy River First Nations will finally be getting what was promised to them when their forefathers signed Treaty 3 in 1873.

A land claim agreement between the federal government and the First Nations was signed on May 20, righting a wrong perpetrated in 1914 and 1915 when the federal government took more than 46,000 acres of reserve land from the seven First Nations in the area and consolidated them all onto one reserve.