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MUSIC BIZ 101

In this issue, we share some of the concerns identified by Aboriginal radio broadcasters when dealing with Aboriginal music and musicians.

The Inuit experience at CBC North is particularly unique.

The Iqaluit network broadcasts to 50 communities in the Inuktitut language. Typically, a one-hour talk show would air about four songs selected by the individual announcers, said William Tagoona, a CBC North producer based in Kujuuaq, Que.

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GUEST WRITER

Is our culture important to our health as Aboriginal people? What does being healthy mean to you?

For most people it means being able to do the things you love to do, caring and sharing time with those you love.

As a registered nurse, I am interested in my health, the health of my family, the health of my community and the health of my nation. My training as a nurse has introduced me to the idea of holism. For many Aboriginal people who are interested in traditional teachings, holism means the medicine wheel.

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NASIVVIK

In the days of transition from Prime Minister Jean Chretien to Prime Minister Paul Martin, there floated a rumor that Martin might appoint an Indian as minister of Indian Affairs.

Such a possibility raised a couple of questions. Does the new prime minister want to totally re-construct the federal government's relationships with Indians, and all Aboriginal people? Does the federal government, from the prime minister on down, want to initiate a process of genuine renovation of how Canada interacts with the people who were here first?

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PRO BONO

Dear Tuma:

My question is about a possible band residency bylaw. As we know, lately in many First Nation communities there seems to be a steady influx of non-Natives taking up residency on our so-called Indian reserves.

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MEDIUM RARE

Every year, lists of "under-reported" stories come out. They're stories that made the back pages of newspapers or newscasts somewhere, but were overlooked or ignored by the major news media. Either way, someone decided these "under-reported" stories needed more attention.

Most of these lists don't deserve more attention. They're about, say, alien abductions, the latest conspiracy theory on the death of Princess Diana or the secret plan by certain people to dominate the world. It can get weird.

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From her acclaimed role in her one-woman show, the Velvet Devil, to her portrayal of Constable Strongarm on the television series Moccasin Flats, Andrea Menard has amply demonstrated her abilities as a singer and actor. She will star in Drew Hayden Taylor's play 400 Kilometres this May for the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company.

Windspeaker: What one quality do you most value in a friend?

Andrea Menard: Honesty. Absolutely.

W: What is it that really makes you mad?

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Metis National Council President Clement Chartier has threatened to oppose the renewal of the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network's broadcasting license.

He did so in a letter written to the APTN board of directors in December. Chartier complained about coverage of the MNC and about the lack of Metis content in the network's programming. APTN is scheduled to go before the Canadian Radio-Telecommunication Commission in 2007. Chartier threatened to intervene against renewal of APTN's broadcast license at those hearings.

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A half dozen or more high profile Aboriginal people have announced they intend to run for the federal Liberals in the next election, expected this spring.

Assembly of First Nations Ontario Vice-chief Charles Fox has now officially thrown his hat into the ring in the Kenora riding. He will have to knock off veteran MP (and former Indian Affairs minister) Robert Nault if he wishes to represent the Liberals there.

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Indigenous nations across British Columbia rushed as one to file statements of claim related to Aboriginal title. Word was out that the province would attempt to extinguish outstanding Aboriginal title claims by invoking the statute of limitations on the Delgamuukw decision of 1997.

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The newly appointed Indian Affairs minister chose a speech to a university Native Studies class as the vehicle to announce he will push forward with most of his predecessor's legislative agenda.