Archive for September, 2009

Flu pandemic highlights federal failures

The sight, during the Cree Fitness Challenge in Nemaska last month, was a jarring reminder of the flu pandemic that has swept Native communities across Canada’s north. A medical facemask worn by a young girl in order to ward off […]

Algonquin Nation Outraged over Government Go-ahead for Gold Mine on Traditional Lands

The Tribal Council of the Anishinabeg Algonquin Nation and chiefs of six Algonquin communities are opposing the Quebec government’s okay to the Osisko Mining Corporation’s open-pit goldmine on their territory. The Algonquins’ plan to take every means necessary, including legal […]

New Task Force Formed to Investigate Missing Women Cases in Manitoba

In that there are over 520 documented cases of missing or murdered Aboriginal women in Canada, the province of Manitoba has developed its own special task force to probe these cases within the province. The Manitoba government, RCMP and Winnipeg […]

Barriere Lake Algonquins Place their Bodies in Front of Bulldozers

On September 1, Algonquins from the community of Barriere Lake placed their bodies in front of bulldozers to halt any further logging activities on their territory. They are doing so until the federal and provincial governments honour the trilateral agreement […]

Old friends on four wheels

My truck is like an old friend. Beat-up old half-ton trucks have been part of my life for as far back as I can remember. On the James Bay coast, a durable vehicle is a necessity if you wanted some […]

H1N1 influenza and you

The Influenza A H1N1 virus, also known as the swine flu, has dominated the headlines over the summer months, particularly where Aboriginal communities are concerned. As a result of the flu pandemic, multiple activities in Eeyou Istchee were postponed this […]

School funding woes

While the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement guaranteed the Crees adequate funding for their schools and post-secondary education funds, the rest of the province’s reserves find themselves much worse off. This was why the Algonquin community of Kitigan Zibi […]

One year later

On September 6, 2008, Maisy Odjick, then 16, and her friend, Shannon Alexander, then 17, disappeared from the town of Maniwaki, Quebec without a trace. It’s been one year now and, according to Maisy’s mother, Laurie Odjick, nothing has changed. […]

Traditional garments on the catwalk

Whether you have heard of her or not, Tammy Beauvais is probably Quebec’s most prolific Aboriginal fashion designer. She is now giving another generation a chance at following in her footsteps. Beauvais has made a career of creating and selling […]

A rivers end

Next summer the Rupert River’s flow will ebb. Its shores will grow. Its fish will thrash about and die on the exposed rocks. Its many falls and rapids will no longer churn and cool the air along its banks. The […]