The public conversation around the appalling over-representation of Aboriginals in Canada’s prisons invariably starts at the end result. How, despite comprising less than 4% of the population, Aboriginals now account for more than 23% of Canada’s inmates – 3,500 at […]
In The Issue
A long-crafted love: Harvey Blackned creates tamaracks in memory of his late wife
Tamarack birds are a beautiful symbol. Thanks to skilled craftsmanship, a bundle of sticks can be turned into something that is both useful and a work of art. In some cases, it is also a symbol of perseverance. In Harvey […]
Mistissini hosts Quebec Aboriginal Science Fair
About 500 of Canada’s top young scientists have a chance to win almost $1 million in awards, prizes and scholarships at the Canada-Wide Science Festival (CWSF) later this year. For Aboriginal students from Quebec, it all began with secondary students getting […]
Healing from the land: Whapmagoostui’s John Clarence Kawapit’s journey of grief and re-birth
About 86 kilometres outside of Inukjuak, John Clarence Kawapit hit the distress signal. He wasn’t in immediate danger, but he was close. His team of three people, walking as John’s Healing Journey from Whapmagoostui to Salluit, was running out of […]
Correcting the lines of history: Cree land claim lands in Ontario Superior Court
Rarely do straight lines define natural borders. But when the provinces of Quebec and Ontario were created in the 19th century, it was a simple decision to just slice through northern lands that held no meaning for the white politicians […]
Sledding against the clock: Last minute Mistissini rally still draws good crowd
With 49 racers in five categories, $15,000 in cash prizes and over 400 people in attendance, Mistissini’s Snowmobile Challenge 2016 was a great success. According to organizer Blazo Voyageur, however, organizing the event took place at the last minute as […]
Youth lead the way: Native Montreal launches anti-discrimination campaign
The sound of drums beating kicked off Native Montreal’s Aboriginal Youth Against Discrimination Campaign at Place des Arts on March 22. Native Montreal provides services to the diversified urban Aboriginal community of Montreal. Their campaign aims to eliminate racial discrimination […]
Keeping the culture alive – Waswanipi elders teach pass on traditional skills
Various organizations in Waswanipi, including the Cree Trappers Association (CTA), the Cultural Department and the Waswanipi Youth Department, have asked community Elders to teach traditional practices to the Cree youth. “The point of the event is to teach our youth […]
Gabriel Commanda walk kicks off anti-discrimination week in Val d’Or
This year’s Gabriel Commanda Walk took on added significance as the city of Val-d’Or and the Indigenous community continue to work on improving relations following last fall’s crisis of confidence in provincial police. An estimated 1000 people gathered March 21 […]
Final decision for Broadback nears
Waswanipi residents are anxiously awaiting an overdue report that could decide the fate of the Broadback forest, the last pristine area in the southern Cree community’s territory. The provincial Comité d’examen (COMEX) was expected to release its recommendations on logging […]