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Black Lake First Nation community members have voted to move forward with the $630 million 50-MW Tazi Twe hydroelectric project, a joint venture with SaskPower. Of the 44 per cent of eligible voters, 63 per cent voted in favour of the project. “Many people have been working toward this day for many years,” said Chief Rick Robillard, of Black Lake First Nation, “and I’m happy to hear that our…

Belinda Daniels from Sturgeon Lake First Nation is in the running to be named the world’s best teacher. She is one of 50 educators nominated for a $1 million (U.S.) award dubbed ‘the Nobel prize of teaching.’ The Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize†recognizes exceptional teachers making an outstanding contribution to the profession who have “transformed young peoples’ lives.” Daniels most…

Two Saskatchewan MPs were among four to recognize in their Oath of Allegiance in Parliament the treaties signed with Indigenous nations. After giving the oath outlined in the Constitution, MPs Georgina Jolibois (DesnethÈ—Missinippi—Churchill River)†and Niki Ashton (Churchill) pledged the following oath: “And, I solemnly affirm that, in the carrying out of my duties, I shall honour and respect…

The Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company is now known as the Gordon Tootoosis N+kn+win��Theatre. The name change was made to honour the late actor, who co-founded the theatre company along with fellow actors Tantoo Cardinal and Kennetch Charlette, in 1999. N+kn+win is a Plains Cree expression for “leadership.” The theatre company says Tootoosis was the driving force behind the creation of its “…

Idle No More co-founder Sylvia McAdam has taken on the “One House, Many Nations” Indiegogo campaign. She launched the campaign Oct. 7 after seeing the state of housing while running for chief in Big River First Nation. The target is US$15,000 to build a single log cabin with a wood stove, garden, solar panels and a composting toilet. Once that home is built, it will seek a further $15,000 to…

Metis Nation-Saskatchewan President Robert Doucette and Vice President Gerald Morin met with federal officials in late September to talk about funding for the organization. In October 2014, the federal government stopped funding the organization due to infighting that made it impossible for the MN-S to meet its constitutional obligations to hold two assemblies each year. Even numerous court…

A standardized test administered to Grade 10 students will be changed after a student complained to his parents about two questions that gave multiple choice answers which negatively stereotyped Aboriginal people. The exam is a Level 19 test book of the Canadian Achievement Tests, fourth edition, which was published in 2008 and was field tested in Canadian classrooms. The test has been used by…

Red Earth Cree Nation has banned drugs and alcohol in an effort to prevent substance-related deaths in the community. The decision was made Sept. 21 after a general assembly at Mamawe Community Hall. “The law came to be because people love their children. They love their community and they want it safe,” said Charlene Head, a Red Earth Cree Nation councillor. However, not all members are in…

RCMP say charges are pending after a ballot box was tampered with during a band by-election on the Poundmaker Cree Nation. Cut Knife RCMP received a complaint that two men had entered the building where voting was taking place on Sept. 30, took the ballot boxes outside, and threw them into a fire. One 34-year-old male from Poundmaker First Nation was arrested by police shortly after the…

Three people are battling for the position of chief for the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations including Second Vice Chief Bobby Cameron. Also seeking the position are Helen Ben of Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation and Leo Omani of Wahpeton Dakota First Nation. With Cameron throwing his name into the race, a by-election for the position of Second Vice Chief will be held. Three candidates…

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations hosted its first Strength of Our Women awards in Saskatoon on Sept. 10, honouring 12 women in categories that include arts and entertainment, business, culture and spirituality, education, environment, health/wellness, law/justice, leadership/advocacy, lifetime achievement, matriarch, sports, and youth. More than 50 women were nominated. The awards…

Some Métis Nation-Saskatchewan officials are hoping many of the estimated 46,000 people, who self-identified as Métis in the last census, will come to Saskatoon for a general assembly meeting to express their support for the resumption of the organization’s governance process, which has been on hold for five years, and pressure politicians – particularly president Robert Doucette and vice-…

In recognition of its 15th anniversary, Transwest Air has donated 53 flights to Prince Albert to post-secondary students and their families from Fond Du Lac Denesuline First Nation. “One clear struggle that northerners face is that to attend post-secondary education, they must leave their homes and community for significant periods of time,” Transwest Air executive vice-president Garrett…

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations is calling on the Water Security Agency to put on hold the proposed development of the Kutwawagan Creek water diversion project. FSIN wants a full study of any potential impacts to First Nations communities completed and the province to undertake proper consultation and accommodation. There are 16 First Nations within the region of the Quill Lakes…

A collaborative approach by the Pasqua First Nation and Canadian Pacific Railway has resulted in the preservation of sacred sites significant to First Nations people. An area identified for the railway to transport potash from K & S Potash mine near Bethune caused concern for the Pasqua First Nation as it cut through natural prairie, which was also a migration route for First Nation people…