News

Atleo says time for Indian Act to go

Wawatay News

 Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn Atleo made headline news when he suggested it was time to get rid of the Indian Act.

During the AFN assembly July 20-22 in Winnipeg, Man., Atleo posed the question “Is it time to boldly suggest within two to five years, the Indian Act will no longer be part of our lives?”

Risk of Aboriginal Insurgency

Winnipeg Free Press - Douglas Bland

 Shawn Atleo, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, on recalling the 1990 national emergency at Oka, Que., carefully warned Canadians that "First Nations are ever-mindful of the potential that these events could be repeated." It would be a grave mistake for Canadian leaders to dismiss his words as mere political rhetoric.

Other aboriginal leaders continue to warn Canadians that unless Canada's relations with its young, fast-growing aborigin

Landmark court decision backs first nation's caribou concerns

By Larry Pynn, Vancouver Sun

 Ruling halts progress of coal mine near Chetwynd

March 23, 2010

A ridge near Mt. Stephenson, near Chetwynd, has been stripped of its top by First Coal Corporation, while conducting coal exploration. The area is considered critical caribou habitat.
Photograph by: Vancouver Sun Files, Handout

Court Support for Cheam Fishers Against the DFO

Cheam land defender Denise Douglas requests your support. Supporters are encouraged to come witness the trial, and learn more about the struggle in Cheam. Contact Denise Douglas iyeselwet@gmail.com

Brown's Creek Blockade

Arthur Manuel

Brown's Creek Road Block

Western Forest Products says it can't log under proposed Haida Gwaii rules

Vancouver Sun

 WFP says it can't log under proposed Haida Gwaii rules

BP faces investor revolt over Canadian oil sands project

Daily Telegraph - Rowena Mason

A group of pension funds and asset managers last month filed a resolution asking Royal Dutch Shell to reconsider its involvement in the exp

BC Indian Chiefs launch Olympic rights campaign targeting foreign media

Canadian Press -

VANCOUVER, B.C. - A group of B.C. First Nations leaders says it will carry out a campaign during the Winter Games to pressure Canada to sign a UN declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples.

AFN chief says First Nations 'open for business'

National Post - Adam McDowell

The Assembly of First Nations' new, youthful National Chief introduced himself to Bay Street yesterday, bringing with him a message that was not only conciliatory but downright solicitous.

Wet'suwet'en call for pipeline boycott

Globe and Mail - Nathan Vanderklippe

A small BC first nation is making a personal plea to a series of Alberta energy companies as well as China and other governments in hopes of derailing an Enbridge Inc. pipeline that would export oil-sands crude to Asia.

Feds foment Lubicon feud

Edmonton Journal - Lubicon Lake Elders' Council

 Re: "Third party to take helm during battle for chief role; Brothers-in-law in stalemate over leadership of aboriginal community," The Journal, Dec. 4, and "Lubicons' dispute is settled, says chief," by Steve Noskey, Letters, Dec. 10.

As members of the Lubicon Lake Elder's Council, we feel the need to respond.

Deal ends Tobique First Nation's protest over hydro dams

CBC news

The New Brunswick government and Tobique First Nation signed a five-year, $2.5-million deal on Monday, ending years of frustration and protest over the impact two hydro dams have had on the western community.

The provincial government will help repair erosion on the St. John and Tobique rivers caused by the construction of the Tobique Narrows and Beechwood hydro dams in the 1950s.

INAC imposes third-party rule on Lubicon Lake nation

Edmonton Journal - Elise Stolte

Management of the northern Alberta Lubicon Lake Cree Nation is expected to be handed over to a third-party administrator within weeks, destroying hopes for settlement on a decades-old land claim.

The aboriginal community has been embroiled in a leadership dispute since May, with two brothers-in-law both claiming to be chief.

Each has asked Ottawa to recognize their claim and do business with their side, but the Department of Northern and Indian Affairs refuses.

Onion Lake Cree Nation residents rally to raise awareness about First Nations citizenship

Kerry Benjoe - Regina Leader Post

REGINA — A delegation from Onion Lake Cree Nation rallied at the Legislative Building on Thursday to raise awareness about First Nations citizenship.

Chief Wallace Fox said he wants to bring the issue to the forefront, adding proposed changes to the Indian Act do not sit well with First Nations. That's why members of Onion Lake, located 50 kilometres north of Lloydminster, decided to hold a peaceful demonstration in Regina.

UBCIC chiefs join Tsilhqot’in National Government in opposing Prosperity mine development

Ken MacInnis - Williams Lake Tribune

Three chiefs from the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs have announced their support of the Tsilhqot’in National Government’s opposition to the use of Fish Lake as part of the Prosperity mine project.

Indigenous political awakening stirs Latin America

Associated Press - Frank Bajak

JESUS DE MACHACA, Bolivia — In Ecuador, the Shuar are blocking highways to defend their hunting grounds. In Chile, the Mapuche are occupying ranches to pressure for land, schools and clinics. In Bolivia, a new constitution gives the country's 36 indigenous peoples the right to self-rule.

Secwepemc assert title, rights at Green Lake

100 Mile House Free Press

The Secwepemc (Shuswap) people are asserting their title and rights to their traditional territory at Cqelqletkwe (Green Lake).

On Oct. 20, elders, chiefs and spiritual people from the north and south of the Secwepemc Nation held a ceremony at Green Lake. That same day, they worked on a strategy to the proposed Green/Watch Lakes and 70 Mile area Official Community Plan (OCP).