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An idea that has been in the works for a long time has finally come to fruition.
Officials with the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies announced in late October that they were launching a foundation.
Randell Morris, SIIT's president and CEO, said school officials had been entertaining the idea of having a foundation for about eight years now.
"It's our way to鈥
Photo caption: Cree poet Louise Halfe was named Saskatchewan鈥檚 second Poet Laureate.
Saskatchewan鈥檚 second Poet Laureate, Cree poet Louise Halfe, spoke to a small but enthusiastic crowd at the Frances Morrison Library in February. Her appearance was part of the Saskatoon Writers鈥 Coop鈥檚 presentation. The discussion centred around poetry, Aboriginal teaching, and social issues. Halfe,鈥
M茅tis Nation-Saskatchewan President Robert Doucette is calling for a federal M茅tis Act.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 time now that there be a federal M茅tis Act that lays out the obligations and responsibilities of both parties,鈥 he said.
Two years ago when Doucette stood before the Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples he called for the creation of a federal M茅tis Act.
As it stands now鈥
A 鈥渟ignificant step鈥 was taken in February to heal almost 150 years of troubled relationships when the Metis Nation-Saskatchewan and Assemble communautaire fransaskoise signed a solidarity pact.
鈥淭his is an important document,鈥 said MN-S President Robert Doucette. 鈥淚t was a significant step in rebuilding our relationship between our communities.鈥
鈥淚t鈥檚 important that the two鈥
Two hundred strong marched on Feb. 1 from the University of Regina to the First Nations University of Canada to protest the cost of higher education and insufficient government funding. At the core of the march was the federal government鈥檚 two per cent cap on the Post-Secondary Student Support Program, which funds Aboriginal students.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really important that the federal government鈥
Morley Watson won鈥檛 go as far as to say there is a 鈥渞ift鈥 between the chiefs of Saskatchewan and National Chief Shawn Atleo and the organization he heads, the Assembly of First Nations.
But disapproval with recent actions taken by Atleo became apparent during the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nation鈥檚 winter legislative assembly in mid-February.
Atleo addressed the gathering鈥
Sylvia Smith, who created Project of Heart, an educational toolkit that helps students understand the history of residential schools, received a 2011 Governor General鈥檚 History Award for Excellence in Teaching. She is one of seven teachers across the country to be honoured. Smith grew up in Allen, Sask., and currently teaches at Elizabeth Wyn Wood Alternative High School in Ottawa. Since it鈥
Darcy Joseph Tootoosis and Angela Janzen are among 24 Aboriginal people from across the country to receive Canada Post鈥檚 2011 Aboriginal Education Incentive Awards. The $1,000 award recognizes those who have resumed studies after a minimum of 12 months out of school and have completed one or more years in an educational program. 鈥淭he hard work and determination of these recipients have made a鈥
Roy Challis,with the Living Sky School Division board, was presented with the 2011 Saskatchewan School Boards Association Award of Distinction. He was also presented with a Star Blanket in recognition of his commitment to improving outcomes for First Nations and M茅tis students in Saskatchewan. 鈥淩oy鈥檚 time as president saw a major change in direction as the association worked towards putting鈥
Darcy Bear, Chief of the Whitecap Dakota First Nation, was one of nine people to be bestowed with the province鈥檚 highest honour, the Saskatchewan Order of Merit. Bear鈥檚 goal is to free the community from a cycle of dependence on the federal government and has been working toward creating a strong economic environment for the First Nation. One result of this action has been the development of鈥
Initial plans in early January to cull stray dogs who were forming packs and becoming aggressive on the Lac La Ronge Indian Band were called off. Chief Tammy Cook-Searson issued a statement saying the band would work with the La Ronge-based group Northern Animal Rescue to bring the situation under control. A plan is being worked out where an animal control officer will pick up the dogs and鈥
The federal government is providing funding to support two new substance abuse treatment programs based out of the University of Saskatchewan. One program is an intervention workshop offered to communities free-of-charge focused on the healing journeys of First Nations, M茅tis, and Inuit women as they were treated for drug abuse. The second program is a province-wide initiative for all鈥
The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations is concerned about the new Saskatchewan Environmental Code and the review process attached to it which was announced by the Minister of Environment on Jan. 11. 鈥淭he new Environmental Code will give industry a free pass on assessing the environmental impacts of their own resource development projects. This makes no sense,鈥 said FSIN Vice Chief Bobby鈥
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission has begun hosting community hearings leading up to the fourth national event, to take place June 21-24 in Saskatoon. The first hearing was held in Regina at the First Nations University of Canada from Jan. 16-18. Other community hearings took place in Key First Nation (Jan. 20-22) and Prince Albert (Jan. 31-Feb. 2). Hearings will also be held in Pelican鈥
Alex Maurice of Beauval is the first person to officially challenge incumbent Robert Doucette as head of the M茅tis Nation-Saskatchewan. The two men are the only candidates vying for the position. Doucette took over at the helm of the MNS in 2007. Elections will take place May 30.