St’at’imc threaten action over infrastructure trespasses in southern ‘BC’

By Keven Drews, Canadian Press/Vancouver Sun, May 10, 2013

VANCOUVER – Southwestern British Columbia’s St’at’imc Chiefs Council is threatening to block a highway and rail line and “embarrass” private companies and the next provincial government over trespasses on its traditional territory.

Innu protesters barricade windows of Sheshatshiu office

CBC News, Apr 25, 2013

Dozens of Innu protesters have blockaded the Newfoundland and Labrador Child, Youth and Family Services offices in Sheshatshiu.

The protesters have boarded up the windows of the building with wooden signs bearing slogans such as “bring our children back” and “baby snatchers.”

Ktunaxa treaty including Wensley Bench land contentious for some

By Claire Paradis, Arrow Lakes News, April 23, 2013

Across Highway 6 from Box Lake there is a stretch of forest familiar with mountain bikers and hikers who walk the old railway bed. A 242-hectare section twice as long as Box Lake running parallel to the highway is now Ktunaxa land, as of March 27, when the area was signed over to the First Nation by the provincial and federal governments.

Not everyone is pleased with the deal. Marilyn James, representative from the Sinixt Nation, who said the Sinixt have had a land claim filed since 2008.

First Nations leader sent Idle No More plans to government: emails

By Laura Stone, Global News, April 18, 2013

Terrance Nelson during his speech seeking election as national chief of AFN, June 2012.

The federal government didn’t have to go far to find out what First Nations leaders were planning during last winter’s Idle No More movement.

The plans were sent directly to the government inbox.

Sinixt Nation Press Release and Statement

Date: April 12, 2013

Sinixt Nation has worked diligently over the past three decades to correct the 1956 Canadian government’s extinction status of Sinixt people. The Crown has recognized Sinixt people as indigenous peoples of Canada (as a tribal group) but not as the Indian Act’s defined term of “Aboriginal peoples of Canada” as presented in a document dated August 9th, 1995 and signed by then Indian Affairs Minister Ron Irwin which stated: “The Arrow Lakes Band ceased to exist as a band for the purpose of the Indian Act when-its last [registered] member died on October 1, 1953. … It does not, of course, mean that the Sinixt people ceased to exist as a tribal group.”

Inuit in Labrador arrested protesting hydro project

David P. Ball, Indian Country Today, April 11, 2013

Inuit Elder James Learning is dragged by Royal Canadian Mounted Police to one of their vehicles upon his arrest on April 5, 2013, for refusing to stop participating in a blockade to protest the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project on the Lower Churchill River in Labrador, Canada.

A 74-year old Inuit elder has ended a hunger strike and been released from jail after being arrested along with seven others protesting the controversial Muskrat Falls hydroelectric dam on the Churchill River in Labrador.

‘Racist’ newspaper letter sparks Nanaimo protest

CBC News, Mar 28, 2013

The mayor of Nanaimo joined about 100 people protesting outside the offices of the Nanaimo Daily News after the paper published a letter to the editor yesterday that many people found racist.

Cree walkers finally arrive in Ottawa on Idle No More trek

Cree walkers and supporters march in Ottawa, March 25, 2013.

CBC News, Mar 25, 2013

A group of young people from the James Bay Cree community of Whapmagoostui, Que., has arrived in Ottawa, marking the end of a 1,600-kilometre trek to the nation’s capital.

Idle No More, Defenders of the Land form alliance, call for “Sovereignty Summer”

By Jorge Barrera, APTN National News, March 18, 2013

Art by Andy Everson, Kwakwaka’wakw.

Idle No More has joined forces with Defenders of the Land and the new alliance plans to launch “escalating action” during what is being called the “Sovereignty Summer,” according to a draft joint declaration obtained by APTN National News.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan resigns over inappropriate letter

Bill Curry, The Globe and Mail, Feb. 15 2013

Aboriginal Affairs minister John Duncan has announced his resignation.

Federal Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan has resigned from cabinet for writing an inappropriate letter to the Tax Court of Canada.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a statement Friday confirming the decision.

“I would like to thank Mr. Duncan for his many contributions as Minister and for his service to the people of Canada. Mr. Duncan will continue to serve as the member of Parliament for Vancouver Island North in the House of Commons,” Mr. Harper said.

The Prime Minister said Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore will serve as the acting Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development until a new minister is named.