Wawatay Online, June 25, 2009, Volume 36, No. 13

Residential school survivors at Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s National Day of Reconciliation ceremony have not seen any changes since last year’s historic apology.

Each one the four main actors in Seeking Bimaadiziiwin could relate to their characters in the award winning film.

During the last month, Henry Baker has been travelling as far south as Manitoulin Island and west to Big Grassy bringing Fun In Athletics to First Nation schools.

Five candidates are vying to replace outgoing National Chief Phil Fontaine.

“The government now recognizes that the consequences of the Indian residential schools policy were profoundly negative and that this policy has had a lasting and damaging impact on aboriginal culture, heritage and language.”

Moose Cree First Nation recently scored a grant to upgrade its community arena.

Many First Nations groups and leaders are voicing their opinions on the proposed legislation under Bill C-8 that deal with matrimonial real property (MRP) on reserves.

Youth, elders complete rafting journey from Constance Lake to Fort Albany

Other communities may be green with envy at the conclusion of this summer’s Keewaytinook Okimakanak gardening project.

It is that time of year when many powwow enthusiasts look forward to visiting powwows throughout the territory.

Aircraft dedicated to late-chief Paul Trivett

Six Nishnawbe Aski Nation communities have been hit with the H1N1 flu virus.

First Nation leaders are pleased with government plans to clean up contaminated radar sites.

Correen Kakegamic, Kelly Morriseau, Shane Turtle, Stanley Barkman, Charlissa Bottle and Kirk Meekis were multiple award winners at Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School’s Academic and Athletic Awards ceremony.

Correen Kakegamic earned the Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School Executive Director’s Award for her dedication to school work and others around the school.

June 11 should have been a day of celebrations marking great changes and improvements in the relationship between Canada’s Indigenous people and the federal government.

My people, the Mushkego Cree, from along the James Bay coast have a tradition in travelling the land.  We come from a nomadic culture and before our people lived in permanent settlements, we moved from place to place several times a year.  Back then, no one ever stayed in one place for too long.

Stella Okimaw  and Steve Whiskeychan attempt to hit the buzzer first in a Native-themed game of Family Feud.

McDowell Lake Chief Eli James helps Keewaytinook Okimakanak’s Verlin James and Bryan Walmark load a truck with gardening supplies for delivery to North Spirit Lake, Keewaywin and McDowell Lake for u

Enjoying the water: Kaitlyn Wren, left, and her sister Brenda checked out the water while at the beach with their family June 16.

Sandy Lake Health Authority staff member Nancy Fiddler helps Barb Kakegamic fill out a routine questionnaire before they get seen by a nurse.

The Nishnawbe-Gamik Friendship Centre in Sioux Lookout held activities all day June 21 to celebrate National Aboriginal Day with the community.

The importance of meeting real life challenges after graduation has never been stronger, said Wally Bannon.

Correen Kakegamic earned the Executive Director’s Award and the Science Top Student award at the Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School 2009 Academic and Athletic Awards ceremony.

Greg Quachegan, DFC’s guidance counsellor, accepted a $3,500 bursary donation from the granddaughter of Dennis Franklin Cromarty during the school’s awards ceremony.

The Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School 2009 Academic and Athletic Awards winners posed for a group photo at the completion of the June 8 awards ceremony.

“Education is something to strive for.”

Veronica Ramadan delivers her valedictorian address during Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education and Training Institute’s 2009 graduation ceremony, held June 12 at Magnus Theatre in Thunder Bay for about 30

For 10 students, it was one of the proudest accomplishments they will never forget.

The Wahsa Distance Education Centre had their 18th annual graduation ceremony at the Sunset Suites in Sioux Lookout June 18. Eight First Nations communities were represented at the ceremony.

Justine Moore is happy with the results of the PhotoVoice project she worked on this winter.

Seven of the about 50 students involved in the PhotoVoice project met with Alice Sabourin during the PhotoVoice Talking Circle and Exhibition held June 11-12 at the Ka-Na-Chi-Hih Solvent Abuse Treatme

Confederation College will receive $250,000 for a new 15-week Mineral Prospecting Program for First Nation community members.

After spending more than a week rafting the Kanogami and Albany Rivers, the Fort Albany students arrived back home in their community June 6.

Shawldancer Marcie Patrick of Peawanuck was one of dozens of dancers who joined National Aboriginal Day festivities in Timmins.

The Government of Canada is building their foundation for Aboriginal seniors particularly in Whitefish Bay First Nation and Wabigoon Lake First Nation.

Henry Baker has been working with youth like these introducing the Fun In Athletics to First Nation schools this spring.

Const. Mitch Fawn’s life-saving efforts were recently celebrated by Nishnawbe Aski Police Service.

Wasaya’s Tom Morris presents a painting to Mavis Trivett, wife of the late Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service Police Chief Paul Trivett, who was honoured during the dedication of a Wasaya Airways Pilatus

Working in the community has always been a passion for the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service Community Service award recipient.

In a game of Duck-duck-goose, a young boy eludes the “goose.” Children’s games were held throughout the Aboriginal Day festivities in Timmins.

Brittany Angeconeb was one of the stars of The Healing Lens which had it’s world premiere June 19 in Thunder Bay at the Biindigaate Film Festival.

The Nishnawbe Ask Nation (NAN) Women’s Council and more than 80 women from NAN’s 49 First Nation communities united in a peaceful demonstration outside the Indian and Northern Affairs Canada Thund

Sinclair Tapas reels in his catch from the fishing pond during National Aboriginal Day festivities in Timmins June 21.

With the help of contributions from the Dreamcatcher Fund, Nishnawbe Aski Nation and Marten Falls First Nation, Grade 7/8 students from Henry Coaster Memorial School in Marten Falls recently participated in a class trip to Ottawa.

From left to right, Shanelle Baxter, Shannon Coaster, Charlie Angus, Patty Achneepineskum, Kingsley Murray, Liza Moonias, Nicole Achneepineskum, Evan Moonias, Megan Baxter and River Moonias participat

Nancy Keeper in Pikangikum First Nation dries a pot in October 1983.

Many people are wondering - is there a pandemic or not?  The World Health Organization (WHO) is considering announcing a worldwide pandemic as I write this. Just talking about the idea that a pandemic might be taking place is a scary proposition.