Wawatay Online, March 4, 2010, Volume 37, No. 5

Muskrat Dam’s speedy construction of three bungalows was recognized during the 8th Annual First Nations Northern Housing Conference 2010 Feb. 23-25 in Thunder Bay.

Shane Yellowbird has come a long way from a youngster with a severe stuttering problem to singing onstage at country music’s greatest stage, The Grand Ole Opry.

The Mushkegowuk Challenge Cup was held in Timmins Feb. 26-28 with 28 teams playing for trophies, medals, and bragging rights.

Lacking infrastructure in NAN communities is contributing to a major housing crisis in Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) territory says NAN Deputy Grand Chief Les Louttit.

The Historica-Dominion Institute is calling on Aboriginal youth to write short stories about defining moments in Aboriginal history for a chance to win cash prizes, earn national recognition and a trip to Regina for a special awards ceremony attended by Aboriginal leaders.

Newly installed high speed Internet services are a big hit on the James Bay coast.

Two Red Rock Indian Band members and two Lakehead University researchers took home the university’s first annual Aboriginal Partnership Research Award.

The Koper Lake blockade deadline has been extended while a memorandum of understanding is developed for mining firms wanting to work in the area.

Webequie Chief Cornelius Wabasse, Marten Falls Chief Eli Moonias and a group of Webequie and Marten Falls protesters man the landing strip blockade Jan. 20 on Koper Lake in the Ring of Fire.

Six Canadian Rangers from across northern Ontario were a big hit for thousands of visitors to the Canadian Forces exhibit at the annual Winterlude festival in the nation’s capital.

Ranger D.J. (Daniel) Wesley Jr. of Constance Lake, left, in an Inuit head-pull contest with Randy Kataluk of Coral Harbour, Nunavut.

Ranger Doris Gillies of Fort Albany, left, and Master Cpl. Stanley Stephens of Constance Lake, prepare a display inside the Canadian Ranger tipi at Winterlude in Ottawa.

Finally, there is a movie about Hollywood’s strong influence on the portrayal of Aboriginal people.

Training session works to raise self-esteem

Best practices in teaching First Nation students was the primary focus of the Matawa First Nations 3rd Bi-Annual Education Conference.

Constance Lake artist John Ferris described the Great Rivers Education Project during a session of the Matawa Regional Committee on Education Meeting on the final day of the Matawa First Nations 3rd B

Algonquin Avenue Public School vice-principal and teacher Darren Lentz showed a number of educators how to make a birch bark container during his Traditional Technologies workshop at the Matawa First

Almost 20 volunteers for Aboriginal Team Ontario met in Toronto Feb. 20 to restructure the Provincial Aboriginal Sports Body.

Master Cpl. Mary Miles shows Junior Canadian Rangers in Fort Severn how to butcher caribou as part of their traditional skills training.

Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug’s Stanley Bluecoat recent encounter with a wolf was told to Josie McKay, who retold the story on the Wawatay Radio Network. Here are some highlights of the story. The story is translated from Oji-cree.

When the last fish was reeled in, Cindy Tait came out on top.

Oshki-Pimache-O-Win’s Janet Napash held a program information booth Feb. 25 Victoriaville Centre in Thunder Bay for people interested in taking classes at the centre Feb. 25 at the.

Home improvement guru Jon Eakes, right, helps two competitors during the first Builders Challenge competition at the 8th Annual First Nations Northern Housing Conference 2010.

Men’s hockey teams from across the north are pumped up for another round of the Northern First Nations Hockey tournament.

Lac Seul Reservoir Ice Dogs coach Gerald Kejick recently spoke about his team’s preparations for the 10th Annual Northern First Nations Hockey tournament.

Cat Lake’s Titotay Memorial School will soon receive bags of sports equipment, thanks to nine Negahneewin College students.

Negahneewin College Aboriginal Law and Advocacy student Nicole McKay, right, and a number of her classmates recently held a sports equipment drive at Confederation College and around Thunder Bay for d

An exhibition game was held between the Mushkegowuk Chiefs and the Moose Factory Wolverines at the Mushkegowuk Challenge Cup held in Timmins Feb 26-28.

The Moose Factory Scrappers of the junior girls division won the championship over Kash Stars at the Mushkegowuk Challenge Cup. The final score was 4-2.

Junior Canadian Rangers from Muskrat Dam will feature prominently in two Canadian Forces videos that will promote the national Junior Ranger program.

A military videographer shoots Ranger Master Cpl. Albert Duncan showing Junior Canadian Rangers how to set rabbits snares.

Roma Fisher has a lot on his plate.

Long Lake #58’s Roma Fisher is the new head of Spirit Alive, a faith-based television show.

A 68-year-old Fort Severn man late returning from a trip to cut wood was found dead by a Canadian Ranger who went searching for him.

Barbara Cheechoo’s new fiddle dancing styles were a hit at the 2010 Great Moon Gathering.

Rhonda Koster (centre-right), Kristine Metansinine (right) and Red Rock Coun.

“Immersion – it works.”

The government of Canada has launched a local employment project in Sachigo Lake First Nation.

Weenusk’s Michael Fox illustrated the difficulties of sustaining diesel-powered communities during the Sustainable Communities in the North Conference 2010.

Anishinaabe Abinooji Family Services and Kunuwanimano Child and Family Services have now assumed responsibility for child and family services in Constance Lake First Nation.

Michael McKay, an organizer of the 8th Annual First Nations Northern Housing Conference 2010, helps home improvement guru Jon Eakes install a roll of self-sticking roofing paper during a demonstration

The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) is supporting efforts by Muskrat Dam First Nation to explore the costs of building a one-megawatt hydroelectric power plant at Windigo Falls.

Aboriginal country music artist Shane Yellowbird is now touring to promote his second album, It’s About Time, which features the single, Barefeet on the Blacktop.

Address by the Honourable James K. Bartleman to graduating students at the University of Guelph, Feb. 17.

In his address to the students, James Bartleman spoke about his work with Stan Beardy.

I would like to make some comments in regards to an article “ Suicide Issues Growing in Remote North” (Jan. 21, 2010) by Rick Garrick.

A calm photo of the Bearskin Lake coffee shop shows a warm retreat from the winter elements, 1982.

Attawapiskat is on its way to having better access to the information highway.

You could not dream this place. In the hard glint of early morning everything is over exposure and shadow.

Citing “obscene levels of suicide, addiction, marital breakdowns and violence,” in isolated First Nations Joseph Quesnel has written a policy paper suggesting non-viable First Nations be moved closer to urban centres.

A fibre optic cable is spliced at the Feb.

Mel Barber, centre, with Independent First Nations Alliance presents Philip Beardy and Deputy Chief Gary Beardy from Muskrat Dam First Nation with a Housing Innovation Award during the Northern Housin

Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy says any development in the area known as the Ring of Fire will be halted without the consent of First Nations.

North Spirit Lake First Nation is getting a new kindergarten to Grade 9 school in the community.

Webequie First Nation has been granted funding for a $16.4-million diesel generating station.

Webequie First Nation has signed an exploration agreement with Tribute Minerals Inc. Feb. 8.