Shawn Atleo becomes National Chief to the Assembly of First Nations
Shawn Atleo, the hereditary chief of the Ahousaht nation on Vancouver Island, was elected July 23rd as National Chief of Canada’s Assembly of First Nations. The new chief campaigned on a four-pillar strategy with emphasis on families and communities, treaties and rights, the economy and environment, and First Nation governance. (more…)
Paddling opens the door to culture, self awareness, and healthy lives
Tribal Journeys is a high profile annual event for the Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Youth on a Journey is a related program which helps to prepare youth for participation in these Tribal Journeys. Dozens of Cowichan youths are preparing to paddle to Suquamish as participants in the 2009 event. The Youth on a Journey crew has been planning and preparing since last years event in Cowichan. (more…)
Sacred Bentwood Box used at national events of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Ladysmith artist Luke Marston has created a symbol of truth and healing—a sacred Bentwood Box to be used at the seven national events of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The Commission was created to help individuals, communities, and organizations alike to move beyond the dreadful damage inflicted by the many abuses at Canada’s Indian Residential Schools between 1920 and the 1970s. The Catholic Church operated roughly three-quarters of the residential schools that operated in Canada. The rest were operated by other organized religious groups. (more…)
A new program designed to help Aboriginal patients access and navigate their way through Vancouver Coastal health launched on January 20th. Aboriginal Patient Navigators will provide referral, advocacy and support to patients to ensure access to appropriate health care and community services.
We speak with Dr. Patricia Daly, chief medical health officer with Vancouver Coastal Health, about the new program.
“The federal Conservatives will spend an extra $1.4 billion on Aboriginal issues—mostly to help Canada’s impoverished native reserves—in the budget that is covering everything from sea ports to railways. Aboriginal leaders, accustomed over many years to budget-day disappointment, were hopeful that a summit this month with Prime Minister Stephen Harper would see their issues addressed.” [Source: The Globe and Mail]
We speak with Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, Regional Chief of the B.C. Assembly of First Nations, about the potential impacts of the federal budget announced Tuesday. (more…)
