‘What kind of Indian are you?’
By Richard Wagamese When I was small an adopted cousin once asked me, “What kind of Indian are you?” Back then the question shocked me....
Public safety should be really simple
By Maurice Switzer It’s so much easier to keep things simple. So please don’t talk to me about diluted bitumen having a viscosity of 201...
Grits or Tories: Who’s worse?
By Karl Hele Who’s better for First Peoples – Liberals or Conservatives? With the recent raft of unilateral legislation affecting First Nations– including several proposed...
First Nations education bill fails the test
By Daniel Wilson Politics is a messy business, so it is helpful to have clarity now and then. Certainly, partisan posturing often can muddy the...
Letter to the editor: Mother died before payout deadline
The government, churches and the Assembly of First Nations decided on a timeline (for residential school claims) so future inheritance claims could not be filed. ...
Macdonald, Mowat scorned treaty ‘chains’
By Dr. David Shanahan This year marks the 250th anniversary of the Treaty of Niagara, one of the most important agreements in Canadian history, and...
Letter to the editor: Water walkers protecting Lakes Simcoe, Couchiching
We are pleased to announce the Waawaasegaming Water Walk 2014. It will start June 21st at Georgina Island and will be going around both Lake...
Letter to the Editor: Lake Simcoe becoming a cesspool
I am not a Native, but I am very much concerned with the preservation of our natural resources and habitats. Georgina is where I...
Ask Holly: Don’t blame McDonald’s for your heart attack!
By Holly Brodhagen We’re hearing about changes in legislation and policies about issues such as distracted driving and nutrition in fast foods. I’ve always been...
Book Review: Duncan Campbell Scott: Poet and predator
How many conversations do we have with ghosts? Those who have passed on have, no doubt, made good decisions, but what if the ghost we...
Veterans fighting battles at home
Editor’s Note: The Harper Conservatives have increasingly abandoned Canadian Armed Forces veterans, who went public over disrespectful treatment in their dealings with Veterans Affairs Minister...
This savage’s look at the Sportsmen’s Show
By Maurice Switzer What’s the difference between a $415 ICAST fishing rod and a $39.99 Mitchell spinning rig? Near as I can figure, about $375.01....
Letter to the Editor: Language not for him
As some of you are aware, I was taken by CAS child welfare and put into white-run foster care. At the time, I spoke my...
Letter to the Editor: Thumbs down to ‘Orenda’
Joseph Boyden’s novel, The Orenda, is a prime example of the need for Indigenous editors. It is lauded as a historically accurate depiction of a time...
Being open to hearing the land tell its stories
By Richard Wagamese The land holds stories within it. The trick is to make yourself open to them and when you do they have a...