Metis News and Stuff: September 2006

Saturday, September 30, 2006

Calgary's Metis Trail Controversy Over ??

The Metis seem to have a friend in this columnist from the Calgary Sun;

By RICK BELL
Didn't see a whole lot of white guys in the crowd, except for the scads of politicians and their platoons of paper shufflers being extra nice to the Metis.

The big shots should be extra nice. They came this close to making the Stupid Top Ten in the year's news.
Calgary would call 36 St. N.E. and 44 St. N.E. north of McKnight Blvd by the name Metis Trail, as other expressways have been given names in this city from our aboriginal history. City council approves the designation. No problem. Then nixes the approval the next day, putting everything on hold because some individuals are upset. Problem.
So what was the problem with the name? To put it bluntly, some sorts would rather have had the road named after some other characters from city history who happen to be, how can I say this delicately, white.
A letter from a mover and shaker in one of the communities bluntly asks why a street near his area is picked for a Native name. The name simply has no "relevance." As an alternative, white settler families who came after the Metis are suggested, but the representative of the community stresses there is no racist intent in dumping the Metis handle.
It's just maybe somebody named Bennett or Robinson would be more .. let's see ... relevant.
How about Riel? Didn't think so.
The city council member for the area, Ald. Helene Larocque, who pushes for the ridiculous holding pattern, figures individuals in her part of town have no real difficulty with the Metis name. They just don't want the Metis name in their area.
TRANSLATION: They have real difficulty with the Metis name.
The nuttiness continues when Native chiefs step on stage in this theatre of the absurd and oppose Metis Tr. because it is somehow "disrespectful" to the "true inhabitants of this territory." As usual, the Metis get it coming and going.
In the end, city council, staring at the chance to be portrayed as narrow-minded hillbillies coast to coast to coast, votes with one voice. All in favour of Metis Trail? The ayes have it.
So here we are yesterday, sun shining, fiddlers playing the Red River Jig, the politicians doing the two-step around the aggravation created.
Marlene Lanz, Metis president for this region, is a very nice lady. She calls the furor "a little hiccup" and jokes to Larocque about how the Metis "invaded her territory."
Marlene admits she was "surprised" the name didn't go through without incident since Metis helped build the city. And, let's face it, the city has given the thumbs-up to all kinds of cookie-cutter names with not a speck of the importance of the Metis name.

Liberal Belinda Stronach...She's Getting Around

Belinda Stronach and Tie Domi walk together in downtown Calgary in July.
The Liberal MP was named in divorce papers filed by Leanne Domi.

(JAIME DAWSON, Sun Media files)
TORONTO -- Belinda Stronach says despite being named as the other woman in former NHL tough g

uy Tie Domi's divorce, the Domis' marital troubles have nothing to do

with her, and any suggestions otherwise are "inaccurate and irresponsible."
In a statement issued yesterday, the Liberal MP said, "any problems between Tie and Leanne Domi are not related to me."
However in a divorce application filed on Sept. 18, Leanne Domi asserts the end of her marriage was directly related to an "intimate, sexual relationship" between Stronach and her husband.
Stronach did not directly address the allegations in her statement, choosing instead to focus on lamenting the scrutiny of her private life that comes with being a public figure.
"I have chosen a public

vocation and I recognize the scrutiny and attention that comes with that," she said.

Then there is the other men who were stomped on by the Liberal darling...

I guess President Clinton doesn't count 'cause he's an old hand at that sort of stuff.

And finally this pic from our friends at Dust my broom...Belinda......better lingerie model than politician ??....you make the call

British Columbia Metis Hold Annual Meeting

The Metis Nation of B C is holding their AGA this weekend and I think the Manitoba Metis Federation can take some lessons on openess from our western brothers and sisters. The BC Metis' AGA proceedings can be viewed as a webcast this Saturday and Sunday live. The times are not specified. www.mnbc.ca

Five hundred delegates from across the province are attending a Metis conference in Kelowna this weekend.
Metis Nation B.C. chose to hold its annual meeting at The Grand hotel, where premiers and then-prime minister Paul Martin signed the Kelowna accord - a multibillion-dollar

blueprint for improving aboriginal communities - last November.
The Harper-led Conservatives have said they're not obliged to follow the accord's recommendations.
The Metis Nation hopes to change the government's decision."The Kelowna accord hasn't really been implemented," CEO Keith Henry said Friday. "We need to get the federal government re-engaged and help them understand these social and economic problems have

to be addressed."While the unemployment rate in B.C. is less than five per cent, the jobless rate among the province's 44,000 Metis people is about 16 per cent, Henry said."The Kelowna accord was about narrowing the gap," he said. "Hopefully, the new government will honour the previous commitment."
Federal Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day is expected to attend the two-day conference. So are provincial ministers Mike de Jong (labour and citizens services) and Tom Christensen (aboriginal relations).
In May, the Metis Nation and the province signed a relationship accord based on principles in the Kelowna agreement. The document promises to open new opportunities to improve the social and economic supports for Metis people, Henry said.Metis people are of mixed European and aboriginal descent.
An estimated 6,500 Metis live in the Thompson-Okanagan.

Major Study Probes Condition Of Métis Health

by Joseph Quesnel;

Manitoba's Métis community will be receiving a glimpse into the state of their health care needs thanks to the efforts of a major Métis organization.

The Manitoba Métis Federation is spearheading the historic research project which will review, for the first time, health care needs specific to the Métis community in the province, announced the organizations' president.
"We are facing many of the same challenges as the First Nations," said David Chatrand, pointing to increasing incidents of diseases within the Métis community, including diabetes and higher rates of HIV infection than the non-Aboriginal population. "When you look at the Métis, we live close to many First Nation communities. We're their next door neighbours," he said, stressing the similarities in health issues between Métis and other First Nations.
In particular, Chatrand mentioned arthritis as an affliction that is affecting too many Métis elders within rural and isolated communities.
The Manitoba Métis Federation, he said, has enlisted the assistance of Dr. Judith Bartlett to head up the study. Bartlett will be heading up a new department within the Federation for her work and will be enlisting the help of two other staff.
In a separate media report, Bartlett said that although the Métis fare better in terms of health than other Aboriginal groups they are still less healthy than the average Canadian.
The study, she said, will involve the holding of workshops designed to discover what health care issues and needs exist within Manitoba's Métis community. This information will then be forwarded to the Manitoba Government in formulating a Métis-specific health care policy. In the recent past, the Manitoba government had discussed developing a five-year health care strategy involving Métis people. Without the present study, however, this cannot be possible, argued Chartrand.
"But, you know nothing about us. You don't know the issues. What are the priorities? It is diabetes, arthritis, AIDS, or even cancer? We have so many Métis citizens dying from cancer. No one has ever done a study."
According to Chatrand, Bartlett will also be making use of existing health care data on other First Nation communities.
The commitment for the funding, he said, came from the previous Liberal government and has since been reaffirmed as forthcoming by the current Conservative government. That deal involved a commitment of $10 million over four years to Métis organizations. The Manitoba Métis Federation, in particular, will be receiving $1.8 million of that money for the project.
The reason other First Nation communities have received more assistance from various levels of government for their health care needs, added Chartand, is the lack of clear responsibility for the Métis Nation. "Who's responsible for the Métis? It's the old issue of the millennium."
Conversely, First Nation communities under the auspices of the Indian Act can turn to the federal government, he mentioned, in seeking action on health care issues. Responsibility for the Métis is still largely undefined and shared between federal and provincial governments.
The chief task of the study, he said, will be to discover what the needs are in Métis communities. As an example, Chatrand mentioned that diabetes care will likely be one area identified in the study. "A lot of our people cannot afford the cost of accessing dialysis treatments. Many of our citizens are from rural and remote communities and cannot afford to travel to receive these treatments."
"If our people can't afford the travel to access the programs that exist, what good are they?"
Disease control, however, will not be the only object of study, continued Chartand. He said he also hopes the project will look into the conditions that are giving rise to many of the health problems besetting Manitoba's Métis community, such as overcrowded housing in remote communities.
"The Métis are also dealing with conditions where 15 people are living in three-bedroom houses. When sickness arrives, the rate of disease transmission goes up."
Addressing these issues now, he added, is essential. Chatrand pointed out that the Manitoba health system should be concerned about the state of Métis health, as should Manitoba taxpayers, as it will likely put more upward pressure on funding and resources. "With a rising population within our community, either you help us now and stem the rising cost of Métis health care services or you pay two to three times the cost in the future. There is no getting around it. Whether you live in Tuxedo or the North End, your children will have to face the cost."
The provincial government has indicated that it will look at the results of the study in adopting a health care policy towards Métis people.

Monday, September 25, 2006

Brandon Sun Picture

My wife, Della and I, both had performances in Brandon over the weekend. This picture was taken from the Brandon Sun. The dance group is called The Winnipeg Metis Square Dancers and they are one the more active troupes in the province. I'd like to thank the dancers for dropping in at the club my band was performing at, and wowing the crowd with a two change performance. Thanks also to the fiddle player who joined in the fun. The fiddle player was none other than Manitoba Champ, Gary Lepine.

Sunday, September 24, 2006

Osama Bin Laden Dead ?

I hope reports of the sickos death are not greatly exaggerated. Ass-oma and his followers chicken-shit terorism attacks are pathetic.

PARIS, France (CNN) -- A report that Osama bin Laden is dead has set off a flurry of denials from U.S., French and Pakistani officials, who say the newspaper report citing French intelligence cannot be independently confirmed.
A Saudi intelligence official, however, told CNN on Saturday that the al Qaeda leader is suffering from a waterborne illness. There have been credible reports that the most wanted man in the world is ill, but there is no intelligence indicating he is dead, the source said.
L'Est Republicain, citing a September 21 French foreign intelligence document, reported that Saudi officials had received confirmation that bin Laden died August 23 of typhoid fever in Pakistan. (Watch what intelligence information reveals about bin Laden's condition -- 1:59)
"We believe this reporting to be unsubstantiated," a U.S. intelligence official said.
Other U.S. intelligence officials concurred, and White House spokesman Blair Jones said, "We have no confirmation of that report." (Watch a former CIA director explain how this report could be confirmed --3:34)
A senior White House official with access to intelligence reports added that he has made several calls to senior government officials and could not verify the report.
Across the Atlantic, French President Jacques Chirac said the report was "in no way confirmed" and that he was initiating an investigation into who leaked the confidential document to L'Est Republicain.
"I was rather surprised to see that a confidential note from the [General Directorate for External Security] was published, and I have asked the minister of defense to start an investigation immediately and to reach whatever conclusions are necessary," Chirac said after trade talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Compiegne, France.
Friend, family weigh in
Bin Laden's brother-in-law, Jamal Khalifa, who was the al Qaeda leader's best friend when they were university students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, told CNN that he has heard no report of bin Laden's death. The Saudi-based businessman has been married to bin Laden's sister, Shaikha, since 1986.
Khaled Batarfi, a managing editor at the Saudi newspaper Al Madina and who was close friends with bin Laden when they were teenagers, said he remains in touch with bin Laden's immediate family in Jeddah. Family members said Saturday they had heard nothing to confirm the report, Batarfi told CNN.
Despite the fervent denials, journalist Laid Sammari, who wrote the article, said in a telephone interview that he was confident the classified document was authentic. His article states that Saudi secret service agents on September 4 received reports of bin Laden's death.
Saudi officials plan to make an official announcement after they confirm the burial site for the al Qaeda leader, Sammari said.
In Pakistan, officials said Saturday that they had no confirmation of bin Laden's death. On Friday, President Gen. Pervez Musharraf confirmed President Bush's earlier statement that the hunt for bin Laden is still on.
Al Qaeda was behind the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States that killed almost 3,000 people in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington. The U.S. State Department is offering a $25 million reward for information leading directly to bin Laden's arrest or conviction, according to the FBI.
The Airline Pilots Association and the Air Transport Association are offering an additional $2 million reward.
Bin Laden's most recent public message came June 30, when an audio recording was posted on an Islamic Web site. He stated that Abu Hamza al-Muhajer had replaced Abu Musab al-Zarqawi as leader of al Qaeda in Iraq. Al-Zarqawi was killed in a U.S. airstrike earlier in June.
The CIA confirmed the voice on the tape was bin Laden's.

The French reporter is firmly convinced the "Osama Dead" story is true.
The reporter also goes on to say Bin Laden supporters have already chosen his place of burial...hopefully is somewhere hot...the bastard better get used to it.

Alberta Aboriginal Coalition For Education

Paula Simons, The Edmonton Journal

Thomas Erasmus knows what it takes to be a winner.
The Edmonton business consultant is a former member of the Canadian national baseball team, former coach of the Canadian junior baseball team and the 1985 winner of the Tom Longboat Award as the Canadian Native Athlete of the Year.
A member of the Goodfish Lake First Nation, near Lac La Biche, Erasmus, 50, is also one of the rare members of his generation of aboriginal Albertans who completed high school.
"It was a struggle," he grins.
"My mother and father really pushed me."
Both his parents had somehow managed to evade being sent to native residential school. "Because they didn't bear the scars of that experience, they could be a support to all our family."
For their son, that meant the chance to go to school, the chance to compete as an elite national athlete, the chance to launch a successful career.
Three years ago, Erasmus was named to Alberta's blue-ribbon learning commission. It was a logical outgrowth of his time as the chairman of the board of Portage College in Lac La Biche and his seven years working for the Lac La Biche School Division, setting up a program to train native liaison workers.
The commission had a long list of recommendations of ways for the province to improve the quality of education for aboriginal students across Alberta.
But three years later, Erasmus is far from satisfied. The province has made some progress, he acknowledges -- but not nearly enough.
Are a greater percentage of aboriginal kids finishing high school? Are more children in the primary grades passing their provincial achievement tests?
Erasmus says there's no evidence anything the province has done has made any difference to classroom performance or graduation rates.
Now, Erasmus has marshalled an impressive lineup, including Sam Shaw, the president of NAIT; Eric Newell, former Syncrude CEO and the chancellor of the University of Alberta; Pat Mackenzie, learning commission chair; Chris Shade, former chief of the Blood Nation; and Audr

ey Poitras, president of the Metis Nation of Alberta. On Friday, their high-powered coalition held a press conference to demand the province do more to improve aboriginal education -- starting with appointing an aboriginal advisory committee to work directly with the education minister and deputy minister.
Granted, an advisory council does not sound like a very radical idea. What we need is action, not more talk. But anything that puts moral pressure on the Tory government is a start.
What percentage of Alberta's aboriginal kids graduate from high school?
I don't know. Nor does anyone else.
Alberta Education says no one in the department is tracking those numbers. What data they have about the academic achievement of First Nations and Metis students is confidential, not for public release.
The last data I saw said only eight per cent of Indian, Metis and Inuit Albertans graduate from high school. But that number's at least five years out of date. Have things gotten better since then? Worse? Who knows? We're groping in the dark, hosting endless conferences and roundtables, while first graders struggle to read and teenagers drop out.

Friday, September 22, 2006

Have A Great Weekend

I m off to Brandon for a couple of days, so I hope you all enjoy yourself this Friday and Saturday. Here's a few things to do in Winnipeg;

-J J Lavallee and Freebird at Teddy Bobs this weekend.
Remeber to vote for J J, and your favourite Aboriginal artists in various categories at www.aboriginalpeopleschoice.com
-Country Boys at The Westbrook Inn
-Watch the Bomber game..we need a W quick !!
-Listen to the Metis Hour X 2 tomorrow www.ncifm.com.

I'll leave you with a pic of my dog, Bear, and me.
Have a good one !!

Thursday, September 21, 2006

Thursday Thoughts

First off I have to tell you that I messed up my blog !! I tried to add something on my sidebar and ended up moving the whole 'spiel to the wrong area of the

template...arrrrgghhh. Now, with the part time job I have in addition to the music, I have to slowly build up my links and other items. Thank gosh I didn't wipe out my archives and other items.
I feel like taking a break from Manitoba Metis Federation news and President David Chartrand for today and talk about some other interesting news going on right now in the Aboriginal community.
Former MMF President and now the current Chief of Pine Creek First Nation, Billyjo De La Ronde, held a press conference to denounce the province's stance on the smoking rights of First Nations. Chief De La Ronde had previously announced plans to build a 1.2 billion dollar casino and entertainment complex near Erickson, Manitoba
Recently the Manitoba courts have ruled First Nations should not be exempt from the province wide smoking ban. The New Democratic Party has insinuated liquor and/or gaming licenses will not be renewed or approved if the nations do not comply.
De La Ronde came out swinging at the press conference and said the First Nations of Manitoba might affect the next provincial election by block voting against the NDP.
Mainstream media have been reporting the possibility of a spring provincial election is ever increasing.
I have obviously stated my opinion, in regards to our MMF leader trying to tell people who to vote for. and you all know I don't approve of it. The main reason is the MMF constitution does not allow for affiliation with the mainstream parties. I do not believe that First Nations have such a distinction in their governments, and as I have stated earlier that if the MMF would reword the constitution in regards to article 2 and the affiliation clause, then go ahead and change it !!
The next issue is that Chief De La Ronde and Pine Creek are not looking for government hand outs. This business plan does not include any government funding.
The other thing to consider is Liberal Tina Keeper's victory in the last federal election.

In the rural areas, First nations do carry a lot of voting weight if they are convinced the cause is right. The smoking issue is obviously not in the hands of the province. First Nations are a federal government responsibility and the province will see litigation, not only Aboriginal voter disapproval if they go ahead with their plans.
Don't expect the ban to happen.

---------------------------------------------------

J J Lavallee

and Freebird

Manito Ahbee and The Aboriginal People's Choice music awards show have started the second round of voting. Some of my buddies have and have not made the second cut, but the competition is really tough this year. Congratulations to all nominees !!

I really encourage all to get involved in the voting process for the APCMA show that will held in early November, here in the 'peg.

Look for Winnipeg locals J J Lavallee, Eagle and Hawk, Kimberly Dawn, the Bombers own Troy Westwood and others in the various categories. All you have to do is register and vote !! Do It today. www.aboriginalpeopleschoice.com .

------------------------------------

The Bombers play the Montreal Alouettes this weekend..oh no !!.......I took the WWE photo out..offended some readers...hey, at least I listen to some of the negative comments !!

The Kildonan East Side Eagles take on the Sisler Spartans at Sisler 5:00pm Friday. The Eagles lost to St

Pauls 45-30 on Tuesday and now are 1-2.

I was at the homecoming game for K E, and in att

endance were Winnipeg super-fan Dancing Gabe and Winnipeg Blue Bomber Hall of fame punter, Bob Cameron. His son plays for St Paul's and wowed the crowd with some monstrous kicks...chip of the 'ole block I guess.

I m gonna check out these two bands tonite JJ Lavallee with Freebird and The Country Boys. Support your local entertainer !!

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

New Democratic Party-MMF Agreements Since 1999

While the Metis still wish to gain rights in many areas, the NDP has been taking a pro-active approach to Metis issues since they gained office. Premier Gary Doer

and his party have done a lot to further our cause. Here is an e mail from a friend.

Hi Derryl,
Here are some measures of support that this government has provided for Manitoba's Metis people since 1999:

$2 million in core funding since 1999;

Standing Tall -- A three-year pilot program of the Manitoba Métis Federation and the Winnipeg School Division. Funding supports a program coordinator, whose role is to actively promote a positive, healthy, culturally appropriate attitude and environment for middle school students;
AJI and Child Welfare; Metis Child and Family Services Authority -- the first and only in country;
Wuskwatim/Keeyask Hydro training project includes $5 million for Metis training.

And remember....the province is now in talks with the Federation to hand over probation services to an agency that has run a deficit in excess of a million dollars a year for two years running.
David Chartrand probably has forgotten the friend we had with the NDP, and now has taken to an extremely heavy-handed and counter-productive approach to dealing with the government.

Metis Researcher Wins Heritage Award

Source; Bayshore Broadcasting

A Port Elgin women is the recipient of the Heritage Community Recognition Award from the Heritage Trust Foundation.
Patsy Lou McArthur has been honoured for her work to preserve and promote the Metis heritage.
McArthur has been researching Metis history and her own Metis family for many years.
She was also a registar at the Metis Nation of Ontario in Ottawa.
In February, McArthur launched a book titled Historic Saugeen and its Metis People which focused on Owen Sound and Port Elgin.
She edited the book, which includes a collection of articles and photos of fur trading at Saugeen and in Lake Huron; Métis Family History and families of historic Saugeen; Owen Sound and Big Bay.
She says recognition of the Metis heritage is her goal.
McArthur says the Metis heritage was surpressed after the government took away the Metis' fishing rights, and hunting and harvesting rights.
McArthur says she is trying to right a wrong and all of the hurt bestowed upon the culture.
She says its important for the rights of the land to be returned back to the Metis because that is their culture and community.
McArthur says she continues to research and reclaim her family's heritage.
McArthur is also a member of the Saguingue (SAUGEEN) Métis Council.

Monday, September 18, 2006

Thunderbird House Inc Given Ownership

I don't have much time to post until later, but this news is important and the deal will hopefully end the squabble that has dominated the local media recently.
The deal still has to finalized by the city.

From the Winnipeg Sun ;

A three-day sit-in at Circle of Life Thunderbird House ended in a last-minute deal late last night, cancelling a controversial planned eviction.
Around 9:30 p.m., Neeginan Development Corp., which owns the facility, announced it will transfer the site’s title to its board of directors and allow them to continue running it.
‘As long as it takes’
The change came after directors of Thunderbird House Inc. were told they would be evicted yesterday.
Neeginan’s key complaint was a claim the gathering place at the southeast corner of Main Street and Higgins Avenue owes about $100,000 in property taxes and wasn’t financially viable.
We’ll go through the process to turn it over to them,” said Marileen Bartlett of Neeginan.
The board said it expects the tax debt will be soon cleared, once the facility achieves church status.

Congrats Thunderbird House board of directors.

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Happy Belated 75th Birthday To The "Possum'

I watched the Grand Ole Opry show last night and was surprised to hear this country music legend had turned 75 !! I knew he was old but not that old.
I grew up listening to George Jones and I still do a couple of his songs during shows.
George has been performing for over five decades and he says he won't ever retire, he is just going to do a little more fishing this year.
Happy B-Day George. To word play on one of his greatest songs......There's nothing better once you've heard the best !!

Friday, September 15, 2006

The Brandon Suns Slams PC Fear-Mongering McFadyen

The article below is taken from the Brandon Sun. I love this paper...one minute their likening the MMF President to having boss-type politics, now they are taking to task, the blo

whar

d, Hugh McFadyen.
McFadyen and David Chartrand are not too unlike you see... David uses threats and inflammatory rhetoric to get a news hit for the day. McFadyen began his own fear mongering by referring to the NDP Howard Pawly run government, as a communist. The NDP ran a surplus back then; under Gary Filmon and the Progressive Conservatives, Manitoba ended up with over a 700 million dollar deficit...better do your history homework.
Hughie also believes that secondary education is just that..secondary.

Brandon Sun ;

Hugh McFadyen may think he’s pretty smart for promising to keep Manitoba’s freeze on university tuitions intact, but for that, the new Progressive Conservative leader gets a failing grade in Public Policy 101.
The Winnipeg Free Press reports that McFadyen will keep the six-year-old freeze in place if his PC party beats Premier Gary Doer’s New Democrats in the upcoming election. In a breakfast speech to the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce on Tuesday, McFadyen said a Tory government wouldn’t immediately touch the freeze Doer implemented in 2000 to curry favour with the students who helped his party achieve victory in the 1999 election. He said the party needs time to develop a policy that ensures both adequate access to education for lower-income Manitobans and solves the current cash crunch universities face he gets an F for not screwing up the courage to combat the single-biggest challenge facing Manitoba’s institutions of higher learning.
“I’m not ready to go there yet,” McFadyen told reporters after his speech.

Now Baby Hughie wants to jump in bed with Terry Nelson of Rouseau First Nations, in slamming the Manitoba provincial court directive that all First Nations gaming facilities a

nd licensed establishments follow the non-smoking by-law that exists in the province wide.
Tory Leader Hugh McFadyen slammed the province for appealing the court ruling.
"What appears to be the case is they're buying time with their appeal as they go through a process of negotiation," said McFadyen....yeah Hugh..like you would roll over for the Aboriginal people...give us all a break.....McFadyen was a much better curler than politician.
I was never a big fan of the non-smoking laws that rule the day, but I am all for not pushing the poison on others who wish not to inhale second hand smoke. Respect for other people is the main thing. First nations leaders might take a step back and see that smoking is detrimental to their peoples health and find other funding resources other than gambling. The smoking by law I begrudgingly state, should be here to stay.

Folklorama Metis Pic

My princess and daughter, Chelsea Sanderson and myself performing at the Metis pavillion during Folklorama.

Kildonan East Eagles Win First Game 48-33

Derek Sanderson rumbles in to give the Eagles the lead

for good.

Great game today at Elmwood Field as the Kildonan East Eagles won their first game of the Winnipeg High School Football League season, winning a shootout against the Elmwood Eskimos 48-33.
The Eagles are an expansion team in the WHSFL and have equated themselves exceptionally well thus far.
They fell behind early when the Eskimo's tailback ran 80 yards for a touchdown. The Kildonan team show great resiliency and rattled off 20 straight points as the game turned into an offensive display of superb pinpoint passing by the Elmwood team, and a relentless ground attack by the Eagles. The Eastside team was actually up by 20, but staved off a late rally by rambling down the field for a touchdown in the games last two minutes.
Why am I reporting on a high school football game you ask ? Two of my sons are playing for KE this year and my son Derek Sanderson, who is the starting fullback scored a touchdown and carried the ball 7 times for 50 yards. Fullbacks in football rarely touch the ball so I was so pleased to se my boy literally drag three players into the endzone. My youngest son Joseph, in his first year of organized football, is a wide receiver and kick-off returner. Joe didn't see any action today,but in his first game he returned for approximately 90 yards on three kicks.

Derek also plays on kickoff and is the long snapper on all kicks

Derek and his backfield partner, a tailback by the name of Terry, were a formidable one-two punch today, as Terry ran for over one hundred yards, two TDs and also threw for another.

In speaking to Terry's father at the game, I found out that Terry is also Metis so that makes it an all-Metis backfield at Kildonan East !! woo hoo !!

The next game for the Kildonan team is at Eastside field, Tuesday, when they take on the always tough St. Pauls Crusaders. The game marks the homecoming event for the Eagles the school band will be there, cheerleaders, 100's of fans and wait for it.......The legendary Manitoba sports fanatic Dancing Gabe !!!!

The Eagles are 1-1 in the early going so anyone wishing to take in some good football and fun, come to the field at 5:00pm Tuesday the 19th.

My sons first touchdown...wow !!

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Labrador Metis Leader Chris Montague Leads Sucessful Protest

The Labrador Metis leader seems to have drawn a line in the sand for the Transport minister and the government of Labrador to cross.
Hopefully cooler heads will prevail and the Labrador government will help fund and work with the Metis much like Gary Doer and NDP have done here in Manitoba.
The NDP here, have worked with the Metis nation in building partnerships with the Wuskwatim dam, the floodway project, over two million dollars in annual funding and many other exciting opportunies that the Metis were never before given, and are now realized due to the NDP parties willingness to form a real working relationship with the founding people of Manitoba.

A protest Tuesday by Labrador Métis prompted Newfoundland and Labrador's transportation minister to pull out of a publicity event at a construction site.
Transportation Minister John Hickey said a ceremony at the Churchill Bridge was cancelled for safety reasons, as several dozen protesters were not equipped with appropriate safety gear.
Chris Montague says the Newfoundland and Labrador

government is ignoring Métis concerns.
Hickey and others had planned to take part in a photo opportunity for the bridge, which the provincial government is building across the Churchill River near Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
Labrador Métis Nation president Chris Montague said the provincial government is ignoring a Newfoundland Supreme Court decision this July that said it has a duty to consult with Métis on road construction projects.
"We've chosen this as our battleground today, and we're won because we've made a loud public statement," said Montague, who accused the government of refusing to meet with him.
Transportation Minister John Hickey said he was not fazed by a Labrador Métis Nation protest. Montague added he was given only a day's notice when he was invited to attend the event at the bridge.
"We're the reason he doesn't sleep at night," said Montague, adding he received no answer when he requested meetings for this week.
Hickey told CBC News that it has been Montague who has been difficult to reach.
"On two if not three different occasions, the premier has wanted to speak with Mr. Montague on a one-on-one basis and both times, he was turned down," said Hickey, who also represents the central Labrador district of Lake Melville.
"If this is the type of political fiasco that he wants to be engaged in, that's fine. We're moving on with our agenda."
Hickey said the event at the bridge will be rescheduled.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Metis Reply To Ernie Todd

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "
Chartrand's Political Bullying Tactics Condemned by The Brandon Sun":
These comments are for Ernie Todd:

(1) Of course Thomas Berger said what he did. To date his Vancouver based law firm has invoiced the MMF hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars for work already done on our land claims case. David Chartrand is already on the public record as having said he expects the Manitoba Court of Queen's Bench decision to eventually be appealed to Canada's Supreme Court. You know what that means for Thomas Berger & Associates - more $$$$$!
While we're at it. Aren't their any Metis lawyers in Manitoba who could represent us in our land claims challenge?
What about Lionel Chartrand who not long ago argued a Metis hunting rights case all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada?
(2) Unless I missed it, unlike last year neither the Winnipeg Free Press nor Winnipeg Sun ran articles about the recently concluded Annual General Assembly only the Brandon newspaper
(3) Obviously the media is looking for publishable quotes capable of grabbing headlines for a day. This is what sells newspapers which is exactly what David Chartrand's wrath comment gave them. Do you really think the Brandon Sun cared about the bland details in his speech? As a wrestling promoter you should know that better than anyone!
(4) Think for a moment and hopefully you'll appreciate just how ridiculous his comment was. The upper estimate of Metis citizens in Manitoba is approximately 120,000 yet only 6,900 bothered to cast a ballot in the last MMF election of which 4,200 supported him. However, by his statement he's inferring he can deliver a huge block of votes against Premier Doer. Illusions of grandeur - get real!
(5) Wasn't our sophisticated leader quoted a couple years ago in the Winnipeg Sun as saying we could have another Riel Rebellion in our province or words to that effect. Nice talk!
(6) Check out "Big bad media Ernie?" from Anonymous
(7) Is or has your wrestling organization received any funding from the MMF to promote matches or fund other of your business activities?
Be truthful Ernie...

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Manito Ahbee Award Categories..Best Group and Best New Artist

These are two of the most hotly contested categories and you can start to see the mostly local entrants in this national awards show. The Aboriginal People's Choice Music Awards should be a boon to local talent. Click on each of the names to see a complete artist profile.

Best Group or Duo

Asani
Billy Joe Green
Diga
Digging Roots
DLO
Eagle & Hawk
Eric Voice
Forever
Highway 373
Intellifunk
J.J. Lavallee & The Freebird Band
M'Girl
New Horizon
Reddnation
South Thunderbird
The Wolfpack
Urban Surf Kings
Weaselhead
X-Status
Yoza

I like Billy Joe Green or New Horizon...once again, just register and vote as many times as you want.

Best New Artist

Angela Hovak Johnston
Chet Breau
Deep Cultured Mellow Soul
Donna Kay
Dwayne
Eye Of Charm
Highway 373
Howard Nepinak
J.C. Campbell - Life Up Til Now
Keith Dawson
Ken Campbell
Lucien Spence
Lynn Brant
M'Girl
Myles Palmquist
Project A.D
Shakti Hayes
Shane Yellowbird
South Thunderbird
Tagaq
Tracy Bone
W.T. Goodspirit
X-Status
Yoza

Gotta be the Indian Man, Lucien Spence in this category. Lucien has seen his stock rise recently with the Marty Stuart opening and many major local and out of town performances.

More Aboriginal People's Choice Music Award Categories

Best Aboriginal Music by Non Aboriginal

Little Hawk
Longhouse
Sierra Noble
Fresh I.E

Troy Westwood of Littlehawk has to be considered the front-runner here. His lyrics and music have touched both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. Plays for my favorite football team as well.

Best Blues CD

Billy Joe Green
Digging Roots
Dwayne
Intellifunk
South Thunderbird
The Wolfpack

Of course the immensley talented Billy Joe Green should take this hardware home. he has one of the most exciting shows you can witness.

Best Fiddle CD

Cliff Maytwayashing
Harv Settee Jr.
J.J. Lavallee & The Freebird Band
Ryan D'Aoust

Ryan Daoust is creating quite the buzz in the fiddle world and you cannot count out Fiddle playing legend Cliff Maytwayashing in this category.

There are only two days left for the initial round of Aboriginal People's Choice Music Award voting. For these and other categories, Go to Manito Ahbee site, register for free and vote as many times as you like !!!!

Sierra Noble Granted Honourary Metis Status

Sierra has been promoting the Metis style of fidlle playing for a few years now and this young lady has been a staunch supporter of all that is Metis during her performances. I have seen her perform and speak on behalf of the Metis style of fiddle playing. I think she is truly a person worthy of honourary Metis status. Noble also performs regularly for most of the major Metis celebrations in this province.
When Sierra was 8 years old, she was drawn to the unique music of the Métis people. Since then Sierra has been sitting with the older Métis fiddlers from across western Canada, learning the tunes and unique style and tunings of the traditional Métis fiddlers.
Sierra also plays for many square dance troupes, was the feature of Festival Du Voyaguer and this year I was able to catch her do a show at Folklorama.
Congratulations Sierra, I know this has been in the works for quite some time now.

Monday, September 11, 2006

Ooooohhh...MMF Poohbah Chartrand "Threatens" Premier Doer's Government

This article below from the Globe and Mail amused me and a couple other people I've met with today. I don't have much time until later, but this quote from MMF President is ridiculous and worth sharing a laugh with you.
Chartrand's track record in mainstream politics is awful, and an endorsement from the guy is sure to work against any political candidate wishing to cash in on his 8 % Manitoba Metis voter turnout, victory.
Hugh McFadyn can expect to see the MMF leader at his doorstep looking for any allie he can muster...the vote-needy Manitoba Conservatives fit the bill !!!...oh yeah, and there will be the obligatory political payback thing happening soon between David and the PCs after the Manitoba provincial election call. The MMF hierarchy owes the five maverick PC MLA's a favor for their sticking their noses in the last MMF election by endorsing David.

Brandon, Man. -- Premier Gary Doer's NDP government may "feel the wrath" of Metis voters if it doesn't make strides on a host of issues before the next provincial election, says Manitoba Metis Federation President David Chartrand.
Mr. Chartrand told delegates at the federation's annual general assembly on the weekend that hunting rights, land claims and health-care and social programs are things Mr. Doer has discussed with him, but little has materialized. CP

Not to worry Premier Doer, Dave's veiled threat only will help you....lmao.
I also notice the Winnipeg Sun and Free Press wrote miniscule articles on Chartrand's antics during the MMF assembly held this past weekend in Brandon.

Saturday, September 09, 2006

More Aboriginal Music Peoples Choice Music Awards Nominees

These are the nominees for instrumentalist of the year

David R. Maracle
Jeari Czapla
J.J. Lavallee & The Freebird Band
Project A.D
Sakoieta Widrick

Urban Surf Kings

Best Folk/Acoustic CD ;

Andrea Menard
Angela Hovak Johnston
Art Napoleon
Asani
Don Freed

J.C. Campbell - Life Up Til Now
Keith Secola
Lynn Brant

Myles Palmquist
Nancy Johnson

Shakti Hayes
Wayne Lavallee
Willie Dunn

Friday, September 08, 2006

Manito Ahbee, Aboriginal People's Choice Music Awards

The first round of voting has begun and I hope to see many local acts emerge with some hardware after this exciting program comes to fruition. There are only six days to vote.
Today I wiil feature the Best Country CD category.

Edward Gamblin - This northern legend of Aboriginal Country Rock music has been recording for over 22 years. With nine albums under his belt, his latest creation "Cree Road" was two years in the making and is making the charts with "You're My Everything" as his new release
Gerry McIvor - I have the pleasure of performing with Gerry from time to time and his new CD project is one that will make a splash in th upcoming months. His performance history includes such notables as Tom Jackson, Susan Aglukark, Reg Bouvette, Errol Ranville (C-Weed), Ray St.Germain, D.J. St.Germain, Lawrence Martin, James Flett, Robbie Brass, Bert Todd & The Mystics, Len Henry, Edward Gamblin, Billy Joe Green, Sierra Noble, Ernest Monias, Vern Cheechoo and the Rainbow Rider Band.

Hank Horton - Country CD winner Ab music awards
Highway 373 - Fiddler extrodinaire, Ryan Daoust is with this group and I feel these guys are the ones to watch out for in the future. Highway 373, Country Rock group from Norway House, Manitoba consists of six talented musicians/singers/songwriters with mixed and varied pasts in and out of the Manitoba music industry

Howard Nepinak - "Nepper" as he also known, has had two singles from his CD chart on NCI FM and I also helped Howard with his CD kickoff party. A talented,classy and friendly dude. Here's a quote from Howard "Well here it is Folks; I finally got my very first Album. It's been a long time coming. I have always dreamed of being a country entertainer, singer/songwriter or just playing in a local country bar"

Jack Olson - The 10 songs on his debut CD, "On The Wing" have personal influences ranging from Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughn to Gordon Lightfoot, a kind of "Folk-Rock", with a bit of country
Ken Campbell - Ken Campbell is a Native American singer-songwriter who has had a lifelong love for music. He made his first attempts at writing songs at an early age after hearing the Beatles and seeing the names of McCartney-Lennon on their records
Mike Gouchie - Once in a while a voice will rise above the country music scene and create a buzz, a vibe... shaking awake country music lovers from all nations. This voice is Mike Gouchie and the vibe is his new album Bad Boys and Angels. His fresh new sound is being played on airwaves around the world from Tokyo to Arizona, back to Canada and beyond This guy has got all the tools to not only suceed in the Ab music scene, but in themainstream as well. I have heard enough of this guy's material to consider him one of the early favorites. Has charted about three songs from his CD.

Ray St. Germain - Metis singing legend and radio personality St. Germain wrote, produced, and hosted the nationally syndicated, award winning, "Big Sky Country" that aired for 13 years on Global Television
Ray Villebrun & Red Blaze - Very well known band out of Saskatchewan.Also had many hits charted on various music stations across Canada. Had number one spot on Missinippi Broadcasting with the song "Drums. Won two Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards - Best Country Album and Song of the Year Award
Tracy Bone - Winner of the NCI radio song of the year for "Games" Tracy Bone's primary instrument is her heartfelt vocals. She is currently refining her guitar skills and performs acoustic versions of her original songs
W.T. Goodspirit - Singer/Songwriter W.T Goodspirit (aka Wayne Jackson) hails from the Goodfish Lake First Nation in Alberta. Goodspirit grew up listening to different genres of music all of his life, and some of his musical influences include the likes of Elvis Presley, The Beatles, CCR, Dwight Yoakam, Ricky Van Shelton and list could go on and on
Yoza - YOZA was a four piece "Rez-Billy Rockin' Band"....they are now five piece! Originally formed in 2002 as a Rock N' Roll & Blues band, they were content on playing cover tunes for their first three years

For the artist that I have not mentioned in detail you can go to the APCMA site and view all of the nominees....vote as many times as you want !!! Go to the site, register and thats it. www.aboriginalpeopleschoice.com ....see ya at the Westbrook tonite.

Thursday, September 07, 2006

Métis Claims in Maritimes Leap By Thousands

In the three years since the country's top court defined Métis rights for the first time, thousands of people in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick have come forward to claim Métis status.
The 2003 Supreme Court of Canada decision, known as the Powley ruling, recognized a community in Ontario as Métis and gave them the aboriginal right to hunt for food — a decision seen as a first step toward granting full aboriginal rights to hunt and fish for food out of season or without a provincial licence.
The New Brunswick Aboriginal Peoples Council estimates 1,000 people have come forward in recent years claiming Métis status.
In Nova Scotia, the claims have risen in the province to 8,000 from about 4,000 five years earlier, according to the Confederacy of Nova Scotia Métis.
Paul Ross, a spokesman for the confederacy, said he doesn't believe the rise in claims has anything to do with the landmark Supreme Court decision, which was specific to a Métis community in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.
"Everybody in this area is Métis," said Ross. "We just want to be recognized as Métis here in Nova Scotia."
'Historic Métis nation' ranges from Ontario to B.C.
Just because someone has made a claim to be recognized as Métis doesn't mean they are Métis, said Tony Belcourt, who is with the Métis National Council.
"They're certainly not affiliated with what we call the historic Métis nation in what we call our homeland, from Ontario to B.C.," Belcourt said.
Under the council's definition, people are Métis if they self-identify as such, are of historic Métis nation ancestry and are accepted by the Métis Nation.
The rights of around 300,000 Métis people in Canada, who have mixed aboriginal and non-aboriginal ancestry, have never been defined under the 1982 Constitution.
Visibility, decline in racism may be factors
Bradford Morse, an aboriginal law instructor at the University of Ottawa, said the Powley decision is likely only one of the reasons why people in the Maritimes are declaring themselves Métis.
"Part of it is influenced by the visibility the media gives to Métis rights, part of it is a function of increased programs and services being available for Métis," said Morse.
He said it's also possible some people are willing to declare themselves Métis because there's less racial discrimination now than there was years ago.

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Ontario Metis Aboriginal Association Loses Funding

I put this group on my links a while back, looks like they're in trouble. You can't bill travel expenses from home to work...geez, what was somebody thinking ?

We need your support," the Ontario Métis Aboriginal Association pleads on its official website."OMAA needs to replenish its legal fund,"

the Sault-based group says. "OMAA continues to be the only Métis organization in Ontario offering representation to its members on harvesting issues before the Ontario courts. Currently we are defending over 70 cases in various stages ... with another 15 proceeding through the Crown screening process." Oddly, the OMAA staff working on those cases were mostly, if not entirely, laid off in July. Both the main phone and fax lines into OMAA headquarters on the second floor of 452 Albert Street East have been disconnected. An audit by the federal Department of Indian and Northern Affairs (INAC) has red-flagged $163,245 in OMAA expenditures, ordering that the money be returned because of alleged irregularities.
Also questioned by INAC, the Globe reports, are $23,042 in travel expenses submitted by OMAA President Michael McGuire."The destination shown on the travel claim is Thunder Bay, the place of [McGuire's] residence and OMAA office. The mileage claim is always ... 100 km/day which seems to represent travel to and from the OMAA office. We feel that commuting to and from OMAA's office is considered a personal expense," the auditors said. Sootoday.com

Three months ago I received many comments indicating some Manitoba Metis Federation employees regularly billed travel expenses from home to work. I really thought nothing of it until today.

Important MMF News

Dumont Local

General Members Meeting

On Tuesday, September 5, 2006 - 7:00 pm

At MMF Winnipeg Region Boardroom

At this meeting members will be electing a new executive and announcing the next three meetings for the year.

All Dumont Local members welcome

Monday, September 04, 2006

Operation Medusa...A Major NATO Offensive

Recent news stories from Afghanistan are not exactly encouraging. The Canadians and NATO have began an attack in the Panjwaii region of Afghanistan, this area is known as very pro-Taliban. The route though Panjwaii is also utilized for arms and drug smuggling, so you can expect more Taliban and NATO casualties as the Taliban will not just lay down their arms and surrender. There was a Canadian soldier interviewed on CTV who stated that the resistance would be wise to just come out and wave the white flag of surrender..then this occurred;

Four Canadian soldiers were killed during an attack by NATO troops against insurgents in southern Afghanistan, a spokesman for Canada's ministry of defense said.
The deaths took place during Operation Medusa, an offensive to clear out insurgents from a region west of Kandahar, Jason Husiak, a spokesman for the defense department, said in a telephone interview.
Operation Medusa was the biggest since NATO troops took command of the south in July, with dozens of insurgents killed during the fighting, AFP said today. Fourteen British military

personnel died yesterday as their surveillance plane crashed in the area, the U.K. Ministry of Defense said. (Bloomberg.com)

32 Canadians have died so far this year in Afghanistan, with many more wounded and Canadians are beginning to wonder what is the objective over there ?? ...to bring democracy to the Afghans ?? Oil ?? Money ?? more power for NATO and the U.S.?? I am all for democracy but at what cost ?
We are talking about a region that has encouraged and taught anti-West sentiment for generations to its people. All Canadians wish, is that the government lay out clear objectives for the Afghan conflict, then share the objectives with all Canadians....That would be democratic
The Americans have been waiting for some withdrawal plan for the Iraq debacle, an occupation that American President George Bush has clearly no control over other than to say "they're the bad guys". The Iraqi's are in the middle of a civil war...Despite the denial of the American armed forces and one trusts that Progressive Conservative PM Steven Harper does not follow the lead of the dopey one . pictured below ;

N D P leader Jack Layton has weighed in on the issue and also hopes that PM Steven Harper and his party, come up with some plan to get our guys home. I don't look upon a statement such as Laytons as politicking, but an attempt to humanize the conflict that has clearly spiraled downward for months. Interesting to note, PPCLI soldier, Private Doug Tizya, whom I have written about in earlier posts, told me that the Panjwaii region is also the area that hastened the withdrawal of the Russian army during the Afghan-Russian conflict. The Russians took a pounding in Afghanistan and you can expect strong resistance from the Taliban AND the citizens of the region in response to the NATO offensive.

Metis News and Stuff