UN Asks Canada to report back on poverty and murdered Aboriginal women
November 24, 2008
OTTAWA, Nov. 24 - A key United Nations human rights monitoring body has issued a report highly critical of Canada's record on women's human rights. The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) reviewed Canada's compliance with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and issued its Concluding Observations in Geneva this week. The Committee asked Canada to report back in one year on steps taken to address inadequate social assistance rates across the country and the failure of law enforcement agencies to deal with the disappearance and murder of Aboriginal women and girls.
"Canada has serious work to do to fulfill the human rights of women," said Shelagh Day, Chair of the Human Rights Committee of the Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action (FAFIA). "Canada is more than capable of fully realizing these rights, but has failed to do so."
"The poverty of women in Canada is a central concern to this United Nations expert treaty body," said Leilani Farha, Co-Chair of FAFIA. According to Farha, "The CEDAW Committee found that welfare rates are too low to provide women and their children with adequate housing and food. It recommended that Canada establish consistent standards for social assistance in all parts of the country, and ensure that welfare rates provide an adequate standard of living."
"The high level of violence against Aboriginal women was shocking to the UN Committee," said Sharon McIvor, an Aboriginal women's leader, and Co-Chair of FAFIA. "The Committee has urged Canada to establish an inquiry into the 511 Aboriginal women and girls who are missing or murdered," said McIvor, "and to remedy deficiencies in the law enforcement system. Poor social and economic conditions of Aboriginal women in Canada were also a major concern," said McIvor "and the Committee recommended a comprehensive strategy to deal with their poverty, lower educational attainment, poor health, and lack of access to clean water and decent housing."
Other deficiencies in Canada's realization of women's human rights include the lack of affordable child care spaces and housing, insufficient access to civil legal aid, inadequate services and shelters for women and girls experiencing violence, the cancellation of funding to the Court Challenges Program, the poor representation of women in public life, continuing labour market inequality particularly for racialized women, the mistreatment of federal women prisoners and girls in detention, and the elimination of Status of Women funding for advocacy by women's organizations.
"The CEDAW Committee wants to see real steps forward," said Louise Riendeau, member of FAFIA's Steering Committee. "So do we. FAFIA is seeking an immediate meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Helena Guergis, Minister of State (Status of Women) to discuss an implementation process."
Summary
A UN committee asked Canada for a report over one year to show the correction of bad social assistance rates across the country and the police not doing anything when Aboriginal women and girls go missing or get killed. The results were terrible, Canada shows a lack of commitment to womens rights. There is too much violence against women and not enough government assistance. The committee has made many recomendations for change.
Questions
Do you think Canada should change?
Should the police be punished for not bringing justice to the Aboriginal women?
Should all provinces in Canada have an equal social assistance program?
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Pound angry over being characterized as racist
Jorge Barrera, Canwest News Service Published: Wednesday, October 22, 2008
National Post
Site:http://www.nationalpost.com/story.html?id=901465
Richard Pound said he would not be stepping down as chancellor of McGill University or leaving the International Olympic Committee over controversial comments he made to a Montreal newspaper.
In an August interview with La Presse about the Olympics in China, Pound referred to Canada as "un pays de sauvages" 400 years ago.
Pound was responding to criticism about the IOC's involvement in China despite that country's checkered history on human rights.
Various First Nations organizations said they took offence to the comment because it implied that Canada was a land populated by savages before Europeans settled it. A native group, LandInSights, wrote the IOC's ethics commission calling for Pound's suspension over his comments.
The IOC, however, decided not to open a file on the complaint, said Pound, adding that the comments were misinterpreted.
Pound said he has been surprised at the ferocity of some of the attacks directed his way. He said much of it has been based on a mistranslation of the French word sauvages into the English word savage.
"(Sauvages) is basically living free in what was to the Europeans a sort of large, unknown territory," said Pound.
"TheIOC looked into it and my explanation of it and said it's not a racist comment as far as they are concerned they are not going to open a file," said Pound
Pound also said he would not be stepping down from his position as chancellor because his comments had nothing to do with his role at McGill.
He is also considering legal action over some statements directed his way.
"I have no desire to make anything into a war. If it goes that way that is fine. If people are out there referring to me as a racist that is a little different," said Pound. "I can be inept, clumsy or wrong, but I am not a racist, I never have been, I never will be.
"Ihave been involved in more than half a century in the Olympic movement in which I have played a leading role in trying to cut down and attack discrimination based on politics and gender and I have a pretty good record on that."
Pound said he was "disappointed" with British Columbia Prime Gordon Campbell who also waded into the controversy Tuesday with a criticism of Pound's comment.
"The premier of a province, I think, has a special responsibility to make sure he knows, in this case, knowing this interview was in French and to understand that there is a huge difference between sauvages and savage," said Pound.
Pound said he has tried to get in contact with Assembly of FirstNations national chief Phil Fontaine and the Assembly of First Nations for Quebec and Labrador Ghislain Picard, but received no response.
Summary:This is about how pound is saying that he did not make a racist comment about first nations and he will not be stepping down from mc gill university as a teacher.
Questions:
do you think that pound will step down after being pressured?
do you think it was a racist comment ?
what do you think would happen if pound left McGill university?would it affect them at all?
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
First Nations get a say in how Ed money spent
Barry Neufeld won't be on the local board of education when School District No. 33 finalizes its aboriginal education agreement with First Nations communities. He's confident though all the I's will be dotted and the T's crossed in the not-too-distant future. At his final meeting as a trustee last week, Neufeld delivered his report as the chair of the board's curriculum and instruction committee, noting the progress being made on the front to deliver a local agreement for aboriginal students. Neufeld estimated there are almost 1,800 aboriginal students in the district. He also pointed out the federal government provides money to individual bands but it is up to the bands and the district to set up their agreements for aboriginal education. "We want First Nations to have a say in how their money is going to be spent," he told his colleagues on the board. Neufeld expects the new board will have more information to work with next month. He said there will be two separate documents. The first is the enhancement agreement, which sets out to enhance educational opportunities for all aboriginal students. Curriculum and instruction committee minutes point out the enhancement agreement will establish the terms for success and how all the partners will be able to measure this. At present, there are still few details about what the agreement means. The general aim though is to bring education closer to First Nations parents and the communities in general. Along with the enhancement agreement, there are local education agreements in the works with several individual bands, such as the Kwaw Kwaw Apilt, Soowahlie, Shxwha:y, Squiala, Tzeachten and Skwah, among others. While much of the work has been completed, Neufeld pointed to a couple of things that will need addressing, such as the possible establishment of an organization to follow through on the agreement, something the new board will likely be addressing. An even bigger issue he cited is the large number of off-reserve aboriginal people not covered by band agreements. "The only real challenge yet is who really represents aboriginal people who don't live on the reserves," Neufeld said. At a meeting earlier this year, district staff outlined the enhancement process, which had started with discussions with the individual bands. After this, school district and other educational partners were brought into meetings with the aboriginal communities to discuss how to make the system best meet the needs of aboriginal students.
Summary
The article is about Barry Neufeld, who is going to step down when the School District No. 33 finalizes its aboriginal education agreement with First Nations communities. However at his final meeting he pointed important things such as progress being made on the front to deliver a local agreement for aboriginal students, he estimates that there are 1,800 aboriginal students in the district, and finally he mentions that federal government provides money to individual bands but it is up to the bands and the district to set up their agreements for aboriginal education.
Questions
1. Would you have stepped down if you were Barry Neufeld?
2. Do you think it is the right thing for Barry Neufield to step down from the School District No. 33 even though he already saw the development for the Aboriginal students?
3. Would you have done the same thing if you were him?
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Paul Martin heads aboriginal business program
A new pilot program headed by former prime minister Paul Martin will give aboriginal students more business training so they can help develop their local economies.
The project aims to encourage more aboriginals to pursue careers in accounting by placing promising students with mentors from two major accounting firms in Fort Frances, Ont., and Brantford, Ont.
Martin said the program presents a "small but promising window" to allow students to pursue careers in accounting and business that they hadn't previously considered.
"Accountancy is such a basic part of the whole financial world, and the whole financial world is such an important part of the business world that it just was a natural," he said a news conference Monday.
"There are not a lot of aboriginal accountants in this country and the recruitment is very slow."
Chief Gary Allen from the Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation in Fort Frances said his community needs to train people who can assess the financial benefits of different projects such as mining, forestry and tourism.
"In my community, in terms of economic development, we're looking at water power generation, we're looking at partnerships in mining, we're looking at partnerships in forestry, tourism," Allen said.
"And one key component of all those is finance – looking at the demographics, looking at forecasting and the economic benefits. So we need to develop the capacity at an early level, because our students just are not picking up these trades."
Up to six students will participate in the mentoring program at three high schools in Ontario in the first year – two in Brantford and one in Fort Frances.
Kevin Dancey, head of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, said he hopes the project will eventually expand across the country.
"We are starting small – two to three students in Fort Frances and five to six students in Brantford," Dancey said.
"It is important to start with a pilot, to learn from it, and to make sure we are doing this right."
The partnership, which stemmed in part from the friendship between Martin and Dancey, isn't seeking any government funding and will be largely supported by Martin's Aboriginal Initiative as well as by the participating accounting firms, BDO Dunwoody in Fort Frances and KPMG in Brantford.
Summary: Mr. Martin is making a program to teach and help Aboriginal people to become successful business men.
Questions: Do you think this is a good idea?
Do you think this program will create a greater population of Aboriginal people in Canada?
What other programs could help the Aboriginal people?
A new pilot program headed by former prime minister Paul Martin will give aboriginal students more business training so they can help develop their local economies.
The project aims to encourage more aboriginals to pursue careers in accounting by placing promising students with mentors from two major accounting firms in Fort Frances, Ont., and Brantford, Ont.
Martin said the program presents a "small but promising window" to allow students to pursue careers in accounting and business that they hadn't previously considered.
"Accountancy is such a basic part of the whole financial world, and the whole financial world is such an important part of the business world that it just was a natural," he said a news conference Monday.
"There are not a lot of aboriginal accountants in this country and the recruitment is very slow."
Chief Gary Allen from the Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation in Fort Frances said his community needs to train people who can assess the financial benefits of different projects such as mining, forestry and tourism.
"In my community, in terms of economic development, we're looking at water power generation, we're looking at partnerships in mining, we're looking at partnerships in forestry, tourism," Allen said.
"And one key component of all those is finance – looking at the demographics, looking at forecasting and the economic benefits. So we need to develop the capacity at an early level, because our students just are not picking up these trades."
Up to six students will participate in the mentoring program at three high schools in Ontario in the first year – two in Brantford and one in Fort Frances.
Kevin Dancey, head of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, said he hopes the project will eventually expand across the country.
"We are starting small – two to three students in Fort Frances and five to six students in Brantford," Dancey said.
"It is important to start with a pilot, to learn from it, and to make sure we are doing this right."
The partnership, which stemmed in part from the friendship between Martin and Dancey, isn't seeking any government funding and will be largely supported by Martin's Aboriginal Initiative as well as by the participating accounting firms, BDO Dunwoody in Fort Frances and KPMG in Brantford.
Summary: Mr. Martin is making a program to teach and help Aboriginal people to become successful business men.
Questions: Do you think this is a good idea?
Do you think this program will create a greater population of Aboriginal people in Canada?
What other programs could help the Aboriginal people?
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Wayne Gretzky skated among his players Monday morning at Madison Square Garden, wearing a baseball cap and yelling instructions. The group of young players who make up the majority of the Phoenix Coyotes were listening with puppylike curiosity. The older players, however, the ones who remember Gretzky’s genius as a player from having seen him across the ice, might have appreciated the wisdom he was sharing even more.
Skip to next paragraph
Enlarge This Image
Barton Silverman/The New York Times
Fred Sjostrom, center, had the Rangers’ best view of the goal by Blair Betts, near left, that tied the score in the first period.
If it happens on ice and it involves hitting and scoring, The Times Slap Shot blog is on it.Gretzky could have regaled them with stories about his great days at the Garden, the three seasons he played for the Rangers. But now, as the Coyotes’ coach, in New York to face the Rangers on Monday night, Gretzky had more pressing issues at hand. He stands at the center of a franchise trying to mold itself around him, with its success and his still very much in doubt.
The Coyotes have made the playoffs only five times since moving to Phoenix in 1996, and not in the past five seasons. The franchise, which began as the Winnipeg Jets in the World Hockey Association, has won only two playoff series in its N.H.L. history (in 1985 and ’87).
It is now banking on a combination of Gretzky magic, a roster with 10 players who are 23 or younger, and a few veterans mixed in to help. So far, it is not working very well. The Coyotes’ 4-1 loss to the Rangers on Monday was their sixth straight loss, and Phoenix has fallen to 8-10-2 after a strong start.
“Wayne has tremendous patience, and that’s what it takes,” said Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney, a former Rangers player and executive. “It’s really a leap of faith for us to stay patient with young players. There is significant pressure for us to be better, to get to the playoffs. We’ve got 18- and 19-year-olds that we have to play. It’s a challenge.”
Both sides of that challenge showed Monday night. The Coyotes played their up-tempo offensive style, taking 36 shots against the Rangers, who rarely yield that many. Phoenix started well and took a 1-0 lead 4 minutes 8 seconds into the game on a goal by Enver Lisin, a 22-year-old forward just called up from the minors.
The Rangers (15-7-2) then took control, tying the game on a goal by Blair Betts at 13:33 of the first period, and going ahead 1:15 into the second on Brandon Dubinsky’s first goal in 14 games. Nikolai Zherdev had three assists, and Henrik Lundqvist made 35 saves.
“It’s a tough scenario for our young guys to go through because I can tell they’re getting a little bit frustrated,” Gretzky said. “It’s hard to score at this level and it’s hard to be successful, but you have to continue at it. I don’t know what to say right now other than I know my team is working hard. If they keep working like that, good things are going to happen eventually.”
Gretzky is 115-132-19 in three-plus seasons as a coach, but he has found energy in the youth movement of the past two years. The Coyotes finished fourth in the Pacific Division last season, a step up from three straight fifth-place finishes, and the promise is there. They have spectacular second-year forwards like Peter Mueller and Kyle Turris, and are bringing along this year’s first-round draft pick, Mikkel Boedker.
“They’ve got some real good talent, but it might take a few years,” said Rangers forward Fred Sjostrom, who was one of the Coyotes’ young players before he was traded to the Rangers on Feb. 26. “That’s the process. They can be a team to reckon with in the future.”
The strength of the Coyotes’ young talent prompted management to swing a significant trade this summer, acquiring the 29-year-old center Olli Jokinen from Florida for defensemen Keith Ballard and Nick Boynton and a draft pick. In Jokinen, the Coyotes added a top-tier center, a player who consistently scored among the league’s leaders despite being on a consistently bad team. He had 91 points two seasons ago for Florida, which was 12th in the Eastern Conference.
“I believe this franchise is going in the right direction,” Jokinen said. “It’s been fun, to see these young guys. Their goal is just to be better every day. Their work ethic and their attitude that they bring to the rink every day, it’s amazing. The next few years are going to be a lot of fun.”
But how long it takes for the fun to arrive is the question. Maloney acknowledges they are under pressure to show strides this season and to make the playoffs, no small feat in the Western Conference.
They are counting on the Gretzky magic taking hold soon.
“I think Wayne has hung in there long enough to be no longer that superstar player that may or may not last as a coach,” Maloney said. “He came through that. I think he’s a good coach. He’s got unbelievable instincts and tremendous patience with our group. That’s what this franchise needs.”
SLAP SHOTS
The Rangers snapped a two-game losing streak. ... Center Scott Gomez returned to the lineup after missing five games with a stress fracture in his ankle. He had the most ice time of any Ranger (22:40), and had an empty-net goal.
Summary:This article is about Wayne Gretzkys struggles whith his team and what they need to improve on.
Questions: What was the Coyotes name before they were the Coyotes?
How do you think Gretzky feels about his teams struggle to win?
Do you think the Coyotes will improve?
posted by Sam Harding
article from http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/25/sports/hockey/25rangers.html?_r=1&ref=sports&oref=slogin
Skip to next paragraph
Enlarge This Image
Barton Silverman/The New York Times
Fred Sjostrom, center, had the Rangers’ best view of the goal by Blair Betts, near left, that tied the score in the first period.
If it happens on ice and it involves hitting and scoring, The Times Slap Shot blog is on it.Gretzky could have regaled them with stories about his great days at the Garden, the three seasons he played for the Rangers. But now, as the Coyotes’ coach, in New York to face the Rangers on Monday night, Gretzky had more pressing issues at hand. He stands at the center of a franchise trying to mold itself around him, with its success and his still very much in doubt.
The Coyotes have made the playoffs only five times since moving to Phoenix in 1996, and not in the past five seasons. The franchise, which began as the Winnipeg Jets in the World Hockey Association, has won only two playoff series in its N.H.L. history (in 1985 and ’87).
It is now banking on a combination of Gretzky magic, a roster with 10 players who are 23 or younger, and a few veterans mixed in to help. So far, it is not working very well. The Coyotes’ 4-1 loss to the Rangers on Monday was their sixth straight loss, and Phoenix has fallen to 8-10-2 after a strong start.
“Wayne has tremendous patience, and that’s what it takes,” said Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney, a former Rangers player and executive. “It’s really a leap of faith for us to stay patient with young players. There is significant pressure for us to be better, to get to the playoffs. We’ve got 18- and 19-year-olds that we have to play. It’s a challenge.”
Both sides of that challenge showed Monday night. The Coyotes played their up-tempo offensive style, taking 36 shots against the Rangers, who rarely yield that many. Phoenix started well and took a 1-0 lead 4 minutes 8 seconds into the game on a goal by Enver Lisin, a 22-year-old forward just called up from the minors.
The Rangers (15-7-2) then took control, tying the game on a goal by Blair Betts at 13:33 of the first period, and going ahead 1:15 into the second on Brandon Dubinsky’s first goal in 14 games. Nikolai Zherdev had three assists, and Henrik Lundqvist made 35 saves.
“It’s a tough scenario for our young guys to go through because I can tell they’re getting a little bit frustrated,” Gretzky said. “It’s hard to score at this level and it’s hard to be successful, but you have to continue at it. I don’t know what to say right now other than I know my team is working hard. If they keep working like that, good things are going to happen eventually.”
Gretzky is 115-132-19 in three-plus seasons as a coach, but he has found energy in the youth movement of the past two years. The Coyotes finished fourth in the Pacific Division last season, a step up from three straight fifth-place finishes, and the promise is there. They have spectacular second-year forwards like Peter Mueller and Kyle Turris, and are bringing along this year’s first-round draft pick, Mikkel Boedker.
“They’ve got some real good talent, but it might take a few years,” said Rangers forward Fred Sjostrom, who was one of the Coyotes’ young players before he was traded to the Rangers on Feb. 26. “That’s the process. They can be a team to reckon with in the future.”
The strength of the Coyotes’ young talent prompted management to swing a significant trade this summer, acquiring the 29-year-old center Olli Jokinen from Florida for defensemen Keith Ballard and Nick Boynton and a draft pick. In Jokinen, the Coyotes added a top-tier center, a player who consistently scored among the league’s leaders despite being on a consistently bad team. He had 91 points two seasons ago for Florida, which was 12th in the Eastern Conference.
“I believe this franchise is going in the right direction,” Jokinen said. “It’s been fun, to see these young guys. Their goal is just to be better every day. Their work ethic and their attitude that they bring to the rink every day, it’s amazing. The next few years are going to be a lot of fun.”
But how long it takes for the fun to arrive is the question. Maloney acknowledges they are under pressure to show strides this season and to make the playoffs, no small feat in the Western Conference.
They are counting on the Gretzky magic taking hold soon.
“I think Wayne has hung in there long enough to be no longer that superstar player that may or may not last as a coach,” Maloney said. “He came through that. I think he’s a good coach. He’s got unbelievable instincts and tremendous patience with our group. That’s what this franchise needs.”
SLAP SHOTS
The Rangers snapped a two-game losing streak. ... Center Scott Gomez returned to the lineup after missing five games with a stress fracture in his ankle. He had the most ice time of any Ranger (22:40), and had an empty-net goal.
Summary:This article is about Wayne Gretzkys struggles whith his team and what they need to improve on.
Questions: What was the Coyotes name before they were the Coyotes?
How do you think Gretzky feels about his teams struggle to win?
Do you think the Coyotes will improve?
posted by Sam Harding
article from http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/25/sports/hockey/25rangers.html?_r=1&ref=sports&oref=slogin
Friday, November 21, 2008
From lacrosse to hockey
http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Hockey/English/Amateur/everyone.html
Aboriginal
From lacrosse to hockey
The true origins of ice hockey are unknown. Several theories suggest successive borrowing from sports such as the English game of bandy, the Scottish game of shinty, the Irish game of hurley, or lacrosse, as played by Aboriginal peoples.
Members of the First Nations can be proud to have influenced Canada's national sport. The Aboriginal nations of North America have for a long time "run a stick across the snow", an activity known as "Snow-Snake". Some sources also suggest that the word "hockey" is derived from the Aboriginal word "ho-ghee", which is the name for a common injury in the game of lacrosse.
Since 1920, the Micmacs of Nova Scotia have made hockey sticks out of a single piece of wood. Very popular among North American teams, these homemade sticks were used by players until 1930. Like Canadians, the First Nations created hockey leagues. The number of games grew, the players improved and several were recruited by the National Hockey League.
Former NHL players:
2001 NHL players:
George Armstrong Henry Boucha John Bucyk John ChabotRon Delorme Stan Johnathon Wayne King John Kordic Reggie Leach Jim Neilson Ted NolanDale McCourtArthur QuoquochiEverett SanipassGary Sargent Fred Saskamoose Bryan TrottierGrant Fuhr Eddie OlcyzkDan Kordic
Arron AshamBlair Atcheynum Craig BerubeDan Cloutier Theo Fleury Stu GrimsonDenny Lambert Norm MaracleSandy McCarthy Jamie McLennenBrantt MyhersGino Odjick Rich Pilon Rudy Poeschek Wade ReddenJamie RiversSheldon SourayHarry York Chris Simon
The Great Canadian North: heated up by hockey fever
In spite of the harsh winters and glacial temperatures typical of Canada's north, hockey fever swept Nunavut. With snow harder than cement and the iciest of winds, the Inuit communities adopted hockey as their national sport.
The inhabitants of Rankin Inlet, in the Kivalliq region of Nunavut, have only been playing ice hockey for about forty years. There were humble beginnings for the players of this sport, as huge cracks across the ice posed obstacles to skaters, the goalies used baseball gloves or caribou skin mitts to stop the puck and the early winters kept the players from lacing up.
In about 1975, an old building, the "Dome", was used as an arena. The natural ice was very thin and the heating non-existent. At least the hockey players were shielded from the wind blowing at -30 degrees Celsius. The fans gladly travelled by snowmobile to and from the arena to watch games. The "Dome" became the Forum for the inhabitants of Rankin Inlet.
In the following decades, hockey became increasingly popular. A real stadium was built and the Rankin Inlet Minor Hockey Association was created. The teams faced off against ones from Yellowknife, Hay River, Churchill, Alberta and Iqaluit at various tournaments.
The people of Nunavut now hope to see one of their hockey players don an actual NHL sweater.
Summary:
This article suggests that the game of hockey comes from the game lacrosse as played by the Aboriginals. It talks about how the game of hockey has spread through the Aboriginal community.
Connection: This article is connected to Aboriginals and the history of one of the sports they play.
Questions:
1. What was the Aboriginal name for hockey?
2. What was the name of the common lacrosse injury suffered by the Aboriginals?
3. What do the Aboriginas dream of for one of their hockey players?
Aboriginal
From lacrosse to hockey
The true origins of ice hockey are unknown. Several theories suggest successive borrowing from sports such as the English game of bandy, the Scottish game of shinty, the Irish game of hurley, or lacrosse, as played by Aboriginal peoples.
Members of the First Nations can be proud to have influenced Canada's national sport. The Aboriginal nations of North America have for a long time "run a stick across the snow", an activity known as "Snow-Snake". Some sources also suggest that the word "hockey" is derived from the Aboriginal word "ho-ghee", which is the name for a common injury in the game of lacrosse.
Since 1920, the Micmacs of Nova Scotia have made hockey sticks out of a single piece of wood. Very popular among North American teams, these homemade sticks were used by players until 1930. Like Canadians, the First Nations created hockey leagues. The number of games grew, the players improved and several were recruited by the National Hockey League.
Former NHL players:
2001 NHL players:
George Armstrong Henry Boucha John Bucyk John ChabotRon Delorme Stan Johnathon Wayne King John Kordic Reggie Leach Jim Neilson Ted NolanDale McCourtArthur QuoquochiEverett SanipassGary Sargent Fred Saskamoose Bryan TrottierGrant Fuhr Eddie OlcyzkDan Kordic
Arron AshamBlair Atcheynum Craig BerubeDan Cloutier Theo Fleury Stu GrimsonDenny Lambert Norm MaracleSandy McCarthy Jamie McLennenBrantt MyhersGino Odjick Rich Pilon Rudy Poeschek Wade ReddenJamie RiversSheldon SourayHarry York Chris Simon
The Great Canadian North: heated up by hockey fever
In spite of the harsh winters and glacial temperatures typical of Canada's north, hockey fever swept Nunavut. With snow harder than cement and the iciest of winds, the Inuit communities adopted hockey as their national sport.
The inhabitants of Rankin Inlet, in the Kivalliq region of Nunavut, have only been playing ice hockey for about forty years. There were humble beginnings for the players of this sport, as huge cracks across the ice posed obstacles to skaters, the goalies used baseball gloves or caribou skin mitts to stop the puck and the early winters kept the players from lacing up.
In about 1975, an old building, the "Dome", was used as an arena. The natural ice was very thin and the heating non-existent. At least the hockey players were shielded from the wind blowing at -30 degrees Celsius. The fans gladly travelled by snowmobile to and from the arena to watch games. The "Dome" became the Forum for the inhabitants of Rankin Inlet.
In the following decades, hockey became increasingly popular. A real stadium was built and the Rankin Inlet Minor Hockey Association was created. The teams faced off against ones from Yellowknife, Hay River, Churchill, Alberta and Iqaluit at various tournaments.
The people of Nunavut now hope to see one of their hockey players don an actual NHL sweater.
Summary:
This article suggests that the game of hockey comes from the game lacrosse as played by the Aboriginals. It talks about how the game of hockey has spread through the Aboriginal community.
Connection: This article is connected to Aboriginals and the history of one of the sports they play.
Questions:
1. What was the Aboriginal name for hockey?
2. What was the name of the common lacrosse injury suffered by the Aboriginals?
3. What do the Aboriginas dream of for one of their hockey players?
Monday, November 17, 2008
First Nation groups attempt to crash Tory convention
About 50 Aboriginal protesters attempted to gain access to the Conservative Party policy convention held in Winnipeg to present a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Nov. 13.
The group included First Nations people from across Canada who were in the city for the Defenders of the Land Gathering to strategize for recognition of land rights they say are not recognized by both provincial and federal jurisdictions.
Initially group spokeswoman Harmony Rice denied the gathering was being held in Winnipeg because of the Conservative Party policy convention or that the presentation of the letter was a protest.
But at the organizational meeting and workshops earlier that afternoon many confirmed that was precisely the reason why they were in Winnipeg.
Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation Band Councillor Sam Mckay, one of six community members jailed earlier this year for defying a court order by not allowing a mining company access to their traditional lands in northern Ontario, said his attendance at the conference was pretty simple.
“We realized that we couldn’t resolve our land issues in the courts,” said Mckay. “So we have to strategize to protect our lands from further development.”
Mckay estimates his First Nation has spent $700,000 on what he calls a futile court battle and has left his band close to bankrupt.
“They used the courts to bankrupt us and then thought we would just sit on our hands,” he said. “They were wrong.
“Now we have to do what we have to do to protect our land. It’s ours and the province of Ontario and that company have no rights to it,” said Mckay.
“I’m willing to die to defend our land. After all, what have I got to lose? We’re already broke.”
Milton Born With A Tooth of the Blackfoot Nation in southern Alberta met with RCMP in front of the Winnipeg Convention Centre to ensure the group’s concerns would not fall on deaf ears.
“I was surprised,” said Born With A Tooth, who claims to be known to the RCMP in Alberta. “They were respectful of our right to voice our concerns and we wanted to communicate that our intentions were respectful.
“I wasn’t expecting that kind of reaction from them,” he said noting they weren’t allowed inside to attend the convention as observers.
Though the letter was delivered as planned the event nearly didn’t happen due to disorganization. A media release issued that afternoon said the letter would be delivered at 6 p.m., but at 5:40 it had yet to be completed, nor had anyone left for the Winnipeg Convention Centre in Winnipeg’s downtown.
A plainclothes RCMP member was later seen scampering up the escalator with the letter.
No one from the conservative party was available for comment to confirm the letter was received by the PMO.
But later on that evening, as reported by the Canadian Press, Harper exalted his government as serving the interest of all Canadians. Harper also said the party must live up to the wide regional representation it achieved during the Oct. 14 election.
“We must listen to all voices, whether they supported us or not,” he said in a speech whose repetitive refrain cast Conservatives as “Canada's party.”
The group included representation from the Maliseet Nation in New Brunswick, Moose, Mushkego, Woodlands and Plains Cree, Anishinabe, Gixstan, Blackfoot Confederacy, Sioux, Six Nations, Mohawk, and Chippewa people from the northern United States.
The group included First Nations people from across Canada who were in the city for the Defenders of the Land Gathering to strategize for recognition of land rights they say are not recognized by both provincial and federal jurisdictions.
Initially group spokeswoman Harmony Rice denied the gathering was being held in Winnipeg because of the Conservative Party policy convention or that the presentation of the letter was a protest.
But at the organizational meeting and workshops earlier that afternoon many confirmed that was precisely the reason why they were in Winnipeg.
Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation Band Councillor Sam Mckay, one of six community members jailed earlier this year for defying a court order by not allowing a mining company access to their traditional lands in northern Ontario, said his attendance at the conference was pretty simple.
“We realized that we couldn’t resolve our land issues in the courts,” said Mckay. “So we have to strategize to protect our lands from further development.”
Mckay estimates his First Nation has spent $700,000 on what he calls a futile court battle and has left his band close to bankrupt.
“They used the courts to bankrupt us and then thought we would just sit on our hands,” he said. “They were wrong.
“Now we have to do what we have to do to protect our land. It’s ours and the province of Ontario and that company have no rights to it,” said Mckay.
“I’m willing to die to defend our land. After all, what have I got to lose? We’re already broke.”
Milton Born With A Tooth of the Blackfoot Nation in southern Alberta met with RCMP in front of the Winnipeg Convention Centre to ensure the group’s concerns would not fall on deaf ears.
“I was surprised,” said Born With A Tooth, who claims to be known to the RCMP in Alberta. “They were respectful of our right to voice our concerns and we wanted to communicate that our intentions were respectful.
“I wasn’t expecting that kind of reaction from them,” he said noting they weren’t allowed inside to attend the convention as observers.
Though the letter was delivered as planned the event nearly didn’t happen due to disorganization. A media release issued that afternoon said the letter would be delivered at 6 p.m., but at 5:40 it had yet to be completed, nor had anyone left for the Winnipeg Convention Centre in Winnipeg’s downtown.
A plainclothes RCMP member was later seen scampering up the escalator with the letter.
No one from the conservative party was available for comment to confirm the letter was received by the PMO.
But later on that evening, as reported by the Canadian Press, Harper exalted his government as serving the interest of all Canadians. Harper also said the party must live up to the wide regional representation it achieved during the Oct. 14 election.
“We must listen to all voices, whether they supported us or not,” he said in a speech whose repetitive refrain cast Conservatives as “Canada's party.”
The group included representation from the Maliseet Nation in New Brunswick, Moose, Mushkego, Woodlands and Plains Cree, Anishinabe, Gixstan, Blackfoot Confederacy, Sioux, Six Nations, Mohawk, and Chippewa people from the northern United States.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)