Winnipeg, Man.-On October 26, 2024, more than 150 people gathered at The Meeting Place in Winnipeg, Man. to offer praise to the Lord for the outreach and effectiveness of Indian Life Ministries. Attendees from Canada and the United States reflected on Ecclesiastes 3:1–4 and the goodness of God in every season. And the theme was carried throughout the music and message. Chris and Rochelle Creasy led the participants in worship and blessed the crowd with their music. Chris...
ADA, Okla.-The Chickasaw Nation has partnered with Amazon Business to expand and enhance the Packed Promise program for its citizens. "The Chickasaw Nation Packed Promise program continues to grow and meet the nutritional needs of Chickasaw children throughout our treaty territory by offering shelf-stable meal delivery to increase food access, food security and diet quality," Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby said during his 2024 State of the Nation Address presented...
GATINEAU, Que.-Parks Canada has developed a new strategy for working alongside Indigenous communities to conserve nature and culture. The policy objectives, according to the Parks Canada website, are to have a framework for Indigenous stewardship and to support cultural continuity, cultural safety and healing. Parks Canada says the Indigenous Stewardship Policy recognizes and supports Indigenous stewardship in all places Parks Canada plays a role in administering. It is...
LAVEEN VILLAGE-President Joe Biden, on October 25, 2024, formally apologized for the 150 years of abuse and harm suffered by Indigenous children who were put into the federal boarding school system. "I believe it is important that we do know there was [sic] generations of Native children stolen, taken away to places they didn't know, with people they never met, who spoke a language they never heard," Biden said during a visit to the Gila River Indian Community in front of an...
OTTAWA, Ont.—In late October, the National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Incorporated (NICHI) team announced the recipients of funding to address the critical need for safe and affordable urban, rural and northern Indigenous housing projects in Canadian provinces and territories. Through the national process, $277.8 million out of a total funding amount of $281.5 million is being distributed to 75 projects across the country, aimed at building more than 3800 units. This...
PHOENIX—The Arizona State Fair is one of Arizona's longest-standing traditions, dating back almost 30 years before statehood. Starting all the way back in 1884, it's one of the largest fairs in the United States, bringing in over 1.4 million visitors in 2023. The Native American Rodeo is part of the rich tradition of the fair, with spectators and competitors from tribal nations across the country. It celebrates the Indigenous people who heavily influenced the history of...
ADA, Okla.—Helping others has always been ingrained in Kallie Chapman's DNA. As a youngster, the Chickasaw citizen from Coalgate, Oklahoma, wanted to play a role in being useful to others in their time of need. That passion still drives her today as a soon-to-be graduating senior at Oklahoma State University (OSU) in Stillwater, Oklahoma. "I've always enjoyed being as helpful as possible," Chapman said. "If something is wrong or something needs fixing, I like to be there. I...
A community's "heart-language" is one of the great ties that binds individuals to their own unique history and culture. This awareness is important in Christian ministry. When Bible truths are shared in the "heart-language" of the hearers, the beauty and logic and power of God's love can transform lives. Bessie McPeek is into "heart-language" ministry! Bessie's Dad was an Englishman, who came to Canada to serve as a missionary in an OjiCree community in northwestern Ontario....
TAHLEQUAH, Okla.—After Hurricane Helene devastated parts of the southeastern United States, the Cherokee Nation stepped in to support recovery efforts for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina. Cherokee Nation Emergency Management, along with students and staff from the Cherokee Nation Immersion School, traveled to the region to provide critical aid. Cherokee Nation Emergency Management helped organize donated items and assembled food and care kits for...
If you're attending these events, come by and meet us! If you would like ILM to participate in your event, contact Krystal at admin@IndianLife.org Nov 15–17, Kamloops B.C., Indigenous Couples Getaway Dec 6–7, Mini Thni (Morley) Alb., Community Gospel Christmas Concert Jan 24–26, Loon Lake Sask., Every Story Matters . . . Including Yours, testimony conference Feb 7–9, Winnipeg Man., Manitoba Missionsfest Feb 14–16, Red Lake Ont., Indigenous Couples...
OTTAWA, Ont.—The Government of Canada has announced plans to work with First Nations to establish a new fiscal relationship that moves toward predictable, flexible and sufficient funding for First Nations communities. The goal is that it will support self-determination and increase their ability to plan for the future. It will extend grant eligibility to to Tribal Councils and First Nations-led service delivery entities, such as health authorities. The grant stems from a Memorandum of Understanding the Government of...
"I gotta go now or I'm going to die here," I said that early November day, when snow started falling. I grabbed the few clothes I had. I didn't have winter boots or any warm clothes to wear. I started walking down the road, and I thought of my uncle in Roblin. He was a "wino-alcoholic," but that was my only option for a place to go. I am originally from Camperville, near Pine Creek, Manitoba, on the western shore of Lake Winnipegosis. I had lived there all of my 18 years, and...
How did I end up living a thousand miles from my son, Snow Cloud? He's a long-haul truck driver, driving a giant sixteen wheeler, delivering freight from Texas to Maine. He loves his job but I'm lucky to see him once a year. I knew I'd be alone at Christmas, and I was feeling very sorry for myself. I packed boxes to mail to my daughter in Hawaii and my son in Australia-my children live across the ocean. I live in Seattle; Snow Cloud will be on the opposite coast. I mailed a...
In every season, we have a reason to praise. But it isn't always easy. In Hebrews 13:15, the writer talks about a sacrifice of praise. In our own personal journey, praise has felt like a sacrifice when considering the weight of some of the things we were walking through this past year. But when we choose praise, the spirit of despair didn't feel so heavy and overwhelming. Sometimes, as we would listen to worship music, the tears would flow, as life just felt too heavy. But...
Ingredients 1 cup coarse yellow cornmeal 2 tablespoons maple syrup 2 eggs 1 cup whole-wheat flour 1½ cups unbleached all- purpose flour 1 cup buttermilk ¾ cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels (if frozen, thaw) 1¼ teaspoons salt ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped ¼ cup canola oil Directions Position a rack in the center...
"Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them." Luke 2:20 (NKJV) Sparkling lights, festive music, gifts under the tree. I love everything about Christmas! One of my favorite memories is the family time we would have on Christmas Eve. A time of quiet and reflection. After snacks and singing carols, my dad would pull out the Bible and read in his bass voice, "And it came to pass in those days . . ....
