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In 1967, when Lee Hamelin was just four years old, he and several of his siblings were forcibly removed from their Aboriginal family's home in northern Alberta, Canada, never to return again. With the authorities labelling his mother as "morally depraved and of no benefit to society," Lee and his siblings became wards of the government, part of the Sixties Scoop-the mass removal of Aboriginal children from their families into Canada's child welfare system from the mid 1950s to...
I like the story of how I got my name. My mother was sitting in a hospital waiting room. Nearby, a couple of ladies were talking about baby names, and one woman said she hated the name “Sonia.” When my mom heard it, she loved it. She decided to grab hold of that name for me. Our name, or title, gives us our identity. And depending on who calls, hearing our name can bring a sense of favor and power. I love to hear my children call me “Mom.” They have my full attention. When certain people call me, I answer with enthusi...
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla.-The Sac and Fox Nation, in collaboration with the Association of American Indian Physicians (AAIP), wants to make sure that Tribal members remember the importance of seeking help when facing mental health challenges through the 988 Mental Health Lifeline's Tribal Response service. This resource offers 24/7 free and confidential support to those in Native communities who face crisis. "Native American communities have experienced historical oppression,...
RAPID CITY, S.D.-The statistics are alarming. The life expectancy for Native Americans is more than two decades lower than for non-Indigenous citizens, and often the causes are preventable. In an effort to help combat health disparities, the Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health is bringing Native-focused health care to Rapid City, S.D. Great Plains Native Health Hub blends traditional and modern medical approaches, all while centering Indigenous values and knowledge...
TRURO, N.S.-A new pilot project with The Millbrook First Nation is helping members receive funding to build their own homes through a program that allows mortgages on-reserve for the first time. Called the on-reserve housing loan, it's a partnership between Millbrook First Nation and the Royal Bank of Canada that grants a mortgage of up to $250,000 to approved band members, with the band as a co-signer. The Mi'kmaw band has already been trying to get members into new housing...
STEPHENVILLE, N.L.-This fall, participants marked the ceremonial opening of Ne'ata'q Place, a shelter for Indigenous women and children in Newfoundland. An initiative of the Newfoundland Aboriginal Women's Network Inc. (NAWN), the shelter will provide a safe, supportive community for Indigenous women and children affected by family violence. "We are supporting the safety and well-being of Indigenous women and children affected by family violence," said The Honorable Patty...
EEYOU ISTCHEE, Que.-The Cree Nation Government's Department of Commerce and Industry (CNG/DCI), in partnership with the communities of Eeyou Istchee, recently announced the launch of Keep It Local, a new mobile app that rewards community members for shopping in Eeyou Istchee. Promoted with the tagline "When you buy local, we all win," the app is an innovative way to encourage support for businesses in Eeyou Istchee. Community members can use the Keep It Local app to enter a...
SAINT PAUL, Minn.-Four Minnesota Tribes recently received significant federal funding for public safety initiatives, as part of a broader effort to reduce crime and combat the opioid epidemic. The U.S. Department of Justice is giving grants from $450,000 to $900,000 to the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Red Lake Band of Chippewa, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, and White Earth Nation. These funds will support various Tribal programs, empowering the Tribes to address violent crime, opio...
TAHLEQUAH, Okla.-Cherokee Nation recently invested $10,000 into each of 10 women-owned Cherokee companies in a partnership with The University of Tulsa to help Cherokee businesses thrive. The Cherokee Women's AcceleratHER Fellowship, supported by the ayana Foundation, empowers businesses led by Cherokee women. The initiative includes a 12-week program and long-term support to launch, build and scale early-stage businesses. "Native American women represent the lowest rates of...
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....
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 Arizon...
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 l...
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 Getaway...
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 f...
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...
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 Canada s...
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 f...
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...
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 a...
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...
REGINA, Sask.—At the beginning of summer, an Indigenous young woman received the biggest cash prize in Canadian television history. Rebecca Strong won this prize as she was also the first First Nations woman to be crowned winner of the amateur performance show, "Canada's Got Talent." The Indigenous singer living in Prince Albert, Sask., took home the competition's first $1 million prize at the end of the show's third season. She was voted on by viewers all across Canada. S...
VICTORIA, B.C.—According to "The First Nations Population Health and Wellness Agenda" report released in late August, life expectancy for First Nations people dropped by six years. The multi-year project was introduced in 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic and the toxic drug crisis in British Columbia are being blamed for life expectancy for First Nations people in B.C. dropping from 73.3 years to 67.2 years and the mortality rate jumped from 117 people dying early per 10,000 populat...
LANGDON, Alb.—On Saturday, October 26, Indian Life Ministries will host their annual banquet. This year's theme is "For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven." (Ecc. 3:1). "In every season, for every reason, our heavenly Father is the reason for our joy," says ILM director team, Todd and Krystal Wawrzyniak. "Regardless of the circumstances we our in, there is always a reason to praise Him." So the evening will feature praise! Some participants w...
LA RONGE, Sask.—A wrong that was committed over 100 years ago looks like it will probably be made right. The Lac La Ronge Indian Band announced it approved a whopping $601.5 million settlement with the federal government to address the "cows and plows" clause of Treaty 6. Under treaties 4, 5, 6 and 10, the Crown promised agricultural benefits-livestock, hand tools, seeds and farming equipment-to the First Nations that signed. This was meant to push First Nations people from a...
HORNBROOK, Calif.-In August, crews completed the largest dam removal project in US history by demolishing the last of the four dams on the Klamath River. For decades, tribal nations on the Oregon-California border have fought to restore the river back to its natural state. For the past 100 years, the four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River-Iron Gate Dam, Copco Dams 1 and 2, and JC Boyle Dam-have prevented the region's iconic salmon population from swimming freely along...
