MANITOULIN—The Deputy Grand Council Chief of the Union of Ontario Indians (UOI) says while the federal government puts in place First Nations transparency laws, it is pivotal for First Nations to take the steps needed, such as passing their own band constitutions, to ensure they will not be dictated to by the government. Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes says her party did not support the federa ...

To the Expositor: January 2, 2013 marked 16 weeks since this foolish protest (the public action undertaken by some members of the Sheguiandah First Nation and directed at Chief Orville Aguonie) had ended, a far cry from what these individuals proclaimed. They stated that they were ready and prepared to stay out along the highway until the chief resigned. All that this protesting amounted to was a personal a ...

SHEGUIANDAH FIRST NATION—It has been four months since Councillors Derek Assiniwe and Kevin Mishibinijima and fellow protestors packed up their encampment and signs from the roadside of Highway 6 on the Sheguiandah First Nation. For two months in the summer, the councillors protested day in and day out against Chief Orville Aguonie and what they felt was bad leadership of their community. The council of the ...

OTTAWA—In a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the Grand Council Chief of the Anishinabek Nation voices concern on behalf of all First Nations that the government is passing bills, legislation and funding cuts in an attempt to dissolve First Nation treaty rights. Patrick Madahbee, Grand Council Chief of the Anishinabek Nation, has laid out his concerns on behalf of all Anishinabek people in his letter ...

To the Expositor: It is interesting of Shelley Pearen to choose the historical “sesquicentennial” anniversary of the fraudulent treaty of 1862 as the first in a series entitled, “Neighbours for 150 years: (September 12, page 1). While the sentiment for good neighbourly relations is appreciated, I think the emerging consciousness of the Ahnishnabek is based on a more impartial view of historical realities. I ...

SHEGUIANDAH FIRST NATION—Today (Wednesday) will mark 42 days of protest for those on the picket line on the Sheguaindah First Nation who say they will remain until the chief, Orville Aguonie, tenders his resignation. Last Wednesday, August 29 a full meeting of chief and council was to be held at the band office council chambers. The week before, the two protesting councillors (who call themselves MECS, Majo ...

‘There is more to this community than those individuals sitting in a ditch and saying woe is me’ To the Expositor: I would like to respond to Kari Smith’s recent letter in The Expositor ‘Traditional healer should sit down with community members and listen,’ August 22, page 5). Ms. Smith’s letter reeks of cynicism and is misleading and judgmental. Kari Smith signs her letter as Sheguiandah First Nation, but ...

SHEGUIANDAH FIRST NATION—Today, Wednesday, August 22, marks day 30 of the protest on the Sheguiandah First Nation which has the community at odds over the protestors’ main goal—to see the resignation of Chief Orville Aguonie. The protestors first began their campaign one month ago to bring to light alleged issues of nepotism, criminal charges against the chief and what Councillors Derek Assiniwe and Kevin M ...

To the Expositor: This letter is in regards to the letter to the editor in the August 15 edition of The Expositor by Jake Ago neh ‘Writer takes Sheguiandah protestors to task’ (page 5). If you would like to share some truth, why not share it all, Mr. Ago neh. Why hope to educate the public at large rather than educate your community members? Just who is that important to? You? The insinuation of being duped ...

To the Expositor: Re: Sheguiandah Protest Well it seems we are at an impasse in regards to the protesters following the last meeting we had with the protesting council members representing their followers. Mr. Assinewai insisted on having community members having a say in our Band government affairs of ‘Sheguiandah First Nation.’ As it stands, the majority of protesters are “non-members.” The position of th ...