Eagle Feather News

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12/02/2024

To say 2023 was a difficult news year would be a mild statement and unfortunately 2024 is not looking any brighter for all news outlets across Canada.

https://www.eaglefeathernews.com/opinion/editorial-efnews-update

05/01/2024

Mason Fine’s love of football helped him connect with his own Native American heritage.

Mason Fine Saskatchewan Roughrider Quarterback takes selfie with fans. Photo supplied Mason Fine’s love of football helped him connect with his own Native American heritage.  The 26-year-old quarterback born and raised in Pegs, Okla. is a member of the Cherokee Nation. He said being born....

22/12/2023

The road to Reconciliation is not an easy one, but the Saskatchewan Roughriders Football Club is proving collaboration and inclusion does work.

https://www.eaglefeathernews.com/news/saskatchewan-roughriders-organization-commits-to-sports-reconciliation

20/12/2023

A powwow arbour design earned the province its first international nod at this year’s Holcim North American Region, Sustainable Construction Awards in Venice, Italy.

https://www.eaglefeathernews.com/news/powwow-arbour-receives-global-recognition

18/12/2023

“Hockey has allowed me to experience a lot in life, but ultimately, it’s about sharing my journey with our own people,” said Tootoo.

Tootoo with students from Pasqua First Nation. Photo by Campbell Stevenson PASQUA FIRST NATION – Retired NHL player Jordin Tootoo made some rounds in Treaty 4 territory during the month of November.  One of the stops he made was in Pasqua First Nation for its National Addiction Awareness....

15/12/2023

STORIES FROM HOME - It’s in his blood

As a fourth-generation, Cree, thoroughbred horse trainer, legacy is important to Tom Gardipy Jr.
“This is probably just what I was meant to do,” he said. “I think it’s the same as a hockey player or football player. You have to have that passion, that drive to keep you going. I’ve always had that passion.”
His fascination began with ‘Black Diamond’ – a champion racehorse owned by his great-grandfather.
It made such an impact that Gardipy named his own facility, Black Diamond Stables, in honour of his family’s history.
From the Beardy’s and Okemasis’ Cree Nation, he’s kept the trade alive.
Gardipy, a successful horse trainer, was recently inducted into the North American Indigenous Athletes Hall of Fame (NAIAHF).
“After I went to the (awards) ceremony, it hit me,” he said. “Seeing what it meant to my family and friends, how much it meant to the people involved … it’s special.”
Gardipy’s storied career started first with riding, then with racing before moving on to training horses when he was around 17 or 18 years old.
Since then, he’s racked up quite the record.
In 4851 horse-racing starts, Gardipy has 872 wins, 842 second place finishes, and 721 thirds, with a total earnings of $4,925,535.
He’s been named Top Trainer from Marquis Downs in Saskatoon in 2000, 2001, and 2002.
In 2003, he received the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Circle of Honour Award for Sports.
In the 19 years he’s trained at the Assiniboia Downs in Winnipeg, Gardipy has ranked in the top-three trainers every year and has won the Top Trainer title six times.
“When you do this, it’s pretty much your whole life,” he said. “You put in a lot of hours, often getting up very early in the morning.”
These distinctions throughout his career play a big role in allowing Gardipy to continue doing what he loves.
One of the biggest challenges of horse training is financial stability, he said, and success largely comes by way of building a name for yourself.
Things became easier after he won his first Top Trainer award in 2000.
“It’s easy to be overlooked if you’re not a known name,” said Gardipy. “I have to be very grateful to the clients who believed in me while I was first starting off. I see a lot of people struggle because they haven’t yet built a name for themselves.”
As such, he’s committed to helping younger generations learn the trade.
Not only does he work with his own sons and daughter in caring for and training racehorses, but he also mentors Indigenous youth interested in horse training.
“I think it’s important to keep this tradition going,” said Gardipy. “Everyone who has success in what they do should give back.”
He opened Black Diamond Stables in the 1990s on his First Nation. Gardipy trains there until May, before heading to Winnipeg for the horseracing season.
He currently runs approximately thirty horses but has had as many as 55.
Although it’s hard work, Gardipy said it’s been rewarding in many ways.
“I believe that horses have a special healing power,” he said. “You find that out when you’re troubled. When you start working with them, you notice your troubles disappear… I often wonder what I would have become if I didn’t have horses.”

14/12/2023

"When one of our community members goes through a criss, we all go through a crisis. Things like this just don't happen in our community."

https://www.eaglefeathernews.com/news/two-communities-concerned-for-young-mans-disappearance-make-a-plea-for-help

13/12/2023

Allan Lafond Jr’s love for football has taken him across Canada and while pursuing his own educational goals he’s helping to educate others about Indigenous issues.

https://www.eaglefeathernews.com/news/pasqua-first-nation-football-player-excels-on-and-off-the-field

12/12/2023

With a commitment to strengthen communities and their local chapters, the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S) announced a $7 million community investment to support language revitalization, culture programming, and land-based wellness programs, directly to the MN-S locals.

https://www.eaglefeathernews.com/news/mn-s-announced-where-it-plans-to-invest

11/12/2023

With so many individuals in the winter without warm clothes, food, or shelter, Ralph Ni****ne is taking it upon himself to provide the essentials to those in need.

ChurchintheHood founder Ralph Ni****ne is prepared to run the mobile warm-up station again this winter. Photo supplied With so many individuals in the winter without warm clothes, food, or shelter, Ralph Ni****ne is taking it upon himself to provide the essentials to those in need.  “No o...

08/12/2023

“We will support the regions, the locals in regards to what they need,” said McCallum. “We have a track record that we can get the best deal. There’s nothing we cannot do in this province.”

MN-S President McCallum presents Premier Scott Moe with a blanket during the MN-S Assembly where two MOUs were signed with the province. Photo by N.C. Raine Several major announcements were made at the 2023 Métis Nation Legislative Assembly (MNLA) over November 25 and 26 in Saskatoon.  D...

07/12/2023

....and new!

07/12/2023

The Bert Fox Community High School teacher and his students created a digital, interactive, and self-guided walk called Finding Common Ground: A Treaty Walk (& Roll) Through Fort Qu’Appelle.

André Boutin-Maloney (left) and students developing the Finding Common Ground virtual guided tour. Photo supplied André Boutin-Maloney is proving small ideas can turn into something grand.  The Bert Fox Community High School teacher and his students created a digital, interactive,...

30/11/2023

The spokespersons for the Piapot family put it powerfully when they stated: “To us, that [traditional adoption] holds far more weight than any paper documentation or colonial record keeping ever could.”

The opinions shared are those of the author.  In 2012 I wrote the biography called Buffy Sainte-Marie: It’s My Way. My interests were both professional and personal.  As a university student in the 1970s, I had been greatly influenced by Buffy’s songs such as “Now That th...

29/11/2023

Rachel Smith founder of Bannock Express will appear on Dragon’s Den this season she holds a certificate of her participation.

Rachel Smith founder of Bannock Express will appear on Dragon’s Den this season she holds a certificate of her participation. Photo supplied by Rachel Smith Do Dragons love bannock? We’ll find out in a few months. There’s been a gradual bannock takeover in Saskatchewan thanks to Ra...

28/11/2023

After a long hiatus, Kôhkom Bea’s Café has re-opened its doors to the FirstNations University of Canada’s (FNUniv) Regina community.

https://www.eaglefeathernews.com/news/beloved-cafe-returns-to-fnuniv-campus

27/11/2023

A new internship program gives recent graduates an opportunity to potentially secure long-term careers in the Crown sector.

https://www.eaglefeathernews.com/news/province-recruits-indigenous-post-secondary-graduates1

24/11/2023

Two high-profile young Indigenous leaders in business and politics have decided to join forces and create a new consulting company dedicated to economic Reconciliation.

One Hoop Consulting Team members Cadmus Delorme (left) and Thomas Benjoe (right) are excited about their new venture. Photo provided Two high-profile young Indigenous leaders in business and politics have decided to join forces and create a new consulting company dedicated to economic Reconciliation...

23/11/2023

Historically, Indigenous peoples have been underrepresented in the film and television industry and this lack of representation has perpetuated stereotypes and marginalized their voices and narratives - but things are changing.

https://www.eaglefeathernews.com/news/indigenous-representation-in-the-television-and-film-industry-a-promising-shift

21/11/2023

We wrestle with the same questions and are on a journey to reclaim our identity, understanding that our current reality is also what it means to be a First Nations person in Canada.

In front of my students in my Indigenous Business in Canada course at the University of Saskatchewan, I asked a simple question: “Has anyone been watching the news lately? What’s the big story?” The room fell into a dead silence, with eyes darting around. To break the awkwardness,....

20/11/2023

The first coffee company in Canada with a fully Indigenous supply chain aims to revolutionize the Canadian coffee scene.

https://www.eaglefeathernews.com/news/indigenous-innovation-brewing-in-every-cup

17/11/2023

An initiative to assist many of their relatives (clients) to obtain the necessary identification to acquire housing, medical attention, and different forms of identification.

https://www.eaglefeathernews.com/news/annual-hope-day-gives-identity

16/11/2023

Veteran Robin Cote’s service in the United States Navy took her across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, followed by a short but memorable stay in Los Angeles and finally back home to Regina.

Veteran Robin Cote’s service in the United States Navy took her across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, followed by a short but memorable stay in Los Angeles and finally back home to Regina. Initially, she set out to see the world to expand her understanding of those aro...

15/11/2023

It was a memorable evening at the first-ever Saskatchewan Indigenous Music Awards in Prince Albert for a multi-talented musician from La Ronge.

https://www.eaglefeathernews.com/news/indigenous-music-artists-honoured-at-inaugural-awards-show

14/11/2023

Tokata HR Solutions proudly contributes to the 92nd Truth and Reconciliation call to action through their 6th annual Indigenous Student and Professionals Networking Event.

SIIT Graduates. From left-to-right: Tasmin Petrowsky, Veronica Josdal, Joshua Campeau. Photo supplied Tokata HR Solutions proudly contributes to the 92nd Truth and Reconciliation call to action through their 6th annual Indigenous Student and Professionals Networking Event.  Thriving businesses....

13/11/2023

** Province recruits Indigenous post-secondary graduates**
NC Raine

https://www.eaglefeathernews.com/news/province-recruits-indigenous-post-secondary-graduates

13/11/2023

“He was a very special person, and he did not deserve what happened to him,” she said. “I hope we get justice for him because we’re his only voice now.”

https://www.eaglefeathernews.com/news/family-makes-public-plea-for-information

11/11/2023

Saskatchewan is home to an all-new, female, U-22 junior hockey league and this hockey dad couldn’t be happier.

Saskatchewan is home to an all-new, female, U-22 junior hockey league and this hockey dad couldn’t be happier.  The six-team Bourgault Saskatchewan Junior Female Hockey League (SFJHL) kicked off the season last month and I was there to see the puck drop between the Outlook Ice Hawks and t...