A recently created Manitoba organization of Residential School Survivors called Spirit Wind will be meeting at the Indian and Metis Friendship Centre in Winnipeg early this month to develop a plan to pressure the federal government into settling residential school abuse claims.

"We have been frustrated with the slow progress of claims by the federal government and wanted to get survivors here in the province united to form a strong grassroots voice," said spokesperson Ray Mason. "Our group will pressure the federal government to provide fair and just compensation for the cultural, physical and emotional abuse abuse survivors suffered."
Up to this point the government has only been compensating for sexual and physical abuse the survivors endured, according to Mason.

"We are going to invite as many survivors and interested persons to come together in this group so that we have the numbers and representation to

U.S. utility to monitor
Cross Lake talks

Manitoba Hydro's largest customer has confirmed it will be monitoring talks between the Pimicikamak First Nation, the provincial government and Manitoba Hydro on compensation for the Cree community for impacts it suffered from hydroelectric development in the region over the last four decades.

Minnesota based utility Xcel Energy president, Wayne Brunetti, has confirmed that one of the company's senior managers will attend meetings between the three parties and report their progress directly to his office.

The U.S. corporation recently signed a 10-year contract to buy power from Manitoba Hydro worth an estimated $1.7 billion and has heightened its interest in the NFA issue since Xcel executives travelled to Cross Lake last year to speak to members of the community regarding their concerns on the NFA and the on going impact of hydro-electric development in the region.

Delegations from the first nation have also travelled to the U.S. over the last two years address annual Xcel shareholders' meetings where they called upon the company to apply more vigilance regarding the source of their imported power.

While the Cree were looking for a tough resolution from the company's shareholders they were able to secure a resolution calling for the company to actively promote the use of renewable energy that does not harm Pimicikamak and other indigenous peoples
After a 25 year battle to have the federal, provincial governments and Manitoba Hydro honour the terms of the NFA agreement on December 16 of last year both the government of Manitoba and Manitoba Hydro announced their intentions to carry out a 15-month plan to carry out a number of their obligations under the NFA and develop a longer-term comprehensive plan.

The interim arrangement focuses primarily on environmental cleanup and restoration

Grassy Narrows continues blockade of logging roads

The blockade of logging roads north of Provincial Highway 671 approximately 60 km north of Kenora by members of the Grassy Narrows First Nation and other first nations groups and various peace groups continues as protesters successfully managed to force logging trucks attempting to access the disputed territory.

A province-wide call for action and support has been issued by both Treaty 3 Grand Council and NAN (Nishnawbe Aski Nation)

by Drum staff