Fontaine Recaptures AFN Helm

Coon Come bounced after first ballot

By Len Kruzenga

Edmonton Ab—Moments after conceding his defeat at Matthew Coon Come’s hands after the third ballot at the AFN election in Ottawa in 2000, an exhausted and visibly shaken Phil Fontaine warned the chiefs, who had rejected his record of accomplishments at the AFN helm the previous three years, that confrontation with the federal government, and by extension, Canada at large, would be fraught with peril and ultimate disappointment for the aspirations of first nations peoples.

Fontaine's arms are raised in victory at the 24th annual assembly of the AFN

Full Story

Veterans Affairs Does an About Face

Reverses decision on payment of benefits to widow of Sgt. Tommy Prince

By Philip Paul-Martin

After being questioned by The First Perspective newspaper, Veterans Affairs did an about face and decided that the common law wife of the late Sgt. Tommy Prince was eligible to receive benefits from the First Nations Veterans Package.

Full Story

Former Health Canada Boss Charged in Treatment Center Scandal

RCMP expect to lay more charges soon

By Len Kruzenga

The former head of Health Canada in Manitoba has been charged with fraud as a result of a sweeping investigation started over two years ago into the financial affairs of the Virginia Fontaine Addictions Foundation (VFAF), which operated on the Sagkeeng First Nation.

Full Story