New safety signs, designed by a Saskatchewan Indigenous artist, are being rolled across 52 gasified First Nations throughout the province.SaskEnergy's aim with the project is to deliver natural gas safety messages in a way that resonates with Indigenous communities and customers. An official unveiling ceremony was held...

A man whose life is dedicated to the advancement of First Nations rights, sovereignty and Indigenous education was honoured recently by the First Nations University of Canada.Senator Solomon Sanderson, a member of the Chakastaypasin Band of the Cree Nation was born in 1941 at James Smith First Nation. He served as chie...

An Alberta First Nation in the province's oilsands region is seeking more control over the traces left by ancestors on their traditional lands. "We'd like to manage our historical resources," said Shaun Janvier of the Chipewyan Prairie First Nation, which considers a vast tract of land in northern Alberta its...

A woman who was raised on the trapline in northeast Saskatchewan, and who works as a tour operator, has been offered a great opportunity to represent not only her family and community, but also her culture.Michela Carrière, 34, is among the cast members for "Alone." Season 11 of the popular History Cha...

A graduating Grade 12 student from Clearwater River Dene Nation has returned to northern Saskatchewan with a bronze medal from a national science fair.Ava Haynes recently got back from Ottawa where she participated in the Canada Wide Science Fair (CWSF) at Carlton University."It was pretty surreal, because I was i...

Rebecca Strong, who was catapulted to fame after winning the million-dollar prize on Canada's Got Talent last month, will make a halftime performance during an upcoming Saskatchewan Rattlers game in Saskatoon.Strong, a member of the Black Lake Denesuline First Nation who was born in Black Lake and grew up in Prince Alb...

A special piece of art created by students at Carlton High School in Prince Albert will make its way to Government House in Regina in time for National Indigenous People's Day. The artwork is a teepee liner that represents the Indigenous people of northern Saskatchewan and will be combined with a southern counterpart t...

The community of James Smith Cree Nation (JSCN) has made yet another big step towards the construction of its new Wellness Centre.After the culmination of two years of work, the James Smith Wellness Planning Committee has completed the centre's five-year operational plan."We are proud to say our leadership, direct...

A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed by Meadow Lake Tribal Council and the Government of Canada to "Help guide their work to promote lasting reconciliation and strengthen the nation-to-nation relationship." According to a news release, the MOU is set to work and explore different ways for the MLTC Na...

The smell of sage filled the air as a large crowd gathered to show their support for those missing or murdered across Canada. The second annual Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirit Plus Walk (MMIWG2S+) Walk in Melfort was held at the Kerry Vickar Centre (KVC) Friday, after the recent wet condi...

An Indigenous storyteller set up at the Gateway Mall this weekend is providing the residents of Prince Albert the chance to learn about the Cree and Anishinaabe cultures through astronomy. Barry Shingoose was the one teaching and telling stories at the and took some time to explain to paNOW why he does what he does.&qu...

A Poundmaker Cree Nation writer and educator is currently overseas visiting Poland, where he has garnered international success as both an author and an educator. Floyd Favel is releasing his new book during his trip."I'm very happy that I am able to launch my book here, to reach a global audience," he said. ...

The Miss Indigenous Canada competition will be held in Ontario this summer, and three women from Saskatchewan have been selected to be a part of it. Lauren Bear is from Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and in addition to being a proud mother, is also pursuing a nursing degree and owns her own lash business. When asked what it m...

A group of dedicated supporters came out for the Walk for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Woman (MMIW) in North Battleford today.The event was organized by the Battlefords and Area Sexual Assault Centre (BASAC) during Sexual Violence Awareness Week. "Save Our Stolen Sisters": Walk for Missing and Murdered Ind...

The Community Arts Mentorship Program (CAMP) is offering workshops in six Lac La Ronge Indian Band communities this week. Sponsored by the Lac La Ronge Indian Child and Family Services (ICFS), the first workshop occurred Sunday in Stanley Mission. The workshop is geared towards families and the Stanley Mission event at...

Six days after winning Canada's Got Talent (CGT), Prince Albert's Rebecca Strong received a massive homecoming celebration that moved her to tears.Over 700 people filled the Prince Albert Exhibition Centre on Monday, and there were dozens of brightly coloured signs expressing love and support. And after listening to a ...

Gladys Christiansen, the executive director of Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB), is the 2024 recipient of the AFOA Canada Indigenous Leadership Award. The award, which is sponsored by TD Bank, recognizes leadership and achievement in Indigenous management, finance, and governance. The award is presented to an individua...

From the traditional lands of Treaty 6 territory to the biggest stage in Canadian music, one band still can't believe they're headed to the JUNOS.Last week, the nominations for the 2024 JUNO Awards were announced and one of the categories being awarded is Traditional Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year. Among the fi...

On an autumn day at the end of October 1917, a soldier fell near the Passchendaele Ridge. Now, 107 years after a sniper's bullet struck him down, Alexander Wuttunee Decoteau of Red Pheasant Cree Nation will be commemorated with a blue plaque in Flanders. "We don't know where exactly he was killed but we knew it wi...

A new podcast that will launch later this month from Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation actor Joel Montgrand is meant to serve as an inspiration for Indigenous Peoples to pursue a career in film and media. Montgrand, who was raised in La Ronge, graduated high school in Prince Albert and currently lives in Vancouver, will be ...

It has been an exciting few weeks for Cree-speaking people in Saskatchewan but while that language may be seeing a resurgence in the province, other languages are looking for their moment in the spotlight.Earlier this week, construction began on the new building for the St. Frances Cree Bilingual School in Saskatoon ju...

The legacy of a well-respected Prince Albert educator lives on.The three recipients of the 2023 Victor Thunderchild scholarships were announced this week and they are Roper Blanchard, Cadence Crain and River Tait. Crain, who lives at Muskoday First Nation, told paNOW the scholarship means a lot to her."Mr. Thunder...

How did a 19th-century Indigenous jacket from western Canada end up at a shop in South Yorkshire, England?That shop is still looking for the answer, more than eight months after it was found, and they hope to return the item to the right community.Late last year, Glass Onion, a vintage clothing shop in Barnsley came ac...

A member of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band recently got the surprise of a lifetime.A few months back, Kathleen Lavallee was asked by her cousin Russ Mirasty, the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, to create a beaded medallion so he could give it to someone in his office.She told paNOW the ask wasn't a shock as he had a...

Kistapinânihk is the original Cree word for the Prince Albert area meaning 'Great Meeting Place.'And that's exactly what the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) hopes to create along the riverbank Wednesday - a meeting place for Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike to celebrate and learn. The Government of Canada o...

An Indigenous-owned company in northern Saskatchewan is growing after becoming the newest partner for a Prince Albert company.Primrose Resources Corporation (PRC), which is owned by Métis residents in Ile-a-la-Crosse, Beauval, Jans Bay, and Cole Bay announced the purchase of 50 per cent shares in Impact Mechanic...

Have you ever wondered how Little Red River Park in Prince Albert got its name?In recognition of National Indigenous History Month, paNOW joined historian Leo Omani on a tour of the area which used to be the home of the Wahpeton Dakota people.He shared a story of a battle between his people and the Gros Ventre on the p...

A Saskatchewan firefighter is one of three women in Canada being recognized on the national stage. Michelle Vandevord was recently recognized through the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Awards Program which aims to address the disproportionate impact of climate change-related conflict and insecurity on women and girls...

Several Métis Nations in northern Saskatchewan are set to benefit from a uranium project in the area.Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S) and the seven Métis Locals of Northern Region 2 - which includes La Loche and Buffalo Narrows - have signed an Impact Benefit Agreement (IBA) with NexGen Energy Ltd....

Aurra Isbister smiles when asked what it means to dance in her jingle dress, while thousands of people watch.The 13-year-old from La Ronge took part in Friday's grand entry ceremony at Kinsmen Park that kicked off the fifth annual Heart of the Youth Pow Wow."It means a lot to me because I know in the past, Indigen...

The organizer of an upcoming music festival at Muskoday First Nation is saying the event is more than just music, it's about changing the narrative.Kevin Joseph lived most of his life in Prince Albert and currently works at the Muskoday School, where he's been for roughly three years.In his life, he said he's been the ...

The Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) is renewing its call for the federal and provincial governments to address the escalating wildfire crisis and improve Indigenous firefighting capacity. This comes amidst one of the busiest wildfire seasons in recent years, which has resulted in a number of evacuation orders. Among...

Saskatchewan Provincial Auditor Tara Clemett has made recommendations to increase the Indigenous three-year graduation rate, which currently sits below 50 per cent. Clemett released a report on June 6 in which she assessed the Ministry of Education's implementation of the Inspiring Success: First Nations and Mét...

Several members of a Saskatchewan First Nation are making a long trek to the provincial capital to call for solutions to the opioid and overdose crisis.On Thursday morning, members of Muskoday First Nation near Prince Albert came together to start an over 300-kilometre walk from the community to the steps of the Legisl...

A Saskatchewan business owner said she's grateful to be among the finalists in a contest that supports small businesses across the country.Kaila LeFort is a member of Muskoday First Nation who currently lives in Meadow Lake. She is the owner of Mahikan Designs which specializes in Indigenous beaded jewelry. When she fo...

A First Nations drum group from Saskatchewan is singing loud and proud after winning a big competition south of the border.Ironswing which features members from Sturgeon Lake First Nation, Beardy's and Okemasis Cree Nation and other Indigenous communities were at Four Bears Casino in New Town, North Dakota this past we...

Born in Duck Lake on October 1, 1935, Claude Petit grew up to be one of the most influential men in the local First Nations community.From a young age, Petit was introduced to the sport of boxing thanks to two of his uncle's involvement with the sport in the Second World War. From there, they gave him his own pair of g...

As a young boy, Ryan Richard would often escape his own life by diving into the world of comics. He spent hours reading and collecting. "Some of my sketches even hung on the walls of the old Tramps comic bookstore in downtown Prince Albert."But as a Métis man growing up with lighter coloured skin, Rich...

Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation (MSFN) is excited about the future after announcing it recently purchased a pork processing facility. The First Nation said it will be a step forward for the community, venturing into the business of processing meat for distribution across Saskatchewan.The First Nation officially purchase...

A young Indigenous entrepreneur and marketer, originally from Battleford, plans to bring her Italian wine called Tomato Wheels Lambrusco to the Kinsmen Top of the Hops beer and wine festival, running May 5 and 6 in Saskatoon. Moirae Choquette, founder and CEO of Tomato Wheels, is also the recipient of the 2023 Women En...

Members of the Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS) took it upon themselves to learn Cree in hopes of creating a better rapport with the area's Indigenous people.Sgt. Shawn Rowden and Community Safety Officer Kelleen Wolfe recently completed the Cree introductory course with the First Nations University of Canada. Rowde...

An Indigenous woman from the northwest is forging a career for herself as an international model.Ember Sunchild Whitford, from Sweetgrass First Nation, will head to Fiji for Fashion Week on Tuesday, to model Indigenous fashions."I was asked by designer Helen Oro if I could model for her in Fiji, so that's where I ...

The inaugural graduation class of the Northern Saskatchewan Indigenous Teacher Education Program (NSITEP) will undoubtedly go on the make a huge impact in their home communities. During a ceremony held Thursday at the Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre, 17 northerners were handed Bachelor of Education degrees from...

There are more than 500 people participating in the Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB) Wellness Challenge. The challenge, which began May 8 and ends June 4, is being run online by Divergent Wellness owner Adam Swanson of Regina. Those who are registered are from Air Ronge, La Ronge, as well as the six LLRIB communities. ...

A new book called Seagull Island: kiyāsko-miniscikos has been released by Lac La Ronge Indian Band Elder Myles Charles and local author Miriam Körner.Although a book launch was held in March at La Ronge's Alex Robertson Public Library, a printer error delayed distribution of the book which finally began last week...

Get your remotes and your appetite ready as two northern communities will be featured on a new documentary on the journey of food.The series Flat Out Food tells the story of one ingredient per episode, following its journey from the garden to the chef's table."Our host, Jenn Sharpe uncovers the story of the ingred...

A first-of-its-kind training centre in Prince Albert, that is guaranteeing jobs for people across northern Saskatchewan, officially opened.PLATO, Canada's only Indigenous software testing and technology services company, hosted an event on Tuesday to celebrate the launch of its software tester training program. Company...

A former Prince Albert resident is celebrating his Indigenous culture through his new career.Keegan Thomas recently graduated from Saskatchewan Polytechnic's Hairstylist diploma program in P.A. and found a job with King Cut Barbershop in Saskatoon.His interest in cutting hair sparked when his kokum (grandmother) gave h...

As Aboriginal Storytelling Month continues, those who have taken part in events throughout the province are sharing why the month is important to them.For Curtis Peeteetuce, honouring Aboriginal Storytelling is so much more than what the month offers. It's about the custom of Indigenous Storytelling and its importance....

For generations, Indigenous people shared the accounts of their origins and traditions that make them who they truly are.During the month of February, this important practice is highlighted during Aboriginal Storytelling Month. However, one Saskatchewan Elder said the month should be focused less on stories and more on...

An Indigenous software company is planning to bring new tech-sector jobs to Prince Albert.PLATO, Canada's only Indigenous software testing and technology services company, said it's currently recruiting in Prince Albert for its Indigenous Software Tester Training Program. It's expected to create more than 25 new jobs i...

One of the stars of the hit Canadian sitcom Shoresy is looking forward to filming the second season in the coming months. Jon Mirasty, a former professional hockey player from Flying Dust First Nation, plays Jim #1 on the popular Letterkenny spinoff. It was Jared Keeso, who plays the main character Shoresy, who approac...

Upper Deck, a trading card company, is releasing rookie cards for eight Canadian Indigenous hockey players who've never had a licensed card before.Three of the players are from Saskatchewan: Johnny Harms, Rocky Trottier, and William LeCaine. Danny Hodgson, who captained the Prince Albert Raiders to the 1985 Memorial Cu...