Racism in the music industry, a need for accountability, fear in Ethiopia

'Pawn it' comment prompts Indigenous artist to call out discrimination in Sask. country music industry

A comment about Indigenous artists pawning trophies prompted a Saskatoon musician to speak out about what he sees as ongoing discrimination in the country music industry.

Jarrid Poitras says he was hurt by a colleague's comment during a meeting last week on the absence of the Indigenous Artist of the Year award at the Saskatchewan Country Music Association's (SCMA's) awards show. 

"Somebody made a comment about 'why should we give them an award when they're just going to pawn it off anyway?'" Poitras said. 

Sask.'s decision to end widely criticized practice of birth alerts doesn't go far enough: experts

Indigenous women traumatized by birth alerts continue to be haunted by them long after the alerts were first entered into the health-care system, says Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond (Aki-Kwe) — and she's not alone in saying simply ending the practice doesn't go far enough. 

"We have to repair the harm. [Government] has to acknowledge it," said Turpel Lafond, who was the first Indigenous woman appointed to the bench in Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan man fears for Ethiopian family displaced by violence

Ted Jaleta, an accomplished Regina-based athlete, said he feels powerless to help his brothers who have lost their homes and livelihoods as ethnic violence grips Ethiopia.  

The well-known running coach and community volunteer made the Saskatchewan capital his home after fleeing violence in the African country nearly 40 years ago. Now he fears for his family members and other ethnic minorities who are under threat.