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Homecoming PowWow (Continued from page 10) been found... it's important the children know we've been here a long, long time." Beardy told CKRZ the people who live at Muskrat Dam "still speak the language and practice a traditional way of life, hunting, fishing and trapping... But our way of life is threatened." When he had a moment for Tekawennake again, he explained what he meant. "Our way of life is threatened because of greed. Stephen Harper shortened the EA [Environmental Assessment] process to extract resources... at the expense of First Nation people." Precious metals such as gold, diamonds or other resources mean "encroachment by third parties." "We have to stand up for our rights," said Beardy. "The pow wow is part of nation-building, it is so crucial." While in New Credit, Beardy said he wanted to hear from people at a grassroots level. Beardy was elected as the Ontario Regional Chief for the Assembly of First Nations this past June. Before the election, he was the Grand Chief for the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), a position he held for 12 years.