Government of Canada COVID-19 update for Indigenous Peoples and communities
July 21, 2021
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is committed to supporting Indigenous communities in their response to COVID-19 and continues to work closely with Indigenous organizations and provincial and territorial governments.
Ontario reports 192 COVID-19 cases, 1 death
July 23, 2021
Ontario is reporting 192 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, bringing the provincial total to 548,986. According to Friday’s report, 43 cases were recorded in Toronto, 25 in Peel Region, 18 York Region and Waterloo and 11 in Hamilton and Durham Region.
https://globalnews.ca/news/8054305/ontario-covid-coronavirus-numbers-cases-july-23/
COVID forces increase in food prices, decrease in food options in northern remote Ontario
July 22, 2021
The coronavirus pandemic added one more dimension to the struggle faced by remote communities in northern Ontario when it came to feeding their populations. Isolation efforts to protect against the spread of COVID-19 made it almost impossible for people to travel south to grocery shop. This on top of the shortened lifespans of ice roads due to climate change, skyrocketing food costs and decreased help from larger organizations that supplement food supplies.
Evacuees arrive, thankful for Sault Ste. Marie’s hospitality
July 22, 2021
A 737 aircraft from Dryden arrived in Sault Ste. Marie Wednesday with 99 members of the North Spirit Lake First Nation. The residents of the remote Northwestern Ontario community were forced to flee their homes to escape nearby wildfires and the harmful effects of the smoke created from the fires.
https://www.saultstar.com/news/evacuees-arrive-thankful-for-sault-ste-maries-hospitality
MNRF Reporting 83 Fires Not Under Control
July 22, 2021
Another 24 new fires are being reported in the Northwest region. On Wednesday, the Sioux Lookout district recorded 8, the Dryden and Nipigon areas saw 4, Thunder Bay was next at 3, Red Lake and Fort Frances districts both with two, while the Kenora area recorded one.
https://www.ckdr.net/2021/07/22/mnrf-reporting-83-fires-not-under-control/
Air quality concerns heighten due to smoke from 166 forest fires in northwestern Ontario
July 22, 2021
Air quality statements have been issued for parts of northwestern Ontario where more than 160 fires were burning Thursday morning. Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES) said the fire hazard remains high to extreme in the eastern parts of the region, as well as areas of the Red Lake, Dryden and Sioux Lookout districts, but it is low to moderate in the southwestern parts of the region and the Far North.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/forest-fire-air-quality-july-22-1.6112543
NDP Calling For State Of Emergency Order
July 22, 2021
The Premier is being asked to declare a State of Emergency for all of northwestern Ontario. The call comes from the NDP and Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa.
https://www.ckdr.net/2021/07/22/233354/
An Indigenous firefighter explains how to better manage wildfires
July 22, 2021
It’s not yet August and wildfires are already tearing through North America. In Oregon, the Bootleg Fire has scorched almost 400,000 hectares — big enough that it created its own weather system. In British Columbia, meanwhile, officials declared a state of emergency in July as nearly 300 wildfires prompted evacuations across the province. Wildfires in BC have burned more than three times the area that has usually burned by this time of year, based on a decade of data.
https://www.vox.com/22586851/indigenous-native-firefighters-western-wildfires-climate-change
Nipissing First Nation coordinating Little N.H.L tournament
July 22, 2021
Plans for the next Little N.H.L tournament are well under way at Nipissing First Nation, and registrations are open for their annual golf fundraiser on August 21. The planning committee has been at work since 2019, when Nipissing First Nation (NFN) were first designated as tournament organizers by the Little Native Hockey League (LNHL) executive to host the 2020 event.
https://www.baytoday.ca/local-news/nipissing-first-nation-coordinating-little-nhl-tournament-3977718
Ontario Supports Businesses in Kiiwetinoong and Mushkegowuk–James Bay Regions
July 22, 2021
The Ontario government is providing over $1.7 million to help 85 businesses adapt to COVID-19 public health guidelines in the Kiiwetinoong and Mushkegowuk–James Bay regions. This investment will support building renovations, the installation of safety equipment and the purchase of personal protective equipment.
Advocates speaking out after homeless encampment forcibly removed by Toronto police
July 22, 2021
Video of Toronto police physically emptying people from a homeless camp from a local park on Wednesday has sparked a debate across the country about affordable housing and use of force against people with nowhere else to go.
Multi Juno Award-winning blues artist gears up for new album release
July 23, 2021
Winning Juno Awards number six and seven this June felt like “crossing the finish line of a really, really long race,” says singer Crystal Shawanda of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory.
Algonquin artist in residence seeks to blur borders of Diefenbunker maps
July 23, 2021
As the new artist in residence at Ottawa’s Diefenbunker Museum, Mairi Brascoupé is blending Cold War-era maps and beadwork to explore the idea of “place” during times of change. Brascoupé, a member of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation, wants to weave her own story by exploring the differences between cultures of Indigenous people and settlers.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/algonquin-artists-diefenbunker-museum-1.6113095
Soar Against Stigma Campaign launches to champion messages of kindness, acceptance, culture, and compassion for Indigenous communities
July 22, 2021
Today more than ever, First Nations people suffer in silence with the ongoing battle against stigmas that affect their lives and mental health daily.
DWF resources raise awareness of the impact of Residential Schools and support reconciliation
July 22, 2021
If you were tuned into a Canadian radio station in the mid 80’s, chances are you’ve heard the Tragically Hip. Lead singer and lyricist Downie was a longtime activist and advocate for Canadian Indigenous people and was honoured by the Assembly of First Nations in 2016.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/dwf-resources-raise-awareness-impact-142422111.html
Upholding Obligations and Compensating Wrongs: Case Comment on Southwind v. Canada
July 22, 2021
Last week, the Supreme Court of Canada issued its decision in Southwind v. Canada regarding the principles for calculating compensation for First Nations whose reserve lands have been taken without lawful authority.
https://www.firstpeopleslaw.com/public-education/blog/case-comment-on-southwind-v-canada
Whitewashed: Canada is shackled by its history of denial
July 22, 2021
When colonizers write history, their greatest device is their control over what to leave out, undermine, or alter. Thus, generations of Canadians have not learned what was deliberately left out of their history and know very little about what European explorers did to the Indigenous peoples who first lived on this land.
https://rabble.ca/news/2021/07/whitewashed-canada-shackled-its-history-denial
Montreal Is Getting 23 New Affordable Homes For Indigenous Women In Difficult Situations
July 22, 2021
The Government of Canada has just announced an investment in Montreal to build 23 affordable homes for Indigenous women and children in difficult situations. The $1.7 million in funding will go to the “construction of a second-stage house for the Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal (NWSM).”
https://www.mtlblog.com/montreal/montreal-getting-23-affordable-homes-for-indigenous-women
Akwesasne’s adult Kanien’kéha immersion program graduates its 1st cohort
July 22, 2021
When Victoria Ransom embarked on a two-year journey to learn her language, her son and late grandmother were the driving forces. “I wanted to learn the language so that I could teach my son,” she said.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/akwesasne-kanien-keha-immersion-graduates-1.6111407
Some Manitoba wildfire evacuees struggling to adjust to life in city, worry about homes they left behind
July 23, 2021
With hundreds of wildfire evacuees now living in hotels in Winnipeg and Brandon, some say they’re struggling to settle into their home away from home.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/wildfire-evacuees-mental-health-stress-1.6113979
Brian Pallister has shattered the relationship between Indigenous people and the Manitoba government
July 21, 2021
In 1875, Icelanders were given land on the west shore of Lake Winnipeg, despite Indigenous people already living there. Through the resultant tension, John Ramsay, a Cree, saved dozens of settlers’ lives by teaching them how to ice-fish and hunt, and by providing meat during the winter months. He embodied the character of Indigenous people across Turtle Island: resilient, kind and forgiving.
Former Manitoba cabinet minister says she was offered and rejected appointment
July 21, 2021
A former Manitoba cabinet minister who quit her post in the wake of controversial comments by Premier Brian Pallister says she was offered, and rejected, an appointment to a powerful government committee.
Teepees, wigwams bring new life to Indigenous programming at Lower Fort Garry
July 22, 2021
History is being brought back to life at the Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site. Indigenous programming on the grounds, located about 30 kilometres north of Winnipeg, has been expanded, Parks Canada announced Thursday.
Alberta commits $150M to jump-start rural broadband; seeks private, federal support
July 23, 2021
Alberta is committing up to $150 million to improve internet service in rural, remote and Indigenous communities. Premier Jason Kenney says the money is meant to help attract contributions from private companies and the federal government.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-rural-broadband-indigenous-funding-1.6114172
Alberta spending $8 million for First Nations to research unmarked burial sites and undocumented deaths at residential schools
July 22, 2021
First Nations communities will lead the way when it comes to researching undocumented deaths and burials at residential schools. Last week, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney and Maskwacis-Wetaskiwin MLA and Minister of Indigenous Relations Rick Wilson announced the Provincial Government would provide $8 million in funding to support community-led research into the undocumented deaths and burials of children at Alberta’s residential schools.
Stunt school in Alberta to boost Indigenous representation in film industry
July 21, 2021
Indigenous youth from across the country are learning to be stunt actors through Stunt Nations, an Indigenous stunt school out of Cochrane, Alta. Twenty-two-year-old Andrea Kaye from Sakimay First Nation in Saskatchewan said she didn’t have a lot of experience with horses before learning to fall off one.
Report outlines ‘violent, fraught’ history of Wood Buffalo National Park and impact on First Nation
July 22, 2021
A new report details the “fraught” and “violent” history of Wood Buffalo National Park, which includes the removal of hundreds of members of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation. Now, the First Nation is asking for a formal apology and reparations.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/wood-buffalo-athabasca-chipewyan-first-nation-1.6111787
Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc leaders say some companies taking advantage of those searching for missing loved ones
July 22, 2021
Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc leaders say Indigenous people across Canada are being inundated with ground-penetrating radar specialist offers to survey former residential schools grounds, and worry some may be taken advantage of.
Lhoosk’uz Dené Nation has access to clean water after 20 years
July 22, 2021
The Lhoosk’uz Dené Nation will finally have access to clean water after the community has lived without any for 20 years. The village of about 50 people, located near the west of Quesnel, collaborated with the UBC engineering student team, led by Professor Majid Mohseni, to supply clean drinking water to the first nation’s residents.
https://www.citynews1130.com/2021/07/22/lhooskuz-dene-nation-water/
Squamish First Nation set to decide on building over 400 affordable rental homes
July 22, 2021
Members of the Squamish First Nation are set to vote next week on the band’s most consequential housing approach since the 2019 referendum on Senakw.
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/squamish-first-nation-housing-referendum
Indigenous Educator to Lead First Ever Coast Salish-Owned Charitable Foundation
July 22, 2021
The newly-formed Kw’umut Lelum Foundation, created by Kw’umut Lelum Child and Family Services, today announced the hiring of Sharon Hobenshield, Ha-Youly, as Executive Director.
Should the N.W.T. gov’t build a $6M sobering centre in downtown Yellowknife?
July 23, 2021
The Northwest Territories government is looking to award a contract worth an estimated $6 million to design and build a new day shelter and sobering centre in downtown Yellowknife, but a business owner near the proposed location says it’s a bad idea.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/wellness-centre-coming-yellowknife-1.6111176
Unmarked grave findings in Canada prompt reckoning among U.S. churches
July 22, 2021
The discoveries of hundreds of unmarked graves at former residential schools for Indigenous children in Canada have prompted renewed calls for a reckoning over the traumatic legacy of similar schools in the United States — and in particular by the churches that operated many of them.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/unmarked-graves-residential-schools-us-churches-1.6113448
Government of Canada supports Ilitaqsiniq – Nunavut Literacy Council through the Indigenous Community Support Fund
July 22, 2021
Through the Indigenous Community Support Fund (ICSF), the Government of Canada continues to provide support to First Nations, Inuit and Métis organizations to prevent, prepare, and respond to COVID-19.
Unmarked grave findings in Canada prompt reckoning among U.S. churches
July 22, 2021
The discoveries of hundreds of unmarked graves at former residential schools for Indigenous children in Canada have prompted renewed calls for a reckoning over the traumatic legacy of similar schools in the United States — and in particular by the churches that operated many of them.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/unmarked-graves-residential-schools-us-churches-1.6113448