Ontario reports 564 new COVID-19 cases today, 581 on Monday

September 7, 2021

Ontario is reporting an average of 572 new COVID-19 cases over the past two days as the rolling seven-day average drops slightly from Sunday, the last day data was released by the province.

https://www.cp24.com/news/ontario-reports-564-new-covid-19-cases-today-581-on-monday-1.5575564

 

More Indigenous MPs could advance reconciliation

September 7, 2021

Whatever happens when the votes are counted on Sept. 20 and a new Parliament has been chosen, this federal election campaign has already performed a vital service for Canada.

https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/opinion/editorials/2021/09/07/more-indigenous-mps-could-advance-reconciliation.html

 

3 things to consider to support Indigenous communities this election

September 6, 2021

Chippewas Of Rama First Nation Chief Ted Williams offers tips for voters to keep in mind at the ballot box.

https://www.simcoe.com/news-story/10466000-3-things-to-consider-to-support-indigenous-communities-this-election/

 

‘Too much talk:’ Indigenous leaders want action from local candidates on key reconciliation issues

September 3, 2021

First Nations members, Métis and Inuit, many long-denied even such fundamental rights as clean drinking water, have for years sought redress and reconciliation for historic and ongoing maltreatment they’ve experienced, with little progress.

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/too-much-talk-indigenous-leaders-want-action-from-local-candidates-on-key-reconciliation-issues

 

First Nation in northwestern Ontario granted temporary injunction to prevent mineral exploration

September 7, 2021

A First Nation in Treaty 9 in northwestern Ontario is celebrating a legal win that will see a sacred area in its lands temporarily protected from mineral exploration activities.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/ginoogaming-injunction-granted-1.6164824

 

Aamjiwnaang First Nation celebrates student achievement while embracing a new normal

September 7, 2021

It was August 25, the air was wet, the sun was scorching, and the COVID-19 pandemic lingering; but that wasn’t enough to stop Aamjiwnaang First Nation from ensuring every last one of their students’ achievements were recognized at their annual awards event.

https://anishinabeknews.ca/2021/09/07/aamjiwnaang-first-nation-celebrates-student-achievement-while-embracing-a-new-normal/

 

‘Cultural genocide’: the shameful history of Canada’s residential schools – mapped

September 6, 2021

In May, Canadians were shocked at the discovery of the remains of 215 children at the site of a former school in British Columbia. The bodies belonged to Indigenous children, some believed to be as young as three years old, who went through Canada’s state-sponsored “residential school” system. The schools, scattered across the country, were aimed at eradicating the culture and languages of the country’s Indigenous populations.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2021/sep/06/canada-residential-schools-indigenous-children-cultural-genocide-map

 

Ryerson University announces name change

September 6, 2021

On June 1, 2021, the statue of Egerton Ryerson, the founder of Ryerson University and an eminent contributor to the design of the Canadian Indian residential school system, was vandalized with red paint after the discovery of over 215 unmarked graves in British Columbia.

https://themedium.ca/ryerson-university-announces-name-change/

 

Goulais River entrepreneur advances to Pow Wow Pitch semifinals

September 6, 2021

An Indigenous entrepreneur from Goulais River is hoping that her next business pitch wins her enough cash to take her tool and equipment rental shop to the next level. Earlier this month Tiana Byrnes, founder of Twin Equipment and Tool Rentals Ltd., was selected as a semifinalist for Pow Wow Pitch, a competition for emerging Indigenous entrepreneurs in partnership with Royal Bank of Canada, Shopify and Facebook.

https://www.sootoday.com/local-news/goulais-river-entrepreneur-advances-to-pow-wow-pitch-semifinals-4306784

 

Local entrepreneur sets sights on Pow Wow Pitch grand prize

September 5, 2021

A member of Chippewas of the Thames First Nation is one step closer to winning a national competition aiming to support Indigenous entrepreneurs.  Tyler French is a semifinalist for the annual Pow Wow Pitch, where more than 1,000 vendors, artists and innovators pitch their ideas for a chance to win up to $25,000.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/local-entrepreneur-sets-sights-on-pow-wow-pitch-grand-prize-1.6163366

 

First Peoples Law Report August 30 – September 5, 2021 – First Peoples Law

September 6, 2021

This week’s edition includes land defence, climate change, treaty rights, language rights, birth alerts and more.

https://www.firstpeopleslaw.com/aboriginal-law-report/617a11192dee3fcbb9d39e2fe5aec17f

 

Students Head Back to Class in Safer Schools

September 7, 2021

Today, Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, issued the following statement as students head back to class: “I am proud of all Ontario students heading back to class, be it in-person or online. In keeping with the expert advice of Ontario’s pediatric hospitals and the Chief Medical Officer of Health, we have invested heavily in ventilation improvements to support safer schools.

https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1000784/students-head-back-to-class-in-safer-schools

 

Book review: Cristine the Tiny Snipe : Adventures in a Field (Six Nations Clan animal stories)

September 6, 2021

Cristine the Tiny Snipe: Adventures in a Field by Zig Misiak and illustrated by Jennifer Bettio is a beautiful children’s book that follows the first weeks of life of a young snipe named Christine.

https://anishinabeknews.ca/2021/09/06/book-review-cristine-the-tiny-snipe-adventures-in-a-field-six-nations-clan-animal-stories/

 

Schools to close Sept. 30 in observance of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

September 3, 2021

The Manitoba government is formally recognizing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a day of observance to encourage reflection and meaningful discussions about the impacts of residential schools.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-schools-national-day-truth-reconciliation-1.6164141

 

Innu Nation wants answers from federal candidates on list of concerns ahead of election

September 5, 2021

One of the Newfoundland and Labrador’s Indigenous groups is demanding answers from federal election candidates and asking politicians to uphold their rights before heading to the polls on Sept. 20.

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/innu-nation-wants-answers-federal-093000820.html

 

Five-day walk in Alberta, Sask. aims to build relationships, deeper understanding of treaties

September 6, 2021

The call is out for walkers to join a five-day trek to build deeper understanding of treaties and relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/five-day-walk-alberta-sask-191825440.html

 

Corn maze set up outside Winnipeg to contemplate children who died in residential schools

September 4, 2021

A Manitoba farmer known for his elaborate 10-acre corn mazes has set up a special display to pay tribute to victims of residential schools and an opportunity for people to learn more about the institutions.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/corn-maze-deer-meadow-farms-residential-schools-wfpcbc-wfp-1.6165167

 

Meet the Mi’kmaw artist revamping Charlottetown intersection where a bronze John A. Macdonald once sat

September 4, 2021

Melissa Peter-Paul could never stop on the busy Charlottetown corner where a statue of Canada’s first prime minister, whose government oversaw the establishment of a formalized residential school system, stood until recently.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-mikmaw-artist-john-1.6163038

 

7 cases of COVID-19 confirmed so far in Metepenagiag First Nation

September 6, 2021

Three new cases of COVID-19 were announced in Metepenagiag First Nation Monday, bringing the community’s total up to seven.

https://globalnews.ca/news/8170596/metepenagiag-first-nation-covid-19-cases/

 

Northern Manitoba chiefs eager for in-person schooling to return, worry students are falling behind

September 6, 2021

Two First Nations chiefs in northern Manitoba are eager to get their students back inside classrooms after more than a year of disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/manitoba-first-nations-schools-1.6164597

 

Drag the Red founder Kyle Kematch passes away at age 39

September 3, 2021

One of the founders of an organization that searches waterways for missing and murdered people has passed away. Kyle Kematch was an organizer of Drag the Red, a volunteer group in Winnipeg. A gathering to honour Kematch will be held on the banks of the Red River next week.

https://www.aptnnews.ca/videos/drag-the-red-founder-kyle-kematch-passes-away-at-age-39/

 

Daughter of Drag the Red co-founder will help keep search of Red River alive after her father’s death

September 5, 2021

Kyle Kematch spent years searching Winnipeg’s Red River to give closure to the families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. After his passing last week, Kematch’s oldest daughter now hopes to find closure herself by searching the same river.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/drag-the-red-co-founder-kyle-kematch-death-daughter-1.6165291

 

Young father fatally overdoses as street drug sweeps Shamattawa, Bunibonibee First Nations

September 6, 2021

The death of a young father of seven children is thought to be among the latest consequences brought by a potentially deadly street drug that’s been circulating in two northern Manitoba First Nations.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/bunibonibee-shamattawa-overdoses-death-crisis-green-beans-1.6165944

 

Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation actor hopes to inspire through role on new show Reservation Dogs

September 6, 2021

Paulina Alexis always knew growing up she wanted to do something creative but never had any Indigenous television shows to draw inspiration from.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edmonton-actor-reservation-dogs-1.6163125

 

An Indigenous take on a 1978 classic returns to Edmonton this week

September 6, 2021

Bear Grease, a theatre performance combining hip-hop, parody, improve and freestyle will hold three encore shows on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Garneau Theatre.

https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/an-indigenous-take-on-a-1978-classic-returns-to-edmonton-this-week-1.5575092

 

Calgary professor won’t use capital letters unless it’s to acknowledge Indigenous people

September 6, 2021

A Calgary professor says she won’t use capital letters in her name or anything she writes, unless it pertains to Indigenous people.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/calgary-professor-won-t-use-capital-letters-unless-it-s-to-acknowledge-indigenous-people-1.5575010

 

Morley Pride to hold its 3rd Two-Spirit Celebration Saturday

September 4, 2021

Elder Tina Fox, who will be giving the opening prayer for Morley’s Two-Spirit Celebration Saturday, says the blessing ceremony is about reminding people who two-spirit people are and where they come from.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/morley-pride-two-spirit-celebration-1.6164486

 

UBC selects drone company to deliver COVID-19 medical supplies to First Nations community

September 6, 2021

As part of UBC’s Remote Communities Drone Transport Initiative program, Drone Delivery Canada (DDC) has been selected to deliver COVID-19 medical supplies to the Stellat’en First Nation community.

https://www.ubyssey.ca/science/UBC-drone-deliver-medical-First-Nations/

 

A young Indigenous woman vanished a year ago. There’s a $20K reward in her case, but there’s been no sign of her since that day.

September 6, 2021

Late on Sept. 6, 2020, Chelsea Poorman left a friend’s house, hinting to her sister she may be with a new love interest. She was never seen again, and a full year later, her family still doesn’t know what happened to her.

https://bc.ctvnews.ca/a-young-indigenous-woman-vanished-a-year-ago-there-s-a-20k-reward-in-her-case-but-there-s-been-no-sign-of-her-since-that-day-1.5575207

 

When a 7 is not a 7: Squamish Nation woman fights to get her name on her passport

September 6, 2021

When Ta7talíya Nahanee gathered her team of Indigenous creatives for dinner at a White Rock restaurant two weeks ago, the server laid forks and knives on the table and said, “here you go — unless you want to eat like savages.” Nahanee played it off as a joke. Then she turned it into a teaching moment.

https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/indigenous-language-passport-problem

 

Inuit leader says federal election offers stark choices on reconciliation

September 5, 2021

The president of the national body representing Inuit in Canada says continued  progress with reconciliation hangs in the balance in this federal election.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/itk-president-2021-federal-election-1.6164256

 

First Nations firefighters return to Yukon after battling blazes in B.C.

September 7, 2021

A deployment of Yukon First Nations firefighters has returned to the territory after assisting British Columbia with its ongoing wildfire response.

https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/first-nations-firefighters-return-to-yukon-after-battling-bc-wildfire/

 

 

 

2021 Federal Election

 

Election 2021 platforms: Here’s what the Liberals, Conservatives and NDP are promising

September 7, 2021

Canada goes to the polls on Sept. 20. So what’s in the party platform’s? Here’s a running list of specific promises announced by the Liberals, Conservatives and NDP since the official start of the Election 44 campaign.

https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/election-2021/canada-federal-election-2021-platforms

 

Where the main party leaders are on Day 24 of the federal election campaign

September 7, 2021

Here’s what you need to know about where the leaders of Canada’s major political parties are on Day 24 of the election campaign. You can watch streaming video of available live events on this page throughout the day. All times are eastern time (ET) unless otherwise noted.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-election-2021-where-the-leaders-are-day-24-1.6166426

 

Labour Day on the campaign trail: Party leaders push policies, trade barbs on supports for workers

September 6, 2021

Federal party leaders marked Labour Day on Monday by promoting their ideas to support workers and trading barbs about who will best have their backs. Speaking at a steel plant in Welland, Ont., Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau said he didn’t know if there has been a time, in light of the COVID-19 crisis, when workers have done more for their country.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/federal-leaders-labour-day-workers-1.6166200

 

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, trailing in polls, goes on attack two weeks before vote

September 7, 2021

Trudeau said O’Toole was pandering to anti-vaxxers just as he had to the gun lobby. Anti-vax hecklers have shouted abuse and even death threats at Trudeau throughout his campaign.

https://www.timesnownews.com/international/article/canadian-pm-justin-trudeau-trailing-in-polls-goes-on-attack-two-weeks-before-vote/808928

 

Trudeau hit by gravel as protesters surround campaign bus in London, Ont.

September 6, 2021

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau was hit by some gravel Monday while boarding a campaign bus in London, Ont. As Trudeau went to get on the bus, which was surrounded by angry protesters, small objects could be seen thrown in his direction. A masked Trudeau looked startled before he went into the vehicle.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-protestors-gravel-1.6166378

 

Opinion: Why Justin Trudeau’s snap election is backfiring

September 7, 2021

Just over four years ago, Theresa May dissolved parliament, triggering an early UK general election that seemed a safe bet to the Conservatives. Few things in politics are ever certain but, faced with a divided opposition and a comfortable Tory poll lead, the prime minister sensed an opportunity too tantalising to resist.

https://www.newstatesman.com/world/north-america/2021/09/why-justin-trudeau-s-snap-election-backfiring

 

Trudeau risks losing this election both to O’Toole and to Singh

September 6, 2021

If you want to understand the particular kind of trouble that Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau finds himself in, take a look at an old poll: election night, 2019.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-trudeau-risks-losing-this-election-both-to-otoole-and-to-singh/

 

O’Toole not ruling out future reversal of 2020 gun ban pending stakeholder review

September 6, 2021

Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole appears not to be closing the door to future reclassification of some 1,500 firearms — largely semi-automatic rifles — prohibited under a 2020 Liberal executive order.

https://globalnews.ca/news/8170318/erin-otoole-2020-gun-ban-promise/

 

Analysis: O’Toole’s tele-town halls seem to be paying off

September 5, 2021

Slow and steady wins the race. That was the moral of one of Aesop’s fables but it also seems to be the strategy of the Conservative party‘s campaign. The old tale is about a race between a tortoise and a hare. The furry creature was so confident about his chances in winning the race that he laid down and went to sleep, while the shelled slowpoke plodded along until he passed the hare.

https://globalnews.ca/news/8168445/erin-o-toole-conservatives-analysis-tele-town-hall/

 

Opinion: NDP climate plan long on ambition, short on substance (again)

September 7, 2021

If you follow federal politics — and pay attention to party platforms — you might be confused by the 2021 NDP climate plan and wonder if it is any different from 2019. There is the same picture of Jagmeet Singh in a canoe, and much of the same text. So what’s new?

https://www.cbc.ca/news/opinion/opinion-election-ndp-climate-platform-1.6162926

 

Would he support a Conservative minority? One-on-one with Jagmeet Singh

September 5, 2021

As part of ‘The West Block’s leader interviews, host Mercedes Stephenson sits down with NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. Stephenson pushes Singh on the possibility of supporting a Liberal or Conservative minority government, as well as vaccine passports and the two Michaels as they reach 1,000 days detained in China. Singh also says which politician he wants to emulate in his career.

https://globalnews.ca/video/8168700/would-he-support-a-conservative-minority-one-on-one-with-jagmeet-singh

 

COVID-19, affordability, reconciliation among topics in Canada election debates

September 6, 2021

Recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, affordability and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples will be among the five topics discussed among the party leaders at Thursday’s English language debate for the federal election.

https://q107.com/news/8171043/canada-election-english-leaders-debate-topics/

 

Electoral reform: Is Trudeau’s broken promise on any party’s agenda?

September 6, 2021

Not much has been said about electoral reform during this federal election campaign, six years after Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau promised to replace the first-past-the-post voting system.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ask-electoral-reform-2021-federal-election-1.6163972

 

Federal election polling stations fewer and farther between, Elections Canada says

September 6, 2021

Canadians may want to have a second look at their voter information cards as people are finding polling stations are fewer and farther between this time around.

https://www.timescolonist.com/elections/federal-election-polling-stations-fewer-and-farther-between-elections-canada-says-1.24356028

 

Close polls mean Atlantic Canada could get ”a lot more” campaign attention

September 6, 2021

Polls showing a close result ahead of Canada’s federal election may prompt party leaders to sharpen their focus in Atlantic Canada. “That’s when a part of the country, like Atlantic Canada with its 32 seats, gets a lot more attention,” says J.P. Lewis, a political scientist at the University of New Brunswick.

https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/close-polls-mean-atlantic-canada-could-get-a-lot-more-campaign-attention-1.5575076

 

RIDING PROFILE: What you need to know about Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing

September 5, 2021

Algoma-Manitoulin Kapuskasing covers 100,103 square kilometres in Ontario’s northeast. Unlike most ridings, it is made up of small towns and First Nations and there isn’t one main centre, with the largest communities being Elliot Lake, Kapuskasing and Hearst.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/riding-profile-algoma-manitoulin-kapuskasing-1.6153388