Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald’s Response to the Tabling of the 2021 Ontario Budget
March 31, 2021
Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald issued the following statement in response to the provincial budget in Ontario.
Government of Canada COVID-19 Update for Indigenous Peoples and Communities
March 31, 2021
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is closely monitoring the number of COVID-19 cases reported in First Nations communities across the country. Case counts continue to decline, with 860 active cases reported as of March 30, 2021, which is the lowest number of active cases reported since last November.
Ford to impose Ontario-wide shut down as 3rd wave of COVID-19 hits hard
April 1, 2021
With a record number of COVID-19 patients in Ontario’s intensive care units and its highest-ever rate of new cases in schools, multiple sources say Premier Doug Ford will on Thursday announce plans to move the whole province into what the government describes as “shutdown” measures.
New COVID cases in Ontario will surge without stay at home order – Ontario modeling
April 1, 2021
New cases of COVID-19 in the Canadian province of Ontario will continue to surge unless the government imposes a stay at home order, according to new modeling released on Thursday by an expert panel advising the provincial government. The projection showed cases more than doubling to 6,000 per day by late April, but suggested a two or four-week stay at home order imposed on April 5 could reverse the rise in cases.
Vaccination rate on First Nations communities 4X the Canadian population
March 31, 2021
Dr. Tom Wong, chief medical officer of health with Indigenous Services Canada, said Wednesday that vaccinations rates on First Nations communities are four-times higher than in the general population. Officials said in the territories, 70 per cent of the population has been vaccinated.
Ottawa monitors North for potential dose reallocation
March 31, 2021
Federal officials say they’ll help to avoid letting unused Moderna doses expire on Manitoba reserves, and ensure Métis people are included in the campaign to inoculate the most remote corners of the province from COVID-19.
Ontario education minister announces $400 per child COVID-19 benefit
March 31, 2021
Ontario’s education minister highlighted the province’s plans to give parents more money through the Ontario COVID-19 Child Benefit at a Wednesday press conference. Stephen Lecce was joined by Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance and President of the Treasury Board, at the press conference, held at the Boys and Girls Club of Durham.
Outbreak declared in Duchesnay, Nipissing First Nation with five COVID cases confirmed so far
April 1, 2021
Nipissing First Nation Chief and Council declared a COVID-19 outbreak focused in the Duchesnay community, near North Bay, after five positive cases were identified over several days.
COVID-19 vaccine clinic for Sudbury’s Indigenous 18-plus population happening this week
March 31, 2021
A special effort is being made this week to provide vaccines for the urban Indigenous population in Sudbury, with mass vaccination events taking part at the Carmichael Arena on Bancroft Drive
‘The variants are ahead by a mile,’ says de Villa as Toronto’s COVID-19 cases surge
March 31, 2021
The City of Toronto hit a milestone Wednesday, having administered more than half a million COVID-19 vaccine doses since immunizations began in the province, the most of any region in Ontario.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/toronto-covid-update-march-31-1.5971104
Pfizer says vaccine safe, effective in 12- to 15-year-olds after clinical trial
March 31, 2021
Pfizer-BioNTech says its vaccine is safe and showed 100 per cent efficacy in a clinical trial of 12- to 15-year-olds. Health officials say more data is needed, but parents are optimistic about the results.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/pfizer-says-vaccine-safe-effective-020255506.html
What we know about J&J’s single-dose vaccine, set to arrive at the end of April
April 1, 2021
Canada will soon add another COVID-19 vaccine to its supply, with procurement minister Anita Anand announcing this week that initial shipments of Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose jab are to arrive by the end of April.
McMaster lab to screen for rare antibody that causes blood clots after AstraZeneca vaccine
March 31, 2021
A team of doctors at Hamilton’s McMaster University is preparing to test blood samples from across Canada in search of a rare type of clot linked to the Astra-Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
A year into pandemic, long-haul COVID-19 sufferers still struggle to get care
April 1, 2021
Kim Clark holds up her hand and apologizes as she pauses to catch her breath while talking through the “extreme pain” in her chest. “This is a typical day,” she said. “I have pain in my head, pain in my chest.” Clark, 42, has been trying to find relief from her crippling symptoms of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome — also known as “long COVID” — for almost a year. People suffering from long COVID often refer to themselves as “COVID long-haulers.”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/long-haul-covid-19-care-1.5970257
Ontario government agrees to negotiate with WRFN about its ongoing land claim
March 31, 2021
Members of the Whitefish River First Nation (WRFN) are cautiously celebrating the news that the Province of Ontario has agreed to engage in discussions over land claim issues that date back more than a century.
Funding program opens for Indigenous-led child and family services
March 31, 2021
Marc Miller, minister of Indigenous Services Canada, said on Wednesday funding is available to support Indigenous-led models for jurisdiction over child and family services.
Lakehead University Indigenous Graduate Student shares inspiring education journey
April 1, 2021
Pays Plat’s Clifford Mushquash shared how his career goals have changed from law to social work to public health during his March 17 virtual presentation at Lakehead University’s Indigenous Graduate Student Speaker Series.
Fort William First Nation ready to be the host community of a lithium processing plant
April 1, 2021
Fort William First Nation south of Thunder Bay, Ont., could soon be home to a new lithium refinery. The Ojibway community has signed a letter of intent with Avalon Advanced Materials for the development of the refinery. The facility would process lithium mineral concentrates from Avalon’s Separation Rapids project, north of Kenora, and Rock Tech’s Georgia Lake project, northeast of Thunder Bay.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/fwfn-lithium-1.5971813
Generation Mining and Biigtigong Nishnaabeg First Nation Announce Agreement in Principle
March 31, 2021
Generation Mining Limited and Biigtigong Nishnaabeg (“BN”) are proud to announce the signing of an Agreement in Principle (“the Agreement”) for the Marathon Palladium Copper Project (“Marathon Project”) located in Northwestern Ontario.
Anishinaabe artist beads massive tribute to patients at SickKids Hospital
March 31, 2021
An Anishinaabe artist has created a tribute to the patients at Ontario’s SickKids Hospital – one “bravery bead” at a time. Thousands of beads make up this shrine crafted by Nico Williams, who is originally from Aamjiwnaang First Nation in southwestern Ontario. Williams said the project is “focusing on everyone’s bravery.”
Chauvin Trial in Canadian Context- Justice for Colten
March 31, 2021
To localize the issues this trial has highlighted, just this past week a watchdog report on the RCMP’s mishandling of the 2016 Colten Boushie case came out to show that they destroyed records of the police communication of the responding officer’s the night of Boushie’s death.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/chauvin-trial-canadian-context-justice-153049217.html
Anishinabek Police Chief facing misconduct allegations his lawyers call ‘nonsensical’
April 1, 2021
Allegations of misconduct against the Anishinabek Police chief first made two years ago are finally being tested in a disciplinary hearing. Chief John Syrette is accused of workplace harassment, making derogatory comments and going outside his authority to give his deputy chief a lucrative new contract.
Group hopes Laurentian University will honour its commitment to Indigenous education
March 31, 2021
An Indigenous education advisory group is expressing concern that the University of Sudbury may move towards being a Francophone-only university and move away from its mandate to offer the Indigenous Studies Program.
‘Blood Quantum,’ ‘Schitt’s Creek’ top Canadian Screen Award nominations
March 31, 2021
Montreal-based Jeff Barnaby wrote and directed “Blood Quantum,” which is competing for awards including best original screenplay and best actor for Michael Greyeyes. The story of a plague that’s infecting non-Indigenous people outside a fictional First Nations reserve struck an eerily timely chord when it hit on-demand and digital platforms last May, as the COVID-19 pandemic ramped up.
How creating an Armed Forces Indigenous community assistance program would pay off
March 31, 2021
The Department of National Defence’s plan for its relationships with Indigenous Peoples for 2021-2022 states, “(b)because DND/CAF operations intersect with Indigenous interests and rights, we will continue to strengthen our relationship, contribute to government-wide reconciliation priorities, and review our policies and operational practices to ensure that they are consistent with reconciliation principles.”
Money to find information on ‘ghost babies’ makes it into Quebec budget
March 31, 2021
Funding, follow-up, and transparency: these are just three of the concerns outlined by First Nations stakeholders this week during the first public consultations on the “Baby’s Law” recently tabled in Quebec.
Winnipeg’s drinking water source of frustration for northern Ontario Indigenous community
March 31, 2021
About 100 million litres of fresh water flows west to the city of Winnipeg every day but the struggling Indigenous people who live on the shores of Shoal Lake say no benefits have ever flowed east to them.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-shoal-lake-water-dispute-cp-1.5971922
Manitoba chiefs see carbon price ruling as missed opportunity on reconciliation
April 1, 2021
The Supreme Court of Canada’s ruling on the federal carbon pricing law was a “missed opportunity to advance meaningful reconciliation,” says the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. Last year, lawyers for several First Nations had argued before the court that carbon pollution and climate change posed serious obstacles to their constitutionally protected rights under Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.
https://www.jwnenergy.com/article/2021/4/1/manitoba-chiefs-see-carbon-price-ruling-as-missed-/
Sipekne’katik First Nation lobster harvesters sue feds, non-Indigenous fishers
March 31, 2021
Mi’kmaw lobster harvesters in Nova Scotia have launched legal action against Canada’s attorney general, RCMP, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), and 29 non-Indigenous fishers including the Bay of Fundy Inshore Fishermen’s Association (BFIFA).
Saskatoon Tribal Council-run vaccine clinic for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people opens next week
March 31, 2021
The Saskatoon Tribal Council is set to open a COVID-19 vaccine clinic for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people next week at SaskTel Centre. “Whoever registers will get a call, whether they’re First Nations or non-First Nations,” Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand said on Wednesday. “We’re here to serve everybody. That’s the goal, get as many people vaccinated [as possible].”
11-year-old performs healing dances to help rid his Manitoba First Nation of COVID-19
March 31, 2021
An 11-year-old boy is dancing for the people battling COVID-19 in his northern Manitoba First Nation and to force the illness out of his community. Mathias Colomb Cree Nation, Pukatawagan, has been receiving aid from the Canadian Armed Forces, Red Cross and Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak for a COVID-19 outbreak since mid-March.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-traditional-dancing-covid-19-1.5970594
Woman gets creative through TikTok, using new ways to share an old language
March 31, 2021
A Winnipegger is using the TIkTok social media platform to share her lessons about learning to speak Cree, and Sharissa Neault is finding a receptive international audience — and a new connection to family.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/tiktok-social-media-cree-language-lessons-winnipeg-1.5970978
National Indigenous Languages Day celebrates with virtual celebration to honour strength and endurance of Indigenous languages and cultures
March 31, 2021
Cree and Déne elders and language teachers celebrate National Indigenous Languages Day in a virtual celebration. The day honours the strength and endurance of Indigenous languages and cultures.
NB First Nation Chiefs denounce RCMP raid on authorized Eel River Bar First Nation cannabis vendor
March 31, 2021
Indigenous leaders say a recent raid on an authorized cannabis vendor on the Eel River Bar First Nation represents another low in the deteriorating relations between First Nations and the Crown in New Brunswick.
Twin Indigenous sisters prepare for NCAA Division 1 hockey scholarship opportunity
March 31, 2021
Kyla and Jordyn Bear began to love the game of hockey while growing up on the Ochapowace First Nation, about an hour south of Yorkton, Sask. Once they got into organized hockey, they had stops in Churchbridge, Whitewood and then Melville until the Triple-A team disbanded.
https://globalnews.ca/news/7729613/indigenous-sister-hockey-ncaa-division-1-scholarship/
The business of reconciliation: Asper appoints new Executive-in-Residence
March 31, 2021
Mary Jane Maillet Brownscombe [BComm(Hons)/88, MA/11] has a long-term relationship with the University of Manitoba. She first graduated with a Commerce degree in 1988 and went on to acquire a CA-CPA designation (1991). Her career took her back to the University for a five-year period in which she served as the Director of Strategic Planning and Resource Allocation (1999-2004). “At that time, the University was building its Indigenous inclusion platform, but it wasn’t anything like it is today, in terms of advancing the conversation,” she says.
https://news.umanitoba.ca/the-business-of-reconciliation-asper-appoints-new-executive-in-residence/
Saskatchewan pilot project aims to re-establish dental therapy for Indigenous communities
March 31, 2021
A pilot partnership forged in Saskatchewan aims to re-establish a dental therapy program and improve oral care in Indigenous communities. Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) has awarded $150,000 in seed funding to create a proposal for establishing Canada’s only accredited dental therapy program in Saskatchewan.
https://globalnews.ca/news/7730000/saskatchewan-dental-therapists-indigenous/
Death of 6-year-old reveals gaps in Indigenous health-care system
March 31, 2021
Your child is in pain and can’t keep food down. If you’re like a lot of parents, you take them to the doctor, or maybe you call your local clinic. But that wasn’t an option for one Alberta father.
Changes to Alberta’s K to 6 education curriculum getting mixed reviews
March 31, 2021
The Alberta government is making sweeping changes to its curriculum from kindergarten to Grade 6. The changes have some Indigenous leaders supporting them, and others who say the province needs to do more homework.
‘It was so scary’: First Nations woman records treatment in southern Alberta hospital
March 31, 2021
A southern Alberta doctor investigated three years ago for a racist tirade against Indigenous street people is now accused of verbally abusing a First Nations woman. Dr. Lloyd Clarke, of Cardston, Alta., is heard on video threatening to have Marissa Smoke arrested if she leaves Cardston Hospital without treatment.
https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/first-nations-woman-health-care-racism-cardston/
Multilingual Indigenous language stop signs to be installed across Wood Buffalo
March 31, 2021
More than 60 multilingual Indigenous stop signs will be installed across the Wood Buffalo region over the next few weeks. Residents can keep an eye out for them in Fort McKay, Anzac, Conklin, and Janvier.
Skoden Indigenous Film Festival showcases Indigenous talent from across Canada
March 31, 2021
The Skoden Indigenous Film Festival returns for a two-day online event March 26-27, featuring Indigenous filmmakers and creatives from across Canada and British Columbia.
B.C. First Nations, Fisheries and Oceans Canada protect crab for Indigenous food, social and ceremonial purposes
March 31, 2021
A groundbreaking co-management decision by four First Nations and Fisheries and Oceans Canada will protect 17 crab harvesting sites on B.C.’s central coast for Indigenous food, social and ceremonial purposes starting April 1.
https://thenarwhal.ca/bc-first-nations-dfo-dungeness-crab-decision/
Upcoming “Right to Tell” documentary
March 31, 2021
The portfolio of the Ktunaxa Nation Theatre Dance Troupe Society (KNTDTS) has recently expanded in the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/upcoming-tell-documentary-202736227.html
Skeena Welcomes $5 Million Investment from Tahltan Nation
March 31, 2021
(“Skeena” or the “Company”) and the Tahltan Central Government (“TCG”) are pleased to announce that they have entered into an investment agreement, pursuant to which TCG have agreed to invest C$5 million into Skeena by purchasing 1,597,138 Tahltan investment rights (the “Rights”). The Rights are priced at approximately $3.13 per Right, which reflects the five-day volume weighted average price for the common shares of Skeena (“Common Shares”) for the trading day ended March 25, 2021.
Lheidli T’enneh Nation in B.C. moves to push Enbridge pipeline off territory
March 31, 2021
Lheidli T’enneh First Nation has ended negotiations with Enbridge and now says they want their pipeline removed from the territory. The two sides have been in talks after the company’s natural gas pipeline exploded near Lheidli’s Northside Subdivision in 2018.
As Labrador Inuit try to keep pace with climate change, adaptation takes a toll
March 31, 2021
The stars were brighter when Johannes Lampe was young. “The weather has become so unpredictable, and [there’s] so much fog coming in,” said Lampe, the president of Nunatsiavut, the self-governing territory of Labrador’s Inuit.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/sea-ice-labrador-inuit-adapt-climate-1.5954622
Crown drops assault charges against Łutselk’e chief
April 1, 2021
Assault charges were stayed against Darryl Marlowe, chief of Łutselk’e on Wednesday, but he remains accused of operating a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/crown-drops-assault-charges-against-lutsel-k-e-chief-1.5971927
First Cree patient joins McGill patient committee aimed at improving hospital experience
March 31, 2021
A Cree patient from northern Quebec will play a key role in a new project that aims to make the hospitals of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) more welcoming places for Indigenous people.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/cree-muhc-project-diversity-racism-1.5968947
CYFN Launches YFN Rock the Vote Initiatives to Empower, Inform and Increase Yukon First Nations Vote
March 31, 2021
The Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN) has launched a series of initiatives to support Yukon First Nations voters leading up to the 2021 territorial election.
CYFN has appointed an Election Coordinator Mathieya Alatini to facilitate information-sharing specific to the election with Yukon First Nations. CYFN has established a dedicated webpage, social media campaign featuring the hashtag #YFNRocktheVote and other tools to help create more awareness.
Cleveland Indians to ban Native American headdresses, face paint at games ahead of name change
March 31, 2021
Though the team has yet to settle on a new nickname, something it pledged to do last year, the Cleveland Indians announced on Monday that fans will not be allowed to wear Native American headdresses or face paint at Progressive Field this season.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Call for artist interpretations/artwork for the Assembly of First Nations 2021 Annual General Assembly
The Chiefs of Ontario Host Committee will be hosting the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) 42nd Annual General Assembly in Toronto in July 2021 and is currently accepting original Indigenous artwork to be submitted. Artwork will be used for materials by the Chiefs of Ontario Host Committee and the AFN in promoting the Assembly. We are seeking artwork that supports and promotes First Nations culture in Ontario.
Save the Date: Chiefs of Ontario 47th All Ontario Chiefs Conference 2021
The Chiefs of Ontario and Grand Council Treaty #3 will be hosting the 47th All Ontario Chiefs Conference 2021 on June 15-17, 2021. For the Chiefs of Ontario All Ontario Chiefs Conference (AOCC), please find the 1st Call for Resolutions attached. Deadline for Resolutions is Wednesday, May 26, 2021. For more information, please visit https://www.chiefsmeeting.com/aocc-2021.
Issue 9 of The Official Chiefs of Ontario Magazine, The Advocate is now online!
To view, please click here: https://www.mediaedgemagazines.com/the-chiefs-of-ontario-coo/oo21c/.
International Association for Great Lakes Research (IAGLR) Annual Meeting, May 17-21, 2021
Hosted by Michigan Technological University, the virtual conference will feature four days of scientific sessions and speakers focusing on our theme Bridging: Knowledge, Seven Generations, Land-to-Lake.
For more information and registration, click here: https://bit.ly/3nI8gUh.
Chiefs of Ontario Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
Find Our Latest Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates Here. This website provides information on emergency planning and preparedness, as well as on the unique programs and services that are available to First Nations in Ontario during times of emergency.
