Ontario reports record-breaking 4,736 new COVID-19 cases as total count surpasses 400,000
April 15, 2021
Ontario is reporting 4,736 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, a single-day high for Ontario since the pandemic began. The provincial total now stands at 403,571, surpassing the 400,000 milestone.
https://globalnews.ca/news/7759381/covid-19-ontario-cases-april-15-coronavirus/
Confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Indigenous communities
April 14, 2021
On First Nations reserves, as of April 13 Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is aware of: 25,789 confirmed positive COVID-19 , 704 active cases, 1,153 hospitalizations , 24,786 recovered cases ,299 deaths.
https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1598625105013/1598625167707
Federal COVID-19 vaccine distribution update
April 15, 2021
Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin, the military commander in charge of Canada’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution, gives a technical briefing on Canada’s vaccine logistics.
https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1885698627885
Shut down travel between provinces to control spread of variants, experts say
April 14, 2021
Experts are calling on the federal and provincial governments to take steps to curb interprovincial and international travel to stop the spread of coronavirus variants of concern. While the B117 strain is driving much of the third wave in Ontario and elsewhere, the P1 variant, associated with Brazil, is surging in B.C. and spreading in Alberta and Ontario.
COVID-19 outbreak continues on Nipissing First Nation
April 14, 2021
The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit confirmed April 8 that there was an outbreak in Duchesnay, Nipissing First Nation. Outbreak-related cases had been listed on the health unit’s website, but no location was given.
Ontario in ‘showdown’ against vaccine supply
April 13, 2021
Many residents and business owners have been frustrated by another lock-down and stay-at-home order in Ontario, especially with few COVID-19 cases in northwestern Ontario.
https://www.drydennow.com/articles/rickford-ontario-in-showdown-against-vaccine-supply-
24/7 health services return to Pikangikum, but not OPP
April 14, 2021
Health services have been restored in Pikangikum First Nation, but the community is still without a police force after expelling members of the OPP last month. On March 20, Chief Dean Owen and Pikangikum Band Councilors voted to expel members of the OPP after allegations of ‘incidents involving constables that occurred in the community over many years’.
https://www.drydennow.com/articles/247-health-services-return-to-pikangikum-but-not-opp
Funding announced to improve community, cultural and recreational facilities in five First Nations
April 15, 2021
Canadians everywhere are feeling the impact of COVID-19 on their families, their livelihoods and their way of life. Together, the governments of Canada and Ontario are working to reduce the impact of the pandemic, ensure health and safety, rebuild businesses, and promote job creation, growth and investment.
Tecumseh Community Development Corporation offers financial support to local Indigenous-led businesses during pandemic
April 15, 2021
The Tecumseh Community Development Corporation is continuing to offer financial pandemic support to Indigenous-led businesses across southwestern Ontario even after distributing over $1 million in federal aid loans in the last year.
Saugeen Ojibway Nation walkers visit proposed nuclear waste site
April 14, 2021
Members of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation ended a three-day Water Walk, by passing by the potentially permanent home to Canada’s most radioactive nuclear waste. “I’m not totally anti-nuclear, because I like the comfort, but what’s the compromise. How do we get to the middle of the road on this,” says Water Walk organizer, Joanne Keeshig.
https://london.ctvnews.ca/saugeen-ojibway-nation-walkers-visit-proposed-nuclear-waste-site-1.5387520
Indigenous leaders: The protester inside the energy industry
April 15, 2021
If there’s one skill Kaella-Marie Earle takes from her days of protesting the energy industry it’s that she’s very good at getting large groups of people pretty excited. At 29, the Sudbury-born engineer-in-training with Enbridge Gas is an emerging figure as a budding Indigenous leader who’s out to bridge the cultural gap between Canada’s Indigenous people and the energy industry.
Mattawa woman awarded Victim Services Award of Distinction
April 15, 2021
The 2020-21 Attorney General’s Victim Services Awards of Distinction includes a Mattawa woman, Patti Lessard. The award “recognizes the exceptional achievements of dedicated professionals, organizations and volunteers working to raise awareness of victims’ issues in Ontario and provide support when victims need it most,” according to a news release.
Baking healthy bannock 101: connecting with Indigenous culture in the kitchen
April 14, 2021
Move over sourdough – you can learn how to make healthy versions of bannock, the delicious, moist, quick bread symbolic among many Indigenous people.
Opinion: Nipping Anishinaabemowin in the bud rather than facilitating ‘budding trilingualism’
April 14, 2021
Laurentian University President Dr. Robert Haché recently sought to settle the question of “whether the sacred character of its cultural identity” stemming from its tricultural mandate “will be preserved as we navigate a restructuring” its insolvency necessitates.
Liberals’ bill on Indigenous rights getting pushback from Conservatives, First Nations critics
April 14, 2021
A key element of the Liberal government’s reconciliation agenda is facing resistance from Conservatives in the House of Commons — and some First Nations critics on the outside. Bill C-15, An Act respecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), is at the second reading stage and is being discussed this week by members of the standing committee on Indigenous and northern affairs.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/liberal-government-undrip-bill-opposition-second-reading-1.5984689
Canadian government advances Indigenous rights bill
April 14, 2021
On Feb. 17, 2021 the House of Commons began second reading of Bill C-15, An Act respecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. On March 11, Parliament’s Indigenous & Northern Affairs Committee began pre-study of Bill C-15.
https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=ab55be6a-2412-410a-967a-5904baf0fea8
APTN and FNHMA collaborate to bring weekly COVID-19 insights you can watch on Saturdays 5:00pm on APTN
April 14, 2021
PTN and the First Nations Health Managers Association (FNHMA) have announced an exciting collaboration in bringing up-to-date COVID-19 information and expertise to the public.
Indigenous-led organizations in Quebec inundated with requests for cultural sensitivity training
April 13, 2021
With the Quebec government promising that cultural sensitivity training for public servants is coming within the next few weeks, Indigenous-led organizations say they’re being inundated with requests for sessions now.
https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/sensitivity-training-indigenous-organizations-quebec/
Tobique chief fires back at premier for saying tax deal created ‘super wealthy’ reserves
April 14, 2021
A First Nations chief whose reserve has seen only a tiny fraction of the total tax-sharing revenue in the province says he doesn’t feel the system is unfair to his community. Tobique First Nation chief Ross Perley says Premier Blaine Higgs should be applauding Indigenous entrepreneurship rather than ripping up tax-sharing agreements for being “unfair” to some reserves.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/indigenous-first-nation-higgs-1.5987679
First Nations feel they’re being punished for success with cancellation of N.B. tax agreement
April 14, 2021`
Indigenous leaders in New Brunswick say the government’s decision to pull out of a longstanding tax-sharing agreement effectively punishes First Nations communities for their success.
https://globalnews.ca/news/7757189/first-nations-cancellation-new-brunswick-tax-agreement/
Mi’kmaw fisherman has crab traps seized by DFO during food fishery
April 14, 2021
Robert Syliboy and his crew dropped ten traps into the deep waters of the Atlantic Ocean to harvest snow crab for a community feast. “Crab’s pretty expensive, how many people on the reserve do you think could actually go out and buy it and then it dawned on me, there’s no way you can actually eat crab as a Mi’kmaw person unless you go to a store,” Syliboy told APTN News. “But I think that’s absolutely wrong.”
Here’s how Labrador Inuit are leading the way by adapting to the curveballs of climate change
April 15, 2021
During Ron Webb’s lifetime, he’s felt the force of the shifting winds of change — literally. “The strength of it is unbelievable sometimes,” said Webb, who lives in Nain, the most northerly Inuit community on Labrador’s coast. “We always got gales of wind, but it seems to be more now. More, and stronger.”
Treaty 8 Grand Chief pushing for First Nations police service
April 14, 2021
The Grand Chief of Treaty 8 is lobbying the provincial government for an Indigenous police service for First Nations covered by the treaty. Treaty 8 includes all First Nations in the Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo area.
https://www.fortmcmurraytoday.com/news/treaty-8-grand-chief-pushing-for-first-nations-police-service
Some First Nations have already given first doses of COVID vaccine to every adult who wanted one
April 14, 2021
Close to three-quarters of Manitoba’s 63 First Nations will have received COVID-19 vaccine allocations equal to as much as 75 per cent of their members by the end of the week and some that started their mass vaccine campaigns earliest have already administered first doses to every adult who wanted one.
Indigenous women chefs take Canadian cooking shows by storm
April 14, 2021
Two Indigenous women are the talk of the cooking TV show circuit and for good reason. Jodi Robson from Regina, Sask., is a wife and mom of two who wowed The Great Canadian Baking Show, making it to the top three finalists, while Siobhan Detkavich is the youngest chef who will compete on Top Chef Canada’s upcoming season, which debuts April 19.
https://www.aptnnews.ca/infocus/indigenous-women-chefs-take-canadian-cooking-shows-by-storm/
Mistawasis Nêhiyawk mother gets her son back after trying for close to a year
April 14, 2021
A mother from Mistawasis Nêhiyawk in Saskatchewan who lost her ten year old son to the child welfare system while battling an addiction has him back. After losing her son in July 2020, the mother, who can’t be named, entered treatment and has been clean and sober since.
Teens offer suggestions to cope with COVID isolation, struggles with mental health
April 15, 2021
Sophia Young does big art projects for school on the floor of her home. Normally, she’d do it at school. But school in Regina moved to online learning in mid-March. She babysits some local kids, and tries to keep their cute but sticky kid fingers off her project.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/high-school-isoloation-covid-sask-1.5987538
2 northern Manitoba First Nations taking measures to combat COVID-19 outbreaks
April 14, 2021
The security team staffing the highway checkpoint leading into Chemawawin Cree Nation and Easterville is turning away anyone who doesn’t live or work in the community. “No exceptions,” said security supervisor Quentin Mink. “We take the spread of COVID-19 very seriously.”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/chemawawin-bunibonibee-covid-outbreaks-1.5988191
Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation brothers produce COVID-19 healing song and performance
April 14, 2021
A pair of Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation brothers collaborated on a healing song and dance to document the COVID-19 pandemic and produced a video to share it worldwide.
Here’s how Labrador Inuit are leading the way by adapting to the curveballs of climate change
April 15, 2021
During Ron Webb’s lifetime, he’s felt the force of the shifting winds of change — literally. “The strength of it is unbelievable sometimes,” said Webb, who lives in Nain, the most northerly Inuit community on Labrador’s coast.
New video installation gives insight into the worldview of Indigenous youth
April 13, 2021
A new video installation is now open in North Vancouver, giving viewers an insight into the world view of Indigenous youth. This installation is called “Response – The Land Narrative” and showcases experimental approaches to storytelling.
Saskatoon Indigenous outreach program focuses on cultural connections
April 14, 2021
Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) Chief Mark Arcand wants to expand Saweyihtotan, a “by Indigenous, for Indigenous” outreach program. It focuses on using cultural connections to establish trust with clients — whom Saweyihtotan staff refer to as “relatives.”
https://globalnews.ca/news/7758993/indigenous-outreach-program-cultural-connections-saskatoon/
Indigenous woman alleges racist encounter at southern Alberta hospital
April 14, 2021
A Indigenous woman from Lethbridge says she was racially profiled after seeking medical attention in Cardston, Alta. on March 25. Marissa Smoke said she called an ambulance from Stand Off after suffering severe abdominal pain while at work, and told Global News she was given morphine on the way to the nearest hospital.
https://globalnews.ca/news/7758146/indigenous-woman-racist-encounter-alberta-hospital/
‘It’s total relief’: Enoch Cree Nation hosts Indigenous vaccination clinic
April 14, 2021
Enoch Cree Nation is welcoming all Indigenous people to its urban First Nations vaccination clinic at River Cree Resort. Eligible recipients include First Nations, Metis, and Inuit people over the age of 50 and those aged 16 to 64 with high-risk underlying health conditions. Those meeting the criteria can receive their first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
Wetaskiwin receiving 10 additional RCMP officers to manage high crime rate
April 14, 2021
A commitment has been made to add 10 RCMP officers in the city of Wetaskiwin and surrounding areas to address high crime rates in the central Alberta community.
https://globalnews.ca/news/7757690/wetaskiwin-rcmp-officers-high-crime-rate/
Split in First Nation membership over anti-logging blockades at B.C. old-growth forest
April 14, 2021
The dispute over blockades aimed at preventing old-growth trees from being logged in Pacheedaht territory on southwest Vancouver Island has revealed divisions within the First Nation’s membership.
First Nation’s council and chief ask ‘3rd-party’ activists to stand down in B.C. logging dispute
April 13, 2021
The chief and council of a Vancouver Island First Nation at the centre of a protest over old-growth logging are asking outside activists to stand down and leave the community to decide how to use local forestry resources.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-fairy-creek-pacheedaht-first-nation-1.5986420
N.W.T. woman speaks out after husband died while waiting for ‘essential’ home renovation
April 15, 2021
For five years, Elizabeth Hardisty fought two separate battles to improve her husband Percy’s quality of life. One was administering Percy’s lifesaving dialysis treatment four times a day from their living room in Fort Simpson, N.W.T.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/nwt-essential-housing-renovation-1.5983993
Indigenous TikToker uses platform to call out mass contamination of Yellowknife’s toxic Giant Mine
April 14, 2021
An Indigenous filmmaker is using TikTok to raise awareness about the toxic mess left behind at Giant Mine in Yellowknife, N.W.T., and the health risks it poses to the surrounding community.
CanNor investments support regional economies across NWT
April 14, 2021
The Government of Canada, through the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), is stepping up to support regional businesses, Indigenous organizations, and communities in the Northwest Territories.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Call for Proposals: Capacity-building funding for An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families for fiscal year 2021-2022
A call for proposals is now open to support capacity-building in relation to An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families for fiscal year 2021-2022. Funding is available to Indigenous Peoples, communities, and groups as they begin work to develop their own legislation and explore Indigenous-led models for child and family services.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/31P9GUe
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.
