New COVID-19 cases in Ontario jump above 3,800 as province surpasses 8,000 deaths
April 29, 2021
Ontario is reporting more than 3,800 new COVID-19 cases as the province surpasses more than 8,000 deaths since the pandemic began. Health officials reported 3,871 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, which is an increase from the 3,480 infections on Wednesday and 3,265 on Tuesday.
The next phase of pandemic response begins in remote First Nations in northern Ontario
April 28, 2021
As the monumental task to vaccinate Canadians against COVID-19 creeps forward, the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (SLFNHA) is looking ahead to the next phase of pandemic response for isolated First Nations in northern Ontario.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/pandemic-response-continues-nwo-fn-1.6006048
Why Indigenous peoples are a priority population for the vaccine rollout
April 28, 2021
SaultOnline has received numerous comments and messages in regards to the vaccine roll-out. In particular, people are struggling to understand why our Indigenous populations are priority in getting vaccinated. These comments are rooted in the perceived notion that everyone is equally susceptible and vulnerable, while in fact the data shows otherwise.
Ontario to Introduce Paid COVID-19 Leave
April 28, 2021
While Ontario government continues to work with the federal government to further support vulnerable workers by doubling payments made through the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) program, the province will introduce legislation that, if passed, will offer up to three paid sick days per employee.
https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1000024/ontario-to-introduce-paid-covid-19-leave
How often are Canadian kids actually getting seriously ill or dying from COVID-19?
April 29, 2021
It would be any parent’s worst nightmare during this pandemic: a child contracting COVID-19, falling seriously ill and dying. Tragically, that’s been the reality for multiple Canadian families this year. In Ontario this month, a 13-year-old girl infected with the virus died at her home in Brampton. Earlier in April, the deaths of two children were tied to COVID-19 complications — a 16-year-old in Quebec, and a toddler in B.C.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/covid-19-kids-risk-pandemic-1.6006172
Hiawatha First Nation prepares to vote on law to take control over how its lands are used
April 29, 2021
Hiawatha First Nation will vote next month to decide if the community should create its own set of rules for land management, removing federal government control over land use. Since 2018, the community, located about 100 kilometres east of Toronto, has been developing a land code policy.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/hiawatha-first-nation-land-code-1.5998577
Former Sen. Murray Sinclair appointed as Queen’s University chancellor
April 28, 2021
Queen’s University has selected longtime Indigenous rights advocate and former senator Murray Sinclair as its 15th chancellor. The Kingston, Ont., university selected Sinclair — who was the first Indigenous judge on the bench in Manitoba and the second Indigenous judge appointed in Canada — after what it says was an extensive consultation with students, staff and alumni. Some attributes the committee looked for was diversity, inclusion and Indigeneity, the university announced in a news release Wednesday.
Tanya Talaga doc ‘Spirit to Soar’ details ongoing colonial oppression in Canada
April 28, 2021
Four years after her acclaimed book “Seven Fallen Feathers” explored the deaths of Indigenous teens in Thunder Bay, Ont., journalist Tanya Talaga has returned to shine a new light on the ongoing colonial oppression there and across Canada.
Bushby sentencing delayed to June after 2017 death
April 29, 2021
Justice for Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation’s Barbara Kentner has been delayed a sixth time, as Brayden Bushby’s official sentencing has been pushed back to June 7. He’s facing life imprisonment.
https://www.drydennow.com/articles/bushby-sentencing-delayed-to-june-after-2017-death
Indigenizing Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition project awarded new funding
April 29, 2021
Lakehead University assistant professor Lana Ray was recently awarded $114,094 in Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT) funding over the next two years for a project on Indigenizing Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR). Ray is partnering with Kiikenomaga Kikenjigewen Employment and Training Services and Nokiiwin Tribal Council.
Elected Chief calls for unity in response to federal budget
April 28, 2021
Chief Hill pointed to the recent federal budget announcement, promising $18 billion for Indigenous initiatives across the country. Hill says community leadership need to collaboratively hold Canada and Ontario accountable and pursue funding to care for elders, language programming and waterline hookups — specifically pointing to funding for a new building for the language-immersion school Kawenni:io/Gaweni:yo.
https://tworowtimes.com/news/local/elected-chief-calls-for-unity-in-response-to-federal-budget/
Sparking a new generation of Indigenous innovation will ultimately benefit us all
April 28, 2021
When Europeans arrived at our shores, they quickly discovered that they suffered from a distinct technological disadvantage. The cumbersome boats they brought to navigate inland waters proved impractical for the lakes and rivers they encountered.
Ottawa’s newest poet laureate Albert Dumont using the power of words to strike back at racism
April 28, 2021
April is National Poetry Month and Ottawa’s newest poet laureate officially kicked off his duties Wednesday reciting his poem Resilience to start a city council meeting. Albert Dumont is an Algonquin man from Kitigan Zibi Anishenabeg First Nation, about 150 km north of Ottawa on the Quebec side.
https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/poet-laureate-albert-dumont-racism-ottawa/
Watchdog report into RCMP investigation of Colten Boushie’s death confirms police racism
April 28, 2021
Last month, the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC) for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the watchdog agency for the federal police force, issued two damning reports that illustrate the dangers of both under- and over-policing. The reports looked into the behaviour of the RCMP as it investigated the death of Colten Boushie, a young Indigenous man killed by a local farmer.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/watchdog-report-rcmp-investigation-colten-175923947.html
“When we share our truths, we give each other strength.”
April 28, 2021
Waasaanoonde Mawkoons and her family are on their fourth day of walking. Scarlet says her jingle dress is getting heavier as the rain falls today, but this hasn’t dampened their spirits. As Scarlet and her family travel across the North Shore and move towards Sault Ste Marie, the community is encouraged to show their support.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/share-truths-other-strength-160658407.html
Renaming of Red Indian Lake paused to hold consultations
April 28, 2021
The provincial government and Indigenous leaders have agreed to pause the renaming of Red Indian Lake so more consultations can be held.
http://ntv.ca/renaming-of-red-indian-lake-paused-to-hold-consultations/
Kativik School Board employees initiate strike action in Montreal
April 28, 2021
The two unions representing teachers and support staff in the northern Quebec region of Nunavik initiated the first of five possible strike days in Montreal on Wednesday. The reason: they say there haven’t been any quality-of-life improvements for their members in 20 years.
Cree $4.7 billion Grande Alliance infrastructure agreement moves to 1st phase of feasibility study
April 29, 2021
A feasibility study — into the first phase of a multi-billion dollar development plan known as La Grande Alliance — is being called unique by Cree leaders in northern Quebec. “It’s not a conventional feasibility study where you just do numbers and see how much you think it’s going to cost,” said Davey Bobbish, who is the president of the Cree Development Corporation, an investment arm of the Cree Nation Government.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/cree-grande-alliance-feasiblity-study-1.6006336
First Nations ambassador Edith Cloutier to be honoured by INRS
April 29, 2021
The Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) is proud to announce that it will be awarding an honorary doctorate to Edith Cloutier , a dedicated ambassador of Indigenous identity and a defender of Indigenous rights. Ms. Cloutier will receive the highest academic distinction at the INRS virtual convocation ceremony on May 15 .
Indigenous chief to request UN peacekeepers to prevent lobster fight boiling over
April 29, 2021
After a violent clash over lobster fishing on Canada’s east coast last year, a First Nations chief says he will request United Nations peacekeepers to keep his people safe on the water this summer – predicting tensions will reach a boiling point.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/29/canada-first-nations-un-peacekeepers-lobster
Herd immunity still an elusive but important goal, virologist says
April 28, 2021
Life won’t get back to normal until we’ve achieved herd immunity, says a professor of virology and immunology at Memorial University in St. John’s. But exactly what that is remains a bit of a mystery, said Rod Russell. Public health officials have been suggesting “herd immunity” is achieved when 75 per cent of the population is vaccinated against the coronavirus.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/herd-immunity-still-the-goal-1.6004308
N.B. could set precedent in First Nations tax deals, says expert
April 28, 2021
A advocate for the rights of First Nations communities in tax collection said the cancellation of a gas tax sharing agreement between the New Brunswick government and First Nations is really a fight between the provincial and federal governments over who should be funding First Nations communities.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-precedent-first-nations-1.6005648
COVID deaths of 2 young First Nations people a reminder of gaps in system: Anderson
April 28, 2021
One of the leaders of Manitoba’s fight against COVID-19 was struggling Wednesday with the news that two of the three deaths announced earlier in the day are First Nations people in their 20s.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-first-nations-covid-19-deaths-1.6006304
Manitoba woman gets 4 years in prison for defrauding First Nations child welfare agency
April 28, 2021
A woman will serve four years in prison for stealing more than $1 million from a First Nation foster care agency. Gwendolen Reid, 47, pleaded guilty to one count of fraud over $5,000 in a Winnipeg courtroom Tuesday.
https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/milliondollartheft/
Overnight fire ravages historic church in Mi’gmaq community of Listuguj
April 27, 2021
An overnight fire has gutted a hundred-year-old church in the Mi’gmaq community of Listuguj, on the Quebec side of the Quebec-New Brunswick border.
Indigenous leaders worry how a year of lost cultural gatherings impacts their communities
April 28, 2021
Indigenous leaders worry about how losing cultural gatherings this past year is impacting the mental health of their communities, as well as opportunities to celebrate their culture.
Sebastien Penunsi, among the last of nomadic Innu, dies at 91
April 28, 2021
Innu in Labrador are paying their respects to a renowned elder, Sebastien Penunsi, who bridged eras of dramatic change while gathering knowledge that was critical to land claim negotiations. Penunsi, 91, died late last week.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/innu-elder-penunsi-funeral-1.6005538
Indigenous leaders urge parents to pull students out of Northland schools; 1,235 cases in Fort McMurray
April 28, 2021
Local First Nation and Métis leaders are asking parents to pull their students out of the Northland School Division as COVID-19 cases in the region continue rising.
Snowshoe family and Gwich’in Tribal Council seek justice for Eddie
April 28, 2021
More than a decade after he died in an Edmonton federal prison, the family of Edward “Eddie” Snowshoe filed a claim seeking restitution and an apology for his wrongful death.
First Nations tourism sector cut from federal budget, says industry leader
April 28, 2021
The pandemic has had a major impact on tourism in every corner of the country, leaving many who rely on tourism barely hanging on. One sector, in particular, has been dealt another blow. The future of First Nations tourism is in doubt after a drastic drop in funding for a non-profit organization that helps develop and promote the industry across Canada.
People line up for hours to get AstraZeneca vaccine as B.C. drops age eligibility to 30
April 27, 2021
A four-hour lineup snaked outside a sports complex in Coquitlam, B.C. on Tuesday when the AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID-19 vaccine was made available for the first time to people over the age of 30 in “hot spot” communities.
Easing of COVID-19 restrictions in the Yukon could be right around the corner – as long as people play by the rules says territory’s chief doctor
April 27, 2021
The Yukon’s chief medical officer of health says COVID-19 restrictions could soon be easing – as long as Yukoners continue to get vaccinated. “We need to hang on for a few more weeks, maybe months, but once we’re in the summer I’m quite optimistic that we’ll be able to make significant changes to our quarantine measures,” Dr. Brendan Hanley, the Yukon’s chief medical officer of health told APTN News.
https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/covid-19-restrictions-yukon-vaccinations/
Dehcho Dene 30-day healing program ‘life-changing’, participants say
April 29, 2021
After a 30-day healing program launched by Dehcho First Nations had positive results, coordinators and participants say there is a need for more programming like it.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/dehcho-dene-30-day-healing-110000673.html
Nunavut COVID-19 cases climb to 50 as contact tracing continues
April 28, 2021
Nunavut now has 50 cases of COVID-19, with 46 of those cases in Iqaluit. Schools and non-essential businesses in Iqaluit remain closed, and contact tracing continues throughout the community of around 7000 people. According to Nunavut’s chief public health officer, it is likely to stay that way for quite some time.
https://www.aptnnews.ca/videos/nunavut-covid-19-cases-climb-to-50-as-contact-tracing-continues/
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.
