Ontario reports 1,824 new COVID-19 cases as ICU admissions climb to 203
December 3, 2020
Ontario reported 1,824 more cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, while the number of patients with confirmed infections in the province’s intensive care units rose to 203, according to a report by Critical Care Services Ontario.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/covid-19-coronavirus-ontario-december-3-icu-numbers-1.5826565
Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald Welcomes New Investment of $1.5 Billion to Address First Nations Water Crisis
December 2, 2020
On Monday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, delivered the Fall Economic Statement 2020 (FES) in the House of Commons, titled Supporting Canadians and Fighting COVID-19. The statement provided detailed fiscal projections for the years ahead, along with new measures to protect the health, jobs and the economy of Canada amidst COVID-19.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief ‘disappointed’ to hear government won’t hit boil water advisory deadline
December 3, 2020
The Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) said he was “disappointed” to hear the federal government acknowledge it would not meet the deadline it set for itself to end all long-term boil water advisories in First Nations.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/feds-miss-boil-water-deadline-1.5825966
More Action Needed as Federal Government Walks Back Commitment to Eliminate Drinking Water Advisories
December 2, 2020
Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler has responded with disappointment and concern to Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller’s announcement today that the Government of Canada will not meet its commitment to eliminate all long-term drinking water advisories in First Nations by March 2021.
Indigenous Services minister says Trudeau government won’t end boil-water advisories by March 2021
December 2, 2020
Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller confirmed the Trudeau government will not meet its pledge to lift all drinking water advisories in First Nations communities across Canada by March 2021.
Government of Canada announces $1.5 billion in new investments for clean drinking water in First Nations communities
December 2, 2020
The federal government is planning to spend $1.5 billion to help lift boil water advisories on First Nations including projects at Angle Inlet, Wauzhushk Onigum, Shoal Lake 40 and Whitedog. “If anything, COVID-19 has further magnified the socio-economic gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people,” he said, during yesterday’s announcement.
https://www.drydennow.com/local/clean-water-projects-on-first-nations-get-1-5-billion-boost
Liberals to introduce bill to enshrine UN Indigenous rights declaration into law
December 3, 2020
The Liberal government is set to introduce long-awaited legislation today to enshrine the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Canadian law.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/liberals-introduce-undrip-legislation-1.5826523
Vaccine priority list must be refined to match available doses: Tam
December 2, 2020
Canada’s chief public health officer says the priority list of people who will get vaccinated first against COVID-19 has to be refined because the initial six million doses set to arrive in the first batch will not be enough to cover them all.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/vaccine-pirority-list-tam-1.5825796
Our Health Counts highlights challenges Indigenous people face accessing health care in Thunder Bay, Ont.
December 3, 2020
A new study, coordinated by Anishnawbe Mushkiki, an Aboriginal health centre in Thunder Bay, Ont., highlights some of the challenges Indigenous people face, when accessing health care in the city. The study was led by Dr. Janet Smylie, a Metis physician, and researcher at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. The largest barrier, was how Indigenous people are counted.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/thunder-bay-our-health-counts-1.5825724
Waabnoong Bemjiwang Association of First Nations and Water First Announce New Training Internship for Water Treatment Plant Operators
December 3, 2020
The Waabnoong Bemjiwang Association of First Nations (WBAFN), a tribal council with six member First Nations in northern Ontario, and Canadian charity Water First Education & Training Inc. announce their partnership to deliver a drinking water treatment and environmental water science internship program for young Indigenous adults.
Elon Musk’s Starlink internet beta testing program reaches Manitoulin Island users
December 2, 2020
Internet speeds on Manitoulin Island just got incomparably faster for a few select users who have received beta-tester invitations to join Elon Musk’s Starlink internet service, run by his SpaceX company, and they say the new service may revolutionize life on the Island.
Thunder Bay Orange Shirt Day Program nominated for provincial award
December 3, 2020
The Orange Shirt Day program held by the City of Thunder Bay Indigenous Relations and Inclusion Office, Thunder Bay Public Library and Boomer’s Drive-In Theatre was recently nominated for the Ontario Culture Days People’s Choice Awards.
Wearable art, metallic fringe, tie-dye sweatsuits: The looks from the 2020 edition of Indigenous Fashion Week
December 2, 2020
The second biennial Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto (IFWTO) focused on water, from depictions that celebrated women as water carriers to models holding aloft “Water is Life” protest signs.
Indigenous culinary association members create holiday feast boxes for families in need
December 2, 2020
A new initiative will not only provide much-needed business for some Indigenous chefs across the country, it will also enable Indigenous families in need to receive some food this holiday season.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/indigenous-culinary-association-members-create-033952553.html
Resource disparity taking a toll on some First Nations students studying remotely
December 2, 2020
First Nations students who usually attend two urban high schools away from their fly-in communities in northwestern Ontario are struggling with remote learning at home made necessary by the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/disparity-taking-toll-first-nations-034629152.html
Red Lake artist reps Ontario for Purolator holiday campaign
December 2, 2020
With the country boasting a population of more than 37 million people, choosing one artist from each province and territory in Canada could have proved to be quite daunting, but Patrick Hunter, a Two Spirit Ojibwe artist, said he thinks the online community he has already amassed helped to secure him the spot as Ontario’s representative.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/red-lake-artist-reps-ontario-223907837.html
Miller takes issue with Ottawa Police Service clearing Nunavut Mountie
December 2, 2020
Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller is standing by his assessment and belief that a Mountie in Nunavut inappropriately struck an Inuk man with his vehicle door in June before arresting him. “I saw what I saw,” Miller told a news conference from Ottawa Wednesday.
https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/indigenous-minister-review-racism/
How these Kanien’kehá:ka students are trying to Indigenize a Quebec college
December 3, 2020
Tahothoratie Cross remembers his first semester of college as being filled with feelings of isolation. But now he will soon be graduating as a student ambassador who has spent the last four years leading changes at Champlain College Saint-Lambert near Montreal. He hopes it has become a welcoming place for Indigenous students.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/indigenous-ambassadors-champlain-college-1.5826057
‘This is our home’: photo contest highlights coastal regions of James Bay
December 2, 2020
Organizers of a photo contest focused on the marine region of eastern James Bay and southeastern Hudson Bay say they saw double the participation this year over last — and they say it shows people are increasingly wanting to share their pride in their traditional homelands.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/cree-photo-james-bay-eeyou-1.5824406
Advocates push city council to reconsider increasing Montreal police budget
December 2, 2020
In just over a week, the City of Montreal will be adopting its budget for 2021 and with it comes a $15 million boost for police services, cuts to social housing, and as frontline workers see it – possible headaches for the homeless Indigenous population.
https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/montreal-police-budget-defund-the-police/
Elispogtog anti-fracking blockade had ‘violent Aboriginal extremists’ according to former RCMP intelligence analyst
December 2, 2020
A former criminal intelligence analyst for the RCMP who reported that an energy project in New Brunswick was up against “violent Aboriginal extremists” was also the administrator of a Facebook group which featured current and former Mounties, at times, making racist and disparaging remarks about Indigenous Peoples.
https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/rcmp-analyst-intelligence-reports-elsipogtog-anti-fracking/
Director of health board overseeing hospital where Joyce Echaquan died has been replaced
December 2, 2020
Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé announced Wednesday the appointment of a new interim president and CEO of the CISSS Lanaudière, the regional health board which oversees the hospital where Joyce Echaquan died.
https://globalnews.ca/news/7498651/director-health-board-joyce-echaquan-replaced/
Indigenous entrepreneurs hope to bridge their culture and Fort McMurray with trading network
December 2, 2020
A passion for sharing their culture has inspired two Indigenous entrepreneurs to create a trading network open to everyone in the Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo area.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/indigenous-entrepreneurs-hope-bridge-culture-030111807.html
IKEA’s first Indigenous showroom was created with the help of an Alberta-based artist
December 2, 2020
Indigenous artist Lance Cardinal and the world’s largest furniture retailer have teamed up to create the company’s first-ever showroom modelled after a modern Indigenous family.
Healing centre Elder removed amid allegations of sexual harassment
December 2, 2020
An Edmonton-area healing lodge says it no longer employs a male Cree Elder at the centre of sexual harassment allegations. The Elder, who could not be reached for comment, allegedly made inappropriate sexual comments to an Indigenous female client at Poundmaker’s Lodge Treatment Centre in St. Albert, Alta.
https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/indigenous-healing-centre-allegations/
Indigenous Relations deputy minister fends off critics at Public Accounts Committee
December 2, 2020
Alberta Indigenous Relations may have received a good report from the auditor general, but the Official Opposition was not ready to fall in line.
Opinion: First Nations of independent means have greater flexibility
December 2, 2020
Where do bands get their funding to operate their reserves? All First Nations see their funding serviced through “contribution agreements” on an annualized basis, categorized into one year, or multi-year block funding agreements and 10 year grants with multiple conditions attached.
https://www.manitoulin.com/letter-first-nations-of-independent-means-have-greater-flexibility/
New release of Take the Dog Sled combines classical music with Inuit throat singing
December 2, 2020
A recent recording has given new life to a more than decade-old piece of Indigenous-focused music. Alexina Louie’s Take The Dog Sled, which was first performed in 2008 with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, was released on CD in November, performed by the Esprit Orchestra and featuring throat singers Akinisie Sivuarapik and Evie Mark.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/release-dog-sled-combines-classical-015248117.html
Manitoba chiefs not impressed with premier’s warning of exodus to the north to receive COVID-19 vaccine
December 2, 2020
Recent comments made by Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister have some First Nations chiefs and organizations accusing the leader of fear mongering over the dispersal of the COVID-19 vaccine. “He’s making it sound as if First Nations are presenting an illegitimate case and trying to take away from some of the other vulnerable sectors of our society,” said Southern Chiefs’ Organization Grand Chief Jerry Daniels.
https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/manitoba-vaccine-covid-19-rollout/
FSIN presses federal government to make First Nations a priority for the COVID vaccine
December 2, 2020
The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine is still months away, but the organization that represents 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan wants to make sure its members have a place reserved in line.
Cape Breton First Nations chief asks province to close causeway
December 3, 2020
Support seems to be growing for a ‘Cape Breton bubble,’ as the idea of closing the Canso Causeway to non-essential travel isn’t going away. First, it was the mayor of the CBRM speaking out, and now First Nations communities are following suit, calling on the province to place screening measures at the Canso Causeway.
First COVID-19 cases detected in Nova Scotia First Nation
December 2, 2020
Two cases of COVID-19 have been found in Sipekne’katik First Nation in Nova Scotia’s northern health zone. It’s the first time the virus has been detected on a First Nation in Atlantic Canada.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/first-covid-19-cases-detected-ns-first-nation-1.5825904
Mi’kmaw lawyer retirement a way to point to systemic racism in courts
December 2, 2020
Douglas Brown, a now-retired lawyer, was recognized with the Mi’kmaq People’s Council distinction as the first known Mi’kmaw lawyer to retire in the region. The award was presented by Eastern Door, a group of Indigenous lawyers.
First Nations Finance Authority Reaches Major Milestone Surpassing $1 Billion in Loans to Indigenous Communities
December 2, 2020
Despite the economic turmoil caused by the Covid 19 pandemic, the First Nations Finance Authority has hit an historic milestone by breaking through the one-billion-dollar mark in financing for First Nations.
First Nations dancer Margaret Grenier awarded Canada Council arts prize
December 2, 2020
In a pandemic year that has turned most artists’ practices upside down, Gitxsan/Cree dancer Margaret Grenier isn’t complaining. The executive and artistic director of the Indigenous Dancers of Damelahamid was able to produce the 2020 edition of her company’s annual Coastal First Nations Dance Festival, finishing a mere two weeks before the full complement of COVID-19 health and safety measures shut down live performances.
Bringing Indigenous perspectives to the centre of health practitioner training
December 2, 2020
Like many academic programs, due to COVID-19 regulations, the University of British Columbia’s (UBC) Indigenous Public Health certificate program, which works to include Indigenous perspectives into the healthcare system, has shifted online this year.
Community-led projects give voice to Indigenous women to end violence
December 2, 2020
The Province is supporting Indigenous communities and organizations to end gender-based violence through 20 unique projects that support and collaborate with Indigenous women and girls throughout B.C.
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020IRR0055-001991
An Indigenous woman killed by police. Her brother dead by suicide. And their mother’s plea for change
December 1, 2020
For the second time in six months, Martha Martin returned home to Edmundston, N.B., this week, carrying the ashes of one of her children. On this occasion, it was remains of her son, Mark Martin, 23, who died by suicide while in custody at a correctional centre in Surrey, B.C., on Nov. 14.
Nunavut reports more COVID-19 recoveries than active cases
December 2, 2020
As Nunavut lifts public health restrictions in most of its communities on Wednesday, following a two-week lockdown, chief public health officer Dr. Michael Patterson says that masks are still mandatory in public spaces in Whale Cove, Rankin Inlet and Arviat.
https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/nunavut-reports-more-covid-19-recoveries-than-active-cases/
Indigenous-led answers urged for health-care gaps
December 2, 2020
As a pediatrician with extensive experience working with marginalized groups, Anna Banerji believed herself more than equipped to advocate for her Inuk son when he began to display signs of deep depression.
Nahanni Butte and Colville Lake receive N.W.T. housing cash
December 2, 2020
The N.W.T. Housing Corporation on Wednesday said it was providing a total of more than $300,000 to projects in Nahanni Butte and Colville Lake.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/nahanni-butte-colville-lake-receive-205306314.html
UPCOMING EVENTS
Important Notice – Chiefs of Ontario Offices Closed for Winter Break: Please be advised the Chiefs of Ontario will be closed for the holidays from 1 pm on December 18, 2020, to January 4, 2021. Regular hours will resume on January 4, 2021.
Notice: Chiefs of Ontario Special Chiefs Assembly
Please see the attached save the date notice for the next Special Chiefs Assembly held online on February 3-4th, 2020. More information will be shared atwww.chiefsmeeting.com in the coming weeks.
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.
Issue 8 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/oo20/
