COVID has disproportionately impacted First Nations: RoseAnne Archibald
December 8, 2020
Ontario Regional Chief of the Chiefs of Ontario and member of the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force, RoseAnne Archibald, discusses the initial plan to rollout the vaccine in the province.
Disproportionate impact of COVID-19, UNDRIP legislation on the table at AFN meeting
December 8, 2020
The Assembly of First Nations is planning to urge the federal Liberal government to do more to deal with the disproportionate impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on their communities in a virtual version of its annual general assembly today.
First Nations leaders and delegates to gather virtually Tuesday and Wednesday for the 41st AFN Annual General Assembly
December 7, 2020
For the first time, hundreds of First Nations Chiefs, leaders, Elders and youth are gathering virtually on December 8-9, 2020 for the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Annual General Assembly (AGA). This year’s theme, “All Our Relations: Emerging Stronger Together”, sets the tone as COVID-19 leads First Nations through a challenging, unprecedented year.
Ontario reports 1,676 new COVID-19 cases, jump in hospitalizations
December 8, 2020
Ontario reported 1,676 more cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, as the number of patients hospitalized with the illness approaches 800. The new cases drop the seven-day average to 1,816, down slightly from the second-wave high of 1,820 yesterday. The province also recorded another 10 COVID-19-linked deaths, pushing the official toll to 3,808.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/covid-19-coronavirus-ontario-december-8-update-1.5832467
Perry Bellegarde won’t seek re-election as national chief of Assembly of First Nations
December 7, 2020
National Chief Perry Bellegarde of the Assembly of First Nations says he won’t seek re-election as the head of the organization next summer. Bellegarde, who has served in the role since 2014, made the announcement in a series of tweets.
Supreme Court Set To Hear Lac Seul Flooding Case
December 8, 2020
A landmark case involving Lac Seul First Nation and the federal government goes before the Supreme Court of Canada Tuesday.
https://www.ckdr.net/2020/12/08/supreme-court-set-to-hear-lac-seul-flooding-case/
Auditor General Uncovers Sweeping Issues At Ontario’s Indigenous Affairs Ministry
December 7, 2020
Staff at Ontario’s Ministry of Indigenous Affairs could only name 30 of the government’s 140 programs and services for Indigenous Peoples when asked for a list, the province’s auditor general said Monday.
Spending watchdog blasts Ontario’s handling of Indigenous services
December 7, 2020
Ontario’s auditor general says the provincial government has “no coordinated approach” to delivering Indigenous programs and services, and not a single ministry is aware of them all.
https://ipolitics.ca/2020/12/07/spending-watchdog-blasts-ontarios-handling-of-indigenous-services/
Improving Indigenous rights will mean Canada is living up to its potential: Justice minister
December 7, 2020
Justice Minister and Attorney General of Canada, David Lametti, joins BNN Bloomberg to discuss Bill C-15 and why he believes the Indigenous community would benefit greatly from the legislation alongside bringing greater certainty to Canada’s economic future.
Grassy Narrows First Nations chief applauds funding for mercury treatment centre
December 7, 2020
New money for a treatment centre for those living with the effects of chronic mercury poisoning comes as a ray of hope for a northern Ontario First Nation that has spent the past six decades in the shadow of a decades-old water contamination scandal.
If Indigenous people exercise their right to say no … then what?
December 8, 2020
About 20 years ago, Wilton Littlechild, then a regional chief, took the podium at the annual chiefs’ assembly to talk about the United Nations Declaration on the Right of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). It cleared the room. Chiefs and reporters left to grab a coffee or have a smoke.
Women In Crisis shine light on women who work towards ending gender-based violence and creating change
December 8, 2020
Courage to Create Change award nominee and Garden River citizen Kim Mianskum usually provides help for people who are walking across the country for various causes. Her family has a ‘We Honour Our Murdered and Missing Aboriginal Women and Families’ sign on their property near the highway.
Anishinabek Nation welcomes new Language Commissioner
December 7, 2020
On behalf of the Anishinabek Nation, Grand Council Chief Glen Hare welcomes the new Anishinabek Nation Language Commissioner Barbara Nolan.
https://anishinabeknews.ca/2020/12/07/anishinabek-nation-welcomes-new-language-commissioner/
Report says census grossly undercounts Thunder Bay’s Indigenous population
December 8, 2020
The 2016 national census showed that Thunder Bay had the biggest proportion of Indigenous people among Canada’s larger population centres – 12.7 per cent, up from just over 8.0 per cent a decade earlier.
Red Lake artist brings Ojibwe art themes to Purolator holiday boxes
December 8, 2020
An artist, originally from Red Lake, Ont., will have a lot of eyes and hands on his artwork this holiday season. Patrick Hunter is one of 13 Canadian artists chosen by Purolator to have their work featured on seasonal themed shipping boxes.
Elon Musk’s Starlink offers fast internet connections to rural Canadians. But it’s not cheap
December 8, 2020
Elon Musk’s Starlink offers fast internet connections to rural Canadians. But it’s not cheap When Vernon Kejick got a first taste of Starlink satellite internet on the Pikangikum First Nation, his initial review was succinct. “All I can say is it’s a lot faster than what I had before,” he said. Kejick’s response highlights a long-running disparity that may finally have met a resolution.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/elon-musks-starlink-offers-fast-090000053.html
’60s Scoop class action expands call centre to deal with backlog of inquiries
December 7, 2020
A high volume of phone and email inquiries from hundreds of Sixties Scoop survivors looking for information about the status of their claims in a class action settlement has resulted in an expansion of the claims administrator’s call centre.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/sixties-scoop-settlement-call-centre-expansion-1.5831579
Thunder Bay Public Library receives funding for project to recognize residential school history
December 7, 2020
The Thunder Bay Public Library is launching a new series to increase awareness of the history of St. Joseph’s Residential School.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/stories-of-anishinaabe-resilience-1.5830594
Fireweed fellowship program aims to support Indigenous-owned businesses
December 7, 2020
A new program has been created to support Indigenous women and non-binary entrepreneurs across the country who are underrepresented. The Fireweed Fellowship is the first national accelerator program of its kind run by Indigenous people.
Breastfeeding is a traditional food that should be protected says advocate
December 6, 2020
Jessie Hemphill, from the Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations, is a first time parent of 18 month-old Ida, named after her grandmother and great grandmother. For Hemphill, breastfeeding happened fairly easy, but she says she understands that’s not always the case.
https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/breastfeeding-is-a-right-right-british-columbia-mothers/
Indigenous tourism group paid CEO $25K bonus days after it was tasked to distribute COVID-19 relief funds
December 8, 2020
A national Indigenous tourism organization gave its CEO a $25,000 bonus days after it was selected to administer $16 million in COVID-19 stimulus funding on behalf of the federal government, according to internal records obtained by the CBC News.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/itac-bonu-stimulus-1.5831025
Ontario Identifies Key Groups for Distribution of Initial COVID-19 Vaccines
December 7, 2020
The Ontario government is ready to distribute COVID-19 vaccines as soon as they are received, beginning with vaccinating vulnerable populations and those who care for them. As recommended by the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force and in alignment with the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, the province has identified key populations to receive the vaccine first, including long-term care and retirement home residents and the staff who provide care to these groups.
Opinion: Why the Liberal hurry to ram through new Indigenous legislation?
December 7, 2020
There are two occasions on which politicians can be counted to call for “bold” action. One is when they’re in opposition and in no danger of having to follow through on their demands. The other is when they’re in power and eager to push through programs with a minimum of careful questioning.
Statement by the Prime Minister on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
December 7, 2020
“On December 6, 1989, 14 young women were murdered at the École Polytechnique de Montréal in a tragic and senseless act of violence. Their lives were unfairly and cruelly cut short, just because they were women. On this National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, we mourn the loss of these daughters, sisters, and friends who had such promising lives ahead of them.
More than $18.6 million to enhance police service delivery for Indigenous populations
December 7, 2020
Québec City, December 4, 2020 — The Québec government is preparing to implement an array of measures to enhance training and police practices with respect to Indigenous people and to combat the violence experienced by Indigenous women and girls.
‘Very limited’ quantity of Pfizer vaccine could arrive in Manitoba next week
December 7, 2020
The first doses of the first COVID-19 vaccine to be approved in Canada could be injected into the arms of Manitobans as early as next week, but some priority groups, such as remote northern First Nations, might have to wait longer.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-covid-19-doses-1.5831428
Rangers deployed to Shamattawa ‘too little, too late’ as COVID-19 infects nearly 200, chief says
December 7, 2020
The chief of a northern Manitoba First Nation where roughly one in five people has tested positive for COVID-19 says the military’s involvement needs to be ramped up to adequately address the growing crisis in the community.
Montana First Nation builds the largest on-reserve solar farm in Canada
December 7, 2020
Montana First Nation, part of the Four Bands of Maskwacis Cree, created the largest on-reserve solar farm in Canada. A celebration was held on Sept. 14, 2020. However, the official operational launch date is expected this month.
Data gap persists for COVID-19’s impact on Indigenous people
December 7, 2020
Saskatchewan Indigenous leaders are sounding the alarm about rising COVID-19 caseloads in their communities. However, other officials — including the federal minister responsible — say there is not enough disaggregated data on how the pandemic is affecting Indigenous peoples who live outside reserves.
‘It’s an abuse’: Community outraged at video of treatment of Innu woman in custody
December 7, 2020
A video showing an Innu woman crying out in distress as she’s hoisted onto an RCMP airplane by officers has people in the Labrador community of Natuashish angry, calling the tactics severe and saying police should have gotten community members involved to de-escalate the incident.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/natuashish-arrest-rcmp-plane-video-1.5831470
Alberta man charged with assault after Indigenous man beaten, car rear ended
December 8, 2020
Telly Bear says he is feeling better but his wife is too traumatized to go out by herself after they were followed from a gas station and attacked north of Calgary.
https://globalnews.ca/news/7507917/airdrie-alberta-assault-rcmp/
Sunchild First Nation shooting ruled homicide, man arrested
December 7, 2020
A man has been charged with second-degree murder in a central Alberta shooting. Mounties say Jason Lagrelle, 39, was shot to death outside a home on Sunchild First Nation just before 6 a.m. on Dec. 6. He died on scene.
https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/sunchild-first-nation-shooting-ruled-homicide-man-arrested-1.5220899
Kapawe’no First Nation custom election results heading for judicial review
December 7, 2020
Two councillors who were elected for life to the Kapawe’no First Nation band council are fighting in court to retain their victories after the July 11 election results were overturned by an appeal committee.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/kapawe-no-first-nation-custom-024915567.html
Kwakiutl First Nation angry at logging in Douglas Treaty land
December 8, 2020
Kwakiutl First Nation’s Chief and Council are calling on the government to stop Western Forest Products (WFP) from logging on Douglas Treaty land, a two-mile-thick strip of shoreline between Port McNeill and Port Hardy.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/kwakiutl-first-nation-angry-logging-195644452.html
The fight to stop systemic racism in science
December 7, 2020
Ian Foulds holds a unique position at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan (UBCO) campus. Foulds is an associate professor and the Principal’s Research Chair (Tier 1) in Indigenous Reconciliation in Engineering.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/fight-stop-systemic-racism-science-204341717.html
Dene singer-songwriter drew from her ancestors to adapt to the pandemic reality
December 7, 2020
It’s been 20 years since Dene singer-songwriter Leela Gilday has seen all four seasons pass through her homelands. For the past two decades the JUNO Award winner has toured her band extensively across Canada and around the globe.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/dene-singer-songwriter-drew-her-222213262.html
The First Nations history on the Fraser River
December 7, 2020
Coming soon to the Fraser River Discovery Centre will be A Place of Learning that focuses on the long standing First Nations history on this waterway.
https://omny.fm/shows/the-simi-sara-show/the-first-nations-history-on-the-fraser-river
Canadian legislation to implement UNDRIP “positive and historic” step says Inuit org
December 7, 2020
“ITK has supported the commitment by the Government of Canada to co-develop legislation with Inuit, First Nations and Metis to implement the UN Declaration, and worked with the federal government to positively influence its development,” the organization said in a news release on Thursday.
Mask project centres Asian and Indigenous pandemic experience
December 7, 2020
A mask project is bringing Indigenous and Asian creators together to make art that expresses how their respective communities are navigating a public health crisis — and the negative side effects it has on their communities.
Yukon’s MMIWG2S+ Strategy Released
December 7, 2020
This strategy aims to address violence against Indigenous women, girls and Two-spirit+ people. Yukon is the first jurisdiction to release a strategy in response to Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
http://www.chonfm.com/news/chon-fm-northern-news/yukons-mmiwg2s-strategy-released/
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/
