COVID-19 in Indigenous communities: What you need to know this week
February 24, 2021
The number of cases of COVID-19 in First Nations communities reached a grim new milestone over the weekend, surpassing 20,000 cases since the pandemic arrived in Canada over a year ago.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/indigenous-covid-19-update-1.5924392
Indigenous Services Canada news conference on COVID-19
February 24, 2021
Marc Miller, minister of Indigenous Services Canada, Valerie Gideon, associate deputy minister of Indigenous Services, and Dr. Tom Wong, chief medical officer of public health for the department, will hold a news conference to provide an update on COVID-19.
https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1865212483912
Ontario reports 9 new COVID-19 deaths, daily cases just above 1,000
February 24, 2021
Ontario says nine more people have died as a result of COVID-19 with new cases just above 1,000. The number of people who have died from the virus in the province now sits at 6,893.
https://toronto.citynews.ca/2021/02/24/ontario-covid19-cases-february24/
Cases slow in NWHU, with Wabaseemoong outbreak “plateauing”
February 23, 2021
A major COVID-19 outbreak in Wabaseemoong Independent Nations is showing signs of coming under control, indicates Dr. Kit Young Hoon.
Northeastern Ontario health units gradually getting more people vaccinated
February 23, 2021
New shipments of COVID-19 vaccines are expected to arrive this week in most regions of northeastern Ontario, meaning health units can provide second doses to long term care residents, and some staff, who’ve already received their first dose.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/northeastern-ontario-vaccine-rollout-1.5924884
AstraZeneca vaccine review is in the ‘final stages,’ Health Canada says
February 22, 2021
Health Canada’s chief medical adviser said today the department is poised to make a decision on whether to authorize a promising COVID-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca in the coming days.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/astrazeneca-final-stages-1.5923177
COVID-19 infections over two times higher than the first wave in federal prisons
February 23, 2021
Correctional investigator Ivan Zinger released his third report on the impact of COVID-19 in federal prisons. It shows COVID-19 infections are two and a half times higher than the first wave and 60 per cent of those infected in the second wave are Indigenous.
Premier says Ontario preparing for mass vaccination sites
February 23, 2021
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says residents will soon be seeing real signs of progress, as the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine ramps up. “Now, we’re preparing for Phase II. We’re working with public health units across the province setting up mass vaccination sites. I’ve visited some of them first-hand in Toronto and in York Region,” he said Friday.
https://www.drydennow.com/local/premier-says-ontario-preparing-for-mass-vaccination-sites
Opposing small module reactors to protect the water
February 24, 2021
Speaking on the leadership panel of the 5th annual Anishinabek Nation Lands and Resources and Economic Development Forum: Kina-Gego-Naabadosin— Everything is Connected, Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Glen Hare is emphatic. Dangerous radioactive waste should not be transported on highways or through First Nation lands.
https://anishinabeknews.ca/2021/02/24/opposing-small-module-reactors-to-protect-the-water/
Jordan’s Principle order may cost feds $15 billion in compensation, PBO says
February 23, 2021
The parliamentary budget office says it could cost the federal government up to $15 billion to compensate First Nations families and children impacted by the child welfare system, as well as denials or delays of essential services.
Liberal government should have negotiated compensation for First Nations earlier: NDP
February 23, 2021
The parliamentary budget office says it could cost the federal government up to $15 billion to compensate First Nations families and children impacted by the child welfare system, as well as denials or delays of essential services.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/newsroom-ready-liberal-government-negotiated-210000254.html
Tainted drinking water found in several First Nations daycares and schools in Quebec
February 23, 2021
First Nations children are consuming water with unsafe lead levels in on-reserve daycares and schools across Quebec, according to a presentation by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) staff obtained by a consortium of news outlets and universities that includes APTN News.
Why the feds’ $1.7B investment in new infrastructure in First Nations hasn’t accounted for climate change
February 24, 2021
Located on Lake Huron’s Manitoulin Island, Zhiibaahaasing First Nation is a small community in Ontario with just 182 registered members, 65 of whom live on reserve. Roughly two dozen buildings line its main road and three side streets, with powwow grounds at the centre.
This Londoner is learning her Indigenous tongue as language learning gains popularity
February 24, 2021
Growing up in Six Nations, Katsitsakwas General was taught Cayuga in school. But it was always the Mohawk language that she had felt a life-long ambition to learn, her native language that reminds her of her grandparents.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/learn-a-new-language-london-2021-mohawk-1.5923214
Crafters learn a valuable lesson in hide-tanning
February 24, 2021
Community members of Chippewas of the Thames First Nation (COTTFN) have had a unique opportunity to learn about the traditional ways of tanning and preparing deer hide while also creating a new tool to help with learning their ancestral language.
https://anishinabeknews.ca/2021/02/24/crafters-learn-a-valuable-lesson-in-hide-tanning/
Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business announces recipients of 2021 Lifetime Achievement and Young Aboriginal Entrepreneur Awards
February 24, 2021
Today, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) announces John Bernard of Madawaska Maliseet First Nation, as this year’s recipient of the Aboriginal Business Lifetime Achievement Award and Erica Daniels, a Cree/Métis from Peguis First Nation, as the recipient of the 2021 Young Aboriginal Entrepreneur Award.
Ottawa public school board to vote on having an Indigenous trustee
February 23, 2021
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board will vote Tuesday on whether to ask the Ontario government to help it create a trustee position exclusively for an Indigenous representative.
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/ottawa-public-school-board-to-vote-on-having-an-indigenous-trustee
Aboriginal Peoples Survey Reveals Language Proficiency Across Canada
February 23, 2021
Statistics Canada has released the 2017 Aboriginal Peoples Survey this month, and it sheds lights on Aboriginal language and culture across the country.
Colonialism ‘an invasive species’: Grants aim to replenish threatened Indigenous food systems
February 23, 2021
The first Indigenous member of council in Terrace, B.C., has resigned. Jessica McCallum-Miller posted a statement on Facebook thanking voters and saying she has enjoyed working with city staff but found her ethnicity, age and gender made it “challenging” to fulfil her role.
Procuring An Edge For Indigenous Businesses
February 24, 2021
The Canadian government implemented the federal Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business (“PSAB”) in 1996, aiming to increase the number of Aboriginal businesses participating in procurement processes.
https://www.mondaq.com/canada/indigenous-peoples/1040138/procuring-an-edge-for-indigenous-businesses
Promoting and engaging Indigenous science
February 23, 2021
The fourth installment of the University of Manitoba’s faculty of agricultural and food sciences conversation series covered questions of Indigenous engagement and leadership in science on Feb. 17.
https://www.themanitoban.com/2021/02/promoting-and-engaging-indigenous-science/41546/
‘I’m still scared’: Innu men speak out about mistaken arrest by Quebec provincial police
February 23, 2021
Luc Picard and Rodrigue Vachon are what you’d call die-hard action movie fans – except the lifelong friends never imagined they’d be subject of a heavy-handed police intervention when heading out together to cruise the Nitassinan, an area considered sacred to the Innu in Quebec.
30,000 First Nations children to receive specially designed masks
February 23, 2021
Thirty-thousand Manitoba First Nations children and teens can expect to receive their specially designed four-layer masks to help fight against COVID-19 in the coming weeks.
Poundmaker Cree Nation welcomes back bison to traditional territory
February 23, 2021
For the first time in over a century, plains bison are roaming on Poundmaker Cree Nation territory in Saskatchewan again. Last Friday community members gathered as a herd of 20 bison were released into a compound
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/poundmaker-cree-nation-bison-1.5925300
Sask. First Nations rally behind northern community in dispute with uranium company
February 23, 2021
Saskatchewan First Nations are rallying behind the Birch Narrows Dene Nation in its dispute with the provincial government and a uranium exploration company.
Warming tents at camp created for homeless Winnipeggers saved lives, says organizer
February 23, 2021
A camp built to help keep Indigenous people who are homeless in downtown Winnipeg sheltered from brutal temperatures during a recent cold snap saved lives, says one organizer.
Saskatchewan RCMP say death of 21-month-old boy was a homicide
February 23, 2021
Saskatchewan RCMP say the death of a 21-month-old boy was a homicide. Police have identified the victim as Lorenzo Cote from the Cote First Nation in Kamsack, Sask.
Regina’s new ‘The Moose and Bannock’ offering authentic Indigenous cuisine
February 22, 2021
A new location in Regina is offering bannock burger with all the fixings. The Moose and Bannock located at Salteaux Crossing on Pinkie Road opened in early February, and is starting to catch local attention.
‘It is a right’: Eskasoni harvesters gather to write fishery plan ahead of spring launch
February 23, 2021
Fishers of the largest Mi’kmaw community in Atlantic Canada are gathering to develop a plan for their own moderate livelihood plan.
Mi’kmaq hip hop artist Blake Francis wants his verses to have purpose
February 23, 2021
Growing up in Natoaganeg First Nation, Blake Francis was into heavy metal music. But, like millions of other people at the time, he was also big into Tupac, Biggie and the Wu-Tang Clan.
https://www.aptnnews.ca/facetoface/mikmaw-hip-hop/
Stoney Nakoda Elder is being evicted from her home of 25 years
February 23, 2021
Stoney Nakoda Elder Rhonda Kaquitts, has been living without power for nearly 10 months. When APTN News met Kaquitts in July, she needed to use her fireplace to keep her home warm and use candles for light.
Death of young boy highlights substandard health-care on Alberta First Nations
February 23, 2021
After a young boy died in northern Alberta, Global News began looking into what kinds of health-care options exist on the province’s 45 First Nations. Jessica Robb joined Global News at Noon Edmonton to share more on what happened to six-year-old Harlen and what our investigation found.
Low turnout for vaccine in northern Alberta hamlet blamed on social media disinformation
February 23, 2021
While Fort Chipewyan, Alta., has seen half of its population vaccinated for COVID-19 with the first dose, the remainder is growing reluctant as misinformation spreads on social media, community leaders say.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/fort-chipewyan-covid-19-vaccine-1.5925328
Funding helps SLCC weather a challenging year
February 23, 2021
Heather Paul started her new job as executive director of the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) just four days before the COVID-19 pandemic struck in earnest last year.
https://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/local-news/funding-helps-slcc-weather-a-challenging-year-3435775
‘They wouldn’t do anything’: Indigenous woman who lost baby alleges negligence, racism in B.C. hospitals
February 23, 2021
An Indigenous woman in northern British Columbia is speaking out after she was allegedly mistreated at two hospitals while in labour, which she says lead to the death of her baby daughter.
First Nation councillor in Terrace, B.C., resigns citing racism and barriers to reconciliation
February 23, 2021
The youngest and only First Nation councillor in the city of Terrace, B.C., has resigned citing racism and resistance to reconciliation.
https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/terrace-b-c/
New plan to build natural gas processing facility in northern B.C.
February 23, 2021
The Lheidli T’enneh Nation, McLeod Lake Indian Band and the Formula Capital Corporation announced a plan to build a natural gas processing facility.
https://www.aptnnews.ca/videos/new-plan-to-build-natural-gas-processing-facility-in-northern-b-c/
Pond Inlet MLA says territory is ‘muted’ on controversial Nunavut mine expansion
February 23, 2021
The MLA for Pond Inlet is criticizing the Nunavut government for taking a back seat in negotiations for the Mary River mine expansion.
Inuk artist receives Governor General’s award in visual and media arts
February 23, 2021
Inuk artist Germaine Arnaktauyok has won a Governor General’s Award in visual and media arts. Arnaktauyok is a printmaker, painter and drawer, originally from Igloolik, Nunavut, and now based in Yellowknife.
Progress made on 40MWh battery storage benefitting First Nations communities in north Canada
February 23, 2021
Steps forward have been taken in the development of a grid-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) in the Yukon Territory, northern Canada, which will help stabilise the region’s grid and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Students spread kindness in Ulukhaktok, N.W.T., for Pink Shirt Day
February 23, 2021
It’s a professional development week for teachers in Ulukhaktok, N.W.T., but that doesn’t mean they and their students didn’t celebrate Pink Shirt Day
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/student-pink-shirt-day-ulukhaktok-1.5924294
‘Always a leader’: Vuntut Gwitchin chief remembers the late Darius Elias
February 23, 2021
Chief Dana Tizya-Tramm remembers talking to the late Darius Elias in 2018, when the two men both ran for the leadership of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/dana-tizya-tramm-remembers-darius-elias-1.5923826
Iqaluit Music Society awarded $1M in Arctic Inspiration Prize
February 23, 2021
The Iqaluit Music Society has a million new reasons to smile. The group is the 2021 winner of the $1 million Arctic Inspiration Prize. The AIP awards provide start-up funding to northern teams with innovative project ideas that will benefit their communities.
https://www.aptnnews.ca/videos/iqaluit-music-society-awarded-1m-in-arctic-inspiration-prize/
Government of Nunavut’s deficit less than predicted thanks to feds, says finance minister
February 23, 2021
Thanks to nearly $200 million in unexpected funding from the federal government, the Government of Nunavut’s deficit is almost 29 per cent lower than what was predicted last year.
To stop violence against Inuit women in Canada, ‘we need to heal generations,’ says survivor
February 23, 2021
“A holistic approach really needs to take place to begin healing the communities,” Becky Michelin told The Current‘s Matt Galloway.
Time for Jeep to end use of tribe’s name, Cherokee chief says
February 23, 2021
It is time for Jeep to stop using the Cherokee Nation’s name on its Cherokee and Grand Cherokee SUVs, the chief of the Oklahoma-based tribe said.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/cherokee-chief-jeep-1.5924591
UPCOMING EVENTS
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/.
Important Notice: Chiefs of Ontario 15th Annual Health Forum
The Chiefs of Ontario 15th Annual Health Forum will take place on February 23-25, 2021. This year’s theme is Sharing Stories: The True Test of Resilience Amidst Pandemic.
For more information, please visit: https://www.chiefsmeeting.com/coo-health-forum
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 more information, please visit https://www.chiefsmeeting.com/aocc-2021.
Save the Date: Chiefs of Ontario Engagement Sessions: First Nations Water Legislation
The Chiefs of Ontario Environment Department will be hosting a two-day engagement session on March 3-4, 2021. The focus of the 2-day fulsome engagement sessions includes creation of First Nations-led policies and solutions related to access to safe, clean and reliable drinking water.
For more information, please visit: https://www.chiefsmeeting.com/water-engagement-sessions
Annex 9 Climate Change Modelling Experts Workshop, March 22, 2021
As a follow up from the 2019 Climate Change Modelling Experts Workshop hosted in Ann Arbor, Annex 9 is working with GLISA to host another virtual workshop in March.
For more information, please contact Chris Hoyos at Chris.Hoyos@coo.org.
2021 Great Lakes Day, March 1, 2021
The annual Great Lakes Day features dialogue on Great Lakes priorities by regional leaders and members of Congress who play a critical role in shaping Great Lakes policies.
For more information, click here: https://bit.ly/3sjaa10
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.
