Indigenous community leaders key to encouraging trust in vaccines: Miller

February 4, 2021

Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller says local leaders and health professionals are key to instilling trust in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Indigenous communities.

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/newsroom-ready-indigenous-community-leaders-183000964.html

Coronavirus: What’s happening in Canada and around the world on Monday

February 8, 2021

Premier Doug Ford is expected to offer some detail around how his government will handle a gradual reopening later Monday. The province’s current state of emergency is set to expire on Tuesday. Ontario reported 1,489 cases and 22 deaths on Sunday, bringing the provincial death toll to 6,505. Hospitalizations decreased to 926, with 335 patients in intensive care, according to the province.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/coronavirus-covid19-canada-world-february8-2021-1.5905172

 

First Nations Leaders Fight Vaccine Hesitancy With Social Media Savvy

February 6, 2021

A typical post from Neskantaga Chief Chris Moonias pairs personality with uncomfortable truth. “Good morning,” he wrote on Twitter Monday, “today is 9,497 days from February 1, 1995 … That’s 26 years of Neskantaga [First Nation] Boil Water Advisory.”

https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/first-nations-vaccine-hesitancy-social-media_ca_601d70f7c5b66c385ef90e3d

 

Ottawa uncertain if Moderna shortage will impact Indigenous vaccine rollout

February 5, 2021

Fifteen minutes after getting his first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, Chief Chris Moonias of Neskantaga First Nation went on Facebook Live to encourage other community members to roll up their sleeves.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/indigenous-services-canada-covid-19-vaccination-rate-1.5900709

Oneida Nation of the Thames confirms first COVID-related death

February 7, 2021

Officials from Oneida Nation of the Thames say someone in the community has died after contracting COVID-19, marking the community’s first COVID-related death since the start of the pandemic.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/oneida-nation-of-the-thames-confirms-first-covid-related-death-1.5904669

Wasauksing First Nation election to go ahead Feb. 9 despite global pandemic

February 8, 2021

The election for Chief and council for the Wasauksing First Nation is going ahead on Tuesday Feb. 9 despite the global pandemic. Chief Warren Tabobondung, who has been the territory’s Chief since 2012, is seeking a fifth term. He is up against Earl King and Robert Tabobondung Sr.

https://www.wellandtribune.ca/ts/news/canada/2021/02/08/wasauksing-first-nation-election-to-go-ahead-feb-9-despite-global-pandemic.html

Six Nations concerned as some disregard isolation orders after cross-border travel

February 4, 2021

Six Nations is raising concerns after noting community members are consistently travelling across the border and disregarding self-isolation orders when they return. Six Nations Police Services receives a list of members travelling from the Canada Borders Services Agency (CBSA) and conducts a check on them to ensure they are abiding by the 14-day quarantine period.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/six-nations-concerned-as-some-disregard-isolation-orders-after-cross-border-travel-1.5899918

Lockdowns separating families, and interrupting Indigenous ways of being

February 7, 2021

COVID-19 has impacted everyone — Elders, parents, youth, and children — in different ways. For some families who divide their time between communities, closures and lockdowns have made connecting difficult. However many have inspiring resilience. The Atleo family is one of them.

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021/02/07/lockdowns-separating-families-and-interrupting-indigenous-ways-of-being.html

 

Carolyn King, former chief of Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, inducted to Order of Canada

February 7, 2021

Carolyn King knew that she, no, her people, had to put their foot down, and that meant putting their best foot forward, for all to see and better understand. When they did, that foot was figuratively wearing a moccasin, of course, and it made a large step — in the right direction.

https://www.thespec.com/life/opinion/2021/02/07/carolyn-king-former-chief-of-mississaugas-of-the-credit-first-nation-inducted-to-order-of-canada.html

Cash still a question mark with Indigenous child welfare reform law

February 5, 2021

The federal government says legal orders forcing Canada to fund First Nations child and family services in an equitable, non-discriminatory way won’t apply to nations who assume jurisdiction through Ottawa’s Indigenous child welfare reform act­­––commonly called Bill C-92––which has been law for 13 months.

https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/tribunal-cash-still-a-question-mark-with-indigenous-child-welfare-reform-law/

Nipissing FN mourns loss of deputy chief, language keeper Muriel Sawyer

February 7, 2021

Muriel Sawyer, deputy chief of Nipissing First Nation and noted for her longstanding career as an educator and language keeper, has died.

https://www.midnorthmonitor.com/news/nipissing-fn-mourns-loss-of-deputy-chief-language-keeper-muriel-sawyer

Office of the Chief Coroner re-investigating death of Stacy DeBungee

February 4, 2021

The death of a Rainy River First Nation man who died in Thunder Bay in 2015 is being re-investigated, a spokesperson with the province’s chief coroner confirmed Tuesday. The Ontario Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) identified nine deaths for re-investigation and directed that an assessment be made as to whether the death of Stacy DeBungee also be re-investigated, Stephanie Rea with the Office of the Chief Coroner said Feb. 2.

https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/office-of-the-chief-coroner-re-investigating-death-of-stacy-debungee/

 

Nipissing FN holds second governance agreement vote

February 4, 2021

Nipissing First Nation has begun a second round of voting on the proposed Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement. Voting began Feb. 1 and will continue until the 27th, with ballots cast by mail and electronically due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

https://www.timminspress.com/news/nipissing-fn-holds-second-governance-agreement-vote

Inmates returning home, workers coming onto reserve pose COVID-19 spread concerns, say chiefs

February 4, 2021

Delegates at the Chiefs of Ontario’s virtual Special Chiefs Assembly Feb. 3 voiced concerns over testing and the need to inoculate a wider range of people as the COVID-19 vaccination program rolls out.

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021/02/04/inmates-returning-home-workers-coming-onto-reserve-pose-covid-19-spread-concerns-say-chiefs.html

Feds defend ‘interim’ First Nations education funding after chiefs’ concerns grow

February 6, 2021

The federal government’s “interim” education funding formula for First Nations is increasingly raising the hackles of some leaders. The Chiefs of Ontario have decided to pursue direct “bilateral” talks with Indigenous Services Canada on education funding instead of leaving it to an Assembly of First Nations committee.

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/feds-defend-interim-first-nations-205030046.html

Ontario Nations find themselves losing ground with AFN processes

February 5, 2021

The Chiefs of Ontario (COO) began laying the groundwork at its virtual Special Chiefs Assembly Feb. 3 and Feb. 4 to distinguish themselves from some approaches taken by the Assembly of First Nations.

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/ontario-nations-themselves-losing-ground-021717133.html

Grand Council Treaty #3 Climate Specialist to be featured in 2021 International Day of Women and Girls in Science day February 11th 2021

February 4, 2021

For the third year in a row, in recognition of the United Nations’ International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Laurentian University provides a series of presentations and science demonstrations highlighting amazing women in science and trades to hundreds of grade 5 and 6 girls and boys, from French, English, and Indigenous schools across Northern Ontario.

http://gct3.ca/grand-council-treaty-3-climate-specialist-to-be-featured-in-2021-international-day-of-women-and-girls-in-science-day-february-11th-2021/

Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek Completes Electricity Project to bring Power to their Community

February 6, 2021

Chief Teresa Nelson, Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek states, “We are glad to have partnered with the Government of Canada on an incredibly important project. Having power will bring our members back to the community and will create opportunities for new infrastructure and economic development on our land.

http://www.netnewsledger.com/2021/02/06/animbiigoo-zaagiigan-anishinaabek-completes-electricity-project-to-bring-power-to-their-community/

Opinion: Whose Law is it Anyway?

February 8, 2021

Section 88 of the Indian Act was intended to clarify the application of laws on a reserve. Instead, it’s catapulted obscure legal questions into a daily headache for First Nations.

https://anishinabeknews.ca/2021/02/08/opinion-whose-law-is-it-anyway/

Indigenous health legislation needed to end racism in health care.

February 4, 2021

Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller says the federal government has launched consultations on a law meant to ensure Indigenous Peoples’ control over the development and delivery of their health services and eventually eliminate anti-Indigenous racism in health care.

https://www.timminstoday.com/coronavirus-covid-19-local-news/indigenous-health-legislation-needed-to-end-racism-in-health-care-miller-3354123

North still on track to get 75% of eligible population vaccinated, says federal minister

February 5, 2021

The minister of Indigenous Services says the country is still on track to meet its goal of administering two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine to 75 per cent of eligible people in high-risk regions before the end of March — despite a reduction in the amount of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines being shipped to Canada.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/goal-of-vaccinating-75-per-cent-of-northern-population-still-on-track-1.5901299

Indigenous energy company gives $1.7M to the north

February 6, 2021

Five Nations Energy, Canada’s only Indigenous-owned long-distance energy company, recently wrapped up a two-year campaign to donate around $1.7 million to First Nations communities and health providers in northern Ontario.

https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/indigenous-energy-company-gives-1-7m-to-the-north-1.5298526

 

TBSO brings music back to students with the Spirit Bear Project

February 6, 2021

The Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra is inviting students all across Northwestern Ontario to join them and award-winning Indigenous singer-songwriter Shy-Anne Hovorka, in singing the Spirit Bear Song.

https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/tbso-brings-music-back-to-students-with-the-spirit-bear-project-3356612

Office of the Chief Coroner completes probe into death of First Nations man released from hospital

February 3, 2021

The Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario has completed an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a First Nations man in Thunder Bay in September 2019. A spokesperson for the office says it remains in contact with the family, however the findings are not being made public.

https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/office-of-the-chief-coroner-completes-probe-into-death-of-first-nations-man-released-from-hospital-3319138

Algonquin elder ‘shocked and insulted’ over Tewin land deal

February 5, 2021

A week ago she offered a blessing to the city at the start of Ottawa city council’s first meeting of 2021.

Now, Algonquin elder Claudette Commanda says she was “shocked and insulted” to hear Mayor Jim Watson characterize a land deal with the Algonquins of Ontario and its partner Taggart as “reconciliation.”

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/tewin-urban-boundary-reconciliation-1.5901189

Historic Partnership With The Innu Nation – Quebec Hydro To Construct 200 MW Apuiat Wind Farm

February 4, 2021

Today Quebec Premier François Legault, members of his cabinet along with Martin Dufour, the president and CEO of Hydro-Québec, announce a historic partnership allowing the realization of the important Apuiat wind project.

https://www.thedailyscrum.ca/2021/02/04/historic-partnership-with-the-innu-nation-quebec-hydro-to-construct-200-mw-apuiat-wind-farm/

Maniwaki community cooks together online to fight pandemic isolation

February 7, 2021

Community members from Maniwaki, Que., are tuning into online cooking classes to keep up their spirits, stay connected with each other and learn new recipes.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/maniwaki-collective-kitchen-cooking-1.5898322

AFN welcomes COVID-19 supports

February 4, 2021

Some Indigenous communities have embraced support for COVID-19 vaccines, while others have responded with reluctance.

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021/02/04/afn-welcomes-covid-19-supports.html

Opinion: Why the Indian Act must go and Canada will be better for it

February 6, 2021

Last week in a virtual Q & A session, Indigenous author Bob Joseph was asked “How will people know that they’ve achieved reconciliation?”

Joseph answered, “When people are at peace with the past.” The first step is moving away from the Indian Act, according to Joseph, who advocates for First Nations heading towards self-governance, self-reliance and self-determination.

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/bob-joseph-why-indian-act-005117989.html

Opinion: An Indigenous governor general would be good, but only ceremonial

February 6, 2021

On the day of Princess Diana’s funeral, the eyes of the world were on the Queen as the funeral cortège passed by her. She bowed her head with respect and the message was clear that she showed emotion and respect for the death of a one-time pariah of the royal household.

https://thestarphoenix.com/opinion/columnists/cuthand-an-indigenous-governor-general-would-be-good-but-only-ceremonial

Boil water advisory lifted on Black Lake Denesuline First Nation after more than 7 years

February 7, 2021

A boil water advisory on the Black Lake Denesuline First Nation that has been in place for more than seven years has been lifted, according to the Government of Canada. The long-term drinking water advisory (LT-DWA) was lifted on January 23.

https://regina.ctvnews.ca/boil-water-advisory-lifted-on-black-lake-denesuline-first-nation-after-more-than-7-years-1.5297076

Opinion: Hurting Indigenous academics with good intentions

February 8, 2021

In 2018, I attended the Canadian Association of University Teachers Aboriginal Academic Staff Conference in Ottawa, despite the fact that I am neither Indigenous, nor an academic. It was an eye-opening experience. In white academic and literary circles, Indigenous “ways of knowing” often are spoken of in soaring, quasi-spiritual tones.

https://nationalpost.com/opinion/jonathan-kay-hurting-indigenous-academics-with-good-intentions

Indigenous governor general could educate world on true history of Canada: Audette

February 4, 2021

A former commissioner of the MMIWG national inquiry says an Indigenous governor general would have the opportunity to talk about the real history of Canada every time they travelled around the world.

https://www.aptnnews.ca/nation-to-nation/indigenous-governor-general-could-educate-world-on-true-history-of-canada-audette/

 

Ontario Supports Air Monitoring Technology to Better Protect People from COVID-19

February 4, 2021

The Ontario government is providing CEM Specialties Inc. (CEMSI) $2 million through the Ontario Together Fund to help commercialize and accelerate production of its airborne COVID-19 detector Kontrol BioCloud (BioCloud). This innovative technology will add another layer of protection by monitoring in real time the air in places where people gather, such as schools, offices, long-term care homes, hospitals, public transit, and manufacturing facilities. The company anticipates accelerating the production of the BioCloud will create up to 250 direct jobs and up to 750 indirect jobs.

https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/60230/ontario-supports-air-monitoring-technology-to-better-protect-people-from-covid-19

 

Catholic school board pulls teaching material that failed to say Grey Owl pretended to be Indigenous

February 8, 2021

It only takes a Google search to learn that Grey Owl was a white man from England who came to Canada and pretended to be Indigenous as he rose to fame for his writing and conservation work before his death in 1938.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/catholic-school-board-pulls-teaching-material-that-failed-to-say-grey-owl-pretended-to-be-indigenous-1.5899929

Canadian filmmaker Michelle Latimer targeted over alleged lack of Indigenous credentials

February 7, 2021

A controversy that has developed in recent weeks surrounding Canadian actor and director Michelle Latimer exposes the destructive, pernicious logic of identity and racial politics.

https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/02/08/lati-f08.html

How Inuit TikToker became one of Canada’s most important cultural influencers

February 8, 2021

While many turned to outward hobbies during the pandemic, Shina Novalinga turned inward. The Nunavik-born, Montreal-based student used her extra time to learn even more about her Indigenous heritage, tapping into her mother’s knowledge about their shared Inuit culture, which made her feel like “a fuller person,” more connected to her identity, along the way.

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/good-news-stories-canada-telus-throat-singer

Quebec’s police watchdog investigating ‘Hollywood-like’ arrest of two Innu men

February 4, 2021

An Innu community in Quebec is awaiting the results of an external investigation after two men say they were violently arrested by provincial police officers patrolling their territory. In a press release, the Innu Council of Pessamit said they believe racial profiling drove Surete du Quebec (SQ) officers to detain two community members last weekend.

https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/quebecs-police-watchdog-investigating-hollywood-like-arrest-of-two-innu-men/

 

First Nations family advocate, chief question why newborns still being apprehended in Manitoba

February 7, 2021

Child and Family Services of Western Manitoba is coming under fire for apprehending a First Nations newborn shortly after birth, putting the parents through an agonizing two-month period before the infant was returned to them.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/first-nations-newborn-apprehensions-continuing-1.5902930

 

Moving forward on urban reserve ‘a dream,’ legacy of past Cega’kin leaders: chief

February 7, 2021

Entering into a memorandum of understanding with the City of Regina marks a long dream of Cega’kin (Carry The Kettle) First Nation leadership.

The MOU is about a large piece of land near the city the band purchased decades ago. Chief Brady O’Watch said the leaders at the time knew the city would expand toward it, making it a prime place to develop.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/carry-the-kettle-first-nation-urban-reserve-1.5903528

Winnipeg firefighters placed on leave after being accused of racism in incident involving Indigenous patient

February 4, 2021

Four Winnipeg firefighters are no longer on active duty after an investigation found they showed implicit bias and lack of concern for a seriously injured Indigenous patient’s physical and emotional well-being, CBC has learned.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-firefighters-on-leave-after-report-finds-racism-in-indigenous-patient-treatment-1.5902198

 

Mayor of Winnipeg not surprised by report about firefighters refusing to help Indigenous woman

February 4, 2021

Brian Bowman says he was disappointed after reading a report about city firefighters who refused to help an Indigenous patient but wasn’t surprised by the incident. “It’s disappointing anytime you hear situations of racism is being alleged or described but it shouldn’t surprise us sadly because we know that racism exists in a systemic way throughout Canada, through every level of government,” said Bowman.

https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/mayor-of-winnipeg-not-surprised-by-report-about-firefighters-refusing-to-help-indigenous-woman/

Pimicikamak Cree Nation remains under lockdown, although COVID-19 numbers improving

February 8, 2021

The chief of a northern Manitoba First Nation says the community will remain under strict lockdown, even though there are only six active cases of COVID-19 as of Sunday.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/covid-19-pimicikamak-cree-nation-manitoba-1.5905052

Minister pleads with First Nations to halt large gatherings

February 4, 2021

The federal government has urged First Nations to stop having mass gatherings at funerals, which have sparked COVID-19 outbreaks in Manitoba. “Funerals and weddings, as you can imagine, are highly emotional events where people do let down their guard (and) are a source of super-spreading. There’s no denying that,” federal Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller said Thursday.

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/special/coronavirus/minister-pleads-with-first-nations-to-halt-large-gatherings-573731222.html

Human remains found on Sagkeeng First Nation: RCMP

February 4, 2021

Human remains were discovered Wednesday afternoon along the shore of a river on Sagkeeng First Nation, police said. A report came in around 4:35 p.m. of human remains found, Powerview RCMP said in a news release on Thursday morning.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/human-remains-sagkeeng-first-nation-1.5900956

Students explore Anishinaabe culture in a Minecraft version of Manitoba

February 6, 2021

Students in Winnipeg’s Louis Riel School division got the first chance to learn, build and explore Manitoba’s Anishinaabe environment this week through the virtual world of Minecraft.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/anishinaabe-culture-school-minecraft-manitoba-1.5903746

 

Vaccinating knowledge keepers part of effort to preserve Indigenous identity in Manitoba

February 6, 2021

Listening carefully to a client at her clinic, an eagle feather in her hand, Kathy Bird considers whether she should accept the client’s tobacco offering, as she tries to determine whether she’ll be able to offer the healing help that’s being asked of her.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/knowledge-keepers-vaccines-manitoba-1.5902957

 

Headrick reflects on his career while offering advice to youth hockey players

February 3, 2021

Owen Headrick would prefer to be playing hockey these days; but with many sports in limbo these days because of restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Headrick, a member of Garden River First Nation and a star with the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) Panthers, had some free time on Jan. 25.

https://anishinabeknews.ca/2021/02/05/headrick-reflects-on-his-career-while-offering-advice-to-youth-hockey-players/

Indigenous people in B.C. 75% more likely to end up in ER, report says

February 4, 2021

First Nations, Inuit and Metis people in B.C. don’t have equal access to preventive and primary medical care and end up with poorer health than non-Indigenous people, according to the latest report on anti-Indigenous racism in the health-care system.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-health-care-racism-report-update-1.5900527

West Boundary First Nations support worker calls attention to this year’s Moose Hide Campaign

February 8, 2021

Boundary Family Service’s (BFS) Victoria Runge wants people in the West Boundary to know about this month’s Moose Hide campaign, the First Nations-led grassroots movement against violence towards women and children. 2021 marks the tenth annual campaign, which will go virtual this year on account of the COVID-19 pandemic.

https://www.grandforksgazette.ca/community/west-boundary-first-nations-support-worker-calls-attention-to-this-years-moose-hide-campaign/

Annual Moose-Hunting Trip in 2011 Starts National Conversation About Gender-Based Domestic Violence

February 8, 2021

Moose Hide Campaign, a grassroots movement aimed at ending gender-based and domestic violence, will hold its annual day of ceremony, fasting and action on February 11th.

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/annual-moose-hunting-trip-in-2011-starts-national-conversation-about-gender-based-domestic-violence-886152392.html

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip and daughter recovering after kidney transplant surgery

February 4, 2021

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, longtime president of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, is recovering in a Vancouver hospital after undergoing a kidney transplant on Wednesday. Phillip made a public appeal for a living donor in June as he was facing worsening kidney disease.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/stewart-phillip-kidney-transplant-1.5901297

‘Want to heal with me?’ — Haíłzaqv run for wellness

February 7, 2021

It’s a quiet morning in Waglisla, a Haíłzaqv (Heiltsuk) village accessible only by boat or plane, on the Northwest Coast of B.C.

It’s still dark as a handful of community members jog lightly, gathering in front of the Gvúkva’áus Haíłzaqv (Heiltsuk big house) before their run.

The group will run together until the first light of dawn shines on the big house front.

https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/want-to-heal-with-me-hailzaqv-run-for-wellness/

Raising awareness of Indigenous water rights in British Columbia

February 6, 2021

From a young age, Marlowe Sam was passionate about standing up for Indigenous rights. “I left home when I was 16, it was either dropout or continue high school and go out into the world and do what I thought was right for our people,” says Sam.

https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/raising-awareness-of-indigenous-water-rights-in-british-columbia/

Indigenous artist wanted to create downtown Kelowna-based mural

February 4, 2021

The Okanagan Indigenous Music and Arts Society (OIMAS) has launched the “Honouring our Stories” Artistic Mural and Beautification Project, in partnership with Kelowna’s Gospel Mission and Sncewips Heritage Museum.

https://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/news/indigenous-artist-wanted-to-create-downtown-kelowna-based-mural/

 

A year after Wet’suwet’en blockades, Coastal GasLink pipeline pushes on through pandemic

February 4, 2021

In the year since a high-profile conflict over Indigenous land rights led to RCMP raids on a pipeline construction route and sparked rail blockades across the country, the Coastal GasLink project has pushed ahead, with more than 140 kilometres of pipe now laid in contested ground in northern B.C.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/coastal-gaslink-pipeline-bc-wet-suwet-en-pandemic-1.5898219

Racism in Health Care Is Taking a Terrible Toll on Indigenous People, Report Finds

February 5, 2021

Widespread anti-Indigenous racism in British Columbia’s health-care system is fuelling poorer health outcomes and early deaths for Indigenous people, especially women, according to a report released today.

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/racism-health-care-taking-terrible-070734381.html

 

Anti-Indigenous racism in B.C. healthcare compounded by lack of primary care

February 4, 2021

Anti-Indigenous racism in B.C.’s healthcare system has been linked to a lack of primary care in communities across the province. Newly-released data shows Indigenous people are 75 per cent more likely than non-Indigenous people to visit an emergency room when they need help.

https://www.citynews1130.com/2021/02/04/anti-indigenous-racism-bc-healthcare-update-turpel-lafond/

 

‘You let her die:’ Crown

February 4, 2021

A Crown prosecutor has accused a man of forcing violent sex on a woman who was too drunk to consent and of letting her bleed to death in the bathtub of his hotel room. Bradley Barton repeatedly took sips of water as prosecutor Julie Snowdon challenged him on the witness stand Thursday during his manslaughter trial.

https://www.castanet.net/news/Canada/324119/-You-let-her-die-Crown-argues-woman-found-dead-in-tub-too-drunk-for-consensual-sex

Siksika urges lower speeds or tolls along highway through its land to prevent more deaths

February 8, 2021

Siksika First Nation is meeting with Alberta’s transportation minister on Monday to urge the department to make a provincial highway that runs through the reserve safer for the community after a young man died on that road last month.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/siksika-first-nation-alberta-speed-limit-highway-pedestrian-deaths-killed-unsafe-1.5904824

Pond Inlet protesters say mine expansion ignores Nunavut Agreement

February 6, 2021

Protests continue in Pond Inlet, Nunavut, on Saturday, as a two-week environmental hearing on an expansion at the Mary River iron ore mine wraps up.  At noon Saturday, around 50 residents gathered outside the community hall where the hearings are happening. It was – 32 C with the windchill, according to Environment Canada.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/pond-inlet-protests-nunavut-agreement-1.5904305

N.W.T. budget presents ‘unsustainable’ fiscal plan, increasing costs amid collapsing revenues

February 4, 2021

The N.W.T.’s proposed budget for 2021-22 projects a worsening financial situation for the territory as costs continue to escalate, with senior officials in the Finance department warning that the “current fiscal plan is unsustainable.”

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/n-w-t-budget-presents-204137932.html

Families leaving Kluane First Nation because there’s no high school, says chief

February 4, 2021

The chief of Kluane First Nation (KFN) in Burwash Landing, Yukon, says a lack of educational infrastructure for high schoolers at a local school is driving families away from the area. Bob Dickson says around 20 families have moved in recent years from Burwash Landing so their children can attend high school hours away in Haines Junction or Whitehorse.

https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/families-leaving-kluane-first-nation-because-theres-no-high-school-says-chief/

UPCOMING EVENTS

Save the Date: 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 All Ontario Chiefs Conference (AOCC) 2021

The Chiefs of Ontario and Grand Council Treaty #3 will be hosting the 47th Annual All Ontario Chiefs Conference on June 15-17, 2021.

For more information, please visit: https://www.chiefsmeeting.com/aocc-2021

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.

Save the Date: The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) will be hosting the 4th Annual Water Symposium on February 17-18, 2021

This year’s theme is “Protecting Water During Uncertain Times”. For more information, please visit: https://www.afn.ca/2021-water-symposium/. The AFN will also be sponsoring the training during the 4th Annual Water Symposium for all First Nations Water and Wastewater Operators across Canada, at no cost. For more information and registration, please click here: https://bit.ly/39RmMW7

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.

https://www.coo-covid19.com/

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/