Feds pledge another $1.2B as Indigenous communities ravaged by second wave
January 13, 2021
The federal government says it will be spending another $1.2 billion to battle COVID-19 as the second wave continues to wreak havoc in Indigenous communities. Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller made the announcement Wednesday at a news conference in Ottawa. He said he was concerned with how communities are faring compared to the rest of Canada.
Miller announces additional $1.2 B to support First Nations communities
January 13, 2021
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Minister of Indigenous Services Marc Miller announced an additional $1.2 billion to support First Nations communities dealing with the 2nd wave of COVID-19.
Feds look to adopt spirit of Jordan’s Principle rule during appeal, Miller says
January 13, 2021
Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller says First Nations children won’t go without services that non-Indigenous can easily receive even while the government appeals a human rights tribunal order.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/feds-look-adopt-spirit-jordans-193500950.html
Ontario records more than 3,300 new COVID-19 cases after two-day dip
January 14, 2021
Ontario is recording more than 3,300 new cases of COVID-19 following two days in which the daily number of infections dipped back into the 2,000s. Health officials confirmed another 3,326 cases of the novel coronavirus on Thursday, marking a jump from the 2,961 infections on Wednesday and the 2,903 on Tuesday.
What You Can And Can’t Do Under Ontario’s New Lockdown
January 14, 2021
Ontario announced new COVID-19 lockdown rules Tuesday and everyone, from the mayor of Toronto to the cops tasked with enforcing them, says they’re confusing. What are the most important points to know? According to Premier Doug Ford’s office, it’s simple: just stay home.
Mushkegowuk chiefs call for moratorium on Ring of Fire development
January 13, 2021
Mushkegowuk Council chiefs want a moratorium imposed on the Ring of Fire development until the traditional lands and watersheds are protected.
First Nations organizations and police launch Am I Missing campaign
January 13, 2021
First Nations organizations joined with police services in a virtual event Wednesday to launch the Am I Missing campaign in Sioux Lookout.
Fundraising campaign has commenced for new Wiikwemkoong long-term care facility
January 14, 2021
A major fundraising campaign to build a new long-term care facility on Manitoulin Island has begun. Officials with the Wiikewemkoong Nursing Home (WNH) have known for some time now that their current facility in Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory does not meet current design standards, regulations and space requirements.
Thunder Bay police try to exclude footage of officers dragging an Indigenous man from inquest evidence
January 14, 2021
Lawyers for a northern Ontario police force are trying to have video of an Indigenous man being dragged inside a police station excluded from an upcoming inquest.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/mamakwa-mckay-preinquest-video-motion-1.5871920
Indigenous communities’ history with health-care system creating vaccine hesitancy
January 13, 2021
A difficult history with the health-care system has made some Indigenous people leery of the COVID-19 vaccine as it arrives in remote communities. Officials are working with local leaders and Indigenous medical professionals to convince people to roll up their sleeves.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/indigenous-communities-history-health-care-030332180.html
Engagement crucial to overcome Indigenous vaccine concerns, Miller says
January 13, 2021
Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller says Indigenous people too often have “felt like guinea pigs,” which is fueling some COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in communities. He says engaging with Indigenous communities, helping elders get vaccinated and providing information in traditional languages should help overcome concerns.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/engagement-crucial-overcome-indigenous-vaccine-192000234.html
Motion will be heard Thursday into deaths of two First Nations men
January 13, 2021
A motion will be heard Thursday relating to the deaths of two First Nations men who died while in police custody in 2014 and 2017.
Territories will have enough COVID-19 vaccines for 75% of adults by end of March
January 13, 2021
Canada’s territories will have enough doses to fully vaccinate 75 per cent of their adult populations against the coronavirus “by the end of March,” Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller said on Wednesday.
https://globalnews.ca/news/7573707/coronavirus-vaccine-territories-75-march-miller/
Council approves $1.1 million for housing project fighting Indigenous homelessness
January 13, 2021
Council unanimously approved a $1.1 million project to convert two buildings into housing for Indigenous people and families impacted by COVID-19 and homelessness.
Virtual event to teach about Sacred Medicine, Indigenous culture
January 13, 2021
If you’re looking what to do as the province orders people to stay at home, Timmins Public Library is inviting the public to a virtual Indigenous Learning Circle.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/virtual-event-teach-sacred-medicine-212308329.html
One teen shot, another arrested on Walpole Island First Nation
January 14, 2021
A 15-year-old was left in serious condition after they were shot in a firearms incident on Walpole Island First Nation earlier this week. Monday afternoon OPP received a call to assist the Walpole Island First Nation Police Service with a 911 call on Snye Subdivision Road.
https://london.ctvnews.ca/one-teen-shot-another-arrested-on-walpole-island-first-nation-1.5266396
Stay-at-home order enforcement could lead to more police in racialized areas, advocates worry
January 13, 2021
Ontario’s new stay-at-home order could mean more police in some communities than residents are used to seeing, and activists are raising concerns about how that extra enforcement might affect low-income, racialized neighbourhoods.
Most care home residents in Ontario unvaccinated as COVID-19 outbreaks rage
January 13, 2021
Ontario has vaccinated only a small proportion of long-term care and retirement home residents, the group most vulnerable to COVID-19, while delivering tens of thousands of doses to healthcare workers outside of the homes, new provincial data released on Wednesday showed.
Shot in the arm: pharmacies say they can speed up Canada’s vaccination efforts
January 13, 2021
Canada’s pharmacists say they can vaccinate up to three million people a week against COVID-19, but governments across the country have largely kept these health care providers in the dark about what role they might play once more shots are delivered.
‘His impact and his legacy is incredible’: Indigenous folk singer Shingoose dies at 74 from COVID-19
January 13, 2021
A folk singer from Manitoba considered one of the pioneers of Indigenous music has died from COVID-19. Shingoose, born Curtis Jonnie, passed away from COVID-19 at the age of 74 on Jan. 12, according to his daughter, Nahanni Shingoose. He was a resident of the Southeast Personal Care Home in Winnipeg.
Montreal’s homeless to receive COVID-19 vaccine this week as cases rise to the hundreds
January 13, 2021
Montreal Public Health Authorities confirmed Wednesday that the city’s homeless population – now in the midst of an active COVID-19 outbreak – will be receiving vaccinations as of this week to remedy the situation frontline workers say is “ravaging” the urban Indigenous community.
Virtual sharing circles among efforts to help ease COVID-19 isolation in northern Quebec
January 14, 2021
Health officials in northern Quebec have started organizing virtual sharing circles as a way to help people cope while self-isolating or struggling because of COVID-19. A recent outbreak of the virus in two Cree communities mean hundreds of people are currently under self-isolation orders in Oujé-Bougoumou and Mistissini, as well as other Cree communities due to regular COVID-19 restrictions in place.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/cree-covid-isolation-sharing-circles-1.5871133
Sense of hope for First Nations in northern Manitoba as vaccine shots begin
January 13, 2021
Some First Nations communities in northern Manitoba are among the first to receive doses of a COVID-19 vaccine in the province. A virtual news conference was hosted on Tuesday by the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO), which represents 26 First Nations in the province, to provide updates on the vaccine doses that had arrived in some remote communities.
Opinion: ‘Playing Indian’, exploiting people
January 11, 2021
In December 1773, a group of Americans called the Sons of Liberty dressed up as Native Americans and pretended to hijack ships in the Boston harbour, dumping chests of tea into the water in a protest against taxes by the British crown.
http://www.netnewsledger.com/2021/01/11/playing-indian-exploiting-people/
We’re using puppets to engage children in Kanien’kéha, the language of their heritage
January 14, 2021
You may not be aware of it, but the small town of Kahnawà:ke is bursting at the seams with a vast array of language revitalization programs to bring back Kanien’kéha (the Mohawk language) from the brink.
New cartoon Wolf Joe puts emphasis on Anishinaabe culture, teachings
January 14, 2021
A new animated series that is focused on a First Nations boy and Anishinaabe teachings is giving young Indigenous viewers a chance to see their communities reflected on television. Brett Huson, who is Gitxsan from Gitxsan territory in British Columbia, is the voice actor for Chief Madwe on Wolf Joe, airing on TVOKids and Radio Canada.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/wolf-joe-cartoon-anishinaabe-culture-1.5871749
How the animated film Chicken Run became a cult classic in the Mi’kmaw language
January 13, 2021
A British animated film about a hen and rooster’s daring escape from a chicken farm has become an unlikely tool for promoting the Mi’kmaw language in Nova Scotia and beyond. Tom and Carol Anne Johnson from Eskasoni, N.S., along with some of their relatives, overdubbed the movie Chicken Run in Mi’kmaw about a decade ago. Since then it’s become a cult classic and they still get requests from people who want to watch it.
Arviat shows appreciation for doctor who stayed through COVID-19 outbreak
January 13, 2021
A locum doctor who worked in Arviat, Nunavut, through an outbreak of COVID-19 got a big send-off recently, when local residents organized a show of appreciation as he headed home to B.C. Jessie Kaludjak of Arviat says Dr. Carl Le Roux means a lot to the community because he didn’t want to leave them during the crisis. Le Roux stayed in Arviat for weeks longer than his normal rotation.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/arviat-doctor-le-roux-appreciation-1.5870799
Vancouver Island teen’s tragic death renews calls for youth mental health resources
January 14, 2021
The tragic end to a search for a missing Vancouver Island teenager has renewed calls for access to mental health services for youth. Andre Courtmarche was found dead in Goldstream Provincial Park Saturday, concluding a week-long search for the 16 year old.
https://globalnews.ca/news/7575069/vancouver-island-teen-tragic-death-youth-mental-health-resources/
19 year-old Tla-o-qui-aht chef chosen to join prestigious culinary team
January 13, 2021
19-year-old Tla-o-qui-aht chef Ottis Crabbe has been selected to join a prestigious Canadian culinary team that will compete internationally in the food world’s version of the Olympics.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/19-old-tla-o-qui-170815347.html
Penticton Indian Band member Nicholas Kruger nominated for IndigiNews community changemaker series
January 13, 2021
As a cool winter breeze blows across the water’s surface on the southernmost point of Lake Okanagan, Nicholas Kruger, a father, professional pool player, and entrepreneur sat down to talk about being nominated as an Okanagan community changemaker. Kruger says he feels, “flattered,” to be nominated as someone who made 2020 better.
Cowichan Tribes members flood vaccination centre amid worsening COVID-19 outbreak
January 13, 2021
A line of vehicles stretched the entire length of the Cowichan Tribes band office parking lot Wednesday morning as members signed in for their first chance at a COVID-19 vaccine. Six hundred doses of the Pfizer vaccine arrived at the Duncan-area First Nation Tuesday.
Nunavut municipality holds cash draw for vaccinated residents
January 14, 2021
A vaccination clinic starts Thursday in Arviat, Nunavut, the community that has seen most of the territory’s COVID-19 cases. The municipality is encouraging residents to get vaccinated by offering cash prizes. Residents of the central Nunavut hamlet of about 3,000 people can win one of five $2,000 prizes for getting the shot.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/nunavut-cash-draw-covid-vaccinations-1.5872160
Elders in N.W.T. receive COVID-19 vaccine despite logistical challenges
January 13, 2021
Anne Thrasher eagerly rolled up her sleeve on Monday and became the first Elder in the small arctic coastal Inuvialuit community of Paulatuk, Northwest Territories to receive Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine.
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. Click learn more for additional information.
For more information, please visit: https://www.chiefsmeeting.com/coo-health-forum
Save the Date: Chiefs of Ontario – Chiefs Forum on Justice
The Chiefs of Ontario will be hosting a Chiefs Forum to discuss the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the provincial engagement on the Commission Safety and Policing Act on January 12, 2021.
For more information, please visit: www.ChiefsMeeting.com/chiefsforum
Save the Date: 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 at www.chiefsmeeting.com in the coming weeks.
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
State of Lake Ontario Conference, March 9-11, 2021
Hosted by the International Association for Great Lakes Research, the conference will feature concurrent sessions, plenaries, and discussions.
For more information, click here: https://bit.ly/35FP4jX.
Great Lakes Executive Committee Meeting, June 29, 2021
For more information, please click here: https://bit.ly/2KhikG8
Request for Proposals: Early Learning and Child Care Asset Mapping Report Consultant and Economist Team
You are invited to submit a proposal for a project by the Chiefs of Ontario (COO) to utilize your research expertise and economic expertise to create an Early Learning and Child Care Report that analyzes the existing landscape of early learning and child care programming and services in Ontario for First Nations children 0-6 years old.
Contract Opportunity: Research and Knowledge Translation Specialist
The Chiefs of Ontario (COO) is inviting applications for a contract position: Research and Knowledge Translation Specialist
https://chiefs-of-ontario.org/contract-opportunity-research-and-knowledge-translation-specialist/
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/
