COVID-19: What you need to know for January 19
January 19, 2021
Per today’s government report, 2,578 new cases in Ontario, for a total of total of 240,364 since the pandemic began; 1,571 people are in hospital, 394 of them in intensive care, and 303 on ventilators. To date, 5,433 people have died.
https://www.tvo.org/article/covid-19-what-you-need-to-know-for-january-19
Kavanaugh asks Treaty #3 to take lockdown ‘extremely seriously’
January 19, 2021
Grand Council Treaty #3 Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh is asking residents across the region to abide by Ontario’s stay-at-home orders and COVID-19 lockdown, in light of increasing cases in the region and the province.
https://www.drydennow.com/local/kavanaugh-asks-treaty-3-to-take-lockdown-extremely-seriously
‘Operation Remote Immunity’ ramps up as Ornge prepares to vaccinate 31 fly-in First Nations
January 19, 2021
Cultural sensitivity and community safety are top of mind for the Ornge team tasked with transporting COVID-19 vaccines and vaccinating 31 remote First Nations in northern Ontario, a monumental task they have designated “Operation Remote Immunity.”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/operation-remote-immunity-1.5878114
Walpole Island police issue first charges under stay-at-home order
January 18, 2021
Walpole Island officials are advising non-members that the First Nation is not a “safe haven” for gatherings during the province’s stay-at-home order.
Authority of governments over Indigenous hunting and fishing questioned at North Bay trial
January 19, 2021
A trial underway this week could have far reaching implications for the Indigenous people of northern Ontario and across Canada. The defence is arguing that no governments, not even First Nation chiefs and councils, can legally control hunting and fishing around Lake Nipissing. There are 54 people on trial in a virtual courtroom based in North Bay, charged with violating Ontario’s hunting and fishing laws, as well as the commercial fishing laws of Nipissing First Nation.
‘It was only a matter of time’: Fort Liard residents react to COVID-19 cases
January 18, 2021
Residents of Fort Liard describe being worried, nervous and on-edge as the community starts its mandatory 14-day containment order on Monday. The order bans all at-home gatherings of any size, forces schools and non-essential businesses to close and mandates masks in public places.
Six Nations entrepreneur Ken Hill dies in Florida
January 18, 2021
Ken Hill, a prominent businessman from Six Nations of the Grand River and co-owner of the Grand River Enterprises (GRE) cigarette company, has died in Miami, Fla. Steve Williams, president of GRE, told CBC News he learned of Hill’s death through family this morning.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/ken-hill-dead-1.5877740
Kawartha Nisnawbe send message to Parks Canada: No consultation, no work
January 18, 2021
Members of the Kawartha Nishnawbe are holding their ground at Lock 28 in Burleigh Falls, Ont., located about 200 km northeast of Toronto. Six days ago they put a halt to repair work at a dam, owned by Parks Canada, because there was no consultation.
Federal government to cover $2.8M drug for eastern Ontario toddler
January 18, 2021
The family of a Pikwàkanagàn First Nation toddler diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder says the federal government has agreed to pay the full cost of a life-changing drug for the boy.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/kevin-verch-jordans-principle-sma-1.5878166
Indigenous Reporters Program helping shape new group of storytellers in Northern Ontario
January 18, 2021
This past fall, 12-year-old Kristina Nodin would rush home after school on Mondays and Thursdays, shut herself in her bedroom and climb onto her bed. There, underneath the Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek flag that hangs on her wall, she would spend the next hour learning about journalism through an online course designed to train Indigenous reporters.
Indigenous communities must have internet access on their terms
January 19, 2021
With the Universal Broadband Fund, the federal government has committed to addressing the connectivity gap that is far too real for many people. Over the past nine months, COVID-19 has demonstrated how important the internet is during a crisis.
Indigenous makeup entrepreneur grows sustainable revolution brand
January 18, 2021
During an afternoon walk in early January, Jennifer Harper reminisced about her remarkable journey of creating an Indigenous beauty brand. It’s been five years since Harper launched her acclaimed Cheekbone Beauty Cosmetics enterprise out of St. Catherines, Ontario.
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/good-news-stories-canada-telus-cheekbone-beauty
Cindy Blackstock: A relentless champion for Indigenous children’s rights
January 18, 2021
Her biggest accomplishment was seeing how a diversity of children flooded so many courtrooms during their Indigenous peers’ long legal fight. And seeing even more kids standing outside on Parliament Hill at key moments in the ongoing saga, their signs full of glitter, saying First Nations children matter.
Simon takes his school-of-hard-knocks teaching online
January 19, 2021
Neither contracting COVID-19 nor the death of his son has slowed Aamjiwnaang’s Jason Simon and his mission to support indigenous youth.
https://thesarniajournal.ca/simon-takes-his-school-of-hard-knocks-teaching-online/
Wiikwemkoong actress to be featured in world premier of Wild Indian at 2021 Sundance Film Festival
January 19, 2021
Wiikwemkoong actor Lisa Cromarty is looking forward to the upcoming world premiere of Wild Indian, where she played the sister of one of two leads, in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival.
UW offering fellowship to increase diversity in engineering, technology
January 18, 2021
Six universities in Ontario have partnered to create a new fellowship to expand the pathways for Indigenous and Black students pursuing doctoral degrees in engineering to prepare for careers as professors and industry researchers.
Stigma against Indigenous Peoples is a ‘social sickness’
January 18, 2021
As communities work to stop the spread of COVID-19, Indigenous health experts say there is a “social sickness” that also must be addressed. A new short animated video is aiming to educate the public on the stigmatization that’s faced by Indigenous communities in the wake of the pandemic.
Opinion: To end racism against Indigenous peoples, we have to name it and speak up
January 18, 2021
The pandemic has magnified difficult truths about how Indigenous people are treated in Canadian society. These truths were starkly described in the recent independent review of racism in British Columbia’s health care system that I was asked to lead by Health Minister Adrian Dix.
National chief pans systemic racism as AFN launches virtual general assembly
January 18, 2021
The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) blasted systemic racism and laid out his lobbying plans for the remainder of his term during the organization’s annual general assembly on Tuesday.
Quebec City mayor acknowledges systemic racism, says police force working towards greater diversity
January 18, 2021
Quebec City’s mayor called on his police force to continue working to diversify its ranks, and said he believes there is systemic racism in Quebec.
Floods, drought and wildfires will worsen as Prairie climate warms, says federal government report
January 18, 2021
Scientists involved in a new federal government report predict extreme weather events will get more severe and could present the most challenging, and expensive, consequence of climate change in the three Prairie provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Garden Hill First Nation says outside help is needed to fight COVID-19 outbreak
January 18, 2021
Garden Hill First Nation is urgently trying to curb COVID-19 transmission and get outside help, as the number of people infected in the community has skyrocketed in the past week. As of Sunday night, Chief Dino Flett said the community has 269 active cases. According to the 2016 census, the First Nation has a population of 2,591.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/island-lake-garden-hill-first-nation-1.5878400
Alberta First Nations leaders frustrated by delay in vaccine rollout
January 19, 2021
Alberta First Nations leaders say they are frustrated with the way the province is handling COVID-19 vaccine distribution after the government paused the rollout of first doses until supply is restocked.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/alberta-first-nations-leaders-frustrated-130000854.html
Blood Tribe aquaponics farming project could hold key to First Nations food security
January 18, 2021
Blood Tribe resident Dan McGinnis is hoping to address several pervasive issues in rural Indigenous communities with the help of open-source aquaponics technology. “We’re hoping this can be a stepping stone to even greater things,” McGinnis said Monday.
https://globalnews.ca/news/7584482/aquaponics-first-nations-food/
First Nations Seek To Intervene In Court Challenge Of Coal Policy Removal
January 18, 2021
The Bearspaw, Ermineskin and Whitefish First Nations are among those looking to intervene in a court challenge to the United Conservative government’s rescinding of a policy that placed restrictions on coal mining in Alberta.
Vancouver rally to support Indigenous students criticized for wearing traditional regalia to school ceremonies
January 18, 2021
While many people may aspire to make fashion statements, local activists will be making a powerful statement with clothing this week that goes far beyond the appearance of things.
Indigenous filmmaker wants fines, jail time for ‘pretendians’ who misrepresent their identity
January 19, 2021
A Haida filmmaker is pushing for new legislation in Canada to penalize people who pretend to be Indigenous in order to access grants, awards and jobs intended for Indigenous people. Tamara Bell says she wants those who misrepresent their identity to face fines and even prison time.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/calls-for-pretendians-to-face-fines-jail-1.5878330
‘Great progress’ as vaccines reach Tahltan citizens in northern B.C.
January 18, 2021
Citizens of the Tahltan First Nation in northern B.C. may well be leading the country when it comes to COVID-19 vaccine coverage per capita. As of Jan. 16, 407 of the First Nation’s 756 eligible citizens, or 54 per cent, have been vaccinated, according to Feddie Louie who is lead of the Tahltan emergency management committees.
North Island First Nations nominate RCMP officer for Reconciliation Award
January 18, 2021
Port Hardy’s former cop Chris Voller has been nominated for a BC Reconciliation Award by his former boss Sgt. Wes Olsen and the four local First Nations and the District of Port Hardy.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/north-island-first-nations-nominate-200217860.html
TransLink’s Burrard Chinook SeaBus to get First Nations art installation
January 18, 2021
TransLink’s newest SeaBus, the Burrard Chinook, will be the first to have an Indigenous art installation on its exterior in the transit authority’s fleet.
Overcrowded Iqaluit shelters call vaccination clinics a ‘stress relief’
January 18, 2021
Vaccination clinics start Monday in Iqaluit for at-risk groups, including seniors age 65 and over, and people who live in or work at shelters. There are four shelters in Iqaluit, a men’s shelter, women’s shelter, a family violence shelter and a coed overnight shelter for people who are intoxicated.
First Nations man in the Yukon says carving helped him overcome drug addiction, homelessness
January 18, 2021
Thomas Fawcett sits in his studio surrounded by wood – and the carvings that come from his heart and hands. He’s is a highly regarded carver for Carcross/Tagish First Nation (C/TFN) in the Yukon. It’s a career path he never thought would be possible – especially considering that just a few years ago, he was considering taking his own life.
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 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/
