COVID-19 in Indigenous communities: Over 5,000 active cases in First Nations
January 20, 2021
As the number of active COVID-19 cases in First Nations across the country continues to rise, Indigenous Services Canada is investing $1.2 billion in additional support to address ongoing public health responses in Indigenous communities.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/indigenous-covid-19-update-1.5879522
Ontario reports rise in deaths and more than 2,600 new cases of COVID-19
January 20, 2021
Ontario health officials are reporting a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases as the province increases testing for the disease following a two-day slump.
Indigenous Services gives update on COVID-19
January 20, 2021
Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller, Valerie Gideon, associate deputy minister of Indigenous Services Canada and Dr. Tom Wong, chief medical officer of Public Health, hold a news conference to provide an update on coronavirus disease in Indigenous communities.
https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1846210115753
Minister is concerned about COVID’s effect on Canada’s Indigenous people
January 19, 2021
As of late last week, there were 4,827 active cases on reserves, according to Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller. iPolitics spoke with Miller about the effect COVID is having on reserves.
Ontario chief RoseAnne Archibald hopes a woman is the next AFN national chief
January 19, 2021
The reaction to a debate at the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) on ending sexual orientation and gender based discrimination within the organization was swift for Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald.
Ontario Bringing Faster, More Reliable Broadband to the North
January 20, 2021
Improved internet access to benefit towns and First Nation Communities across Northern Ontario. The Ontario government is investing $10.9 million to bring faster broadband to several towns and First Nation communities across Northern Ontario.
https://saultonline.com/2021/01/ontario-bringing-faster-more-reliable-broadband-to-the-north/
Four First Nation artists to feature artwork on prominent international bridge
January 20, 2021
The people in Windsor and neighbouring Detroit, Mich., will soon have something new to look up at on their skylines; six gigantic First Nation artworks.
Ontario lacks Black and Indigenous engineering profs — this program hopes to change that
January 20, 2021
A new University of Waterloo-led project hopes to make Canada’s engineering schools more reflective of the country’s population. The Indigenous and Black Engineering Technology (IBET) PhD Project will provide $25,000-a-year fellowships – along with mentorship and networking opportunities – to Black and Indigenous students pursuing doctoral degrees in engineering and math.
‘Indigikitchen’ cooking show teaches traditional Native American recipes
January 19, 2021
Mariah Gladstone shares the inspiration behind her cooking show, ‘Indigikitchen,’ which teaches people how to prepare indigenous foods.
The Landscape of Nations 360° Indigenous Education Initiative is working to advance reconciliation in Niagara
January 19, 2021
Since 2016, the Landscape of Nations 360° Indigenous Education Initiative has been working to support the Niagara Region in making its commitment to create and support initiatives that work to eliminate discrimination, racism and violence against Indigenous peoples a reality.
Anishnawbe Business Professional Association Update with Jason Rasevych
January 19, 2021
The Anishnawbe Business Professional Association is pleased to kick off the 2021 season of their Virtual Campfire Series with the first of three webinars on Indigenous-led natural climate solutions co-hosted with the Conservation Through Reconciliation Partnership.
Sturgeon Lake First Nation COVID-19 outbreak declared over
January 19, 2021
The Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority (NITHA) announced on Jan. 17 that they were ending the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak declared in Sturgeon Lake First Nation on Dec. 30, 2020.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/sturgeon-lake-first-nation-covid-024231506.html
Trudeau touts government’s efforts to vaccinate Indigenous communities
January 19, 2021
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau commended on Tuesday the efforts of his government to vaccinate Indigenous communities across Canada, saying all 600 doses delivered to Cowichan tribes in Vancouver Island last week were administered within two days. He added that coastal Inuit communities and Indigenous people in Northern Quebec have also received vaccine packages.
What’s different about the coronavirus ‘variants of concern’ flagged by WHO
January 20, 2021
The seemingly more transmissible variants of the coronavirus first discovered in Britain, South Africa and Brazil are called “variants of concern” by the World Health Organization.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/coronavirus-variants-concern-canada-1.5879223
Ontario Achieves Key Milestone with Vaccinations in Long-Term Care
January 19, 2021
Ontario has reached a key milestone in the fight against COVID-19, completing the first round of vaccinations ahead of schedule in all long-term care homes in Toronto, Peel, York and Windsor-Essex, the four regions with the highest COVID-19 transmission rates. The first round of vaccinations has also been administered at all long-term care homes in the Ottawa Public Health Region, Durham Region and Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.
Ontario Expands Workplace Enforcement Campaigns
January 20, 2021
The Ontario government is expanding the current workplace inspection campaign to further protect workers and customers at essential businesses. Following last week’s big-box store blitz, provincial offences officers will be now be visiting an expanded range of workplaces across Ontario to educate and ticket businesses that are not complying with COVID-19 health and safety requirements.
https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/60019/ontario-expands-workplace-enforcement-campaigns
COVID-19 vaccination campaign across Cree territory underway
January 19, 2021
Health officials in northern Quebec Cree communities are pleased with the early rollout of a region-wide vaccination campaign launched in a snowstorm over the weekend.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/covid-19-cree-vaccination-campaign-1.5878158
Montreal wants curfew exemption for homeless after body of Innu man found near shelter
January 19, 2021
Already grappling with an outbreak of COVID-19 cases and a lack of suitable shelter space, Montreal’s urban Indigenous community was dealt another blow over the weekend when a Naskapi-Innu man was found dead near a homeless shelter forced to close overnight.
‘Grim’ COVID-19 data highlights inequities on Saskatchewan reserves
January 19, 2021
Community leaders have been saying it from the start: the COVID-19 pandemic will disproportionately harm First Nations people. New data from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) confirms that fear. As of Monday, there were 13,636 cases confirmed on First Nations reserves across Canada, mostly in the prairies.
https://globalnews.ca/news/7586882/saskatchewan-covid-19-first-nations-reserves/
Chiefs’ next target for vaccine: young people
January 19, 2021
Manitoba chiefs are eager to secure more vaccines to ramp up their immunization effort to include young Indigenous people, who suffer negative health effects at a higher rate than their non-Indigenous peers.
Mi’kmaw lobster harvester fears for her safety after receiving online video
January 19, 2021
It is hard to make out what is happening in a video sent to Jolene Marr last week. The video is about seven seconds long and it is a close up of a man’s face. It sounds like a racial slur and six gunshots in the background.
Nova Scotia First Nation wants to get into tax collection business
January 20, 2021
A small Nova Scotia First Nation is poised to start collecting property taxes in April from non-Indigenous businesses located on land it purchased for commercial development in the Annapolis Valley.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-first-nation-tax-collection-1.5879687
L’nuey rolling out educational videos on Indigenous rights
January 19, 2021
A new media advertising campaign just launched by L’nuey P.E.I. is designed to increase public understanding of Indigenous rights. The issues being covered include the Donald Marshall decision, the Indian Act, Section 35 of the Constitution Act, self-governance, and the Mi’kmaq-P.E.I.-Canada Framework Agreement.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-lnuey-indigenous-rights-videos-1.5879444
First Nation receives $127M to settle decades-long land claim
January 19, 2021
A Saskatchewan First Nation near North Battleford will receive about $127 million to settle a land claim that dates back to 1905.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/first-nation-receives-127m-settle-221857098.html
Alexis Nakota Sioux Chief criticizes Alberta’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout
January 19, 2021
Alexis Nakota Sioux Chief Tony Alexis is criticizing the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Alberta. In November 2020, The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) released preliminary guidance on the key populations for early COVID-19 vaccinations, “for the efficient, effective, and equitable allocation of COVID-19 vaccine(s).”
https://globalnews.ca/news/7585787/chief-tony-alexis-alberta-covid-19-vaccine-first-nations/
Indigenous skateboarding group wins bid to bring mobile skatepark to Alberta youth on reserves
January 19, 2021
A group of Indigenous skateboarders who want to bring skateboard facilities to Alberta reserves is thrilled to have won its bid to purchase one of five community mobile skateparks from the city.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-mobile-skateparks-1.5879948
Two major B.C. cities reject Indigenous land acknowledgements
January 19, 2021
Two of B.C.’s largest cities have recently rejected implementing a formal acknowledgement of living and conducting business on Indigenous land, despite it becoming commonplace elsewhere across the province.
Vancouver rally planned in support of Indigenous girl shamed for wearing ribbon skirt to school
January 19, 2021
On Wednesday, community members will rally together at Vancouver’s Grandview Park in support of Indigenous students across Canada who have been reprimanded or teased for wearing traditional regalia to school.
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-rally-ribbon-skirt
Yukon’s COVID-19 vaccine clinics being welcomed, but leaders say misinformation still a problem
January 19, 2021
Yukon’s first community vaccination clinic for COVID-19 wraps up Tuesday in Watson Lake, and local officials say it’s been well-received. “As a community, we’re just very thankful, and we really appreciate being put at the front of the line,” said Mayor Chris Irvin, who was the second person to get the Moderna shot on Monday.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/yukon-vaccine-clinics-watson-lake-1.5879218
Warm winter weather making it a difficult hunting season in N.W.T.
January 19, 2021
Shaun Tobac loves to hunt. Between moose and caribou in the Sahtu region, Tobac takes what he needs for his own family and then provides meat for the elders in Fort Good Hope, N.W.T.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/warm-winter-weather-making-difficult-hunting-season-1.5878344
New Inuit-language channel helps preserve Indigenous culture
January 19, 2021
Lucy Tulugarjuk, Executive Director of Nunavut Independent Television Network, talks about the launch of Uvagut TV — a new 24/7 tv channel that will feature programming in Inuktut languages with English subtitles.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/inuit-language-channel-helps-preserve-181922418.html
Indigenous-Led Solar Energy Project Wins Prize Funding to Implement a Community Clean Energy Project in NWT
January 19, 2021
Indigenous communities, governments, organizations and business, particularly in northern and isolated regions that are at the forefront of climate change impacts, are best placed to take action toward a clean energy future.
Indigenous activists support cancellation of Keystone XL pipeline project
January 19, 2021
Eriel Deranger, executive director of Indigenous Climate Action, says Canada needs to work on transitioning away from a damaging extractive economy as it negatively affects their ability to hunt, fish and trap.
Northern activists react to Biden’s plans to cancel Keystone XL pipeline permit
January 19, 2021
President-elect Joe Biden has indicated that he plans to cancel the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline on his first day in office and it’s welcome news to some activists in Canada’s North, who have been part of the fight against the project for years.
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/
