Ontario reports 119 new COVID-19 cases today, 3 more deaths
July 26, 2021
Ontario is reporting 119 new COVID-19 cases today, the lowest daily case count in the province in the past two weeks. Today’s tally is down from 172 on Sunday and 130 one week ago.
https://www.cp24.com/news/ontario-reports-119-new-covid-19-cases-today-3-more-deaths-1.5523291
More than 130 forest fires burning in northwestern Ontario Sunday
July 25, 2021
The air quality statements are in effect for the Nipigon, Marathon, Pickle Lake, Webequie, Geraldton, Manitouwadge, Hornepayne, Red Lake, Pikangikum, and Sioux Lookout areas, with Environment Canada warning of high levels of air pollution due to forest fire smoke.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/forest-fires-northwestern-ontario-1.6116624
With smoke on their doorstep, Northern Ontario First Nation forest fire evacuees find refuge in GTA
July 24, 2021
As a forest fire loomed on their doorstep, members of the Cat Lake First Nation decided late Saturday night that no further evacuations from the remote northern Ontario community would be necessary after 200 of their members already found refuge in the GTA.
Poplar Hill Evacuees Leave Kenora
July 24, 2021
Some evacuees from the Poplar Hill First Nation are heading home. One week ago, the City of Kenora accepted 75 evacuees from that community, who have been staying in a high school.
https://www.ckdr.net/2021/07/24/poplar-hill-evacuees-leave-kenora/
Local First Nations helping fire evacuees in Sault Ste. Marie
July 23, 2021
As wildfire evacuees from North Spirit Lake First Nation continue to settle into their accommodations in Sault Ste. Marie, nearby Indigenous communities are stepping up to ensure their stay is as comfortable as possible.
More money invested by government for better air services to Northern Ontario First Nations communities
July 24, 2021
The federal and provincial governments have announced additional financial support for airports that serve remote First Nations communities in Northern Ontario. The funding was announced Friday by federal transport minister Omar Alghabra, Ontario Indigenous Affairs minister Greg Rickford and Ontario transportation minister Caroline Mulroney.
Federal government to open applications for Indigenous shelters across Canada
July 23, 2021
The federal government says it will soon open applications to build emergency shelters and transitional housing for Indigenous Peoples facing gender-based violence across Canada. Speaking in Iqaluit, Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller today highlighted money already announced in the Liberals’ 2021 budget – including $420 million over five years for the construction of Indigenous-led shelters.
Chippewas of Rama First Nation to expand community health and social services
July 26, 2021
Members of Chippewas of Rama First Nation will soon be able to get medical help and access to other services more easily, comfortably, and in greater privacy as the new health and social services building gets closer to completion.
The public health disaster of mercury poisoning at Grassy Narrows
July 23, 2021
The tragic history of residential schools in Canada and its impact on Indigenous people has ignited another long-standing concern — unsafe water on reserves.
Niigaaniin Services congratulates the newly elected Executive Leadership Board of Mamaweswen
July 24, 2021
Niigaaniin Services congratulates the newly elected Executive Committee of Mamaweswen, The North Shore Tribal Council. Newly elected Board Chair, Ogimaa Brent Bisaillon, Vice Chair Caroline Barry and Harvey Petahtegoose Secretary Treasurer.
Stories from Anemki Wajiw: Indigenous Food Circle
July 24, 2021
The Indigenous Food Circle is a grassroots organization in northwestern Ontario that’s working with First Nations on some important initiatives around food.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/jolene-banning-anemki-wajiw-food-1.6114699
How to watch, listen and follow the installation of governor general Mary Simon
July 25, 2021
CBC News is presenting live coverage of the installation of Canada’s 30th governor general, Inuk leader and former ambassador Mary Simon, in both Inuktitut and English on CBC TV, Gem, CBC Radio, the Listen app and here on cbcnews.ca. You can also stream the ceremony live on the CBC Indigenous, CBC North and CBC Nunavut Facebook pages.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/where-to-watch-mary-simon-swear-in-1.6112799
Mary Simon’s historic journey from an Inuit village to Rideau Hall
July 25, 2021
Canada is on the eve of a major milestone, as Inuk leader Mary Simon prepares to be sworn in as the country’s 30th governor general. She’s the first Indigenous person to take on the role of the Queen’s representative. David Akin takes a look at her story, and how she carved her path into Rideau Hall.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/mary-simons-historic-journey-inuit-233838516.html
Camp helps Indigenous students transition to Sault high schools
July 25, 2021
The three-week program, with funding of about $50,000 roughly split between the English public board and Ministry of Education, was based at Ojibway Park in Garden River. Students could gather in person because the program is considered a summer camp. Students are checked for COVID-19 symptoms. Their temperatures are taken. A virtual camp drew about another 12 students.
Local Indigenous students use traditional knowledge to build canoe from scratch
July 25, 2021
In just a few days, a life-size birch bark canoe built by five Indigenous students in the Upper Grand District School board will be paddling along the Eramosa River.
Couple plan gallery space to help Indigenous street artists get better prices for their work
July 24, 2021
After seeing a lot of Indigenous artists in Toronto sell their artwork on the street for much less than what it’s worth, a couple plan to open a gallery to feature those artists. Brianna Olson-Pitawanakwat, who is Anishinaabe from Wikwemikong, Ont., and her partner Nanook Gordon, who is Inuvialuk from Inuvik, N.W.T., have been raising funds to open Native Arts Society, an art gallery and studio space.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/indigenous-street-artist-gallery-toronto-1.6113849
Time to dismantle Indigenous Affairs, ban feds from Indigenous education and child welfare, prosecute church leaders
July 26, 2021
Workers at some of the residential schools are still alive and walking amongst us and they must be prosecuted. Church leaders need to be prosecuted. The Catholic Church needs to pay its reparations. The federal government needs to dismantle the Department of Indian Affairs, and forthwith be banned from Indigenous education and child welfare.
Genocide and Colonialism: Challenging the Canadian State
July 26, 2021
Public opinion has been shaken by the ‘discovery’ of unmarked graves of children who died in residential schools. The word ‘discovery’ has to be placed in quotation marks because Indigenous communities have been saying for many years that terrible things had taken place on the grounds of church-run residential schools. The time has come to call this what it is – a genocide.
https://socialistproject.ca/2021/07/genocide-colonialism-challenging-canadian-state/
‘Those children could be my relatives’: Canada’s first Indigenous forensic pathologist on unmarked graves
July 26, 2021
In her job as a forensic pathologist, Kona Williams investigates hundreds of deaths a year. But when she heard that unmarked graves had been found at the site of a residential school in late May, she was seized by a grim realization.
Residential schools: How the U.S. and Canada share a troubling history
July 26, 2021
A member of the U.S. federal cabinet says she wept when she heard news from Canada about what are believed to be unmarked burial sites of children’s remains near a former residential school.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/residential-schools-u-canada-share-080000561.html
Residential school survivors demand Sask. court release Catholic compensation document
July 26, 2021
A Roman Catholic Church document claiming the church provided $25 million of “in-kind services” to residential school survivors is sitting inside a Regina courthouse, but officials are refusing to release it.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/first-nations-survivors-court-catholic-document-1.6114196
Opaskwayak Cree Nation prepares to search 2 former residential school sites for unmarked graves
July 26, 2021
On a northern Manitoba First Nation not far from the Saskatchewan border, a community is taking the first steps to prepare to search two nearby former residential school sites for unmarked graves.
Winnipeg’s Boldness Project reimagines an urban landscape with Indigenous voices shaping policy
July 26, 2021
Reimagining urban centres is not new for Indigenous people – First Nations, Métis and Inuit. As we’ve grown and adapted to the ever-changing landscapes of our traditional territories, we constantly imagine what these spaces would look like if we had a say in urban planning.
Cabinet short of ministers experienced in Indigenous issues
July 26, 2021
On Thursday evening, as a part of the provincial government’s weekly newsletter to Manitoba’s public service, chief of the executive council and cabinet secretary David McLaughlin issued “A Statement from the Clerk” on the government’s next steps on reconciliation.
First Nations chip brand hitting Canadian shelves
July 26, 2021
Canadian supermarkets are soon to be stocking Indigenous-owned potato chip brand Tomahawk Chips. The independent Manitoba-based brand was created in 2015 by Alfred Lea, a First Nations man from Pine Dock, Manitoba.
https://nit.com.au/first-nations-chip-brand-hitting-canadian-shelves/
It may be days before power restored to evacuated First Nations: Manitoba Hydro
July 23, 2021
Manitoba Hydro said on Thursday that it could take a number of days before it can restore power to four First Nations, which have been evacuated due to smoke and flames from wildfires.
Cree electrician hopes her story energizes other women to join the trades
July 23, 2021
A little over a year ago, Nikki Muswaggon had no idea what was involved with wiring a house or how to read the building code.
Culture camp on Sask. First Nation gives youth rare opportunity to learn land-based skills
July 25, 2021
“This is awesome,” Ryan Caron said. “This is really good.” Caron, 35, is a member of Beardy’s and Okemasis’ Cree Nation, a First Nation located next to the small town of Duck Lake, Sask., about 85 kilometres north of Saskatoon.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/saskatchewan-first-nation-survival-camp-1.6114597
Cowessess First Nation gets $10K donation from Regina running group to help in search for unmarked graves
July 24, 2021
Cowessess First Nation received $10,000 in donations from a group in Regina this week, to help in their search for unmarked graves on the site of a former residential school in Saskatchewan.
Changes to Natuashish policing made without proper consultation, says Innu First Nation chief
July 25, 2021
A change to the structure of policing in Natuashish has come as a surprise to officials in the community, who say there was not enough consultation between the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Mushuau Innu First Nation.
First Nations in Alberta taking government’s decision to shut down Grassy Mountain coal project to court
July 24, 2021
Two First Nations in Southern Alberta want to appeal a review board’s decision to reject a proposed coal mine. In June, a joint federal and provincial review panel that included the Alberta Energy Regulator, decided the Grassy Mountain mine project was not in the public’s best interest.
First Nations golf tournament in Ponoka expected to see close to 600 participants
July 25, 2021
What is expected to be the largest Indigenous golf tournament in Canada is set to begin Sunday in central Alberta. The All Nations Cup will run for the entire week at the Wolf Creek Golf Resort in Ponoka. It is expected to host more than 570 entrants from across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario.
Cleveland baseball team’s name change sparks hopes other teams follow suit
July 23, 2021
Cleveland’s Major League Baseball team unveiled its new name and logo on Friday, and some Indigenous sports fans hope other teams follow suit.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/cleveland-baseball-name-change-1.6115043
Bridgette Laquette from Cote First Nation becomes scout for Chicago Blackhawks
July 22, 2021
The Chicago Blackhawks have made a significant addition to their scouting staff, adding Canadian hockey player Bridgette Laquette as a pro scout in the organization. Lacquette became the first First Nations woman to play on Canada’s Olympic hockey team in 2018.
Major museum and art gallery shops duped by fake Indigenous carver
July 26, 2021
Until recently, gift shops in some of B.C.’s most famous museums and art galleries have sold wood carvings by an artist identified as “Harvey John” for hundreds of dollars apiece. According to the standard biography used by these shops, Harvey John is Nuu-Chah-Nulth from Vancouver Island, and learned traditional Northwest Coast formline carving from an uncle.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-fake-indigenous-artist-harvey-john-1.6114608
B.C. officials concerned with mental health of wild fire evacuees
July 23, 2021
In 2018, Fannie Vance watched her community of Telegraph Creek in B.C. burn because of a wildfire. She was forced to flee the Tahltan community of 200 located about 400 km south of the B.C., Yukon border.
Indigenous services minister visits Iqaluit, talks housing crisis and systemic racism
July 23, 2021
Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller says the federal government needs to do more to support people living in Nunavut, particularly when it comes to the territory’s long-standing housing crisis.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/marc-miller-visits-iqaluit-1.6115207
Yukon’s record breaking temperatures causing flooding
July 23, 2021
The Yukon’s northernmost community is experiencing record breaking temperatures. In Old Crow the average high temperature for this time of year is around 20 C. On July 20, Environment Canada issued a heat warning as temperatures soared to nearly 30 C.
https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/yukons-record-breaking-temperatures-causing-flooding/
Yukon content creators are using TikTok to elevate Indigenous cultures
July 24, 2021
At first, Kayla Mintz was a little embarrassed about creating a TikTok account. Mintz, who is from the Wolf Clan of the Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation in Yukon, says she first decided to sign up for the social media platform to break pandemic isolation.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/yukon-tiktok-indigenous-content-culture-1.6115507
Government of Canada announces new shelters for Indigenous Peoples facing gender-based violence
July 23, 2021
The Government of Canada is committed to securing the safety of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people who are escaping gender-based violence.
