Government of Canada COVID-19 Update for Indigenous Peoples and communities
March 11, 2021
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is closely monitoring the number of COVID-19 cases reported in First Nations communities across the country. Overall, active case counts continue to decline, with 1,123 active cases reported as of March 10, 2021.
Nearly 1,400 new COVID-19 cases reported in Ontario, 18 more deaths
March 12, 2021
Health officials are reporting close to 1,400 new COVID-19 cases Friday. The 1,371 infections mark the sixth consecutive day in which the province has logged case numbers above 1,000. Eighteen more deaths linked to the disease were also confirmed by health officials Friday.
Fort William First Nation declares state of emergency
March 11, 2021
The spread of COVID-19 to Fort William First Nation has resulted in the community declaring a state of emergency. The Band Council voted to declare the emergency Wednesday evening, which will include a public curfew and requests for support from the provincial and federal governments.
https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/fort-william-first-nation-declares-state-of-emergency-3535845
Kettle and Stony Point fighting COVID-19 outbreak one year after global pandemic declared
March 12, 2021
As the world marks the one-year anniversary of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the First Nation community of Kettle and Stony Point is trying to get through its first major outbreak.
Ontario premier under fire for suggesting Indigenous MPP jumped queue to get vaccine
March 11, 2021
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is coming under fire for remarks he made in Queen’s Park on Thursday suggesting an Indigenous MPP jumped the line to get his COVID-19 vaccine.
https://globalnews.ca/news/7690206/ontario-ford-mpp-mamakwa-indegenous-community-vaccine-jumping/
Ontario NDP calls on Ford to apologize after wrongly accusing Indigenous MPP of vaccine queue-jumping
March 11, 2021
Ontario’s NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is calling on Premier Doug Ford to apologize to Indigenous member of Provincial Parliament Sol Mamakwa after Ford wrongly accused him of vaccine queue-jumping during question period on Thursday.
For Indigenous people, the urban-Northern divide has produced a tale of two vaccination efforts
March 12, 2021
Métis physician Janet Smylie is tired. When I speak to her, she’s leaning against a wall at the Na-Me-Res Indigenous men’s shelter, which is now a pop-up vaccination clinic, as she takes a breath from her work.
Premier Doug Ford’s blatant attempt at scapegoating MPP Sol Mamakwa also reveals his profound ignorance of First Nations customs
March 11, 2021
“The Indigenous community has never been treated better, ever.” That’s what Premier Doug Ford claimed today in Queen’s Park just moments before falsely accusing NDP MPP Sol Mamakwa of “jumping the line” to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Ontario COVID-19 vaccine pilot rollout continues at more sites today
March 12, 2021
A pilot project offering COVID-19 vaccines in pharmacies is expanding more broadly today. Some pharmacies in Toronto, Windsor and Kingston health units have already started offering Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines to residents between the ages of 60 to 64.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/ontario-covid-19-vaccine-pilot-090000294.html
46 new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Thunder Bay district on Thursday
March 11, 2021
Forty-six new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the Thunder Bay district on Thursday. The Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) said 15 of the cases are due to household contact, while nine are the result of “other close contact.”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/new-covid-thunder-bay-1.5945544
COVID-19: No sign Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine causes blood clots, Canadian health authorities say
March 12, 2021
Canadian health authorities are keeping a watchful eye on European investigations of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine after reports of blood clots following inoculations, but say there is no evidence they were caused by the vaccine.
Elders, caregivers roll up their sleeves for COVID-19 vaccine at Sault Ste. Marie Indian Friendship Centre (5 photos)
March 11, 2021
People rolled up their sleeves to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at the Sault Ste. Marie Indian Friendship Centre (SSMIFC) Thursday.
Anishinabek Nation brings connectivity issues to forum
March 12, 2021
Collaborating with First Nations is key to jumping the hurdles of accessing broadband in communities, says Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Glen Hare.
https://www.manitoulin.com/anishinabek-nation-brings-connectivity-issues-to-forum/
Nickel company and First Nation set the ground rules for exploration
March 11, 2021
Class 1 Nickel and Technologies and Matachewan First Nation (MFN) signed of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to advance exploration for nickel, copper and cobalt at the company’s Alexo-Dundonald Nickel Sulphide Project, 45 kilometres east of the city.
Former NHLers team up to assist Indigenous charity
March 11, 2021
John Chabot and Shawn Rivers, who both played in the National Hockey League, were never teammates during their hockey careers. But the pair have teamed up in their post-hockey lives to run a successful business, Anish Branding.
Nipissing First Nation lacrosse member to join brother at Humboldt State University
March 12, 2021
When he starts playing university lacrosse, Connor Kaboni will be well acquainted with one of his teammates.
Under threat of exile, Autumn Windego stands her ground against band council
March 12, 2021
Autumn Windego is still in her home. And she has something to say. “I will not stop advocating and I will always stand my ground and protect myself. I’m not just protecting myself; I’m protecting my babies,” said the Anishinaabe mother of two young girls on Nation to Nation.
Wiz-Tec Computing Technologies – Update on the Ontario Gas Card Changeover and New Tax Exemption Options
March 12, 2021
All of us here at Wiz-Tec are pleased to announce that the rollout of our update to the First Nations Gas Tax Rebate (FNGTR) program over to the Federal Status Card system last year was a resounding success. We were able to do an overnight transition without issues on the morning of January 1, 2020, and the system has been running smoothly for the past year. We’d like to thank all our retailers for their cooperation through this change as well as for their continued trust in us.
More than $3B paid to 38,000 victims of residential school abuse: report
March 11, 2021
More than $3 billion has been paid out to 38,000 victims of Canada’s notorious residential schools, according to a report released on Thursday from the committee overseeing the independent assessment process.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/iap-final-report-residential-schools-1.5946103
Federal committee hears mixed messages about proposed UNDRIP bill
March 11, 2021
The parliamentary committee studying Bill C-15 – the proposed federal legislation that will bring Canada’s laws in line with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) heard mixed messages on the effects it will have across the country.
Ontario Increasing Supports for Victims and Survivors of Human Trafficking in Niagara Region
March 11, 2021
The Ontario government is investing $1.4 million over the next five years to create a new community-based program to provide more young victims and survivors of human trafficking in Niagara Region with access to the supports they need. Enhanced protection of children and youth is a key part of the province’s new proposed groundbreaking Combatting Human Trafficking Act, which was introduced last month to help fight this growing crime.
NDP MPPs urge Ford to act on northern Ontario opioid crisis
March 12, 2021
In an open letter issued yesterday to Ontario Premier Doug Ford, northern Ontario NDP MPPs urged the premier to address the ongoing opioid crisis across the region.
Montreal drop-in centre receives ‘historic’ funding from Quebec and Canada
March 11, 2021
We’re one year into the COVID-19 pandemic and homeless shelters across the country are still struggling to meet an increased demand. But in what’s being touted as a “historic move,” Quebec and the federal government announced tandem investments to secure a permanent location for Resilience Montreal, a drop-in centre serving the city’s homeless Indigenous population.
Teen takes up running challenge to raise funds for Akwesasne Boys & Girls Club
March 11, 2021
When Cayde Lazore decided to take up a difficult running challenge earlier this month, he wanted to push his limits physically, mentally and also give back to his community. The 15-year-old from Akwesasne, a Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) community on the Ontario, Quebec and New York state border, spent last weekend running four miles (6.4 kilometres), every four hours over a 48-hour period.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/akwesasne-cayde-lazore-running-challenge-1.5946078
Vaccine distribution to First Nations still lacks safeguards
March 12, 2021
The Manitoba government has not put in safeguards to prevent people from lying about being First Nations in order to jump the queue for a COVID-19 vaccine, leaving it up to doctors and pharmacists to take patients at their word.
Stories of children who died of maltreatment highlight gaps in Manitoba’s child welfare system
March 12, 2021
The woman who cared for Phoenix Sinclair for much of her short life says little has changed in the years since a public inquiry into her death made sweeping recommendations meant to reform Manitoba’s child welfare system.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-child-welfare-system-report-1.5946616
Maltreatment deaths focus of a new report from Manitoba’s child advocate
March 11, 2021
The lives and deaths of 19 children are the subject of a new report from Manitoba’s child advocate, which outlines the on-going issue of maltreatment 15 years after the death of Phoenix Sinclair.
Chief of Sask. First Nation lobbying government to change casino framework
March 11, 2021
Casinos remain closed across the province, but the chief of a Saskatchewan First Nation is hoping he can strike a deal with the provincial government that will change the way casinos on Indigenous lands are managed when they reopen.
In fight against illegal fishing, Canada’s sea spies struggle with sloppy intel, bias: Internal files
March 12, 2021
They’re billed as Canada’s spies on the sea: an award-winning team gathering intelligence on illegal fishing.
It’s lit: Qaumajuq’s Winnipeg opening aims to illuminate through world’s largest Inuit art collection
March 11, 2021
The expansive lands and oceans of the far north feel a little closer to the Prairies as you round the corner of St. Mary Avenue and Memorial Boulevard in downtown Winnipeg. A solid white wave of granite hangs above the glassed-in ground floor entrance of the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s new Inuit Art Centre, or Qaumajuq.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/qaumajuq-winnipeg-inuit-art-gallery-opening-1.5946200
Judge compares time in jail to hell for Manitoba inmate with FASD
March 11, 2021
A Manitoba judge says an Indigenous man with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder had a “hellish” time at a correctional facility, where he alleged he was sexually assaulted by other inmates. A provincial court judge wrote in a sentencing decision that the 21-year-old had tried to report the alleged sex assault at the Brandon Correctional Centre to local police. But he said officers laughed at him.
MMIWG2S Advocate, MLA Nahanni Fontaine Kicked Out Of Manitoba Legislative Chamber
March 11, 2021
Nahanni Fontaine, NDP MLA for St. Johns and Spokesperson for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit was kicked out of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly Chamber and was denied entry back into the House yesterday after she stood her ground refusing to withdraw her comments.
Elsipogtog First Nation receives COVID-19 vaccines
March 11, 2021
The health centre at Elsipogtog First Nation vaccinated more than 1,100 community members against COVID-19 this week.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/elsipogtog-first-nation-receives-covid-235144593.html
Minister of Indigenous Services casts doubts on Sask. First Nation’s vaccine deal
March 11, 2021
Canada’s Minister of Indigenous Services says a vaccine deal brokered by a Saskatchewan First Nation may not be legitimate.
Final Kapyong Barracks plan to include mix of residences, commercial and cultural space
March 11, 2021
The final master plan for the former Kapyong Barracks site in Winnipeg has been released to the public, and shows the site could have up to three thousand new residences and 1.2 million square feet of commercial space.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/kapyong-barracks-development-plan-1.5945604
Mi’kmaq runner hopes land acknowledgement will welcome more Indigenous people to the sport in Nova Scotia
March 11, 2021
The organization that promotes road running in Nova Scotia is making changes to create a more welcoming sport.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/mikmaq-runner-hopes-land-acknowledgement-025807069.html
New MOU aims to develop, promote Indigenous tourism sector in Edmonton
March 11, 2021
Scott Iserhoff didn’t mean to get into tourism, but an event serving Indigenous cuisine to German tourists brought him into the space.
Williams Lake First Nation preparing for spring flooding
March 11, 2021
More than 1,100 sandbags were assembled this past weekend as the Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN) responded to early flooding.
Little that Alberta First Nation can do as logging company destroys part of ‘protected’ ancestral trail
March 11, 2021
Last summer, a logging company, cleared approximately 1,200 metres of an Indigenous ancestral trail in Bigstone Cree Nation territory, Treaty No. 8 region (northern Alberta), in spite of government regulations in place to protect land. As an ancient archeological site, the trail should have been protected by the Alberta Historical Resource Act. A Historical Resource Impact Assessment should have been conducted to assess the site’s protected value.
Most B.C. First Nations communities offered at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
March 11, 2021
More than half of the residents of First Nations communities in British Columbia have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, but most Indigenous people who live outside of those areas are still waiting.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/most-b-c-first-nations-201420664.html
B.C. health authority denies negligence, racism involved in death of Haisla baby
March 11, 2021
A northern British Columbia health authority denies negligence or racism played a role in the stillborn death of a baby girl on January 28.
https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/haisla-baby-death/
Joshua Whitehead’s two-spirit Indigenous novel Jonny Appleseed wins Canada Reads 2021
March 11, 2021
One book has been crowned the 2021 champion of CBC’s annual book debate. After four days of discussion and debate—as well as laughter and tears—in Toronto from March 8 to 11, Joshua Whitehead’s debut novel Jonny Appleseed was named the top book for Canadians to read.
Widow believes answers to husband’s death lie in sunken tug boat in B.C.
March 12, 2021
Judy Carlick-Pearson and her husband Troy Pearson were looking to make a change. “We wanted him to be home as much as possible. We have a young son, his name is Carver, and we wanted him to spend as much time with his dad in the early years,” she said in a phone interview.
Ombudsperson declines Terrace’s request for McCallum-Miller investigation
March 11, 2021
The Office of the Ombudsperson has denied the City of Terrace’s request to investigate the reasons Jessica McCallum-Miller gave for resigning from her city council seat Feb. 22.
Campbell River First Nation expands ecotourism operation with new boats, visitor centre
March 12, 2021
A Campbell River First Nation is expanding its tourism operations this year, despite ongoing pandemic restrictions.
The Government of Canada provides $8 million to Inuit organizations to address food insecurity
March 11, 2021
Inuit are one of the most food insecure populations in Canada and experience inequitable access to healthy, nutritious and culturally preferred food compared to other populations. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated this situation and put additional pressure on Inuit households.
Inuit clinic ‘discouraged’ to face questions about queue jumping
March 12, 2021
The executive director of the health clinic that serves much of Ottawa’s Inuit community says she has faced numerous questions — including from within the health sector — about why Indigenous Canadians are a top priority for COVID-19 vaccinations.
Inuit account for only a quarter of Nunavut gov’t employees given staff housing: report
March 12, 2021
Significantly fewer Inuit are housed through the government of Nunavut’s staff housing program than non-Inuit. That’s according to a report by MLA Adam Arreak Lightstone, who tabled the data he collected in the Legislative Assembly on March 4.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/staff-housing-nunavut-government-1.5946488
Artic Gateway Transportation Hub, Now 100% Indigenous Owned
March 11, 2021
Today the Arctic Gateway Group (AGG) announce an ownership transition that will see One North Community and Indigenous partners assume 100% ownership of the Port of Churchill, the Hudson Bay Rail line, the Churchill Marine Tank Farm, and associated assets.
https://www.thedailyscrum.ca/2021/03/11/artic-gateway-transportation-hub-now-100-indigenous-owned/
UPCOMING EVENTS
Issue 9 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/oo21c/.
Save the Date: Chiefs of Ontario 47th All Ontario Chiefs Conference 2021
The Chiefs of Ontario and Grand Council Treaty #3 will be hosting the 47th All Ontario Chiefs Conference 2021 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.
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.
