COVID-19 in Indigenous communities: Over 20,000 vaccine doses administered this week
March 3, 2021
Vaccine distribution continues to ramp up in First Nations and Inuit communities across Canada this week. According to Indigenous Services Canada, vaccination campaigns are underway in 480 First Nations and Inuit communities. A total of 113,179 doses have been administered thus far, as the number of active cases of COVID-19 in Indigenous communities continues to decrease across the country.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/indigenous-covid-19-update-1.5933294
Ontario logs 958 new COVID-19 cases; death toll surpasses 7,000
March 3, 2021
Ontario’s COVID-19 death toll has surpassed 7,000 on Wednesday, as the province is reporting less than 1,000 new infections. Provincial health officials logged 958 new infections and 17 additional deaths today. Wednesday marks the sixth day of a downward trend in daily case counts.
https://www.cp24.com/news/ontario-logs-958-new-covid-19-cases-death-toll-surpasses-7-000-1.5331724
Matawa Health Cooperative to Host COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic for High-Risk Population
March 3, 2021
The Matawa Health Co-operative (MHC) will be hosting their first COVID-19 vaccination clinic event on Wednesday March 3 and Thursday March 4 from 12:30 – 4:00 p.m. each day. The clinic is an opportunity for high-risk Matawa First Nation members who reside in Thunder Bay to receive their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
Rickford: ‘Things are under control’ in Wabaseemong
March 2, 2021
Frontline and essential workers caring for Wabaseemoong Independent Nation residents now have additional COVID-19 vaccines to keep them safe. Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford explains the Ontario government purchased and supplied 300 additional vaccines for healthcare staff working in Wabaseemoong, to help curb their ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.
https://www.drydennow.com/local/rickford-things-are-under-control-in-wabaseemong
Suspicion that vaccines will harm is still a struggle encountered on reserves, says Dr. Evan Adams
March 3, 2021
People on reserve have received the coronavirus vaccine at a rate of six times higher than Canadians, yet Dr. Evan Adams said he is still fielding questions about whether or not people should be signing up for injections.
Nipissing FN votes to ratify new governance agreement
March 2, 2021
Nipissing First Nation residents have voted to adopt the proposed Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement. The agreement, which aims to give its signatories greater control over citizenship, elections, language and culture, and management and operations, received the support of a majority of voters following a nearly month-long voting process.
Wabaseemoong thanks Kenora businesses who donated care packages to youth
March 3, 2021
The chief of Wabaseemoong Independent Nations is thanking dozens of Kenora businesses who have shown their support for the community as it battles a COVID-19 outbreak. Around 60 businesses chipped in more than $20,000 to create care packages for the 352 young people isolating in the community.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/kenora-businesses-help-wabaseemoong-1.5934149
Protecting the “Breathing Lands”
March 2, 2021
Northern Ontario’s evocatively named Ring of Fire — upstream of the traditional territory of the seven First Nations forming the Mushkegowuk Council — is a hotbed of mineral deposits. But that’s not all this area is sitting on.
https://wwf.ca/stories/protecting-the-breathing-lands/
New housing to come for residents living on former Camp Ipperwash
March 2, 2021
In a strange twist of fate, new homes for the people living at the former army camp where land defender Anthony “Dudley” George was killed are arriving the same way their homes of their grandparents’ generation were forcibly removed almost 80 years ago— on the back of trucks.
Caldwell First Nation launches online system for project consultations
March 2, 2021
The Caldwell First Nation has set up an online system to help manage the many consultation requests it gets every week. Companies and organizations are required to consult with First Nations when they’re planning projects on their territory — anything from power lines to building bridges.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/caldwell-first-nation-launches-online-134025414.html
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds donate $250K to Indigenous mentorship program
March 2, 2021
Celebrities Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are donating $250,000 to help launch a Canadian mentorship program for Indigenous post-secondary students, the program’s chairperson announced on Tuesday.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/livey-reynolds-donation-influence-1.5933295
Indigenous law expert Aimée Craft honoured by CBA
March 2, 2021
In February Aimée Craft, an associate professor in the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Law, took home a President’s Award from the Canadian Bar Association at its annual general meeting.
Internationally renowned leader George Manuel’s legacy should be taught in school says family
March 2, 2021
He helped form the National Indian Brotherhood and was the founding president of the World Council of Indigenous Peoples. He was instrumental in the creation of the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and was nominated for three Nobel Peace Prizes. But you won’t see George Manuel’s name in any high school text book.
Why Toronto’s COVID-19 vaccination rollout is slower than other Ontario cities
March 3, 2021
The rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations in Ontario is happening at 34 different speeds, with each public health unit taking its own approach. The pace in the province’s largest public health unit is notably slower than average. Officials in Toronto can’t say when people aged 80 and up will be eligible to get vaccinated and are urging people not to call the public health hotline with questions about the timeline.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-vaccine-covid-19-vaccination-toronto-1.5933189
Lessons in the pandemic’s shadow—moving past hope to action
March 2, 2021
As vaccines become available and we emerge from COVID-19’s shadow, we must hang onto insights we’ve gained.
https://www.straight.com/news/david-suzuki-lessons-in-pandemics-shadow-moving-past-hope-to-action
Eden Robinson on closing the book on ‘Trickster’
March 2, 2021
For author Eden Robinson, saying goodbye to the “Trickster” trilogy feels like a “mutual breakup.” As “Return of the Trickster” hit shelves Tuesday, Robinson, who is from the Haisla and Heiltsuk First Nations, said the culmination of her coming-of-age tale about a young Indigenous man grappling with his magical family history has created a conscious void.
https://www.insidehalton.com/whatson-story/10342304-eden-robinson-on-closing-the-book-on-trickster-/
Indigenous youth involved in the youth criminal justice and child welfare systems receive support from the Government of Canada
March 2, 2021
Access to justice is a fundamental Canadian value and is key to a fair and just society, and all Canadians must have the confidence that the justice system is there to protect them, not to harm them. Supporting Indigenous youth is important to meeting those goals as well as ending systemic racism and inequities throughout Canada’s justice system.
Thousands of businesses still waiting on loans months after government promised to help, says business group
March 2, 2021
Five months after the Liberal government announced more support for cash-strapped small businesses in the form of government-backed loans, tens of thousands of business owners still haven’t been able to access that help, says one prominent business group.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/pandemic-business-loan-covid-canada-1.5934115
Joyce’s Principle unanimously adopted by the Chiefs of the AFNQL
March 2, 2021
The Chiefs of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL), gathered in a virtual assembly on February 26, unanimously voted a resolution to adopt Joyce’s Principle.
Bond to tackle diabetes in First Nations communities
March 3, 2021
An Indigenous-led investment group plans to harness private capital to tackle diabetes in First Nations communities through a diabetes-reduction bond.
DFO to announce moderate livelihood fisheries must occur during commercial season
March 3, 2021
The Trudeau government will announce conditions for the authorization of moderate livelihood fisheries Thursday, including the expectation that those fisheries take place within existing commercial seasons, CBC News has learned.
Elders in Cape Breton First Nations communities receive first dose of COVID-19 vaccine
March 2, 2021
Elders in Membertou First Nation began streaming through the doors of the Membertou Entertainment Centre Tuesday morning, physically distanced of course, to receive their first doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
Uptake for second Moderna vaccine dose for northern Manitoba First Nation communities going well
March 2, 2021
Uptake for the second dose of the Moderna vaccination in First Nation communities in Northern Manitoba is going well.
Education needed to address stigma of long hair, Mi’kmaq hereditary chief says
March 2, 2021
Danny Paul of Membertou First Nation has been wearing his hair long for 50 years. He remembers that at the Indian Day School he attended in Membertou as a child, he was forced to keep his hair short.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/education-needed-address-stigma-long-201137583.html
Sask. First Nation works to manage COVID-19 cases
March 2, 2021
Piapot First Nation is trying to keep COVID-19 cases in check. There’s a warning at the entrance not to enter if you’re experiencing symptoms and billboards throughout the community promote hand washing and masks.
https://regina.ctvnews.ca/sask-first-nation-works-to-manage-covid-19-cases-1.5331261
ECMA nominations a ‘full circle’ moment for Pabineau First Nation recording artist
March 3, 2021
A recording artist from the Pabineau First Nation is up for a pair of East Coast Music Awards. Tristan Grant, who performs under the name Wolf Castle, is nominated for ‘Indigenous Artist of the Year’ and for Rap/Hip-Hop Recording of the Year for his album “Gold Rush”
Broken Promises: Tsuut’ina Nation residents worry about water quality in wells
March 2, 2021
A plastic bottle crinkles in Deanna Starlight’s hand. She holds it up while standing in her home in Tsuut’ina Nation. “We normally have porridge every day,” she said. “One of these (bottles of water) takes a porridge.”
https://globalnews.ca/news/7671852/tsuutina-nation-clean-water-wells/
Elder led research and creation project Mootookakio’ssin reactivates Indigenous objects
March 2, 2021
Mootookakio’ssin, at its simplest description, is a project to create detailed images of historical Blackfoot objects housed in British museums. At its most complex, it is creating a virtual home for Indigenous objects, a place to reactivate the Blackfoot relations within them and transfer that knowledge all the way from Britain back to their peoples in southern Alberta.
Eagle numbers soar in Calgary
March 2, 2021
Sightings of bald eagles in Calgary have been soaring in recent weeks, with some birdwatchers spotting as many as 20 of them in a single day along the Bow River near the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary.
https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/eagle-numbers-soar-in-calgary/ar-BB1eakbT
COVID-19 vaccinations pick up in Fort Chipewyan and for Indigenous elders, some elders still left out
March 2, 2021
McMurray Métis elder Anne Michalko said she felt like she was on her way to freedom when she learned she would be getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021/03/02/covid-19-vaccinations-pick-up-in-fort-chipewyan-and-for-indigenous-elders-some-elders-still-left-out.html
More than 24,000 Indigenous people in 113 B.C. communities have received COVID-19 vaccine as Phase 2 begins
March 3, 2021
As the B.C. government enters Phase 2 of its COVID-19 vaccination plan, thousands of Indigenous people in rural and remote communities are celebrating getting their first and second dose of the vaccine.
Confusion about First Nations access to vaccine persists as B.C. rollout continues
March 2, 2021
Elder Ben Campbell was among the first people in Musqueam First Nation to get his COVID-19 vaccination on Tuesday. He said it’s been a challenging year and he was feeling good about having his first dose of vaccine.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/bc-first-nations-vaccine-rollout-1.5934215
Did the Protests Work? The Wet’suwet’en Resistance One Year Later
March 2, 2021
In the months following the pipeline protests and blockades, hereditary chiefs helped change how BC works with First Nations. Police arrested seven people while raiding the Unist’ot’en camp in northwestern British Columbia. Among those arrested were Freda Huson and her niece Karla Tait, both respected members within Wet’suwet’en culture.
https://thewalrus.ca/did-the-protests-work-the-wetsuweten-resistance-one-year-later/
Julian Jones latest Indigenous person to be killed by the RCMP
March 2, 2021
Another Indigenous person was murdered by the RCMP last weekend. The heartbroken sister of Julian Jones, 28, of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation in Vancouver Island, confirmed his death with me on Saturday. He is one of several Indigenous people in Canada to fall victim to police violence in less than a year.
Site C dam going ahead, despite being billions over budget
March 2, 2021
Despite being billions over budget and a year behind schedule the B.C. government announced the Site C dam project will go ahead.
https://www.aptnnews.ca/videos/site-c-dam-going-ahead-despite-being-billions-over-budget/
Alleged logging at ancient First Nation burial site in B.C. prompts province to investigate
March 2, 2021
Officials with the B.C. government are investigating alleged logging at a registered archeological site near the Sunshine Coast community of Sechelt, believed to be an ancient shíshálh Nation burial site with about 200 cairns, or stone mounds.
Indigenous tourism: Songhees Nation plans marine tours that honour its culture
March 3, 2021
The Songhees Nation is preparing to launch an ambitious tourism venture that it says will give the world a first-hand look at the land, culture and history of the Lekwungen people.
11-year-old boy dies in hospital after homicide team called to B.C. First Nation home
March 2, 2021
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team confirmed Tuesday the 11-year-old boy badly injured Friday afternoon near Harrison Mills, B.C., has now died in hospital. It happened at the Sq’welets First Nation just before 5 p.m.
https://globalnews.ca/news/7671966/boy-dies-hospital-agassiz-harrison-mills-bc-first-nation/
Funding will help revitalize Indigenous cultural heritage in BC
March 2, 2021
The First People’s Cultural Council (FPCC) has received a grant in the amount of $4 million to help First Nations in BC create or revamp cultural heritage projects in their communities.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/funding-help-revitalize-indigenous-cultural-202550567.html
Why Canadian farmers should harvest lessons from the North
March 3, 2021
Sonny Gray thinks the crop of farms popping up across Northern Canada might end up teaching the rest of us lessons vital to the future of the country’s food system.
Indigenous fishers in N.W.T. focus on industry revival
March 2, 2021
Six miles from shore, and 56,000 feet deep is where Marius McCallum makes a living. “You use to have to go 11 miles out but DFO changed the quota because of all the Coney (fish) coming in,” McCallum said as he quickly fillets and fills bins with his fresh catch from the back of the bombardier.
https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/indigenous-fishers-in-n-w-t-focus-on-industry-revival/
Little progress in N.W.T. on bill to devolve child and family services to Indigenous governments
March 2, 2021
A federal law designed to help reduce the number of Indigenous children in care has had little impact in the Northwest Territories. Bill C-92 — An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families — came into effect in January of 2020. It acknowledges that Indigenous governments have the right to create their own laws on child and family services.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/nwt-bill-c-92-1.5932926
Fort Resolution pre-med student calls N.W.T.’s no house call policy ‘blatantly’ racist, dangerous
March 2, 2021
A Fort Resolution, N.W.T. pre-med student is calling out what she says is a racist and dangerous policy by the territory. Laney Beaulieu, who studies medical sciences at Western University in London, Ont., took to social media to voice her concerns over a territory-wide policy that prohibits community nurses from making house calls or providing any emergency services outside the health centre.
Nunavut mine’s study on caribou roundly rejected
March 3, 2021
A scientific analysis commissioned by Agnico Eagle that found the mining road near Meliadine Mine in the Kivalliq region is having virtually no impact on migrating caribou is being roundly criticized by Nunavut agencies.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/agnico-eagle-caribou-migration-meliadine-mine-nunavut-1.5933750
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.
Save the Date: Chiefs of Ontario Engagement Sessions: First Nations Water Legislation
The Chiefs of Ontario Environment Department will be hosting a two-day engagement session on March 3-4, 2021. The focus of the 2-day fulsome engagement sessions includes creation of First Nations-led policies and solutions related to access to safe, clean and reliable drinking water.
For more information, please visit: https://www.chiefsmeeting.com/water-engagement-sessions
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.
