Ontario reports 1,890 new COVID-19 cases as province hits daily high of 158K vaccinations
May 21, 2021
Ontario is reporting 1,890 new COVID-19 cases on Friday. The provincial total now stands at 518,980. Friday’s case count has dipped back below 2,000 after Thursday saw 2,400 new cases. On Wednesday, 1,588 new cases were recorded and 1,616 on Tuesday.
https://globalnews.ca/news/7882995/covid-19-cases-may-21-coronavirus/
Miller bullish on high Indigenous vaccination rates
May 20, 2021
Vaccination rates in Indigenous communities across Canada continue to be very high as vaccination and herd immunity can soon become a possibility, federal Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller said yesterday.
https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/miller-bullish-high-indigenous-vaccination-132315960.html
Ontario Releases Three-Step Roadmap to Safely Reopen the Province
May 20, 2021
The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, has released its Roadmap to Reopen, a three-step plan to safely and cautiously reopen the province and gradually lift public health measures based on the provincewide vaccination rate and improvements in key public health and health care indicators. In response to recent improvements to these indicators, Ontario will allow more outdoor recreational amenities to reopen, with restrictions in place, effective May 22, 2021.
Health Canada approves changes to Pfizer vaccine storage temperature
May 19, 2021
Health Canada announced new guidelines that allow for the Pfizer vaccine to be stored at regular refrigerator temperatures for up to a month. Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine was the first authorized for emergency use in Canada but also the most difficult to store, initially requiring refrigeration at ultra-low levels from -80 C to -60 C, with thawed vials expiring after one week.
RoseAnne Archibald Announces Run for National Chief of AFN
May 21, 2021
Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald (she/her/hers) announced her candidacy today for the office of National Chief for the Assembly of First Nations. Archibald who is described as a brave and courageous leader, says it’s time for the right woman to step forward and serve as National Chief, and someone who can truly represent the interests and realities of First Nations from coast-to-coast-to-coast.
https://www.netnewsledger.com/2021/05/21/roseanne-archibald-announces-run-for-national-chief-of-afn/
Minister Miller announces appointment of new Chair of the National Indigenous Economic Development Board
May 21, 2021
Today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services, is pleased to announce the Ministerial Appointment of Ms. Dawn Madahbee Leach as the new Chair of the National Indigenous Economic Development Board (NIEDB) for a five-year term, effective April 30.
Donations Being Accepted For Families Affected By Fire
May 20, 2021
The Dryden Native Friendship Centre is collecting donations to help families affected by Wednesday’s fire at the Glenview Rentals complex.
https://www.ckdr.net/2021/05/20/donations-being-collected-for-affected-families-of-fire/
New Indigenous cultural centre was 40 years in the making, says former Algoma U chancellor
May 20, 2021
A number of Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association members, elected officials and Algoma University leaders gathered virtually Thursday to mark a major funding announcement aimed at bringing the planned Mukqua Waakaa’igan Indigenous cultural centre into reality.
Economic Growth For First Nations In New Prosperity Table
May 20, 2021
The province is partnering with Chiefs of Ontario to create a First Nation-led Prosperity Table. The goal is to help support economic advancement and well-being of aboriginal communities.
https://www.ckdr.net/2021/05/20/227572/
Indspire announces 2021 recipients, new format and Jennifer Podemski as executive producer for 2021 Indspire Awards
May 20, 2021
Today, Indspire announced the recipients of the 2021 Indspire Awards and introduced Jennifer Podemski as the new executive producer, heralding a new format for the broadcast of this year’s show.
Indigenous Zombie Thriller ‘Blood Quantum’ & More Winners As Canadian Screen Awards Announces Winners In Cinematic Arts Categories
May 21, 2021
The Canadian Screen Awards concluded its 2021 virtual presentations on Thursday, announcing the winners in the Cinematic Arts categories. Indigenous zombie horror film “Blood Quantum” emerged as this year’s big winner, nabbing a total of six awards, with star Michael Greyeyes winning in the Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role category.
Jordan Abel’s book about intergenerational trauma will be there when you need it
May 20, 2021
Jordan Abel wants you to know that you don’t have to read his new book if you’re not ready. The award-winning Nisga’a author opens his new autobiography Nishga with an open letter that serves as a sort of content warning for the difficult subject matter to come. It’s addressed to “all my relations,” by which he means his family, his communities and all Indigenous Peoples.
Nurse who insulted Joyce Echaquan asks family’s forgiveness, tells inquest she was overworked
May 20, 2021
The nurse who was filmed by Joyce Echaquan moments before her death in a Quebec hospital is asking for the family’s forgiveness, and said she had never had that kind of outburst with a patient before.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/joyce-echaquan-coroner-s-inquest-may-20-1.6033860
Quebec coroner dismisses hospital orderly’s explanation for taunting Joyce Echaquan
May 20, 2021
While a former Quebec orderly who was caught on video making derogatory comments about an Atikamekw woman insisted she was trying to motivate Joyce Echaquan, a 37 year old mother of seven, the coroner who is overseeing the inquest into her death dismissed the explanation.
After damning Quebec report on Inuit children in care, skepticism change will come
May 21, 2021
People who work with Indigenous families say they’re not optimistic any real change will come out of an investigation by the Quebec Human Rights and Youth Rights Commission, which found the youth protection system is failing Inuit children in Montreal.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/human-rights-commission-report-inuit-1.6034427
Diabo and Saganash debate UNDRIP bill: A bad law or a small step forward?
May 20, 2021
Some see Bill C-15 as a small step in the right direction of aligning Canadian law with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Others see the proposed federal legislation as just another attack on Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination.
Candidate for AFN national chief says she doesn’t want her gender to be defining characteristic
May 20, 2021
Listuguj Mi’gmag Nation member Cathy Martin says she’s a good candidate for the head position at the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) because of her education, professional experience and her political proficiency at the community and grassroots level.
Forest fires forcing hundreds of evacuations from five Manitoba First Nations
May 20, 2021
Forest fires and smoke in Manitoba have forced the evacuations of hundreds of residents in five First Nations, including Lake St. Martin, Little Saskatchewan, Dauphin River, Pinaymootang and Skownan First Nations.
Experts say inequality may have contributed to Regina community schools being hit harder by COVID-19
May 20, 2021
Regina’s community schools account for about half of the COVID-19 cases reported so far in schools in the city this May. An advocate and a professor say families from these schools face extra challenges.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/community-schools-half-covid-19-cases-1.6032653
2nd-dose COVID-19 vaccination appointments open to Indigenous people in Manitoba on Monday
May 21, 2021
Indigenous Manitobans who received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at least 21 days ago or the Moderna vaccine at least 28 days ago can start booking appointments for their second dose starting Monday.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-vaccine-eligibility-announcement-1.6035593
Canada’s Only First Nations Pharmacy Professor Leaving University of Sask. Over Racism Concerns
May 20, 2021
Canada’s only First Nations pharmacy professor is leaving the University of Sask., the latest in a string of resignations by Indigenous faculty.
Rare white bison calf born to Siksika nation rancher a ‘sign of hope’
May 20, 2021
When a rare white bison calf was born on his ranch a few weeks ago, Carlon Big Snake knew he had something special. “As a First Nation Indigenous person, there is quite a significance for us because the buffalo we consider a very sacred animal,” Big Snake told CBC. “It supplied the survival of my ancestors. It gave the roof over your heads, the food, the medicines and so forth. But as you all know through history the buffalo was almost wiped out.”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/white-bison-buffalo-siksika-1.6034926
Wildfires force more Manitoba First Nations to begin evacuations in Interlake region
May 20, 2021
Fires burning in Manitoba’s Interlake region have forced four more First Nations to begin evacuations, sending vulnerable community members to hotels in Winnipeg and Dauphin. “At this point it’s primarily the people with the highest health concerns … seniors as well as young children,” said Jason Small, a spokesperson for the Canadian Red Cross, which the federal government called in to support the communities.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-first-nations-fire-evacuations-1.6033832
Northern Sask. residents optimistic power will return this afternoon
May 20, 2021
Some 9,000 people in Saskatchewan were left without power this week due to the Cloverdale wildfire that still burns north of Prince Albert. Six communities of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band were impacted by the power outages.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/northern-residents-optimistic-power-return-1.6034215
Coroner’s inquest called into Sask. RCMP shooting of Lucien Silverquill
May 20, 2021
The RCMP’s shooting of an Indigenous Saskatchewan man in 2019 will be the focus of a coroner’s inquest. Lucien Silverquill, a 37-year-old Saulteaux man, died on Aug. 27, 2019, after being shot by police outside his family’s home on the Fishing Lake First Nation reserve, located about 20 kilometres southeast of Wadena, Sask.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/saskatchewan-coroner-s-inquest-lucien-silverquill-1.6032808
GoldenEagle refuses to “be polite” in new novel
May 20, 2021
There are authors and poets who write in order to take their readers down the path of least resistance, offering easily digestible content that aims to please, rather than provoke and challenge. Carol Rose GoldenEagle is not one of those writers.
https://www.eaglefeathernews.com/news/goldeneagle-refuses-to-be-polite-in-new-novel
RCMP investigate homicide on First Nation in northern Alberta
May 20, 2021
The RCMP Major Crimes Unit is investigating after a northern Alberta assault case became a homicide investigation because the victim died. Officers from the Fox Lake RCMP detachment were dispatched to a complaint about someone uttering threats on the Fox Lake Reserve on Monday. Police said officers then found the victim of a “serious assault.”
https://globalnews.ca/news/7882264/fox-lake-reserve-homicide-alberta-rcmp/
What’s the difference between First Nations and Aboriginal? This guide helps people use language about Indigenous peoples
May 20, 2021
For people who communicate for a living, knowing the proper language to use in a situation is both essential and, at times, complex. When it comes to writing about Indigenous issues, the University of British Columbia (UBC) has updated their guide, called Indigenous Peoples: Language Guidelines. The authors of the guideline write that the goal is to help people “.navigate the terminology and meanings associated with this subject in order to produce the best — and most respectful — results.” They note that language evolves over time, as well.
2021 Indigenous Partnerships Success Showcase a two-day virtual dialogue about reconciliation, shared prosperity in Canada
May 21, 2021
The 2021 Indigenous Partnership Success Showcase will bring together Indigenous enterprises, businesses and investors, professionals, and multiple levels of government for a virtual conference on two consecutive Fridays, May 28 and June 4.
Animation internship offers opportunity to broaden Indigenous representation on screen
May 20, 2021
When Lia Fabre-Dimsdale, a member of the Liidlii Kue Frist Nation, landed an internship with Atomic Cartoons, the production company that creates the award-winning animated PBS Kids series Molly of Denali, she said it was a “dream opportunity.”
Training program fighting to get more Indigenous representation in the TV/film world
May 20, 2021
Skylee Murray is hoping to do more punching than painting in her future. The West Vancouver woman has been a scenic painter for TV/film productions for five years, but the dust and the chemical fumes that go with that job do not go well with her asthma and allergies. So, she decided to start training to be a stunt person.
Treeline & West Moberly First Nations form Well Servicing Partnership in NE B.C.
May 20, 2021
Treeline Well Services LP is pleased to announce it has entered into a partnership with the Dunne Za Economic Development Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of the West Moberly First Nations.
Mumilaaq Qaqqaq announces she won’t run in next federal election
May 21, 2021
After two leaves of absence, NDP-MP for Nunavut has decided not to run for re-election. Mumilaaq Qaqqaq, an Inuk woman, said she made the decision after weeks of reflection and consultation with friends and family members.
Nunavut RCMP investigating homicide death of The Grizzlies actor Emerald MacDonald
May 3, 2021
Police in Nunavut are asking the public for help in an investigation into the death of a woman in Kugluktuk, Nunavut, earlier this month. MacDonald became well known for her role in The Grizzlies, a 2018 film about a lacrosse team in Kugluktuk.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/emerald-macdonald-homicide-kugluktuk-rcmp-1.6034945
