Today’s coronavirus news: More than 2M COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in Toronto; Ontario fiscal watchdog to release new LTC spending report
May 26, 2021
Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller says more than 75 per cent of Indigenous adults have now received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Miller says there are about 741 active cases in First Nations communities. He says Indigenous people living in Manitoba, which has the highest rate of new coronavirus infections in the country, can now book their second vaccine shot. Miller says the Canadian Armed Forces continues to support vaccine rollout in 11 Indigenous communities across the country.
Ontario reports nearly 1,100 new COVID-19 cases, 23 deaths
May 26, 2021
Ontario is reporting 1,095 new COVID-19 cases and 23 additional deaths on Wednesday. There were 24,008 tests completed in the last 24-hour period.
https://toronto.citynews.ca/2021/05/26/ontario-reports-nearly-1100-new-covid-19-cases-23-deaths/
Bill C-15, which aligns Canada’s laws with UN Indigenous declaration, passes 3rd reading
May 25, 2021
A federal bill to harmonize Canada’s laws with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples has passed third reading in the House of Commons.
https://globalnews.ca/news/7892539/bill-c-15-passed-3rd-reading/
Auditor general grading Ottawa’s performance on PPE, pandemic response in Indigenous communities
May 26, 2021
Canada’s auditor general is releasing audits today of the federal government’s performance in securing personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical devices before and during the pandemic, and of its response to COVID-19 in Indigenous communities.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/auditor-general-2021-ppe-indigenous-covid-audits-1.6040213
Nursing candidate was unsupervised day of Joyce Echaquan’s death, coroner’s inquiry hears
May 25, 2021
Nursing candidates at the Joliette hospital are regularly left unsupervised, contrary to what is required by their professional code, according to testimony heard at the coroner’s inquest into the death of Joyce Echaquan.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/joyce-echaquan-coroner-inquest-may-25-1.6039695
Henvey Inlet Wind Project hailed for engineering excellence
May 25, 2021
The firm responsible for the engineering consultation on the Henvey Inlet Wind Project has been recognized by the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies – Ontario. Situated in Henvey Inlet First Nation territory, about an hour south of Sudbury, the 300-megawatt wind project is a joint initiative of Nigig Power Corporation, a subsidiary of the First Nation, and Pattern Canada, a wind power operator.
Five highlights of the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival
May 25, 2021
Join us for the 2021 Ottawa Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival taking place June 1 to 21. This year’s lineup is packed with virtual and COVID-friendly activities to help you connect with Indigenous cultures and community. From educational workshops, to cooking classes and concerts, there is something for everyone.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/community/summer-solstice-schedule-1.6033931
Virtual tourism initiative invites visitors to explore northeastern Ontario
May 25, 2021
Lynn Cormier of Matachewan First Nation dispels myths and misconceptions related to Indigenous Peoples as part of the 101 Experiences collection.
‘A genius idea’: An Orillia development’s novel approach to affordable housing
May 25, 2021
Two new apartment buildings, their exteriors finished in a bold two-tone colour scheme, are brightening up an otherwise unremarkable block in Orillia’s south end. Bolstered by provincial money, the unique project is providing what the province says is safe and affordable housing for Indigenous people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
Dawn Madahbee Leach named Indigenous Economic Dev. Board chair
May 26, 2021
If there is a name that intuitively pops up in the minds of Islanders when one says “Indigenous business” that name will be Dawn Madahbee Leach, manager of Waubetek Business Development Corporation for 33 years. The Expositor recently discovered that Ms. Madahbee Leach has been appointed chair of the nation’s key Indigenous economic development board.
https://www.manitoulin.com/dawn-madahbee-leach-named-indigenous-economic-dev-board-chair/
Indigenous Women in Business – Challenges, triumphs and perseverance.
May 25, 2021
According to the 2020 study, Indigenous women are starting businesses at twice the rate of Canadian women with most being sole proprietors of which are part-time, seasonal, home-based businesses.
https://www.apcfnc.ca/2021/05/25/indigenous-women-in-business-challenges-triumphs-and-perseverance/
Film writer/director wants his supernatural thriller to linger in the mind
May 25, 2021
Jeremy Torrie is about to get his wish. The Corruption of Divine Providence, the film that Torrie wrote and directed, will have its Canada-wide release today, Tuesday, May 25. “I want everybody to be able to experience it because you can definitely say you’ve never seen anything like this before,” said Torrie, an Ojibwe from Wauzhushk Onigum First Nation in northwest Ontario.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/film-writer-director-wants-supernatural-205201866.html
Point of View: Learning from the Elders
May 25, 2021
In our Weenabaykoo Ininew Peemahteeseewin, our James Bay Cree way of life, Elders play a pivotal role in the lives of everyone in a community. In the James Bay Cree culture, our language, stories and history are all passed down in an oral tradition. We learn from the time we are children by listening to the stories our parents share with us and the teachings we hear from our Elders.
https://www.netnewsledger.com/2021/05/26/under-the-northern-sky-learning-from-the-elders/
New license required to access Walpole Island’s bays and channels
May 26, 2021
Walpole Island First Nation (WIFN) is implementing the use of pleasure craft licenses for non-members, starting June 1.
Inquiry and Learning Bundle launched by Indigenous Innovation Initiative
May 25, 2021
The official name for the Inquiry and Learning Bundle released May 12 by the Indigenous Innovation Initiative is Kagawedowiiwin, (pronounced Ka-ga-wae-do-we-win). In Anishinaabemowin (Ojibway) the name translates to request or gather information. The purpose of the Bundle is to revitalize and evolve Indigenous approaches for inquiry and learning, and to integrate these approaches into every step of the innovation cycle.
Canada should support diversity in STEM to encourage innovative research
May 26, 2021
Attracting and retaining student with the diversity in STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), especially those from Black, Indigenous and Latinx backgrounds, has been a long-standing issue in North America.
https://www.studyinternational.com/news/diversity-in-stem/
Dysfunctional ‘crisis environment’ at Indigenous Services harming employees in Halifax says confidential report
May 25, 2021
The health branch of Indigenous Services Canada must now heal itself after a confidential workplace assessment found long-festering issues of harassment, fear and dysfunction caused “considerable harm” to employees in the Maritimes.
A Report on the Reality of Policing that Misses the Reality of First Nations
May 25, 2021
According to the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL), the report of the Comité consultatif sur la réalité policière, headed by Mr. Bernard Sévigny, did not succeed in grasping the complex reality in which First Nations police services must operate.
New CBC Podcast Telling our Twisted Histories launches May 31
May 25, 2021
On May 31, CBC is launching a brand new podcast called Telling our Twisted Histories, a series that reclaims Indigenous history by exploring words whose meanings have been twisted by centuries of colonization.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/community/telling-our-twisted-histories-1.6034534
Book review: Seen but Not Seen
May 26, 2021
In his prologue to the most recent of half a dozen titles he has authored on Indigenous topics, Donald B. Smith admits to being among the majority of Canadians who have suffered from a “long-established blindness to Indigenous peoples.”
https://anishinabeknews.ca/2021/05/26/book-review-seen-but-not-seen/
The new protocol to enhance local COVID-19 bylaw enforcement for Manitoba First Nations
May 26, 2021
The MKO, the Manitoba RCMP and the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) have worked together to develop a protocol that will help officers enforce the local COVID-19 bylaws enacted by First Nation communities in Northern Manitoba.
Fisher River Cree Nation settles $15M land claim with feds
May 25, 2021
Fisher River Cree Nation in Manitoba and the federal government have come to an agreement over an outstanding land claim that was filed over 30 years ago.
https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/fisher-river-cree-nation-settles-15m-land-claim-with-feds/
Indigenous, rural residents left ‘more isolated’ after Greyhound leaves Canada
May 25, 2021
Indigenous people, low-income Canadians and those living in rural Ontario and Quebec are disproportionately hit by Greyhound Canada shutting down its last routes in the country, advocates say.
Sheila North running for AMC grand chief and penning memoir
May 25, 2021
Sheila North, the first woman to ever be elected grand chief of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak is now making a bid for the top job of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.
https://www.aptnnews.ca/facetoface/sheila-north-running-for-amc-grand-chief-and-penning-memoir/
Former New Brunswick chief given 10-year prison sentence for decades-old sex offences
May 25, 2021
A former chief of the Esgenoopetitj First Nation in New Brunswick has been sentenced to 10 years in prison on four charges of sexual assault and sexual interference involving two young victims between 1977 and 1985.
https://globalnews.ca/news/7891366/new-brunswick-chief-prison-sex-offences/
Welcome to Atoqwa’sue’kaqn, Epekwitk: P.E.I. places marked with their Mi’kmaw names
May 25, 2021
P.E.I. is celebrating its Indigenous heritage with new signs marking communities with their Mi’kmaw names. The 10 new highway signs are in place in time for Aboriginal Awareness Week, May 25-28, in a partnership between the province and L’nuey, a group that focuses on protecting and preserving the constitutionally entrenched rights of the Mi’kmaq on P.E.I.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-mi-kmaw-place-name-signs-1.6039613
‘lhulh whuts’odutel’eh’: Indigenization a focus of CNC’s new strategic plan
May 25, 2021
As a part of its new strategic plan, the College of New Caledonia (CNC) is focusing on Indigenizing the college over the next five years. The 2021-2026 strategic plan is called lhulh whuts’odutel’eh – Learning Together which in the Lheidli dialect from Dakelh means ‘We will learn together’.
‘I screamed so loudly’: Summerside’s first Indigenous police officer ‘overjoyed’ to join force
May 25, 2021
Summerside’s first Indigenous police officer says she’s thrilled to join the force and hopes to build on its “great” rapport with the community. Const. Mallory Metallic began working general patrol this month after receiving a phone call from Sgt. Jason Blacquiere welcoming her to the team.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-first-indigenous-police-officer-1.6039584
Wiikwemkoong’s Cheryl Whiskeyjack receives Alberta U doctorate of laws
May 26, 2021
Wiikwemkoong band member Cheryl Whiskeyjack (Kaboni) has spent her entire career “going above and beyond in her work to help vulnerable populations and to bridge Indigenous and non-Indigenous relationships among a wide range of community groups and organizations.” Ms. Whiskeyjack is one of four people being recognized with honorary degrees by the University of Alberta.
https://www.manitoulin.com/wiikwemkoongs-cheryl-whiskeyjack-receives-alberta-u-doctorate-of-laws/
200-year-old traditional headdress returns to B.C. First Nation after decades in Ontario museum
May 25, 2021
A chance online discovery has led to the return of a 200-year-old Dakelh headdress to its original home in northern B.C. Petra Munroe is the hereditary chief of the Maiyoo Keyoh, a traditional territory about 100 km northwest of Prince George.
B.C. partners with Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation
May 25, 2021
A historic agreement is bringing new funding to the Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation (KHFN). The Hith’alis Agreement, a partnership between the B.C. government, KHFN and Coast Funds, provides $721,000 to enhance stewardship and management activities in KHFN territory in the Broughton Archipelago.
Banff World Media Festival launching Indigenous screen summit
May 25, 2021
The Banff World Media Festival is adding an International Indigenous Screen Industry Summit meant to highlight and empower Indigenous media professionals.
https://globalnews.ca/news/7893449/banff-world-media-festival-launching-indigenous-screen-summit/
Michelle Good Is a Book Person
May 25, 2021
Cree writer and lifelong activist Michelle Good is busy with the phenomenal response to her bestselling first novel, Five Little Indians. “My reading life is a victim of my own success,” says Good, who has not had much time to sit down with a good book lately.
https://thetyee.ca/Culture/2021/05/26/Michelle-Good-Book-Person/
Iqaluit to Sanikiluaq flight to take off as soon as COVID-19 dies down
May 26, 2021
Plans to launch a regular flight route between Iqaluit and Sanikiluaq as a six month pilot project are grounded due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Iqaluit. Arctic Fresh Projects Ltd. and Panorama Aviation won the contract to operate the twice weekly flight that was supposed to start on May 31 and end on Dec. 2.
With parts of the N.W.T. still under water, officials expect mild start to wildfire season
May 25, 2021
Fire officials and crews are gearing up for wildfire season, but officials predict a slow start to the season, as heavy snowfall and aggressive melt has left large parts of the territory “95 to 100 per cent” saturated by water.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/wildfire-season-outlook-may-25-1.6040171
Heavy equipment knocks out power in Behchokǫ̀
May 25, 2021
Residents of Behchokǫ̀, N.W.T., can expect a power outage this afternoon, after a piece of heavy equipment toppled a power pole, knocking out power and preventing people from travelling in or out of Rae.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/behchoko-power-out-1.6039736
