Canada, Ontario and Chiefs of Ontario launch process to collaborate on enforcement and prosecution of First Nations laws
May 6, 2021
Collaboration with provincial partners and Indigenous communities is essential to walking the shared path of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. Renewing that relationship includes upholding and protecting Indigenous peoples’ inherent right to self-determination, and ensuring community well-being and safety.
Ontario reports more than 3,000 COVID-19 cases for the 2nd day in a row
May 7, 2021
Ontario is reporting 3,166 new COVID-19 cases on Friday. There were over 51,300 tests completed in the last 24 hour period, down slightly from the more than 54,000 a day ago.
Teacher vaccinations to start this week
May 6, 2021
The head of a local teacher’s union says teachers and education workers in Thunder Bay should all be vaccinated by the end of the weekend. Mike Judge, president of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario’s Thunder Bay branch, on Thursday, said the Thunder Bay District Health Unit has set up a separate clinic for teachers and other school employees, adding that many who work with special needs students have already been vaccinated.
https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/teacher-vaccinations-to-start-this-week-3756370
Ontario’s appeal of Justice Hennessy’s finding for the Anishinabek
May 6, 2021
The trouble with summarizing events in Ontario’s recent appeal of Justice Hennessy’s finding in favour of the Anishinabek is that doing so inadvertently lends an air of respectability and inevitability to proceedings that were neither.
Mamakwa’s Bill Seeks Safe Drinking Water for All Ontarians
May 6, 2021
MPP Sol Mamakwa (Kiiwetinoong) is calling on the Ford government to support his bill to include Ontarians living in reserves in a law that ensures all Ontarians have access to safe drinking water. Mamakwa’s bill, the Inherent Right to Safe Drinking Water Act, will be debated in the legislature on Thursday.
https://www.netnewsledger.com/2021/05/06/mamakwas-bill-seeks-safe-drinking-water-for-all-ontarians/
Anishinabek Nation Virtual Election Candidate Information, Process, and Key Dates
May 6, 2021
Planning for the virtual Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Assembly is well underway! The assembly will take place online, hosted by the Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation, June 1 to 3, 2021. The election of the Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief and Regional Deputy Grand Council Chiefs will take place on Day 2 of the Assembly.
Anishinabek Nation leadership supports shut down of Line 5 pipeline
May 6, 2021
Anishinabek Nation leadership is disappointed with the federal government’s opposition to the closure of Line 5 in Michigan noting that this ignores the long-standing cross-border commitment to protect the Great Lakes via the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.
Marten Falls, Webequie FN launch EA for northern road link
May 7, 2021
Marten Falls and Webequie First Nations have announced the environmental assessment process will officially begin May 4 on the Northern Road Link proposed for northern Ontario. The official Notice of Commencement for the Terms of Reference for the project will be released that day.
Treaty 3 police to enforce Grassy Narrows inherent law
May 6, 2021
The Treaty 3 Police Service has entered into an agreement with Chief Randy Fobister and the rest of Grassy Narrows to help control the amount of alcohol flowing into the First Nation in an effort to promote the overall health of the community.
Sacred fire a beacon of light for sex abuse victims in Treaty 3
May 6, 2021
Everyone agrees sex abuse found on-reserve today across Canada is rooted in residential schools and colonization. “But at what point are just using that as an excuse to continue that behaviour?” said Cheynna Gardner, on Nation to Nation, Thursday.
Canadian First Nations commemorate missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls
May 7, 2021
Indigenous groups across Canada held grieving ceremonies on May 5 to remember missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG), of which there have been 4,000 in the last 30 years. For the United States and Canada, the date marks the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Woman and Girls and coincides with Red Dress Day — a day that started 11 years ago.
Activists, influencers raise alarm after MMIWG content disappears from Instagram on Red Shirt Day
May 7, 2021
Following a day intended to amplify concerns about missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, Indigenous women across Canada are left wondering why social media posts about Red Dress Day and MMIWG have disappeared from their profiles.
https://globalnews.ca/news/7841468/instagram-mmiwg-content/
Indigenous identity is not our problem
May 6, 2021
Assimilation and eradication have always been the answer to the Indian problem. From germ warfare, bounties, starvation tactics, forced relocations, corralling onto — and scooping off — of reserves, to coded identification. And now, it’s snipers picking off Indigenous individuals one by one.
Three years later, work hasn’t started on new long-term care beds
May 7, 2021
76 long-term care beds that were expected to be built within Sioux Lookout’s Meno Ya Win Health Centre still can’t be found – despite an election promise from Premier Doug Ford over three years ago.
https://www.drydennow.com/articles/three-years-later-work-hasnt-started-on-new-long-term-care-beds
Coroner role before Ontario’s top court after strep throat death of Indigenous child
May 6, 2021
The failure of a coroner to fully investigate the death of a four-year-old Indigenous boy was part of a systemic dereliction of duty that ought to face legal scrutiny, Ontario’s top court heard on Thursday.
https://globalnews.ca/news/7839456/coroner-role-before-ontario-court-indigenous-child-death/
Senate document dump breached privacy of 200 Indigenous applicants
May 6, 2021
Cindy Blackstock knows what it’s like to have her privacy violated. That’s why she stopped to gather up about 70 pieces of paper from a downtown Ottawa street recently. “There was a Senate folder,” said the well-known crusader for Indigenous rights in Ottawa.
https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/senate-privacy-breach-2/
CCAB announces lineup of prominent Indigenous women for June IWIL event
May 6, 2021
Today, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) announces the 2021 Indigenous Women in Leadership (IWIL) event, featuring a panel of prominent Indigenous women, all previous recipients of CCAB’s national IWIL award. The topic, Empowering Women to Lead: what it will take to move the Indigenous economy forward.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/ccab-announces-lineup-prominent-indigenous-163000135.html
Indigenous ancestral gifts to Prince of Wales in 1860 coming to Peterborough in 2023
May 6, 2021
In 1860, His Royal Highness Albert Edward, Prince of Wales — the eldest son of Queen Victoria was heir apparent for almost 60 years, finally becoming King in 1901 — toured North America. During a stop at Rice Like, Michi Saagiig women presented him with hand-made birch bark gifts.
Police seek missing teen
May 6, 2021
The Thunder Bay Police Service is requesting the public’s assistance in locating missing person Lacoya Oombash, 14 years of age. Lacoya Oombash is described as an Indigenous female, 5’7″, 160 lbs, with a medium build and long straight black hair.
https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/police-seek-missing-teen-3758059
Meet the Kanien’kehá:ka artists behind the Talking Treaties Tio’tia:ke Collective
May 7, 2021
What are the markers and icons that signify an Indigenous presence in Montreal? That is one of the many questions a collective of artists plan on tackling as they take a deep dive into the city’s Indigenous history as a part of a year-long theatre residency.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/talking-treaties-montreal-centaur-theatre-1.6016756
Montreal names ex-Mountie, a ‘reformed racial profiler,’ to anti-racism bureau
May 6, 2021
Alain Babineau, a former RCMP officer and prominent police-reform advocate, has joined Montreal’s new anti-racism bureau, where he will lead efforts to address racial and social profiling.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/montreal-names-ex-mountie-reformed-175946222.html
Military has helped 11 Northern Manitoba First Nations deliver first doses of COVID vaccines so far
May 6, 2021
Canadian Armed Forces Operation Vector has assisted 11 remote and isolated Northern Manitoba First Nations to deliver first doses of COVID-19 vaccines to their members, Indigenous Services Canada said in a May 5 update on the pandemic among Indigenous Peoples and communities.
APTN Supports Bill C-10 to Amend Broadcast Act
May 6, 2021
APTN is supporting the passage of Bill C-10, An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts. APTN states that “Bill C-10 recognizes, for the first time, that Canada’s broadcasting policy should provide opportunities for Indigenous Peoples to create programming and to own and operate our own broadcasting services”.
https://www.netnewsledger.com/2021/05/06/aptn-supports-bill-c-10-to-amend-broadcast-act/
A decade later, little learned from devastating 2011 Manitoba flood say First Nations leaders, water experts
May 6, 2021
May marks 10 years since 4,000 people from four First Nations were given hours notice to pack what they could and flee their homes in Manitoba’s Interlake region, three hours north of Winnipeg.
Sen. Mary Jane McCallum becomes 1st Indigenous woman chancellor of Brandon University
May 6, 2021
Sen. Mary Jane McCallum, a dentist and an advocate for health-care and social justice issues, has been named the new chancellor of Brandon University. The Manitoba senator, who is of Cree heritage and a residential school survivor, is the first Indigenous person and woman to serve in the leadership role at BU.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/brandon-university-jane-mccallum-chancellor-1.6016368
The story behind the speech actor Michael Greyeyes has been waiting 30 years to give
May 7, 2021
When Plains Cree actor Michael Greyeyes first received the script for the fourth episode of Rutherford Falls he was surprised to see a story focused around his character, Terry Thomas. In the sitcom Rutherford Falls, Thomas is the CEO of the Running Thunder Casino and part of the fictional Minishonkan community, which lives side by side with non-Indigenous residents
https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/michael-greyeyes-rutherfold-falls-1.6016812
Book review: Did You See Us?: Reunion, Remembrance, and Reclamation at an Urban Indian Residential
May 7, 2021
Did You See Us?: Reunion, Remembrance, and Reclamation at an Urban Indian Residential by survivors of The Assiniboia Indian Residential School is an emotional collection of memories of former students and teachers of The Assiniboia Indian Residential School and people from the surrounding neighbourhood.
Altercation in correctional centre which led to Indigenous man dying caused by racism family’s lawyer says
May 6, 2021
New information has come to light about how an Indigenous inmate died in a Manitoba corrections facility, after an altercation with correctional officers in February. According to a media report by the Winnipeg Free Press, the incident started after racist remarks made by a guard.
The power of shared experiences: Ian Caplette
May 6, 2021
Attending Vancouver Island University was Ian Caplette’s last-ditch effort to save his own life. Caplette, who was 31 at the time, came to VIU with a Grade 9 education, and a pattern of addiction, occasional homelessness and failed attempts at different careers in tourism, hospitality and the resource industry.
https://www.viu.ca/blog/power-shared-experiences-ian-caplette#
New downloadable ‘statement to police’ cards issued in Edmonton
May 6, 2021
Interactions with the police can be a traumatic experience. A simple traffic stop can cause fear and anxiety. That’s one of the reasons a decade ago, the Native Counselling Services of Alberta (NCSA) released what is called a “statement to police” card, modelled after one from the Pivot Legal Society in B.C.
https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/new-downloadable-statement-to-police-cards-issued-in-edmonton/
Supreme Court of Canada ruling could reset Sinixt presence in West Kootenay
May 6, 2021
Two weeks after the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in favour of Sinixt hunting rights, the head of the American tribe that launched the case is still excited. “I think my feet have finally hit the ground,” said Rodney Cawston, chairman of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. “This is really exciting for us – it was really exciting for our people. It was an amazing day Friday when we received the decision.”
Vancouver lit up in red to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women
May 6, 2021
More than a dozen family members and advocates shut down Cambie street in downtown Vancouver on the day to remember loved lost daughters, sons and friends. “No Indigenous woman should ever be murdered on their own territory shame. Canada needs to step up and seek justice for Indigenous people and Indigenous women,” said MC Jerilynn Webster as she spoke into a microphone. “When I say no more you say stolen sisters – no more! Stolen sisters. No more! Stolen sisters.”
Is the City of Vancouver losing its appetite for Indigenization?
May 6, 2021
This week, many who support the reconciliation process were disappointed that Vancity’s only Indigenous director, Khelsilem, was not reelected to the board. The elected councillor with the Squamish Nation came fifth in a race for four spots. It’s worth noting that the board of directors recommended him along with four other candidates in the 12-person race.
Driver training offered through an Indigenous lens
May 6, 2021
Lucy Sager grew up along the Highway of Tears in Terrace. The 725-kilometre corridor of highway in British Columbia has been the location of many missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW).
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/driver-training-offered-indigenous-lens-223929225.html
Chief of White River First Nation says they want MLA fired for sending inappropriate texts
May 6, 2021
White River First Nation in the Yukon is demanding the MLA for their region resign after he texted inappropriate remarks in a group chat. MLAs Stacey Hassard and Wade Istchenko texted crude remarks about Liberal leader Sandy Silver, NDP leader Kate White and their own leader Currie Dixon.
Federal government announces $2M for N.W.T. community repair projects
May 6, 2021
The federal government is doling out $2 million to go toward seven repair projects in Northwest Territories communities.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/federal-government-announces-2m-n-190827019.html
Nunavut COVID-19 outbreak continues to grow
May 6, 2021
Nunavut’s COVID-19 outbreak continues to worsen. There have been no deaths reported so far, but three people have had to fly to Ottawa for COVID-19 treatment. Why are the rates continuing to go up? Nunavut’s chief public health officer says people are ignoring the rules.
https://www.aptnnews.ca/videos/nunavut-covid-19-outbreak-continues-to-grow/
‘Deeply concerned’: CYFN, AFN call for crackdown on Yukon MLAs after crude text exchange
May 6, 2021
The Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN) and the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Yukon Region are calling on Yukon Party leader Currie Dixon to come down harder on some MLAs who engaged in a “deplorable, abhorrent and unacceptable” text message chat over the weekend.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/cyfn-afn-yukon-party-mlas-text-1.6015726
Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal must visit Nuluujaat to meet with Inuit hunters before issuing decision on mine expansion
May 6, 2021
We are the Nuluujaat Land Guardians. We are a group of Inuit hunters and community members from the north Qikiqtaaluk (North Baffin) region, which formed in order to protect our Inuit territory (Nuluujaat) from the actions of the Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Call for Proposals: Capacity-building funding for An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families for fiscal year 2021-2022
A call for proposals is now open to support capacity-building in relation to An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families for fiscal year 2021-2022. Funding is available to Indigenous Peoples, communities, and groups as they begin work to develop their own legislation and explore Indigenous-led models for child and family services.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/31P9GUe
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 the Chiefs of Ontario All Ontario Chiefs Conference (AOCC), please find the 1st Call for Resolutions attached. Deadline for Resolutions is Wednesday, May 26, 2021. For more information, please visit https://www.chiefsmeeting.com/aocc-2021.
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/.
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.
