April 27, 2016 http://www.ctvnews.ca/mobile/politics/human-rights-tribunal-demands-swift-action-on-first-nations-child-welfare-1.2877436
https://www.facebook.com/Pahsahwaytagwan-Sounding-Echo-Youth-Committee-Attawapiskat-1734642300140465/
April 12, 2016 - Constitutional challenge looks to revive aboriginal languages
Residential-school survivors speak out about Catholic Church’s settlement shortfall
JULIEN GIGNACERIC ANDREW-GEE
The Globe and Mail
Published Tuesday, Apr. 19, 2016 9:22PM EDT
Last updated Tuesday, Apr. 19, 2016 9:37PM EDT
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/residential-school-survivors-speak-out-about-catholic-churchs-settlement-shortfall/article29686507/
Vivian Ketchum, 51
Attended Cecilia Jeffrey residential school in Kenora, Ont., in the early 1970s.
News of the Catholic entities’ unfulfilled financial obligations made Vivian Ketchum “extremely angry,” she said. The money, she believes, could be used for a 24-hour youth crisis centre in Kenora, where indigenous youth suicide is epidemic.
“Why walk away from the table? Our youth are dying,” she said. “That’s basically what I’ve got to say.”
Ms. Ketchum was 5 or 6 when she was taken – under circumstances she doesn’t remember – from her home in Northern Ontario to the nearby residential school in Kenora.
She said she was abused by a “house mother,” who hit her with a shoe when Ms. Ketchum hid from a dentist appointment she feared. The blow broke one of the girl’s pinkie fingers.
“There were too many strange things happening as it was,” she said on Tuesday. “It was a strange place.”
Ms. Ketchum also believes that she was sexually abused by a staff member who was ostensibly washing her in the showers.
Other episodes are “too much” to talk about. Ms. Ketchum now works at the Tribal Wi-Chi-Way-Win Capital Corporation in Winnipeg – it provides loans to aboriginal businesses – but the residential-school experience haunts her.
“I’m seeing a psychologist right now,” she said. “Some days I’m just hanging on by my toenails here.”
Michael Cheena, 64
Attended Bishop Horden residential school in Moose Factory, Ont., from 1958 to 1966.
Also went to Shingwauk Hall residential school in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., from 1967 to 1968.
For Michael Cheena, the path to reconciliation is through traditional healing, which is why he feels the Catholic Church has an obligation to provide for spiritual healing for survivors, and that not doing so is disrespectful.
“It makes me feel the Catholic Church isn’t fully committed to the residential-school settlement agreement,” he said. “I’ve been institutionalized, I’ve been abused, traumatized and indoctrinated to be a Christian.”
Mr. Cheena was 6 when he first attended Bishop Horden.
The 10 years he was in the system were punctuated by occasional beatings – “If we stepped out of line we were subjected to the strap or other physical abuse,” he said – but more painful than that, he was stripped of his Cree culture and beliefs.
The church’s failure to raise the total amount for dedicated healing and reconciliation programs leaves survivors fewer options, the Toronto man added.
“If you go to a professional psychiatrist or psychologist,” he said, “that person doesn’t understand the residential-school experience – they give you medication. I still haven’t taken medication. I go to an elder and healing circles.”
Geronimo Henry, 79
Attended the Mohawk Institute Residential School in Brantford, Ont., from 1942 to 1952.
When talking about how he has tried to move forward, the Cayuga man’s usual amicability faded, and he said: “I don’t know if you can actually heal from the residential-school experience.”
Although Geronimo Henry received $40,000 from the settlement agreement in 2005, he said no amount of money can make up for the price he paid.
“The Residential Schools Settlement was kind of like a slap in the face, as far as I was concerned,” he said. “How do you put a monetary value on losing your beliefs and your language and your culture? How do you heal from loneliness and all the crying we did?”
Mr. Henry found himself in a residential school at five years old.
Years later, he had the number 48 and the word “survivor” tattooed on his right hand, a reminder of the time he was identified by that number.
He remembers being served mushy oatmeal every meal, and the emotional and physical abuse he endured over 10 years at the school.
“As soon as you were old enough to carry a pail of milk, or look after the chickens, probably about 7 or 8, you were put to work on the farm.”
He has turned to teaching for relief. Now he guides tours at the Mohawk Institute Residential School in Brantford, Ont., every week.
“People always ask me why I’m so happy,” he said. “So I say, ‘Every time I go and tell my story to people, I get healed a little bit.’ That’s how I’m healing, I guess you could say.”
Sherlene Bomberry, 60
Attended the Mohawk Institute Residential School in Brantford, Ont., from 1966 to 1970.
Sherlene Bomberry said Canada knows what the church did to indigenous people and yet it continues to shirk responsibility to compensate for past harms.
“It’s frustrating and angering to me,” she said. “It’s going to affect me because I planned on using that to further my healing modality.”
At 10 years old, Ms. Bomberry registered herself at the Mohawk Institute to seek salvation from a toxic home life.
She said she was hit with rulers and suffered constant verbal abuse from the staff.
As a grown woman, she said she couldn’t shed the shame attending a residential school caused her.
Though the Cayuga woman received $16,000 for her time within the walls of the residential school, she said it’s not enough.
“What about all my emotional stuff?” she said. “It was only 15 years ago when I took off this cloak of shame and blame that I wore all these years.”
Ms. Bomberry also guides tours at the Mohawk Institute as a testament to what happened within.
JULIEN GIGNACERIC ANDREW-GEE
The Globe and Mail
Published Tuesday, Apr. 19, 2016 9:22PM EDT
Last updated Tuesday, Apr. 19, 2016 9:37PM EDT
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/residential-school-survivors-speak-out-about-catholic-churchs-settlement-shortfall/article29686507/
Vivian Ketchum, 51
Attended Cecilia Jeffrey residential school in Kenora, Ont., in the early 1970s.
News of the Catholic entities’ unfulfilled financial obligations made Vivian Ketchum “extremely angry,” she said. The money, she believes, could be used for a 24-hour youth crisis centre in Kenora, where indigenous youth suicide is epidemic.
“Why walk away from the table? Our youth are dying,” she said. “That’s basically what I’ve got to say.”
Ms. Ketchum was 5 or 6 when she was taken – under circumstances she doesn’t remember – from her home in Northern Ontario to the nearby residential school in Kenora.
She said she was abused by a “house mother,” who hit her with a shoe when Ms. Ketchum hid from a dentist appointment she feared. The blow broke one of the girl’s pinkie fingers.
“There were too many strange things happening as it was,” she said on Tuesday. “It was a strange place.”
Ms. Ketchum also believes that she was sexually abused by a staff member who was ostensibly washing her in the showers.
Other episodes are “too much” to talk about. Ms. Ketchum now works at the Tribal Wi-Chi-Way-Win Capital Corporation in Winnipeg – it provides loans to aboriginal businesses – but the residential-school experience haunts her.
“I’m seeing a psychologist right now,” she said. “Some days I’m just hanging on by my toenails here.”
Michael Cheena, 64
Attended Bishop Horden residential school in Moose Factory, Ont., from 1958 to 1966.
Also went to Shingwauk Hall residential school in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., from 1967 to 1968.
For Michael Cheena, the path to reconciliation is through traditional healing, which is why he feels the Catholic Church has an obligation to provide for spiritual healing for survivors, and that not doing so is disrespectful.
“It makes me feel the Catholic Church isn’t fully committed to the residential-school settlement agreement,” he said. “I’ve been institutionalized, I’ve been abused, traumatized and indoctrinated to be a Christian.”
Mr. Cheena was 6 when he first attended Bishop Horden.
The 10 years he was in the system were punctuated by occasional beatings – “If we stepped out of line we were subjected to the strap or other physical abuse,” he said – but more painful than that, he was stripped of his Cree culture and beliefs.
The church’s failure to raise the total amount for dedicated healing and reconciliation programs leaves survivors fewer options, the Toronto man added.
“If you go to a professional psychiatrist or psychologist,” he said, “that person doesn’t understand the residential-school experience – they give you medication. I still haven’t taken medication. I go to an elder and healing circles.”
Geronimo Henry, 79
Attended the Mohawk Institute Residential School in Brantford, Ont., from 1942 to 1952.
When talking about how he has tried to move forward, the Cayuga man’s usual amicability faded, and he said: “I don’t know if you can actually heal from the residential-school experience.”
Although Geronimo Henry received $40,000 from the settlement agreement in 2005, he said no amount of money can make up for the price he paid.
“The Residential Schools Settlement was kind of like a slap in the face, as far as I was concerned,” he said. “How do you put a monetary value on losing your beliefs and your language and your culture? How do you heal from loneliness and all the crying we did?”
Mr. Henry found himself in a residential school at five years old.
Years later, he had the number 48 and the word “survivor” tattooed on his right hand, a reminder of the time he was identified by that number.
He remembers being served mushy oatmeal every meal, and the emotional and physical abuse he endured over 10 years at the school.
“As soon as you were old enough to carry a pail of milk, or look after the chickens, probably about 7 or 8, you were put to work on the farm.”
He has turned to teaching for relief. Now he guides tours at the Mohawk Institute Residential School in Brantford, Ont., every week.
“People always ask me why I’m so happy,” he said. “So I say, ‘Every time I go and tell my story to people, I get healed a little bit.’ That’s how I’m healing, I guess you could say.”
Sherlene Bomberry, 60
Attended the Mohawk Institute Residential School in Brantford, Ont., from 1966 to 1970.
Sherlene Bomberry said Canada knows what the church did to indigenous people and yet it continues to shirk responsibility to compensate for past harms.
“It’s frustrating and angering to me,” she said. “It’s going to affect me because I planned on using that to further my healing modality.”
At 10 years old, Ms. Bomberry registered herself at the Mohawk Institute to seek salvation from a toxic home life.
She said she was hit with rulers and suffered constant verbal abuse from the staff.
As a grown woman, she said she couldn’t shed the shame attending a residential school caused her.
Though the Cayuga woman received $16,000 for her time within the walls of the residential school, she said it’s not enough.
“What about all my emotional stuff?” she said. “It was only 15 years ago when I took off this cloak of shame and blame that I wore all these years.”
Ms. Bomberry also guides tours at the Mohawk Institute as a testament to what happened within.
COCHRANE CREE JOIN STAND AGAINST QUEBEC CREE CLAIM
Timmins Daily Press – March 29, 2016
By making a claim to Aboriginal rights and title over a section of land in Ontario, the Quebec-based Grand Council of the Crees may ultimately be calling the validity of Treaty No. 9 into question. The Taykwa Tagamou First Nation has become the latest Ontario Aboriginal group to question publicly the Cree Council’s land claim, and the third to assert that their ancestors have used the 48,000-square-kilometre section of land in question since time immemorial.
http://www.timminspress.com/2016/03/29/cochrane-cree-join-stand-against-quebec-cree-claim
CANADA SHOULD SPEND LESS FIGHTING ABORIGINAL PEOPLES IN COURT: ECONOMIC ADVISER
CBC – March 29, 2016
The sole indigenous member of Finance Minister Bill Morneau's economic advisory council says Canada would be well advised to spend less money fighting Aboriginal Peoples in court and to spend more meeting its obligations and commitments. Carol Anne Hilton, a CEO and business entrepreneur recently tapped to offer the government advice, says the federal budget unveiled last week was an opportune time to reflect on recent findings from the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal to address the underfunding of child welfare services on reserves.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/aboriginal/canada-should-spend-less-fighting-aboriginal-peoples-1.3511391
CRA ORDERS FIRST NATIONS MAN TO PAY $190K IN BACK TAXES
CBC – March 29, 2016
An Ottawa man is being told to pay more than $190,000 in back taxes despite an arrangement through an outsourcing company that he and thousands of other indigenous employees believed made them exempt from paying personal income tax on income earned off-reserve. Miche Jette received a notice from the Canada Revenue Agency last week informing him he owes $191,471.97 in income tax for work in Ottawa that began more than a decade ago.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-back-taxes-first-nations-1.3511117
PROVINCE TAKING STEPS TOWARD CREATING FIRST NATIONS JUSTICE SYSTEM
TBT News – March 29, 2016
The province has launched a three-year, $400,000 project to assemble Indigenous knowledge-keepers and consider traditional laws supplanting Euro-Canadian law in First Nations communities. Assistant Deputy Attorney General Kimberly Murray spoke about First Nations justice as an “inherent right to jurisdiction” at the Robinson Superior Access to Justice Forum conference at the Valhalla Inn on Tuesday.
http://www.tbnewswatch.com/News/385215/Province_taking_steps_toward_creating_First_Nations_justice_system
THUNDER BAY POLICE PRACTICES NEED REVIEW, FORT WILLIAM FIRST NATION CHIEF SAYS
CBC – March 29, 2016
The Chief of Fort William First Nation says he supports a call for a comprehensive review of the way Thunder Bay police investigate the deaths of Indigenous peoples. Peter Collins met last week with the the brother of Stacy DeBungee and the chief of Rainy River First Nation, the home community of the DeBungee family.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/first-nation-deaths-thunder-bay-police-1.3510365
SQ TARGETS CONTRABAND TOBACCO, MONEY LAUNDERING IN RAIDS
CBC – March 30, 2016
Officers with the Sûreté du Québec are conducting a massive operation this morning across the province, targeting contraband tobacco, drug trafficking and money laundering at an international level. Raids and about 100 arrests have taken place in the Montreal region, on the Kahnawake Mohawk territory on Montreal's South Shore and in Ontario.
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/montreal/quebec-raids-contraband-tobacco-operation-international-1.3511876
LAND CLAIMS BATTLE HEATS UP WITH WORD FIGHT
Netnews Ledger – March 29, 2016
“The Quebec Cree Grand Chief Dr. Matthew Coon Come has essentially ignored the Chief and Council of Taykwa Tagamou Nation leading up to their ludicrous land claim in Ontario and he needs to understand that Taykwa Tagamou Nation (TTN) has occupied the lands in Northeastern Ontario since time immemorial. Clearly, there has been, not only a lack of foresight on the part of the Quebec Cree, but a clear lack of respect for the TTN Chief and Council,” Detlor stated. Detlor said the first order of business is to demand an apology from Grand Chief Dr. Coon Come on behalf of his clients.
http://www.netnewsledger.com/2016/03/29/66178/
GETTING BACK TO TRADITIONAL GOVERNANCE
Anishinabek News - March 30, 2016
Kettle and Stony Point Chief Tom Bressette says traditional governance practices were more effective than current practices during the Governance Development Network’s Understanding the Foundations of Community Governance conference. “We (learned) how our people ran our communities from a perspective of First Nation view, which seemed to be more of an effective way to do things than moving and seconding,” says Bressette, a chief advisor with the Governance Development Network. “Everyone is allowed in the discussion, not just key politicians. So that makes it a more effective political way of communicating the needs of the whole community.” http://anishinabeknews.ca/2016/03/30/getting-back-to-traditional-governance/#sthash.qp7f8fDY.dpuf
***
NEW REPORT FINDS HIGHER CANCER RISK IN FIRST NATIONS IN ONTARIO
NationTalk – March 30, 2016
A new report developed jointly by Cancer Care Ontario and the Chiefs of Ontario shows that First Nations, especially those living on-reserve, demonstrate a much higher prevalence of cancer risk factors than non-Aboriginal Ontarians. There are over 270,000 First Nations in Ontario, but a lack of health data makes it challenging to understand the current cancer burden in this population. The report, Cancer in First Nations in Ontario: Risk Factors and Screening, contains important information about cancer risk factors and screening uptake for both on- and off-reserve First Nations in Ontario and helps to address the data gap.
http://nationtalk.ca/story/new-report-finds-higher-cancer-risk-in-first-nations-in-ontario-2
PRESSURE MOUNTS FOR GOVERNMENTS TO ADDRESS MEDICAL CRISIS ON ONTARIO RESERVES
CP – March 29, 2016
Doctors dispatched to a northern Ontario reserve to treat children with skin conditions say remote communities are dealing with an ongoing medical crisis, the result of a shortage of medical services. Three physicians from the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority have written an open letter calling for more resources to deal with persistent problems at the Kashechewan First Nation and elsewhere.
http://www.680news.com/2016/03/29/pressure-mounts-for-governments-to-address-medical-crisis-on-ontario-reserves/
FIRST NATIONS COMMUNITIES HEALTH DATA HINTS AT HIGH RATES OF DIABETES
CBC – March 30, 2016
A project collecting health data from First Nations communities in Nova Scotia is revealing some troubling statistics. According to information from the First Nations Client Linkage Registry, the rates of diabetes among aboriginal people between the ages of 20 and 39 is five times higher than the general population of Nova Scotia. It also found breast cancer screening rates are low and people in First Nations communities are likely to have a heart attack 10 years earlier than other Nova Scotians.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/first-nations-health-data-diabetes-heart-attacks-1.3511103
PIKANGIKUM FIRST NATION FIRE: 6 PEOPLE CONFIRMED DEAD
CBC – March 30, 2016
CBC Thunder Bay has confirmed at least six people are dead in a fatal fire on the Pikangikum First Nation. Officials said there's others still missing. Pikangkum is a remote community located 500 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay and is only accessible by air.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/pikangikum-fatal-fire-1.3512105
***
KEEWAYTINOOK OKIMAKANAK APPLAUDS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INVESTMENTS TO END BOIL WATER ADVISORIES
KO – March 30, 2016
Keewaytinook Okimakanak supports the Government of Canada’s financial commitments contained in Budget 2016 to eliminate boil water advisories in First Nations communities. The Tribal Council’s Chiefs, who are delivering clean drinking water to their communities through the innovative Safe Water Project, believe these commitments are in line with what they have experienced to be the areas of greatest need.
See attached
FEDERAL BUDGET A STEP TOWARD INDIGENOUS RECONCILIATION
Toronto Star – March 30, 2016
“I commit to you that the Government of Canada will walk with you on a path of true reconciliation, in partnership and friendship.” So vowed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as he donned the traditional headdress accompanying honorary membership in the Tsuut’ina Nation earlier this month. The ceremony, held near Calgary, Alberta, involved over 100 Treaty Chiefs from across Canada.
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2016/03/30/federal-budget-a-step-toward-indigenous-reconciliation.html
ANISHINABEK NATION GREETS FEDERAL BUDGET FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENTS WITH APPLAUSE
Manitoulin Expositor – March 30, 2016
“We applaud the fact that the federal government has recognized the need to make First Nation issues a priority in this budget,” said Grand Council Chief Madahbee. “The 2016 budget proposes to invest $8.4 billion over five years to improve the socio-economic conditions of indigenous peoples and communities and will bring about transformational change. This amount is very encouraging, but we will be interested to see the implementation plans for the budget. We are pleased that the budget removes the two percent funding cap. The funding cap has been a burden to First Nations over the past 20 years.”
http://www.manitoulin.ca/2016/03/30/anishinabek-nation-greets-federal-budget-funding-announcements-applause/
MATAWA CEO “DISAPPOINTED” IN RING OF FIRE OMISSION IN FED BUDGET
Northern Ontario Business – March 29, 2016
The CEO of the Matawa First Nations is disappointed that the Trudeau government isn’t into mining in the Ring of Fire, at least not according to this year’s federal budget. Though David Achneepineskum is “pretty happy” with the $8.4 billion in planned spending to improve First Nations’ education, on-reserve water quality, social and healthcare infrastructure across Canada over the next five years, it was a headscratcher to him that nothing was laid out to move the undeveloped mineral belt forward.
http://www.northernontariobusiness.com/Industry-News/mining/2016/03/Matawa-CEO-%E2%80%9Cdisappointed%E2%80%9D-in-Ring-of-Fire-omission-in-fed-budget.aspx
***
JUST 20% OF ONTARIO VOTERS APPROVE OF JOB WYNNE IS DOING AS PREMIER: POLL
Toronto Star – March 29, 2016
Liberal Premier Kathleen Wynne is deeply unpopular with Ontario voters, a new poll suggests, while Patrick Brown remains an unknown quantity to half the province almost 11 months after he took charge of the Progressive Conservatives. The province-wide Forum Research Inc. survey found that while the Liberals’ support is resilient and about one third of respondents back the party, just 20 per cent of Ontarians approve of the job Wynne is doing as premier, and 64 per cent disapprove.
http://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2016/03/29/just-20-of-ontario-voter-approve-of-job-wynne-is-doing-as-premier-poll.html
JUSTIN TRUDEAU TALKS DEFICITS, PIPELINES AND ABORIGINAL RELATIONS IN CALGARY
Global - March 29, 2016
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sat down for an exclusive interview with Global Calgary anchor Gord Gillies Tuesday afternoon. We asked him about deficits, pipelines and aboriginal relations – among other things. Here’s what he had to say about the Liberal’s position on the issues that matter to Albertans.
http://globalnews.ca/news/2606856/justin-trudeau-talks-deficits-pipelines-and-aboriginal-relations-in-calgary/
RAISING AWARENESS OF MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMEN THROUGH SONG
CBC – March 29, 2016
Ottawa musician Amanda Rheaume is raising awareness of missing and murdered indigenous women with her new single, Red Dress, which features vocals by Chantal Kreviazuk. The song is from Rheaume's new album Holding Patterns. The song examines how there are two sides to every story. According to a press release, it is a reaction to those who blame the victims, without considering the impact that years of colonization have had on indigenous women.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/aboriginal/red-dress-raises-awareness-of-mmiwg-1.3510739
STUDENTS TAKE ACTION TO BRING AWARENESS ABOUT SUICIDE
Two Row Times – March 29, 2016
A small group of diverse students gathered within their campus grounds last week to shed light on the high suicide rates of Onkwehon:we youth. The idea for the vigil and gathering on Mar. 24 came about due to the recent spotlight on Pimicikamak Cree Nation, where six people, one as young as 14, have taken their lives in the past three months.
https://tworowtimes.com/news/students-take-action-bring-awareness-suicide/
SHAWANDA, UNIVERSITY ROLE MODEL, PATH IN EDUCATION LEADS TO A PHD
Anishinabek News – March 29, 2016
A stubborn streak and a love of theory-based learning are the unique combination keeping Amy Shawanda rooted to a path of education. The indigenous studies master’s student at Laurentian University is one of 13 role models selected as part of the Council of Ontario Universities (COU) campaign: Let’s take our Future Further.
http://anishinabeknews.ca/2016/03/30/shawanda-university-role-model-path-in-education-leads-to-a-phd/#sthash.FwPOigTO.dpuf
Timmins Daily Press – March 29, 2016
By making a claim to Aboriginal rights and title over a section of land in Ontario, the Quebec-based Grand Council of the Crees may ultimately be calling the validity of Treaty No. 9 into question. The Taykwa Tagamou First Nation has become the latest Ontario Aboriginal group to question publicly the Cree Council’s land claim, and the third to assert that their ancestors have used the 48,000-square-kilometre section of land in question since time immemorial.
http://www.timminspress.com/2016/03/29/cochrane-cree-join-stand-against-quebec-cree-claim
CANADA SHOULD SPEND LESS FIGHTING ABORIGINAL PEOPLES IN COURT: ECONOMIC ADVISER
CBC – March 29, 2016
The sole indigenous member of Finance Minister Bill Morneau's economic advisory council says Canada would be well advised to spend less money fighting Aboriginal Peoples in court and to spend more meeting its obligations and commitments. Carol Anne Hilton, a CEO and business entrepreneur recently tapped to offer the government advice, says the federal budget unveiled last week was an opportune time to reflect on recent findings from the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal to address the underfunding of child welfare services on reserves.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/aboriginal/canada-should-spend-less-fighting-aboriginal-peoples-1.3511391
CRA ORDERS FIRST NATIONS MAN TO PAY $190K IN BACK TAXES
CBC – March 29, 2016
An Ottawa man is being told to pay more than $190,000 in back taxes despite an arrangement through an outsourcing company that he and thousands of other indigenous employees believed made them exempt from paying personal income tax on income earned off-reserve. Miche Jette received a notice from the Canada Revenue Agency last week informing him he owes $191,471.97 in income tax for work in Ottawa that began more than a decade ago.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-back-taxes-first-nations-1.3511117
PROVINCE TAKING STEPS TOWARD CREATING FIRST NATIONS JUSTICE SYSTEM
TBT News – March 29, 2016
The province has launched a three-year, $400,000 project to assemble Indigenous knowledge-keepers and consider traditional laws supplanting Euro-Canadian law in First Nations communities. Assistant Deputy Attorney General Kimberly Murray spoke about First Nations justice as an “inherent right to jurisdiction” at the Robinson Superior Access to Justice Forum conference at the Valhalla Inn on Tuesday.
http://www.tbnewswatch.com/News/385215/Province_taking_steps_toward_creating_First_Nations_justice_system
THUNDER BAY POLICE PRACTICES NEED REVIEW, FORT WILLIAM FIRST NATION CHIEF SAYS
CBC – March 29, 2016
The Chief of Fort William First Nation says he supports a call for a comprehensive review of the way Thunder Bay police investigate the deaths of Indigenous peoples. Peter Collins met last week with the the brother of Stacy DeBungee and the chief of Rainy River First Nation, the home community of the DeBungee family.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/first-nation-deaths-thunder-bay-police-1.3510365
SQ TARGETS CONTRABAND TOBACCO, MONEY LAUNDERING IN RAIDS
CBC – March 30, 2016
Officers with the Sûreté du Québec are conducting a massive operation this morning across the province, targeting contraband tobacco, drug trafficking and money laundering at an international level. Raids and about 100 arrests have taken place in the Montreal region, on the Kahnawake Mohawk territory on Montreal's South Shore and in Ontario.
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/montreal/quebec-raids-contraband-tobacco-operation-international-1.3511876
LAND CLAIMS BATTLE HEATS UP WITH WORD FIGHT
Netnews Ledger – March 29, 2016
“The Quebec Cree Grand Chief Dr. Matthew Coon Come has essentially ignored the Chief and Council of Taykwa Tagamou Nation leading up to their ludicrous land claim in Ontario and he needs to understand that Taykwa Tagamou Nation (TTN) has occupied the lands in Northeastern Ontario since time immemorial. Clearly, there has been, not only a lack of foresight on the part of the Quebec Cree, but a clear lack of respect for the TTN Chief and Council,” Detlor stated. Detlor said the first order of business is to demand an apology from Grand Chief Dr. Coon Come on behalf of his clients.
http://www.netnewsledger.com/2016/03/29/66178/
GETTING BACK TO TRADITIONAL GOVERNANCE
Anishinabek News - March 30, 2016
Kettle and Stony Point Chief Tom Bressette says traditional governance practices were more effective than current practices during the Governance Development Network’s Understanding the Foundations of Community Governance conference. “We (learned) how our people ran our communities from a perspective of First Nation view, which seemed to be more of an effective way to do things than moving and seconding,” says Bressette, a chief advisor with the Governance Development Network. “Everyone is allowed in the discussion, not just key politicians. So that makes it a more effective political way of communicating the needs of the whole community.” http://anishinabeknews.ca/2016/03/30/getting-back-to-traditional-governance/#sthash.qp7f8fDY.dpuf
***
NEW REPORT FINDS HIGHER CANCER RISK IN FIRST NATIONS IN ONTARIO
NationTalk – March 30, 2016
A new report developed jointly by Cancer Care Ontario and the Chiefs of Ontario shows that First Nations, especially those living on-reserve, demonstrate a much higher prevalence of cancer risk factors than non-Aboriginal Ontarians. There are over 270,000 First Nations in Ontario, but a lack of health data makes it challenging to understand the current cancer burden in this population. The report, Cancer in First Nations in Ontario: Risk Factors and Screening, contains important information about cancer risk factors and screening uptake for both on- and off-reserve First Nations in Ontario and helps to address the data gap.
http://nationtalk.ca/story/new-report-finds-higher-cancer-risk-in-first-nations-in-ontario-2
PRESSURE MOUNTS FOR GOVERNMENTS TO ADDRESS MEDICAL CRISIS ON ONTARIO RESERVES
CP – March 29, 2016
Doctors dispatched to a northern Ontario reserve to treat children with skin conditions say remote communities are dealing with an ongoing medical crisis, the result of a shortage of medical services. Three physicians from the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority have written an open letter calling for more resources to deal with persistent problems at the Kashechewan First Nation and elsewhere.
http://www.680news.com/2016/03/29/pressure-mounts-for-governments-to-address-medical-crisis-on-ontario-reserves/
FIRST NATIONS COMMUNITIES HEALTH DATA HINTS AT HIGH RATES OF DIABETES
CBC – March 30, 2016
A project collecting health data from First Nations communities in Nova Scotia is revealing some troubling statistics. According to information from the First Nations Client Linkage Registry, the rates of diabetes among aboriginal people between the ages of 20 and 39 is five times higher than the general population of Nova Scotia. It also found breast cancer screening rates are low and people in First Nations communities are likely to have a heart attack 10 years earlier than other Nova Scotians.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/first-nations-health-data-diabetes-heart-attacks-1.3511103
PIKANGIKUM FIRST NATION FIRE: 6 PEOPLE CONFIRMED DEAD
CBC – March 30, 2016
CBC Thunder Bay has confirmed at least six people are dead in a fatal fire on the Pikangikum First Nation. Officials said there's others still missing. Pikangkum is a remote community located 500 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay and is only accessible by air.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/pikangikum-fatal-fire-1.3512105
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KEEWAYTINOOK OKIMAKANAK APPLAUDS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INVESTMENTS TO END BOIL WATER ADVISORIES
KO – March 30, 2016
Keewaytinook Okimakanak supports the Government of Canada’s financial commitments contained in Budget 2016 to eliminate boil water advisories in First Nations communities. The Tribal Council’s Chiefs, who are delivering clean drinking water to their communities through the innovative Safe Water Project, believe these commitments are in line with what they have experienced to be the areas of greatest need.
See attached
FEDERAL BUDGET A STEP TOWARD INDIGENOUS RECONCILIATION
Toronto Star – March 30, 2016
“I commit to you that the Government of Canada will walk with you on a path of true reconciliation, in partnership and friendship.” So vowed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as he donned the traditional headdress accompanying honorary membership in the Tsuut’ina Nation earlier this month. The ceremony, held near Calgary, Alberta, involved over 100 Treaty Chiefs from across Canada.
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2016/03/30/federal-budget-a-step-toward-indigenous-reconciliation.html
ANISHINABEK NATION GREETS FEDERAL BUDGET FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENTS WITH APPLAUSE
Manitoulin Expositor – March 30, 2016
“We applaud the fact that the federal government has recognized the need to make First Nation issues a priority in this budget,” said Grand Council Chief Madahbee. “The 2016 budget proposes to invest $8.4 billion over five years to improve the socio-economic conditions of indigenous peoples and communities and will bring about transformational change. This amount is very encouraging, but we will be interested to see the implementation plans for the budget. We are pleased that the budget removes the two percent funding cap. The funding cap has been a burden to First Nations over the past 20 years.”
http://www.manitoulin.ca/2016/03/30/anishinabek-nation-greets-federal-budget-funding-announcements-applause/
MATAWA CEO “DISAPPOINTED” IN RING OF FIRE OMISSION IN FED BUDGET
Northern Ontario Business – March 29, 2016
The CEO of the Matawa First Nations is disappointed that the Trudeau government isn’t into mining in the Ring of Fire, at least not according to this year’s federal budget. Though David Achneepineskum is “pretty happy” with the $8.4 billion in planned spending to improve First Nations’ education, on-reserve water quality, social and healthcare infrastructure across Canada over the next five years, it was a headscratcher to him that nothing was laid out to move the undeveloped mineral belt forward.
http://www.northernontariobusiness.com/Industry-News/mining/2016/03/Matawa-CEO-%E2%80%9Cdisappointed%E2%80%9D-in-Ring-of-Fire-omission-in-fed-budget.aspx
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JUST 20% OF ONTARIO VOTERS APPROVE OF JOB WYNNE IS DOING AS PREMIER: POLL
Toronto Star – March 29, 2016
Liberal Premier Kathleen Wynne is deeply unpopular with Ontario voters, a new poll suggests, while Patrick Brown remains an unknown quantity to half the province almost 11 months after he took charge of the Progressive Conservatives. The province-wide Forum Research Inc. survey found that while the Liberals’ support is resilient and about one third of respondents back the party, just 20 per cent of Ontarians approve of the job Wynne is doing as premier, and 64 per cent disapprove.
http://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2016/03/29/just-20-of-ontario-voter-approve-of-job-wynne-is-doing-as-premier-poll.html
JUSTIN TRUDEAU TALKS DEFICITS, PIPELINES AND ABORIGINAL RELATIONS IN CALGARY
Global - March 29, 2016
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sat down for an exclusive interview with Global Calgary anchor Gord Gillies Tuesday afternoon. We asked him about deficits, pipelines and aboriginal relations – among other things. Here’s what he had to say about the Liberal’s position on the issues that matter to Albertans.
http://globalnews.ca/news/2606856/justin-trudeau-talks-deficits-pipelines-and-aboriginal-relations-in-calgary/
RAISING AWARENESS OF MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMEN THROUGH SONG
CBC – March 29, 2016
Ottawa musician Amanda Rheaume is raising awareness of missing and murdered indigenous women with her new single, Red Dress, which features vocals by Chantal Kreviazuk. The song is from Rheaume's new album Holding Patterns. The song examines how there are two sides to every story. According to a press release, it is a reaction to those who blame the victims, without considering the impact that years of colonization have had on indigenous women.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/aboriginal/red-dress-raises-awareness-of-mmiwg-1.3510739
STUDENTS TAKE ACTION TO BRING AWARENESS ABOUT SUICIDE
Two Row Times – March 29, 2016
A small group of diverse students gathered within their campus grounds last week to shed light on the high suicide rates of Onkwehon:we youth. The idea for the vigil and gathering on Mar. 24 came about due to the recent spotlight on Pimicikamak Cree Nation, where six people, one as young as 14, have taken their lives in the past three months.
https://tworowtimes.com/news/students-take-action-bring-awareness-suicide/
SHAWANDA, UNIVERSITY ROLE MODEL, PATH IN EDUCATION LEADS TO A PHD
Anishinabek News – March 29, 2016
A stubborn streak and a love of theory-based learning are the unique combination keeping Amy Shawanda rooted to a path of education. The indigenous studies master’s student at Laurentian University is one of 13 role models selected as part of the Council of Ontario Universities (COU) campaign: Let’s take our Future Further.
http://anishinabeknews.ca/2016/03/30/shawanda-university-role-model-path-in-education-leads-to-a-phd/#sthash.FwPOigTO.dpuf
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My latest book, Indigenous Nationhood, is a collection of my writings over the years that collectively challenge myths and propose a path towards self-determination. Now, I want to share that with you. Anyone who donates to rabble during the winter fundraiser receives a copy of Indigenous Nationhood for free.
Thanks, Pam Palmater Author, Indigenous Nationhood |
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"Choosing to exclude the Native Women’s Association of Canada from the First Ministers Meeting was unfair, and speaks volumes to the ongoing lack of respect for Indigenous women’s and girls’ voices in Canada."
Statement on NWAC Exclusion from March 2016 First Ministers Meeting Official Statement from Dawn Lavell-Harvard on the Exclusion of the Native Women’s Association of Canada from March 2016 First Ministers Meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia |
Climate change, what comes next: Ontario Regional chief
APTN – March 4, 2016
Nation to Nation - It was a meeting that chiefs from across the country hoped would spark a change on how governments dealt with climate change. But by the time the meeting between the Assembly of First Nations, Métis Nation and Inuit leaders was over, some were shaking their heads wondering what had just happened. AFN’s Ontario Regional Chief Isadore Day joins N2N host Nigel Newlove to talk about the meeting.
http://aptn.ca/news/2016/03/04/climate-change-what-comes-next-and-a-poll-about-mmiw-on-the-march-3-edition-of-n2n/
Canada still discriminating against First Nations kids, advocate says
CBC – March 4, 2016
Even with a recent landmark ruling, Canada hasn't done anything to stop discriminating against First Nations kids, child advocate Cindy Blackstock says. On January 26 the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal found that the federal government discriminates against children living on reserves by failing to provide them with the same quality of welfare services available to children elsewhere in the country. That decision came with an order to stop the practice and was followed by a vow from the government not to appeal the decision.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/aboriginal/canada-still-discriminating-against-first-nations-kids-1.3474592?cmp=abfb
Chiefs say proposed Algonquin land claim deal illegal, fraudulent
CP – March 3, 2016
The agreement in principle, which is in the midst of a ratification vote, was denounced Thursday by the chiefs of four Algonquin First Nations, who said the land claim overlaps almost 900,000 acres of their territory. Lance Haymond, chief of the Kabaowek First Nation, said "the vast majority" of the Algonquins of Ontario "are not Algonquin at all," but non-indigenous people who claim a loose connection to an Algonquin "root ancestor." In many cases, those eligible to vote on the land claim deal have not had any intermarriage with Algonquins for more than 200 years, he said.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/aboriginal/algonquin-land-deal-illegal-1.3475359
Justin Trudeau qualifies as Algonquin under new process, chief claims
iPolitics – March 3, 2016
Calling the voting enrollment process “ludicrous” in its design, three chiefs from the Algonquin Nation Secretariat held a press conference Thursday in Ottawa, where the Chief of the Kebaowek First Nation, Lance Haymond, said the criteria to become eligible to participate in voting is “so convoluted” that after looking into the prime minister’s ancestry records, it could very well include Justin Trudeau. “Well, wouldn’t you know it?” Haymond mused. “Prime Minister Trudeau, his eighth great grandmother is one of the root ancestors that one of the Algonquins of Ontario use to create their membership.”
https://ipolitics.ca/2016/03/03/justin-trudeau-qualifies-as-algonquin-under-new-process-chief-claims/
Protesters camp out near Benny, Ont. in opposition to logging on aboriginal lands
CBC – March 4, 2016
A First Nations man and a small group of supporters have camped out near Benny, Ont. to protest against logging in the area. Clyde McNichol and his wife Barbara have set up camp by the small town just an hour north of Sudbury. They've been there since Saturday. They intend to stay until the end of the week. For the past year, the couple has been spearheading a campaign to stop companies like Eacom Timber from taking away trees from the forest. Last April, they saw loggers come into Benny where they had set up a camp for First Nations youth.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/benny-forest-protesters-1.3473370
NDP demands Grassy Narrows receive timeline for river clean-up
Kenora Daily Miner and News – March 2, 2016
In its appeal to the United Nations, the Grassy Narrows community said that mercury persists to this day in river sediment, and continues to be taken into the food chain. Gelinas said that since Premier Kathleen Wynne was the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs in 2012, she has promised the Liberal government would clean up the English-Wabigoon River. Despite repeated promises, and meetings, the Liberal government has failed to take action on a full clean-up of mercury contamination of the river. “My question is simple,” Gélinas said. “When will the people of Grassy Narrows have safe drinking water?
http://www.kenoradailyminerandnews.com/2016/03/02/ndp-demands-grassy-narrows-receive-timeline-for-river-clean-up
Bottle delivery highlights water woes
Brantford Expositor – March 3, 2016
A food and beverage company is using a donation of bottled vitamin water to bring attention to the continuing problem of contaminated water on Six Nations and other First Nation territories across the country. A transport truck drove to the Six Nations public works yard Thursday and dropped off 30,000 bottles of Activate Vitamin Drinks water manufactured and distributed by Unique Foods Canada Inc. of Toronto.
http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/2016/03/03/bottle-delivery-highlights-water-woes
What's the plan for the Ring of Fire: Angus
Northern Life – March 3, 2016
Angus has written to Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr urging federal action to ensure that the potential of the project is realized and to ensure that regional First Nations are able to benefit fully from the project. “I appreciate the new government’s talk of infrastructure investments, but they can’t simply look at the nation from an urban lens. The mining regions of the north are suffering from a serious downturn and a long-term vision for the resource industries of the north is needed,” Angus said in his letter.
http://www.northernlife.ca/news/localNews/2016/03/03-angus-ring-of-fire-sudbury.aspx
Ontario ranks 15th as mining-friendly place
Northern Ontario Business – March 2, 2016
Internationally, Ontario placed 15th, rising eight spots from last year, and B.C. finished 18th, up 10 spots. "While Saskatchewan is blessed with potash and uranium reserves, miners also appreciate its approach to mining policy,” said Kenneth Green, Fraser Institute’s survey director. The full report contained submitted comments from mining executives on doing business in each jurisdiction. Two undisclosed exploration company presidents complained about the Ontario government’s inertia in moving projects forward.
http://www.northernontariobusiness.com/Industry-News/mining/2016/03/Ontario-ranks-15th-as-mining-friendly-place.aspx
What do you know? Education system entering information stage
Anishinabek News – March 4, 2016
In an ideal world, Anishnaabe students will be prepared for post-secondary life secure in themselves and ready for the world beyond their communities. That is also the reality the Anishinabek Nation is working to create with its education agreement with Canada. The Anishinabek Nation negotiators are on the road this year ahead of a ratification vote in the fall. They are touring the province to ensure that the 39 communities and members in urban centres are fully informed of the Anishinabek Nation Education Agreement.
http://anishinabeknews.ca/2016/03/04/what-do-you-know-education-system-entering-information-stage/#sthash.8lheTqhE.dpuf
Couchiching elects new chief
Fort Frances Times – March 2, 2016
Brian Perrault is looking forward to building consensus and partnerships over the next two years as the newly-elected chief of Couchiching First Nation. “I would first like to say thank you to everyone that supported me,” said Perrault, who garnered 259 votes in last Wednesday’s election to defeat incumbent Sara Mainville (174), Louis “Smokey” Bruyere (74), and Scott McPherson (27). “And I also want to thank all of the other candidates that ran for chief and for council,” he added.
http://www.fftimes.com/news/local/district/couchiching-elects-new-chief
Junior Canadian Rangers receive teachings in different ways
Anishinabek News – March 4, 2016
About 88 JCRs and 24 leaders/chaperones from the James Bay and Matawa First Nations areas participated in four days of training from Feb. 25-28, including Star Walk and Life in a Wigwam sessions on Feb. 25; GPS Scavenger Hunt, Muskets and Cannons, Traditional Craft and Night Sky Storytelling sessions on Feb. 26; Voyageur Winter Challenge, First Nations Skills and Tech, History on the Menu, Fur Trade Dancing and Farm Visit sessions on Feb. 27; and Tracks, Skulls and Furs and Ethnobotany sessions on Feb. 28. The JCRs were also scheduled to take in a movie and to visit a trampoline park in nearby Thunder Bay on Feb. 26.
http://anishinabeknews.ca/2016/03/04/junior-canadian-rangers-receive-teachings-in-different-ways/#sthash.96n6we8G.dpuf
Beaver Brae teachers host elders forum to help students build better connections
Kenora Daily Miner and News – March 3, 2016
Bella Banning and some of her classmates at Beaver Brae Secondary School are interested in discovering more about their aboriginal heritage. With that goal in mind, a group of teachers at Beaver Brae teamed up with Eleanor Skead, aboriginal advisor for the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board, to host an all-day elders forum on March 2 in the school’s library in order to comply with the students’ request to forge deeper connections with the elders in their First Nation communities.
http://www.kenoradailyminerandnews.com/2016/03/03/beaver-brae-teachers-host-elders-forum-to-held-students-build-better-connections
Search for Kenora girl expands to Winnipeg with help from Bear Clan
CBC – March 3, 2016
The search for missing Kenora teenager, Delaine Copenace, has expanded to Winnipeg. The 16-year-old was last seen Saturday around 6 p.m. in downtown Kenora. Since the weekend, the search for Copenace had concentrated in the small Ontario city and outlying areas, including Lake of the Woods. On Thursday evening members of the Bear Clan Patrol brought the search to Winnipeg after being approached by Copenace's cousin Anthony Copenace and friend Aaron Paul on Facebook.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/search-for-kenora-girl-expands-to-winnipeg-with-help-from-bear-clan-1.3475571
Have you seen Delaine Copenace?
Kenora Daily Miner and News – March 3, 2016
After three days of searching around Kenora and the surrounding area, Delaine Copenace still hasn’t been located by the hundreds of civilians who have taken time out of their days to join the search team for her. The 16-year-old was last seen during the evening of Saturday, Feb. 27, in the downtown core of Kenora and last had contact with her family, including twin sister Dayne, when she left their family home to go for a walk with friends around 6 p.m.
http://www.kenoradailyminerandnews.com/2016/03/03/have-you-seen-delaine-copenace
APTN – March 4, 2016
Nation to Nation - It was a meeting that chiefs from across the country hoped would spark a change on how governments dealt with climate change. But by the time the meeting between the Assembly of First Nations, Métis Nation and Inuit leaders was over, some were shaking their heads wondering what had just happened. AFN’s Ontario Regional Chief Isadore Day joins N2N host Nigel Newlove to talk about the meeting.
http://aptn.ca/news/2016/03/04/climate-change-what-comes-next-and-a-poll-about-mmiw-on-the-march-3-edition-of-n2n/
Canada still discriminating against First Nations kids, advocate says
CBC – March 4, 2016
Even with a recent landmark ruling, Canada hasn't done anything to stop discriminating against First Nations kids, child advocate Cindy Blackstock says. On January 26 the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal found that the federal government discriminates against children living on reserves by failing to provide them with the same quality of welfare services available to children elsewhere in the country. That decision came with an order to stop the practice and was followed by a vow from the government not to appeal the decision.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/aboriginal/canada-still-discriminating-against-first-nations-kids-1.3474592?cmp=abfb
Chiefs say proposed Algonquin land claim deal illegal, fraudulent
CP – March 3, 2016
The agreement in principle, which is in the midst of a ratification vote, was denounced Thursday by the chiefs of four Algonquin First Nations, who said the land claim overlaps almost 900,000 acres of their territory. Lance Haymond, chief of the Kabaowek First Nation, said "the vast majority" of the Algonquins of Ontario "are not Algonquin at all," but non-indigenous people who claim a loose connection to an Algonquin "root ancestor." In many cases, those eligible to vote on the land claim deal have not had any intermarriage with Algonquins for more than 200 years, he said.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/aboriginal/algonquin-land-deal-illegal-1.3475359
Justin Trudeau qualifies as Algonquin under new process, chief claims
iPolitics – March 3, 2016
Calling the voting enrollment process “ludicrous” in its design, three chiefs from the Algonquin Nation Secretariat held a press conference Thursday in Ottawa, where the Chief of the Kebaowek First Nation, Lance Haymond, said the criteria to become eligible to participate in voting is “so convoluted” that after looking into the prime minister’s ancestry records, it could very well include Justin Trudeau. “Well, wouldn’t you know it?” Haymond mused. “Prime Minister Trudeau, his eighth great grandmother is one of the root ancestors that one of the Algonquins of Ontario use to create their membership.”
https://ipolitics.ca/2016/03/03/justin-trudeau-qualifies-as-algonquin-under-new-process-chief-claims/
Protesters camp out near Benny, Ont. in opposition to logging on aboriginal lands
CBC – March 4, 2016
A First Nations man and a small group of supporters have camped out near Benny, Ont. to protest against logging in the area. Clyde McNichol and his wife Barbara have set up camp by the small town just an hour north of Sudbury. They've been there since Saturday. They intend to stay until the end of the week. For the past year, the couple has been spearheading a campaign to stop companies like Eacom Timber from taking away trees from the forest. Last April, they saw loggers come into Benny where they had set up a camp for First Nations youth.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/benny-forest-protesters-1.3473370
NDP demands Grassy Narrows receive timeline for river clean-up
Kenora Daily Miner and News – March 2, 2016
In its appeal to the United Nations, the Grassy Narrows community said that mercury persists to this day in river sediment, and continues to be taken into the food chain. Gelinas said that since Premier Kathleen Wynne was the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs in 2012, she has promised the Liberal government would clean up the English-Wabigoon River. Despite repeated promises, and meetings, the Liberal government has failed to take action on a full clean-up of mercury contamination of the river. “My question is simple,” Gélinas said. “When will the people of Grassy Narrows have safe drinking water?
http://www.kenoradailyminerandnews.com/2016/03/02/ndp-demands-grassy-narrows-receive-timeline-for-river-clean-up
Bottle delivery highlights water woes
Brantford Expositor – March 3, 2016
A food and beverage company is using a donation of bottled vitamin water to bring attention to the continuing problem of contaminated water on Six Nations and other First Nation territories across the country. A transport truck drove to the Six Nations public works yard Thursday and dropped off 30,000 bottles of Activate Vitamin Drinks water manufactured and distributed by Unique Foods Canada Inc. of Toronto.
http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/2016/03/03/bottle-delivery-highlights-water-woes
What's the plan for the Ring of Fire: Angus
Northern Life – March 3, 2016
Angus has written to Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr urging federal action to ensure that the potential of the project is realized and to ensure that regional First Nations are able to benefit fully from the project. “I appreciate the new government’s talk of infrastructure investments, but they can’t simply look at the nation from an urban lens. The mining regions of the north are suffering from a serious downturn and a long-term vision for the resource industries of the north is needed,” Angus said in his letter.
http://www.northernlife.ca/news/localNews/2016/03/03-angus-ring-of-fire-sudbury.aspx
Ontario ranks 15th as mining-friendly place
Northern Ontario Business – March 2, 2016
Internationally, Ontario placed 15th, rising eight spots from last year, and B.C. finished 18th, up 10 spots. "While Saskatchewan is blessed with potash and uranium reserves, miners also appreciate its approach to mining policy,” said Kenneth Green, Fraser Institute’s survey director. The full report contained submitted comments from mining executives on doing business in each jurisdiction. Two undisclosed exploration company presidents complained about the Ontario government’s inertia in moving projects forward.
http://www.northernontariobusiness.com/Industry-News/mining/2016/03/Ontario-ranks-15th-as-mining-friendly-place.aspx
What do you know? Education system entering information stage
Anishinabek News – March 4, 2016
In an ideal world, Anishnaabe students will be prepared for post-secondary life secure in themselves and ready for the world beyond their communities. That is also the reality the Anishinabek Nation is working to create with its education agreement with Canada. The Anishinabek Nation negotiators are on the road this year ahead of a ratification vote in the fall. They are touring the province to ensure that the 39 communities and members in urban centres are fully informed of the Anishinabek Nation Education Agreement.
http://anishinabeknews.ca/2016/03/04/what-do-you-know-education-system-entering-information-stage/#sthash.8lheTqhE.dpuf
Couchiching elects new chief
Fort Frances Times – March 2, 2016
Brian Perrault is looking forward to building consensus and partnerships over the next two years as the newly-elected chief of Couchiching First Nation. “I would first like to say thank you to everyone that supported me,” said Perrault, who garnered 259 votes in last Wednesday’s election to defeat incumbent Sara Mainville (174), Louis “Smokey” Bruyere (74), and Scott McPherson (27). “And I also want to thank all of the other candidates that ran for chief and for council,” he added.
http://www.fftimes.com/news/local/district/couchiching-elects-new-chief
Junior Canadian Rangers receive teachings in different ways
Anishinabek News – March 4, 2016
About 88 JCRs and 24 leaders/chaperones from the James Bay and Matawa First Nations areas participated in four days of training from Feb. 25-28, including Star Walk and Life in a Wigwam sessions on Feb. 25; GPS Scavenger Hunt, Muskets and Cannons, Traditional Craft and Night Sky Storytelling sessions on Feb. 26; Voyageur Winter Challenge, First Nations Skills and Tech, History on the Menu, Fur Trade Dancing and Farm Visit sessions on Feb. 27; and Tracks, Skulls and Furs and Ethnobotany sessions on Feb. 28. The JCRs were also scheduled to take in a movie and to visit a trampoline park in nearby Thunder Bay on Feb. 26.
http://anishinabeknews.ca/2016/03/04/junior-canadian-rangers-receive-teachings-in-different-ways/#sthash.96n6we8G.dpuf
Beaver Brae teachers host elders forum to help students build better connections
Kenora Daily Miner and News – March 3, 2016
Bella Banning and some of her classmates at Beaver Brae Secondary School are interested in discovering more about their aboriginal heritage. With that goal in mind, a group of teachers at Beaver Brae teamed up with Eleanor Skead, aboriginal advisor for the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board, to host an all-day elders forum on March 2 in the school’s library in order to comply with the students’ request to forge deeper connections with the elders in their First Nation communities.
http://www.kenoradailyminerandnews.com/2016/03/03/beaver-brae-teachers-host-elders-forum-to-held-students-build-better-connections
Search for Kenora girl expands to Winnipeg with help from Bear Clan
CBC – March 3, 2016
The search for missing Kenora teenager, Delaine Copenace, has expanded to Winnipeg. The 16-year-old was last seen Saturday around 6 p.m. in downtown Kenora. Since the weekend, the search for Copenace had concentrated in the small Ontario city and outlying areas, including Lake of the Woods. On Thursday evening members of the Bear Clan Patrol brought the search to Winnipeg after being approached by Copenace's cousin Anthony Copenace and friend Aaron Paul on Facebook.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/search-for-kenora-girl-expands-to-winnipeg-with-help-from-bear-clan-1.3475571
Have you seen Delaine Copenace?
Kenora Daily Miner and News – March 3, 2016
After three days of searching around Kenora and the surrounding area, Delaine Copenace still hasn’t been located by the hundreds of civilians who have taken time out of their days to join the search team for her. The 16-year-old was last seen during the evening of Saturday, Feb. 27, in the downtown core of Kenora and last had contact with her family, including twin sister Dayne, when she left their family home to go for a walk with friends around 6 p.m.
http://www.kenoradailyminerandnews.com/2016/03/03/have-you-seen-delaine-copenace
Youth Pow Wow Planned at Island Lake by Alex Heck
Fundraising event aims to link community, First Nations
http://www.inmyhumbleopinions.net/orangeville-dinner-series-honouring-youth-pow-wow-fundraiser/
http://www.dufferincounty.ca/files/releases/2015-02-17_Council_In_Brief_-_February_12_2015__release.pdf
http://www.orangeville.com/news-story/4348003-first-nations-celebrated-june-21/
http://www.orangeville.com/whatson-story/4583180-an-orangeville-celebration-of-first-nation-culture/
http://www.orangeville.com/news-story/4592582-storify-aboriginal-day-rings-in-summer-in-orangeville/
http://www.orangeville.com/news-story/5242773-cultural-hub-planned-for-dufferin-county/
https://dufferin.snapd.com/event/750835#/
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