SNEC: government consultation meetings seen as support?
Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) is worried the federal and provincial governments are quietly interpreting attendance at meetings as support for downloading government services. SNEC councillor Nathan Wright said he worried the government would view attendance as support to transfer responsibility for emergency management to Indigenous communities. The issue surfaced during the April 25th council meeting when Elected Chief Mark Hill attempted to find a councillor to attend and participate in a multilateral table with Ontario First Nations leadership, the Province of Ontario and Indigenous Services Canada to discuss First Nations’ perspectives on emergency management in Ontario. But no councillors volunteered to attend. Councillor Nathan Wright said he was concerned about the nature of the meeting and if SNEC should even attend. He urged careful consideration. “Before we get to...
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No studies on Indigenous Midwifery prompts research team
There are no studies regarding access to, or use of Indigenous Midwifery services despite available data, but the Association of Ontario Midwives wants to change that. Diane Simon, Mi’kmaw midwife, mother, activist and a researcher herself along with a team of Indigenous researchers want to change that. “It’s going to be a slow process, but it’s meaningful. I really feel like Aboriginal midwives if anybody else needs this we are in a good position to do that. If you don’t make changes, nothing is going to change. There’s so much healing that can come from it. We know pregnancy is such an opportune time to intervene to provide supports for families,” she said. Simon presented the study, “Exploring the economic costs of obstetric evacuation and the social-cultural benefits of Indigenous...
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Committee still working out solution to palliative care
Six Nations isn’t giving up on homegrown palliative care. Councillor Hazel Johnson says she has continued to attend meetings with the Palliative Care Committee after an anonymous donor pulled their offer to fund 100 per cent of the cost of a building in February. Johnson told Six Nations Elected Council’s (SNEC) Political Liaison committee they’re still working and have reworked plans for the building. “As you know the funding person withdrew his offer so therefore, they are proceeding.. with a, not a log building,” Johnson said. Two years ago, a local donor offered to give land and fund the construction of a log building large enough to accommodate all of the committee’s needs in one building, including larger doors, family rooms, gardens and more. Instead the committee turned down the...
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Six Nations Bread and Cheese celebrations back to normal
Bread and Cheese will return to its pre-pandemic celebrations. After three years of Bread and Cheese modifications to continue the time-honoured and much loved tradition to keep the community safe, with deliveries and drive-thrus, Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) announced a return to a full-blown community celebration at its General Finance meeting on May 1. “I’m happy to say, we never ever cancelled it. We had to modify it multiple years, with delivery to homes and drive-thus,” Elected Chief Mark Hill said. SNEC approved the allocation of just more than $72,000 for this year’s Bread and Cheese from the Ottawa Trust Fund and $6,400 for the Economic Development Trust. Originally, Wayne Staats, director of accounting allocated $78,000 toward the community event, and $3,200 to the Economic Development Trust, but reduced...
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PSAC strike hit Six Nations!
For first time in 20 years, Six Nations teachers, PSAC members hit the pavement seeking a new deal! The strike ended early Monday morning. Teachers are now back in school! We bring the strike action in a Photo Essay by Jim C. Powless....
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Six Nations land rights saga
New documents, in what has become the continuing saga of Six Nations massive land rights case, a case estimated to be worth billions of dollars is continuing to play itself out in the courts and it is revealing. Allegations thrown by the local Men’s Fire are now being questioned as the Haudenosaunee Development Institute gets its day in court. And asks questions that the whole community has been asking for years. Just who are the members of the Men’s Fire and is it anymore than a local men’s club and if it is, then what is it? Who is it? And who’s interests does it represent? All questions being raised during the current chapter of what is turning into an almost lifelong pursuit of the settlement of Six Nations of...
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Empire Homes building city on Six Nations treaty lands
By Councillor Helen Miller Empire Homes, a major housing developer, is planning to build a new community on 4200 acres in Nanticoke. This new community will have 15,000 houses with an estimated 40,000 people making up the new community. In addition there will be stores, businesses, parks etc. Although the new community is outside the Haldimand Tract, the 4200 acres is part of Six Nations treaty lands. Last week after hearing about this project I immediately informed Six Nations of the Grand River Elected Council (SNGREC). Elected Chief Mark Hill contacted Haldimand County Council (HCC) Mayor Shelley Bentley to get more information. During their discussion Chief Hill found out the HCC was hosting a town hall meeting on April 26th. I agreed to attend and represent SNGREC. Currently, Empire Homes...
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World Indigenous leaders meet in New York City
By Marc Lalonde, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Indigenous leaders from around the world came together last week in New York City for the 22nd session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII). The conference was part of an ongoing international dialogue on Indigenous rights and Indigenous Peoples’ contributions addressing pressing global issues, including climate change. The aim of the conference was to amplify the voices of Indigenous youth and climate leaders while spotlighting climate action rooted in Indigenous knowledge, rights, customs, and legal traditions, a delegation member said. “Attending the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) makes clear the plight of Indigenous people across the globe, and that we are all unified in the goal of bringing to reality an equitable and just world,’’ said...
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Rivermen open 2023 season with victory over the Crushers
By Sam Laskaris Writer It took them a bit to get going. But the Six Nations Rivermen, the defending Ontario Series Lacrosse champions, were able to register a convincing win in their first match of 2023. The local Senior B lacrosse squad downed the visiting Clearview Crushers 15-6 in its season opener held this past Saturday at the Six Nations Sports and Cultural Memorial Centre. The Rivermen were unable to get onto the scoreboard and found themselves trailing 2-0 after the opening 20-minute period. Clearview also managed to score the first goal of the second period to go ahead 3-0. The Rivermen responded with four unanswered goals and then found themselves enjoying a 7-5 lead heading into the third period. Six Nations outscored the Crushers 8-1 in the final 20...
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Sam Laskaris – BEHIND THE ACTION – Brandon Montour
By Sam Laskaris Writer No doubt there will be many local hockey fans who are feeling somewhat torn during the next little bit. Because of its proximity to Canada’s largest city, numerous Six Nations members will be cheering on their favourite team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, who ended a 19-year playoff drought this past Saturday and finally won a series. To recap, the Maple Leafs advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs for the first time since 2004 thanks to a 2-1 overtime victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning. That OT triumph, capped off with a goal by Toronto captain John Tavares, allowed the Leafs to win their best-of-seven series in six matches. The following evening it was revealed that Toronto’s second-round opponent would be the Boston Bru…...
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Lacrosse, lacrosse and more lacrosse at all levels
By Sam Laskaris Writer Six Nations fans will certainly be able to get their lacrosse fix in the coming days. There’s certainly no shortage of games – at both the professional and amateur levels – that they’ll either be able to attend or follow along with. For starters, the pro National Lacrosse League (NLL) commences its post-season action on Friday. The circuit, which saw 15 squads compete in regular season action, had eight of its teams advance to the playoffs. One of the contests local fans will certainly be either attending or keeping a close eye on will be the Toronto Rock versus Halifax Thunderbirds tilt, which will be staged Friday, beginning at 7:30 p.m. That match, held at the current Rock home rink of FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton, will...
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Lacquette returns as Second Assist hockey program ambassador
By Sam Laskaris, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Brigette Lacquette worked her way up through the hockey ranks to earn a milestone. Lacquette, a member of Cote First Nation in Saskatchewan, became the first First Nations player to suit up for the Canadian national women’s hockey team. Lacquette, who is now 30 and lives in Calgary, was a member of the Canadian squad that captured a silver medal at the PyeongChang Olympics staged in South Korea in 2018. “I have personally experienced the challenges that kids from diverse backgrounds facewhen trying to access sports programs,’’ Lacquette said. That’s why she jumped at the opportunity last year when asked to become an ambassador for a diversity, equity and inclusion hockey program operated by Kruger Products. The program has two components. For starters,...
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Indigenous leaders from Canada to meet with King Charles on Thursday
Indigenous leadership from Canada will have a private meeting with King Charles Thursday (May 4, 2023) The pre-coronation engagement will be at Buckingham Palace andl include Assembly of First Nations National Chief Roseanne Archibald, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami president Natan Obed and Métis National Council president Cassidy Caron. Gov. Gen. Mary Simon will also be in attendance. A press statement from Buckingham Palace said “His Majesty has had a long-standing relationship with Canada’s Indigenous people and this meeting is an example of The King continuing that journey of listening and deepening his understanding.” . The Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami organization, represents Inuit people in Canada, the Assembly of First Nations and Métis National Council, are often referred to as National Indigenous Organizations, or NIOs. “I had a conversation with His Majesty...
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House unanimously supports system to alert public when Indigenous women go missing
By Stephanie Taylor THE CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA- The House of Commons unanimously backed a motionTuesday declaring the deaths and disappearances of Indigenous women and girls a Canada-wide emergency, and calling for funding for a new system to alert the public when someone goes missing. Leah Gazan, who represents a Winnipeg riding, presented the motion to her colleagues in the afternoon. She previously led an effort for the House to recognize the residential school system as a genocide, which it did last fall. “The truth is the truth,” she told reporters after Tuesday’s vote. “It’s one thing to acknowledge truth, it’s another thing to act on it.” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said advancing reconciliation with Indigenous people is one of his top priorities since forming government in 2015. In 2019,...
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B.C. skills plan looks to future jobs, changing economy, includes $3,500 grant
By Dirk Meissner THE CANADIAN PRESS VICTORIA-A British Columbia government program to help students, workers and businesses meet the challenges of a changing economy includes $3,500 skills-training grants and more affordable, accessible post-secondary education. Businesses need more skilled workers, and students and employees want the cost-friendly training opportunities to bridge the skills gap required to succeed in the economy, Premier David Eby said Tuesday at a news conference. “Demand for employees with skills has never been higher and this is a very focused program informed by our engagements with, in particular, businesses but certainly in partnership with First Nations and other groups that are under represented in these jobs to make sure that we’re responsive to the needs that are out there,” he said. The $3,500 grants are for people who enrol...
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Attendance, land based learning and other matters discussed at first Sask Rivers Indigenous Partners Gathering
By Michael Oleksyn Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Saskatchewan Rivers School Division board of education held their first meeting with Indigenous representatives at an Indigenous Partners Gathering on April 24 at the Education Centre. Sask. Rivers Education Director Robert Bratvold said the meeting was very productive, and will likely lead to more meetings in the future. “We had a really open and engaging and some good conversations around sharing their celebrations together around education. We had representatives I think we had seven or eight folks from around the First Nations communities,” Bratvold said. Invitations were sent out to Chief and Council or Education representatives in surrounding First Nations. The meeting was reviewed in an oral report by board Chair Darlene Rowden during the regular meeting on Monday. Bratvold said representatives...
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Climate change solutions becoming a `new way of colonizing’ Indigenous peoples, Inuit rep says
By Shari Narine Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Dr. Amy Hudson has returned from the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) with renewed vigour to fight for NunatuKavut Inuit’s way of life in the face of climate change. Hudson, who was part of a four-member delegation from the NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) to attend the forum in New York last week, says hearing stories from other Indigenous delegations who continue to struggle against Eurocentric governments was “personally humbling.” “When you come to these global spaces with Indigenous peoples from all parts of the world and you’re hearing and sharing in these realities where you see all these similarities–similar experiences and impacts of colonization, similar approaches and assertions of self-government and self-determination from Indigenous people–it’s strengthening and certainly validat(ing) in...
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OPP ISSUE PUBLIC SAFETY WARNING – LETHAL SUBSTANCE
Substance Sent To People Potentially At Risk Of Self-Harm Across Ontario (PRP image of packaging) Changes Name of Compound to Sodium NITRITE (ORILLIA, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is warning people about packages, containing a potentially lethal substance, that may have been sent to individuals at risk of self-harm in communities across Ontario. The packages contain sodium nitrite, which was being sold online and distributed by mail. If you or someone in your home has received a package from the businesses listed below, please contact the OPP or your local police service immediately. (see photo) Imtime Cuisine AmbuCA Academic / ACademic Escape Mode / escMode ICemac The ongoing investigation has found that packages may have been sent to more than a dozen communities across the province, as...
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New Brunswick mountain to have racist slur removed, suggestions for new name invited
By Hina Alam THE CANADIAN PRESS FREDERICTON- After a delay called unacceptable by the province’s racism commissioner, the New Brunswick government has announced its first steps to rid the provincial map of places named with a slur against Indigenous women. Tourism, Heritage and Culture Minister Tammy Scott-Wallace said in a statement this week that the government is launching a 28-day consultation seeking proposals to rename a mountain in northern New Brunswick. The mountain, along with a nearby community and a protected natural area, is named with a derogatory term for an Indigenous woman. “There has been a lot of discussion with respect to the derogatory names in the province and why it has taken so long to have new names considered,” Scott-Wallace said. Provincial officials said Tuesday the initiative deals...
