Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam mayors back expansion of involuntary mental health and addiction treatment; experts question policy
By Patrick Penner Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart and Port Coquitlam Brad West were among a coalition of B.C. civic leaders demanding federal funding to support expansion of involuntary care for those suffering from severe mental health and addiction issues. The coalition was headed by Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, and included 10 mayors, three First Nation chiefs, Vancouver’s chiefs of police and fire rescue services, the president of the Canadian Police Association, and a former drug advisor to the U.S. White House. The group spoke on the steps of Vancouver City Hall on Sept. 16, pleading for immediate action from the federal government on involuntary care, bail reform for repeat offenders, and halting the illegal flow of drugs through Vancouver’s port. “This is about doing what is...
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Anishinaabemowin language carrier embarks on groundbreaking animation series
By Jacqueline St. Pierre, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Manitoulin Expositor WIIKWEMKOONG—Barbara Nolan, a cherished Anishinaabemowin language carrier and linguist originally from South Bay, Wiikwemkoong and who now lives in Garden River, is deeply committed to preserving her language and passing it on to the next generation. She recently embarked on a groundbreaking digital journey to teach Anishinaabemowin through animated videos. For Ms. Nolan, the videos aren’t just about the language; they’re about the joy of learning. She believes that people of all ages will find them enjoyable, although they are primarily tailored for early learners and daycares. Ms. Nolan had contemplated creating animated videos for some time, but it wasn’t until she crossed paths with Esbikenh, a teacher from a language immersion school in Bkejwanong (Walpole Island First Nation),...
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Robinson Huron Treaty after 174 years
By Jacqueline St. Pierre, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter EDITOR’s NOTE: Robinson-Huron Treaty celebrated the 174th anniversary of its signing last weekend at an event hosted by the Sudbury-area First Nations. This series will examine and present the highlights of the large gathering. LIVELY—In a momentous event held at the Anderson Farm Museum, the 174th anniversary of the Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850 was commemorated with a significant gathering that brought together members of the 21 treaty territory communities. Co-hosted by Atikameksheng Anishinawbek and Wahnapitae First Nation, this year’s gathering served as a vital platform for asserting Indigenous sovereignty, reflecting on ancestral wisdom and addressing critical issues related to land rights, economic development and cultural preservation. The Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850, a crucial agreement between the British Crown and several...
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Canada’s physicians formally apologize for harm to Indigenous communities
The Canadian Press In a haunting message from beyond the grave, Métis Elder Sonny James MacDonald recounted being incarcerated for more than two years at an Indian Hospital in Edmonton in the 1940s for tuberculosis treatment, suffering abuse and isolation as a child. “After the surgery … they took it upon themselves … that they should take my pajama bottoms off to prevent me from walking around,” MacDonald, a renowned carver who died in 2021, said in a video clip taken from a documentary release that same year. “I was put in this little room … there was no window, it was the end of the hallway. I was just like a prisoner,” he said. MacDonald said an orderly would trap him in a hospital washroom and sexual assault...
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Conservatives deny link to protesters that harassed Singh after Liberals blame them
The Canadian Press Conservatives are denying any association with protesters who harassed Jagmeet Singh, among others, outside of Parliament Hill this week after Liberal ministers accused them of lending their support. A video circulated online Tuesday showing two men following the NDP leader, as one of them appears to call him a “corrupted bastard.” Singh turned around and confronted the two men, asking who had hurled the insult. The two men denied making the remark and appeared to back off, which prompted Singh to call one of them a “coward” for not saying it to his face. Immigration Minister Marc Miller and Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault applauded Singh on Wednesday for defending himself and decried the harassment purported by the protesters. “As much as I was proud of Jagmeet for...
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New Brunswick Indigenous group says Tory position on treaty rights ‘troublesome’
The Canadian Press The six chiefs of the Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick have released results from a pre-election questionnaire sent to the province’s political parties, saying they are “particularly disappointed” with responses from the governing Progressive Conservatives. The Indigenous group, which represents six communities, says that in August the parties were sent questions on Indigenous treaty rights, titles, policing and systemic racism. “We find the Progressive Conservative party position on Wolastoqey treaty rights deeply troublesome and offensive,” the chiefs said in a statement released Monday. “The Progressive Conservative party response notes that they ‘respectfully disagree … that land title has been unceded’ and repeats their disinformation narrative about private landholders.” The reference to unceded territory refers to the fact that these First Nations never relinquished or legally signed away...
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Radioactive material already moves through Northwest: group
By Sandi Krasowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) has recognized the growing discussions from communities in Northwestern Ontario with concerns about the safe transportation and long-term storage of spent nuclear waste. In August, a deputation made to Thunder Bay city council by members of Ontario Nuclear Free Thunder Bay and Environment North resulted in council agreeing to review current transportation standards for the movement of hazardous goods within city boundaries. In response, the NWMO reiterated its commitment to safety and the importance of ensuring the process for selecting a repository site is based on partnership and consent, through its own deputation to council. Joanne Jacyk, the NWMO’s Ignace site director, and Caitlin Burley, director of strategic programs and transportation, made the presentation on Sept. 9,...
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N.B. election: Parties’ answers on treaty rights, taxes, Indigenous participation
The Canadian Press The six chiefs of the Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick distributed a survey on Indigenous issues to political parties ahead of the provincial election, which is scheduled to kick off Thursday. Here are some of the answers from the Progressive Conservative, Liberal and Green parties. Q: How does your party plan to demonstrate a renewed commitment to recognizing our joint treaty responsibilities and acknowledging that the lands and waters of this territory remain unceded? Progressive Conservative: The party respectfully disagrees with the assertion that land title has been unceded. This is a legal question that has not been determined by the courts. Liberal: When we form government, the first conversations the premier-designate will have is with First Nations leaders. We will publicly and explicitly acknowledge your treaty...
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Teen draws from her life to pen award-winning story
By Marissa Lentz-McGrath, Local Journalism Initiative TimminsToday.com MATTAGAMI FIRST NATION – A local teen hopes her award-winning story will inspire other people to follow their dreams. Tatum Naveau, a 17-year-old Grade 12 student from Mattagami First Nation, has received the James Bartleman Indigenous Youth Creative Writing Award. Naveau won for her story How Little Moose Grew Out His Antlers, which explores themes of self-acceptance and personal growth. It follows Little Moose, who learns to embrace his differences with the help of a friend, despite being ridiculed for his appearance. “It’s basically to help people that have insecurities and feel like they need to change themselves. So in the story, Little Moose, who is the main character, wants to have antlers like his other moose friends, and he ends up growing trees...
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New Brunswick Indigenous group says Tory position on treaty rights ‘troublesome’
The Canadian Press 18/09/2024 13:46 The six chiefs of the Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick have released results from a pre-election questionnaire sent to the province’s political parties, saying they are “particularly disappointed” with responses from the governing Progressive Conservatives. The Indigenous group, which represents six communities, says that in August the parties were sent questions on Indigenous treaty rights, titles, policing and systemic racism. “We find the Progressive Conservative party position on Wolastoqey treaty rights deeply troublesome and offensive,” the chiefs said in a statement released Monday. “The Progressive Conservative party response notes that they ‘respectfully disagree … that land title has been unceded’ and repeats their disinformation narrative about private landholders.” The reference to unceded territory refers to the fact that these First Nations never relinquished or legally...
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New Brunswick Indigenous group says Tory position on treaty rights ‘troublesome’
The Canadian Press The six chiefs of the Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick have released results from a pre-election questionnaire sent to the province’s political parties, saying they are “particularly disappointed” with responses from the governing Progressive Conservatives. The Indigenous group, which represents six communities, says that in August the parties were sent questions on Indigenous treaty rights, titles, policing and systemic racism. “We find the Progressive Conservative party position on Wolastoqey treaty rights deeply troublesome and offensive,” the chiefs said in a statement released Monday. “The Progressive Conservative party response notes that they ‘respectfully disagree … that land title has been unceded’ and repeats their disinformation narrative about private landholders.” The reference to unceded territory refers to the fact that these First Nations never relinquished or legally signed away...
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Six Nations Royal Chapel of Mohawks will have Coat of Arms
His Majesty’s Royal Chapel of the Mohawks will celebrate a once in a lifetime event and Six Nations will help pull out historical items for the event, but other churches are getting involved and it’s causing problems. Barry Hill, warden of the Mohawk Chapel came to Six Nations Elected Council’s (SNEC) General Council meeting on September 10 looking for a band council resolution to remove the silver bells, communion set and bible from the vault to use during an event to celebrate the chapel’s coat of arms. “This is a once in a lifetime occasion,” Hill said. “The queen approved a royal harold, a coat of arms, for the chapel. It’s the only chapel in Canada, or the world for an Indigenous royal chapel to have their own arms and...
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It was fun, it was colourful … it was for a good cause
A day of colour and smiles at Six Nations annual World Suicide Prevention Day Colour Run Six Nations Health department, now the department of wellbeing held its annual Colour Walk Run in recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day September 10th at the blue track and had a crowd of participants from all ages, don sunglasses and t-shirts in a bid to outrun the clouds of colour. Photos by Jim C. Powless...
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Six Nations Elected Council exploring recovery treatment centre
Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) is working its way towards a mental health and addictions site on reserve. Councillor Greg Frazer told SNEC members met with the Minister of Mental Health and Additions recently to discuss SNEC attempts to secure one of two Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hubs for Indigenous Communities. Elected Chief Sherri Lyn was absent from the September 10 SNEC meeting, taking “personal leave.” Frazer likened the meeting to a sovereignty exercise saying,” Chief and council work hard to build up our own capacity as an exercise of our sovereignty.” Hill, Frazer, and Councillor Amos Key met with Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Michael A. Tibollo, who, he said, shared an enthusiasm for Six Nations to open a HART Hub. He said Minister Tibollo...
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Brantford City Council expected to approve motion to assign judge to massive Six Nations land lawsuit
By Austin Evans Writer Brantford’s Committee of the Whole unanimously voted in favour to request the Canadian government assign a judge to a 30-year old Six Nations lawsuit. Six Nations of the Grand River took the governments of Canada and Ontario to court in 1995 in a case which continues to this day. Six Nations’ stance is the British Crown set aside roughly 950,000 acres of land for Six Nations before improperly selling most of it to settlers. The band cites the 1784 Haldimand Proclamation which it considers a treaty and seeks compensation from the governments of Canada and Ontario. Canada and Ontario argue that the Proclamation was not a treaty and did not obligate them to establish a reserve. They also claim the Six Nations people made a series...
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Brantford General Hospital group to have Indigenous reps
By Austin Evans Writer Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation will each have one seat on Brantford’s hospital working group. Brantford councillors voted during the September 10 Committee of the Whole meeting to create an advocacy group for a new Brantford hospital. Brantford General Hospital serves 150,000 people in the city of Brantford, the County of Brant, Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Since the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care closed St. Joseph’s Hospital in 2001, Brantford General has been the only hospital servicing Brantford and its neighbours. Councillor Dan McCreary brought the resolution to the Committee asking for a working group to build the case for a new facility. “It has become increasingly obvious...
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OPP Fatal Collision in Norfolk County sparks attempted murder charge
NORFOLK COUNTY, ON – An individual is facing a series of charges including Attempt to Commit Murder in the fatal collision in Port Dover this past weekend. Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said at about 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 14, 2024, Norfolk County OPP, along with the Norfolk County Fire Department and Norfolk County Paramedic Services, responded to a collision involving three motorcycles, a Sports Utility Vehicle, and a pickup truck on Highway 6 near Blueline Road in Port Dover, Norfolk County. A passenger on one of the motorcycles was pronounced deceased at the scene. The operator of the same motorcycle sustained serious injuries, while the operator of another motorcycle sustained minor injuries. OPP said after the collision, an altercation took place that saw one person taken to hospital with...
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SN Elected Council donation fund changes under review
Healthy adults may no longer qualify for a donation from Six Nations. The Internal Systems Committee presented changes to the Six Nations Community Donation, Grant and Sponsorship Fund Policy at the Six Nations Elected Council’s (SNEC) General Council meeting on September 10. Those changes included age eligibility, mandatory volunteer hours and expanded the activities that qualify. SNEC did not pass the amended policy, but the change to eligibility age was not challenged. Chair of the committee, Councillor Alaina VanEvery said most changes to the policy were minor. “Some other notable changes, aside from the little house keeping things… focusing this policy now on youth and added vulnerable persons, so anybody that is fitting in that vulnerable person definition whether they are over the age of 19 can still apply,” she...
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Controversial incinerator demolished
By Austin Evans Writer Six Nations’ controversial incinerator has been demolished nearly a decade after it shut down. Made to get rid of trash, the long-dormant incinerator at the Six Nations landfill was itself trashed the week of September 9. The incinerator had been left beside Six Nations Fire Station #5. The fire department had the incinerator removed so they could use the space. Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) Communications said the incinerator sat there for 10 years due to a lengthy legal battle between them and John Kearns, the man who sold SNEC the incinerator. The Kearns Disintegrator System as Kearns called it was built in 2014 with the promise it would create zero emissions as it burned waste to ash. Kearns claimed the incinerator’s heat was high enough...
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An important day is coming…
Canada is about to mark the fourth annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, 2024. The federal statutory holiday came in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Call to Action 80 that called on the federal government to work with Indigenous people to establish a statutory day to “honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.” As a result, September 30th, already known as Orange Shirt Day since 2013, became a federal holiday. While today we participate in a variety of functions and events on the federal holiday let’s not forget where its roots began. It was born as a result of an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day created...
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