Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh Looks Forward to Working with Federal Government and Regional Elected Parliamentarians on Immediate Action on Treaty #3 Priorities
Kenora, ON — Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh, Grand Chief of Treaty #3 congratulated re-elected Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and said today that he is looking forward to immediate action and working together to further the priorities of First Nations citizens in the Treaty #3 territory and across Canada.
“Now that the federal government has been re-elected to its second term, we look forward to strengthening our relationship with them as full partners to act on climate change, economic prosperity, justice and health and improve on the range of issues our people are facing on a daily basis,” said Ogichidaa Kavanaugh. “I also would like to acknowledge First Nations citizens across Treaty #3 for participating in this election and congratulate all the Indigenous candidates who not only ran for the first time but have won their ridings. I look forward to working with all elected parliamentarians on the important work ahead of us. We are ready to work with you.”
The Liberals won 157 seats, falling short of the 170 seats they needed for a majority, the 177 they had at dissolution and the 184 won in the 2015 election.
Voter turnout was 65.95 per cent of eligible voters, according to Elections Canada’s figures on Tuesday morning. That’s down from 68.3 per cent in 2015.
Election Day voter turnout in the Kenora riding of 59.76 per cent saw 27,304 eligible voters of 45,692 registered electors cast ballots. With 147 of 148 Kenora riding polls reporting in, the distribution of votes among the candidates is as follows: Eric Melillo, Conservative Party, 9,313; Bob Nault, Liberal, 8,188; Rudy Turtle, NDP, 7,781; Kirsi Ralko, Green Party, 1,475; Michael Di Pasquale, PPC, 382; Kelvin Boucher-Chicago, Independent, 165.
“I would like to congratulate Eric Melillo and Marcus Powlowski both elected within our region. I look forward to working with you both,” said Ogichidaa Kavanaugh. “I would also like to take this opportunity to hold up Chief Rudy Turtle who ran for the first time as an NDP candidate and also outgoing MP Robert Nault who has served the region for over 20 years.”
(Ottawa, ON): Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde congratulates re-elected Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on winning a minority government in the 2019 federal election. The National Chief looks forward to working with the new government and all parties to advance First Nations priorities as set out in the HonouringPromises agenda to build a stronger, better Canada for everyone.
“I congratulate Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal party on their victory,” said AFN National Chief Bellegarde. “I look forward to meeting in the near future to advance a positive agenda for all Canadians. Over the last four years we have seen remarkable progress on First Nations issues, but progress does not equal parity.”
“We will work with all parties to address the climate crisis, safety and security for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, to lift up First Nations children and families, and to strengthen the country as a whole. First Nation priorities are Canadian priorities. I look forward to working with every Member of Parliament.”
In Honouring Promises: 2019 Federal Election Priorities for First Nations and Canada the AFN sets out a forward looking agenda beginning with a call for action on the global priority of climate change and preserving the natural world. It shows how to build a stronger Canada through healthy and educated First Nations citizens living in safe and secure communities, and fully participating in the economy in ways that strengthen the national economy and sustain the environment.
“There is agreement among a majority of Parliamentarians to move forward on some key priorities, including the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, a First Ministers Meeting on First Nations Priorities, and fully implementing legislation to strengthen Indigenous languages and protect First Nations children,” said National Chief Bellegarde. “I lift up all First Nations citizens who voted in this election and congratulate all the Indigenous candidates. We will keep pushing forward for action, for reconciliation and for results.”
Sunrise ceremony & honorific naming of the Traditional Area next to Enwayaang
9:00 a.m.
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Honouring our Relations keynote address by alumnus Harvey McCue and alumni panel discussion moderated by CBC’s Cross Country Check Up host Duncan in the Ernest and Florence Benedict Gathering Space
12:30 p.m.
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Installation of Treaty 20 and the Williams Treaty in Bata Library Atrium
1:15 p.m.
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Official opening of Giizhigaatig Indigenous Learning Space, Bata Library, room 410
2:15 p.m.
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Looking Back, Looking Forward: celebrating 50 years by sharing your story along with those of Marlene Brant Castellano, Don McCaskill, Dan Longboat, Louise Garrow, Chief Emily Whetung, James Cullingham and other celebrated alumni and faculty from years past
Grand Opening of the 44th annual Elders Gathering, Enwayaang, room 114
Saturday, November 2 – Sunday, November 3, 2019 Elders and Traditional Peoples Gathering
The Chanie Wenjack School and the First Peoples House of Learning present three days of memories from the past 50 years and looking ahead for the next 50
Keynote address by Tanya Talaga, author of Seven Fallen Feathers and CBC Massey Lecturer
Indigenous performances including:
The Mush Hole, KAHA:WI DANCE THEATRE, Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in Market Hall, 140 Charlotte Street
Michele Thrush, Find Your Inner Elder, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 in Nozhem Theatre: First Peoples Performance Space
Round Dance Social Friday evening in Champlain College’s Great Hall
Following the federal election, Ghislain Picard, Chief of the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL), would like to highlight the victory of Justin Trudeau and his party, as well as the members of Parliament who now form a new minority government. The one who says that the most important relationship is with Indigenous peoples must continue to reduce the socio-economic gaps and inequities faced by First Nations in Quebec- Labrador and across the country.
“I call on all elected officials to address head-on the aberrations and unacceptable situations that no Canadian would accept, such as having access to clean drinking water or providing services to our children and families without discrimination. It is time to stop these violations once and for all without having to fight in court to ensure respect for basic human rights,” said the Chief of the AFNQL.
The AFNQL also insists on full recognition of the inherent Aboriginal and treaty rights and titles of all First Nations. In addition, the adoption of legislation to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples remains at the forefront of expectations, considering Justin Trudeau’s commitment to co-development, by the end of 2020.
“Time will tell, but the question remains: did it take a minority government to bring about true reconciliation and viable solutions based on respect for our rights and basic needs? The story is to follow and the AFNQL will monitor this government closely,” concluded Ghislain Picard. About the AFNQL The Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador is the political organization regrouping 43 Chiefs of the First Nations in Quebec and Labrador. Follow us on Twitter @APNQL.
Would you like to promote Nunavut culture at an international event? Here’s your chance!
The Department of Community and Government Services, Sport and Recreation Division is accepting applications for cultural performers to represent Team Nunavut at the 2020 Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse, Yukon from March 15 to March 21, 2020.
Participants must be born between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 2005. Groups must consist of a minimum of three performers and a maximum of six, along with a manager.
For an application form, please email SRInfo@gov.nu.ca or call 1-888-765-5506.
The deadline to apply is Monday, November 4, 2019.
Week of events and awareness highlighted by benefit concert “Secret Path Live” at Roy Thomson Hall October 19
TORONTO, October 9, 2019 – Today, the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF) proudly announced the official launch of the second annual Secret Path Week. The goal of Secret Path Week is to answer Gord Downie’s call to “do something” by creating reconciliACTIONs and furthering the conversation about the history of residential schools.
“Secret Path Week is about creating a national platform to have safe conversations, learn more about Indigenous culture and create awareness about the true history regarding residential schools. We encourage Canadians to take action, do something, to be part of the reconciliation movement,” said Sarah Midanik, CEO of the DWF.
Secret Path week includes educational events, Walk for Wenjack, and tributes to Chanie Wenjack and Gord Downie. The week is highlighted by a benefit concert at Toronto’s Roy Thomson hall on October 19, entitled Secret Path Live, which will raise money to support programming at the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund. The concert is a re-creation of the original 2016 performances that brought together renowned musicians to share Chanie Wenjack’s story through an immersive multimedia performance. Chanie was a 12-year-old Ojibwe boy who died while trying to escape an Ontario residential school in 1966.
“Gord felt Chanie’s story so deeply and intimately,” said Mike Downie. “When he spoke about Secret Path and his journey of becoming more aware of the impact of residential schools and the present treatment of Indigenous people, you could feel it had changed him. His passion emanated in every interview and performance. For Gord, changing the way Canadians studied and focused on our shared history was key to ensuring the learning and awareness continued – he insisted, “We have to get into the schools.””
DWF has implemented Legacy School programs in over 1300 schools. Legacy Schools exist in every province and territory in Canada and will also be activating reconciliACTIONs for Secret Path Week.
Secret Path Live is a re-creation of the 2016 performances that brought together renowned musicians to share the Chanie Wenjack story through an immersive multimedia experience.
The project, conceived by Gord and Mike Downie, intertwines the music from the Juno award-winning album, graphic novel by Jeff Lemire, and the animated film Secret Path to bring to light the painful legacy of Canada’s residential school system, and the long-suppressed mistreatment of Indigenous children and families, to the national stage. The hope was to start a national conversation and further reconciliation.
Featuring the original Secret Path band, acclaimed Canadian musical guests, dancers, and artists will come together to create a fully immersive and cultural experience that celebrates Indigenous history and commemorates the lives of Gord and Chanie.
Performers will be backed by the original Secret Path band, which performed with Downie at the benefit concert three years ago, along with special guest appearances by:
Buffy Sainte-Marie Sam Roberts Tanya Tagaq July Talk William Prince Whitehorse Tom Wilson
About The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund Inspired by Chanie’s story and Gord’s call to build a better Canada, the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF) aims to build cultural understanding and create a path towards reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
DWF’s work centres around improving the lives of Indigenous people by building awareness, education, and connections between all Canadians. For more information, visit downiewenjack.ca.
About Secret Path Gord Downie began Secret Path as a collection of 10 poems inspired by the story of Chanie Wenjack, a 12-year-old boy who died of exposure on October 22, 1966. He was attempting to walk home from Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School near Kenora, Ontario, to return to family he was taken from over 600km away. The poems inspired the full-length album, graphic novel, and award-winning film trilogy.
Supporting the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund Your donation contributes to reconciliation in Canada by supporting the development of resources for DWF programs such as Legacy Spaces, Legacy Schools, reconciliACTIONs and events that serve to bring Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities together.To support the Downie Wenjack fund, please visit: downiewenjack.ca/support-us/donate/
Calgary, AB (Wednesday October 9, 2019) – YYC POP: Portraits of People is an open call out to the community, the entire city and the world, from Sheri-D Wilson, Poet Laureate of Calgary.
This Legacy Project invites all Calgarians – whether writers or not – to create a portrait in the form of a poem, prose poem, or snapshot / flash fiction – about someone you know who lives and works in Calgary.
“A city is characterized by its people, and as Calgary transforms, we ask you to look, as a community at what our identity is today, “ says Wilson, “Your submission will be a piece of the larger puzzle, which represents the new Calgary.”
YYC POP explores: Who are we? What is our identity as a city? Who are the people that live here? And what are their stories?
You can write about someone you know, or a historical figure whose contribution or story remains relevant to today. Who you choose should keenly represent the spirit and identity of Calgary now, as the city changes and grows. But the person you write about cannot be named (named proper) in your work.
YYC POP: Portraits of People is open to everyone currently living in Calgary, the Greater Calgary area, and ex-pats.
To submit your portrait and for full details please visit https://sheridwilson.com/. Deadline: Midnight on November 30, 2019.
All YYC POP submissions will be curated by a jury of professional writers. Selected portraits will then be included in a hard-copy anthology being published by the award-winning Frontenac House, scheduled for release in April 2020. If your poem is selected to be part of YYC POP: Portraits of People, you may be invited to read your work at one of many book launches/ galas in the new year. Any writing not chosen for the anthology will be published online.
YYC POP: Portraits of People is being produced by Sheri-D Wilson and the Calgary Spoken Word Society, and is supported by Calgary Arts Development, Brookfield Residential, YMCA, Frontenac House, CanLearn Society, Calgary Foundation, Alberta Gaming & Liquor Commission, Calgary Chamber, The City of Calgary, Shelf Life Books and the Writers’ Guild of Alberta.
Wauzhushk Onigum — On Thursday October 3, 2019 Grand Council Treaty #3 Chiefs gathered at the Fall Assembly in Wauzhushk Onigum and passed a resolution declaring a state of climate emergency in Treaty #3 Territory.
Declaring the climate emergency is in response to the ongoing global climate crisis and the need to act to protect Mother Earth for future generations.
“The wellbeing of our Nation and way of life is of the utmost importance to our leadership and declaring a climate emergency is just one way we can continue to care for each other and mother earth,” said Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh, Grand Chief of Treaty #3. “Since time immemorial, Creator entrusted the Anishinaabe to care for Aki (land) and Nibi (water) on Turtle Island. The Anishinaabe have always maintained a spiritual connection to the land and firmly believe that ‘we are the land and the land is us.’”
The Territorial Planning Unit of GCT#3 continues climate change adaptation work through the ‘Teaching our Keepers’ program. Treaty #3 youth and children are receiving education on the importance of sustainable practices such as recycling, composting and gardening. Treaty #3 First Nations communities are also working towards reducing emissions by using geo thermal and solar energy systems to reduce carbon footprints.
“The work that the First Nations and Grand Council Treaty #3 are doing demonstrates the strength of our Nation and our commitment to doing our part to decrease the global climate footprint, said Chief Will Windigo of Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nations and Chair of the Grand Council Treaty #3 Environmental Chiefs Committee.
As stewards of the land and leaders in environmental sustainability, the Anishinaabe Nation of Treaty #3 will continue to care for Mother Earth. In declaring a state of climate emergency hope to continue to improve and raise awareness to the dire state of the environment on a local, national and global scale. Declaring a climate emergency is just one-step towards caring for our Mother Earth.
On October 1, 2019, reluctantly but having no other choice in order to protect our land rights, Innu Nation applied to the Federal Court asking the court to cancel the Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) between Canada and NCC because it has serious potential to delay and otherwise affect Innu Nation’s longstanding claim in Labrador.
Innu Nation was shocked to hear the announcement by Canada on September 5, 2019 that Canada had entered into an expedited agreement with NCC following just one year of negotiations. The MOU if it proceeds, will harm the Innu’s aboriginal rights – rights that are currently protected under Canada’s constitution.
Among other things, the signed MOU commits Canada to negotiate with NCC about jurisdiction and rights over land, sea, and ice, and recognizes NCC as a group, which can hold constitutional rights to lands and waters. NCC has claimed land rights throughout most of the Innu land claim area including the Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation Reserve where 2,000 of Innu Nation’s members reside. Innu Nation has been negotiating its own land rights with Canada for four decades. (NCC’s published land claims map attached.)
Innu Nation asserts that Canada and the Minister for Crown-Indigenous Relations did not follow the legal requirements it was required to follow before signing the MOU. Canada also failed to exercise reasonable due diligence before agreeing to enter into this MOU. For example, Canada ignored its own previous research and legal opinion, which had concluded that NCC “is a modern political organization that represents people of varying degrees of Aboriginal ancestry and not an aboriginal collectivity capable of holding aboriginal rights.”
Canada’s decision to enter into the MOU with NCC (which includes recognition of rights of NCC and discussion of NCC’s land claims) is thus wrong and Innu Nation determined it had no choice but to challenge this decision because of the impacts of this MOU on Innu Nation’s land rights.
Innu Nation has repeatedly attempted to openly dialogue with Canada on the NCC MOU yet from July 2018, when talks between Canada and NCC were first announced, to today’s date, Canada has failed to provide any satisfactory answers to Innu Nation’s questions.
Innu Nation will continue to take all actions necessary to protect Innu rights in our lands and waters.
Kenora, ON — Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh, Grand Chief of Treaty #3 is calling out Prime Minister’s decision to appeal a ruling that would compensate First Nations children and their families who were separated by a broken and discriminatory on-reserve child welfare system.
“The federal government’s actions are unacceptable. Our Anishinaabe children and families have been irreparably harmed by successive federal governments which refused to acknowledge the discrimination and provide fair and equitable funding for child welfare. All of our children are sacred gifts and our families have the right to access prevention and family preservation-based services which are funded appropriately,” said Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh. “Our children should never be treated in a discriminatory manner or be a pawn at the mercy of governments who fail to acknowledge the colonial legacy of the residential school, Sixties scoop and the child welfare system and the harm done to our citizens.”
On October 3, 2019 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that his government would be seeking to appeal the September 6 ruling made by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. The ruling ordered that the federal government provide compensation to First Nations children and their families who were separated by the underfunded on-reserve child welfare system from January 1, 2006 to a date to be determined by the tribunal.
The Tribunal ordered the Federal government to compensate $40,000 to each child, the maximum allowed under the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal and also identified that funds be awarded to some of the parents and grandparents. The Federal government’s application for judicial review filed asks that the Tribunal’s decision be set aside and the claim for financial compensation be dismissed.
“There are many ridings across Canada in which Indigenous voters can make a difference. All federal parties need to recognize that discrimination is unacceptable in 2019,” said said Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh. “Our Nation will continue to encourage all Indigenous citizens to vote and ask all of the federal parties and candidates to share how they will address our issues and priorities, especially for our children, families and our communities.”
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: Office of the Ogichidaa, Kristine Reynard at (807) 548-4214 or Kristine.reynard@treaty3.ca
