WASHINGTON — On Saturday, May 21, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams will join the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) and community members for a celebration of the Bison Range restoration. The Secretary will deliver remarks to commemorate the milestone.
The Department previously announced the return of all lands comprising the National Bison Range, approximately 18,800 acres, to the Bureau of Indian Affairs to be held in trust for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation in Montana.
WHAT: Community celebration to commemorate restoration of National Bison Range
WHEN: Saturday, May 21 from 4:00 – 5:30 PM MT
WHERE: Salish Kootenai College, Pablo, MT
RSVP: Credentialed members of the media interested in attending should RSVP to Shane Morigeau, Deputy Executive Officer for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, who can be reached at (406) 546-4290 or at shane.morigeau@cskt.org.
Métis Nation – Saskatchewan (MN-S) Government with its Ministry of Economic Development leader SaskMétis Economic Development Corporation (SMEDCO) has been selected as the winner of the Aboriginal Financial Institution Covid-19 Resiliency Award by NACCA- the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association which is a network of over 50 Aboriginal Financial Institutions across Canada.
In March 2020 when Covid – 19 was deemed a pandemic, as part of the MN-S pandemic action plan response SMEDCO went into action to explore ways they could assist their clients to persevere through COVID.
“In partnership with Indigenous Services Canada, SMEDCO successfully administered and disbursed over $20 million in COVID-19 pandemic funding since May 2020. These contributions had a real impact to preserve jobs, keep Métis owned businesses operating and stimulate the local economy” said Tristan Zachow – SMEDCO CEO
“The SMEDCO board showed unprecedented leadership through the pandemic by supporting our Métis clients. SMEDCO staff worked tirelessly through the pandemic often putting their clients before themselves and going above and beyond the regular working hours and job responsibilities week after week, month after month to assist Métis businesses.” added Zachow
Métis Nation – Saskatchewan Minister of Economic Development Glen McCallum said “Our Métis Nation – Saskatchewan Government is committed to creating a strong Métis economy. SMEDCO is the leading Economic Development hub for our Métis citizens and communities, and we are very pleased to be recognized as the winner of this national award.”
“We were able to assist many Métis owned businesses in Saskatchewan! Thank you to all our clients who support us in return, we do this for you” added SMEDCO CEO, Tristan Zachow
To date SMEDCO has worked with over 1600 Métis businesses across the province.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — On May 6th, Enbridge announced a delay in their terminal expansion planned to be constructed on the ancestral settlement and land of the Karankawa Kadla, where thousands of sacred Karankawa artifacts have been found, a place sacred to the coastal tribe where ceremony and prayer have continued for the last 2,000 years. Under the proposed briefing schedule, it was agreed that briefings will be pushed back in order for evidence to be properly cross-examined. The Karakawa Kadla and Indigenous Peoples of the Coastal Bend, was notified by the court that construction is now halted to after October 24, 2022, which allows the tribe, Indigenous groups, and their legal team to construct a stronger argument in order to protect the sacred site.
“We have been challenging processes since 2015 and continue to make strides. Enbridge can expect the same energy our ancestors had when colonizers stepped foot on the shoreline. We will protect our traditional lifeways for our youth and elders.” said Sandra Love Sanchez, Karankawa Kadla.
On October 19, 2021, under the schedule for request to halt construction on the Karankawa settlement, filed by the Indigenous Peoples of the Coastal Bend, Karankawa Kadla Tribe of the Texas Gulf Coast, and Ingleside on the Bay Coastal Watch, dredging and construction on a new pier at the Enbridge Ingleside oil terminal will be halted and not take place before August 29th, 2022. If the expansion of the Enbridge terminal on Karankawa land and water continues, the Karankawa Kadla will lose direct access to their land and ancestral artifacts, in addition to the pollution of sacred natural waters within the region, violating several U.S. water protection laws.
“As scientists in the latest IPCC report ring the alarm that our window to limit warming is closing, we will stand for Mother Earth and our youth, just as our ancestors did,” Sanchez said. “ We will protect what’s sacred.
Ottawa, Ontario (May 9, 2022) – The Minister of Indigenous Services, Patty Hajdu; the Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations, Marc Miller; and the Minister of Northern Affairs, Daniel Vandal, issued the following statement today:
“Indigenous nurses are the bridge between traditional healing and Western medicine, establishing and applying a holistic approach to their healthcare delivery.
Today, at the start of National Nursing Week, we celebrate Indigenous Nurses Day by recognizing the irreplaceable role of First Nations, Inuit and Métis nurses, who provide culturally inclusive healthcare in their communities and across the country. Indigenous nurses have also continuously demonstrated their phenomenal commitment and exceptional efforts to maintaining the health and well-being of all Canadians, in both urban and remote areas.
The theme for National Nursing Week is once again #WeAnswertheCall, which provides yet another opportunity to showcase the ways in which nurses respond to sometimes dire and drastic situations with both professionalism and compassion. And for many Indigenous nurses, answering the call reaches far beyond health service delivery: they are advocating for Indigenous voices to be heard and considered in the healthcare system. We especially want to highlight their exceptional work over the past two years. Nurses have played a pivotal role in Canada’s COVID-19 response, and we thank them for their ongoing service to communities.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action state the need for “an increase in the number of Aboriginal professionals working in the healthcare field.” Although efforts have been made to assure a higher presence of Indigenous healthcare professionals, greater progress toward improved representation is key in the years ahead.
To achieve better health outcomes, self-determination and freedom of choice in Indigenous health journeys are vital. First Nations, Inuit and Métis nurses are often uniquely positioned to both understand and campaign for community-led, culturally appropriate healthcare services and delivery while incorporating traditional practices. We recognize and support Indigenous nurses’ tireless work to provide accessible, culturally relevant healthcare.
With many Indigenous nurses having distinct connections to their community’s Elders and healers, their nursing practices pass on the blend of traditional knowledge and medical expertise to the next generation. Their roots in communities and culture are invaluable as we work to build stronger, healthier relationships between Indigenous Peoples and the healthcare systems.
For your exceptional skills, your longstanding dedication, and your unwavering ability to care for each and every one of us, we thank you. We are grateful, we are appreciative for all that Indigenous nurses have accomplished throughout Canada.”
YELLOWKNIFE, NT, May 9, 2022 /CNW/ – Fifteen First Nations, Inuit, and Metis students are graduating from their Professional Counselling Diploma program delivered through the Northern Indigenous Counselling initiative. They pushed through Covid-19 restrictions, online learning that became a necessity, and a demanding 1,750-hour, six-semester program. The graduates represent 11 NWT communities and bring three to six decades of life experience to their new professions. They have lived through the ill effects of residential schools, addictions and other challenges that brought suffering to their families, friends, and themselves.
So unique and momentous was their accomplishment, that they have been helped by various governments and followed by media outlets such as APTN, CBC, CKLB, and Cabin Radio. NWT Premier Caroline Cochrane and several MLAs acknowledged the successful completion of their program and their graduation ceremony that will be held at the NWT Legislative Assembly Hall on May 21st. How did this all start?
Jean and Roy Erasmus, founders of Dene Wellness Warriors and graduates of Rhodes Wellness College’s Professional Counselling Diploma program, saw a huge need for Indigenous Counsellors in the north. They knew something had to change and approached Ben Colling, President of Rhodes Wellness College, to see if they could launch a program to exclusively train northern Indigenous counsellors.
Ben, Roy, and Jean found support from the territorial, federal, and Indigenous governments, and students were successfully enrolled to start the program in the fall of 2020. However, due to Covid-19, what was to be an in-person program was transitioned online. Despite most students’ unfamiliarity with the technology, the cohort embraced a modified learning environment on Zoom. When it was possible to meet in-person, students gathered in Yellowknife. When it was necessary to move back online due to Covid-19, they jumped back online. Students were supported throughout by an Indigenous Coordinator who graduated from the same program in Vancouver in 2019, Cody Erasmus, whose position was funded by the NWT Department of Health and Social Services.
Students endured private challenges. Most had family – many with small children – and two students had babies during the program. Ben Colling, President of Rhodes Wellness College, stated, “I have never seen an entire group of students overcome so much. We are in awe and so, so proud of this incredible group of students!”
Roy Erasmus stated, “We are excited that 15 highly skilled local Indigenous counsellors are now ready to help our people deal with problems and traumas caused by residential schools and colonization.” Jean Erasmus said, “My dream was to have Indigenous counsellors working with our people. This experiential program is not for everyone. It is tough when you are working on your traumas and witnessing the pain of your fellow students. However, our students triumphed and now they are prepared to step into their communities with real-life skills.”
The graduates are now eligible to join both the Canadian Professional Counsellors Association (CPCA) and the Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists in Canada (ACCT) – two national accrediting bodies for professional counsellors.
This Northern Indigenous Counselling program was co-hosted by Rhodes Wellness College and Dene Wellness Warriors and was the first program of its kind offered in the north. Due to strong demand and support from the Indigenous community and various governments, another program will begin in approximately 18 months.
Dene Wellness Warriors and Rhodes Wellness College wish to acknowledge the generous funding received from: NWT Student Financial Assistance, ISETS, Hotiì Ts’eeda, Gwich’in Tribal Council, Gwich’in Education Fund, Dehcho First Nation, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Inuvialuit Education Foundation, Northwest Territory Metis Nation, Department of Health and Social Services, Department of Education Culture & Employment and Indigenous Services Canada. Mahsi cho.
OTTAWA, ON – On Friday, April 8, 2022, Tungasuvvingat Inuit (TI) signed its first ever protocol agreement with a children’s aid society. The signing of this document and continuing the partnership with Family and Children Services of Renfrew County will ensure that Inuit have access to culturally specific supports, which are the foundation for healing and wellness.
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) has designated Tungasuvvingat Inuit (TI) as the service delivery agency for families involved with the Child Protective Services in Ontario. ITK is a listed Inuit community under Ontario’s Child, Youth and Family Services Act 2017. (CYFSA) This legislation now recognizes Inuit as a distinct Indigenous community in Ontario. ITK has designated Tungasuvvingat Inuit (TI) to deliver services to Inuit children, youth, and families and to ensure that Inuit-specific services and connection to culture and community continue to be a priority.
TI’s Kamatsiarniq Program’s objective is for an early prevention or intervention to limit child welfare intrusive measures. The Kamatsiarniq Program was created in 2020 to respond to the needs of families interacting with the child welfare system. Over the past two years, the Kamatsiarniq Program has been working alongside Family and Children Services of Renfrew County receiving and responding to notifications and improving access to cultural services for Inuit families.
Tauni Sheldon, Case Manager and Cultural Advisor for the Kamatsiarniq Program shared, “With the affects of the histories of child welfare that so many Inuit have endured, this first of its kind protocol agreement between TI and the Family and Children’s Services of Renfrew County is ground-breaking. This is the much-needed work to set new precedence with newer structures to address the harms inflicted upon Inuit by child welfare societies. By TI and the child welfare agencies coming together in partnerships, this becomes rooted in Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit as well as in the TRC 94 Calls to Action, which strengthens Inuit well-being as a whole.”
Amanda Kilabuk, Executive Director of TI stated, “This agreement is the result of a lot of hard work on the part of staff from both organizations. This protocol agreement sets structure to how child welfare agencies work with Inuit in Ontario and provides recourse for issues and disagreements. It is a critical first step in acknowledging and addressing the harms that the child welfare system has inflicted, and continues to inflict, upon Inuit families in Ontario”. Another important piece to this protocol is that it will mandate additional training for agency workers and foster or adoptive families about Inuit history and culture.”
The protocol is important in that it will allow the Kamatsiarniq Program to commit to working with all child protective service agencies to recognize Inuit children, youth, and families as a distinct Indigenous group in Ontario while building a relationship based on recognition of rights, respect, and co-operation. It will also pave the way for other protocols to strengthen relationships and support the work of prevention focused Indigenous service providers.
In Ontario, there is an overrepresentation of Inuit families involved in the child welfare system and this agreement and all that follow is an early step in the right direction to improving the current approach while respecting and honouring the values and voices of the Inuit Community in this Province.
In the spirit of one of the eight guiding Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Principles, “ᐱᔨᑦᓯᕐᓂᖅ / Pijitsirniq serving and providing for family and/or community”, our team at TI and the Kamatsiarniq Program looks forward to implementing the agreements made.
For Ontario Inuit families involved with child protective services that require more information or support, they can reach out by emailing Kamatsiarniq@tiontario.ca.
Over 4 years ago, on March 13, 2018, NTC learned that one of its own precious children Dontay Lucas passed away under suspicious circumstances. Finally, after 4 long years of waiting, the NTC has been informed by the RCMP that Ms. Rykel Frank (mother nee Charleson) and Mitchell Frank (step-father), have been charged with First Degree Murder of Dontay Lucas.
It is a huge relief that charges have finally been brought in this matter and the NTC is not happy that it took over 4 years to bring charges against the accused and the young child and his family still have not found any justice.
Judith Sayers, President of the NTC says “The death of any person is very sad, but it is even sadder when it is a young child with their whole life ahead of them. When the death is due to family violence, we know there is still healing to be done in our
communities from residential schools, racism, and colonization. At long last, charges have been brought against two people who caused the death. The justice system has to do better. Now the family have another long wait for the trial to begin.”
Mariah Charleson, Vice President of NTC states “4 years is too long a time for family and loved ones of a 6 year old victim of murder to wait for justice. We must push the justice system to work in a way that proves to us all that our lives are valued and cherished. 4 years is simply too long.”
We would like to thank the RCMP for their thorough investigation and their efforts to consistently communicate with us during this process. We believe this is one step forward in finding justice for this child.
Our hearts and prayers go out to the communities of Ahousaht and Hesquiaht where this child holds family ties and hopes this announcement brings you some closure. We hold you close to our hearts during this devastating time.
We ask the public and media to respect the family’s privacy as they grieve the loss of their loved one.
*Nurses from across the province gather in Victoria to demand government address health-care crisis*
As two public health emergencies continue to play out in BC’s health-care system, nurses are using their voices this National Nursing Week to highlight long-standing problems that are impacting their mental health and patient care.
“BC nurses don’t feel like celebrating this week,” says BCNU President Aman Grewal. “Instead, hundreds have travelled to Victoria from communities across the province with a somber message that the health-care system is buckling under the pressure. Enough is enough. We need action now.”
On Monday evening, BCNU is hosting a “Vigil to Heal Heath Care” to give nurses, first responders and family members a unique opportunity to share in their grief and reflect on the overwhelming impact the last few years have had on communities and the health-care system.
Grewal says 82 percent of BCNU members surveyed last year said their mental health has worsened over the pandemic.
“The act of holding a dying patient’s hand while they lay intubated and alone or balancing an iPad so family members can say their final good-byes is something that stays with you,” says Grewal. “It’s had a profound impact on our members, and they are not allowed to share this reality openly.”
To highlight the mental and physical toll the staffing crisis is having on nurses, BCNU is sharing five nurses’ stories anonymously. Hear their stories firsthand by visiting HelpBCNurses.ca <https://trk.cp20.com/click/cemw-2j98yo-2sbkp0-igxf32y6/>
On Tuesday afternoon nurses will be taking their message to the provincial government with a rally on the steps of the BC Legislature. Staffing concerns, working conditions and patient care will be top of mind for those at the event.
May 5, 2022 – CBC, Canada’s public broadcaster and #1 Canadian podcast publisher, today shared details of its podcast slate for Spring/Summer 2022. The upcoming lineup features several all-new series including KUPER ISLAND, a powerful examination of the dark history of the notorious Kuper Island Residential School and its abuse of Indigenous children; and the timely return of the award-winning investigative series SOMEONE KNOWS SOMETHING: THE ABORTION WARS. CBC’s entire podcast collection can be found on CBC Listen and everywhere podcasts are available.
CBC’s Spring/Summer 2022 podcast releases are listed below in order of their premiere dates.
KUPER ISLAND – Launching Tuesday, May 17 Long after the Kuper Island Residential School was torn down, the survivors remain haunted by what happened there. In this eight-part series, investigative journalist Duncan McCue exposes undisclosed police investigations, confronts perpetrators of abuse, and witnesses a community trying to rebuild on top of the old school’s ruins and the unmarked graves of Indigenous children.
“When the former chief of Penelakut first told me how her community has grappled with the restless spirits of children ever since the Kuper Island Residential School closed, I knew it was a story more people needed to hear,” said McCue. “I wanted to go beyond the cold, hard numbers of unmarked graves, to help people understand the deaths of children at a residential school aren’t a thing of the past.
These tragic deaths travel like ripples over water, touching generations. These were children who were loved and had dreams – and their loss still impacts Indigenous lives today.”
SOMEONE KNOWS SOMETHING: THE ABORTION WARS – Launching Wednesday, May 25 Following a two year hiatus due to the pandemic, the top-rated investigative series SOMEONE KNOWS SOMETHING returns for its eagerly awaited seventh season. This time, host David Ridgen teams up with investigative journalist Amanda Robb to dig into the 1998 murder of Robb’s uncle, a New York doctor killed for performing abortions. They uncover a network of anti-abortion activists linked to violence in North America and Europe. Twenty years later, with Roe v. Wade in the headlines, they ask “could more violence be on the horizon?” Listen to the trailer here.
THE VILLAGE: THE MONTREAL MURDERS – Launching Tuesday, June 7 As more and more gay men are found murdered in 1990s Montreal, the city reckons with both the AIDS crisis and a possible serial killer. Faced with police indifference, despite mounting evidence, a group of activists takes matters into their own hands. This seven-part series, hosted by journalist Francis Plourde, explores the birth of a movement and the slow march toward justice. In a unique first, podcast production teams from CBC and Radio-Canada joined forces to tell the same story in English and French. Radio-Canada’s sister podcast Le Village : meurtres, combats, fierté hosted by Marie-Eve Tremblay also launches June 7 exclusively on Radio-Canada OHdio.
BUFFY – Launching Tuesday, June 21 Buffy Sainte-Marie is one of the most prolific singer-songwriters of the past century and her music has quietly reverberated throughout pop culture and provided a soundtrack for Indigenous resistance for the last 60 years. In this five-part series, Mohawk and Tuscarora writer Falen Johnson (co-host of Secret Life of Canada) explores how Buffy’s life and legacy is essential to understanding Indigenous resilience.
THE KILL LIST – Launching Tuesday, July 12 When the body of human rights activist Karima Baloch is found off the shores of Toronto, an investigation into her mysterious death leads all the way back to Pakistan, the country she had previously fled. In this six-part series, host Mary Lynk explores the rampant abductions and killings of dissidents in Pakistan, the dangers that follow those who flee to the West, and a terrifying intelligence agency with tentacles around the globe. How did Karima die? And would Pakistan really carry out an assassination far beyond its borders? This is a story that a powerful state doesn’t want to be told.
From Canada’s public broadcaster, CBC Podcasts is a richly diverse collection of award-winning podcasts that engage, enlighten and entertain. CBC is the #1 Canadian podcast publisher, reaching more listeners worldwide than any other Canadian podcast publisher with millions of downloads each month and more than 40 series in genres such as true crime, comedy, human interest and audio fiction.
Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak / Women of the Métis Nation honours today, May 5, as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Folks. Later today, LFMO will host a virtual event for Métis women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ folks to come together to honour families, survivors as well as those who never came home.
LFMO released its own Final Report, entitled Métis Perspectives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and LGBTQ2S+ People, in June 2019. Our report listed 62 Calls for Miskotâha. In September 2021, LFMO also shared an update on this progress in a report called Weaving Miskotâha.
“Gender-based violence is not just a women’s issue; it is an issue that requires us and all levels of government to work together.” said Melanie Omeniho, President of Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak. “Our mission will remain to see a world where Métis women, girls, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people are safe, respected, empowered, and have the capacity to create healthy, vibrant, and productive communities. As always, we are grateful to the many families who have selflessly shared their stories in the hopes of creating pathways to systemic change.”
To our Indigenous sisters, survivors, gender diverse folks and families across the Métis Motherland – we honour your strength in sharing your stories and your work in lifting up Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ folks around you. We see you, we hear you and we love you.
LFMO speaks as the national and international voice for the Women of the Métis Nation across the Métis Motherland, spanning Ontario westward to British Columbia. Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak aims to consult, promote and represent the personal, spiritual, social, cultural, political and economic interests and aspirations of the Women of the Métis Nation, and their Indigenous allies.
