Topic: Today’s News

Ce communiqué fait office de rappel à la population générale du Québec et de l’Ontario que tous les magasins de tabac et de cannabis sont actuellement fermés et qu’aucun produit de tabac ou de cannabis ne sont en vente sur le territoire de Kanesatake. 

Malgré nos efforts pour conscientiser les touristes et les consommateurs de tabac / cannabis du fait que tous les magasins de la communauté sont fermés depuis le 23 mars 2020, de nombreuses personnes continuent de s’aventurer, en vain, à chaque jour à la recherche de tels produits. 

Notre communauté, comme de nombreuses autres communautés autochtones du Québec et du Canada, a érigé des postes de contrôle afin de restreindre l’accès dans notre région et de renvoyer toute personne n’habitant pas la région chez eux, où ils devraient s’isoler. 

De nombreux touristes sont venus aux portes de notre territoire. Nous avons même vu des gens présenter des signes de maladie cogner aux portes des aînés de notre communauté afin de savoir s’il y avait toujours des magasins d’ouverts. De plus, nous avons intercepté des personnes provenant des régions fortement infectées de Montréal et de Laval essayant de venir faire leur magasinage dans notre village sous prétexte que notre région aurait moins de cas d’infection. Ce type de comportement, à un moment comme celui-ci, est inacceptable et pour le moins irresponsable. 

Aujourd’hui, à cause des agissements de tels individus, un point de contrôle supplémentaire a dû être érigé afin d’interrompre complètement les déplacements sur notre territoire. 

Nous ne pouvons pas accentuer et souligner davantage le fait que, dans le meilleur des cas où vous venez dans notre région, vous serez renvoyez chez vous et repartirez les mains vides. L’autre scénario consiste à quitter notre territoire avec une amende de $1000+ en main puisque la SQ a augmenté les patrouilles en proximité de, ainsi que sur notre territoire, et qu’ils sont à l’affût de tels déplacements jugés non-essentiels. 

Nous vous remercions à l’avance pour votre coopération. 

This is a reminder to Quebec and Ontario’s General Population that all Tobacco and Cannabis stores are presently closed, and no tobacco or cannabis products are sold anywhere on Kanesatake’s Territory. 

Despite our efforts to keep tourists or tobacco / cannabis customers aware of the fact that all stores in the community have closed since March 23^rd 2020, many people still venture, in vain, everyday to look for such products. 

Our community, like many other indigenous communities in Quebec and Canada, have erected checkpoints in order to refrain access in our region, and to send any non-local back home where they should be self-isolating. 

We have had many tourists come to our door steps. We’ve even had people presenting signs of sickness knocking on the doors of elders in our community in order to find-out if some stores were open. We also intercepted people from the highly infected regions of Montreal and Laval trying to come do their shopping in our village under the pretext that our region has less cases of infection. This type of behavior, at a time like this, is unacceptable and very irresponsible to say the least. 

Today, because of such people, an additional checkpoint had to be erected in order to completely shutdown travel through our territory. 

We cannot highlight and stress enough the fact that, in the best-case scenario where you come to our region, you will be turned around and leave empty handed. The worst-case scenario involves leaving our territory with a $1,000$+ fine in hand since SQ patrols have increased in and around our territory and they are on the look-out for such travel deemed unessential. 

We thank you in advance for your cooperation. 

PSA, Virtual Town Hall, and Weekly Podcast Mobilize Native Peoples, Artists, and Allies to #WarriorUp to Fight the Pandemic.

TULSA, OK (April 23, 2020) –  Artists, actors, government leaders and activists, including Academy-Award winner Taika Waititi, Academy-Award winner Casey Affleck, Ed Helms, Taboo, Wilmer Valderrama, Riley Keough, Congresswoman Deb Haaland and Congresswoman Sharice Davids, urge viewers to #StayHomeTogether in a new PSA released today by the Native-led nonprofit IllumiNative. The PSA, in partnership with Harness, the group co-founded by America Ferrera, Wilmer Valderrama and Ryan Piers Williams, is part of IllumiNative’s #WarriorUp campaign, which will also feature a Virtual Town Hall and a weekly podcast to raise awareness of the devastating impact of COVID-19 on Native communities.

“For decades, we have been fighting for the visibility of Native peoples. Now this fight has become absolutely vital to ensuring that Native communities are not left behind or erased from the COVID-19 response,” said Crystal Echo Hawk, Executive Director of IllumiNative. “Tribes and Native communities need to be seen, heard and included in local, state, and federal solutions and conversations. Together we can find a common pathway forward out of this public health emergency.”

On Thursday, April 30th, Taboo, IllumiNative, NDN Collective and Indian Country Today will co-host a Virtual Town Hall that will livestream on Taboo’s YouTube channel  as well as on Facebook Live on each of their respective Facebook pages to unite Indian Country and allies against COVID-19.  Spotlighting economic and healthcare issues, Native leaders, legislators, influencers, and advocates will explore how the pandemic is exacerbating disparities and inequalities affecting not only Native Americans but all communities of color. Under these unprecedented circumstances, this town hall brings together Native voices and allies to overcome these disparities and showcase the resiliency of a unified community.

This week, IllumiNative is also introducing a 30-minute podcast focused on telling stories about the impact of COVID-19 on Native communities. Hosted by IllumiNative Executive Director Crystal Echo Hawk, conversations with trusted Native leaders will include the latest headlines and feature stories from across Indian Country about the resilience, strength, hope and community that is coming together. IllumiNative’s inaugural podcast episode brings you stories from across America and unpacks health and economic issues – from the CARES Act and how it impacts tribes, to interviews with those on the frontlines of the Coronavirus pandemic. Podcast episodes are released weekly and are available at https://illuminatives.org/warrior-up/.

Studies show that 78% of Americans know little to nothing about Native peoples, and representation of Native communities in mainstream media is less than 0.04%. These numbers are critical when translated directly to emergency funding during times of crises and historical lack of investment in Indian Country to sustain Native communities through a pandemic. Historically underfunded, Indian Health Services, housing, and infrastructure in Native communities have been neglected and unprepared for a crisis of this magnitude.

Native artists, comedians, educators, influencers, media, and allies are joining forces to #WarriorUp to fight against invisibility of vulnerable Native communities during this crisis. Visit https://illuminatives.org/warrior-up/ to find resources, content, and opportunities to support. 

ABOUT ILLUMINATIVE

IllumiNative is a Native-led nonprofit, launched to increase the visibility of Native peoples in American society by changing the national narrative. IllumiNative challenges negative narratives, stories, and stereotypes about Native peoples. We provide tools for Native advocates and allies including youth, community and tribal leaders, activists, and professionals across critical sectors — to develop and advocate for accurate and contemporary representations and voices of Native peoples.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Earth Day:

“Today, we join the international community to observe Earth Day.

“As Canadians, we are fortunate to be surrounded by an abundance of nature. With this privilege comes a shared responsibility to safeguard our environment and the natural treasures we have inherited.

“We want our children and grandchildren to be able to enjoy our majestic forests, breathe clean air, and play by our beautiful oceans, lakes, rivers, and streams. That is why the Government of Canada has taken important steps to protect our environment, while growing the economy and making life more affordable for families across the country.

“This year, families are going to observe Earth Day in a different way, because our parks are closed and Canadians have to stay home. This does not mean we cannot all still appreciate and continue to share a resolve to protect our natural beauty and our environment.

“Climate change continues to present a long-term threat to our health and economy. Last week, we made a historic investment to clean up orphan and inactive oil and gas wells, creating thousands of jobs and lasting environmental benefits. We also proposed a new Emissions Reduction Fund to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Canada’s oil and gas sector, with a focus on methane.

“Our number one focus right now is dealing with the immediate threat of COVID-19. But this does not mean that we can neglect the environmental crisis. Canada can, and will, build a stronger and more resilient economy by investing in a cleaner and healthier future for everyone.

“We remain committed to our climate plan, which includes ambitious actions to reduce emissions, promote clean technology and jobs, and put a price on pollution. To meet our Paris Agreement commitments, we are taking action so we can exceed Canada’s 2030 emissions reduction goal, achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, and position our businesses and industries to remain globally competitive. We are also committed to protecting 25 percent of Canada’s land and 25 percent of our oceans by 2025 to preserve our natural legacy for our generation and the next.

“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I encourage all Canadians to do their part for the environment and to reflect on how fortunate we are to live in such a beautiful country.”

Oneida Nation of the Thames — Oneida Nation of the Thames met with City of Toronto Mayor John Tory via teleconference last week to put forward environmental and management issues caused by the breach of the agreement between the City of Toronto owner of the Green Lane Landfill Site located within 2 km from Oneida Nation of the Thames.

“Overall it was a positive meeting and we took the opportunity to finally discuss all of the negative impacts the Landfill Site is having on our community and why our agreement with the City of Toronto is not being adhered to,” said Oneida Nation of the Thames Chief Jessica Hill. “It took 16 months to get this meeting.  Why is the City of Toronto not working with us? It’s a city that tells the world how important the environment and climate change is to them. They are in breach of the Agreement we have. The Mayor was responsive and agreed to meet with us again in two weeks with answers to questions we presented. Some can be dealt with immediately and others will take more time to resolve.”

The Green Lane landfill site, owned by the City of Toronto since 2006 and located in Southwold Township.  This privately-owned dump receives daily deliveries of 50 transport trucks full of trash and sewage sludge daily, which adds up to 500,000 tonnes a year.

Oneida Nation of the Thames and the Chippewas of the Thames are parties in this Agreement with the City of Toronto. Both communities are compensated through a community benefit agreement and split 4 per cent of the gross revenue and $4 per tonne from the landfill. Oneida Nation of the Thames is the majority stakeholder and feels the impact first being in closer proximity to Greenlane.  

“Not enough was being done so we demanded this meeting. When we tried to raise our concerns with representatives of Greenlane, we were constantly met with arguments, delay tactics and disrespectful attitudes. Our requests for monitoring, for economic and job opportunities, training, procurement opportunities and fair treatment have been ignored by the Greenlane representatives,” said Chief Hill. “We said enough is enough.”

In a recent Oneida Community Environmental survey, 64% of respondents identified the Greenlane Landfill as the number one environmental threat to the community. Oneida citizens reported that the dump is an encroachment on their territory and this highlights the power imbalance between Oneida Nation of the Thames and the City of Toronto. This can best be described as environmental racism and then it becomes a human rights issue.

In the City of Toronto’s Long-Term Waste Management Strategy, it states that Toronto intends to keep Greenlane Landfill operational until 2040 however Oneida Nation will continue to hold the position of immediate closure of the Greenland landfill.  Oneida Nation has never been consulted on this and how the City of Toronto intends to manage its current certificate of approval (C.O.A.)

The Oneida Nation represented by Chief Hill, Environmental Portfolio holders Councillors Grant Doxtator and Jason Cornelius and staff presented five priority issues related directly to the Greenlane Landfill, the closure of the Landfill and Terms of Reference, the right to clean water and Oneida’s current Boil Water Advisory, Emergency Planning, Climate Change and Economic and Business Development opportunities.

 For more information on the presentation please visit our website.

The MNC has launched its new website (www.metisnation.ca) which is Mobile-Friendly!

The mainpage of the MNC website features the latest news articles, press releases and videos providing information on the Métis Nation and the activities of the Métis National Council.

Press releases and advisories are also distributed through Canada Newswire and e-mailed to the members of MNC General Assembly.

The Métis Nation Gateway consists of online information portals that focus on five specific aspects of Métis Nation self-determination: political development; social development; economic development, cultural development; and meeting the global challenge of climate change.

The Sixties Scoop portal is an online platform which support the information needs of the Métis Nation related to the Sixties Scoop.  The Portal will allow Métis Nation Sixties Scoop Survivors and all Métis Citizens to access up-to-date information that is essential in the development of a Métis Nation Sixties Scoop resolution agreement between the Métis Nation and the Government of Canada.

The Métis Veterans portal is a central source of information related to Métis Nation veterans and the Canada-Métis Nation Veterans Recognition Payment Agreement. The website is part of our on-going efforts to keep citizens throughout the Métis Nation Homeland – and beyond – informed on developments and initiatives at the national and international level concerning Métis Nation Veterans.

The mainpage also features photos, videos, and publications such as annual reports, fact sheets, newsletters, and bulletins.

Become our friend on Facebook! The Métis National Council Facebook page included photos, press releases and announcements, and links to news, videos and information.

You can also sign-up for short, timely messages by following us on Twitter under “@MNC_Tweets”.

To learn more about any of our communication activities, please get connected and get information from the MNC by visiting our new website!

New MNC website: www.metisnation.ca

Métis Nation Gateway: www.metisportals.ca

Métis Nation Veterans Portal: www.metisveterans.ca

60’s Scoop Portal:  metissixtiesscoop.ca

Effective at noon (Pacific time) on Thursday, April 16, 2020, most open burning activities will be prohibited throughout British Columbia to reduce the likelihood of human- caused wildfires, although campfires will still be allowed. 

The following activities will be prohibited, and these restrictions will remain in effect until the public is otherwise notified: 

• Category 2 open fires; 
• Category 3 open fires; 
• Resource Management open fires; 
• the use of fireworks; 
• the use of sky lanterns; and 
• the use of burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description (except when used for a campfire). 

These prohibitions apply to all public and private land within British Columbia, unless specified otherwise (e.g., in a local government bylaw). Check with local government authorities for any other restrictions before lighting any fire. A poster explaining the different categories of open burning is available online: www.gov.bc.ca/openfireregs 

A map of the affected areas is available online: http://ow.ly/8uct30qvSv2 

COVID-19 and wildfire response 

These open burning prohibitions will reduce demands on firefighting resources and help protect the health and safety of the public, as well as BC Wildfire Service staff. They will also help reduce the impact of wildfire smoke on air quality and public health during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

A strategic deployment of wildfire management resources is critical this fire season, so it is especially important to reduce the number of unnecessary, human-caused wildfires. It is vital BC Wildfire Service staff remain healthy to respond to wildfires throughout the 2020 season and ensure the BC Wildfire Service’s response capability is not affected. 

During the current pandemic, larger open burns pose an unnecessary risk and could detract from wildfire detection and response capabilities. The open burning prohibitions coming into effect on April 16 should decrease the number of false alarms (where firefighters respond to a report of smoke, only to find the smoke is coming from a controlled burn and not from a wildfire). 

Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations 

and Rural Development BC Wildfire Service 

Category 2, Category 3, Resource Open Management Fires to be prohibited 

These open burning prohibitions also support the BC Centre for Disease Control’s recommendation to help reduce excess air pollution in airsheds throughout the province. 

Enforcement 

Enforcement of fire prohibitions is undertaken by: 

• the Compliance and Enforcement Branch of the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development; 
• the Conservation Officer Service; and 
• the RCMP. 

All illegal fires will be investigated, and charges may be laid under the Wildfire Act or Wildfire Regulation, depending on the outcome of the investigation. 

Anyone found in contravention of an open burning prohibition may be issued a violation ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs. 

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll- free or *5555 on a cellphone. 

For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, and air quality advisories, go to: http://www.bcwildfire.ca 

Follow the latest wildfire news: 
• on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo 
• on Facebook: http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo 

Learn More: 

For the latest medical updates, including case counts, prevention, risks and testing, visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/ Or follow @CDCofBC on Twitter. 

For provincial health officer orders, notices and guidance, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/phoguidance For non-health related information, including financial, child care and education supports, travel, transportation and essential service information, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/Covid-19 or call 1 888 COVID19 (1 888 268-4319) between 7:30 a.m. and 8 p.m., seven days a week.

As the COVID-19 crisis rages on, the Micmac Nation Council of Gespeg strongly denounces the federal government’s discrimination against its community and demands to be treated fairly. The First Nation currently does not receive the same support as the other Indigenous communities in Canada, on the grounds that Gespeg is not a “reserve” under the Indian Act. 

Since the beginning of this crisis, the Gespeg Council has assumed its governmental responsibilities towards its members. Like other First Nations councils, it has taken the necessary steps to reduce the impact of the crisis on its members, as well as to provide all relevant information and provide moral and material support to those who are most affected. Despite this, the Gespeg Council faces closed doors and refusals from federal officials in charge of aid programs, on the grounds that the organizational structure of the Gespeg First Nation does not meet certain specific criteria. 

Although Gespeg members do not live on reserve lands, the Council assumes several responsibilities identical to those of other First Nations. In addition, Gespeg has an ancestral title and ancestral rights over an unceded traditional territory in the Gaspé region, which has never been sold or been the object of a treaty. Although recognized in principle, the governmental authority of the Gespeg Council, as well as its responsibilities to its members, do not appear to be taken into account by the aid programs adopted by the federal government in order to help Indigenous communities cope with the COVID-19 situation. 

The Chief of the Micmac Nation Council of Gespeg, Terry Shaw, reiterates that in times of crisis, the Council is the first instance to which its members turn. They are entitled to receive services tailored to their needs. “The primary government for Gespeg members, regardless of where they live, is the Micmac Nation Council. We have responsibilities towards them, and we have a duty to protect their health and ensure their safety, in addition to minimizing the impacts on our organization. It is completely unacceptable that the health and safety of Gespeg members should be jeopardized by administrative technicalities. We are not asking for preferential treatment, we are simply asking for fairness.”, said the Chief. 

With the support of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and the Assembly of First Nations Quebec- Labrador (AFNQL), Chief Terry Shaw is currently calling upon government authorities, including the Minister of Indigenous Services, Marc Miller. These political steps will hopefully correct this injustice against the Gespeg Council and other councils who may currently be in the same incongruous situation. 

“The Prime Minister and his government say there is no relationship more important than the ones with Indigenous peoples. The treatment of Gespeg members and its local authorities certainly does not pass the test, when the existence of reserve land seems to be the decision-making basis for addressing urgent needs in the event of a serious pandemic, where lives may be at stake. In our view, we are in a situation 

where the decisions we make are a matter of life and death. Minister Miller said yesterday that during the COVID-19 crisis, the health of First Nations, Inuit and Métis is a top priority. This does not seem to be the case for Gespeg,” lamented AFNQL Chief Ghislain Picard. About Gespeg 

The Micmac Nation of Gespeg is a Mi’gmaq First Nation composed of some 1500 members, many of them living on their traditional unceded territory located in the Gaspé region. Its Council, composed of a Chief and 9 elected councilors, is recognized as a “band council” within the meaning of the Indian Act, and as a self-governing authority under the Canadian Constitution.

Alors que la crise sanitaire de la COVID-19 fait rage, le Conseil de la Nation Micmac de Gespeg dénonce vigoureusement la discrimination dont sa communauté est présentement victime, et exige d’être traité avec équité par le gouvernement fédéral. En effet, la Première Nation ne reçoit actuellement pas le même soutien que les autres communautés autochtones au Canada, sous prétexte que Gespeg n’est pas une « réserve » au sens de la Loi sur les Indiens. 

Depuis le début de cette crise, le Conseil de Gespeg assume ses responsabilités gouvernementales à l’égard de ses membres. Comme les autres conseils de Premières Nations, il a adopté les mesures nécessaires afin de réduire l’impact de la crise auprès de ses membres, en plus de dispenser toute l’information pertinente et d’offrir un soutien moral et matériel aux plus durement touchés. Malgré cela, le Conseil de Gespeg se bute à des portes fermées et à des refus des fonctionnaires fédéraux en charge des programmes d’aide, selon le prétexte que la structure organisationnelle de la Première Nation de Gespeg ne correspond pas à certains critères spécifiques. 

Or, bien que les membres de Gespeg ne vivent pas sur un territoire de réserve, le Conseil assume à leur égard plusieurs responsabilités identiques à celles des autres Premières Nations. De plus, Gespeg possède un titre ancestral et des droits ancestraux sur un territoire traditionnel non-cédé dans la région de Gaspé, lequel n’a jamais été vendu ou fait l’objet d’un traité. Bien que reconnue en principe, l’autorité gouvernementale du Conseil de Gespeg, tout comme ses responsabilités envers ses membres, ne semblent toutefois pas être prises en compte par les programmes d’aide adoptés par le gouvernement fédéral dans le but de soutenir les communautés autochtones face à la COVID-19. 

Le Chef du Conseil de la Nation Micmac de Gespeg, Terry Shaw, rappelle qu’en période de crise, le Conseil est la première instance vers laquelle ses membres se tournent. Ceux-ci sont en droit de recevoir des services adaptés à leurs besoins particuliers. « Le premier gouvernement des membres de Gespeg, peu importe leur lieu de résidence, c’est le Conseil de la Nation Micmac. On a des responsabilités envers eux et on a le devoir d’agir pour la santé et la sécurité de nos membres, en plus de minimiser les impacts sur notre organisation. Il est tout à fait inadmissible que la santé et la sécurité des membres de Gespeg soient mises en péril à cause de technicalités administratives. On ne demande pas un traitement privilégié, on demande l’équité avec les autres Premières Nations », a déclaré le Chef. 

Avec l’appui de l’Assemblée des Premières Nations (APN) et de l’Assemblée des Premières Nations Québec-Labrador (APNQL), le Chef Terry Shaw interpelle actuellement les autorités gouvernementales, notamment le ministre des Services aux Autochtones, Marc Miller. Ces démarches politiques devraient 

permettre de corriger cette injustice à l’égard du Conseil de Gespeg et d’autres conseils qui seraient dans la même situation incongrue. 

« Le Premier Ministre et son gouvernement affirment qu’il n’y a pas de relation plus importante que celle avec les Autochtones. Le traitement des membres de Gespeg et de ses autorités locales ne passe certainement pas le test quand l’existence d’une terre de réserve semble constituer la base décisionnelle pour répondre à des besoins urgents en cas de pandémie grave, où des vies peuvent être en jeu. De notre avis, nous sommes dans une situation où les décisions que nous prenons sont une question de vie ou de mort. Le Ministre Miller déclarait hier que pendant la crise de la COVID-19, la santé des Premières Nations, des Inuit et des Métis est une priorité absolue. Ça ne semble pas être le cas pour Gespeg », s’indigne le Chef de l’APNQL, Ghislain Picard. 

À propos de Gespeg 

La Nation Micmac de Gespeg est une Première Nation Mi’gmaq composée de quelque 1500 membres, plusieurs vivant sur le territoire traditionnel non-cédé situé dans la région de Gaspé. Son Conseil, composé d’un Chef et de 9 conseillers élus, est reconnu comme un « conseil de bande » au sens de la Loi sur les Indiens, et comme une autorité gouvernementale autonome en vertu de la Constitution canadienne.

The Nunatsiavut Government today announced that assistance will be provided to ensure Beneficiaries of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement residing in the Constituency of Upper Lake Melville have sufficient nutritious food to support health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Many Labrador Inuit in Upper Lake Melville face food-insecurity issues at the best of times,” says Nunatsiavut President Johannes Lampe. “This program will help those who are most in need during these trying times.” 

The Emergency Food Supplement Program is geared towards helping individuals and families impacted by COVID-19 and those most vulnerable to the virus. Priority will be given to seniors (60 years and older and on fixed incomes, persons with disabilities, single parents, low-income families (receiving income support, living on fixed-pension incomes or employment insurance), and individuals and families who have had their employment hours cut or have been laid off because of the pandemic. 

How to apply Beneficiaries in the Upper Lake Melville area wishing to apply for the Emergency Food Supplement Program are asked to call the following numbers in their respective communities during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 12 noon and from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday): 

Happy Valley-Goose Bay/Mud Lake (709) 896-3396 North West River (709) 497-8807 or 497-8808 

Plans are in the works to provide assistance to Labrador Inuit residing Constituency of Canada. Details will be announced soon.