Topic: Today’s News

During the week of February 24th, 2019, Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada held its AGM and Board of Directors meetings, attended by members of its Board of Directors, invited delegates and guests. The Board was pleased to welcome several Cabinet Ministers and other special guests. 

In addition to regular business, discussions focused on next steps in the co-development of a national action plan to address violence against Inuit women and girls and featured a celebration of culture with a performance by the Nunavut Sivuniksavut students and a stunning fashion show presented by Martha Kyak. 

Elections were also held for 11 Board positions. Congratulations are extended to the returning members: Rebecca Kudloo, Anne Curley, Laura Churchill, Alyssa Carpenter, Anita Pokiak, Martha Flaherty, Gerri Sharpe and Charlotte Wolfrey. The Board congratulates and welcomes new Directors Brenda Epoo, Nunavik Hudson Coast, Nancy Mike, Iqaluit and Malaya Zehr representing urban Inuit women. Pauktuutit extends its deep appreciation for the commitment and contributions of departing Board members Geela Maniapik, Parniga Akeeagok, Billie Jo Barnes, Pasha Arngaq, Annie Buchan and Leena Metuq. It has been a great pleasure working with all of you. Resolutions from this year’s AGM will be made available on our website shortly. 

Rebecca Kudloo was acclaimed as President for another term until the 2023 Annual General Meeting. She expressed her appreciation for the ongoing support of the Board and her determination to represent the voices and priorities of all Inuit women across Canada. Gerri Sharpe of Yellowknife as elected Vice-President. Both terms run to 2013. 

Many talented and community-focused women from across Inuit Nunangat were nominated for Woman of the Year, with the recognition ultimately being given to Hanna Tooktoo from Kuujjuaq, Nunavik. During the summer of 2019, despite never having biked before, Hannah was inspired to spend seven weeks biking across Canada from Victoria, BC, to Montreal, QC, to raise awareness about suicide and to let her family, friends and community members that their lives matter. Hannah’s journey across Canada also raised $10,000 for a local organization in her community. Hannah is an inspiration to all who meet her and to the Pauktuutit Board of Directors. 

Pauktuutit is the national non-profit organization representing all Inuit women in Canada. Its mandate is to foster a greater awareness of the needs of Inuit women, and to encourage their participation in community, regional and national concerns in relation to social, cultural and economic development. 

Application Deadline
Thursday, April 23, 2020 at 4pm.

YVR Art Foundation offers Aspiring Artist Awards to British Columbia and Yukon Indigenous youth between the ages of 15 and 20 who reside in BC or the Yukon. Aspiring Artist Awards are $500 each and are awarded on an annual basis to youth to support their self-directed work in the visual arts.
Who May Apply

To be eligible for a YVR Art Foundation Aspiring Artist Award, applicants must:

• Be of BC or Yukon First Nations ancestry
• Reside in BC or the Yukon
• Be between the ages of 15 and 20 in 2020 (born between 2000 and 2005)
• Create visual art that reflects BC or Yukon First Nations art and culture
• Provide up to five images of your artwork with your application

To apply for an Aspiring Artist Award or to learn more about YVR Art Foundation visit:www.yvraf.com/programs.
Please forward this email to those who are eligible and interested in applying. Questions may be directed by email to programs@yvraf.com or by phone to 604.276.6261.

Fort McMurray, Alberta – February 26, 2020 – Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) Locals from throughout Northeastern Alberta are rallying against efforts being made by some individuals to create self-styled ‘Métis Community Associations.’

Within Region 1 (Northeastern Alberta), the MNA represents 3,134 registered citizens who are verified Métis rights-holders.  These Métis rights-holders mandate the MNA, its Regional Councils and Locals to represent them, including dealing with collectively held Métis rights and claims.  These 3,134 MNA citizens are the majority of the Métis population in locations across Northeastern Alberta, including, Fort Chipewyan, Fort McMurray, Fort McKay, Buffalo Lake, Willow Lake, Athabasca Landing, Owl River, Big Bay, Anzac, Chard, Conklin and Lac La Biche.

Now, a few individuals from various self-styled and newly created ‘Métis Community Associations,’ are attempting to speak for over 3,000 Métis rights-holders without even engaging these citizens and without any consultation, authorization or transparency.  They are attempting to sign documents in the name of Métis communities without even talking to those communities’ members ensuring legitimate Métis rights-holders are engaged.

The Fort McKay Métis Community Association (“FMMCA”) is a self-styled entity that is not a part of the MNA.  The MNA’s objection to the FMMCA include:

• The FMMCA is a private entity incorporated under the laws of Alberta. It is controlled by a few individuals and is not accountable to any rights-bearing Métis community or the Métis Nation.
• There is no clarity on the FMMCA’s membership, and some of its members are registered as First Nation, do not even live in Fort McKay and may not even be Métis.
• Alberta courts dismissed the FMMCA’s claim that it solely represents the Fort McKay Métis community for the purpose of consultation to the exclusion of the MNA.
• The current leadership of the FMMCA unsuccessfully ran for leadership in the MNA’s 2018 elections and then the group decided to “break away” from the MNA.
• The current leadership of the FMMCA is attempting to dissolve MNA Local #63 Fort McKay without the permission of the MNA or the members of the Local, and after they have transferred assets in the MNA Local’s name. The MNA is in the court fighting these attempts.

The MNA represents over 42,000 verified Métis Nation citizens across Alberta and has been the democratic self-government of the Métis Nation within Alberta for over 90 years.  The MNA has the only objectively verifiable registry of Métis Nation citizens that is relied upon by both Canada and the Alberta Government to identify legitimate Métis rights-holders in Alberta.  The MNA is also the only recognized Métis government in Alberta that is in self-government negotiations with Canada based on a Métis Government Recognition and Self-Government Agreement that was signed in June 2019.

Comments from MNA Regional and Local leadership:

“We are coming together so Métis citizens in northeastern Alberta and the Métis Nation know what is going on. The MNA is not asserting control over Locals or taking over consultation. The MNA has already made it clear that it will not be taking any resources from the agreements MNA Locals negotiate with industry.”

Gail Gallupe 
President, MNA Local #1935 Fort McMurray

“What’s going on is divide and conquer; neighbours, friends and families are being divided by these tactics. A handful of self-interested people in a room in Fort McMurray can’t make decisions for all of our communities or the Métis Nation. Our people’s voices need to be heard. Last week, our community in Fort Chipewyan rejected breaking away from the MNA. Now, a few individuals want to overturn the will of our citizens. This is not right.”
Cameron MacDonald 
President, MNA Local #125 Fort Chipewyan

“We are calling for accountability and transparency. Our citizens and governments need to know these privately controlled ‘Métis Community Associations’ are not a part of the MNA or the Métis Nation within Alberta’s self-government. We are on the path to self-government. A few self-interested individuals are not. People need to know that.”
Brenda Bourque-Stratichuk

President, MNA Local #2097 Lac La Biche

“Individuals cannot be allowed to use the MNA’s name and our legitimacy as the government of the Métis Nation within Alberta to negotiate millions of dollars from oil sands developers and then take those benefits away. What is being proposed by this small group of individuals will have a major impact on our people. A move in this direction, is comparable to taking food from the tables of Métis families who bear the burdens and impacts of resource development on their rights. We can’t let a few individuals ignore the collective and democratic will of the majority.”
James A. Cardinal 
President, MNA Region One

“Our citizens today believe in the MNA as the Métis Nation government our ancestors built based on Métis rights and democracy. In the end, transparency, accountability and democracy will prevail.”
Jason Ekberg

Vice-President, MNA Region One

During the week of February 24th, 2019, Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada is holding it’s Annual General Meeting, attended by members of its Board of Directors, invited delegates and guests. One of the special guests in attendance today wais RCMP Chief Superintendent Amanda Jones, Commanding Officer of V Division, Nunavut, on behalf of Commissioner Brenda Lucki, who sent her regrets.

“There is no question that we want to work with Pauktuutit and our Nunavut communities to address the policing challenges in the North, in order to better build relationships with Inuit, and particularly, women and children. We will come back in two weeks with information regarding Pauktuutit’s request for a working group”, said the Commanding Officer.

“We look forward to working with Commander Jones to address the safety and security of Inuit women and girls and to monitor the implementation of our recommendations”, said Rebecca Kudloo, President of Pauktuutit. “We recommend that affected Inuit women be part of the work, going forward. When women become victims of violence, they are victimized again when taken away from their communities for safety. That is something that should not happen. We welcome  Chief Superintendent Jones’ initiative in wanting to work with us. I appreciate her time with us today and we are eager to work jointly together going forward”.

The Executive Summary and full report can be foundhere: https://tinyurl.com/tawbm6w. 

Pauktuutit is the national non-profit organization representing all Inuit women in Canada. Its mandate is to foster a greater awareness of the needs of Inuit women, and to encourage their participation in community, regional and national concerns in relation to social, cultural and economic development.

Le Conseil Mohawk de Kanesatake souhaite publier la déclaration suivante en réponse aux actions de la Police Provinciale de l’Ontario hier sur le territoire Mohawk de Tyendinaga, berceau du ‘Peacemaker’. 

Le Grand Chef et les Chefs du Conseil Mohawk de Kanesatake ont l’intention d’exprimer leur ferme condamnation des mesures prisent hier contre les membres de leur communauté sœur, occupant le territoire Mohawk non cédé de Tyendinaga. 

Nous voudrions rappeler au Gouverneur Général ainsi qu’au Canada, qu’en ce qui concerne les arrestations de l’OPP, plusieurs voies de négociation et de règlements pacifiques étaient à portée de main pour résoudre le conflit. 

Nous avons aussi appris aujourd’hui qu’une injonction, accordée au Chemin de Fer Canadien Pacifique, pourrait être utilisée contre des membres de notre communauté sœur, Kahnawake. Il n’y a pas de mots qui puissent exprimer à quel point nous sommes profondément préoccupés en ce moment par la direction vers laquelle mène un tel chemin. 

Nous tenons également à rappeler que l’économie Canadienne, qui, nous le savons, a subi les conséquences des événements des derniers jours, a été, cependant, entièrement bâti sur les terres et les ressources que les peuples autochtones ont partagés et partagent encore aujourd’hui avec les colons Canadiens. Les lois coloniales ont historiquement cherché, non seulement à justifier l’appropriation de nos terres et ressources, mais ont aussi fourni les mécanismes nécessaires à entraver le partage équitable des richesses ; richesses créées en exploitant nos terres et ressources. L’ironie du sort veut que ces mêmes lois coloniales soient maintenant utilisées pour procéder à des arrestations et expulser, une fois de plus, notre peuple de nos terres, et ce, au nom de la protection de cette économie, tout en refusant de s’attaquer aux causes profondes des blocus. 

Les actions qui ont été perpétrées par le passé contre notre peuple, et à de multiples circonstances et occasions, se sont révélées avoir des conséquences désastreuses tant pour notre peuple que pour les relations de Nation à Nation. Il est pénible de voir, une fois de plus, l’histoire en marge de se répéter à nouveau. Le leadership du Gouverneur Général et du Canada doit comprendre qu’à la fin de chaque injonction demandée contre des défenseurs des terres, il y 

a escalade. Ce dont le peuple et le pays ont besoin en ce moment, c’est d’une accalmie, jusqu’à ce que cette situation soit résolue de manière pacifique. 

Les peuples autochtones du monde entier sont plus connectés et unifiés que jamais. Les plus hautes instances juridiques du pays ont statué à maintes reprises à propos des répressions systémiques auxquelles notre peuple est toujours confronté. Les non-autochtones sont de plus en plus informés sur les questions autochtones et manifestent plus de solidarité que jamais envers nos causes. C’est dans ce contexte que nous appelons le Gouverneur Général ainsi que les dirigeants du Canada à tirer les leçons des erreurs du passé, à trouver des moyens de résoudre ce conflit par d’autres moyens qui n’impliquent pas le recours à la force envers des manifestants pacifiques sur leurs propres terres. Nous les appelons également à tenir leurs promesses de renouer les relations avec leurs alliés les plus importants et les plus proches. 

Nous saisissons cette occasion pour rappeler au Gouverneur Général et au Canada de mettre en œuvre et de respecter la Déclaration des Nations Unis sur les Droits des Peuples Autochtones, comme dans le cas présent les articles 10 et 26, qui stipulent que: 

Article 10 

Les peuples autochtones ne peuvent être enlevés de force à leurs terres ou territoires. Aucune réinstallation ne peut avoir lieu sans le consentement préalable — donné librement et en connaissance de cause — des peuples autochtones concernés et un accord sur une indemnisation juste et équitable et, lorsque cela est possible, la faculté de retour. Article 26 

1. Les peuples autochtones ont le droit aux terres, territoires et ressources qu’ils possèdent et occupent traditionnellement ou qu’ils ont utilisés ou acquis.

2. Les peuples autochtones ont le droit de posséder, d’utiliser, de mettre en valeur et de contrôler les terres, territoires et ressources qu’ils possèdent parce qu’ils leur appartiennent ou qu’ils les occupent ou les utilisent traditionnellement, ainsi que ceux qu’ils ont acquis.
3. Les États accordent reconnaissance et protection juridiques à ces terres, territoires et ressources. Cette reconnaissance se fait en respectant dûment les coutumes, traditions et régimes fonciers des peuples autochtones concernés. 

The Mohawk Council of Kanesatake wishes to issue the following statement in response to the Ontario Provincial Police’s actions yesterday on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, the birthplace of the Peacemaker. 

The Grand Chief and Chiefs at the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake are intent on expressing our firm condemnations of the actions taken yesterday against members of our sister community of Tyendinaga’s unceded Mohawk Territory. 

We would like to remind the Governor General and Canada that, in regards to the OPP arrests, several negotiation channels and paths to peaceful resolution were readily available to resolve the conflict. 

We also learned today of an injunction, being granted to Canadian Pacific Railway, that could be used against members of our sister community of Kahnawake. There are no words that can express how deeply concerned we are right now at the direction this weathered path leads to. 

We would also like to remind the Governor General and Canada that the economy, and thus damages to it, is built on the land and resources that indigenous people shared with Canadian settlers. Colonial laws have historically sought, not only to justify the appropriation of our lands and resources, but also provided the necessary mechanisms to hinder the equitable sharing of the wealth created by unlawfully enterprising our lands and resources. It is not without a sense of irony that the same colonial laws are now used to enforce arrests and remove, once again, our people from our lands in the name of protecting that economy, all the while, not addressing the root causes of the blockades. 

The actions perpetrated in the past against our people on multiple occasions and circumstances have proven to only lead to disastrous consequences to both our people and nation to nation relations. It is distressing to see, once again, history on the brink of repeating itself. The Governor General as well as Canada’s leadership must realize that at the end of every injunction sought against land defenders is an escalation. What the people and country needs at the moment is calm until this situation is resolved in a peaceful way. 

Indigenous peoples from all over the world are more connected and unified. The highest courts of the land have pointed time and time again the systemic repressions our people have to face. Non-indigenous people are more and more informed about indigenous issues and show more solidarity to our causes than ever ; it is in this context that we call on the leadership of the Governor General and Canada to learn from the mistakes of the past, to find ways of resolving this conflict by other means that don’t involve the use of force against peaceful protesters on their land, and to fulfil its promises of renewing relations with its most important and closest allies. 

We take this opportunity to remind the Governor General and Canada to implement and respect the United Nations on the Rights of Indigenous People, as in this case Articles 10 and 26, which state that : 

Article 10 

Indigenous peoples shall not be forcibly removed from their lands or territories. No relocation shall take place without the free, prior and informed consent of the indigenous peoples concerned and after agreement on just and fair compensation and, where possible, with the option of return. Article 26 

1. Indigenous peoples have the right to the lands, territories and resources which they have traditionally owned, occupied or otherwise used or acquired.
2. Indigenous peoples have the right to own, use, develop and control the lands, territories and resources that they possess by reason of traditional ownership or other traditional occupation or use, as well as those which they have otherwise acquired.
3. States shall give legal recognition and protection to these lands, territories and resources. Such recognition shall be conducted with due respect to the customs, traditions and land tenure systems of the indigenous peoples concerned.

Oka, 25 février 2020 – Lors d’une première réunion historique, le 16 septembre 2019, réunissant tous les membres du Conseil Mohawk de Kanesatake et l’ensemble des élus de la MRC de Deux-Montagnes, les deux parties ont convenu de former un comité de liaison permanent. L’objectif principal de ce comité était de faciliter les communications entre le Conseil Mohawk de Kanesatake, la MRC Deux-Montagnes et les différentes parties prenantes, ainsi que d’accroître le dialogue et la compréhension mutuelle. 

C’est dans ce contexte que trois représentants du Conseil Mohawk de Kanesatake ainsi que trois élus de la MRC Deux-Montagnes se sont rencontrés pour une première fois le 13 février dernier à Oka afin de jeter les bases d’une nouvelle collaboration. 

Plusieurs sujets importants ont été abordés par les représentants, entre autres : 

– la structure de gouvernance du Conseil Mohawk de Kanesatake ; – les compétences de la MRC ainsi que les structures de gouvernance que sont, entre autres, les instances provinciales, les municipalités et la CMM ; – le contexte historique du territoire de Kanesatake et la gestion actuelle de ses terres et ses domaines ;
– les occasions de contribuer à une image positive de Kanesatake et d’accroitre la sensibilisation aux défis auxquels fait face la communauté des Premières Nations ; – les possibilités de partenariat visant la promotion de projets à saveur culturelle ainsi 

que d’autres occasions de développement économique. 

Une autre réunion doit être organisée prochainement pour poursuivre ces discussions fructueuses. 

Oka, February 25^st 2020 – During a historic first meeting, on September 16th 2019, that brought together the Grand-Chief and all the Chiefs of the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake and all of the elected representatives of the Deux-Montagnes MRC, the two parties agreed to form a permanent liaison committee. The main objective of this committee is was to facilitate communications between the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake, the MRC Deux-Montagnes and with different stakeholders, as well as to increase dialogue and mutual understanding. 

It is in this context that three representatives of the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake as well as three elected representatives of the Deux-Montagnes MRC met for the first time on February 13 in Oka in order to lay the foundations for a new collaboration. 

Several important topics were discussed by representatives, among others : 

– the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake’s governance structure ; – the competences of the MRC as well as the governance structures which are, among  others, the provincial authorities, the municipalities and the CMM ; – the context of Kanesatake’s historical territory and current management of its lands and estates ; – the opportunities of building positive identification of Kanesatake and increasing awareness of the challenges faced by the First Nations community ; – partnership possibilities aimed at promoting projects with a cultural flavor as well as other economic development opportunities. Another meeting is to be set-up in the future in order to pursue these fruitful discussions.

Show: Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto 2020
Show Dates: May 28 – May 31 2020
Rehearsal Dates: May 26 and day of each show
Location: Harbourfront Centre, Toronto

APPLY BY EMAIL runway@IFWtoronto.com

Compensation: $150.00 / show

NOTE: IFWTO is unable to provide travel, accommodation or per diem

SELECTED APPLICANTS MUST BE AVAILABLE IN-PERSON FOR AN AUDITION ON MARCH 9, 2020. NOT IN TORONTO? SKYPE AUDITIONS WILL BE HELD FOR THOSE NOT BASED IN TORONTO.

IFWTO WELCOMES AND PRESENTS ALL GENDERS, AND WE ENCOURAGE ALL TO APPLY.

ONLY THOSE REQUESTED FOR AN AUDITION WILL BE CONTACTED.

ALL MODEL REQUIREMENTS (based on participating designers’ requirements):

• You are an experienced or confident performer in modelling, dance or acting 
• Indigenous talent is prioritized however ethnicity is open
• Dress Sizes US 2 – 22 (women’s sizes)
• All Sizes (men’s)
• Runway walking experience is an asset
• 18+
• Available for fittings (day-of show) and rehearsals (May 26 and day of each show)

APPLY BY EMAIL runway@IFWtoronto.com
Your email will appear as:

Subject Line: 

• [Your Name] – Model Application 2020

Email Attachments:

• 1 headshot photo
• 3 full length photos (including front, side and back perspectives)

Body of Email

• Describe your experience: 3 – 5 runway engagements, or dance, acting or other performance experience
• Specifications & Measurements in Inches: 
  • Age
  • Height
  • Bust
  • Waist
  • Hips
  • Arm Length
  • Leg Inseam
  • Waist to Floor
  • Shoe Size
  • Hat Size 
  • Please have someone take these measurements for you with a measuring tape

ABOUT US & MODELLING AT IFWTO

Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto (IFWTO) is a fashion, craft & textiles festival presenting the most distinct and progressive Indigenous-made works at the intersection of art, fashion and culture. IFWTO celebrates global Indigenous expression in fashion and the arts and its grounding in Indigenous knowledge, ways of life and storytelling. Led by Indigenous women, IFWTO connects audiences to artistic and cultural expression that celebrates and advances Indigenous artists and designers.

Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto will host four runway showcases featuring 23 designers that will take place over four days. We are seeking 20 models for each runway showcase who have performance experience, including in modelling, dance or acting. Hired models will be invited to perform in 1 – 4 of the runway showcases with 1 – 7 appearances per show, based on designer requirements.

Models will work under the direction of IFWTO Artistic Director and report to the Model Coordinator. Hair & Make-up will be provided. Models are requested to bring two pairs of shoes that they can confidently walk in. Models will be documented for PR, media, educational, promotional, archival, artistic and possibly other kinds of purposes during this event in video, a live stream and photography and will be required to sign a release form to participate.

Only those requested to audition will be contacted. 

Selected applicants must be available in-person for an audition on March 9. Skype auditions will be held for those not based in Toronto