Topic: Today’s News

Sheshatshiu, NL – Innu Nation is denouncing the MOU signed between Canada and the NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) as a political stunt intended to shore support for Labrador MP Yvonne Jones on the eve of a federal election. Canada will not share the MOU with the Innu Nation, and did not consult the Innu Nation prior to the announcement. 

“We are infuriated by Canada’s double-dealing and by Yvonne Jones’ deceptions”, stated Grand Chief Gregory Rich. “By fast-tracking the NCC through the negotiation process, she is putting her own self- interests as a member of the NCC in front of her responsibilities as the Member of Parliament for all Labrador to ensure fair representation for everyone in Labrador. Canada did not consult the Innu on this decision, which directly undermines the land claim agreement that we have been working to finalize for many years, and Yvonne Jones never said a word to us about the fact that this was coming.” 

The Innu Nation formally entered the land claim process in 1977 by filing a statement of claim. It took over a decade of additional work with anthropologists and ethnographers to verify Innu land use and occupancy studies to establish land claim boundaries before Canada indicated that it was were prepared to sit down to negotiate a framework agreement with Innu Nation and the Province to start negotiations. It took a further decade to reach a Framework Agreement in 1996, and another fifteen years to achieve an Agreement-in-Principle in 2011. Innu are now close to concluding a Final Agreement, but this MOU will make that objective much harder to achieve. 

“Canada has acted dishonourably now on two occasions. First, they announced in 2018 that they were embarking on “exploratory talks” without giving us any details on what was being discussed. Now, Canada has signed a secret deal with NCC that gives them a seat at a “rights recognition” table without considering the impacts that such talks will have on the Innu”, said Deputy Grand Chief Etienne Rich. “What is obvious to us is that Canada is ignoring their responsibilities to the Innu, and we are seeking advice on our legal options.” 

Innu Nation has long questioned the legitimacy of the NCC. Although it now claims to represent “Southern Inuit”, the organization was originally formed as the “Labrador Metis Association” for what the NCC now says were “politically expedient reasons.” In fact, the formation of the LMA was directly encouraged by the federal government in the 1980s at a time when Innu were actively protesting low-level flying at the Goose Bay air base in order to demonstrate to nervous allies that some aboriginal people supported the military activities. It was only in 2010 that the NCC “unveiled Nunatukavut”, they now present themselves as Inuit with claims to lands and rights throughout Innu territory. 

“NCC’s maps and claims are offensive to the Innu. NCC is a self- declared group who have formed in order to extract benefits from Canada. Many of their members are people who have looked down on Innu their entire lives. Our people have suffered horrible abuses just for being Innu. While we have spent over 50 years seeking recognition of our rights, NCC is now being rushed to the front of the line while the Innu are being trampled.” concluded Grand Chief Rich.

IQALUIT, Nunavut — The Nunavut Housing Corporation’s (NHC) Board of Directors is currently accepting applications for board vacancies and hopes to increase the representation of Inuit and women on the board. 

“Inuit represent 85 per cent of Nunavut’s population, which should be reflected on NHC’s Board of Directors. Stronger Inuit representation will benefit Inuit and enable NHC to better realize its mandate to improve housing opportunities for Nunavummiut,” said Patterk Netser, Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation. 

“Where possible, the board should have gender balance” said Kathy Hanson, Vice-Chair for NHC’s Board of Directors. “In our communities and across the territory, women contribute their skills and knowledge and we’d like more of it at the NHC Board level.” 

NHC is looking for individuals with vision, passion, and leadership skills who have experience with housing, construction, finance or governance in a Northern context to apply for the vacant Board of Director positions. 

According to the Nunavut Housing Corporation Act, board members are recommended by the minister and appointed by cabinet. A director holds office for a term of three years. 

Candidates are invited to electronically submit a resume and cover letter stating their skills, qualifications, experience and other relevant factors they would bring to the NHC Board by October 1, 2019. 

Our court victory effectively quashed permits for the Trans Mountain pipeline.

While that was a fantastic victory for us all, the challenge is not over.

The court ordered Canada to redo consultation with First Nations, yet their “refreshed” consultation remained inadequate, if not worse. Tsleil-Waututh, along with 11 other parties including 8 First Nations, is once again challenging Canada’s approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline, arguing that the pipeline should not have been approved due to inadequate consultation with First Nations, infringement of Indigenous rights, regulatory errors at the National Energy Board, and bias. 

If successful, these legal challenges could once again stop the project in its tracks by quashing or nullifying the approval.

Tsleil-Waututh will continue to uphold our Sacred Trust, to act as stewards of the lands and waters in accordance with Tsleil-Waututh Nation laws and values. As we saw in 2018, we can win.

Support Tsleil-Waututh and other Indigenous groups in our legal challenge against Trans Mountain by donating at Pull-Together.ca, or by donating directly to Tsleil-Waututh.

Stay tuned for more updates on what’s next with the legal process.

“Last week the Province of Ontario exercised authority outside of its jurisdiction by issuing eight cannabis retail licenses to First Nations communities. The Cannabis Act has downgraded the autonomy of First Nations to maintain jurisdiction and create laws in our own territories by forcing us to work with the Provinces instead of the Crown. First Nations must have fair access to the economic potential to benefit our communities that the lawful cannabis industry presents yet we are unnecessarily held back because an error in the legislation is not being addressed because of an impending election. Our communities cannot wait for the government to play politics with our sovereignty or our potential to create jobs and economic opportunities for our people. Our communities have been actively reaching out to Canadian Government officials urging them to address this issue because we cannot afford to wait and be left behind once again.”

Scott McLeod, Gimaa (Chief)
Nipissing First Nation, Ontario

Chief Scott McLeod Biography:

Scott McLeod was elected Chief of Nipissing First Nation in July 2015 and took office in August 2015. With a professional background in Freshwater Fisheries Management, Chief McLeod has over 25 years of experience working in both technical and management capacities for a variety of agencies, including Nipissing First Nation, the Anishinabek/Ontario Fisheries Resources Centre, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, where he was also appointed as a Deputy Conservation Officer.

Chief McLeod has been heavily involved in Nipissing First Nation politics, as well as regional, provincial and federal politics related to First Nation issues over the span of his career. He has successfully served one term as Chief of his community and was re-elected in 2018 for his second term. Chief McLeod was also elected as a Regional Chair Chief of the Huron Region of the Anishinabek Nation which is the largest political advocacy organization in Ontario representing 40 of 133 First Nations. Chief McLeod is the spokesperson for the 20 First Nations making up the Huron Region and sits on the Executive Leadership Council of the Anishinabek Nation.

Chief McLeod is committed to the ongoing political advocacy of the protection and restoration of inherent rights of Indigenous people.

First Nations – Municipalities Summit: Opportunity
for the Mayor of Oka to apologize to Kanesatake and
the Mohawk people

The Summit of First Nations and Municipalities taking place today in Wendake is the ideal opportunity for the Mayor of Oka, Pascal Quevillon, to apologize for the racist remarks he directed towards the Kanesatake community and the Mohawk people.

Grand Chief Serge Otsi Simon and the members of his Council who participate in this event invite all Summit participants to condemn any form of racism and discrimination that affects relations between Quebecers and First Nations. The Kanesatake Council calls for respect to be at the basis of the discussions taking place today in Wendake.

“We are here because we believe in the importance of building good relationships with our municipal neighbors, with whom we can develo joint projects. We are open to working with all those who show respect and who reject racism and all other expressions of colonialism, “said Grand Chief Simon. It should be noted that, not only has Mayor Quevillon not yet offered an apology, but he has even continued to publish offensive Facebook messages directed towards the Mohawk community. “The Mayor’s attitude is in direct opposition to the principle of reconciliation that must be at the center of our discussions today,” said Grand Chief Simon.

Meeting with the Mayors of Deux-Montagnes and Mirabel Grand Chief Simon also took advantage of this Summit to confirm that a meeting between the Kanesatake Council and the Mayors of the MRCs of Deux-Montagnes and Mirabel will take place soon. During this meeting, the Mohawk Council will present projects to municipal representatives that
could promote peace and help bring together citizens of both communities.

About Kanesatake Kanesatake is one of the eight communities that make up the Mohawk Nation and accounts for approximately 2,500 members. The traditional territory of the Mohawk extends through vast regions of what is currently referred to as Quebec, Ontario, and the north eastern United States. This traditional territory has never been ceded, leaving full Mohawk title and interests intact. The community of Kanesatake is a settlement on the shore of the Lake of Two Mountains in southwestern Quebec, at the confluence of the Ottawa and St. Lawrence rivers.

People who reside in Kanesatake are referred to as Kanehsata’kehró:non. Both they and the Mohawks of the Kahnawà:ke, located across from Montreal, also control and have hunting and fishing rights on territory of Tiowéro:ton (Doncaster). The Mohawk Council of Kanesatake (MCK) is the organization that provides governmental, administrative, and operational services to the community of Kanesatake and its member.

The deadline for submitting an Individual Payment Application form for 60’s Scoop survivors is Friday, August 30, 2019. The application forms must be received by Collectiva or postmarked by this date. If you have already submitted an Individual Payment Application Form for to Collectiva, you do not have to submit another application. Treaty #3 is mandated to support claimants throughout the Independent Assessment Process (I.A.P) as well as to provide support and services through awareness of traditional teachings in respect to re-building its families and communities.

Healing became an initiative as a result of the Indian Residential School legacy. The $875 million class action settlement agreement set aside $750 million to compensate status First Nations and Inuit children who were removed from their homes and placed with non-Indigenous foster or adoptive parents between 1951 and 1991 and lost their cultural identities as a result. A part of the settlement includes $50 million for the establishment of a foundation, which will begin consulting with survivors on Sept. 20 in Montreal.

 Claims administrator Collectiva has received over 20,000 claims to date, and will continue to receive submissions by mail, fax, or online until Friday, August 30. 

Submit an application by email to sixtiesscoop@collectiva.ca or visit https://www.sixtiesscoopsettlement.info

For more information please contact the Indian Residential School Program: Larry Henry (807) 464-4638 or Cultural Coordinator: Delores Kelly (807) 464-0037

Nature is an important part of Canada’s cultural identity and vital to our health and prosperity. That’s why the Government of Canada is doubling the amount of land and oceans protected across Canada by 2020, in collaboration with the provinces and territories, Indigenous peoples, and other key partners. Thaidene Nene, an area of pristine wilderness at the eastern end of the East Arm of Great Slave Lake in the Northwest Territories, is an example of the places we are working to protect – for today, and for future generations.

During community celebrations in Fort Resolution and Łutsël K’e over the past two days, Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, signed agreements with the Government of the Northwest Territories, the Łutsël K’e Dene First Nation, the Northwest Territory Métis Nation, and the Deninu K’ue First Nation, and with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation in absentia, to establish Thaidene Nene as a national park reserve, one of 47 national park reserves and national parks in Canada.

With a landscape that transitions from boreal forest to tundra, the Thaidene Nene area is of great cultural importance to the Indigenous peoples who have lived along the shores of Great Slave Lake for hundreds of generations. At approximately 14,000 square kilometres (more than double the size of the Greater Toronto Area), Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve encompasses the Artillery Lake area, a portion of East Arm’s Christie Bay, portions of Eileen and Whitefish lakes, the Lockhart River, most of the Snowdrift River, Tyrell Falls, Reliance, Fort Reliance, and many picturesque bays such as Maufelly, McLeod, and Wildbread.

Working in partnership to protect Thaidene Nene reflects the Government of Canada’s commitment to reconciliation and renewed relationships with Indigenous peoples, based on a recognition of rights, respect, and co-operation.

Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve is adjacent to territorially-protected areas and a wildlife conservation area under the jurisdiction of the Government of the Northwest Territories. The territorial protected and conserved areas are a critical contribution to protecting the biological diversity, watersheds, connectivity for the migration of key species such as caribou, and boreal forest ecosystems as well as cultural landscapes important to Indigenous communities that comprise Thaidene Nene. These areas will be managed under territorial jurisdictions through agreements with Indigenous governments as similarly as possible to the national park reserve to protect biodiversity and offer exceptional, interconnected experiences for visitors.

Budget 2018 announced $1.35 billion for a Nature Legacy Initiative, representing the largest single investment in nature conservation in Canadian history. In addition to announcing the establishment of the national park reserve, the Government of Canada also announced it would provide over $7.9 million for the establishment and operation of the Thaidene Nene territorial protected and conserved areas, through the Challenge Fund, part of the Nature Legacy Initiative. This funding will assist in funding the establishment and operation of the territorial protected and conserved areas. Together, these new areas, located immediately adjacent to the national park reserve, will protect an additional 12,222 square kilometres of lands and waters critical to the protection of Thaidene Nene, for a total of approximately 26,222 square kilometres (almost the size of Vancouver Island).

“The protection and stewardship of Thaidene Nene is the sacred responsibility of the Łutsël K’e Dene First Nation, as passed down to us through the generations from our elders. Achieving the protection of Thaidene Nene for the Łutsël K’e Denesǫłine is a decade’s long dream, and is a critical step towards ensuring our way of life can be maintained and shared with all Canadians. I look forward to working in partnership with our neighbouring Indigenous communities, the Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories to steward this incredible landscape and to showcase its incredible natural and cultural values for the benefit of our people, other Northern communities, and all Canadians.”

Chief Darryl Marlowe,
Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation

“The Northwest Territory Métis Nation is proud to be a full government partner in the establishment of the East Arm National Park Reserve. This Impact Benefit Agreement recognizes the continuation of Indigenous Métis way of life in the park. This is a historic day that confirms the government to government relationship between Canada and the Northwest Territory Métis Nation. The Northwest Territory Métis Nation looks forward to implementing our new relationship with Parks Canada in the park based upon the principles of reconciliation.”

Garry Bailey, 
President, Northwest Territories Métis Nation

“Deninu Kue First Nation would like to extend its congratulations to Łutsël K’e First Nation, the Thaidene Nene Park Negotiating team and the other parties involved in reaching this establishment agreement. We have been greatly involved with this process for the past three years. Part of our involvement was surveys which showed majority support for the park to move ahead with the goal of protecting the land, wildlife and resources but at the same time ensuring our historical treaty rights to hunt, fish, trap and gather would not be infringed on, which this agreement accomplishes. This agreement signifies a strengthening relationship between the Federal Government, Government of the Northwest Territories and the affected Indigenous Groups, which we hope will continue. We are proud to be participating in this milestone and look forward to being the gateway community to Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve.”

Chief Louis Balsillie,
Deninu K’ue First Nation

Thunder Bay, Ont. 

As you may have heard, Canada’s most-watched summer series, the multiple Canadian Screen Award-winning The Amazing Race Canada, filmed an episode in Thunder Bay. 

However, what you may not know – since it was a well-kept secret – is that Lakehead University’s Faculty of Natural Resources Management helped create one of the challenges. 

“When we were approached by the producers of The Amazing Race Canada, we suggested a great challenge that we use with our students – and the producers agreed that it would work,” said Dr. Ulf Runesson, Lakehead University’s Dean of Natural Resources Management.  

“We don’t want to say too much, because we shouldn’t spoil it, but our challenge went quite well,” Dr. Runesson said. 

Hosted by Olympic Gold Medallist Jon Montgomery, tune in to next week’s episode of The Amazing Race Canada to watch the remaining racers push themselves outside of their comfort zones in this non-stop, action-packed season that started airing on July 2. 

The Thunder Bay episode of The Amazing Race Canada airs Tuesday, Aug. 27 at 9 pm ET/PT on CTV, CTV.ca, and the CTV app.

For information about Lakehead University, visit lakeheadu.ca/future-students/programs or take a tour: lakeheadu.ca/future-students/campus-tours

Today, the Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Indigenous Services, announced Budget 2019 funding of $9.97 million over three years, starting in 2019–2020, to support the creation of an Indigenous Fire Marshal Office (IFMO). The funding will support Indigenous partners in the next steps in establishing a new IFMO, including how the Office would be structured and governed, its mandate and any associated legislation. Arnold Lazare, President of the Aboriginal Firefighters Association of Canada (AFAC), is the IFMO Project Lead.

A first round of engagement sessions with Indigenous communities and stakeholders began in October 2018. A session is being held today during the First Nations’ National Firefighting Competition Event in Eskasoni, Nova Scotia. A second round of engagement is scheduled to start in October this year.

An Indigenous Advisory Committee is being established to support the IFMO Project to help develop the roles and responsibilities of an IFMO. An IFMO would promote fire safety and prevention, undertake public education, and support the use of fire safety, building codes and regular building inspections in Indigenous communities. More information about the project and progress to date can found at https://www.ifmo.ca/.