Topic: Today’s News

Banff, AB — June 11, 2019 – Today, at the 2019 Banff World Media Festival, Netflix joined imagineNATIVE, The Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) and Wapikoni Mobile to announce a suite of partnership programs that aim to develop the next generation of Indigenous creators across Canada. These programs range from screenwriting intensives to apprenticeship programs, joining the 11 existing partnership programs Netflix has funded to nurture the next generation of Canadian creators from underrepresented communities.

“Indigenous communities in Canada are rich with unique stories, and organizations like imagineNATIVE, The Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) and Wapikoni Mobile are vital to ensuring these voices are heard,” said Stéphane Cardin, Director of Public Policy, Netflix Canada. “Netflix is proud to help launch these three programs, which will reach Indigenous communities across the country.”

imagineNATIVE

The game-changing Netflix-imagineNATIVE partnership will demonstrate an unprecedented level of support for Indigenous filmmakers in Canada, who have urgent needs for professional development programming designed from Indigenous perspectives and delivered within Indigenous contexts by an Indigenous-run organization. Over the next three-and-a-half years, imagineNATIVE will undertake or expand six distinct activities aimed at Indigenous screenwriters, directors and producers through its Institute department:

• Indigenous Producers Lab
• Indigenous Directors Lab
• Indigenous Screenwriting Intensive
• ‘imagineNATIVE Originals’ Mentorship Commissions
• Original Storytellers Series Incubator
• Festival Industry Days & Year-Round Institute Series.

“We are thrilled to partner with Netflix to offer an unprecedented series of professional development initiatives at imagineNATIVE,” says Jason Ryle, executive director of imagineNATIVE. “This funding is a significant investment in opportunities for Indigenous directors, producers, and screenwriters in Canada, and marks one of the largest sponsorships in imagineNATIVE’s history.”

The Indigenous Screen Office (ISO)

The ISO-Netflix Production Mentorship and Apprenticeship Program will provide second phase support for Indigenous projects that may have received development support through other programs such as those offered by imagineNATIVE Institute, Hot Docs, Banff World Media Festival, or Whistler Film Festival, as well as others. The Program will include two streams: Key Creative Apprenticeships and Cultural Mentorships for directors, producers, screenwriters and showrunners.

“ISO spent the last year in consultations with Indigenous creators and this fund responds to their expressed need for new funding opportunities that will advance work and career opportunities, as well as allow them to follow protocols and practices that are central to Indigenous ways of working,” says Jesse Wente, director of the Indigenous Screen Office.

Wapikoni Mobile

Mentoring and coaching are at the heart of the unique Wapikoni Mobile development experience, and increased accessibility of tools, spaces and trainers are offered through the mobility of its studios. Wapikoni’s approach is centered around the belief that it is essential for the next generation to be inspired by the success of their community. With this new partnership, Wapikoni will be able to coordinate its important collective of emerging filmmakers, organize the numerous opportunities, and structure a program of both continuing education and professional coaching which will have a profound and lasting impact on the next generation of Indigenous creators.

At the centre of Wapikoni’s priorities is the intent to highlight a significant collection of audiovisual works and an immeasurable cultural heritage of artistic expression and Indigenous identity while promoting:

• Mediation, dialogue
• Awareness, education
• Building bridges between Nations, Peoples and generations.

“At Wapikoni, we believe that many young Indigenous artists are isolated from opportunity. When travelling to them locally to offer tools and resources to create short films, we discovered that this journey also leads to supporting the development of talented, emerging filmmakers. Learning from the creative process is at the heart of important social transformations, especially in terms of personal growth, community development, community involvement. We are proud to support the emergence of unique artistic and cultural signatures which will have an invaluable contribution to new audiovisual productions,” explains Odile Joannette, from the Pessamit First Nation of Quebec, and executive director at Wapikoni. “The support from Netflix will allow us to continue to foster narrative sovereignty and cinematographic excellence, and we are absolutely thrilled to count Netflix as a partner, not only for our organization, but also for the voices of Indigenous youth,” she added.

Netflix’s support of these programs comes from its fund to develop the next generation of Canadian creators and talent, focused on underrepresented communities in the screen industry. This announcement marks the 12th, 13th and 14th partnerships since the fund was announced in September 2017. Other recent announcements in 2019 include partnerships with the Inside Out Film Festival, RIDM (Rencontres internationales du documentaire de Montréal), and the Alliance des producteurs francophones du Canada (APFC).

About Netflix

Netflix is the world’s leading internet entertainment service with over 148 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on any internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.

About ImagineNATIVE

imagineNATIVE is the world’s largest presenter of Indigenous-made screen content. It presents the annual imagineNATIVE Film + Media Festival in Toronto and the imagineNATIVE Film + VR Tour nationally in Canada. The imagineNATIVE Institute is a department within the organization that presents professional development programming for Indigenous screen content creators year-round and as part of the Festival’s Industry Days. imagineNATIVE is an international leader in the presentation and promotion of Indigenous screen-based content and its Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary on October 22-27, 2019.

About the Indigenous Screen Office

The Indigenous Screen Office serves and advocates on behalf of the Indigenous screen industry, its producers, creators and storytellers. The ISO’s mission is to foster Indigenous narrative sovereignty on screen, meaning that the content produced is owned and controlled by Indigenous creators. The ISO supports all levels of talent development through advocacy, training and funding initiatives. We serve as a connector for Indigenous creators to opportunities, networks and information while educating the broader screen sector about Indigenous contexts as they relate to screen-based funding and creation.

About Wapikoni Mobile

Wapikoni Mobile is a mobile intervention, training and creative studio for Indigenous youth. Its mission is to amplify the voices of the Indigenous generation through film and music, to broadcast their work in Canada and abroad, and to act as a tool for professional development and social transformation. Since its inception, thousands of Wapikoni participants from 28 Nations have collaborated on more than 1,200 short films translated into multiple languages and winners of numerous awards and honors at national and international festivals. Wapikoni is a non-profit and charitable organization supported by several private and public partners. Wapikoni is now, since 2017, an official UNESCO partner.

June 10th, 2019 — OTTAWA, Unceded Algonquin Territory, Ontario — Indigenous Services Canada 

The Minister of Indigenous Services, Seamus O’Regan, and the President of the Métis National Council, Clément Chartier, signed a historic agreement today that signals the Government of Canada’s commitment to providing post-secondary education supports for Métis Nation students across Canada. 

The Canada-Métis Nation Post-Secondary Education Sub-Accord comes on the heels of unprecedented federal investments in Métis Nation post-secondary education and is also a result of the post-secondary education review announced in Budget 2017. It fulfills commitments outlined in the 2017 Canada-Métis Nation Accord and is a historic step in closing the post-secondary education attainment gap between Métis citizens and non-Indigenous Canadians. 

This Sub-Accord will establish new approaches aimed at improving the education outcomes of Métis Nation students and programs and support three activity streams including student support, community-based programs and services, and governance capacity.

This groundwork has been laid through an intensive process of policy co-development, and is a testament to the relationships that have been strengthened over the past two years. The Government of Canada is committed to achieving reconciliation with the Métis Nation through a renewed nation-to-nation, government-to-government relationship based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership as the foundation for transformative change. 

“This historic achievement marks a significant step in Canada’s relationship with the Métis Nation. Through this agreement, Métis Nation students will have long overdue equal opportunities to pursue post-secondary education. I commend our partner, the Métis National Council, for providing a brighter future for Métis Nation youth through education, as Canada continues its journey of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in Canada.”

The Honourable Seamus O’Regan, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indigenous Services

“The most glaring gap between the educational attainment of our people and the broader population is at the post-secondary level, particularly in the number of university graduates. This significant, long term federal financial support for our post-secondary students marks a giant first step in enabling the Métis Nation to reduce that gap and opens new opportunities for our population to participate fully in the new economy. Again, this is reconciliation in action.”  

Clément Chartier
President, Métis National Council

• The Canada-Métis Nation Accord was signed on April 13, 2017.
• The Canada-Métis Nation Education Memorandum of Understanding on developing Canada-Métis Education sub-accords were entered into on October 25, 2018.
• Budget 2018 provided one-time investment to support Métis Nation post-secondary education through grants towards Métis Nation endowments and a 10-year Métis Nation Post-Secondary Education strategy.
• The Government of Canada Budget 2019 proposed an investment of $362-million over 10 years and $40-million ongoing to support Métis Nation post-secondary education, with the goal of supporting over 7,000 Métis Nation post-secondary students.

(Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde says immediate action is required to ensure the rights of Natoaganeg (Eel Ground) First Nation are respected and upheld by all governments.  The Natoaganeg First Nation, a Mi’kmaq First Nation in New Brunswick, has been trying to work with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) for years to exercise their rights to a moderate livelihood fishery – a right recognized by the Supreme Court of Canada in 1999 – with no positive result.

“Canada and all its agencies must recognize the Treaty rights of Natoaganeg First Nation to fish and to a moderate livelihood fishery,” said AFN National Chief Bellegarde. “Fishing is part of their culture, identity and economy and has been for generations. Natoaganeg First Nation has been pursuing a peaceful and cooperative way forward for years and they are still open to discussions, but any path must recognize and respect their Treaty rights, inherent rights and the decision of Canada’s own Supreme Court. We want Canada to immediately stop seizing their traps and work with them. I stand with the citizens and leaders of Natoaganeg First Nation.”

In 1999, the Supreme Court of Canada affirmed in the Marshall Decision that the Mi’kmaq have a Treaty right to hunt, fish, harvest and gather in their territory for the purposes of trade and to earn a moderate livelihood. The direction from the court was clear that the Natoaganeg First Nation has a right to fish and operate their fisheries under the Natoaganeg Treaty Fisheries Authorization Plan and the Snow Crab Stewardship Plan, both of which are consistent with the management framework and regulations under the Fisheries Act.

“In this time of reconciliation, First Nations and Canadians need to embrace and build on the relationship set out in the Peace and Friendship Treaties, some of the earliest Treaties in this land” said AFN New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island Regional Chief Roger Augustine. “The people of Natoaganeg sustained themselves through the fishery, yet today there is a high incidence of food insecurity for the people. Many of them rely heavily on fishing to support themselves and their families.  It is disturbing to me and does not make sense that a First Nation would be given a license but no quotas. This issue must be resolved to ensure the livelihood and prosperity of Natoaganeg. They are asking for nothing more than for Canada to honour their rights and the decisions of its own courts.”

Natoaganeg (Eel Ground) First Nation began to exercise their Aboriginal and Treaty rights and title to fish for a moderate livelihood through the implementation of a snow crab moderate livelihood fishery.  DFO, as of today, has seized 31 snow crab pots. Natoaganeg First Nation is requesting the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard, Jonathan Wilkinson, to step in, direct the DFO to return the snow crab pots, and work with them to respectfully resolve this issue.

The AFN is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada. Follow AFN on Twitter @AFN_Updates.

(Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde says immediate and sustained action in coordination with First Nations is essential to fully implement the recommendations and Calls to Justice in the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (National Inquiry) released in Gatineau this morning.

“The final report of the National Inquiry reaffirms what First Nations and families have been saying for many years – we need immediate, sustained and coordinated action to address the long-standing and systemic causes of violence against Indigenous women and girls and those at risk,” said AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde.  “Lives are at stake. We cannot wait any longer for real action and real results to ensure the respect, safety and security of all First Nations at risk, and these efforts must be in coordination with survivors and families. I lift up survivors, family members and all those who shared their experiences. I thank them for their strength and courage in this important truth-telling exercise. We continue to stand with you in your healing journey.”

The final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls was formally presented to federal government officials today at a closing ceremony at the Canadian Museum of History.  The two volume report includes 11 chapters, four overarching findings and more than 200 recommendations.

“There’s no reason we shouldn’t be acting right now and AFN is already working in many of the areas identified for action, including First Nations control of child welfare, the revitalization of Indigenous languages and a new fiscal relationship that will help build healthier and safer First Nations,” said National Chief Bellegarde.

The AFN, together with First Nations, families and other Indigenous organizations, has consistently called for immediate action prior to the Inquiry and during the Inquiry process, and has outlined specific areas where immediate action can be taken to address and end violence.

“I support the call for a strength-based approach that recognizes the deep and abiding love and care that we have for our women and girls,” said AFN Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald, who holds the national portfolio for women’s priorities.  “We must always remember that we are talking about people – mothers, daughters, sisters, our children and family members who are loved. These are not just numbers and statistics. I also urge governments to invest funding in Indigenous women for new and innovative programs and services that will create substantive equality for our women so they are strengthened and can live safe and secure lives.”

“We can take action right now while work is underway toward a coordinated implementation plan on the Inquiry’s recommendations,” said AFN BC Regional Chief Terry Teegee, who leads the justice portfolio at AFN.  “We can move on safe spaces and shelters for First Nations women, girls and LGBTQ2S, safe transportation, increased access to day-care and mental health supports for women affected by gender-based violence and all forms of abuse, and improved law enforcement for human trafficking and appropriate supports for those in and out of the sex trade.”

The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls launched in December 2015 with the mandate to look into and report on the systemic causes of all forms of violence against Indigenous women and girls, including sexual violence. The National Inquiry concluded its truth gathering process mid-December 2018. The AFN was a party with standing in the National Inquiry and made its final submission in Calgary in November 2018.

The AFN is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada. Follow AFN on Twitter @AFN_Updates.

SUMMARY: Thanks to the generosity of The Peter Cundill Foundation, VIU is offering three free camps at the University’s Cowichan, Powell River and Nanaimo campuses this summer to encourage high school students to consider post-secondary.

VIU NEWS RELEASE: Thursday, June 6, 2019

NANAIMO, BC: Making the transition to university can be scary, especially if you have never left your community before, or pictured yourself as a university student.

Three free summer camps for Indigenous high school students organized by students in Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) ‘su’luqw’a’ Community Cousins Aboriginal mentorship program aim to change that. The five-day camps, hosted partly at VIU’s campuses in Duncan, Powell River and Nanaimo, will give students that important first introduction to university life and showcase the supports the University offers all students.

“The purpose of these camps is to get students to see themselves at a post-secondary institution, that university or college is an option for them if they choose to pursue it,” says Sheldon Scow, a VIU First Nations Studies student from Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation and Liidlii Kue First Nation. “We’re showing them it is possible to walk in both worlds – the cultural and the academic. That you don’t need to choose but are able to have the best of both worlds.”

Thuy’she’num Tu Smun’eem: Building a foundation for our Youth summer camps started in 2017 with the goal of increasing the number of Indigenous students moving on to post-secondary. Led by VIU students with help from Elders and faculty members, the camps explore VIU programming and also include Elder teachings, land-based learning, interactive games, beading, drumming and outdoor activities such as swimming, paddling and hiking. Programming follows four themes: the value of post-secondary education; financial literacy and personal budgeting; building a pathway to success; and building a sense of belonging.

The Peter Cundill Foundation has given VIU a grant to run the summer camp program for the past three years. Established in 2012, the Foundation honours the legacy of renowned Canadian investment fund manager and philanthropist Peter Cundill and has an emphasis on promoting the health, education and well-being of young people.

“The Peter Cundill Foundation is delighted to work with the Office of Aboriginal Education and Engagement and VIU students in enhancing the educational opportunities it offers to young Indigenous students,” says David Feather, Foundation Chair. “We hope that participation in these camps will enable them to broaden their horizons and strengthen their communities.”

Amber Crittenden, an Anthropology student of Métis, Danish and French descent who is entering her second year as a camp leader, says the impact on students is powerful.

“A lot of the kids were starting to really consider the opportunities and realize that there’s a world outside of their own community that they can go to – so many of them weren’t even thinking they would graduate from high school when they first entered the camp and by the end, they were asking me about university programs,” she says.

The camps take place in Powell River July 15-19; in Cowichan July 29 to August 2; and in Nanaimo August 12-16. Powell River camp participants will stay at the Powell Lake Outdoor Learning Centre; the Cowichan camp is a day camp only; and in Nanaimo, students will stay at VIU Residences.

Scow says for many of the overnight camp participants, it will be their first experience staying on their own and taking on the responsibility of ensuring they are prepared for each day’s activities, which will make it easier if they decide to return for post-secondary.

New this year is training three participants who have been through the camps over the past two years to take on mentorship roles. Thanks to the Office of Aboriginal Education and Engagement’s exchange agreement with Pitzer College in California, one student and one faculty member take on the duties of camp leader and instructor, respectively.

In addition to funding from The Peter Cundill Foundation, the ‘su’luqw’a’ program has received funding from the Royal Bank of Canada to move forward with the development of shush u’yulh (older brother/sister), an Aboriginal alumni program that aims to keep VIU alumni connected and giving back, completing the circle of mentorship, which also includes the ‘su’luqw’a’ (current VIU students) and squle’eq (younger brother/sister) mentors.

For more information about the camps, email Crystal.Burnip@viu.ca or visit the Facebook page.

Permalink: https://news.viu.ca/viu-hosts-summer-camps-indigenous-high-school-students

Photo Caption: Karlee Drake, left, Sheldon Scow and Amber Crittenden are leading three free camps for Indigenous youth this summer. 

Photo Credit: Vancouver Island University

SHESHATSHIU, NL – Labrador Innu leaders question Mr. Baskut Tuncak, Special Rapporteur on human rights and hazardous substances and wastes for the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner about statements made with respect to the Muskrat Falls Project.

In a report released on Jun 6th, 2019 following Tuncak’s visit to Canada, May 24 – June 6, 2019, Mr. Tuncak directly addressed the Muskrat Falls Project. Mr. Tuncak, however, did not speak with Innu Nation leadership before writing his report – the nation on whose land the project is located.

Gregory Rich, Grand Chief of the Innu Nation, said “We would have expected the Special Rapporteur to inform himself adequately when reporting about human rights impacts of the Muskrat Falls Project on the Indigenous people who are most impacted by the project, the Innu.” “He reports there were concerns that the two First Nations in Labrador were not meaningfully consulted” said Grand Chief Rich, “but he did not even speak with the only First Nation in Labrador.”

Deputy Grand Chief Etienne Rich said, “Mr. Tuncak rightly speaks about the need to consult, yet it is he who has not consulted. Furthermore it appears he has assumed that we did not examine environmental and socio-economic impacts of the project on our people – he is gravely mistaken and his preliminary report must be corrected.” The Innu Nation is the only recognized Indigenous rights holders in the area where the Muskrat Falls Project is constructed.

The Innu Nation negotiated an Impacts and Benefits Agreement with Nalcor Energy for the mega-project following extensive consultation with its membership in both Sheshatshiu and Natuashish. Innu Nation has publicly stated its concern with the recommendation of the Independent Expert Advisory Committee (IEAC) for full soil removal at the Muskrat Falls reservoir. Independent scientific review of the full soil removal option caused 4 out of 6 scientists on the IEAC to not support this recommendation. Its implementation has the potential to cause greater harm to the local environment and local food sources, and it is a risky experiment that might actually result in an increase in methyl mercury levels.

The Innu Nation has written to the Special Rapporteur to seek an acknowledgement that his preliminary report was ill-informed on this matter, as he did not consult with Innu Nation before reporting on other’s concerns and allegations. Nearly 2,000 Innu Nation members (two-thirds of the Innu Nation membership) live near the Muskrat Falls site, a project located on Innu traditional territory.

Kenora, ON — Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh, Grand Chief of Grand Council Treaty #3 says now that the Final Report of the MMIWG National Inquiry is complete, the real work begins to start implementing the recommendations to help end a cycle of violence that has claimed untold thousands of Indigenous women.

After three years, hundreds of community meetings and testimonies from over 2,000 Indigenous and nonIndigenous people from across Canada, the missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls inquiry delivered its final report to the federal government at a ceremony in Gatineau, Que., today. “The violence against our women and girls does not end because of a report,” said Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh. “Real action will occur on the ground, in our communities and with all Canadians when everyone accepts these recommendations as imperative to move forward to protect our women and girls from violence forever.”

Grand Council Treaty#3 acknowledges the work of the MMIWG National Commissioners and all of the families who have shared their touching and often heart-breaking stories with the Commission. There are 231 Calls for Justice and Treaty#3 leadership are supportive of all the Calls and will work with the provincial and federal government, our families, communities and the Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty#3 to implement the Calls for Justice in all areas: justice, culture, media, health and wellness, industry, education, as well as police services.

“It has been a long and painful journey for our families and communities. Treaty#3 families encountered many challenges trying to participate in the Pre-Inquiry and National Inquiry process and were disappointed that an Inquiry hearing was not held within the Territory,” said Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh. “We all have an important role in addressing MMIWG and ensuring that the genocide of the past does not continue. This is also a call for our men to take responsibility and action and hold our women in a place of respect. Our children, our youth, our families need us to step up and build a better future; one without violence, one with respect and safety for all.”

Grand Council Treaty#3 wants to extend appreciation to the Treaty#3 Women’s Executive Council in advocating and the hosting of MMIWG Families Gatherings in Wauzhushk Onigum, Migisi Sahgaigan, Mitaanjigamiing and Sagkeeng First Nation. They also hosted the Walking With our Sisters Commemorative Exhibit at the Super 8 in Kenora for two weeks in efforts to raise awareness and advocacy on MMIWG.

Ottawa, ON – The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) welcomes today’s release of the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), calling it a significant milestone and an important step towards identifying the causes of all forms of violence faced by Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people in Canada.

NWAC wishes to thank the National Inquiry for the release of the report and would also like to honour all the spirits of their stolen sisters and acknowledge the survivors, family members, experts and Knowledge Keepers who shared their stories throughout the Inquiry. Their strength and resiliency reveals a truth we have known for far too long. The truths shared at the hearing tell thousands of stories of acts of genocide against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people that persists to this day.

“We have the right to safety and security. Our women must be treated with respect and dignity. Recognition must go out to the families and survivors who spoke up to make sure this is possible,” said Roseann Martin, Elder at NWAC.

The process of colonization created the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people. The report exposes this crisis that is centuries in the making. It also highlights that discrimination is deeply rooted in policies, practices and laws, denying Indigenous women their basic human rights. This discrimination and systemic violence must end by implementing the National Inquiry’s Calls for Justice.

“The 231 Calls for Justice must be implemented. We must end all forms of violence against our women, girls, gender diverse people and communities,” said Lynne Groulx, CEO at NWAC. “Our families, women, girls and gender diverse people must have their human and Indigenous rights respected.”

As a leading voice on the issue of MMIWG, NWAC is deeply invested in the implementation of the Inquiry’s Calls for Justice. NWAC submitted 61 recommendations alongside implementation procedures to the Inquiry. We appreciate the Inquiry reflecting them in the final report

VANCOUVER – BC Achievement Foundation has launched its 2019 Call for Nominationsfor the eleventh annual Indigenous Business Award program. Nominations are encouraged from throughout the province and will showcase business excellence in the following categories: Young Entrepreneur, Business Partnerships, Community-Owned and Business of the Year awards for one-to-two-people, three-to-10-people, and enterprises with 10-or-more people.
 

As the program enters decade number two, its alumni boasts 76 small, medium and large-size businesses, 32 community owned enterprises, 21 successful young entrepreneurs, 23 partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses along with 13 award of distinction recipients.  An independent jury panel evaluates the nominations guided by the viability, success, and competitiveness of the business. Awardees will be celebrated at a gala presentation ceremony on October 17, 2019 in Vancouver. 
 
2018 Awardee Aunalee Boyd of Ay Lelum House of Fashion believes that winning the award plays a role in their ongoing success and for that, they are very grateful. The Indigenous Business Award program is a key platform for connections and positive change and the theme for the 2019 program is cultivating innovation.  

The award program is made possible thanks to a partnership with the Province of British Columbia and the program’s generous sponsors: New Relationship Trust, TD, Teck, BC Hydro, CN, Enbridge, Encana, FortisBC, Vancity, and Western Forest Products. 
 

For further information, please visit: bcachievement.com and Nominate Nowon line! The deadline for nominations is Friday, June 28, 2019 – BE PART OF IT – .

Courtesy of BC Achievement Foundation.
 

June 3, 2019 (Toronto) — In June 2009, the House of Commons voted unanimously to declare the month of June to be National Indigenous History Month, an opportunity for Canadians to celebrate not only the historical contributions of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, but also to acknowledge the strength of these communities in present-day Canada.

While the entire month of June represents an opportunity to learn about Indigenous culture and to participate in local events, June 21 – designated in Canada as National Indigenous Peoples Day – is especially important. The date corresponds to the summer solstice and is the time at which many Indigenous Peoples’ groups have celebrated their culture and their heritage.

We encourage Canadians to take time during the month of June to review the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, and to choose, from the list of 94, one item that they can work towards over the next twelve months. Reconciliation is the business of every person who lives in Canada, whether they have just arrived or have lived here for generations.

On June 19, we also invite you to attend our upcoming webinar, Bois Brule and Flower Beadwork People – the Métis experience in Canada, with our featured presenter, Roy Pogorzelski of the University of Lethbridge. Please register for the webinar on the CRRF website.

About the Canadian Race Relations Foundation

The purpose of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation is to facilitate throughout Canada the development, sharing and application of knowledge and expertise in order to contribute to the elimination of racism and all forms of racial discrimination in Canadian society. The work of the Foundation is premised on the desire to create and nurture an inclusive society based on equity, social harmony, mutual respect and human dignity. Its underlying principle in addressing racism and racial discrimination emphasizes positive race relations and the promotion of shared Canadian values of human rights and democratic institutions.