Topic: Today’s News

ANNOUNCEMENT
The 2022 Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto 
Call for Applications is Now Open! 

Deadline: May 14, 2021, 11:59PM
APPLY NOW

Toronto, ON – Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto is thrilled to announce the call for runway and marketplace applications is now open. The third biennial Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto (IFWTO) will take place June 9 – 12, 2022 at Harbourfront Centre in downtown Toronto. Next year’s hybrid live/online festival will include four group-runway shows with music performances, a 3-day marketplace featuring 54 exhibitors, hands-on workshops, panel discussions and networking and B2B events. 

IFWTO is particularly interested in programming works that challenge perceptions of and celebrate Indigenous people and cultures, welcoming innovative and meaningful expression, design and craftsmanship from designers.  Indigenous designers, artists and makers from Canada and around the world are invited to apply to present 1 to 15 looks on the runway and to participate as a retailer in the marketplace. Applications from woman-identifying and 2SLGBTQ+ Indigenous individuals are prioritized.

“As the sector of ‘Indigenous fashion’ continues to grow and the work is (re)established as a vital thread in the Canadian and global tapestries of art and culture, I am continuously moved by the intricate and deep visual language and storytelling shared by Indigenous designers. It is truly a gift to get to work with them,” says Sage Paul, Artistic Director at Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto. “IFWTO was created to serve and work with artists and designers from our communities and I greatly look forward to the applications we receive this year.”

The inaugural IFWTO took place over four days at Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre in 2018, with an overwhelmingly positive response from audiences and participants from across Canada, as well as media and social media attention from around the world. 

Journalist Kelly Boutsalis (Toronto Star) said of the inaugural festival: “Toronto’s first fashion week dedicated entirely to Indigenous creators and storytellers was a uniquely Indigenous experience. Front row seats were reserved for elders, instead of fashion VIPS, and gender-fluid, body-positive Indigenous and non-Indigenous models walked the runway to Tanya Tagaq throat-singing tracks.” 

The second biennial festival was scheduled for May 2020 and pivoted to an online event that recently took place November 26-29, 2020. Both previous editions of the festival have served Indigenous designers as an important platform for the artistic presentation of their works, facilitating reciprocal audience exchange and offering opportunities for professional and economic growth. IFWTO strives to continue that work into 2022 and beyond.

Application Form: IFWtoronto.com/apply
Guidelines & Eligibility: 
Deadline: May 14, 2021
Fee: $20 per application

About Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto (IFWTO)

IFWTO is a biennial multi-platform fashion, craft and textiles festival presenting the most distinct and progressive Indigenous-made works. IFWTO celebrates global Indigenous expression in fashion and the arts and its grounding in Indigenous knowledge, ways of life and storytelling. IFWTO is presented by Indigenous Fashion Arts, an Indigenous-led non-profit arts organization that connects audiences to artistic and cultural expression to celebrate and amplify Indigenous artists and designers.

April 15, 2021 – Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S) is bringing a little sunshine into the lives of residents at the Goodwill Manor (GWM) Special Care Home in Duck Lake by helping families reconnect in a COVID safe environment.

A significant contribution from the MN–S government is going toward a sunroom/cultural room built onto the south side (front) of the home, providing a beautiful space that will allow for private, safely distanced, family gatherings and traditional cultural ceremonies. 

Métis Local #10 President, Candy DeBray was enthused by the George G. Gauthier Foundation’s project at GWM and felt compelled to pursue the possibility with MN–S. “This will provide a safe visiting space and multi-purpose family sunroom for our elders and their loved ones and enable them to maintain their important family connections,” DeBray said.

MN–S President Glen McCallum said, “Métis Nation–Saskatchewan has been actively creating partnerships and relationships focused on health and healthy living. We did not hesitate at this opportunity for cross-cultural partnership building and direct improvement for our elders’ wellbeing.”

Built in the 1986, the staff of GWM recognize the need to provide social and cultural opportunities and teaching events to all of the residents which include approximately 50% of their residents identifying as Indigenous. The sunroom will provide the opportunity for residents, their families, staff and visitors to participate in rich Métis traditions and ceremonies, and educational programming down the road.

Cheryl Prediger GWM Site Lead and Director of Care explained, “The goal of our resident’s home is to provide holistic care that encompasses the spiritual, physical, emotional and mental well-being of our residents. This generous gift from MN–S gives GWM that safe, multi-purpose space not only out of respect for our Indigenous residents but all residents and their families now and for our resident community in the future.”

Métis people have helped shape Duck Lake to be the vibrant community it is today. The MN–S contribution is an allocation of COVID-19 relief funds and covers approximately 75% of the sunroom/cultural space. The George C. Gauthier Foundation will lead the project which is to be completed this fall.

Photos of Goodwill Manor and the artist’s rendering of the sunroom are attached for use by media outlets.

Montréal, le 15 avril 2021 – Le Musée McCord Stewart est heureux d’annoncer la nomination de Ghislain Picard, chef de l’Assemblée des Premières Nations du Québec-Labrador (APNQL), à titre de président de son conseil d’administration, laquelle sera effective à partir du 1^er juin prochain. Il s’agit du premier autochtone à occuper ce poste. Il succède à Monique Jérôme-Forget, qui assumait cette fonction depuis près de onze ans et dont l’engagement pour le Musée se poursuivra à titre de présidente honoraire.

« Je ne pouvais rêver d’un meilleur candidat pour reprendre la présidence du conseil d’administration du Musée alors que l’institution poursuit sa démarche de décolonisation et souhaite contribuer à amplifier les voix des communautés autochtones tant dans sa programmation qu’au sein de l’institution. Je suis convaincue que les compétences et expériences multiples du chef Ghislain Picard seront un atout de taille pour assurer le développement continu du Musée », a déclaré Monique Jérôme-Forget, présidente sortante du conseil d’administration du Musée.

« Je suis honoré de la confiance que m’accorde le conseil d’administration du Musée, une institution unique qui conserve une exceptionnelle collection des Cultures autochtones. C’est avec enthousiasme que je m’engage à soutenir le Musée dans son évolution et la réalisation de ses nombreux projets. Plus que jamais, il est essentiel pour un musée d’histoire sociale d’agir dans un esprit de collaboration et de bâtir des relations de confiance avec toutes les communautés qui composent notre société, autochtones comme allochtones. Le Musée McCord Stewart est déjà reconnu à ce chapitre. Il s’agit d’une vision que je partage et que je souhaite voir rayonner encore davantage au sein de l’institution et au-delà de ses murs », a poursuivi le chef Ghislain Picard.

Originaire de la communauté innue de Pessamit sur la Côte-Nord, Ghislain Picard est un militant autochtone bien connu. Après avoir œuvré principalement dans le domaine des communications entre 1976 et 1989, il devient, au début des années 1980, président du Centre d’amitié autochtone de Québec. Il est ensuite élu chef de l’APNQL en 1992 et agit comme porte-parole des 43 chefs de cette région du Canada. Il reçoit l’insigne de chevalier de l’Ordre national du Québec en 2003, et celui de chevalier de la Légion d’honneur du Consul général de France en 2005. En 2017, il est nommé citoyen d’honneur de la Ville de Montréal.

 
À PROPOS DU MUSÉE MCCORD STEWART
Constitué en 2013 à la suite du regroupement du Musée McCord et du Musée Stewart, suivi de sa fusion avec le Musée de la Mode en 2017, le Musée McCord Stewart est l’unité administrative qui assure la gestion et la conservation de ses riches collections historiques.  

Le Musée McCord Stewart est situé sur un territoire fréquenté et occupé par les peuples autochtones depuis des millénaires. Reconnaissant notre passé colonial, nous estimons qu’il est de notre devoir de contribuer à une meilleure connaissance des cultures autochtones ainsi qu’à leur revitalisation.

Montreal, April 15, 2021 – The McCord Stewart Museum is pleased to announce the appointment of Ghislain Picard, Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL), as Chair of its Board of Trustees, effective June 1. The first Indigenous person to hold this position, he succeeds Monique Jérôme-Forget, who has served as Chair for almost eleven years and will continue her involvement with the Museum as Honorary Chair.

“I cannot think of a better candidate to take over as Chair of the Board of Trustees as the Museum pursues its decolonization efforts and aims to help strengthen the voices of First Nations communities in both its programming and the institution itself. I am certain that Chief Picard’s many skills and extensive experience will be a tremendous asset in ensuring the Museum’s ongoing development,” noted Monique Jérôme-Forget, outgoing Chair of the Museum’s Board of Trustees.

“I am honoured by the trust placed in me by the Board of Trustees of the McCord Stewart Museum, a unique institution with an exceptional Indigenous Cultures collection. I look forward to supporting the evolution of the Museum and the completion of its many projects. Now, more than ever, it is essential for social history museums to act collaboratively and build trust-based relationships with all the communities that make up our society, Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike. The McCord Stewart Museum is already known for its work in this area. I share its vision and hope to see it spread even further within the institution and beyond its walls,” continued Chief Picard.

An Innu from the North Shore community of Pessamit, Ghislain Picard is a well-known Indigenous activist. While devoting most of his time to the field of communications from 1976 to 1989, he also became President of the Quebec Native Friendship Centre in the early 1980s. In 1992, he was elected Regional Chief of the AFNQL, making him the spokesperson for the 43 chiefs in this region of Canada. He was named a Knight of the National Order of Quebec in 2003 and a Knight of the Legion of Honour by the Consul General of France in 2005. In 2017, the City of Montreal made him an honorary citizen.

ABOUT THE McCORD STEWART MUSEUM

Created in 2013 when the McCord Museum and the Stewart Museum joined forces, then enriched by its merger with the Fashion Museum in 2017, the McCord Stewart Museum is the administrative entity in charge of managin and preserving its rich historical collection.

The McCord Stewart Museum sits on unceded land that has been used and occupied by Indigenous peoples for millennia. Acknowledging our colonial past, we believe it is our duty to help raise awareness of Indigenous cultures and act as a resource to support their continued development.

OTTAWA, le 14 avril 2021– Aujourd’hui marque le 5^è anniversaire de la décision Daniels de la Cour suprême du Canada. Le 14 avril 2016, la Cour suprême a déclaré pour la première fois que le gouvernement fédéral a une obligation constitutionnelle envers les Métis et les Indiens non-inscrits. En dépit de cette victoire judiciaire historique, peu de progrès a été fait sur des enjeux clés de reconnaissance des droits des autochtones par l’état fédéral.

« Au cours des cinq dernières années depuis la décision Daniels, le Congrès des peuples autochtones s’est battu afin d’amener le gouvernement fédéral à prendre acte de la décision de la Cour suprême. En dépit de cette victoire, le gouvernemental fédéral n’a pas fondamentalement reconnu l’existence de notre peuple, » de déclarer la chef Lorraine Augustine, membre du conseil d’administration du Congrès des peuples autochtones. La chef Augustine était membre du conseil à l’époque de la résolution du Congrès des peuples autochtones d’appuyer la cause Daniels et de la porter devant les tribunaux en 1999.

« Les peuples autochtones au Canada continuent de faire face à de la discrimination généralisée et à du racisme face à la loi et face aux tribunaux, » de rajouter le vice-chef national Kim Beaudin. « Cette discrimination et ce racisme sont issus de l’absence de reconnaissance qui aurait dû donner suite à la décision Daniels de la Cour suprême. »

Le Congrès des peuples autochtones continue d’intervenir à plusieurs niveaux afin de garantir que les autochtones hors-réserves inscrits et non-inscrits aient un accès égal à des programmes fédéraux et ne se voient pas privés de ces programmes, de ces services et des autres avantages fondamentaux qui leur sont dus tel que décrit par la Cour.

« En cette cinquième date anniversaire de la décision Daniels de la Cour suprême, nous reconnaissons et offrons notre gratitude à feu Harry Daniels. Ce fier ancien leader du Congrès des peuples autochtones qui a donné son nom à cette cause nous promet que des jours meilleurs sont possibles pour tous nos peuples, » de déclarer le chef national Elmer St. Pierre, tout en réitérant que la décision de la Cour suprême est sans équivoque au sujet de la responsabilité du gouvernement fédéral vis-à-vis les autochtones hors-réserves.

April 13, 2021 (Ottawa) – Sustainable forest management in Canada’s working forests is built upon a few key principles including ecosystems-based management and conservation, local input, and collaboration, keeping forest as forest forever, and providing family-supporting jobs and sustainable products to Canadians and people around the world.

Over the past few years, the US-based Natural Resources Defence Council (NRDC) has been one of the few groups that regularly engages in deliberate and dishonest campaigns to discredit Canadian forestry. It does so while showing no interest in understanding how Canadian forestry works, how local communities and residents engage in forest management planning, and how committed people in Canadian forestry are to sustainability, reconciliation, a net-zero carbon economy, and building healthy and resilient forests and forestry communities.

Instead of choosing productive dialogue, NRDC prefers to attack from the confines of its Washington, DC offices, issuing blogs and documents from its ‘campaign manager’ and ‘campaign coordinator’ that quote themselves and a handful of known anti-forestry voices, are absent of peer review, and include recycled misinformation to advance their fundraising agenda.

We are not perfect, but we are among the best in the world at how we do forest management in Canada. Planning on an expansive, publicly owned, and dynamic land base – one that is greatly impacted by a changing climate – is complex work.

There are many important values for which to manage and many local perspectives to consider in every single forest management plan. Canadian forestry is about planning for the long-game and we are one of the only sectors in the country that initiates its planning process by considering 100 to 200 year landscape models.

In the face of a changing climate and the move to a net-zero carbon economy by 2050, forest management and forest products will be key solutions for us in Canada – and people around the world will be counting on us too. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has recognized Canadian forestry and its critical role in fighting climate change, as has our federal government in its fall Speech from the Throne.

We are a fair-minded and collaborative bunch in Canadian forestry. We are open to criticism and we are always looking for ways to be even better. That said, when we see efforts to deliberately mislead, attempts to threaten our customers with misinformation, and campaign activity aimed at putting Canadians out of work – we draw the line. While we have long questioned the motivation of this organization, it has become sadly clear in recent weeks that targeting Canadian jobs is at the top of its list.

NRDC has recently sponsored legislation in the California and New York state legislatures to get those states to stop sourcing from the boreal forests of Canada, Sweden, and Finland – three of the world’s leaders in sustainable forest management, human and labour rights, and in providing good-paying, family-supporting jobs in forestry. 

Having a US-based group spread misinformation so it can raise money at the expense of Canadian workers and their families is one thing – to do it during the third wave of a global pandemic just shows where their priorities are and how low they are prepared to go.

Quote from FPAC President and CEO Derek Nighbor:
“As we continue to push through this pandemic, FPAC would like to acknowledge the hard work and commitment of forestry workers across Canada. They continue to do essential work and have kept our part of the economy moving.  We also salute our federal and provincial governments and our labour, construction, retail, manufacturing, transportation, and community partners across the country for their incredible support during this time. While NRDC continues to use dishonest propaganda to discredit our sector, we will stick to the facts and will stand up for Canadian forestry workers and their families.”  

Quote from Unifor National President Jerry Dias:
“When US-based activists are prepared to say anything to put Canadian self-sufficiency and jobs at risk, Canada’s labour, industry, and government leaders have an obligation to speak out. Canada’s forest sector workers are leading the way in advancing a green, post-pandemic recovery. The world needs more Canadian forestry. I am proud of the incredible work our members are doing across the country and stand with them in the face of misinformation campaigns targeting Canadian exports and jobs.”

Quote from United Steelworkers Union Wood Council Chair Jeff Bromley:
“Customers in Canada and around the world have long counted on Canadian forest workers to deliver sustainably-sourced, environmentally-friendly, and high quality products. We take pride in our work and in our move to a lower carbon economy, sustainable Canadian forestry and forest products are more important than ever. As our workers face new potential trade actions targeting our sector by the state legislatures in California and New York, it is important that we all push back against this unwarranted protectionism.”

Key Principles of Sustainable Forest Management in Canada

1. Ecosystems-based management and conservation. An approach that considers land management based on multiple important forest and community values – from protecting watersheds, wetlands, and carbon-rich peatlands to supporting biodiversity to keeping families living in forested communities safer from fire risks. 
2. Local input and collaboration. Ensuring that members of the local community have input into how forests will be managed in their area. No harvesting plans in Canada are approved by provincial governments until local science has been applied and robust community input has been secured. It’s the due diligence and obligation that comes with managing this shared public resource.
3. Keeping forest as forest forever. Canada is blessed with a rich resource in our forests and our long-standing commitment to sustainability has helped ensure that we have 9,000 trees for every Canadian, we have retained 90% of our original forest cover, and we plant more than 400 million seedlings every year to renew our forests and keep them as forests for generations.
4. Jobs and sustainable products for Canada and the world. Forestry employs 230,000 Canadians across 600 communities. Over 12,000 Indigenous peoples work in our sector and additionally, 1,400 Indigenous-owned forestry businesses help us get the work done. The jobs we sustain and create put food on the table, pay the bills, and help put kids through school. The products we make are critical in our move to a lower-carbon economy and allow us as Canadians to be able to provide for ourselves – from lumber to toilet paper and tissue; from wood-based biofuels and bioplastics to biodegradable Personal Protective Equipment.

Wendake, le 13 avril 2021 – Dans la foulée de la présentation du Plan d’action de l’APNQL contre le  racisme et la discrimination, le chef de l’Assemblée des Premières Nations Québec-Labrador (APNQL),  Ghislain Picard, invite les représentants des médias à une table ronde virtuelle interactive en français, lors  de laquelle sera abordé la question des femmes autochtones face au racisme et à la discrimination. M. Carol  Dubé, mari de Mme Joyce Echaquan, sera présent pour un mot d’ouverture. 

QUOI : Table ronde virtuelle sur le thème des femmes autochtones 

QUI : • Ghislain Picard, chef de l’Assemblée des Premières Nations Québec 

Labrador 

• Suzie Basile, professeur à l’UQAT et titulaire de la Chaire de recherche du  

Canada sur les enjeux relatifs aux femmes autochtones 

• Adrienne Jérôme, cheffe du Conseil de la Nation Anishnabe du Lac Simon 

• Viviane Michel, présidente de Femmes Autochtones du Québec (FAQ) 

• Manon Massé, députée et porte-parole de Québec Solidaire 

• Samira Laouni, Présidente-Directrice du C.O.R. Organisme de  

communication pour l’ouverture du rapprochement interculturel 

QUAND : 15 avril 2021 de 12h à 13h30 

LIEU : https://zoom.us/j/97012548199 et en direct via le Facebook de l’APNQL 

À propos de l’APNQL  

L’Assemblée des Premières Nations Québec-Labrador est l’organisme régional politique qui regroupe  43 chefs des Premières Nations au Québec et au Labrador. Suivez l’APNQL sur Twitter @APNQL.  

Vous pouvez consulter le Plan d’action de l’APNQL sur le racisme et la discrimination sur le site de  l’APNQL à l’adresse : https://apnql.com/fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/PLAN-ACTION-RACISME-ET DISCRIMINATION_VF.pdf 

Two of Canada’s most accomplished high flying stunt professionals are the force behind a brand new inclusivity initiative to give Indigenous athletes in Canada a chance to become action artists in major films and TV shows!

(Montreal, April 8, 2021) – The I.A.A.M.P. (Indigenous Action Artist Mentorship Program) Stunt Training Apprenticeship is a new, groundbreaking initiative for Indigenous men and women to learn basic skills, gain experience as entry-level action artists and be educated on the protocol and etiquette of being on set. This program, which creates opportunities for motivated members of the Indigenous community to empower them to rise to the challenge and acquire a skill set that will be valuable for the rest of their lives, was created by two A-list stuntmen who want to see more diversity on TV & film sets:

Lauro Chartrand Delvalle, known for his work in:
️  Rumble in the Bronx, 
️  The Last Samurai, 
️  Prison Break, 
and many more. See full credits here.  
Instagram: @delvalle_films_inc

Bruce Crawford, known for his work in:
️  Predator, 
️  Elysium, 
️  2012, 
and many more: See full credits here.    

Watch a short video here  (Password: Amp2)

As passionate cinefiles and stuntmen, Crawford and Delvalle have been working in film and television for over 30 years in British Columbia and around the world, and noticed something was missing. According to Delvalle, “I’ve always noticed, especially here in B.C., a huge lack of Indigenous cast and crew. I always thought to myself, this is their land, their home, why aren’t they participating and working more in film and television?”

For over 10 years Bruce Crawford (along with his wife Johnna) and Delvalle worked on a plan to help include Indigenous people and their culture into the film and TV industries. Johnna was born and raised on the Musqueum reserve in Vancouver, and through her special relationship with the band, Bruce Crawford obtained funding through the Musqueum Employment and Training program to sponsor the first I.A.A.M.P, a 2-day information session that took place in late February for 18 Indigenous participants from across Canada (including participants from Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia). The program was also made possible by aid from the Squamish First Nations Band, the Tsleil-Waututh First Nations Band and Stunts Canada.

As a result of that successful first session, some of the participants are already working on some of the CW productions currently shooting in Vancouver, such as the new series Kung Fu, The Maid and Midnight Mass for Netflix.

The main goal of this initiative is to teach Indigenous participants the importance of creating opportunities for themselves, and how essential it is to show up and do the work. There is so much talent, it is simply a matter of harnessing it, not only to work in film and TV, but also to carve out a space for more Indigenous roles to be created for the talent pool.

The next I.A.A.M.P, takes place May 29 & 30 at Ancient Fire in Vancouver, B.C.. Twenty Indigenous athletes will be enrolled on a first-come first-serve basis, all of who dream of a career as an action artist. Indigenous athletes age 18+ can sign up at the email address below to participate in the next program:

Next up, Crawford and Delvalle are working on the action/comedy Mexican Radio, written by Troy Rudolph. Delvalle finished work on acclaimed horror film director Mike Flanagan’s Netflix series Midnight Mass and is about to begin work on his series Midnight Club.

They have high hopes that they will be able to bring a new vanguard of Indigenous performers along with them for the journey of a lifetime! 

Next program: May 29 & 30 
Ancient Fire dojo, 15 W. 2nd Ave,
Vancouver B.C.
 For inquiries and registration please email Jesse Blue: Ancientfiredojo@gmail.com

Please note that all COVID-19 protocols set out by the B.C. Provincial Health Office, WorkSafeBC and the Motion Picture Pandemic Production Guide will be adhered to.

VICTORIA — Indigenous, provincial and federal leaders have worked beside industry and environmental groups to create a new conservancy in an area of northwestern British Columbia sacred to the Tahltan Nation.

A statement from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy says the 35-square kilometre conservancy — historically known as the Ice Mountain Lands — is beside Mount Edziza Provincial Park, which is 500 kilometres north of Terrace.

Creation of the conservancy is the first step in the multi-year Tahltan Stewardship Initiative aimed at building the nation’s self-determination.

The statement says the Tahltan Central Government plans to rename the area, to better reflect Indigenous heritage.

Low-impact economic opportunities are allowed in conservancies but commercial logging, mining and most hydroelectric plants are banned.

Skeena Resources Ltd., says it supports the Tahltan by returning mineral tenures for its claim in the area.

Energy Minister Bruce Ralston says the partnership between Aboriginal, provincial and federal governments, Skeena, BC Parks Foundation and the Nature Conservancy of Canada protects the land and “fosters long-term relationships between Indigenous Nations and mineral companies.”

Walter Coles, president and CEO of Skeena Resources, said his company came to appreciate the cultural importance of the region to the Tahltan after open and respectful conversations with its leaders.

“This is reconciliation in action and symbolic of our partnership commitment to Tahltan,” Coles said in the statement.

Chad Norman Day, president of the Tahltan Central Government said he is “relieved and thrilled” that a conservancy protects the area for future generations.

“The obsidian from this portion of our territory provided us with weaponry, tools and trading goods that ensured our Tahltan people could thrive for thousands of years,” said Day.

British Columbia has 157 conservancies, ranging in size from 11 hectares to more than 3,200 square kilometres. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 8, 2021.

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