A byelection will be held on Wednesday, Feburary 17 to choose an Ordinary Member to represent the Constituency of Canada in the Nunatsiavut Assembly.
There are six candidates running in the election: Darlene Gear-White, Sabina Jung, Selina Brenda Legge, Zippie Nochasak, Susan Sonya Onalik, and Patricia Kay Voisey.
The Nunatsiavut Assembly meets at least four times a year in Hopedale. Ordinary Members represent Inuit in their respective Constituencies, and may be chosen to serve as members of the Nunatsiavut Executive Council.
For more information, please contact: Nannette Blake Nunatsiavut Electoral Officer 709-899-0369 nannette.blake@nunatsiavut.com.
Iqaluit, Nunavut, January 11, 2021—The safety and well-being of Canadians are top priorities for the governments of Canada and Nunavut. Communities have all been affected to various degrees by the COVID-19 pandemic and need immediate assistance to ensure their public infrastructure is safe and reliable.
Today, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and the Honourable Jeannie Ehaloak, Minister responsible for Qulliq Energy Corporation and Minister of Community and Government Services, announced funding for upgrades to a power plant in Nunavut.
The project involves replacement of the current diesel power generator in Clyde River, which has exceeded its operational life expectancy.
With this new generator, residents of the Clyde River area of Nunavut will benefit from improved energy security and more efficient and reliable energy generation.
The Government of Canada is investing more than $1.9 million in this project through the Arctic Energy Fund. Qulliq Energy Corporation (QEC), owned by the Government of Nunavut and operated independently, is investing $749,250. QEC is the only generator and distributor of electrical energy in Nunavut.
Quotes
“Access to reliable sources of energy is essential for northern communities to thrive. This new generator will provide a reliable and efficient source of energy for several communities in the Clyde River area. Canada’s Infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates good jobs across Canada, and builds cleaner, more inclusive communities.”
The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
“The Government of Canada’s Arctic Energy Fund supports QEC’s effort to improve power infrastructure in Nunavut communities through vital projects. By upgrading generators to more energy efficient technologies in remote communities such as Clyde River, the federal and territorial governments play a key role in securing reliable and affordable power for the territory.”
The Honourable Jeannie Ehaloak, Minister responsible for Qulliq Energy Corporation and Minister of Community and Government Services
(Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde welcomes today’s announcement by Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller to invest in Indigenous communities to better respond to COVID-19. The investment comes after a January 7 letter from National Chief Bellegarde to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urging the government to take action to address the growing rate of COVID-19 infections among First Nation people across the country.
“Keeping our people and nations safe remains top priority, particularly at a time when infection rates are rising and risk getting completely out of control,” said National Chief Bellegarde, adding that First Nations are disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and require resources to meet needs exacerbated by remoteness, crowded homes and lack of clean water. “I lift up First Nations leadership across the country for speaking up. Our voices have been heard. We will save lives.”
Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller today announced $1.2 Billion, which includes support for public health, further investments in the Indigenous Community Support Fund and Supportive Care for long-term care and Elder care facilities.
“It’s essential we work together and that the approach is coordinated, with First Nations taking the lead,” said National Chief Bellegarde. “I am encouraged by Minister Miller’s commitment to First Nations having flexibility to respond to needs and will continue to press provincial and territorial governments to support and work together with First Nations as we respond to this crisis. This includes access to mental health supports for our front-line workers and community members.”
National Chief Bellegarde made it clear this week he will be getting his COVID-19 vaccine when his turn comes.
“Just like wearing a mask, getting the vaccine is about keeping you and those around you safe,” said National Chief Bellegarde. “If you don’t plan to do it for yourself, please consider doing it for your family, friends and community. Together we’ll conquer COVID-19.”
For more details on today’s funding announcement, read this press release from the Indigenous Services Canada website.
An Ojibway-Anishinabe Vision for the Future by Jerry Fontaine
A vision shared. A manifesto. This remarkable work argues that Anishinabeg need to reconnect with non-colonized modes of thinking, social organization, and decision making in order to achieve genuine sovereignty. In Our Hearts Are as One Fire, Jerry Fontaine recounts the stories of three Ota’wa, Shawnee, and Ojibway-Anishinabe leaders who challenged aggressive colonial expansion – Obwandiac, Tecumtha, and Shingwauk. He weaves Ojibwaymowin language and knowledge with conversations with elders and descendants of the three leaders. The result is a book that reframes the history of Manitou Aki and shares a vision of how Anishinabe spiritual, cultural, legal, and political principles will support the leaders of today and tomorrow. For more information, go to www.ubcpress.ca/our-hearts-are-as-one-fire
Ottawa, January 12, 2021 – Canadian Geographic and Métis Nation -Saskatchewan present “Paykiiwikay,” Métis Culture Podcast, a new online series exploring the rich Métis culture and Michif language.
Hosted by interdisciplinary Métis artist, mentor and author Leah Dorion, and produced by veteran broadcast journalist and foreign correspondent David McGuffin, the first ten episodes of ‘Paykiiwikay’, which is Michif for “come and visit”, takes listeners on a journey through Métis communities around the province of Saskatchewan.
“Working on ‘Paykiiwikay’ has been one of the highlights of my broadcast career,” said David McGuffin. “I am proud of my Métis roots, which date back to the fur trade. Like too many Canadians my understanding of the story of the Métis people faded out at the Battle of Batoche and the defeat of Louis Riel. Working with Leah and the Métis Nation–Saskatchewan on this series has opened my eyes to the depth and richness of Métis history, language and culture. I hope our listeners gain as much from listening to this ten part journey, as I did from working on it.”
Relying on her own Métis life experiences, Dorion gets up close and personal with inspirational and diverse guests like Michif educator Russell Fayant, Métis musician and actress Andrea Menard, and Elder Norman Fleury. The range of topics is as varied as the personalities; from the impact of Michif language loss on Métis identity, to Michif cultural expression in the arts and Métis food and cooking.
“I learned so much from our guests about our many different ways of being Métis. Their messages are uplifting and I hope everyone enjoys listening to our conversations. I especially hope our youth get some inspiration from these wonderful cultural leaders in our Métis community,” said Dorion.
‘Paykiiwikay’, will address the very real need to preserve heritage, tradition and Métis identity. “Everything Métis people do is tied to our value systems, beliefs, and respect,” said MN-S Minister of Language, Culture & Heritage, Sherry McLennan, “this podcast series will help teach others about the rich Métis history that is an integral part of the makeup of this province.”
“Canadian Geographic is proud to be a partner of MN-S, and honoured to have been chosen to collaborate on this exciting project,” said Gilles Gagnier, Chief Operating Officer and Publisher of Canadian Geographic. “Through these podcasts, we will share important stories about Métis history, language and culture. We hope you enjoy and share these podcasts with others.” ‘Paykiiwikay’ launches on Tuesday, January 12th, 2021 with new episodes released between now and May. They can be streamed on iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Music, Spotify, SoundCloud, and at cangeo.ca/Paykiiwikay.
Ottawa, le 12 janvier 2021 — Canadian Geographic et la Métis Nation Saskatchewan (MN-S) présentent « Paykiiwikay », un balado sur la culture métisse, consistant de nouvelles séries en ligne qui explorent la riche culture métisse et la langue michif.
Organisés par l’artiste interdisciplinaire métisse, mentor et auteure Leah Dorion, et produits par l’ancien journaliste de télédiffusion et correspondant à l’étranger David McGuffin, les dix premiers épisodes de « Paykiiwikay », qui signifie « venir et visiter » en michif, transportent les auditeurs dans un voyage au cœur des collectivités métisses dans la province de la Saskatchewan.
« Travailler sur le projet Paykiiwikay a été un des points saillants de ma carrière de journaliste, a affirmé David McGuffin. Je suis fier de mes racines métisses, qui remontent à l’époque de la traite des fourrures. Comme beaucoup trop de Canadiens, ma compréhension de l’histoire du peuple métis s’est estompée à la bataille de Batoche et à la défaite de Louis Riel. La collaboration avec Leah et la Métis Nation–Saskatchewan sur cette série m’a ouvert les yeux à la profondeur et la richesse de l’histoire, la langue et la culture des Métis. J’espère que nos auditeurs acquerront autant de connaissances de leur écoute de ce voyage en dix parties, que j’en ai appris en y travaillant. »
En se fondant sur ses propres expériences de vie en tant que Métisse, Leah se lie à des invités inspirants de domaines divers comme l’enseignant michif Russell Fayant, la musicienne et actrice métisse Andrea Menard et l’aîné Norman Fleury. L’éventail des thèmes est aussi varié que les personnalités : depuis les effets de la perte de la langue michif sur l’identité des Métis, jusqu’à l’expression culturelle michif dans les arts, en passant par la nourriture et la cuisine.
« J’ai tant appris de nos invités sur nos différentes façons d’être Métis. Leurs messages sont inspirants, et j’espère que tous apprécient écouter nos conversations. J’espère particulièrement que nos jeunes se sentiront inspirés par ces formidables leaders culturels dans notre communauté métisse », a noté Leah.
« Paykiiwikay » répondra au besoin tout à fait réel de préserver l’héritage, la tradition et l’identité des Métis. « Tout ce que le peuple métis fait est lié à nos systèmes de valeurs, aux croyances et au respect, a précisé Sherry McLennan, ministre de la Langue, la Culture et l’Héritage de MN-S. Cette série de balados aidera à renseigner les autres à propos de la riche histoire métisse, qui est une partie intégrante de la constitution de cette province. » « Canadian Geographic est fier d’être un partenaire de la MN-S et honoré d’avoir été choisi pour collaborer à ce fascinant projet, a souligné Gilles Gagnier, chef des opérations et diffuseur de Canadian Geographic. Grâce à ces balados, nous transmettrons des récits importants sur l’histoire, la langue et la culture des Métis. Nous espérons que vous apprécierez et partagerez ces balados avec d’autres. » « Paykiiwikay » sera lancé le mardi 12 janvier 2021, et de nouveaux épisodes seront diffusés d’ici à mai. Ils seront accessibles sur iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Music, Spotify, SoundCloud et cangeo.ca/Paykiiwikay.
The Mohawk Council of Kanesatake would like to announce that it has filed legal actions against the Municipality of Oka as well as the Province of Quebec, following Oka’s adoption of bylaw 2020-223 which wrongfully designated the ‘Pines’ as being a municipal heritage site.
This press release follows the September 5th 2020 and October 21st 2020 press releases by the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake which attempted to advise against and raise awareness about Oka’s plans to impose its control of parts of Kanesatake’s unceded lands. The lands targeted by Oka’s bylaw is the Pines forest, the same lands that were in contention in 1990 and which led the what is know by most as the Oka Crisis, or the Siege of Kanesatake, subsequently bringing light to indigenous lands theft and issues on an international stage.
The legal action states
“The heritage site by-law was adopted in bad faith, for an improper purpose, without the constitutionally required consultation of the Mohawks of Kanesatake, and in violation of Mohawk rights pursuant to the Treaty of Oswegatchie and of Mohawk ancestral rights and title. It is an abuse of power, unreasonable, and contrary to the honour of the Crown and to Canada’s commitments under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and The American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples . In sum, the by-law is illegal and must be quashed by this court.”
A bylaw proposed, processed and adopted in bad faith and imbued in systemic racism
When going about it’s process of ‘consulting’ Oka’s population on the adoption of the bylaw, the mayor stated that :
“M. Grégoire Gollin does not oppose the bylaw, thus he is in agreement”. The following day, Mr. Gollin issued a statement refuting the mayor’s comments and calling on him to “build bridges, not walls”.
“Tonight’s process of consultation is tied to the consultation of the members of Kanesatake, since we understand that the people of Kanesatake are part of Oka’s territory, so Kanesatake is part of Oka’s territory”
The 90 or so attendees of the ‘so-called consultation were almost unilaterally in disfavor of the proposed bylaw.
Oka’s true intent – Prevent Mohawks from repatriating their lands
Oka’s mayor claims today that his intents are noble and only wants to protect the pines from development. However, since the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in the summer of 2019 between M. Grégoire Gollin (private owner of 2/3 of the Pines’ artificial title targeted by the bylaw) and the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake, the mayor and its municipality are undoubtedly on a quest to prevent Kanesatake from repatriating its ancestral lands.
It was during that same summer that the mayor of Oka made remarks that were decried as racist and incendiary by other members of the municipal council, and were met with shock and opprobrium from Quebec’s Minister of Indigenous Affairs and the Prime Minister of Canada.
The mayor issued a public apology for the remarks and tensions that he caused during the First Nations – Municipalities Summit in Wendake, Qc on September 30th 2019. The Mohawk Council of Kanesatake now realizes that the mayor’s words and promises were however regrettably empty.
Oka’s bylaw can only be perceived as another deception straight from the colonizer’s textbook. An obvious attempt to add another layer of complexity in what is an already complex situation, and who’s only purpose is to prevent Mohawks from exercising their historical and rightful jurisdiction of our lands.
Canada, Quebec, MRC des Deux-Montagnes to be included in the motion
Canada as well as the MRC are included in this proceeding as a “mise-en-cause” (put on notice), which means a party that has an interest in the proceeding, but against whom the applicant does not ask for any order.
Quebec is also included as a Defendant because we will argue that it had a duty to consult the Mohawks in order for Oka’s bylaw to be valid – this is because Oka is a creation of the Crown in Right of Quebec, rather than the Crown in Right of Canada. We will argue that, since the Crown did not consult the Mohawks, the bylaw is thus invalid.
As such, we are asking the courts to :
– QUASH AND DECLARE NULL Oka’s bylaw
– DECLARE that the Government of Quebec has failed to consult the Mohawks regarding the bylaw
– PROHIBIT the Municipality of Oka from taking any further actions to limit or inhibit the transfer of the Pines to Mohawk control;
This legal action’s intent is not to settle Kanesatake’s longstanding land claim on the Seigneurie of Two-Mountains. Nonetheless, the Council does not, at this time, exclude any future actions against Canada, Quebec or the municipality in order to pursue the community’s long-standing claims on the Seigneurie of Two-Mountains.
As always, in peace, mutual understanding and friendship.
Public health staff from the Nunatsiavut Department of Health and Social Development as well as Labrador-Grenfell Regional Health Authority will begin the process of administering the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to all eligible residents, 18 years of age and older, in each of the five Labrador Inuit communities starting next week.
Below is the planned schedule for administering the vaccine in each community: ∙ January 11 – Makkovik
∙ January 12 – Rigolet
∙ January 13 – Postville and Hopedale
∙ January 14 – Hopedale
∙ January 15-16 – Nain
Public health staff will arrange times for eligible individuals to receive the vaccine.
Priority for the first doses will be given to health-care workers and seniors before the rest of the population is inoculated, as per federal and provincial directives.
The Nunatsiavut Government continues to work with all relevant authorities to ensure the vaccine is administered as quickly as possible in a safe and efficient manner.
For more information, please contact your local Public Health Nurse.
Port Alberni, BC– Within the last month, Canada has approved the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines for Covid-19. These vaccines have both gone through rigorous testing and approval processes, only being approved by Health Canada once deemed safe and effective. We encourage anyone over the age of 18, not breastfeeding, and not allergic to any of the ingredients, to take the vaccine when it becomes available in your community.
Though the Pfizer vaccine was the first Covid-19 vaccine approved by Canada, it requires ultra-cold storage (-70 Celsius). However, the Moderna vaccine (approved after Pfizer) is much easier to transport and store, as it requires temperatures that can be reached with a regular freezer.
The Moderna vaccine will be brought to rural and remote communities for a community approach to Covid-19 vaccination. We are excited to see rural and remote Indigenous communities being prioritized in the vaccine roll-out but it will take a community approach to ensure the community is safe. That means ensuring you get your vaccine when made available. First Nations Health Authority and Medical Health Officers recommend that Indigenous people receive the vaccine when they are brought into your community.
For those members living away from home, FNHA, First Nations Health Council and First Nations Health Directors Association will continue to work with regional health authority partners to advance approaches that include away-from-home members.
Receiving the Covid-19 vaccine is a huge step towards some type of normalcy in our daily lives, but we must remind each and every one of you to continue to follow the health orders and recommendations as long as they are in place to mitigate the risk to our valuable members as vaccines do require two doses within weeks of each other to get the full benefits of the vaccine.
We understand that there are many questions about the Covid-19 vaccine, please read the link provided by FNHA regarding frequently asked questions associated with the Covid-19 vaccine: https://www.fnha.ca/about/news-and-events/news/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-covid-19-vaccine.
Also, please feel free to talk to our NTC nurses about any questions you have or ask your family doctor.
“Covid-19 can be a fatal illness and we have to do everything we can to stop us and our family from suffering through such a virus,” said NTC President Judith Sayers. “Do what you need to do to learn about the vaccine and make your decision about whether to take it. This virus spreads quickly and every person has to do what they can to stop it.”
Vice-president Mariah Charleson adds, “I understand many First Nations people’s reluctance in trusting the government and the health care system, due to a horrid track record, but taking this vaccine can truly save lives. If you don’t do it for yourself, please do it for those vulnerable around you, particularly our precious elders.”
Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Glen Hare says that the announcing of former premier Mike Harris being appointed to the 2020 Order of Ontario yesterday was an insult to First Nations people across Ontario.
While Harris is known for his involvement with Walkerton and more recently serving as chair as Chartwell Retirement Residences where seniors are dying of COVID-19, the focus for the Anishinabek Nation is his lasting legacy with the Ipperwash Crisis.
“The Ipperwash Inquiry made it very clear that while he didn’t personally pull the trigger, Mike Harris’ actions as the Premier of Ontario contributed to the circumstances that led to the shooting death of unarmed land defender Anthony ‘Dudley’ George on the night of September 6, 1995,” says Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Hare. “This is an insult to First Nations people. Harris’ contribution to our collective knowledge is anything but positive.”
2020 marked the 25th anniversary of the Ipperwash Crisis. The Anishinabek Nation marked the anniversary with a summer series of educational articles which can be found via Anishinabek News.
Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Chancellor of the Order of Ontario, announced the new appointments on January 1. The Order of Ontario honours individuals whose exceptional achievements have left a lasting legacy in the province.
The Anishinabek Nation is a political advocate for 39 member First Nations across Ontario, representing approximately 65,000 citizens. The Anishinabek Nation is the oldest political organization in Ontario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires, which existed long before European contact.
