The Nunatsiavut Department of Health and Social Development is in the process of implementing a plan that would see all eligible residents in each of the five Labrador Inuit communities receive the COVID 19 (Moderna) vaccine starting the week of January 11.
The first shipment of the vaccine is expected to arrive in Happy Valley-Goose Bay in the coming days. As it needs to remain frozen, the vaccine will have to be shipped to each of the five Inuit communities using specialized containers called Credo Cubes. Labrador-Grenfell Regional Health Authority is currently awaiting arrival of these containers.
DHSD is responsible for delivering public health services, including administering the vaccine, to all residents in Nunatsiavut. The vaccine will not be made available to individuals under the age of 18, or to those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have allergies.
While it is not mandatory to receive the vaccine, the Nunatsiavut Government is strongly urging all eligible residents of the five Labrador Inuit communities to do so when it becomes available.
“We continue to work with all relevant authorities to ensure we are able to deliver the vaccine as quickly as possible in a safe and efficient manner,” says Nunatsiavut’s Health and Social Development Minister Gerald Asivak. “Although there is a light at the end of the dark tunnel, we still have a way to go before the threat of COVID-19 passes. Even if you get the vaccine, you should continue to follow all public health protocols, including practicing good hand hygiene, wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing of at least two metres from those outside your immediate households.”
The vaccines will be administered in one community at a time. Further updates will be provided as they become available.
Happy Holidays from the NFBOur gift to you this holiday season is a little less screen time! To help ring in the festivities, we’ve added new pages to our “colouring book” collection of classic NFB films. Channel your inner animator and bring these scenes to life. Download the series today.
The Great Toy RobberyWhen the world’s most-wanted good guy—Santa Claus—gets robbed in this Wild West spoof, even the cactus wilts in shame! Find out what happens next in Jeff Hale’s holiday classic, The Great Toy Robbery.WATCH NOW
Parks Canada and Métis Nation – Saskatchewan agree to open sub-table under the Framework Agreement for Advancing Reconciliation
December 18, 2020 Batoche, Saskatchewan Parks Canada Agency
Parks Canada is committed to a system of national heritage places that recognizes and honours the contemporary contributions of Indigenous peoples, their histories and cultures, as well as the special relationships Indigenous peoples have with ancestral lands and waters.
Today, Ron Hallman, President and Chief Executive Officer for Parks Canada and Glen McCallum, President of Métis Nation – Saskatchewan, signed Terms of Reference during a virtual signing ceremony, agreeing to explore and discuss a full range of options related to the future management of Batoche National Historic Site. These discussions will take place as a sub-table to the regular meetings held between the Métis Nation – Saskatchewan and the Government of Canada under the Framework Agreement for Advancing Reconciliation. The two parties signed the Framework Agreement on July 20, 2018, through the Recognition of Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination process.
Batoche National Historic Site holds great cultural and historical significance for the citizens of Métis Nation – Saskatchewan. Parks Canada and Métis Nation – Saskatchewan have long collaborated with regard to Batoche National Historic Site, beginning with the signing of the Batoche National Historic Site Management Agreement in 1998.
Parks Canada collaborates with Indigenous groups across Canada as partners in conserving natural and cultural heritage and by sharing the stories of these treasured places.
Quotes
“Batoche is the heart and soul of the Métis Nation and is an enduring symbol of everything Louis Riel and our people stand for: freedom, equality, and self-determination. As the Métis Government in Saskatchewan, we take this first step in a journey to reclaim and celebrate this important piece of our heritage. Through our working partnership with Parks Canada we will work toward ensuring we play an integral role in the future of Batoche National Historic Site and that we bring this land home to the Métis Nation.”
Glen McCallum,
President, Métis Nation – Saskatchewan
“Today, we are taking another important step forward in an evolving collaborative relationship. I take great pride in joining with the Métis Nation – Saskatchewan to sign the Terms of Reference that will guide our joint exploration of a full range of options for the future management of Batoche National Historic Site, building upon past milestones, such as the transfer of the Back to Batoche Festival grounds in 1996, and the signing of the Batoche Management Agreement in 1998.”
Ron Hallman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Parks Canada
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how much we rely on connections. Now, more than ever, everyone needs reliable access to high-speed Internet as we work, learn and communicate with friends and family from home. Right now, too many Canadians living in rural and remote communities lack access to high-speed Internet. Through the Universal Broadband Fund’s (UBF) Rapid Response Stream, the Government of Canada is taking immediate action.
Today, the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, announced the first project to be funded under the UBF Rapid Response Stream. The Minister announced funding of $1 million for Netago Internet to bring high-speed Internet access to 7,179 underserved households in Starland County and Stettler County, Alberta, by November 15, 2021.
The $1.75 billion Universal Broadband Fund was launched on November 9, 2020. Reflecting the need to move quickly to address connectivity, the UBF also includes the Rapid Response Stream, which makes up to $150 million immediately available for ready-to-go projects that can be completed by November 15, 2021. This streamlined process is helping projects that are ready to move forward in the short term to receive quick approval so construction can start as soon as possible and more Canadians can be connected faster. The project being announced today was approved less than six weeks after the formal launch of the program.
To help support applications for projects like this one, the UBF also provides a pathfinder service for all applicants, particularly those who need more support to build partnerships, find potential sources of funding and navigate the application process. This will ensure that the UBF can support the needs of all applicants, particularly smaller applicants such as municipalities or Indigenous groups.
Projects funded under the UBF, as well as through other public and private investments, will help connect 98% of Canadians to high-speed Internet by 2026 and achieve the national target of 100% connectivity by 2030.
National Chief Perry Bellegarde of the Assembly of First Nations said today’s verdict in the trailer hitch manslaughter case is a welcome surprise.
“This is a significant verdict for First Nations and a wonderful day for Canadian justice,” said National Chief Bellegarde. “First Nations have faced an uphill battle to receive fairness in the judicial system. Perhaps today’s decision demonstrates that courts in this country will begin treating crimes against First Nations (among Black, Indigenous and people of colour) the same as they do attacks on non-Indigenous Canadians. This seems to be a major step in the right direction, but we must remain vigilant if we are to root out institutional racism in our justice system.”
This afternoon, Justice Helen Pierce of the Thunder Bay court ruled Bushby guilty of manslaughter and aggravated assault, which he plead guilty of prior to today’s verdict. Bushby threw a trailer hitch from a moving vehicle, hitting Barbara Kentner in the abdomen. Kentner, 34 at the time, from Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation, later died of internal injuries. Bushby’s lawyers claimed the injuries were unrelated to the assault. Bushby, who was 18 and drunk at the time of the incident, admitted to having thrown the hitch.
The AFN is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada. Follow AFN on Twitter at @AFN_Updates.
Last October, the AFNQL committed with the Legault government to set up a Joint Political Table to solve critical issues, not only for First Nations, but also for the Quebec society. Blatant racism and discrimination, conflicts related to territory and resources, conflicting jurisdiction: the list is long, the causes are profound, and the impacts are often felt on the social climate in Quebec.
“Until now, the Legault government has taken a piecemeal approach, without taking the time to get to the root of the social issues we are facing. This is the case today, with a series of measures that may not have a lasting effect if we do not address the root causes of racism and discrimination.
The Joint Political Table with the Legault government will therefore have to go much further and not be afraid to get to the bottom of things. The AFNQL recently surveyed Quebec public opinion, regardless of political parties, and found an interest and openness that the Legault government must respect,” says AFNQL Chief Ghislain Picard.
The AFNQL also intends to quickly propose to Premier Legault a framework that will enable the Joint Political Table to find lasting solutions that the First Nations population and the population of Quebec expect.
About the AFNQL
The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador is the regional political organization that brings together the 43 Chiefs of the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador. www.apnql.com
L’APNQL s’est engagée avec le gouvernement Legault, en octobre dernier, à mettre sur pied une Table politique conjointe visant à régler des enjeux cruciaux, non seulement pour les Premières Nations, mais également pour l’ensemble de la société québécoise. Racisme et discrimination flagrants, conflits en lien avec le territoire et les ressources, juridictions qui se confrontent : la liste est longue, les causes sont profondes et les impacts se font souvent sentir sur le climat social au Québec.
« Jusqu’à maintenant, le gouvernement Legault adopte une approche à la pièce, sans prendre le temps d’aller à la source des enjeux sociaux que nous connaissons. C’est le cas aujourd’hui, avec une série de mesures qui risquent d’être sans effet durable si l’on ne s’attaque pas à démystifier les causes profondes du racisme et de la discrimination.
La Table politique conjointe avec le gouvernement Legault devra donc aller beaucoup plus loin et ne pas craindre d’aller au fond des choses. L’APNQL a sondé récemment l’opinion publique québécoise, sans égard aux partis politiques, et a constaté un intérêt et une ouverture que le gouvernement Legault se doit de respecter », affirme Ghislain Picard, chef de l’APNQL.
L’APNQL entend d’ailleurs proposer rapidement au premier ministre Legault un cadre de travail, permettant à la Table politique conjointe de trouver les solutions durables auxquelles s’attend autant la population des Premières Nations que celle de l’ensemble du Québec.
À propos de l’APNQL L’Assemblée des Premières Nations Québec-Labrador est l’organisme régional politique qui regroupe les 43 chefs des Premières Nations du Québec et du Labrador. www.apnql.com
Williams Lake, BC: The Tŝilhqot’in Nation and Yeqox Nilin Justice Society are proud to announce the soft opening of the new Indigenous Court in Williams Lake. The Indigenous Court will be housed in Elks Hall.
The Indigenous Court provides sentencing for Indigenous individuals through a restorative and holistic system of justice. The Indigenous Court is grounded in cultural traditions and will focus on healing and balance for the accused through peacemaking and other traditional methods. Early last month, 10 Elders received training in preparation of sitting on the Court.
The Indigenous Court is a step towards implementing the recommendations by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls National Inquiry (MMIWG) Report and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
The Indigenous Court also addresses the wide-spread issue of systemic racism in the Canadian justice system. It is known that Indigenous people are over-represented in the justice system and the establishment of the Indigenous Court provides a justice system outside of the colonialist court system in Canada, one that is grounded in Indigenous traditional teachings and knowledge.
Quotes:
Nits’ilʔin (Chief) Joe Alphonse, TNG Tribal Chairman
“Today marks a significant step forward for our Nation. Our people have been and continue to be negatively impacted by the Canadian court system, and the long-standing racism that exists there. This has had severe consequences for our people, both young and old. This is an opportunity for us to showcase the strength of our culture and knowledge and really
make a difference in the lives of our people. This is just a first step and the next step will be creating a full Indigenous court system.”
Nits’ilʔin (Chief) Jimmy Lulua, TNG Vice-Chair
“Our primary focus is to build a healthy community. The formation of the Indigenous Court is essential for our peoples healing and for reconciliation. Our people have our own traditional laws and governance, which was dismantled under the colonialist system. We know how to best govern and take care of our people and this is taking back some of our power and putting our destinies back in our own hands.”
Nits’ilʔin (Chief) Otis Guichon, Tŝideldel First Nation
“This is a powerful moment for our people. This was made possible by our Nation and neighbouring First Nations coming together to ensure that our people are being taken care of and getting the support that they need from the justice system. This is about community, and helping our people stay connected to each other and our Indigenous culture and heritage.”
Executive Director, Samantha-Jo Dick, Yeqox Nilin Justice Society
“Today we celebrate a win for the four Nations surrounding the Williams Lake area; the Tŝilhqot’in, Northern Secwepemc, Southern Dekelh, and the Métis. We came together Nation-to-Nation to bring this process to Williams Lake, and because of these efforts and our dedication, the Indigenous Court is now a reality. The Indigenous Court opens the door to bringing our own traditional justice forms to the table. This process could not have happened without the support of the Nations, Elders, justice workers, and front-line workers. Today marks a step forward in recognizing our traditional forms of justice, it will show the strength we have as First Nations people to help one another through the teaching and guidance of our Elders.”
NAIN, NUNATSIAVUT – A group of students in Nain, a community of approximately 1,200 people on the north coast of Labrador, are about to make academic history.
On Friday, Dec. 11, six students, who have been enrolled since June 2019, will be the first to graduate from College of the North Atlantic’s (CNA) indigenized Early Childhood Education (ECE) certificate program. The ground-breaking initiative was funded by the federal government, under a post-secondary partnership with Indigenous Services Canada, and was fully supported by the long-standing partnership between CNA and the Nunatsiavut Government.
Brenda Tobin, Dean of Academics, Applied Arts & Tourism, says the indigenized ECE program, which is a separate and more specialized offering via the college’s Customized and Continuous Learning division than CNA’s existing program, is yet another example of how positive partnerships between CNA and various levels of government, particularly Nunatsiavut, enable the college to provide unique opportunities for students, while at the same time, helping boost the local community’s early learning and child care needs.
Nunatsiavut’s Minister of Education and Economic Development, Carlene Palliser, acknowledges CNA’s role in developing and implementing the ECE program in Nain, and thanks the graduates for the sacrifices they’ve made over the past two years.
“CNA has been a true partner, providing guidance and encouragement right from the start,” said Minister Palliser. “Our children will reap the benefits of this partnership for years to come. They are lucky to have these fine graduates guide them through their early years and to provide them with compassion, care and kindness, while also instilling in them the love of learning that is so important.”
There was an invaluable team of people supporting this program from the beginning, notes Tobin, and every decision made was with the students and their success at the forefront. Behind the scenes, she says the groundwork was “amazing, extensive, and innovative.” Focus groups were formed and meetings were held with the community, including the elders, to explain the project and incorporate their vital feedback into the program. There was also extensive research conducted to learn about the culture and develop the curriculum. In addition, CNA worked with the provincial government to offer this as a special project. As part of the initial proposal, measures were put in place so that students would not only learn at the facility in Nain with the indigenized curriculum, but they would also experience first-hand CNA’s demonstration child care centre at its Happy Valley-Goose Bay campus.
Post-secondary quality standards were maintained, and the examples used in the curriculum were tailored so that it was significant for the students in the Labrador Inuit culture when discussing and
learning various topics. They could apply these aspects to their own culture and enjoy meaningful creative experiences. This is ground-breaking as indigenous cultural aspects were incorporated into the curriculum, and the ECE’s will now be qualified to apply for their Level I Child Care Services provincial certification.
The program was also designed for these students to be in the classroom with the instructor in Nain. However, the COVID-19 pandemic halted all in-person delivery this past March, this meant the instructor had to work with the students off-site so they could continue learning remotely – something they had not been prepared for. However, Tobin credits Melissa Mercer, who is also a CNA ECE program graduate, as being instrumental in keeping the program going and helping these students to the finish line.
“We were so fortunate to have Melissa with us – the timing couldn’t have been better,” said Tobin. “She was never in Nain before and was a recent graduate of our ECE diploma program. No matter how hard we worked in the background to support her, without her on the front lines being so energetic and positive, we know this program wouldn’t have gotten to where we are today. This is such a huge success story all around for the graduates, the community, and the invaluable partnerships we have, particularly with the Nunatsiavut Government. The graduates were resilient and showed such support for each other while also keeping their eye on the goal – graduation. It wasn’t easy for them, but they did it! We are so very proud of them.”
For more information about CNA’s programs, visit: www.cna.nl.ca. For more information about the Nunatsiavut Government, visit: www.nunatsiavut.com.
The Indigenous & Canadian Tax provides a general resource and offers an overview of the distinctive aspects of taxation for Indigenous Peoples
KPMG in Canada’s Indigenous Client Services is pleased to announce the launch of Indigenous & Canadian Tax, a comprehensive guide to the complex tax issues affecting Indigenous Peoples, communities and businesses in Canada.
The new handbook covers a wide range of current and emerging personal and corporate tax measures that may impact Indigenous communities, their members, Indigenous-owned businesses and trusts. Originally published in 2006, the updated Indigenous & Canadian Tax guide provides an overview of the distinctive aspects of personal taxation for Indigenous Peoples, whether living on or off reserve. The book also explains exemptions under Canada’s Income Tax Act, recent updates in case law, tax structuring of Indigenous-led commercial ventures, investment income and indirect taxes.
“KPMG’s new tax guide outlines the most recent developments and updates in the application of tax laws affecting the Indigenous community in Canada,” says Tim Tisdale, National Leader, Indigenous Tax Services, KPMG in Canada. “With this book, our goal is to make our clients more aware of the unique tax opportunities and requirements that exist under the law, as well as the tax issues and situations that can arise. The guide also features useful commentary on tax exemptions, the taxation of commercial ventures and various federal and provincial tax provisions.”
The guide is intended to provide a general resource and offer practical information about how several tax rules may apply due to the unique tax treatment of Indigenous Peoples. “It’s always important to work with a dedicated Tax advisor and discuss your specific circumstances to help ensure you realize the maximum tax benefits, whether personally or for your business,” adds Tisdale.
Indigenous & Canadian Tax covers such topics as:
Canada’s income tax exemption for eligible Bands and Indigenous Peoples
Tax treatment of employees of Indigenous businesses
Indigenous-owned corporations and other entities
Indirect taxes, such as GST/HST, fuel, carbon and sales taxes
“KPMG has a longstanding commitment to working with Indigenous organizations and businesses to support the goals and aspirations of Indigenous communities in Canada,” says Lucy Iacovelli, Canadian Managing Partner for Tax, KPMG in Canada. “Through KPMG’s own network of Indigenous professionals and our support for Indigenous organizations and programs, we have gained a deep appreciation of the unique contributions of Indigenous Peoples and the conditions that impact these communities. This guide, which we are making widely available, is another example of our commitment to the Indigenous community in Canada.”
About KPMG’s Indigenous Client Services
KPMG’s Indigenous Client Services is a dedicated team of advisors serving Indigenous organizations and communities across Canada, providing accounting, taxation, audit, financial advisory and management consulting services to First Nations, regional and national Councils and organizations, and Indigenous businesses and individuals. We are acutely attuned to how Indigenous People and organizations can deal effectively with emerging accounting, tax, and financial reporting issues in Canada. Our clients across Canada are served by experienced local advisors who are supported by the full resources of KPMG in Canada and KPMG International.
KPMG dedicates Indigenous & Canadian Tax to all Indigenous communities and Peoples in Canada in appreciation and celebration of their past and ongoing contributions. We recognize with deep respect and acknowledge with gratitude that KPMG serves clients and communities located on the traditional territories and treaty lands of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people.
Commitment to Indigenous PeoplesAt KPMG, we are passionately committed to inclusion and diversity, environment stewardship, and the social progress and economic prosperity of Indigenous People in Canada. We believe in the power of education to enable the next generation to achieve their full potential. As a founding member of The Martin Family Initiative, our people provide mentorship to Indigenous high school students. First launched in 2012, KPMG’s Indigenous Student Awards offer financial support to Indigenous students in the pursuit of a post-secondary education. This annual award program is administered by Indspire’s Building Brighter Futures. We are a member of the Canada Council for Aboriginal Business and sponsor of numerous Indigenous-led conferences and initiatives. Our Indigenous Peoples Network is a critical leadership voice within the firm, with a priority focus on internal education, culture and allyship.
