Topic: Today’s News

OSOYOOS INDIAN BAND LAND, July 27, 2020 – The Osoyoos Indian Band and FortisBC have now officially opened the first publicly available DC fast-charging electric vehicle (EV) stations in a First Nation community in B.C., allowing for emission-free travel though B.C.’s southern interior routes. 

“Hosting these two stations helps make our region accessible for electric vehicle drivers and reflects our forward thinking approach to economic development,” said Chief Clarence Louie, Osoyoos Indian Band. “Through this positive partnership with FortisBC, we’re supporting clean transportation in our area and sustainable business growth. We’re pleased to contribute to this initiative.” 

The two stations, located in Oliver and Osoyoos, are strategically placed to accommodate EV drivers using interior routes to travel between the US and Canada, or southern routes to travel between B.C.’s eastern and western regions. It also allows for clean travel to B.C.’s wine region, which attracts thousands of tourists annually. 

The Oliver station is located along Highway 97 in proximity to Senkulmen Enterprise Park, a growing economic hub. The Osoyoos station is located along Highway 3, in proximity to the Spirit Ridge Resort, and other popular destinations for visitors to the region. 

The 50-kilowatt stations are designed to provide highway-grade EV charging services for customers who need to charge their vehicles quicker than is possible from a Level-2 charger. The DC fast-charging stations are available to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The cost to charge at all of FortisBC’s DC fast-charging stations is 30 cents per minute. 

The stations feature unique artwork, created by the Osoyoos Indian Band Youth Council and designed to represent Chief Salmon, one of the four Food Chiefs integral to the traditions of the Syilx/Okanagan Peoples. The artwork represents the connection between water and the creation of electricity in B.C., as well as the importance respecting the natural environment and being mindful of leaving a positive legacy for future generations. 

“We’re grateful for the partnership with the Osoyoos Indian Band and honoured to feature artwork created by such a talented local artist from the Youth Council,” said Doug Stout, vice president, market development and external relations. “For us, this unique artwork will serve as a permanent reminder of the value of partnership in driving forward our shared goal of a cleaner, energy future.” 

These fast-charging stations were made possible through cooperation between FortisBC, the Osoyoos Indian Band, Ecora Properties, the Province of British Columbia and Natural Resources Canada. Under the terms of the agreement, the Osoyoos Indian Band is providing the locations and FortisBC will own and manage the stations. These are part of 12 fast-charging stations FortisBC has built over the last year with support from municipalities and all levels of government. All 12 stations were 50 per cent funded by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), 25 per cent by BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources and the remaining 25 per cent by FortisBC. NRCan provided $600,000 for the twelve fast chargers through its Electric Vehicle and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Deployment Initiative, which aims to establish a coast-to-coast network of fast-chargers along the national highway system, natural gas refueling stations along key freight corridors and hydrogen refueling stations in major metropolitan areas.

The Government of British Columbia funding is through its CleanBC Go Electric public charging stations program. 

These 12 stations bring the total DC fast-chargers FortisBC owns and operates to 23 stations across 14 communities in the southern interior, and there are 16 more stations under construction. FortisBC continues to look for opportunities to expand this network as part of its 30BY30 target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from its customers by 30 per cent by 2030. For more information about the FortisBC electric vehicle fast-charging network, visit fortisbc.com/electricvehicle. 

The COVID-19 pandemic is not over. We must continue to listen, learn, be cautious and take care of one another –  a message from the Assembly of First Nations Knowledge Keepers Council

We would like to give thanks to the Creator for keeping our families, communities, and leaders safe during these challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you, Creator, for walking with our families who have lost loved ones during this time and keep them safe. Creator, please keep our young people safe.  

The past few months have brought new challenges to our communities and Nations. Members of our families and communities have left this world early due to complications from COVID-19. We honour their memories and acknowledge the grief that many of you feel. We recognize that it has been difficult to be separated from friends and families and to not be able to participate in all the activities and ceremonies that support our wellbeing. We thank all the nurses and frontline workers who are taking care of our people.

To our younger generation: please know you are in our prayers and that you can reach out for support anytime. With technology today, we are available to provide support, or we can find the support you need.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic reached Canada, First Nations have worked relentlessly to protect people and families in their communities. We have case numbers at a manageable level with a majority of cases resolved in community. Through adapting and working together, we have once again shown that we continue to be resilient.  Some communities have had no cases so far, but that does not mean we can be complacent. The pandemic is not yet over. The risk of a second wave exists, and we must all continue to be cautious and continue to listen to our Elders, leadership, and health leaders.

With the change of seasons, many of us are going out onto the land to participate in ceremony, harvest fish and berries, and to hunt. We must continue to gain strength from these practices and honour our traditional beliefs while acknowledging the role of western medicine in keeping us safe from sickness. With the coming of fall, the influenza vaccine (flu shot) will become available, and this year, more so than ever, it is important that we get vaccinated and encourage our friends and family members to get vaccinated as well.

With the gradual re-opening of communities, businesses, and schools, our social circles will become larger and we will interact with more people from within and outside of our communities. Please apply the direction of our leaders and practice physical distancing, practice good hand hygiene, limit large gatherings, and wear a mask inside public spaces. You may not feel sick, but you may be a carrier. Be reminded that there is strength in the practice of self-isolating, seeking medical attention, and getting tested for COVID-19 if you do feel sick or are in contact with a confirmed case.

By taking these precautions, you are taking care of yourself, and, importantly, taking care of those around you who may be more vulnerable to the disease, especially our Elders.  Continue to listen and learn about what is known about COVID-19, how it is spread, and what is effective in reducing the spread as information is constantly evolving. We have always taken care of each other, we will continue to do so now, especially in this period of uncertainty, to protect our people, our communities, and our Nations.

August 1st 2020 marks the 8th anniversary of one of the great economic tragedies in Canadian history. This was the day the wrecking ball swung by then Prime Minister Stephen Harper and former Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz finally destroyed one of the most important institutions working for economic justice for farmers – the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB). In a malicious act driven by wrong-headed doctrine, they chose to eliminate the CWB through the Orwellian-titled Marketing Freedom for Farmers Act.

The CWB was a world-renowned agency that reliably supplied top quality western Canadian wheat and barley to customers within Canada and around the world and achieved a premium price for farmers through its single desk selling powers. Farmers also shared in the returns generated throughout year through the annual pooling of net sales, with a final payment made when the year’s results were tallied. Farmers could opt out of the pools through various other marketing tools offered by the Board, or they could market their grain directly to buyers through a very inexpensive buyback program. With the CWB, farmers really had the best of all worlds for marketing their wheat and barley.

In the lead-up to the CWB’s destruction, Stephen Harper and Gerry Ritz thumbed their noses at democracy by firing the farmer-elected members of the board of directors and by refusing to allow farmers to vote in regard to retaining the CWB as their marketing agency, which was required by then-existing law. They knew the majority of farmers wanted to maintain the CWB. This was not acceptable to Harper and Ritz.

Adding further insult to injury, after dismissing the farmer-elected directors who were the majority on the board, the remaining government-appointed board members used the $145 million contingency fund, which was made up of farmers earnings, to buy up elevators that were subsequently turned over — along with other assets of the CWB, including hopper rail cars, locomotives, and lake freighters — to the multinational grain company Bunge and the Saudi Arabian Land and Agricultural Investment Company, now doing business as G3.

Ironically, the very few who chafed under the CWB and complained it lacked transparency — in spite of its extensive annual reports  — now labour under a system dominated by multinational grain companies that disclose almost nothing. This is particularly galling because with the CWB we had a direct stake in the marketing of our grain and democratic control through our elected farmer directors.

Under the CWB, malt barley sales generated significant premiums because of its end-use in the brewing industry. Now, price premiums are a joke. Grain companies are offering less than a dollar per bushel, sometimes just dimes, over feed barley prices. Grain companies are capturing the premium value for themselves. This is also happening in wheat sales where buyers manipulate the basis levels to capture most of the increased value whenever export prices go up (basis is made up of various charges including freight, handling, and arbitrage). The prices farmers receive have more or less stagnated, hovering in the 6 dollar/bushel range since the loss of the CWB. These are 1970’s prices!

Today, everyone should have 20:20 hindsight and see the magnitude of the losses to farmers and the Canadian economy caused by the destruction of the CWB. The National Farmers Union predicted these outcomes years ago and knew that the fight to save the CWB was the right fight! Now farmers are dominated by a few multinational grain companies that have taken billions out of Canada’s economy at farmers’ expense. Shame on Stephen Harper and Gerry Ritz.

Terry Boehm was NFU President from 2010 to 2014. He farms at Colonsay, Saskatchewan.

The Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation’s (AIOC) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Alicia Dubois to Chief Executive Officer of the AIOC effective September 1, 2020. Dubois brings to the position a wealth of knowledge, extensive leadership capabilities and a track record of successful Indigenous transactions. This, combined with her excellent people engagement and communications skills, gives the Board confidence that she will continue to evolve the strong culture of AIOC.

Cody Church, chair of AIOC, says he and the board of directors are delighted to have Dubois join the AIOC as its inaugural CEO. “Alicia will be taking the AIOC to the next level, building on the solid foundation and momentum achieved by the team under the leadership of Interim CEO Matt Machielse’s leadership,” said Church.

Alicia joins the AIOC from CIBC where she developed and implemented CIBC’s Indigenous Markets strategy and framework. In this role, she established and proudly led an expert national Indigenous Markets team.  At the AIOC she will continue her commitment to bolstering Indigenous economic prosperity and wellness by driving regional economic growth through meaningful business partnerships.  

Alicia is the Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business and served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Ontario Museum.  She actively contributes to awareness building and enhancing the positive national narrative around Indigenous finance and prosperity via speaking engagements with industry, governments and diverse audiences across the country.  In 2019, Alicia was honoured with the National Aboriginal Trust Officers Association’s inaugural Award of Distinction for her steadfast commitment to Indigenous prosperity and self-determination. Prior to her career in Indigenous financial services, Alicia practiced law at Alberta Justice, ENMAX Corporation and Native Child and Family Services of Toronto.

“We are pleased to see a person of Alicia Dubois’ caliber coming aboard the AIOC. To be able to attract someone of her qualifications, speaks to the mandate and vision of the AIOC to help make the Indigenous people in Alberta true partners in prosperity. Alicia will no doubt help make that happen”

– Rick Wilson, Minister of Indigenous Relations

We are excited to announce that select Indigenous Arts Program and Indigenous Music Initiative grants are now accepting applications from Indigenous artists and organizations in B.C.

The deadline to apply is September 15, 2020 at 4:30 p.m.

The Fall 2020 intake includes the following:
The Indigenous Arts Program (IAP)

• Community Arts Infrastructure – Up to $20,000 to complete renovations for a community arts workspace.
• Individual Artists – Up to $10,000 for individual Indigenous artists.
• Sharing Traditional Arts Across Generations – Up to $12,000 to support Indigenous organizations and individual artists to share traditional arts practices.
• Arts Administrator Internships – Up to $30,000 for internship/mentorship and training opportunities within the arts industry.
• Arts Micro-Grants – $1,000 for unforeseen opportunities. Deadline: March 2021

The Indigenous Music Initiative (IMI)

• Expanding Capacity in the Indigenous Music Recording Industry – Up to $10,000 for emerging professional in the music industry.
• Emerging Music Industry Professional – One-time grant up to $30,000 to support emerging music producers/engineers and music studios.
  
  For more information, eligibility, guidelines and how to apply please click on each program above. Applications are accepted from Indigenous (status, non-status, Métis and Inuit) artists, organizations and collectives located in B.C.
  
  Please share this funding opportunity with others by downloading the program poster [PDF].We are here to provide support. If you have any questions or need any assistance completing your application please contact a member of the Arts Program team. Email: arts@fpcc.ca Tel. 250-652-5952.
  

The effects of COVID-19 have touched our own community just as it has touched so many people around the world. The health and safety of everyone involved in FPCC programs, communities, and especially our Elders, is of the utmost importance to us. To find out more about how FPCC is responding view our COVID-19 Info and Resource pages.

Warm regards,
Emmy McMillan
Communications Officer, First Peoples’ Cultural Council
emmy@fpcc.ca

Le 27 juillet 2020 – Montréal – Office national du film du Canada (ONF)

Découvrez ce qu’ONF.ca vous offre gratuitement en août ! Cette sélection d’œuvres originales, issues des studios de l’ONF d’un bout à l’autre du pays, compte la première mondiale de Bulle, un récit interactif pour mobile signé par les Jeunes pousses 2019 : l’école interactive ONF × UQAM, le long métrage documentaire Jordan River Anderson, le messager, d’Alanis Obomsawin, et le court métrage d’animation Balakrishna, de Colin MacKenzie et Aparna Kapur, ainsi que le lancement officiel de La courbe, une collection de projets abordant la pandémie. Ces nouveautés pertinentes et d’actualité viennent encore bonifier l’offre de plus de 4000 titres déjà accessibles sur ONF.ca, sans oublier la collection d’une centaine d’œuvres interactives, dont la presque totalité est offerte gratuitement en ligne. 

Dès le 12 août

Balakrishna, de Colin MacKenzie et Aparna Kapur (2019, Studio du Québec et de l’Atlantique)

Court métrage d’animation (15 min)

Dossier de presse (synopsis, biographies, images et générique) : espacemedia.onf.ca/balakrishna 

En 1967, lorsqu’un résident hors du commun — Balakrishna, un éléphant originaire d’Inde — arrive dans la petite ville d’East River, en Nouvelle-Écosse, personne ne voue une aussi grande admiration à l’animal que Winton Cook, lequel devient inséparable de son gigantesque nouvel ami. Soutenu par une animation pittoresque, des photographies et de formidables séquences de vieux films amateurs, le court métrage nous communique la nostalgie sincère des souvenirs d’enfance précieusement conservés.

Dès le 29 août – PREMIÈRE MONDIALE 

Bulle, de Jeunes pousses 2019 : l’école interactive ONF × UQAM (2020, Studio interactif de Montréal)

Récit interactif pour mobile (5 min)

Dossier de presse (synopsis, biographies, images et générique) : espacemedia.onf.ca/bulle

Bulle nous transporte à Montréal en 2050, dans un monde où aucune mesure n’a été prise pour endiguer les changements climatiques. La solution trouvée par les humains pour survivre aux conditions environnementales hostiles : se mettre la tête dans une bulle. À une époque où nos gestes ont des répercussions sur l’avenir de l’humanité, chaque personne est désormais responsable de son sort.

Dès le 31 août

Jordan River Anderson, le messager, d’Alanis Obomsawin (2019, Studio du Québec et de l’Atlantique)

Long métrage documentaire (66 min)

Dossier de presse (synopsis, biographies, images et générique) : espacemedia.onf.ca/jordan

Dans ce film, la célèbre réalisatrice abénaquise Alanis Obomsawin raconte comment la courte vie de Jordan River Anderson a permis que des milliers d’enfants inuits et des Premières Nations bénéficient aujourd’hui de soins de santé, de services sociaux et de services d’enseignement public égaux à ceux du reste de la population canadienne.

Lancement officiel de La courbe dès le 24 août

De l’est à l’ouest du pays tout en passant par le nord, 40 créateurs et créatrices d’ici donnent la parole à des Canadiens et Canadiennes touchés par la pandémie. La courbe prendra le pouls de la population canadienne au temps de la COVID-19 et nous fera part des hauts et des bas de la vie quotidienne au moyen de récits d’animation, documentaires ou numériques. L’initiative rassemble ainsi plusieurs œuvres, qui seront accessibles à différents moments au cours des prochains mois. 

Créé dans l’immédiateté de la situation actuelle, en amont du lancement officiel, un troisième projet sera lancé sous peu, après 60 jours à vélo et Parenthèse, déjà offerts en ligne : 

• À venir au mois d’août : Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, de Laura Cortes, Alexandra Hook, Mel Eshaghbeigi et Jam3 (2020, Studio interactif de Vancouver et Jam3) 

Œuvre interactive 

La COVID-19 a déclenché un raz-de-marée d’expression citoyenne en ligne : la peur et la colère se manifestent, mais elles côtoient la solidarité et la joie. Une équipe dirigée par des femmes artistes du Web s’approprie de manière ludique l’intelligence artificielle et la technologie d’IBM pour mesurer notre bien-être collectif, sollicitant la participation des utilisateurs à un projet de visualisation de données qui évalue nos réactions émotionnelles changeantes envers la crise. 

Suivez #TheCurveNFB et #LaCourbeONF pour faire la connaissance des créateurs et créatrices de La courbe, et obtenir des nouvelles et des aperçus de l’évolution des travaux avant le lancement.

TORONTO – Chris Glover MPP (Spadina–Fort York), the Official Opposition NDP’s critic for Colleges and Universities, has issued a statement in response to today’s announcement by Doug Ford that a scaled down version of York University’s Markham campus will go ahead without any capital funding from the province:

“The people of Markham and York University have stepped up to fill a gap created when Doug Ford scrapped planned university campuses in Markham, Brampton and Milton. Unfortunately, Ford’s refusal to fund this incredibly important campus extension sends the troubling message to universities and colleges that this government will never invest in building, repairing, expanding or making more accessible university and college campuses.

In fact, by cutting this funding, Ford is telling public universities to borrow, to privatize and to hike tuition to keep up with all building and repair needs.

Our province is growing fast, with more young people who need to learn the skills to succeed in the new technology-driven economy and more mid-career professionals who need to re-train amid massive COVID-19 job losses. It’s the Ford government’s job to invest in higher education to make Ontario the very best place in the world to study, not to force universities and colleges to borrow money, privatize and hike tuition to pay for the facilities students deserve.”

Sechelt, BC – On July 7 there were two acts of racist anti-Indigenous vandalism on the Sunshine Coast. A large banner was hung across two totem poles at the Pender Harbour School that read “IF U TOUCH George/Stanley/John A UR Totem’s will start Falling” (see photo below).

As well, the word “conquered” was painted on a highway sign containing shíshálh language. The RCMP have been contacted and are investigating. 

“Our Nation members are saddened and upset by these most recent acts of racism,” said hiwus (Chief) Warren Paull. “Of course, we are not surprised. Racism exists here on the Sunshine Coast, as it does elsewhere. And as always, racism will be confronted for what it is – as an expression of ignorance and hate that must be completely rejected in all forms.” 

Since news of these racist incidents began circulating, shíshálh Nation has received an outpouring of support from neighbours, residents, and others across British Columbia. “This is the most heartening thing,” said Councillor Selina August. “While we woke up today to hurtful news of racist incidents, we are also met with the love, support, and generosity of British Columbians from all walks of life who wish to see true reconciliation become the reality across this country. So our message today is one of thanks, to all those countless British Columbians who see racism for what it is, call it out, and are ready to do the on-going work of improving our communities, province, country, and world.” 

Nicholas Simons, MLA for Powell River – Sunshine Coast adds: ” I join the shíshálh Nation in condemning these hurtful, racist incidents. There is no excuse for such hateful thoughts, and no place for words, or actions like this on the Sunshine Coast or anywhere. Residents of the Sunshine Coast reject racism and overwhelmingly support the work that individuals, communities, and 

British Columbians are doing to build greater understanding, inclusiveness, and equality – including the essential work of reconciliation.”

or more information contact: hiwus Warren Paull

This means that submissions will be reviewed and assessed as they’re submitted until December 31, 2020. Once approved, final reporting deadlines will also be assessed on an individual basis.
Initiatives with amended closing dates are:

• Direct Support
• Elders Grant
• Youth Grant
• Youth Language Grant
• Equity Matching
• Nation Governance

Below is the revised list of program initiatives and corresponding closing dates:

• Direct Support opened June 15th & closes December 31, 2020
• Elders opened June 15th & closes December 31, 2020
• Equity Matching Initiative open now & closes December 31, 2020
• K-12 opens September 8, 2020
• Nation Governance opened June 15th & closes December 31, 2020
• Tribal Council opened June 15th until funds exhausted
• Youth opened June 15th & closes December 31, 2020
• Youth Language opened June 15th & closes December 31, 2020
• Bursaries opened June 15th & closes August 6th at noon
• Scholarships opened June 15th & closes August 6th at noon

In 2006, NRT was created by the BC Government and First Nations leadership and launched as a $100 million fund. NRT is mandated to support BC First Nation communities to build capacity in order to become healthy, prosperous and self-sufficient. To date, 98% of the 203 First Nations in BC have accessed NRT funding.
The NRT Foundation was created in 2011 as a separate stand-alone charitable organization to seek additional funding for Scholarship and Bursary awards that are vital to Indigenous students in BC.
Applications are available on our website – www.newrelationshiptrust.ca
For information on:
Direct Support & Scholarships:malaimo@nrtf.caElders, K-12 & Bursaries:lplante@nrtf.caYouth & Youth Language:adehart@nrtf.caNation Governance & Tribal Council:mattcookcontois@nrtf.caEquity Matching:wschneider@nrtf.caGeneral Inquiries:admin@nrtf.ca
Website: www.newrelationshiptrust.caFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewRelationshipTrustSincerely,
The New Relationship Trust Team