Net News Ledger – February 28, 2018
“This is a good day and an important day for First Nations children and a good day for our families,” said National Chief Bellegarde. “We know the needs are great and that’s why we pressed for, and will continue to press for sustained, strategic investments. The ongoing investments that support the movement toward First Nations self-determination and self-government is the right way forward.”
Brock University Offers Aboriginal Governance Course on Island
The Manitoulin Expositor – February 28, 2018
“We are very excited to be able to offer a program like this,” said Abdul R Rahimi from Brock University’s Centre for Innovation, Management and Enterprise Education, who credited Brock’s new chancellor, Weengushk’s Shirley Cheechoo, for being “a voice for the community” and an impetus for bringing the program to Manitoulin.
http://www.manitoulin.ca/2018/02/28/brock-university-offers-aboriginal-governance-course-island/
NAN Response to Federal Budget
Nishnawbe Aski Nation – February 27, 2018
“I am pleased with several aspects of this budget, especially the federal government’s long awaited commitment to support Indigenous children in the child welfare system. We are disappointed that no new significant investments were made for housing, and specific details are needed on many of these allocations, but Budget 2018 contains significant investments to improve the well-being of our people and communities,” said Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler.
http://www.nan.on.ca/article/february-27-2018-22551.asp
Sask. Leads Country in Percentage of Teens not Working or in School
CBC News – February 27, 2018
“Anxiety and depression seem to be at the forefront for a lot of young people transitioning from being a teenager to early adulthood,” she said. When teens come to the drop-in centre, or enrol in Saskatoon’s Community Youth Arts Programming, they often struggle with addiction. One program employs youth for a nine-month term, during which they paint murals and execute art projects across the city. Many of the young people at the centre start out with weak skills, or very few skills that might be useful in the workforce. “Enabling people to use art as their tool to learn some skills and confidence and self-esteem goes a long way to helping them feel they can be part of society or part of the workforce,” said Krueckl.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/sask-unemployed-teens-school-1.4553573
Wabun Youths Empowered by Traditional Teachings
Timmins Press – February 26, 2018
The 12th-annual Wabun Youth Cultural Gathering brought together First Nation youth from several Treaty No. 9 communities in Northeastern Ontario for a three-day winter event held at the Elk Lake Eco Centre in Elk Lake. The event was held from Feb. 20 to 22, and featured traditional teachings, cultural sharing and youth empowerment and support.
http://www.timminspress.com/2018/02/26/wabun-youths-empowered-by-traditional-teachings
Ryerson University to Help Remote First Nation Grappling with Overcrowding and Youth Suicide The Toronto Star – February 26, 2018 “We don’t have the programs,” he said. “We need facilities where (youth) can hangout or get educated,” adding that the problems the community faces are not isolated but found in many Northern Ontario First Nations. Natasha Sugarhead, 22, who is a leader with Nibinamik Youth Empowerment council and featured in the documentary, said that she wants to raise awareness about her First Nation’s plight so that Canada can “hear our voices.”
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/02/26/ryerson-university-to-help-remote-first-nation.html
3rd Onjisay Aki Gathering of Elders, Youth and Scientists
Net News Ledger – February 26, 2018
Elders and Youth from 5 First Nations will gather with Scientists from February 25 to 27 to develop of regional school of Indigenous Ancestral Knowledge. This gathering will bring together Elders, Youth and Mentors from 4 Manitoba First Nations – Sagkeeng, Norway House, Bloodvein, and Biigtigong First Nations, to gather with Scientists. Onjisay Aki, means “our changing earth” in the Anishinabe language. It also means the as the earth changes, climate change and so must the people. This change cannot be forced but must come from within us and be based on an understanding found through observation of the earth itself and ancestral and natural laws. To effectively deal with climate change there must be a change of heart.
http://www.netnewsledger.com/2018/02/26/3rd-onjisay-aki-gathering-elders-youth-scientists/
‘A Tangible Example of Reconciliation’: Guardian of Skwomesh Language Applauds Provincial Language Spending
CBC News – February 26, 2018
There are 34 distinct Indigenous languages spoken in B.C. and also almost twice as many dialects. Khelsilem acknowledged that revitalizing all of them is a monumental task, one that falls to both families and the government.
A Nature-Lover’s Guide to Canada’s Manitoulin Island
Evening Standard – February 26, 2018
As they burn, I am told to fan the smoke over my head and face, and on to my chest. The process, known as smudging, calls on the spirits of these sacred plants to drive away negative energies and restore balance: the sage is said to purify; sweet grass to attract positive energy; and cedar to ward off sickness. Many tribes regard tobacco as the most sacred of plants, connecting native people to the spiritual world.
Book Review: Land Too Good for Indians – Northern Indian Removal
Anishinabek News – February 24, 2018
Land Too Good For Indians offers the reader an examination of northern Indian removal that has largely escaped mainstream memory. Thus this work, while a general overview of the complexities surrounding removal in the north, serves to undo colonial acts of forgetting. Bowes’ survey nicely argues that removal in the north, while similar to the Trail of Tears, was heavily influenced by Indian actions and reactions as well as federal, state, and local non-Indian actors.
http://anishinabeknews.ca/2018/02/24/book-review-land-too-good-for-indians-northern-indian-removal/
Maanomatapoyah Connects Indigenous Students, Professionals to STEM Fields at MRU Conference
CBC News – February 24, 2018
Dozens of Indigenous students and professionals are meeting in Calgary this weekend and they’re all connected in some way to the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and math. “Just seeing other people that are doing what they’re doing and know the struggles that they’re going through, whether you’re a professional or a student or somebody that is already out there in industry, it’s really the sense of camaraderie and the sense of home.”
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/maanomatapoyah-mru-calgary-conference-1.4550964
Eastwood Students Welcome Indigenous Youth from Saskatchewan
CBC News – February 23, 2018
Ruxandra Balanean, a student at the school who helped to organize the walk, said she learned a lot about Canada’s Indigenous peoples during the experience. “So, personally, I’m doing the exchange to put a face and a name to all of the work that I’ve done and to build the connections and start at home with reconciliation,” she told The Morning Edition host Craig Norris.
