The Toronto Star – July 11, 2018
Even though my name may not indicate that I have Indigenous heritage, I am a status Mohawk from the Six Nations Reserve southwest of Toronto. I am saddened by Education Minister Lisa Thompson’s move to cancel the writing session for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission curriculum revisions because I feel it’s important that children in future generations learn about the true history of our country, both good and bad.
Plaque Unveiling a Step Towards Truth and Reconciliation
Ryerson Today – July 10, 2018
“This plaque serves as a reminder of Ryerson University’s commitment to moving forward in the spirit of truth and reconciliation. Egerton Ryerson is widely known for his contributions to Ontario’s public educational system. As Chief Superintendent of Education, Ryerson’s recommendations were instrumental in the design and implementation of the Indian Residential School System…”
Hoping for More Details on Ontario Education Cuts
Standard-Freeholder – July 10, 2018
Within Ontario’s public school bureaucracies, Monday was a day of waiting for the other shoe to drop.Two decisions were made by your new Ontario government that will have an impact on schools. The first was a consequence of the government’s decision to get out of cap-and-trade – which is not instantaneous, though the cancellation of all programs funded by cap-and-trade revenue was. That includes a pot of $100 million for energy efficiency and other green projects at the province’s schools.
http://www.standard-freeholder.com/2018/07/10/hoping-for-more-details-on-ontario-education-cuts
New Ontario Government Cuts Education Programming Aimed at Reconciliation
Nishnawbe Aski Nation – July 9, 2018
“Truth-sharing and education on the Indian Residential School experience is one of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action. We have heard from many educators, Elders andknowledge keepers and share their frustration as this important work was dropped just before it was set to begin,” said Deputy Grand Chief Derek Fox, who holds the education portfolio. “This is a stepbackwards on our journey towards reconciliation. The education of the youth in Ontario shouldn’t be dictated by the party in power, but left to professionals who acknowledge that identity-building is the only positive move forward.”
http://www.nan.on.ca/article/july-9-2018-22616.asp
Ontario Cancels Curriculum Rewrite that Would Boost Indigenous Content
CBC News – July 9, 2018
The move is “a damaging step backwards on the road to reconciliation,” said a representative from the Ontario NDP, now the Official Opposition party. “The curriculum in Ontario’s public schools is outdated, and we simply have to do better for our children,” said Peggy Sattler, the MPP for London West who was re-elected in the June election. “Teachers, educators and families have been clear that they support bringing Indigenous education into the classroom, and are right to be alarmed if this is the approach the Ford government plans to take.”
Indigenous Knowledge Keeper Gives Traditional Perspective
The Whig – July 8, 2018
“I was approached to share about our traditional perspective, our world view, our way of life, and to do that by way of teachings and storytelling around the fire.” Yearington said people today are more open-minded, open-hearted and conscious of Indigenous perspectives. He’s ready to share with people coming through Bellevue House, which has connections to sinister history for Indigenous people in Canada.
http://www.thewhig.com/2018/07/08/indigenous-knowledge-keeper-gives-traditional-perspective
Court Approves Class-Action Lawsuit for Indigenous Students who say they Were Abused at Day Schools
The Globe and Mail – July 8, 2018
Indigenous people who say they lost their culture and suffered physical and sexual abuse at government-funded day schools are calling for compensation in a Canada-wide lawsuit that has been certified as a class action. First Nations, Métis and Inuit people who were forced, as children, to attend these schools say they suffered atrocities similar to those who went to residential schools. The Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, the largest class-action settlement in Canadian history, has paid more than a total of $5-billion to residential school survivors.
CMTN First Nations Fine Arts Program Offers New Advanced Diploma
Nation Talk – July 6, 2018
“This is an exciting opportunity for Indigenous artists to continue growing their skill sets in jewellerymaking and carving while learning more about the business side of marketing their work,” says world-class Tahltan/Tlingit/Tsimshian carver and instructor, Stan Bevan. “We are really excited to see a third year offering in this unique program.” The new Advanced Diploma is a 10-month program meant to enhance skills and confidence of graduates of the second year First Nations Fine Arts diploma. The program is a combination of business courses, jewellery and sculpture making with a mentoring approach to learning to increase confidence in moving forward in their artistic careers.
Alaskan Inuit Dialect Added to Facebook
CBC News – July 6, 2018
“A lot of the discussions we’ve had is on, how do we make sure that the language is accessible to all people in all places?” he said. He’s currently learning Inupiaq, describing himself as an intermediate learner. He saw Facebook as an online space that can be made accessible to Indigenous languages.”I think technology often can be thought of as a scary thing because English is so dominant online,” he said. “I also think that technology can be used as an opportunity for Indigenous languages to thrive in places that they hadn’t been represented in before.”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/inupiatun-added-to-facebook-translate-app-1.4735398
1938 Indigenous Recordings Preserved in Ont. Museum
CTV News – July 5, 2018
When anthropology student Bimadoshka (Annya) Pucan heard the sounds of her ancestors coming from an 80-year-old wax cylinder, it was an emotional payoff she hadn’t anticipated. “I just screamed ‘I can hear you!’ I was crying,” said Pucan, an Anishnaabe woman from Saugeen First Nation, Turtle Clan. “All of these years waiting and looking and learning.”
Katimavik is Back Opening Minds and Teaching Reconciliation, Calgary Volunteer Says
CBC News – July 5, 2018
“I think it’s going to be a lot of fun. I think we are going to be working really hard, four days a week volunteering, learning about Indigenous cultures on Fridays,” Jacob Kates Rose told Radio-Canada.”Everybody seems really nice and are here to learn, to work, to experience but to have a good time and make friends.”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/katimavik-calgary-program-restored-1.4735710
Old Mill Heritage Centre’s Heartfelt Tribute to Community’s Past Informs Present Projects
The Manitoulin Expositor – July 4, 2018
Immediately upon entering, the sound and images emanating from a film on the Indigenous origins of Manitoulin Island grounds the museum experience in earliest inhabitation. Further on, a little room holds the delicate line drawings of talented local artist Jenna Carter, each featuring one of the many intact historical structures within the village of Kagawong, with an accompanying map that describes the genesis of all the buildings—for a walkabout later. In the corner, a 1930s wooden radio cabinet plays WWII broadcasts, surrounded by sepia tonedphotos of local men and women who contributed to the efforts of both World Wars, their uniforms, medals andstories now behind glass.
Parks Canada and Huron-Wendat Museum Launch a New Exhibition
Indigenous Lands & Resources – July 3, 2018
On June 26, 2018, Parks Canada and the Huron-Wendat Museum partnered to launch the new temporary exhibition “From the Fortifications to Wendake”. As part of this collaboration, a total of 11 Indigenous objects related to the way of life of the Huron-Wendat Nation will be on display at the Artillery Park Heritage Site in Québec City, and artifacts from the Fortifications of Québec National Historic Site will be featured at the Huron-Wendat Museum. Artifacts from the Fortifications of Québec include 18th and 19th centuries children’s games.
http://www.ilrtoday.ca/parks-canada-and-huron-wendat-museum-launch-a-new-exhibition/
147 Residential School Survivors Get Final Chance to Have Cases Heard
CBC News – July 3, 2018
In her ruling, Brown said the body overseeing the compensation process, the Indian Residential School Adjudication Secretariat, must determine which cases qualify for compensation by Oct. 1, and that claimants have until Oct. 15 to appeal rejections to its chief adjudicator, Dan Shapiro. The multi-billion dollar Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement — signed by Ottawa, the churches and Indigenous groups in 2006 — created a system to set compensation payouts called the Independent Assessment Process (IAP). The secretariat oversees the IAP.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/residential-schools-compensation-cases-iap-judge-1.4732397
The Government of Canada Invests in Research Project to Improve Education Outcomes for Indigenous Youth Across Canada and Around the World
News Wire – June 25, 2018
Today, Marc Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt, announced on behalf of the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services, an investment in a collaborative research initiative titled “Strengthening Education and Improving Academic Success” that aims to improve the quality of education for First Nations secondary students in the Sudbury area, across Canada, and ultimately, worldwide.
