TVO News – July 25, 2018
“My main fear … was that I would seem like an intruder — someone who was there to learn from the Indigenous community without having anything to offer in return,” says Herzog. “I wasn’t sure how I would introduce myself, still working to understand my purpose for being there.” But when she arrived at Native Child and Family Services, she received a warm welcome from organizers and fellow participants.
https://tvo.org/article/current-affairs/how-medical-schools-can-indigenize-their-programs
Why These Western University Profs say it’s Time to Merge the Catholic and Public School Systems
CBC News – July 25, 2018
“I think Ontario is in a crisis situation and Ontario is somewhat at a crossroads,” said Western University law and media professor Sam Trosow, who wrote the essay along with Bill Irwin, a social and organizational studies professor from Huron University College. “I think the public of Ontario is ready for a serious discussion about this,” Trosow said.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/ontario-public-catholic-school-merger-essay-1.4759602
Indian Horse Touring Indigenous Communities
TB News Watch – July 24, 2018
Based on a novel by the late First Nation’s writer Richard Wagamese, the film was released earlier this year to critical acclaim, telling the story of a youngster swept into the residential school system, using hockey as his way out. Brutally honest about the abuse that took place, Issaluk, who stars as Sam, wants as many people to see it as possible, to help them understand what many First Nations people went through and why many are still suffering today, generations after the fact.
https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/indian-horse-touring-indigenous-communities-993411
AFN Calls on Pope to Apologize to Residential School Survivors
MBC Radio – July 24, 2018
In March Pope Francis stated through his Bishops that he could not personally respond. Chief Perry Bellegarde has written to the Pope urging him to visit Canada, saying an apology would be an act of healing and reconciliation.The resolution also calls for the Catholic Church to honour its commitment towards funding Indigenous languages, with the AFN suggesting the Church owes more than $20 million.
https://www.mbcradio.com/2018/07/afn-calls-on-pope-to-apologize-to-residential-school-survivors
NDP Demands Ford Government Immediately Resume Writing Sessions for the Truth and Reconciliation Curriculum
Sault Online – July 24, 2018
“Beyond the inconvenience of this decision and the disrespect associated with it, summer was also the ideal time for this curriculum writing to take place. In the fall, educators will have to be replaced in their classrooms by substitute teachers.” In his answer, Minister for Indigenous Affairs Greg Rickford seemed confused about the basics of the curriculum and who it would serve.
Ontario TRC Curriculum
Net News Ledger – July 24, 2018
“Earlier this month, educators, elders and knowledge keepers, including survivors of residential schools, were to travel to Toronto to participate in the curriculum writing session for the truth and reconciliation curriculum,” Morrison said. “This was canceled on the Friday before people were set to travel and, in fact, some already had traveled into Toronto.
Gwich’in Language Centre’s Move to Inuvik Includes New Digital Archive Centre
CBC News – July 23, 2018
She said the main goals of the language centre are “to have that information accessible to Gwich’in, whether they’re in the communities or outside, that they’d be able to utilize that information and to ensure that we’re promoting and carrying on our Gwich’in language.”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/gtc-language-centre-digital-archive-project-1.4755929
Nipissing University Study Shows Northerners Face Barriers to Post-Secondary Education
Bay Today – July 24, 2018
“Not only do they reside far away from colleges and universities, but their sociodemographic profiles are characterized by lower incomes and lower parental education on average, along with a host of traits known to hamper post-secondary education participation.”
Experts Gather at UVic on Indigenous Rights and River Treaty
University of Victoria – July 23, 2018
Symposium participants took up the challenge of offering solutions around the themes of reconciling ecosystem function with hydropower and flood risk management, and reconciling Indigenous rights.Splatsin First Nation Chief Kukpi7 Wayne Christian spoke about the ongoing political challenges faced by Indigenous peoples whose traditional territories fall within the Canadian portion of the Columbia Basin (the Syilx, the Ktunaxa and the Secwepemc peoples).
https://www.uvic.ca/news/topics/2018+international-water-agreement+news
Youth Learn How to be Warriors Through Maori Dance Program in Kangiqsujuaq
CBC News – July 19, 2018
“We come from a warrior culture here in New Zealand and in my teachings and conversations with youth, I speak about what it’s like to be a warrior… standing up for what is right: fighting for your family and fighting for the health of the community.”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/kangiqsujuaq-youth-maori-dance-1.4751031
Actua and Six Nations Polytechnic STEAM Academy Deliver For-Credit On-the-Land Camps Across Ontario
Anishinabek News – July 19, 2018
“We are very excited to partner with Actua to make these land camps possible. Many students go to camp, and many others go to summer school,” said Aaron Hobbs, Principal, Six Nations Polytechnic STEAM Academy. “We at Six Nations Polytechnic have blended the two and built the entire Gaodewayehsta? Ohwejagehka:? experience on traditional Hodinohsó:ni ?knowledge, layered with advanced sciences and truly enjoyable and engaging experiences. There is no other program like this anywhere else and we are privileged to be able to offer it to the community.”
Aamjiwnaang Historian and Author Launches New Book
Anishinabek News – July 19, 2018
The book helps recall the semi-nomadic ways of the past, as Anishinabe, living in the main villages in summer, would hold traditional gatherings in autumn that lasted for days at gathering places such as Sault Ste. Marie or Manitoulin Island. There would be large meals of fish, berries, and meat; drumming, dancing, games, and sporting contests such as foot races and lacrosse would provide excitement and entertainment. Military alliances were made or renewed, as Plain narrated during a reading from his book.
http://anishinabeknews.ca/2018/07/19/aamjiwnaang-historian-and-author-launches-new-book/
Grand Council Treaty #3 Fundraises for Treaty #3 Youth Education Bursaries
Grand Council Treaty #3 News – July 18, 2018
On July 13, 2018, Grand Council Treaty #3 hosted their 8th Annual Golf Tournament at Couchiching First Nation’s Heron Landing Golf Course. The tournament was a 4-person scramble with 38 teams successfully registered. The tournament offered the potential to win $25,000 cash for a hole-in-one on #6, as well as prize money for the longest drive, closest to the centre line, skins and cp’s. Congratulations to this year’s winning teams!
http://gct3.ca/grand-council-treaty-3-fundraises-for-treaty-3-youth-education-bursaries/
AFN Chief Hopes New Heritage Minister Will Protect Indigenous Languages Bill
iPolitics – July 18, 2018
For the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Wednesday’s cabinet demotion for Melanie Joly has prompted concern. Joly was a passionate defender of legislation to revitalize Indigenous languages as Heritage minister and he hopes her replacement, Pablo Rodriguez will offer similar support. Joly was moved to tourism, official languages and minister responsible for la Francophonie. “I want to sit down with the new minister as soon as possible to make sure he’s fully briefed and up to speed on that legislation,” Bellegarde told iPolitics in an interview.
Why Cutting Indigenous Revisions to Ontario’s Curriculum is a Travesty
McLean’s – July 18, 2018
I was part of the group rewriting the curriculum. I am not annoyed at the Ontario government’s decision for partisan reasons, or for the fact that so many taxpayer dollars that had been spent on rewriting curriculum are now wasted. As an educator who teaches aspiring teachers, I am aghast because the need to Indigenize curriculum in Canada is not up for debate. The calls from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission are not suggestions. When Canadians are called, we must respond. Every single call is formidable, and ignored at our peril.
Ontario Librarian Creates Online Guide for Teachers to Find Available Indigenous Course Content
CBC News – July 18, 2018
The resource compilation is a response to the recent cancellation of Truth and Reconciliation curriculum writing sessions that were to build upon Ontario’s curriculum by infusing Indigenous knowledge and pedagogy across all subjects and grades. “I compiled these items so that teachers would have something that they could look to that are largely created by Indigenous educators, artists, and authors to bring those authentic world views into their classrooms,” said Desmond Wong
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/oise-teachers-resource-indigenous-course-content-1.4752220
U of S Brings Teacher Program to Treaty 4 Territory
CBC News – July 18, 2018
“[Indigenous] people are brilliant, they are amazing, and they are smart,” said ITEP director Chris Scribe, but he added that “sometimes we feel like we don’t belong.” Scribe knows the power of ITEP’s outreach. Years ago he was working in the icy oilfields of Alberta when a friend suggested he might try going back to school. But the idea of heading off to the big city to attend university was a daunting one. “There was never any vision for having First Nation’s people there … the system that was created wasn’t created for success.”
