The Vancouver Star – July 31, 2018
Biology students, lawyers, and reporters from across Canada are at Simon Fraser University this week to learn how genomics — the large-scale study of groups of genes — can help shrink the health-care gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.
Southeast Regional Deputy Grand Council Chief Troubled by Local Schoolboard Trustee Nominee
Anishinabek News – July 31, 2018
“We are in disbelief that a man who resigned back in 2016 because of disrespectful comments he made about our youth drum circle would have the nerve to even think of running for a school trustee position when three local First Nations have students in these schools,” stated Regional Deputy Grand Council Chief Marsden.
Junior University Helps Prepare Indigenous Teens for Careers in Health
Dalhousie University – July 31, 2018
The Junior University is part of Dalhousie Medical School’s response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, which guides Indigenous peoples and Canadians in the process of reconciliation to address the legacy of the residential school system.
Ford’s Decision to Cancel Indigenous Curriculum Writing Sessions Sends Negative Message
Orillia Matters – July 31, 2018
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action included a commitment to Education for Reconciliation (Article 62), and called upon the “federal, provincial and territorial governments, in consultation and collaboration with Survivors, Aboriginal peoples, and educators to, (i) make age-appropriate curriculum on residential schools, Treaties, and Aboriginal people’s historical and contemporary contributions to Canada a mandatory education requirement for Kindergarten to Grade Twelve (12) students”.
Indigenous Language Camp Underway in Sudbury
CBC News – July 30, 2018
The Eshki-nishnaabemjig immersion course teaches Anishinaabemowin or the Ojibwe language. The two-week camp is organized by a grassroots group of language speakers and learners and is taking place at Laurentian University. One of the facilitators, Jessica Shonias, says the complete immersion will push the adults from using just a few words to having a complete conversation.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/indigenous-language-camp-1.4767221
Ancient B.C. Indigenous Settlement to Become Outdoor History Classroom
CBC News – July 30, 2018
Two elementary schools and a middle school are within walking distance of the village site and the Cowichan Valley School District has plans for field trips and projects with the elders of the Cowichan Tribes to bring a sense of time, place and reality to Indigenous relations classes that are now part of the school curriculum.
Pilot Program Helps Indigenous Language Speakers Find Their Voices — Again
CBC News – July 30, 2018
The far-reaching impacts of residential school prevented Ethel Thomas from speaking her Indigenous language of Splatsín. She could understand the language of her people — members of the Shuswap Nation in B.C.’s southern Interior — but the trauma of residential school made her embarrassed to speak it. “There was a lot of stuff that happened. I grew up being ashamed of being who I was,” said Thomas. “I tried really hard to speak English and I became shy.”
RAIC Report Highlights Indigenous Best Practices
Daily Commercial News – July 30, 2018
It was early in his career and he has since gone on to design significant projects across the continent including the Seneca Nation administration building in Allegany, N.Y. and the Kanata Interpretive Centre in Brantford, Ont. but he said the lessons learned in creating the two Six Nations schools still stand up today. “I would say they are still relevant, I think they have withstood the test of time,” said Porter, who is currently contributing to the design of the OCAD University First Nations House of Learning in Toronto.
Canada Remains Opposed to Aboriginal Rights and Valuing Indigenous Lives
The Manitoban – July 26, 2018
However, Canadian imperialism can still be undermined through Canadian law. But a radically different view of Aboriginal rights must be employed. This argument is made by U of M professor of native studies Peter Kulchyski. In his view, sections 35 and 25 of the Canadian constitution — respectively stating that existing Aboriginal rights are “recognized and affirmed” and that Aboriginal rights will not be repealed or diminished — are powerful tools for asserting Aboriginal rights.
Ottawa Set to Start Negotiations with Indian Day School Survivors
APTN National News – July 27, 2018
“It’s early stages yet,” said Robert Winogron with Gowling in Ottawa. “But we are seeking compensation – direct compensation – to individuals.” The firm shared the news with chiefs at the Assembly of First Nations annual general assembly in Vancouver Thursday. Winogron said negotiations will get underway with federal government representatives and Department of Justice lawyers now that Ottawa recognizes the class-action lawsuit has been certified.
East Meets West for Apprenticeship Training
Net News Ledger – July 26
“This opportunity has been a great success. I never thought of getting into a red seal trade before and am so glad to be able to do so through Valard. I’m now going to be able to do the things that I want to do. Being a powerline technician gives me pride, knowing that people will be provided with the energy that they need in order to progress,” comments Dominic Chasse, Michipicoten First Nation.
http://www.netnewsledger.com/2018/07/26/east-meets-west-for-apprenticeship-training/
Kenjgewin Teg Sees $4M for New Student Support Initiatives
The Manitoulin Expositor – July 27, 2018
The Kenjgewin Teg Education Institute (KTEI) has received federal funding under the Skills Partnership Fund (SPF), which encourages Indigenous organizations to form partnerships with governments, businesses and community organizations to provide skills training that contributes to long-term, meaningful employment for First Nation people.
http://www.manitoulin.ca/2018/07/27/kenjgewin-teg-sees-4m-for-new-student-support-initiatives/
‘It Changed Me as a Person,’ Indigenous Kids say of Western’s Mini-University Program
CBC News – July 26, 2018
“I think it’s an amazing new experience to have,” said Kaia Kamande, who attended the program. “It definitely changed me as a person, because I learned more about my culture, about university and school—and had a lot of fun.”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/indigenous-youth-mini-university-western-1.4763412
Ford Government Still Committed to TRC Curriculum
931 the Border – July 26, 2018
Ontario’s Minister of Indigenous Relations says the government isn’t scrapping the Truth and Reconciliation curriculum. A writing session was scheduled for earlier this month but abruptly cancelled at the last minute by the Ministry of Education.
http://www.931theborder.ca/news/1682838988/ford-government-still-committed-trc-curriculum
Ontario Teachers Push Ahead with Indigenous Curriculum Studies Despite Provincial Cutbacks
CBC News – July 26, 2018
It’s part of a multi-year process to update Ontario curricula with Indigenous experiences, history, and knowledge.Rachel Collishaw, president of the Ontario History and Social Sciences Teachers’ Association, said teachers are going to be provided with some much-needed lessons. “This is reconciliation in action, and if you’re a history teacher and you were sort of wondering what your place is in reconciliation … this is it,” Collishaw said. “That’s your role as a history teacher. You need to teach this.”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/laurentian-learning-indigenous-curriculum-1.4762560
Chiefs of Ontario Look Forward To Working with Perry Bellegarde, Re-Elected As National Chief of The Assembly Of First Nations
Chiefs of Ontario – July 25, 2018
“The Chiefs from across this country, having many diverse platforms to choose from, selected a leader whom they felt best represents their interests nationally,” Regional Chief Archibald said. “Working collaboratively, we can achieve positive resolutions to our common issues, while collectively holding a vision of vibrant, safe and prosperous communities with happy children and healthy families.”
As Provincial and Federal Governments Aim to Hire More Tradeswomen, Numbers Show B.C. Cities are Behind
The Toronto Star – July 25, 2018
“We need to be recruiting women, but also we need to be providing workplaces that are places that women want to work … What we realized in talking to women … (was) women are saying, ‘There’s no place for me to change at the end of my shift in the construction trailer where everyone else on the crew is male,’” Mochrie said.
10,000 Pages of Yukon Indigenous Language Material Published Online
CBC News – July 25, 2018
Language curriculum developer Krista Dempster said the goal is to make the work accessible to anyone, anywhere. “Until now people from the communities would have to come into thelanguagecentre to access any resources. Or they’d have to put in an order and it would be mailed out to them. And they weren’t free,” she said. h
ttps://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/yukon-indigenous-language-material-free-1.4761056