Anishinabek News – June 30, 2017 

The French language prevailed in becoming the primary language of business, and reclaiming its title as the most prominent language in the province. It also arguably reverted the onus on French people to learn English into an onus for English people to learn French. I have often wondered if this would be a helpful measure for First Nations. For a First Nation to develop a language law that requires a business to use Anishinaabemowin on their signs, at least to a small extent, for Ontario to have all signs on roads through our communities with Anishinaabemowin translation, to have all non-Indigenous business signs have some use of Anishinaabemowin. http://anishinabeknews.ca/2017/06/30/opinion-do-we-need-a-first-nation-language-law-for-our-communities/

 

New Mentorship Program for Indigenous Students

The Chronicle Journal – June 29, 2017

“There will be increasingly more research done by indigenous health care researchers on the issues that are of importance to them,” said Philpott. The federal government is introducing the mentorship program, effective immediately, as part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action. It will be available to students at all levels, undergraduates, graduates and post doctoral.

http://www.chroniclejournal.com/news/local/new-mentorship-program-for-indigenous-students/article_11f34d92-5c76-11e7-8b05-7bca92260942.html

 

Assembly of First Nations Launches Digital Resource for Teachers

Assembly of First Nations – June 28, 2017

(Ottawa, ON) – The Assembly of First Nations’ digital education resource It’s Our Time First Nations Education Toolkit is now on iTunes U. The free, downloadable package for iPad is a resource for teachers, providing culturally relevant, accessible, hands-on educational tools on First Nation culture and history. “Education is key to reconciliation because it builds bridges of understanding,” said AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde. “The It’s Our Time First Nations Education Toolkit will help increase cultural competency and understanding of First Nations’ rights, histories and cultures, developed from First Nations perspectives. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission called for education to lead Canada’s reconciliation effort, and this Toolkit provides First Nation and non-First Nation learners, teachers, schools, institutions and the Canadian public with a resource that fosters a spirit of cooperation, understanding and, most importantly, action.”

http://www.afn.ca/en/news-media/latest-news/6-28-17-assembly-of-first-nations-launches-digital-resource-for-teache

 

We’re Leaving a Big Footprint In Education’ Says Chief Thomas on the AES

Anishinabek News – June 27, 2017

NIPISSING FIRST NATION— The Regional Education Council representatives from the communities moving forward with the Anishinabek Education System met on June 19 and 20, to further the development of the Anishinabek Education System in preparation for its effective date on April 1, 2018. “This is the very first Regional Education Council meeting, so I think it’s a good opportunity to bring everyone back together post-ratification vote to identify the priorities and get through all of the important documents,” expressed Evelyn Ball, Assistant First Nation Manager of Rama First Nation, as well as the Secretary on the Kinoomaadziwin Education Body (KEB) Board of Directors. “It will be good to put what was proposed into actual action. It’ll take time because we all want to step lightly so we can be confident in where we’re going. I think there’s still a lot of work ahead as we come to April 1, 2018, but we’re all here for the same purpose which is the future of our students and those affected by the AES.”

http://anishinabeknews.ca/2017/06/27/were-leaving-a-big-footprint-in-education-says-chief-thomas-on-the-aes/

 

Indigenous Communities Have to Lead Before Ottawa Hands Over Funding, Says Justin Trudeau

Global News – June 27, 2017

With the Liberal government under pressure to increase funding for children in indigenous communities, the prime minister says his government has the money and is ready to act – it’s the communities that need to articulate their needs and establish their ability to deliver the required services. “A lot of indigenous communities haven’t had the opportunity yet to take that responsibility, to actually think about how they can and must deliver,” Justin Trudeau said Tuesday while speaking with journalists in Ottawa. http://globalnews.ca/news/3559832/liberals-indigenous-funding-justin-trudeau/