CBC News – March 21, 2018
The paper says Indigenous institutes, which are Indigenous-governed and operated, would fall under the private sector and outside of the publicly funded post-secondary system. In its 11-page response, Dechinta said the decision is fiscally and socially irresponsible and sets northern students up for failure. The school also said it ignores the territorial government’s responsibility to protect treaty rights and provide quality public education.
Indigenous Institutions Look to Build and Strengthen Relationships
Anishinabek News – March 20, 2018
“With the recruitment of a new president, I am sure they (Lakehead University) will be looking at how the new president’s role will look at developing new partnerships with Indigenous institutions,” says Waboose, noting that former Lakehead University president Brian Stevenson stepped down at the end of 2017. “So I think that will be a key area of responsibility for the new incoming president.”
Rye Forms Group to Review Indigenous Recommendations
The Eye Opener – March 19, 2018
Ryerson has formed a working group to review 15 recommendations offered by the university’s Truth and Reconciliation report, released in January. The recommendations will ensure that action is taken in terms of the Truth and Reconciliation report, and changes are implemented said Ryerson Elder and traditional counsellor Joanne Dallaire. “We have a whole lot of movement going on university-wide with the incorporation of many things Indigenous. All of this is always driven by the students,” she said.
https://theeyeopener.com/2018/03/rye-forms-group-to-review-indigenous-recommendations/
Wolastoqey Latuwewakon Language App Launch
Brunswickan – March 19, 2018
According to David, the idea for the app occurred around four years ago when UNB hosted the Atlantic Native Teacher Education Conference. It was there that he met Kevin Burton, director of Atlantic Canada’s First Nations help desk, who brought to his attention the approximately ten apps that had been developed for learning the Mi’kmaq language. “It’s nice to have the Mi’kmaq language apps, but what about the Wolastoqey language apps? We don’t have any at all,” said David about his reaction to this news, prompting them to get to work on developing their own.
http://thebruns.ca/2018/03/19/wolastoqey-latuwewakon-language-app-launch/
Ontario Regional Chief – No Real Commitment to First Nations in Throne Speech
Net News Ledger – March 19, 2018
Despite an opening reference to the fact that our Peoples are still shut out of the prosperity that built this province, there were no plans on how the province will become a more active Treaty partner in “a fair and better Ontario”. In fact, there was no mention of the Treaty relationship that created this province. Yet, we have made strides together by working through the Political Accord over the past few years, from acquiring Hydro One shares, to working through the Journey Together commitments. But we need to significantly increase that momentum prior to the June provincial election.
Labrador Residential School Survivors Left Out of Federal Apology and Settlement
APTN – March 19, 2018
Ford is one of an untold number of residential school survivors from Newfoundland and Labrador who have waited decades for an acknowledgement of their suffering, an apology, and perhaps for other acts of recognition to help them on their healing journeys from the suffering they endured at the hands of colonial governments and institutions who abused and attempted to assimilate them.
http://aptnnews.ca/2018/03/19/labrador-residential-school-survivors-left-federal-apology-settlement/
Memorial University Working to Attract Indigenous Medical Students
CBC News – March 19, 2018
Memorial University of Newfoundland says there has been a growth spurt in the number of Indigenous students enrolled in its medical school. There are 13 Indigenous students enrolled in the faculty — as many as the total number of previous graduates who identified as being Indigenous. That increase can be attributed to Memorial’s Aboriginal Health Initiative, according to Dr. Carolyn Sturge-Sparkes, who works with the program. “Nationally, Indigenous youth are under-represented in the medical profession,” she said.
Workshop for Youth Focused on Reconciliation
CTV News – March 17, 2018
Dozens of students and community members discussed reconciliation at the “Going Beyond Words: Honouring Our Children and Youth” workshop in Regina on Saturday. The main focus was to support youths in their education, activism and their role in reconciliation. It also aimed to connect Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth, to address deep issues faced by the province.
https://regina.ctvnews.ca/workshop-for-youth-focused-on-reconciliation-1.3847701
Nipissing First Nation Youth Chief Works to Include Indigenous History in all Schools
Anishinabek News – March 16, 2018
“I spoke on behalf of the youth of the 23 First Nations that decided to be part of the Anishinabek Education System. We talked about the priorities that we need in different regions. For example, to add Indigenous History into the Canadian History curriculum.”
Province to Fund 13 Indigenous Initiatives to Boost Economic Development
CBC News – March 16, 2018
The 13 Indigenous initiatives receiving support from the province are expected to provide job training for young Indigenous people and help them start their careers by providing education credits and skills needed for post-secondary education.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/thunder-bay-economic-development-1.4579828
“Every last Indian Residential School Survivor Deserves Justice,” Chiefs of Ontario Stand Behind St. Anne’s Residential School Survivors, call on Canada to Immediately Compensate Survivors
Chiefs of Ontario – March 14, 2018
“To be denied compensation for horrific atrocities being inflicted upon you as a child, due to a mere lack of documentation , is completely counter to the continued words and hopes of the current federal government on forging a new relationship” said Regional Chief Isadore Day. “I also want to recognize Edmund Metatawabin, who is a former Chief of Fort Albany First Nation, and himself a St. Anne’s survivor. Edmund has been working tirelessly to keep the plight of his fellow survivors public, and I offer my deepest thanks and support to he and his fellow survivors in any way I can.”
Convoluted Legal Battle Continues for St. Anne’s Survivors
Timmins Press – March 14, 2018
Among other things, the plaintiffs want Ontario’s top court to order a review of all St. Anne’s compensation claims adjudicated before the government disclosed thousands of documents from a 1990s criminal investigation by provincial police. They also want the court to set aside a decision allowing Canada to keep secret civil-litigation materials — despite an initial ruling to turn them over. The documents were generated during 62 lawsuits related to horrific physical and sexual abuse 154 Indigenous people had suffered at St. Anne’s in Fort Albany, Ont.
http://www.timminspress.com/2018/03/14/convoluted-legal-battle-continues-for-st-annes-survivors
U of T Law Students Walk out of Class for Teach-in on Colten Boushie, Tina Fontaine Cases
Yahoo News – March 14, 2018
Shortly after noon ET Wednesday, law students and faculty at the University of Toronto walked out of class and gathered for a teach-in on the systemic issues faced by Indigenous people in the justice system. The walk-out was part of a larger initiative by law schools across Canada to raise awareness and open up a dialogue in the wake of the Colten Boushie and Tina Fontaine cases. “We wanted to do something to ensure that other law students understood that there was more than just a legal question in these cases and understood the other systems at work that contributed to the acquittal of both of the accused,” said Leslie Anne St.Amour, a member of the Bonnechere Algonquin First Nation near Ottawa in her first year at U of T’s law school.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/u-t-law-students-walk-205419716.html
Skills Canada Regionals Give Northern Students Unique Learning Opportunities
Meadow Lake Now – March 14, 2018
“We’re preparing the northern First Nations youth in the MLTC schools to get some prior experience before getting the opportunity to go to the provincials.”
Is Reconciliation Possible?
CBC North – March 14, 2018
In 2015, Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation commission issued 94 calls to action urging Canadians to work together to move forward with reconciliation and repair the harm caused by residential schools.Some progress has been made. In the NWT children are now taught the history of residential schools, However nearly 3 years later, many of the calls to action remain unfulfilled.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/cbcnorthasks-1.4576718
The Wrong Kind of Justice Warriors at Canada’s Law Schools
National Post – March 13, 2018
“That’s an elusive aim, one that everyone claims to pursue. At UVic, it means all members of faculty accept that legal education ought to speak to all members of society, including those who are marginalized. “Our focus on Indigenous legal traditions, for example, has been second to none.“Different faculty members define their particular focus differently, but all share the general objective…”
