Injustices are still a part of Indigenous Peoples’ experience
Indigenous Peoples had thrived in Canada on these lands, waters, and ice for thousands of years. They have had their own laws, governance and societal rules ensuring future generations could prosper. When settlers arrived in what is now known as Canada, they arrived with instructions to colonize, control, and capitalize on economic opportunities regardless of […]
Indigenous Reconciliation
King Charles has opportunity to renounce Discovery Doctrine, says national chief, MPs
Indigenous leaders and MPs are looking upon the recent transition in the monarchy in the United Kingdom as an opportunity to move forward on reconciliation action, including a renouncing of the Doctrine of Discovery that provided the legal framework for colonization outside of Europe. King Charles III ascended to the throne on Sept. 8, following […]
Call to Action meant to break intergenerational impacts of residential schools still unanswered
I know from personal experience what it is to feel isolated in an urban environment—to have no resources or support that made me feel safe and connected to my culture and community. This feeling—the culture shock and sense of disconnection of moving away from my family and homelands to Ottawa as a pre-teen—amplified the struggles […]
No reconciliation without justice for MMIWG
The prime minister has called it a genocide. The National Inquiry’s Final Report into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) offered a roadmap for action. Yet more than three years after its release, the crisis of violence against Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people continues unabated. We cannot have meaningful reconciliation in this […]
Canada must cover any shortfall in compensation to Indigenous victims of discriminatory child welfare
This week, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal is looking at whether $20-billion is enough to compensate Indigenous children and families for the discriminatory system of child welfare that disadvantaged so many. First Nations Child and Family Caring Society executive director Cindy Blackstock, who is a member of the Gitxsan First Nation, acknowledges this is a […]
Disinformation has a long history in Canada
OTTAWA—A recent Ekos survey of Canadians found a disturbing relation between the amount of disinformation an individual agrees with, and the level of support for the “Freedom Convoy.” Rest assured this author views even the name of the convoy one of the most insidious and effective uses of propaganda in recent years. On the surface, […]
Miller concludes almost $300-million worth of settlement agreements during Saskatchewan trip
The chief of a Saskatchewan First Nation that recently concluded a settlement agreement with Canada for historical grievances dating back to 1885 says his community filed its initial claim almost 15 years ago, but that the process “moved very quickly the last couple of years.” Chief Edwin Ananas of the Beardy’s & Okemasis’ Cree Nation […]
Why the Pope’s words continue to reverberate
The lasting impacts of the papal visit will continue to reverberate. It provoked some difficult reflections in churches and among Catholics across the country. It honoured the incredible resilience of Indigenous peoples. It added some fuel to speed up this reconciliation train.
Closing the First Nations infrastructure gap benefits all in Canada
The Government of Canada faces the staggering challenge of closing an estimated $30-billion First Nations infrastructure gap. This is the estimated cost of bringing fundamental infrastructure in First Nations communities up to the same levels as non-Indigenous communities, based on a report by the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships. This infrastructure gap contributes to the […]
