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 […]
‘A disastrous error’: Pope Francis issues apology to residential school survivors in Canada
The residential school system was “a disastrous error incompatible with the gospels of Jesus Christ,” said Pope Francis as part of a historic apology he issued on behalf of the Catholic Church on Monday to survivors of the residential school system in Canada. The Pope gave the apology at the site of the former Ermineskin […]
Politics This Morning: Papal apology expected at the site of former residential school
Good Monday morning, It’s a busy Monday, with high-profile committee meetings taking place in Ottawa to address the July 8 Rogers outage and the investigation into the 2020 Nova Scotia massacre. But these will take second billing to the expected apology from Pope Francis for the Catholic Church’s role in the residential school system. Pope […]
AFN national chief strikes conciliatory tone before meeting with regional chiefs
Bolstered by strong votes of confidence from the chiefs who gathered at the Assembly of First Nations’ annual general assembly earlier this month, National Chief RoseAnne Archibald has resumed her duties and is meeting with regional chiefs and other leaders who sought to suspend her pending a human resources investigation. Communications staff for the Assembly […]
Archibald tells AFN ‘the regional chiefs have usurped your authority’ as assembly rejects suspension
The Assembly of First Nations’ corporate structure is “a colonial structure” that needs to be replaced, said National Chief RoseAnne Archibald, as she made the case against the AFN executive’s decision to suspend her pending an investigation into allegations of bullying and harassment made by staff members. “This is being called the biggest crisis in the […]
Suspension of National Chief RoseAnne Archibald calls structure and culture of the AFN into question
After suspending its first ever national chief less than one year into her mandate, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) needs to reckon with its misogynistic culture and the way it represents First Nations, Indigenous leaders say. The Assembly of First Nations suspended National Chief RoseAnne Archibald on June 17 after she spoke out about […]
AFN losing credibility after controversial suspension of its national chief, say Indigenous advocates
In the wake of the Assembly of First Nations’ controversial decision to recently suspend its first woman national chief, Indigenous advocates say the controversy could tank the AFN for good. RoseAnne Archibald was suspended on June 17 after she spoke out publicly about what she considers “fictitious attacks” against her by AFN staff. In a […]
Canada needs national strategy encouraging Indigenous access to capital
It is time for a national strategy on Indigenous access to capital. As a country, more work is needed to close the social and economic gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people living in Canada. To do so, systemic changes are required to empower Indigenous communities to be self-sustaining through meaningful reconciliation, the ability to generate […]
Indigenous women face alarming treatment under criminal law, a notorious instrument of colonialism
Canada has a colonial past. It has a colonial present. Without decisive federal action, it will have a colonial future. Reports recently released by the Feminist Alliance for International Action (FAFIA), the correctional investigator, and three Canadian Senators—Margaret Dawn Anderson, Yvonne Boyer, and Kim Pate—cast an alarming light on the treatment of Indigenous women under […]
What are you celebrating on National Indigenous Day?
OTTAWA—Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc announced the rediscovery of 215 unmarked graves a year ago. Over the past year, a number of other institutions for the removal of Indigenous children (otherwise known as residential schools) have been searched: Brandon, Man.; Marieval, Sask.; Kootenay, B.C.; Kuper Island, B.C.; St. Joseph’s at Williams Lake, B.C.; Kamsack, Fort Pelly, and Gordon in […]
