Indigenous languages on federal ballots could help boost turnout, PROC hears
Directly or indirectly, including Indigenous languages on federal ballots could help to boost Indigenous voter turnout, argue witnesses appearing as part of the House Affairs Committee’s ongoing study into the prospect. But some suggest resources would be better allocated elsewhere. “Having the Inuit language on ballots would help in increasing the voter turnout,” Nunavut Languages […]
Long-term funding for infrastructure projects crucial for Indigenous self-governance, says expert
This year’s budget reaffirms past billion-dollar federal commitments to fund the long-term infrastructure needs of Indigenous communities, but some advocates are calling for clarity to make sure First Nations are not left holding the bag for assets they do not have sufficient resources to properly maintain as many negotiate for greater self-government. Lynne Groulx, the […]
Economic reconciliation needs more than what the budget presents
We hope that last week’s federal budget is not a missed opportunity for Canada to make meaningful changes in its relationship with First Nations—but it may be unless it is accompanied soon by legislation that expands First Nations’ jurisdictions and institutional support. Despite $10.6-billion of new investments over five years in the chapter on reconciliation […]
Residential school survivors deserve action after Pope’s apology
Recently, the Métis National Council accompanied a delegation of residential school survivors, Elders, and citizens representing our governing members from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario to the Vatican to meet with Pope Francis and representatives of the Catholic Church. On April 1, I sat beside three Métis residential school survivors as they heard the […]
Adding Indigenous languages to ballots a step toward reconciliation: Chief Electoral Officer
Enabling the use of Indigenous languages in the federal electoral process is “at the core of reconciliation,” says Chief Electoral Officer Stéphane Perrault, but doing so would require sorting out details around which languages to incorporate, where, and how, and would likely mean amending the Canada Elections Act. “The presence of Indigenous languages at the […]
Why the Métis Nation is meeting with the Pope
Indigenous leaders and residential school survivors are set to meet with the Pope in the Vatican at the end of the month. As both the president of the Métis National Council, and as a Métis woman with roots in the historic Métis communities of Batoche and St. Louis, Sask., I consider it both an honour […]
Increased military presence in the North could provide much-needed infrastructure to the region: MPs, experts
Northern MPs are open to the idea of an increased military presence in the Arctic, and say they could see the benefit of sinking military dollars into the remote region, insofar as it would have the side effect of improving infrastructure for locals. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine has some in Canada worried […]
Supporting an Indigenous business boom key to Canada’s economic recovery
Before and during the pandemic, the government has said many times that small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) are the backbone of the Canadian economy and crucial to the country’s financial recovery. Prior to the pandemic there were more than one million SMEs in Canada. In these numbers, we are seeing an emergence of Indigenous entrepreneurship […]
Make Indigenous economic reconciliation a priority
Now that Parliament has reconvened and as its members reflect on our nation’s priorities, it is long past time for meaningful focus on an ignored issue: Canada’s need to move Indigenous economic reconciliation forward. For too long, First Nations and Canada have been fighting in the courts on the lack of consultation or accommodation of […]
The ‘Freedom Convoy’ and the First Nations’ experience: setting the record straight
Throughout the short history of settler colonialism in our country of Canada, First Nations have endured various types and degrees of genocide at the hands of federal and provincial policy. Despite the hardships unduly faced, our people never looked at overthrowing or overriding government. Although First Nations continue to advocate for their right to autonomy […]
