Tag: Aboriginal News

February 18, 2022 — Ottawa, Ontario, Unceded Traditional Algonquin Territory — Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and Indigenous Services Canada

The Government of Canada continues to advance reconciliation through the Additions to Reserve process. Expanding the reserve land base is an important step that enables First Nations to improve their members’ quality of life by enhancing and diversifying their economic options.

The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations, and the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services Canada, today, congratulated the Flying Dust First Nation on the addition to the community’s reserve land base.

A total of 7.810 acres was added to Flying Dust First Nation. This additional reserve land will lead to further economic development opportunities.

Additions to reserve provide First Nations with a land base to help build more sustainable communities and contribute employment and training opportunities, which benefit both their communities and neighbouring municipalities. By adding lands to reserve, the Government of Canada is fulfilling legal obligations, improving Treaty relationships, and fostering Indigenous economic development opportunities.

Edmonton, Alberta — Please be advised that the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, on behalf of the Honourable Patricia Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services Canada, and Jordan Reiniger, Executive Director of Boyle Street, will be holding a news conference to announce the partnership between Boyle Street Community Services and Indigenous Services Canada.

The news conference will be virtual only.

Members of the media are invited to ask questions via Zoom. Journalists who would like to participate in the news conference should contact:

media@sac-isc.gc.ca

Date: February 18, 2022

Time: 3:00 p.m. (ET)

February 17, 2022 — Kwanlin (Whitehorse), Yukon — Indigenous Services Canada

Indigenous Services Canada, the Government of Yukon, Yukon First Nations and the Council of Yukon First Nations are pleased to announce the launch of the Cultural Connections Project for Yukon First Nations and Indigenous children in out-of-home care. This project will be implemented in true partnership over the next five years, to support and safeguard connection to culture and community for Yukon First Nations and Indigenous children involved in the child welfare system.

With the launch of the Cultural Connections Project, supports will be provided to connect all children in out-of-home care with their own cultures and communities. For Yukon First Nations children under the care of the Yukon Director of Family and Children’s Services, this will include a mandatory cultural plan developed collaboratively with Yukon First Nations or the Council of Yukon First Nations. Cultural plans may include individual and group cultural, linguistic, traditional and on-the-land activities to support connections with their family and community.

This project aligns with the key priorities of Yukon’s Trilateral Table on the Wellbeing of Yukon First Nations Children and Families, in particular the importance of reunification and maintaining connections between children and families. It also responds to some of the recommendations made by Yukon First Nations during the recent review of the Yukon’s Child and Family Services Act.

By enhancing Yukon First Nations’ involvement in child and family services, and by supporting children to remain connected to their communities, languages and cultures, this initiative also supports the intent and direction of the federal Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families. The Act affirms the inherent rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples to exercise jurisdiction in relation to their child and family services, and establishes national guiding principles that must be applied by all who provide child and family services to Indigenous children.

The Cultural Connections Project is a reflection of governments working together to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s second point in the first Call to Action. Specifically, it addresses the over-representation of Indigenous children in care and the call to keep children in culturally appropriate environments.

The Government of Canada is supporting this initiative through its First Nations Child and Family Services Program, which focuses on early prevention and assists First Nations to assert greater control over the wellbeing of their children and families. Funding is being provided for five years starting in 2021-2022, and will provide up to $12.6 million.

February 17, 2022 – Ottawa

Today, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced the Commission’s decision to renew the Class IB nuclear fuel facility licence held by Cameco Corporation (Cameco) for its Blind River Refinery, located south of the Mississauga First Nation community and approximately 5 kilometres west of the Town of Blind River in Ontario. This decision follows a public hearing held virtually on November 24, 2021. The renewed licence authorizes Cameco to continue operating the Blind River Refinery.

In making its decision, the Commission considered oral and written submissions from Cameco, CNSC staff and 50 intervenors. The CNSC also made participant funding available through its Participant Funding Program, and invited interventions from Indigenous Nations and communities, members of the public and stakeholders. Two requesters received participant funding to assist with their interventions.

After reviewing all submissions, the Commission concluded that Cameco is qualified to carry out the refining activities that the renewed licence will authorize. It also concluded that Cameco will make adequate provision for the protection of the environment, and the health and safety of persons.

The record of decision is available on request to the Commission Registry at interventions@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca. The decision will also be posted in both official languages at nuclearsafety.gc.ca at a later date. All submissions, hearing transcripts and the hearing webcast are available on the CNSC website.

The CNSC regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect health, safety, security and the environment; to implement Canada’s international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy; and to disseminate objective scientific, technical and regulatory information to the public. The Commission is a quasi-judicial administrative tribunal set up at arm’s length from government, independent from any political, government or private sector influence.

Timeline

• Cameco applied for a licence renewal on September 30, 2020
• In March 2021, the CNSC made funding available through the Participant Funding Program to support Indigenous Nations and communities, members of the public and stakeholders in presenting their views to the Commission
• The Commission held a virtual public hearing on November 24, 2021 (hearing transcripts and webcast are available online or by request)
• The renewed licence is valid until February 28, 2032

February 17, 2022 — Ottawa, Traditional unceded Algonquin Territory, Ontario — Indigenous Services Canada