Tag: Aboriginal News

Ottawa, Ontario — Please be advised that the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, Dr. Tom Wong, Chief Medical Officer of Public Health, and Patrick Boucher, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister of the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, will hold a news conference to provide an update on coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Indigenous communities.

The news conference will be virtual only.
Media will be able to ask questions via teleconference.

Date:  January 20, 2022
Time: 1 p.m. (ET)

Participation details:
Toll-free (Canada/United States) dial-in number: 1-866-206-0153
Local dial-in number: 613-954-9003
Passcode: 1955081#

NOTE: To help ensure optimal simultaneous interpretation sound quality, journalists are encouraged to use a microphone (i.e., headphones or headset) or, when possible, a landline, and to avoid using speaker mode if queuing up for questions.

January 20, 2022 — Ottawa, ON — Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, completed a series of discussions with First Nations leadership in Manitoba this week to discuss their priorities and the important work being done to strengthen relationships and build trust with First Nations in the province.  

On Monday, January 17, Minister Miller met with Treaty Commissioner Loretta Ross, of the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba, to discuss public education, focused research and partnership opportunities with First Nation communities and organizations to best advance the Treaty relationship.

Minister Miller then had a conversation with Grand Chief Arlen Dumas, of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC), to discuss topics such as the COVID-19 pandemic response, impacts of residential schools and ways to continue to work together in a manner that allows AMC to support First Nations groups.

Also, the Minister met with the Keewatin Tribal Council for a conversation on topics such as self-determination, COVID-19, housing and economic development opportunities.

Minister Miller also had many productive discussions with the Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief for Manitoba Cindy Woodhouse, including Treaties, enhancing provincial relationships and mutual interests in relation to children and families and, recognizing the work still needed to be done.

Furthermore, Minister Miller met with Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) Grand Chief Jerry Daniels to discuss the priorities of SCO member First Nations – which include continuing to build up their strong relationship, Nation rebuilding, children and families.

The Minister then met with Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Garrison Settee on issues most relevant to northern Manitoba First Nations. Discussions included continuing work to address the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, by-law enforcement and the Sixties Scoop.

On Tuesday, January 18, Minister Miller met with the newly elected Grand Chief Scott Harper of the Island Lake Tribal Council to discuss the Tribal Council’s interests and priorities for their Recognition of Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination discussion table.

The Minister then met with leadership of Fox Lake Cree Nation on the First Nation’s Recognition of Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination discussion table and their Treaty Land Entitlement Claim.

Lastly, Minister Miller met with the Treaty Land Entitlement Committee, along with representatives of Entitlement First Nations signatory to the Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreement. Together, they engaged in meaningful, frank, and difficult conversations on the best ways to fulfill the Treaty Land Entitlement claims in Manitoba.

While the Minister had meetings with First Nations over the past two days, he looks forward to working with other Indigenous partners as well as provincial and territorial governments to determine priorities and action plans to advance reconciliation.

Ottawa, Ontario — Please be advised that the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations, and Stephanie Scott, Executive Director of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, will participate in a press conference and sign the Memorandum of Agreement that outlines how and when Canada will share historical documents related to Residential Schools.

A media availability will follow.

Date: January 20, 2022
Time: 10:30 a.m. (ET)

Where: Sir John A. Macdonald Building – Room 200
144 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario

The media availability will be held in a hybrid format, with some participants available virtually.

To join the media availability by teleconference:

Toll-free (Canada/U.S.) dial-in number: 1-866-206-0153
Local dial-in number: 613-954-9003
Passcode: 1165049#

Note: To help ensure optimal simultaneous interpretation sound quality, journalists are encouraged to use a microphone (headphones/headset) or, when possible, a landline, and to avoid using speaker mode if queuing up for questions.

Located in northwestern Prince Edward Island (Epekwitk), in close proximity to the Lennox Island First Nation reserve, is a chain of islands known in the Mi’kmaq language as Pituamkek (Bee-doo-um-gek) or “At the Long Sand Dune”, and in English as Hog Island and the Sandhills.

In 2006, representatives from the Mi’kmaq communities of P.E.I., Parks Canada and the Canadian Museum of Civilization (now the Museum of History) conducted a foot survey on Hog Island. Two confirmed archaeological sites were discovered and the cultural and ecological importance of the area, already known to the local Mi’kmaq community, was brought to the attention of government officials.

The Lennox Island and Abegweit First Nations, together known as the Epekwitk Mi’kmaq, developed and submitted a proposal to the federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister Responsible for Parks Canada to create a cooperatively managed national park reserve or other type of protected area in the Pituamkek region.

In 2009, a tripartite group of representatives from the federal, provincial and the Epekwitk Mi’kmaq governments began a dialogue to find mutually acceptable ways to protect the Pituamkek region. Dialogue involving the First Nations, the province of P.E.I. and Nature Conservancy Canada (NCC) identified shared conservation goals for the area. Around this time, the NCC began acquiring parcels of land in the area for conservation.

Since then, multiple organizations have worked together to acquire lands for conservation and to build relationships and additional support for the Pituamkek park reserve project. The Nature Conservancy of Canada, Island Nature Trust, Parks Canada and the Epekwitk Mi’kmaq, through the Epekwitk Assembly of Councils, have each played significant roles in the development of the vision and continuation of the project.

In response to several years of advocacy from the Epekwitk Mi’kmaq, in August 2019, a historic tripartite announcement from the Province of Prince Edward Island, Epekwitk Mi’kmaq and Parks Canada formally launched the undertaking of a feasibility assessment for the proposed national park reserve in Pituamkek. 

The collaborative efforts in this establishment process by Parks Canada and the Epekwitk Assembly of Councils demonstrate the Government of Canada’s commitment to working with Indigenous communities to increase the Indigenous voice in all aspects of the establishment and management of Parks Canada administered places.

The public consultation process was scheduled to begin in early 2020, but was delayed by emergency orders surrounding the coronavirus. Between June 4, 2021 and July 23, 2021, Parks Canada and L’nuey, representing the Epekwitk Assembly of Councils, invited partners, stakeholders and the public to provide their input on key aspects for consideration in establishing a national park reserve in northwestern Prince Edward Island through a series of public engagement opportunities.

A third-party consultation company was hired in July 2021 to assess and report the findings of the public engagement and input phase. The report demonstrated almost unanimous support for the proposed creation of a national park reserve in the Pituamkek area.

With the feasibility assessment and public engagement complete, Parks Canada and the Epekwitk Mi’kmaq plan to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to outline next steps and provide a framework of collaboration as negotiations begin toward the creation of an establishment agreement. Working together, the Governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island and the Epekwitk Mi’kmaq continue to take action to protect this iconic natural and cultural landscape for future generations.

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January 18, 2021 — Ottawa, ON — Unceded Traditional Territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation – Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada.

The creation of a National Council for Reconciliation (NCR) as a national Indigenous-led oversight body is a vital milestone to implementing the Calls to Action from the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and in particular ensures the full implementation of Calls to Action 53-56. The NCR’s core mandate would be to ensure Government of Canada’s accountability for reconciling the relationship with Indigenous Peoples. Establishing the National Council for Reconciliation is one of the many actions that the Government of Canada is taking to advance reconciliation in Canada and is a clear priority of Indigenous partners.

Following their inaugural meeting on December 16, 2021, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations is announcing that an Indigenous-led Transitional Committee has been established. The Committee has already begun their work through discussions on the vision for the Council, identified key milestones and timelines, as well as a proposed engagement approach.

The Committee will engage with various groups as well as provinces and territories on the legislative framework for the National Council for Reconciliation, and will provide advice and recommendations to the Minister. The Committee will set up the Council’s first Board of Directors, and establish the Council as an Indigenous-led, non-political organization, working to advance reconciliation. 

January 18, 2022 — Millbrook First Nation, Traditional unceded Mi’kmaq territory, Nova Scotia — Indigenous Services Canada

Today, Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, and Lindsay Peach, Executive Director of Tajikeimɨk, reaffirmed their support and partnership for the transformation of the design and delivery of health services that serve Mi’kmaw communities in Nova Scotia through Tajikeimɨk and the communities themselves.

Minister Hajdu has announced that Indigenous Services Canada is committing $8.96 million in federal funding over the next two years to continue to support the partnership between the 13 First Nations Chiefs in Nova Scotia and Tajikeimɨk—a new and developing health and wellness authority working on behalf of the Mi’kmaw communities.

As the first federal investment to support health transformation in Atlantic Canada, this funding will help sustain and enhance the important work of health surveillance, which has already proven valuable for the well-coordinated management and delivery of health services. Throughout and since 2021, Tajikeimɨk has demonstrated leadership in coordinating between the 13 First Nations, the Province of Nova Scotia and the Government of Canada to assist First Nations communities in their COVID-19 pandemic response and vaccine roll out.

First Nations health transformation is a collaborative process between First Nations partners, the federal government, and provinces and territories. The intent is to create a more coordinated health system in which First Nations-led health organizations assume greater control of the design, administration, management and delivery of health services and programs that support community wellness and address their health needs and priorities.

With this funding announcement, five federally funded health transformation initiatives are now underway—in Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia. Tajikeimɨk is leading the health transformation process for the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia to eventually take control of the design and delivery of health and wellness services, ensuring a high-quality, culturally safe and holistic approach to programs and services. The shared goal by all partners is to improve health outcomes and the well-being of the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia.

The paths to achieving health transformation vary considerably across different regions as First Nations identify and design service delivery solutions that are tailored to meet their communities’ needs. These planned health models—each in their own way—will aim to foster a more accessible health care system for the communities they serve, ensuring that health services are high quality and culturally safe.