Tag: Aboriginal News

Shore-based rescue organization provided over 150 years of life-saving service between 1801 and 1958

December 20, 2021                                Ottawa, Ontario            Parks Canada Agency

The Sable Island Humane Establishment, a shore-based rescue organization operating between 1801 and 1958 was perhaps the most prominent example of the lifesaving stations and societies that helped keep mariners safe along dangerous stretches of shoreline before the founding of the Canadian Coast Guard in 1962.

Today, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Steven Guilbeault, announced the designation of the Sable Island Humane Establishment as a national historic event under the National Program of Historical Commemoration, on the recommendation of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

The Humane Establishment rescued the crews, passengers, and cargoes of vessels wrecked on the shoals of Sable Island, a small, crescent-shaped island southeast of Halifax. Founded in 1801 partly in response to the well-publicized sinking of Princess Amelia and Francis, the Sable Island Humane Establishment was the first permanent, government-sponsored coastal rescue organization on the northwest coast of the Atlantic Ocean.

The success of its rescue operations depended on the strength and skill of lifesaving crews, rather than the use of state-of-the-art equipment, since many of the available technologies did not function in less-than-perfect conditions. By the time it ceased operations in 1958, the Humane Establishment had helped advance knowledge of Sable Island by mapping the sites of known shipwrecks, and its lighthouses and lifesaving feats had become known around the Atlantic world.

National historic designations reflect the rich and varied heritage of our country and provide an opportunity for Canadians to learn more about our diverse history. The Government of Canada, through the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, recognizes significant persons, places, and events that have shaped our country as one way of helping Canadians connect with their past. By sharing these stories with Canadians, we hope to foster understanding and reflection on the diverse histories, cultures, legacies, and realities of Canada’s past and present.

The designation process under Parks Canada’s National Program of Historical Commemoration is largely driven by public nominations. To date, more than 2,200 designations have been made nationwide. To nominate a person, place or historical event in your community, please visit the Parks Canada website for more information: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/culture/clmhc-hsmbc/ncp-pcn/application.  

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Report presents an overview of the state of national historic sites, national parks, national marine conservation areas, and other heritage programs and functions administered by Parks Canada

December 17, 2021                                     Gatineau, QC             Parks Canada Agency

National historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas play a vital role in protecting the environment and ecosystems, preserving and sharing Canada’s history, and enabling Canadians to experience the health and wellness benefits that come from enjoying natural and cultural spaces.

Yesterday, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, tabled the 2021 report on the State of Canada’s Natural and Cultural Heritage Places in Parliament. Developed every five years, the report provides an update on cultural heritage programs and the establishment of protected areas. It also presents an overview of the state of national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas administered by Parks Canada.

This year’s report outlines important achievements in the management of natural and cultural heritage places and programs, including a number of initiatives to support the protection of natural and cultural heritage, expand the network of protected places in Canada, and help Canadians discover nature and connect with history – including the histories, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous peoples. Recently, millions of Canadians have spent their recreation and vacation time in national heritage places, where they have found a safe refuge from the stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Parks Canada has one of the best ecological monitoring systems in the world, consisting of hundreds of independent scientific measures, to help the Agency continue to understand and respond to the changes happening to our environment and support the conservation of national parks. The Agency has also led significant conservation work on national historic sites, as part of federal infrastructure funding, with a focus on improving the condition of cultural resources.

By building on the success of the past five years, Parks Canada will continue to work with Indigenous communities and key partners to advance reconciliation, mitigate the impacts of climate change, protect biodiversity, conserve built heritage, share history from diverse perspectives, and make heritage places more inclusive and welcoming for all Canadians.

The 2021 report on the State of Canada’s Natural and Cultural Heritage Places is available on the Parks Canada website at: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/docs/pc/rpts/elnhc-scnhp/2021.

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Taking care: We recognize that this statement comes at a time that is difficult for many and that our efforts to honour victims and families may act as an unwelcome reminder for those who have suffered hardships through generations of government policies that were harmful to Indigenous Peoples. A support line is available for former residential school students and their families for support, emotional and crisis referral services. You can also find information on how to obtain other health support from the Government of Canada.

Please call the National Residential School Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419 if you or someone you know is triggered while reading this.

We encourage all those who need some support at this time to reach out and know that support is always there for you through the Hope for Wellness Help Line at 1-855-242-3310 (toll-free) or the online chat at hopeforwellness.ca, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

December 16, 2021 — Lac Seul First Nation, Treaty #3 region, northwestern Ontario — Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

The locating of unmarked graves at former residential school sites across Canada is a tragic reminder of the abuse that many Indigenous People have experienced. The Government of Canada is working with Survivors, Indigenous leaders and affected families and communities as part of efforts to address historical wrongs and the lasting physical, emotional, mental and spiritual harms related to the legacy of residential schools.

Lac Seul First Nation will engage with 33 affiliated northern Ontario communities to establish cultural and spiritual protocols in working with Survivors, intergenerational Survivors, knowledge keepers and leaders to address the location, documentation, mapping, maintenance and commemoration/memorialization of burial sites associated with the former Pelican Lake Indian Residential School. Today, Chief Clifford Bull of the Lac Seul First Nation, Ontario, and the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations announced funding of $1 million in 2021-2022 for the Lac Seul First Nation to support this important work.

This community-led process will ensure Lac Seul First Nation can undertake this work in their own way and at their own pace.

Addressing the abuse suffered by Survivors, their families and communities is at the heart of reconciliation and is essential to renewing and rebuilding relationships with Indigenous Peoples, governments, and all Canadians. The Government of Canada remains steadfast in its commitment to address the legacy of residential schools, and this will continue to be a priority as we walk down the shared path of reconciliation.

December 15, 2021 — Ottawa, ON — Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada — Summit of Treaty Five Sovereign Nations

The Government of Canada and the Summit of Treaty 5 Sovereign Nations announced they have taken a key step forward by signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for Advancing Reconciliation. This co-developed MOA will guide the parties as they explore ways to strengthen the Nation-to-Nation relationship and achieve reconciliation based on shared goals and Treaty 5 First Nation priorities. The Memorandum outlines the steps in the process and topics for exploratory discussions between the parties on governance.

Discussions will cover Treaty rights, Treaty implementation, economic self-sufficiency, self-government and other important topics. The goal is to work together in good faith based on respect, co-operation and true partnership to find shared and balanced solutions for the benefit of the participating First Nations and all Canadians.

The Summit of Treaty 5 Sovereign Nations membership consists of 40 Treaty 5 Nations from Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario who have come together to pursue these discussions with Canada. An annual summit is held to get perspectives on governance but also to report on the progress of these discussions. Treaty 5 Chiefs Steering Committee, the Board of Directors, the Elders and Technical Committee are responsible to ensure the reporting and goals are achieved on the discussion topics.

December 15, 2021 — Ottawa, Ontario — Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

Through the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework (the Framework), the Government of Canada is working in partnership with the people of the North and the Arctic to develop long-lasting opportunities that support the region’s unique needs and protect its rich natural environment while building a strong, dynamic and sustainable economy.

Today, the Honourable Daniel Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, met with Indigenous and territorial and provincial partners to the Framework to identify key priorities ahead of Budget 2022 and to discuss approaches to regional governance.

Today’s meeting provided an important forum for partners to identify both immediate needs in advance of Budget 2022 and longer-term priorities, including COVID-19 recovery investments as we build back better. Under the Framework, partners’ inputs have been informing targeted federal investments that meet the needs of Northerners and supporting Indigenous community-based solutions to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Partners also had the opportunity to report on regional governance approaches, which have been discussed over the past months as a means of facilitating the co-implementation of the Framework’s goals and objectives. The implementation of these goals will showcase innovation and demonstrate results while also helping to close gaps for Northerners and create a lasting legacy of sustainable economic development.

Federal budgets since 2019 have included measures to support the implementation of the Framework and complement existing efforts to strengthen Arctic and northern communities. These include commitments to address food insecurity; support planning for major northern infrastructure projects, partners’ climate change priorities, and immediate housing and infrastructure needs; and advance educational initiatives, including the construction of a new science building at Yukon University, the transformation of Aurora College to a polytechnic university and the ongoing work of the Task Force on Northern Post-Secondary Education.

John Molson was one of Montréal’s leading entrepreneurs in the late 18^th and early 19^th centuries. By leading the construction of the first steamboat (1809) and the first railroad (1836) in British North America, he contributed to the early phase of the transportation revolution in the colonies of Lower and Upper Canada in the first third of the 19^th century. These technologies proved central to the economic progress of these colonies. Molson also facilitated the transition to mechanized industry in Lower Canada by introducing steam-powered machinery in his businesses. Finally, during the important period when Montréal matured from a small colonial town into the commercial and financial metropolis of the Canadas, Molson contributed to the development of Montréal’s leading institutions, such as the Bank of Montreal and the Montreal General Hospital.

John Molson was born in England and settled in Montréal after immigrating in 1782. One year after his arrival, he joined in a brewing enterprise, then in 1785 became its sole owner. Over the next 20 years, Molson expanded the company, increased production, and made it one of the largest breweries in the colony.

Molson Brewery’s success allowed its owner to diversify his activities. Beginning in 1809, Molson financed the construction of several steamboats, including the Accommodation, the first steamship to make a commercial voyage in British North America. In 1822, he established a steamboat company on the St. Lawrence River called the St. Lawrence Steamboat Company, then in the 1830s, he was the principal shareholder of Canada’s first railway, the Champlain and Saint Lawrence Railroad. Molson also owned hotels and the city’s first performing arts venue, the Theatre Royal, invested in real estate, and built wharves for his steamships in Montréal, Sorel, and Québec City. In 1822, Molson acquired several shares in the Bank of Montreal before being elected to its board of directors two years later. In 1826, he became the bank’s president, a position he held for four years. On the political front, Molson was a member of the Lower Canada House of Assembly for the riding of Montréal East from 1816-20 and was heavily involved in building the Lachine Canal, then from 1830-35, he served on the Legislative Council of Lower Canada.

Molson’s efforts to build steam engines for his ships laid the foundation for later developments in the industrial sector. As the owner of St. Mary’s Foundry, Molson began supplying Canadian steam engines to the shipbuilding industry in the 1810s. St. Mary’s Foundry eventually began producing stationary engines, mill turbines, and other machinery for the local market. By 1811, the introduction of a steam engine to pump water and grind malt was the first step in Molson Brewery’s transition from craft-based to industrial production. Although the mechanization of production evolved slowly during his lifetime, Molson’s work proved decisive for the emergence of industrial production in Montréal in the following decades.

Molson used his wealth and influence for philanthropic activities. In 1819, he and his three sons joined a group of Montréalers who financed the creation of a private hospital, the Montreal General Hospital. Molson served as the hospital’s vice-president from its official founding and as president from 1831-35. In addition, he financially supported the Unitarian Congregation of Montréal in the last years of his life. Shortly before his death in Boucherville on 11 January 1836, Molson dictated the provisions of his will in such a way that would ensure the business would continue to be family run.

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