June 15, 2020 Updates to Indigenous Watchdog


The June 15, 2020 Indigenous Watchdog update documents 49 actions across 10 Legacy and Reconciliation Themes and 15 Calls to Action since April 21, 2020 – seven weeks – that among other things should open Canadian’s eyes to the following:

COVID-19 and the recent killings of Indigenous people by police confirm how pervasive systemic racism is in the institutions of power in Canada.

  • The Governments of BC, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec are using COVID-19 to reduce Indigenous consultations on major resource projects that impact their territories while at the same time putting Indigenous lives at risk by increasing their potential exposure to COVID-19. Manitoba was also on the list but has reached an agreement with the four impacted First Nations.
  • Provincial and Municipal police forces in Vancouver, Montreal, Winnipeg, Toronto, Quebec and the RCMP in BC, Alberta, New Brunswick and Nunavut have all been or are in the process of being investigated for systemic racism against Indigenous people.

Of the 49 actions documented below, 30 are classified as “Current Problems or Issues”, 17 of them are specifically related to Health or Justice – two of the Legacy themes” identified by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as being central to meaningful and substantive reconciliation.

Think about that.

30 “Problems and Issues” over seven weeks. As Churchill once said: “Never let a good crisis go to waste“. Our governments and businesses certainly aren’t, especially during a pandemic. A number of the “Problems and Issues” also apply to two of the foundational themes essential to achieve true reconciliation: The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Royal Proclamation and Covenant of Reconciliation. Is it any wonder that the five Calls to Action in these Themes are either “Not Started” or “Stalled”.

The main purpose of Indigenous Watchdog is to focus on critical issues and consolidate in one place as much relevant information from multiple, independent sources as possible to allow a narrative to emerge that as the saying goes “speaks truth to power”.

The tables below identify:

  • Impacted Theme and/or specific Call to Action
  • Where content is located (i.e. within Theme and/or Call to Action)
  • Description of what the specific Call to Action is asking for?
  • More detailed description of current response/action

What has happened in the seven weeks since April 21, 2020:

Child Welfare

Child Welfare Home Page and Call to Action # 3
Current Reality and Government Commitments: Federal
Fully implement Jordan’s Principle
April 16, 2020 – CHRT decision provides further clarity on compensation for First Nations children unnecessarily apprehended or denied essential Jordan’s Principal services.
June 1, 2020 – The latest ruling provides clarification on the following definitions related to compensation regarding Jordan’s Principle:  essential service, service gap, and unreasonable delay.
Child Welfare Home Page and Call to Action # 1
Current Problems & Issues & Government Commitments: Manitoba
Commit to reducing the number of Aboriginal children in care
March 31, 2020: APTN– Manitoba government to delay the cancellation of birth alerts for the removal of Indigenous babies from their mothers at birth.
Child Welfare Home Page and Call to Action # 1
Current Problems and Issues & Government Commitments: Quebec
Commit to reducing the number of Aboriginal children in care
Feb. 20, 2020The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) and the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission (FNQLHSSC) presented a joint brief to the Laurent Commission (Special Commission on the Rights of Children and Youth Protection) aimed in particular at reaffirming the rights of First Nations to decide on the future and education of their children.
Child Welfare Call to Action # 1
Government Commitments: BC
Commit to reducing the number of Aboriginal children in care
May 26, 2020 The First Nations Children and Youth in Care Protocol commits the province and First Nations to work together on specific issues and initiatives, seeking to improve the educational outcomes and well-being of Indigenous children and youth in care, and former youth in care through legislative, policy and practice reform and family services.
Child Welfare Call to Action # 1
Government Commitments: Manitoba
Commit to reducing the number of Aboriginal children in care
May 7, 2020: Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth – Of the 22 girls who all committed suicide between 2013 and 2019, 20 were either First Nation of Métis. Report makes 7 recommendations including some from the Virgo Report (2018) and the Tina Fontaine inquiry (2016).

Education

Education Home Page and Call to Action 62i
Current Problems and Issues and “Why Stalled?”
Consultations of Indigenous education reform: curriculum, content, funding
May 13, 2020: Premier of Manitoba misses opportunity to advance reconciliation by ignoring contribution of Métis and First Nations in speech celebrating the 150th anniversary of Manitoba’s entry into Confederation.
Education Call to Action # 11
Why “In Progress”?
Provide funding to end backlog for First Nations post-secondary education
April 23, 2020 : Federal Government – New funding for Indigenous post-secondary students
Education and Reconciliation Call to Action # 65
Provincial Actions Towards Research: BC – new section to be added
Establish a National Research program with multi-year funding
April 20, 2020: UVic News -The BC Network Environment for Indigenous Health Research (NEIHR), based at the University of Victoria, will support an environment where First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples can set their own research priorities, have equitable access to funding and work collaboratively with researchers, while foregrounding Indigenous knowledge systems and approaches to research.

Health

Health Home Page
Current Problems and Issues
June 5, 2020Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador – Government of Quebec infringing on First Nations Aboriginal treaty rights by their failure to consult with First Nations on Bill 61’s impact on health during COVID-19 pandemic
Health Home Page
Current Problems and issues
Suspension of environmental monitoring by Alberta Energy Regulator
June 5, 2020: NationTalk – Three First Nations in northeast Alberta – Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, Fort McKay First Nation and Mikisew Cree First Nation have jointly filed an appeal related to recent Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) decisions to suspend key aspects of environmental monitoring in the oil sands. The First Nations were not consulted on decisions that clearly impact Alberta Energy Regulator’s (AER) ability to identify and mitigate these impacts in traditional territories.
May 8, 2020 – Fort McKay First Nation, surrounded by oilsands development, will see reductions in air quality programs including testing for leaks of methane.
Health Home Page
Current Problems and Issues
First Nations protest against Manitoba Hydro Keeyask project due to COVID-19 health concerns.
May 20, 2020: Amnesty International – Tataskweyak, Fox Lake, War Lake and York Factory First Nations have launched protests to protect their communities from COVID-19. Hydro is switching out the current 600 on-site employees with an outside group of 1000 some of whom are from outside Manitoba. MANITOBA HAS NEGOTIATED AGREEMENT WITH FIRST NATIONS
Health Home Page and Call to Action # 19
Current Problems and Issues and Why “Stalled?”
Establish measurable goals to identify and close gaps in Health outcomes between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities
May 12, 2020Yellowhead Institute Policy Brief identifies significant gaps in governments reporting of health data compared to that gathered by Indigenous researchers.
Health Home Page
Current Problems and issues
Among youth aged 10 – 17 suicide is # 1 leading cause of death in Manitoba
May 7, 2020 Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth released “Stop Giving Me a Number and Start Giving Me a Person: How 22 Girls Illuminate the Cracks in the Manitoba Youth Mental Health and Addiction System”. 20 of the victims were First Nation or Métis.
Health Home Page
Current Problems and Issues
Reducing risk of inmates becoming infected by COVID-19
April 17, 2020: Union of BC Indian Chiefs Open Letter -Indigenous leaders call for releasee of low risk inmates from jails due to COVID-19. Indigenous individuals have a higher risk of COVID-19 infections due to underlying and/or chronic health conditions
Health Home page
Current Problems and Issues
Bid to stop construction of Site C dam in BC due to COVID-19
March 26Union of BC Indian Chiefs Open Letter to Government of BC to halt construction of Site C Dam due to risks of spread of COVID-19
Health Call to Action # 20
Government Commitments: Federal
Address distinct health needs of Métis, Inuit and off-reserve First Nations
June 2, 2020: Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada – Announcement of almost $100 million in federal funding for the construction and operation of 12 new shelters for Indigenous women and girls.  However, the new funding does not include any Inuit-specific shelters for women and children fleeing violence. Indigenous Services Canada only funds on-reserve shelters.

Justice

Justice Home Page
Current Problems and Issues
Assembly of First Nations calls for investigation into excessive use of lethal force after two separate killings of Indigenous people in New Brunswick
June 15, 2020Assembly of First Nations – The killings of two Indigenous people in New Brunswick – 26 year-old Chantal Moore in Edmundston during a “wellness check” and Rodney Levi near the Metepenagiag Mi’kmaq Nation – has raised questions about excessive use of force when it comes to Indigenous people that too often results in death.
Justice Home Page
Current Problems and Issues
Alberta makes “Critical” infrastructure protests like pipelines illegal
June 11, 2020 : Huff Post – “Bill 1 – The The Critical Infrastructure Defence Act” bans protests at critical infrastructure such as “pipelines, oilsands sites, mining sites as well as utilities, streets, highways, railways, and telecom towers and equipment.
Justice Home Page
Current Problems and Issues
Violent arrest of Athabasca Chipewyan First Nations Chief Allan Adam
June 11: Toronto Star – A day after the Alberta RCMP deputy commissioner denied there is systemic racism in policing in Canada, new video of the arrest of a high-profile First Nation chief threw fuel on the fire of what is quickly becoming a roaring issue in this country.
Justice Home Page
Current Problems and Issues
Overrepresentation of Indigenous people and Indigenous women in particular by random police checks in the City of Vancouver
June 10, 2020The BC Civil Liberties Association, Union of BC Indian Chiefs, and Hogan’s Alley Society are calling on Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart, who is also the Vancouver Police Board Chair and Board Spokesperson, to immediately put a stop to police street checks in Vancouver.
Justice Home Page
Current Problems and Issues
Systemic racial discrimination within the City of Montreal Police
June 10, 2020 – The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL), Quebec Native Women (QNW), Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal and Resilience Montreal have joined voices to condemn acts of police violence against Indigenous people and women in particular.
Justice Home Page
Current Problems and Issues
Lack of women’s shelters in Inuit Nunangat where Inuit women are 14 times more likely to face violence as women elsewhere in Canada
June 2, 2020Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada. Announcement of almost $100 million in federal funding for the construction and operation of 12 new shelters for Indigenous women and girls.  However, the new funding does not include any Inuit-specific shelters for women and children fleeing violence. Indigenous Services Canada only funds on-reserve shelters.
Justice Home Page
Current Problems and Issues
Entrenched systemic racism against Inuit by RCMP in Nunavut
June 5, 2020 – The Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) echoes the voices of Inuit across Nunavut to call for an end to systemic violence at the hands of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
June 10, 2020 – The Tŝilhqot’in Nation is urging Canada to take action to address systemic racism, particularly between First Nations and the RCMP,
Justice Home Page
Current Problems and Issues
Death of Indigenous – Black woman in Toronto leads to calls for independent investigation
May 28 and June 10, 2020: CBC – The death of a 29 year-old Indigenous-Black woman, Regis Korchinski-Paquet, 29 who fell from the 24th floor or her balcony while alone with members of the Toronto Police has raised call for an independent investigation. What began as a 911 call for help for Regis Korchinski-Paquet ended in her death.
Justice Home Page
Current Reality and Current Problems and Issues
Release of incarcerated Indigenous prisoners due to risk of COVID-19
April 17, 2020Union of BC Indian Chiefs Open Letter – The COVID-19 outbreak at the Mission Institution is now the third largest outbreak in the Province of BC. Senior health and corrections officials have verified that almost 40% of the confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Mission Institution are among Indigenous inmates despite Indigenous people making up just 5% of the population in BC.
April 23, 2020 – The Indigenous Bar Association has submitted a detailed set of recommendations and actions for federal, provincial and territory governments for the release of low-risk Indigenous inmates.
Justice Calls to Action Home Page
Current Problems and Issues in Justice
Allegations of systemic racism within Winnipeg Police Services (WPS)
April 16, 2020Indigenous Bar Association – “Despite numerous calls by local Indigenous and human rights groups to address deep-seated institutional racism,WPS members continue to display problematic and oppressive behaviours.” Indigenous Bar Association calls for an independent inquiry into the shooting death of a 16 year old Indigenous girl at the hands of the WPS five moths after a 16 year old Indigenous boy was shot 9 times and killed by the WPS.
Justice Call to Action # 29
Settlement Parties Excluded: Sixties Scoop
Settlement Agreements for those excluded from the TRC process
June 2, 2020 CBC – The Federal Court of Canada approved an order allowing the Administrator of the Sixties Scoop Class Action (Collectiva) to issue interim payments of $21,000 to all Eligible Class Members.
Justice Call to Action # 41
STATUS CHANGE From IN PROGRESS to STALLED
Appoint public inquiry into MMIWG
May 26, 2020: CBC – Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations announced that government’s response to the MMIWG Final Report would not be released as expected in June. Citing the COVID-19 pandemic, she was unable to predict when the Action Plan could be expected. The MMIWG Final Report was issued one year ago on June 3, 2019
Justice Call to Action # 41
Appoint public inquiry into MMIWG
Indigenous Response to Final Report: Assembly of First Nations
June 8, 2020 – The Chair of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Women’s Council, Chief Connie Big Eagle, said a National Action Plan which addresses violence, policing, and justice issues is urgently needed.
Indigenous Response to Final Report: Inuit Tapariit Kanatami
June 3, 2020 – On the anniversary of the release of the final report of the MMIWG, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) remains committed to the full implementation of the 231 Calls for Justice, including the co-development of a National Action Plan with Inuit leadership. ITK continues to advocate for the implementation of Call for Justice 1.7 regarding the creation of a National Indigenous and Human Rights Ombudsperson and a National Indigenous Human Rights Tribunal, and calls for these measures to be included in forthcoming legislation to implement the UN Declaration in Canada.
Indigenous Response to Final Report: Ontario Native Women’s Association
June 3, 2020 – We have recently completed our consultations to contribute to the National Action Plan on MMIWG. We heard consistent messages across Ontario. The time to invest in Indigenous Women is now – during the crisis and one year after the report was released.
Indigenous Response to Final Report: Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada
June 2, 2020 – Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada called on Prime Minister Trudeau to immediately implement at least one of the 46 Inuit-specific recommendations contained in last year’s Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) – namely, funding for five new Inuit shelters in Inuit Nunangat and in Ottawa.
Justice Call to Action # 42
Federal/Provincial/ Territory Commitments: British Columbia
Commit to recognize and implement Aboriginal Justice Systems
April 30, 2020: Globe and Mail – The Honourable David Lametti, P.C., M.P. Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Wet’suwet’en Nation hereditary chiefs say they now have the backing of their clans to endorse a proposed deal for expediting talks to implement rights and title over their traditional territory in British Columbia.
May 12, 2020 – Wet’suwet’en leaders have invited Ms. Bennett and Mr. Fraser to sign the MOU on May 14 and issued a statement: “The Dinï’ze and Tsakë’ze have had several clan meetings, including meetings in person, and virtual meetings with clan/house These sembers, band council members, youth, elders, people close to home and those far away
Justice Call to Action # 42
Government Commitments – Federal and BC
Wetsu’wet’en Hereditary Chiefs and the Governments of Canada and BC sign MOU to implement rights and title over Wetsu’wet’en territory
May 14, 2020: CBC – Hereditary chiefs of the Wet’suwet’en Nation have signed a memorandum of understanding with B.C. and Canada that sets the path for negotiations on legal recognition of their title to 22,000 square kilometres of traditional territory. Effective immediately, the MOU commits Canada and B.C. to recognize that rights and title are held by house groups within the Wet’suwet’en Nation, “under their system of governance.”
Justice Calls to Action # 42
Government Commitments: Quebec
Infringement of Aboriginal and treaty rights and title and Duty to Consult
June 5, 2020Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador – Bill 61 declared on March 13, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic infringes on First Nations duty to consult and reduces the application of already low environmental standards to a minimum. It cannot take advantage of the current context to put the health of our populations on the back burner

United Nations Declaration

United Nations Declaration Home Page
Current Problems and Issues: Alberta
Suspension of environmental monitoring by Alberta Energy Regulator
June 5, 2020: NationTalk – Three First Nations in northeast Alberta – Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, Fort McKay First Nation and Mikisew Cree First Nation have jointly filed an appeal related to recent Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) decisions to suspend key aspects of environmental monitoring in the oil sands. The First Nations were not consulted on decisions that clearly impact Alberta Energy Regulator’s (AER) ability to identify and mitigate these impacts in traditional territories.
May 8, 2020 – Fort McKay First Nation, surrounded by oilsands development, will see reductions in air quality programs including testing for leaks of methane.
United Nations Declaration Home Page
Current Problems and Issues: Ontario
Government of Ontario using COVID-19 to restrict consultation on development of Ring of Fire mining operations
May 22, 2020: Policy Options – Ontario government announced that “a regional assessment of potential mining operations for the Ring of Fire will be undertaken”. The announcement only posted on the agency website severely impacts the ability of First Nations to meaningfully engage in the consulting process
United Nations Declaration Home Page
Current Problems and Issues: Manitoba
Fully adopt and implement UNDRIP as the framework for reconciliation
May 20, 2020: Amnesty International – Despite legal obligations, Manitoba Hydro has not worked collaboratively to obtain consent to this most recent decision to expand operations (Keeyask Hydro project) and is ignoring requests by the four partner First Nations (Fox Lake, War, York Factory) to limit work at the dam site because of public health concerns
MANITOBA SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH FIRST NATIONS
United Nations Declaration Home Page
Current Problems and Issues: Quebec
Infringement of Aboriginal and treaty rights and title and Duty to Consult
Apr. 20, 2020Makivik Corporation, who represent the Inuit of Nunavik, is strongly opposed to the resumption of mining activities in the Nunavik region. The decision was made unilaterally by the government of Quebec without any consultation with the Inuit.
United Nations Declaration Home Page
Current Problems and Issues: British Columbia
Stopping construction of Site C Dam due to health risks of COVID-19
Mar. 26Union of BC Indian Chiefs Open Letter to Government of BC to halt construction of Site C Dam due to risks of spreading COVID-19

Royal Proclamation and Covenant of Reconciliation

Royal Proclamation and Covenant Home Page
Current Reality and Current Problems and issues
The actions of the governments of Canada, BC, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, and Newfoundland and Labrador are undermining Indigenous rights
BC, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec – have joined the federal government (Trans Mountain Pipeline, Coastal GasLink) and Newfoundland and Labrador (Muskrat Falls) in overriding and shutting down Indigenous protests – including though injunctions enforced by various police forces – to advance major resource extraction projects that negatively impact Indigenous communities and lives:

* British Columbia: Site C Dam
* Alberta: Oil Sands Development
* Ontario: Ring of Fire mining development
* Quebec: Mining in northern Quebec Inuit region of Nunavik
Royal Proclamation & Covenant of Reconciliation Call to Action # 47
Why “Not Started?”
The actions of the governments of Canada, BC, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, and Newfoundland and Labrador are undermining Indigenous rights
BC, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec – have joined the federal government (Trans Mountain Pipeline, Coastal GasLink) and Newfoundland and Labrador (Muskrat Falls) in overriding and shutting down Indigenous protests – including though injunctions enforced by various police forces – to advance major resource extraction projects that negatively impact Indigenous communities and lives:

* British Columbia: Site C Dam
* Alberta: Oil Sands Development
* Ontario: Ring of Fire mining development
* Quebec: Mining in northern Quebec Inuit region of Nunavik

National Council for Reconciliation

Call to Action # 55
Provide Annual Reports on progress towards Reconciliation
Colonialism Of The Curve: Indigenous Communities & Bad Covid Data
May 12, 2020 – Yellowhead Institute Policy Brief identifies a number of factors contributing to the lack of readily available and reliable statistical data on Indigenous people in health and by extension other areas as well.
Call to Action # 55
Provide Annual Reports on progress towards Reconciliation
Six Principles for a A Just Recovery (New section to be added)
Climate Action Network – An informal alliance of over 150 civil society groups, representing collective memberships of millions in Canada, are demanding these plans move us toward a more equitable and sustainable future, with the release, today, of six Principles for a Just Recovery. Their message for governments: recovery efforts must support the transition to a more equitable, sustainable and diversified economy, and not entrench outdated economic and social systems that jeopardize the health and wellbeing of people, worsen the climate crisis, or perpetuate the exploitation or oppression of people.

Youth and Reconciliation

Call to Action # 66
Provincial Commitments to Youth Programs: Nunavut
Multi-year funding for community-based youth programs
April 28, 2020: Tungasuvvingat Inuit (TI) – The Youth Life Promotion in Ontario, is launching the Inuksuk Campaign. Historically the Inuksuk was seen as a survival tool and during this pandemic, it is vital to remember our strengths and move forward in our lives. In support of Urban Inuit Youth, the campaign will also help bring together urban and rural Inuit community members in “The Fifth Region”.
Call to Action # 66
We Matter: 2018 #HopeForum Calls to Action (new section)
Multi-year funding for community-based youth programs
Jan. 21 – 22, 2018The 2018 #HopeForum, A Gathering of Indigenous Youth Leaders on Healing & Life Promotion was organized in response to the current mental health and suicide realities of Indigenous youth and communities, and in light of the current national dialogue on the Indigenous youth suicide crisis. These Calls to Action were agreed upon by 70 Indigenous youth attending the We Matter and Facebook #HopeForum in Ottawa Jan 21st and 22nd 2018. The youth represented First Nations, Metis, and Inuit communities from every region across Canada.

Sports and Reconciliation

Call to Action # 88
Sports Organizations Commitments to Indigenous Sport
Ensure long-term Indigenous athlete development, support for NAIG
June 9, 2020: Coaching Association of Canada – The Aboriginal Apprentice Coach Program (AACP) is a partnership between the Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC), Canada’s Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Bodies (PTASBs), Provincial/Territorial Coaching Representatives (PTCRs), the Canada Games Council (CGC), and the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC). It provides the opportunity for each province and territory to send two (2) coaches of Aboriginal ancestry to the Canada Games in apprenticeship roles.

Business and Reconciliation

Business and Reconciliation Home Page
Current Reality
Federal Government to support Indigenous small business
April 18, June 11Federal Government announced up to $306.8 million in funding to help small and medium-sized Indigenous businesses, and to support Aboriginal Financial Institutions that offer financing to these businesses.
Business and Reconciliation Home Page
Current Problems and Issues
Impacts on First Nations of Alberta Energy Regulator suspending key aspects of environmental monitoring in the oilsands
June 5, 2020: NationTalk – Decision was a result of lobbying by the Oil and Gas Association Three First Nations in northeast Alberta – Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, Fort McKay First Nation and Mikisew Cree First Nation have jointly filed an appeal related to recent Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) decisions to suspend key aspects of environmental monitoring in the oil sands. The First Nations were not consulted on decisions that clearly impact Alberta Energy Regulator’s (AER) ability to identify and mitigate these impacts.
Business and Reconciliation Home Page
Current Problems and Issues
Ontario government using pandemic to impede “meaningful consultation on Ring of Fire development“.
May 22, 2020: Policy Options -Ontario government announced that “a regional assessment of potential mining operations for the Ring of Fire will be undertaken”. The announcement only posted on the agency website severely impacts the ability of First Nations to meaningfully engage in the consulting process.
Business and Reconciliation Home Page
Current Problems and Issues
Big-5 Candian banks continuing to finance oil and gas exploration in the Arctic including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
April 30, 2020The Gwich’in Tribal Council (GTC) and Vuntut Gwichin Government – Despite movement by the majority of major U.S. banks – five of the top 6 – there has yet to be similar action from their Canadian peers to rule out financing new oil and gas exploration in the arctic.
Business and Reconciliation Home Page
Current Problems and Issues
Unilateral decision by Quebec government to re-open mining operations in northern Quebec without consulting the Inuit.
Apr. 20, 2020Makivik Corporation, who represent the Inuit of Nunavik, is strongly opposed to the resumption of mining activities in the Nunavik region without due consulting especially due to the pandemic and the higher risk of exposure to the Inuit communities.

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