What’s new in Indigenous Watchdog? Updates: Mar 1 – Mar. 31, 2023


230 Total Updates

69 Positive Actions vs 114 Current Problems

Calls to Action (C2A) Status: March 31, 2023

Not StartedStalledIn ProgressComplete
14214613
14.9%22.3%48.9%13.8%



StatusLegacy Calls to Action
(1-42) + 50-52, 62-65
Reconciliation Calls to Action
(43-94)
Not Started2, 9, 26, 34, 42, 51, 52, 6445, 46, 47, 55, 56, 89
Stalled6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 29, 30, 3258, 62, 71, 77, 78, 87, 92, 93
Complete13, 15, 4149, 59, 67, 68, 70, 80, 83, 84, 85, 94

Legacy Calls to Action include “Equity for Aboriginal People in the Legal System” (50-52) and “Education for Reconciliation (62-65) in order to keep all “Justice” and “Education” Calls to Action in one location

See also “Perspectives” post for a complete 6-page colour-coded document summarizing all 94 Calls to Action

Indigenous Watchdog Updates

They following presents a year-to-date statistical snapshot of stakeholder actions across ALL themes that are either advancing reconciliation (Legacy and Reconciliation C2As and Government Commitments) or creating roadblocks (Current Problems)

Section202020212022Jan. 31Mar. 1Mar. 31Apr. 30YTD
Current Reality2647504138
Current Problems1892133155883114255
Legacy C2As9615918826203379
Reconciliation C2As55881173112135
Govt. Commitments4832510
Total36650771894117176387
Other Issues7813161029
Indigenous Success Stories6595314

Notes:

  • Current Reality includes ALL 94 Calls to Action and Other Issues
  • Legacy C2As, Reconciliation C2As, Government Commitments and Other Issuesrepresent positive steps that advance reconciliation
  • Current Problems includes all “Calls to Action” plus “Other Issues” and “Government Commitments to Truth and Reconciliation
  • “Other Issues” presents information on Drinking Water Advisories, Food Insecurity, Urban Commitments to Reconciliation, Housing, Environment and Treaties and Land Claims

NOTE: Some actions/problems have multiple entries that are only counted once; also Background Content sections have multiple entries to provide additional context to a particular Theme and/or C2A

New Sections

SectionCall to Action ThemeWhere located
Indigenous Education ResourcesEducation Home Page – Background Content
Working Group on Review of Laws and PoliciesRoyal ProclamationC2A # 45: Home Page – Background Content
Indigenous Response to Vatican Repudiation of the Doctrine of DiscoverySettlement Agreement Parties and UNDRIPC2A # 49 – Home Page -Background Content
Church Repudiation of Doctrine of DiscoverySettlement Agreement Parties and UNDRIPHome Page – Explore problems by Theme
Emergency Management in First Nations CommunitiesEnvironmentHome Page: Background Content

Government Commitments to Truth and Reconciliation

Government Commitments
JurisdictionDateIndigenous GroupComment
Alberta, Ontario, SaskatchewanFeb. 24MétisCrown-Indigenous Relations signs self-government with three Métis Nations
FederalMar. 8MétisMétis National Council at crossroads as it marks 40-year anniversary
Federal & Newfoundland and LabradorMar. 14InuitBudget 2023-24: Charting a course towards growth and sustainability
FederalMar. 24InuitJoint message from ITK President Naten Obed and Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu on World Tuberculosis Day
OntarioMar. 27First NationsOntario Regional Chief Glen Hare responds to the tabling of the 2023 Ontario Budget
Current Problems with Government Commitments to Truth and Reconciliation (18)
Update to “Métis”: Ontario
Feb. 26: Long overdue for federal government to recognize Ontario Métis
Update to “Métis”: Federal
Mar. 7: Métis Nation BC in court after feds say it doesn’t qualify as ‘Indigenous governing body’
Update to “First Nations, Métis, Inuit“: Federal
Mar. 8: Governor-General shares abusive comments she received through social media
Update to “First Nations, Métis”: Saskatchewan
Mar. 16: Saskatchewan First Act” passes in front of gallery full of First Nations and Métis people opposed to the Bill
Mar. 18: Indigenous groups signal upcoming legal battle over “Saskatchewan First Act”
Update to ‘First Nations, Inuit”: Québec
Mar. 16: Petition presented to the National Assembly: the Québec government invited to recognize the existence of systemic racism and discrimination in Québec
Update to “Inuit”: Federal
Mar. 24: Northerners should be at the table for NORAD discussions, says Nunavut premier
Update to “First Nations”: Manitoba, Federal
Mar. 23: 11 northern Manitoba First Nations declare state of emergency to urge government intervention
Update to “Métis”: Saskatchewan
Mar. 22: Court of Appeal rejects Saskatchewan’s “misconceived” legal attack against Métis Nation -Saskatchewan
Update to First Nation: New Brunswick
Mar. 2: New Brunswick needs to improve Indigenous engagement
Update to “First Nations”: Manitoba
Mar. 10: Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs responds to provincial budget announcement
Update to “First Nations”: Saskatchewan
Mar. 23: Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) condemns Saskatchewan government funding reduction for First Nations
Update to “First Nations”: Federal
Mar. 27: Ottawa’s slow rollout of internet to First Nations creating economic rift, Auditor-General says
Update to “First Nations, Métis, Inuit“: Federal
Mar. 27: Amnesty International report pans Canada’s record on Indigenous rights
Update to “First Nations, Métis, Inuit“: Federal
Mar. 27: Indigenous groups hope for infrastructure dollars and economic development in budget
Update to ‘First Nations”: Federal
Mar. 28: Budget 2023 continues ‘repetitive injustice’ of underfunding First Nations, says national chief
Update to “First Nations“: New Brunswick
Mar. 30: Higgs pitches First Nations on up to $1.6B in revenue with possible shale gas expansion
Update to “First Nations”: Saskatchewan
Mar. 30: First Nations lay claim to all critical minerals and rare earth elements in Saskatchewan
Update to ‘First Nations”: Federal
Mar. 31: National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) response to 2023 federal budget (expresses disappointment)

Legacy Calls to Action

CHILD WELFARE

Home Page – Current Problems
Update to “Court Challenges”: BC
Mar. 7: Métis Nation BC in court after feds say it doesn’t qualify as ‘Indigenous governing body’
Mar. 24: Métis Nation B.C. starts a judicial review against the Minister of Indigenous Services
Update to: “Government and Institution Issues“: Ontario
Mar. 8: ‘A better way’: An Indigenous alternative to Ontario’s faltering child welfare system
Update to: “Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRT)”
Mar. 9: Stop the discrimination and prevent it from re-occurring: Updates on the CHRT case – First Nations Child and Family Caring Society
Update to “Court Challenges”: Nunavut
Mar. 13: Years of abuse in Cambridge Bay group home went ignored, lawsuit alleges
Update to “Court Challenges”: Federal
Mar. 14: First Nations sue Canada over child-welfare system’s destruction of culture, language
Update to “Court Challenges”: Federal
Mar. 17: Gitxsan family wins full custody over child in controversial case
Update to: “Government and Institution Issues“: Manitoba
Mar. 15: Changes needed to cutoff age for Child and Family Services support, Manitoba youth advocacy network says
Update to: “Government and Institution Issues“: Saskatchewan
Mar. 21: Saskatchewan First Nation comes to B.C. to talk about taking over child welfare
Update to ” Child and Youth Advocate Reports”: Alberta
Mar. 28: This deadly overdose crisis impacting younger children, Alberta children and youth advocate warns (14 of 18 youth who died of overdoses were Indigenous)
Call to Action # 1

Federal, provincial, territory governments commit to reducing the number of Aboriginal children in care

Update to “Government Actions to Reduce Overrepresentation”: BC
Mar. 17: Two First Nations in B.C. share child welfare agreement – and salmon
Call to Action # 4

Federal government to enact Indigenous Chid Welfare legislation

Update to: Provincial, Territory Commitments to Child Welfare: B.C., Federal
Mar. 24: Splatsin, Canada and B.C. sign historic coordination agreement for First Nation children and families

EDUCATION

Home Page – Current Problems
Update to “Indigenous Identity”: Ontario
Feb. 27: Métis Nation of Ontario’s future at stake as members vote on fate of thousands
Mar. 1: Métis Nation of Ontario votes to boot members with incomplete files
Update to “Indigenous Identity”: Saskatchewan
Mar. 3: University of Saskatchewan launches website aimed at rooting out Indigenous identity fraud
Update to “Indigenous History”: National
Mar. 4: Canadian History was overdue for a rewrite
Update to “Indigenous Identity”: BC
Mar. 9: Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafonde speaks out after award revoked over heritage
Update to “Indigenous Identity”: Newfoundland and Labrador
Mar. 13: Memorial University President Vianne Timmons apologizes, takes temporary leave, as Mi’kmaw claims scrutinized
Home Page – Background Content
Update to “Indigenous identity”
Mar. 25: The term ‘Indigenous’, in its current use, might be doing us all a disservice
NEW SECTION: Indigenous Education Resources: Saskatchewan
Mar. 4: Saskatoon high school students use coding to remix Indigenous music, learn about history, reconciliation
Call to Action # 11

Federal government to provide funding to end backlog for First Nations post-secondary education

Update to “Government Commitments to Indigenous Post-Secondary Education: Northwest Territories
Mar. 6: R.J. Simpson: Aurora College Board of Governor’s selected
Call to Action #12

Federal, provincial and territory governments to develop culturally appropriate early childhood education programs

Update to “Government Commitments to Early Childhood Education (ECE)”: Federal, Northwest Territories
Mar. 29: New daycare in Fort Smith, NWT opens with focus on culture and life skills

EDUCATION FOR RECONCILIATION

Call to Action # 62

Federal, provincial and territory governments to consult on Indigenous education reform: curriculum content, funding

Update to: “Indigenous Education Resources”: Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta, Ontario
Mar. 16: Classroom of First Nation students that don’t have teachers: Teach for Canada – Gakinaamaage witnessing unprecedented rates of First Nations hiring needs, urges leaders and policy makers to help bridge the education gap
Call to Action # 65

Federal government through SSHRC to establish a National Research Program for reconciliation with multi-year funding

Update to Background Content: “University Actions towards Indigenous Research Practices
Mar. 21: Research booklet created with Inuit knowledge maps ice routes changing with the climate
Update to Background Content: “University Actions towards Indigenous Research Practices
Mar. 24: New autonomous ethics board a first for non-Indigenous post-secondary institutions in Canada

LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

Home Page – Current Problems
Update to “Inuktitut Language Issues”: Nunavut
Mar. 3: NTI Inuit Language rights lawsuit survives Government of Nunavut motion to strike it down
Update: Cultural Appropriation”
Mar. 12: Why tackling the global industry of fake Indigenous art is like playing ‘whack-a-mole’?
Update to “Cultural Issues”: Saskatchewan
Mar. 30: ‘Part of my culture’: Cree women refused services at Saskatchewan bar for traditional face tattoo
Home Page – Background Content
Update to “Indigenous Cultural Success”: Newfoundland and Labrador
Feb. 27: The Building: Labrador’s striking new cultural centre
Update to “Indigenous Cultural Success”: Ontario
Mar. 7: More than 350 years in the making: Moose Factory in Omushkego Aski from time immemorial to 1673 -2023
Update to “Indigenous Cultural Success”: Québec
Mar. 24: Québec Cree launch knowledge festival to explain culture, history to non-Indigenous world
Update to “Indigenous Cultural Success”: Alberta
Mar. 29: Sacred Indigenous site opens in Edmonton’s river valley
Call to Action # 13

Federal government to acknowledge that Indigenous rights include Indigenous language rights

Update to “Government Actions to Support Indigenous Languages”: Federal
Mar. 31: Joint statement by Ministers Rodriguez, Miller, Hadju, Vandal on the National Indigenous Languages Day
Call to Action # 14

Federal government to enact an Indigenous Education Languages Act

Update to “Govt. Actions to Indigenous Languages”: Québec
Mar. 5: Kindergarten Mi’kmaw immersion program aims to keep the language strong in Listugui, Québec

Call to Action # 17

Federal, provincial and territory governments to enable residential school survivors to reclaim Indigenous names

Update to “Governments Response to Reclaiming Indigenous Names: BC
Mar. 30: Parents win battle to have son’s Kwak̓wala name on his BC birth certificate

HEALTH

Home Page – Current Problems
Update to “Systemic Racism”: Alberta
Mar. 5: ‘Really worrisome’: Survey suggests some Alberta doctors have anti-Indigenous biases
Update to “Systemic Racism”: Alberta
Mar. 27: Alberta has 8 Métis settlements. None of them have full-time doctors
Update to “Systemic Racism”: Alberta
Mar. 24: An Rx against racist behaviour in Alberta emergency departments
Update to “Ongoing Health Crisis”: Manitoba
Mar. 5: Family, community mourn 2 teens found dead in Northern Manitoba
Mar. 7: ‘Our people are dying’: Manitoba First Nation declares state of emergency
Mar. 10: ‘It’s hard to comprehend’, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs says more resources needed after girls freeze to death in St. Theresa Point
Update to “Ongoing Health Crisis”: Nunavut
Mar. 17: Nunavut declares tuberculosis outbreak in hamlet of Pond Inlet
Update to “Ongoing Health Crisis”: Northwest Territories
Mar. 23: Northwest Territories wants to contract an Indigenous-led treatment facility, but none are bidding for the work
Update to “Ongoing Health Crisis”: Yukon
Mar. 16: First Nations calls for check stops, more police in Mayo, Yukon to deal with opioid crisis
Mar. 30: ‘It’s going to take the community’: Yukon faces Canada’s worst toxic drug death rate
Update to “Ongoing Health Crisis”: BC
Mar. 23: Northern BC First Nations say they need more resources to deal with the illicit drug crisis
Update to “Ongoing Health Crisis”: BC
Feb. 13: Indigenous advocates call for more culturally informed addictions treatment in BC
Home Page – Background Content
Update to “Bringing Reconciliation to Health Care”: BC
Feb. 18: Reclaiming Body Sovereignty: A Haíɫzaqv woman is planning the 1st birth in her home territory in 21 years
Call to Action # 18

All levels of government to recognize and implement health care rights of Indigenous peoples

Update to “Government Recognition of Indigenous Rights to Health: Federal
Mar. 2: Working in partnership to deliver high-quality health care for indigenous people
Update to “Government Recognition of Indigenous Rights to Health: Federal
Mar. 22: The Society of Rural Physicians of Canada launches funding for training to improve health care access in rural centres
Update to “Government Recognition of Indigenous Rights to Health: Federal
Mar. 24: Joint message from ITK President Naten Obed and Indigenous Services Canada Minister Patty Hajdu on World Tuberculosis Day
Update toGovernment Recognition of Indigenous Rights to Health“: Alberta
Mar. 17: Province fronts cash for Indigenous seniors’ home
Call to Action # 21

Federal government to provide funding for existing and new Aboriginal Healing Centres

Update to “Investments in Indigenous Healing Centres”: Federal
Mar. 23: Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc to receive $12.5 M in funding for new healing centre
Call to Action # 22

Federal, provincial and territory governments and healthcare leaders to recognize value of Indigenous healing practices and use

Update to ” Indigenous Healing Practices”:
Mar. 9: New campaign highlights importance of culture in First Nations harm reduction practices
Update to “Investments in Indigenous Healing Practices”: Manitoba
Mar. 27: Traditional healing program will help combat intergenerational harm, Southern Chiefs’ Organization says
Call to Action # 23

Federal, provincial and territory governments to increase the hiring and retention of Indigenous healthcare workers

Update to “Commitment to Aboriginal Health Care Workers”: Québec
Mar. 14: Preclinical internships in First Nations and Inuit communities and organizations
Update to: “Indigenous Healing Practices”
Mar. 18: Improve health of Indigenous people and culture by decolonizing tobacco, says Cree doctor

JUSTICE

Home Page – Current Problems
Update to “Systemic Racism in RCMP”: BC
Mar. 9: Watchdog opens probe into RCMP unit that polices resource standoffs in B.C.
Mar. 10: Documents’s reveal ‘Rural Policing’ moneys going to the RCMP’s Community-Industry Response Group (C-IRG)
Update to “Systemic Racism in RCMP”: BC
Mar. 11: The B.C. solicitor-general ordered a probe of alleged RCMP misconduct in Prince George. Here’s why Indigenous leaders say it’s flawed
Update to “Systemic Racism in RCMP”: BC
Mar. 14: Delayed court hearings for RCMP officers charged with manslaughter
Update to “Systemic Racism in RCMP”: BC
Mar. 29: BC RCMP make arrests at pipeline protest site following alleged ‘swarming incidents’
Update to “Legislative and Institutional Barriers”: BC
Mar. 16: RCMP won’t agree to respect Gitxsan chiefs’ ban on ‘militarized’ response group
Update to “Targeted Indigenous Groups”: Manitoba
Mar. 7: RCMP told Ottawa it could offer advice to Winnipeg police on landfill search, documents show
Update to “Targeted Indigenous Groups”: Federal
Mar. 8: Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief highlights MMIWG at UN on International Women’s Day
Update to “Systemic Racism”: Alberta
Mar. 8: Alberta’s mandatory oath of allegiance is systemic discrimination
Update to “Court Challenge”: Manitoba
Mar. 30: Ex-priest, 93, acquitted of indecent assault at Manitoba residential school
Update to “Court Challenges”: Saskatchewan
Mar. 26: My visit with Odelia Quewezance – jailed for a murder she says she didn’t commit – stirs up hope but opens old wounds
Mar. 27: Saulteaux sisters jailed for nearly 30 years to be conditionally released
Update to “Systemic Racism”: Manitoba
Mar. 29: Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) expresses concern over First Nations over-incarceration rates
Update to “Supreme Court”: Alberta
Mar. 16: In Brief: Jim Shot Both Sides etal v. His Majesty the King (provincial limitation periods)
Update to “AFN-Canada MOU on Joint Priorities: Policing”: Saskatchewan
Mar. 24: Who pays for First Nations policing and who benefits? Saskatchewan’s struggles point to problems with funding models
Update to “AFN – Canada MOU on Joint Priorities: Policing”: Manitoba
Mar. 24: Confidence lost in RCMP, says First Nation calling for external investigation into deaths of 2 girls
Update to “AFN-Canada MOU on Joint Priorities – Policing”: Saskatchewan
Mar. 27: Saskatchewan Indigenous groups sound alarm on crime wave crisis
Home Page : Background Content
Update to “Thunder Bay Inquest”: Ontario
Mar. 21: Thunder Bay Police Service appoints new chief as it grapples with major challenges
Call to Action # 26

Federal, provincial and territory governments to review and amend their respective Statute of Limitations

Update to “Actions Against Statutes of Limitations”: Alberta
Mar. 16: In Brief: Jim Shot Both Sides etal v. His Majesty the King (provincial limitation periods)
Call to Action # 29

Federal Government and Parties to IRSSA to reach settlement agreements for those excluded from the TRC process

Update to “Settlements for Parties Excluded from the IRSSA: Métis
Mar. 6: Île-à-la-Crosse,, Sask. boarding school survivers push for recognition in their lifetimes
Update to “Settlements for Parties Excluded from the IRSSA: Indian Day Schools
Mar. 9: ‘Historic’ $2B class-action Indigenous court settlement approved
Update to “Settlements for Parties Excluded from the IRSSA: Sixties Scoop
Mar. 24: From Île-à-la-Crosse, to Brighton, England, 60s Scoop survivors map journey of reconnection
Call to Action # 30

Federal, provincial and territory governments commit to eliminate overrepresentation of Aboriginal people in custody

Update to “Govt. Actions to Reduce Overrepresentation: Saskatchewan
Mar. 8: Collaboration with Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) enhances police oversight
Update to “Government Actions to Reduce Overrepresentation: Québec
Mar. 14: Improving access to legal supports and services for Indigenous people in Montreal
Call to Action # 31

Federal, provincial and territory governments to provide stable funding to implement alternatives to imprisonment

Update to “Indigenous-led Restorative Justice Programs”: Yukon
Mar. 23: Yukon First Nation aims to develop alternative justice system for some crimes
Call to Action # 41

Federal government to appoint a public inquiry into MMIWG

Update to “Government Commitments to Preventing Violence Against Indigenous Women”: Federal
Mar. 5: National Inuit organization, RCMP start work to prevent human trafficking
Update to “Government Commitments to Preventing Violence Against Indigenous Women”:New Brunswick
Mar. 1: Act intended to help law enforcement find missing people
Update to “Government Commitments to Preventing Violence Against Indigenous Women: Nova Scotia
Mar. 8: Increased funding for organizations that support women
Update to “Government Commitments to Preventing Violence Against Indigenous Women: Nunavut, Yukon, NWT
Mar. 16: MP Michael McLeod announces over $1 Million in funding for the Arctic Indigenous Wellness Foundation and the Northern Mosaic Network
Update to “Government Commitments to Preventing Violence Against Indigenous Women: Manitoba
Mar. 16: Indigenous-led safe space for vulnerable women receives over $1.5M in funding from Manitoba government
Mar. 20: Manitoba government announces $2.1 million for provincewide integrated missing persons response
Update to “Indigenous Responses to Final Report”: Manitoba
Mar. 8: Southern Chiefs Organization to create MMIWG2S+ Unit
Call to Action # 42

Federal, provincial and territory governments to commit to recognize and implement Aboriginal Justice Systems

Update to “Indigenous Cultural Success”: Saskatchewan
Mar. 5: Indigenous smudging protocol introduced to Saskatchewan provincial courts brings some peace of mind amid tragedy

Reconciliation Calls to Action

CANADIAN GOVERNMENTS AND THE UNITED NATIONS DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

Home page – Current Reality
Update to “Current Reality”
Mar. 30: Northwest Territories introduces bill to implement UNDRIP
Home Page: Current Problems
Update to “UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples”
Mar. 2: Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) to UN Special Rapporteur: The genocide against Indigenous WG2STGD+ people continues with little progress made
Update to “UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples”
Mar. 10: ‘Appalling’ legacy of residential schools tops UN Indigenous Rights Rapporteur’s early findings
Update to “UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples”
Mar 13: BC First Nations highlight human rights concerns to UN Special Rapporteur on Rights of Indigenous Peoples, seeking resolution through UN mechanisms
Call to Action # 43

Federal, provincial and territory governments to fully adopt and implement UNDRIP as the framework for reconciliation

Update to”Why In Progress?”: Northwest Territories
Mar. 30: Northwest Territories introduces bill to implement UNDRIP
Update to “Government Commitments to UNDRIP”: Northwest Territories
Mar. 30: Northwest Territories introduces bill to implement UNDRIP
Call to Action # 44

Federal government to develop national action plan and strategies to achieve UNDRIP goals

Update to “Working Group on Review of Laws and Policies”: Federal
Mar. 1: Next phase launched on consultation and cooperation with Indigenous people on non-derogation clauses

ROYAL PROCLAMATION AND COVENANT OF RECONCILIATION

Home Page – Current Reality
Update to “Current Reality”
Mar. 30: The Vatican (Catholic Church) formally repudiates the Doctrine of Discovery
Home Page – Background Content
Update to “What is the Doctrine of Discovery?
Aug. 22, 2022: Why Pope Francis faces calls to revoke the Doctrine Discovery?
Mar. 2: 200 Years of Denial: Johnson vs M’Intosh and the Doctrine of Discovery (First Peoples Law Report)
Mar. 31: Johnson vs M’Intosh: 200 years of legal misery for Native people (ICT)
Update to “Government and institution Issues”: Federal
Mar. 19: Simon pauses Indigenous diplomacy
Call to Action # 45

Federal government to develop with Indigenous peoples a Royal Proclamation of Reconciliation

NEW SECTION: Working Group on Review of Laws and Policies
Mar. 1: Recent Developments in Aboriginal Law
Call to Action # 47

Federal, provincial, territory and municipal governments to repudiate Doctrine of Discovery and terra nullius

Update to Background Content: “What is the Doctrine of Discovery?”
Mar. 2: 200 Years of Denial: Johnson vs M’intosh and the Doctrine of Discovery

SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT PARTIES AND UNDRIP

Home Page: Current Reality
Update to “Current Reality”
Mar. 30: Catholic Church repudiates Doctrine of Discovery
Home Page: Current Problems
NEW SECTION: ‘Church Repudiation of Doctrine of Discovery”
Mar. 30: Vatican’s disavowal of Doctrine of Discovery a good step but ‘fundamental change’ still needed, Manitoba elder
Mar. 30: First People’s Law Report comment on Catholic Church regarding the Doctrine of Discovery
Mar. 31: Mixed feelings for Vatican regarding ‘laws of colonization’
Home Page – Background Content
Call to Action # 49

All religious denominations and faith groups to repudiate Doctrine of Discovery and terra nullius

Update to “Why Complete?”
Mar. 30: Catholic Church formally repudiates Doctrine of Discovery
Update to Background Content: “What is the Doctrine of Discovery?”
Mar. 2: “200 Years of Denial”: Johnson vs M’intosh and the Doctrine of Discovery
Update to “Church Repudiation of Doctrine of Discovery”: Catholic Church
Mar. 30: Catholic Church repudiates some concepts used to justify oppression of Indigenous people (Doctrine of Discovery)
Mar. 30: ‘A very emotional day’: Pope Francis grants Indigenous Canadians’ request, denouncing doctrine blamed for colonialism
NEW SECTION: Background Content – “Indigenous Responses to Vatican’s Repudiation of Doctrine of Discovery”
Mar. 31: National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation statement on Doctrine of Discovery Repudiation
Mar. 31: Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs responds to the Vatican’s repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery
Mar. 31: First Nations Leadership Council welcomes Vatican’s formal rejection of ‘Doctrine of Discovery’
Mar. 31: Inuit Tapariit Kanatami statement on repudiation of Doctrine of Discovery
Mar. 31: Repudiation of Doctrine of Discovery ‘symbolic step’ with opportunity for changes, notherners say
Mar. 31: Indigenous experts, leaders say Doctrine of Discovery rejection marks step forward
Mar. 31: Mixed feelings from Saskatchewan indigenous people after Catholic Church repudiates Doctrine of Discovery

CHURCH APOLOGIES

Home Page: Current Problems
Update to ” Indigenous Response to Pope’s Apology”: Saskatchewan
Mar. 15: Former Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations chief unhappy with lack of progress after papal visit
Call to Action # 59

Church Parties to the Settlement Agreement to develop ongoing education strategies to teach impacts of colonization

Update to “Church Parties Commitment to Education Strategies”: Jesuits
Mar. 13: Jesuits of Canada reveal list of clerics credibly accused of sexual abuse
Mar. 14: Survivors applaud move by Jesuits to publish names of abusers
Mar. 16: 10 out of 27 Jesuits ‘credibly accused’ of abusing minors worked at residential schools or a First Nation

YOUTH AND RECONCILIATION

Call to Action # 66

Federal government to provide multi-year funding for community-based youth programs

Update to “Canadian Roots Exchange”
Mar. 9: CREation community grants seek Indigenous youth-led projects

MUSEUMS AND ARCHIVES

Call to Action # 67

Federal government and Canadian Museums provide funding for national review of museum policies and best practices

Update to “Repatriating Indigenous Artefacts”
Mar. 31: Canadian Museums Association (CMA) appreciates Vatican rejection of the “Doctrine of Discovery”

MISSING CHILDREN AND BURIAL INFORMATION

Home Page – Current Problems
Update to “Challenges for Special Interlocutor”
Mar. 5: ‘You’re not alone’: Guatemelan anthropologist offers suppport for unmanned graves searches
Update to “Challenges for Special Interlocutor”
Mar. 15: International commission looks to ease fears over unmarked graves contract
Update to “Challenges for Special Interlocutor”
Mar. 21: Advisor on unmarked graves says some landowners are refusing access for searches
Update to “Discoveries of Unmarked Graves”
Mar. 16: New Survivors Secretariat logo features the apples Mohawk Institute students were’nt allowed to eat
Home Page – Background Content
Update to “UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous People”
Mar. 7: Residential School survivors, advocates say UN Special Rapporteur must push for further reparations

NATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION

Home Page: Background Content
Update to “Residential School Centres”: Shingwauk
Mar. 17: Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre receives funding from Canadian Heritage
Call to Action # 77

Provincial, territory, municipal and community archives to collaborate with NCTR on collection of all records

Update to ” Commitments to Provide Records to NCTR”: Manitoba
Mar. 13: Manitoba signs agreement to open access to death certificates of children at residential schools

BUSINESS AND RECONCILIATION

Home Page – Current Problems
Update to “Duty to Consult”: Ontario
Mar. 2: Doug Ford government wants to speed up mining permits in Ontario
Mar. 3: Lawyer says First Nations will fight Ontario government’s proposed mining changes
Update to “Individual Business Initiatives”: Ontario
Mar. 3: Lakehead University students demand school cut ties with RBC for funding fossil fuel projects
Update to “Legislative and Institutional Barriers”: B.C.
Mar. 22: BC First Nations file court case against federal decision not to renew salmon farm licenses
Call to Action # 92
Update to “Individual Business Initiatives”: Ontario
Mar. 1: New leadership team heralds new era at Ring of Fire Metals
Update to “Individual Business Initiatives”: Ontario
Mar. 7: First Nations heavy-cargo port partnership in Northern Ontario
Update to “Individual Business Initiatives”: BC
Mar. 12: Resource firms move ahead with UNDRIP compliance as BC legal changes lag
Update to “Individual Business Initiatives”: BC
Mar. 14: B.C. Government approves $3B First Nation owned Cedar LNG project, bringing it one step closer to reality
Update to “Individual Business Initiatives: Alberta
Mar. 9: Primed recognizes their role in reconciliation and partners with Medical, Surgical and Safety Supplies Ltd. (MSS) and Mohawk Medbury Corporation (MMC) to support an Indigenous value-based supply chain
Update to “Individual Business Initiatives: BC
Mar. 10: Trans Mountain Corporation provides update on the expansion project
Update to “Indigenous-Led Initiatives: Saskatchewan
Mar. 21: Cowassess First Nation’s $21 million Awasis solar project is a prime example of how Indigenous communities are leading the way for green power in Canada
Update to “Indigenous-Led Initiatives: Newfoundland and Labrador
Mar. 20: A 200-MW wind project: a partnership between nine Innu communities and Boralex in the traditional territory (Nitassinan) of the Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam First Nation
Update to “Government Programs”: Ontario
Mar. 29: Ontario investing in Economic Development initiatives in First Nations communities
Update to “Government Programs: Federal
Mar. 8: Minister Wilkinson positions Canada as Supplier-of-Choice for critical minerals and clean technologies at Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC)
Home Page: Background Content
Update to “Indigenous-Led Initiatives: Nunavut
Mar. 15: First-of-its-kind Arctic Tech Forum brings Inuit together in Iqaluit

OTHER ISSUES

DRINKING WATER ADVISORIES

Hone Page: Current problems
Update to “Long-Term DWA’s”: Federal
Mar. 29: Regional Chief Cindy Woodhouse (Manitoba) calls for support of First Nations-led water priorities and realizing the human right to safe drinking water
Home Page – Background Content
Update to “Government Actions to Improve Drinking Water: Federal
Mar 2: Consultation draft shared: Next steps underway toward proposed new First Nations drinking water and wastewater legislation
FOOD INSECURITY
Home Page: Current Problem
Update to “Food Insecurity Strategies”: Inuit Nunangat (Nunavut, Québec, NWT, Nfld. and Labrador)
Mar. 28: National Inuit organization seeking $1.6B for school food program
Home page – Background Content
Update to “Inuit Reports”: Inuit Nunangat (Nunavut, Québec, NWT, Nfld. and Labrador)
Mar. 21: Report calls for a coordinated school food program across Inuit Nunangat
HOUSING
Home Page – Current Problems
Update to “Fire Prevention on Reserves”: Manitoba
Mar. 3: Shamattawa First Nation declares state of emergency
Update to “Fire Prevention on Reserves”: Ontario
Mar. 15: Remote northern Ontario Cree community to get fire truck following girl’s death
Home Page – Background Content
Update to “Indigenous Housing Reports”: B.C.
Mar. 29: Nation to engage in year-long planning process to maximize reserve lands’ financial and social value
Update to “Homelessness”: Manitoba
Feb. 28: Manitoba Government provides $126 Million to address chronic homelessness
URBAN COMMITMENTS TO RECONCILIATION
Home Page – Current Problems
Update to: “Individual Municipal Issues”: Alberta
Feb. 27: Lawsuit claims racism from an Alberta town made approved wellness centre impossible to realize
Update to: “Individual Municipal Issues”: Ontario
Mar. 16: Measuring realities of racism in northern Ontario
Home Page – Background Content”
Update to: Urban Aboriginal Strategies: Ontario
Feb. 13: The Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres (OFIFC) Federal and Provincial Pre-Budget Submission
Update to “Urban Aboriginal Strategy”: Federal
Mar. 28: Budget 2023 includes some investment but must fully address urban Indigenous realities in near future
ENVIRONMENT
Home Page – Current Problems
Update to: Specific Industry Environmental Issues: Alberta
Mar. 2: Alberta First Nation angry at Imperial’s silence while tailing pond leaked for 9 months
Mar. 9: First Nation slams Premier Danielle Smith for ‘spin’ on huge oil sands project leak: ‘This is basic science’
Mar. 9: Federal environment minister condemns alleged reporting of oil sand tailings leak
Mar. 15: First Nations living near Imperial Oil leak refuse to drink water from nearby reservoir
Mar. 24: Northern Alberta residents demand answers from Imperial Oil after toxic leak from oil sands project
Mar. 22: Northwest Territories Indigenous leaders call for investigation of oil sands’ impacts
Update to “Specific Industry Environmental Issues”: BC
Feb. 24: One fish, two fish, red fish? Feds fail to disclose Coastal GasLInk data on salmon eggs, habitat
Update to “Specific Industry Environmental Issues”: BC
Mar. 7: Indigenous chiefs fly to Ottawa in rival moves as salmon farm battles intensify
Update to “Specific Industry Environmental Issues”:
Mar. 11: ‘Sitting on a carbon bomb’: B.C.
Update to “Specific Industry Environmental Issues”: Ontario
Mar. 6: Ontario approves environmental assessment terms of reference for 3rd and final road to Ring of Fire
Update to “Specific Industry Environmental Issues”: Ontario
Mar. 6: Ontario and two First Nations agree on terms for last of three roads into Ring of Fire
Mar. 16: Ontario pledges $29M to protect boreal caribou – but the spending isn’t without criticism
Update to “Environmental Impacts”: BC
Mar. 6: A First Nation’s quest to know why their cemetery was flooded
Update to “Environmental Impacts”: Québec
Mar. 8: ‘If we lose this fight, we lose everything’: Naskapi , Innu Nations oppose Québec mining project
Update to “Environmental Impacts”: Federal, Ontario
Feb. 27: Federal government has resumed talks with Ontario about the Ring of Fire: document
Update to “Climate Change”: Federal
Mar. 20: Committee grills minister on failure to support First Nations during climate emergencies
Update to “Climate Change”: BC
Mar. 21: Why BC needs climate fund for First Nations
Update to “Forest Management”: Federal
Mar. 10: Canada, home to a massive boreal forest, lobbied to limit US, EU anti-deforestation bills
Update to “Forest Management”: BC
Mar. 16: We need to talk about Private Forest lands
Update to “Supreme Court”
Mar. 22: Supreme Court hears important federalism case without its only Indigenous member
Home Page – Background Content
NEW SECTION: Emergency Management in First Nations Communities
Mar. 21: Auditor-General released Report 8 with recommendations to improve Emergency Management Services for First Nations
Update to “Government Commitments to Environment”: B.C.
Mar. 6: Watershed strategy co-developed with First Nations, $100 million invested
Update to “Government Commitments to the Environment”: Nunavut
Mar. 28: Nunavut flips stance on caribou protection again, now supports development ban on calving grounds
Update to “Indigenous Circle of Experts (ICE): B.C.
Mar. 16: ‘Legacy of bold resistance’: how the Tea-o-qui-aht are protecting 100% of their territory
Update to “Indigenous Leadership Initiative: Guardians: BC
Mar. 31: ‘It’s so beautiful’: rare inland rain forest in BC declared Indigenous Protected Area
TREATIES AND LAND CLAIMS
Home Page – Current Problems
Update to “Aboriginal Rights and Title”: Ontario:
Mar. 2: Doug Ford government wants to speed up mining permits in Ontario
Mar. 29: First Nations protesting Ontario’s accelerated mining development plans
Mar. 29: First Nations leaders walk out of Queen’s Park after heated exchange over mining proposal
Update to “Aboriginal Rights and Title”: BC
Mar. 2: Land Defenders call on courts to dismiss criminal contempt charges
Update to “Aboriginal Rights and Title”: New Brunswick
Feb. 28: Some traditional lands to return to Wolastoqey Nation, agreements signed
Mar. 17: Forestry companies say they’re at risk because of Wolastoqey title claim to more than half New Brunswick
Update to “Aboriginal Rights and Title”: Saskatchewan
Mar. 9: First Nations affirm treaty rights trump provincial firearm laws
Update to “Aboriginal Rights and Title“: Ontario
Mar. 14: Billions have been made on Robinson Huron treaty lands. First Nations could finally get a fair share
Update to “Aboriginal Rights and Title“: Saskatchewan
Mar. 25: Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) demands inquiry over mistreatment of First Nations after an Elder’s house was raided on the Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation.
Update to “Duty to Consult/FPIC”: Québec, Newfoundland and Labrador
Mar. 2: Indigenous leaders need to be part of the Churchill Falls discussions, say Innu Nation grand chief
Update to “Duty to Consult/FPIC”: Ontario
Mar. 7: Neskantanga First Nation says it wasn’t adequately consulted in key Ring of Fire environmental study
Mar. 29: First Nations leaders walk out of Queen’s Park after heated exchange over mining proposal ADD
Mar. 30: ‘No consent, No Ring of Fire’: Far north First Nations take mining battle straight to Ontario legislature
Update to “Duty to Consult/FPIC”: BC
Mar. 9: Chiefs ban RCMP’s ‘militarized’ squadron from Gitxsan lands in northern BC
Update to “Duty to Consult/FPIC“: Yukon
Mar. 16: Yukon govt. to appeal court decision quashing approval of mining project near Mayo
Update to “Land Claims”: New Brunswick
Mar. 9: Mi’kmaq land claim in New Brunswick signals Indigenous nations ‘increasingly assertive over title’
Update to “Land Claims”: Ontario
Mar. 14: Haldimand Tract litigation new website and update
Update to “Court Challenges”: Newfoundland and Labrador
Mar. 10: Crown stays charges against Innu Caribou hunters dating back to 2013
Home Page: Background Content
Update to ‘Land Back Movement”” BC
Mar. 2: Land Back is complicated. Here’s what we can learn from a BC island returned to the Saanich people

Indigenous Success Stories

ThemeDateIndigenous GroupComment
EducationMar. 3InuitHigh arctic research station offers students glimpse of life in science
HealthMar. 10First NationDr. Kona Williams is forging a path for First Nations women in forensic pathology
Youth ProgramsMar. 25First NationTen years ago, a group of Québec Cree youths finished an epic trek from Whapmagoostui to Ottawa, the journey of Nishiyuu

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