What’s new in Indigenous Watchdog? Status Updates – April 30, 2023

Positive Actions = 40 vs Current Problems = 87

Calls to Action (C2A) Status: April 30, 2023

Not Started	Stalled	In Progress	Complete
14	21	46	13
14.9%	22.3%	48.9%	13.8%

Status	Legacy Calls to Action (1-42) + 50-52, 62-65	Reconciliation Calls to Action (43-94)
Not Started	2, 9, 26, 34, 42, 51, 52, 64	45, 46, 47, 55, 56, 89
Stalled	6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 29, 30, 32	58, 62, 71, 77, 78, 87, 92, 93
Complete	13, 15, 41	49, 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

The 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)

Section	2020	2021	2022	Jan. 31	Mar. 1	Mar. 31	Apr. 30	YTD
Current Reality	26	47	50	4	1	3	4	12
Current Problems	189	213	315	58	83	114	87	342
Legacy C2As	96	159	188	26	20	33	27	106
Reconciliation C2As	55	88	117	3	11	21	9	44
Govt. Commitments	–	–	48	3	2	5	4	14
Total	366	507	718	94	117	176	131	518
Other Issues	–	–	78	13	16	10	23	62
Indigenous Success Stories	–	–	65	9	5	3	7	14

Notes:

• Current Reality includes ALL 94 Calls to Action and Other Issues
• Legacy C2As, Reconciliation C2As, Government Commitments and Other Issues represent positive steps that are advancing reconciliation
• Current Problems includes all those in “Calls to Action” plus “Other Issues” and “Government Commitments to Truth and Reconciliation
• “Other Issues” presents information on Drinking Water Advisories, Food Insecurity, Suicide Prevention, 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

Section	Call to Action (C2A) Theme	Where located
Indigenous Child Welfare Agencies	Child Welfare	C2A # 4 Landing Page – Background Content
Decarceration Though Self-Determination	Justice	C2A # 30 Landing Page – Background Content
Voices of Indigenous Youth Leaders	Youth Programs	Home Page – Current Problems
Indigenous Youth Reports	Youth Programs	C2A # 66 Landing Page – Background Content
Federal Budget Investments	Media & Reconciliation	Home Page – Current Problems
Other Journalism Initiatives	Media & Reconciliation	C2A # 86 Landing Page: Actions & Commitments
Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI)	Urban Commitments	Home Page – Background Content

Government Commitments to Truth and Reconciliation

Jurisdiction	Date	Indigenous Group	Description
Federal	April 9	FN, M, I	Budget 2023: Advancing Reconciliation section
Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan	April 11	FN, M	Taking the lead on new nation-building projects
Saskatchewan	April 19	FN, M	$92.4M for First Nations and Métis communities through Gaming Payments
British Columbia	April 20	FN, M	Funding helps 60 organizations build anti-racist communities

Current Problems in Government Commitments to Truth and Reconciliation

Jurisdiction	Date	Indigenous Group	Description
Federal	April 10	FN	Chiefs’ resistance to change stalls new path for AFN
Alberta, Manitoba Saskatchewan	April 11	FN	Western premiers blast Lametti for suggesting Ottawa might ‘look at’ provinces’ power over natural resources
Federal	April 19	FN, M, I	First Nations high-speed internet access lagging behind Canadian average: less than 43% of households on reserve vs 91% in Canada
Alberta	April 20	FN	Former Treaty 6 Grand Chief calls for Alberta Council on Reconcilia-tion after Alberta refused to meet with UN Special Rapporteur
Federal, Ontario	April 21	FN	Northern Ontario chief says his community continues to ‘fear’ flooding because of neighbouring First Nation
Federal, Ontario	April 20	FN	Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief carries strong message to U.N. on behalf of E’Dbendaagzijig
Federal	April 24	FN, M, I	CRA must tackle trust issues, discrimination against Indigenous clients, report says
Québec	April 25	FN, I	The Naskapi Development Corporation asks the Québec government to set up a negotiation table to address equitable and recurring funding

Legacy Calls to Action

CHILD WELFARE

Home Page – Current Reality

Update to “Federal Actions”

April 5: Revised settlement agreement of $23B reached to compensate First Nations children and families

Home Page – Current Problems

Update to “Systemic Racism”: Alberta

April 2: 74% of youth in care in Alberta are Indigenous. Here’s what two of them had to say

Update to “Systemic Racism”: Manitoba

April 21: After outcry over baby’s apprehension, Manitoba Indigenous family gets their newborn back

Update to: “Child and Youth Advocate Reports“: Ontario

April 13: Child Welfare agencies failed to ensure safety of Indigenous girl at risk of human trafficking, Ombudsman finds

Update to: “Child and Youth Advocate Reports“: BC

April 27: “Missing: Why are children disappearing from B.C.’s child welfare system?”

Call to Action # 1

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

Update to “Government Commitments to Reducing the Number of Children in Care: BC

April 3: Ottawa adds $3.4B to its $20B First Nations child welfare compensation deal April 5: Revised settlement agreement of $23B reached to compensate First Nations children and families

Update to “Government Commitments to Reducing the Number of Children in Care: Yukon

April 13: More Yukon children in care being placed with family members, report shows

Call to Action #4

Federal government to enact Indigenous child welfare legislation

NEW SECTION: Indigenous Child Welfare Agencies: Federal

April 11: Notices and requests related to “An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families”

Update to “Government Commitments to Indigenous Child Welfare: Ontario

April 11: Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug celebrates First Nation-led family law, one of few in Canada

Update to “Government Commitments to Indigenous Child Welfare: Alberta

April 11: Three First Nations sign agreement with Ottawa, Alberta to take over child welfare

Update to “Bill C-92”: All Provinces

April 13: Provinces need to come to the table as feds sign child welfare coordination agreements with First Nations

Update to “Bill C-92”: Federal

April 17: Koganaawsawin to host “National Indigenous Child Well-Being Summit”

EDUCATION

Home Page – Current Problems

Update to: “Indigenous Identity”: Newfoundland and Labrador

April 7: Vianne Thomas removed as president of Memorial University

Update to: “Indigenous History”: Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Federal

April 8: A curious photo from 1885 captures what Indigenous reconciliation could have been

Update to “Educational Institutes”

April 11: University ethics boards are not ready for Indigenous scholars

Update to “Educational Institutes”: Federal

April 30: Teachers in Six Nations ask Canadians not to forget impact of federal strike on Indigenous students

Call to Action # 62

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

Update to “Mandatory Govt. K-12 Commitments to Indigenous curriculum”: Yukon

April 17: Funding for Yukon First Nation School Board more than doubles

Update to “Mandatory Govt. K-12 Commitments to Indigenous curriculum”: Ontario

April 24: Ontario schools making headway, new report finds but needs better data collection to track progress

Call to Action # 65

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

Update to “SSHRC Funding for Indigenous Research”: Federal

April 17: New funding to support Indigenous students in heart and brain science

Update to “University Actions Towards Indigenous Research Practices: Ontario

April 25: York University leads $318.4M first-of-kind inclusive next-gen technology research initiative

LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

Home Page – Current Problem

Update to “Concerns about Québec’s Bill 96”: QC

April 21: First Nations organization going to court over Québec’s French language reforms

Update to “Concerns about Quebec’s Bill 96”: QC

April 14: First Nations leaders want Québec to drop plans for Indigenous languages law

Home Page – Background Content

Update to “Indigenous Cultural Success”: Manitoba

April 6: Manitoba Indigenous Cultural Education Centre celebrates history in reopening exhibition

Update to “Indigenous Cultural Success“: Manitoba

April 17: On the way to Wehwehneh. What it takes to transform downtown Winnipeg former Bay

Update to “Indigenous Cultural Success”: BC

April 12: Skwxwu7mesh language panel will underscore link between economic reconciliation and cultural revitalization

Update to “Indigenous Languages in Canada: Prince Edward Island

April 16: Cultural classes aim to make Mi’kmaw language thrive on PEI

Update to “Indigenous Languages in Canada: New Brunswick

April 28: “No intention’ of changing St. John River’s name to Wolastoq, cabinet minister says

Call to Action # 16

Post-secondary institutions, provinces, territories to create post-secondary degree & diploma programs in Indigenous languages

Update to “Commitment to Indigenous Languages”: Saskatchewan

April 24: Supporting Indigenous Languages Education in Saskatchewan (First Nations University)

HEALTH

Home Page – Current Problems:

Update to “Ongoing Health Crisis”: NU, NT, NL, QC

April 3: Budget erred by suggesting Ottawa backing away from Inuit TB eradication, minister says

Update to “Ongoing Health Crisis”: Federal, Manitoba

April 3: Northern Manitoba chiefs call for immediate federal action on health care crisis

Update to “Ongoing Health Crisis”: Ontario

April 4: Sioux Lookout hospital getting safe rooms, with hopes of bringing better support for mental health patients

Update to “Ongoing Health Crisis”: Ontario

April 24: More mental health resources needed in remote First Nations, jury hears during Moses Beaver inquest

Update to “Ongoing Health Crisis”: Nunavut

April 13: Six community health centres on reduced or emergency service in Nunavut

Update to “Ongoing Health Crisis”: BC

April 21: Toxic drugs killing First Nations residents in B.C. at nearly 6 times the rate of over-all population: report April 24: Indigenous people bear the brunt of the toxic drug crisis

Update to “Ongoing Health Crisis”: Alberta, Federal

April 25: Mikisew Cree First Nation declares a state of local emergency following multiple suicides

Update to: “Systemic Racism”: Federal, ALL

April 4: Anti-racism policies in healthcare should be led by Indigenous staff: report

Update to: “Systemic Racism”: ALL

April 11: Analysis of anti-Indigenous racism in hospitals reveals pattern of harm, no tracking mechanism

Update to “Systemic Racism”: ALL

April 27: Indigenous Health organizations launch RISE ABOVE RACISM campaign, championing a call for allies within the Canadian healthcare system

Update to “Ongoing Health Crisis”: Manitoba

April 12: Staffing shortages in northern Manitoba nursing stations a ‘life or death’ matter, advocate says

Update to “Ongoing Health Crisis“: Inuit Nunangat

April 16: The painful legacy of tuberculosis in Canada’s north April 17: COVID-19 pandemic stalled progress on eliminating tuberculosis among Inuit: officials

Call to Action # 18

Federal, provincial, territory and aboriginal governments to recognize and implement healthcare rights of Indigenous people

Update to “Government Recognition of Indigenous Rights to Health”: B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia

April 4: Pilot projects could pave way forward for Indigenous healthcare

Update to “Government Recognition of Indigenous Rights to Health”: Federal

April 14: Trudeau announces $8.2B to renew 10-year funding for B.C. First Nations Health Authority

Update to “Government Recognition of Indigenous Rights to Health”: Federal

April 21: Ottawa signs agreement with Nova Scotia First Nations chiefs on health services

Update to “Government. Recognition of Indigenous Rights to Health”: Federal

April 24: Drug to help prevent serious RSV illness in babies approved by Health Canada

Update to “Government Recognition of Indigenous Rights to Health”: Manitoba

April 25: Manitoba government providing more than $2.1M to support Indigenous-led mental health and addictions programming through Indigenous Reconciliation Fund

Call to Action # 21

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

Update to “Investments in Indigenous Healing Centres”: Saskatchewan

April 28: Province and Ahtahkakoop Cree Development move forward with partnership to jointly develop urgent care center in Saskatoon

Call to Action # 23

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

Update “Commitments to Aboriginal Healthcare Workers”: ALL

April 4: Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) releases “Health Human Resources Assessment” report

JUSTICE

Home page – Current Problems

Update to “AFN-Canada MOU on Joint Priorities – Policing

April 3: First Nations police launch human-rights complaint against Ottawa over funding April 13: NAN, NAPS support CHRT complaint against Canada on underfunding of First Nations policing

Update to “AFN-Canada MOU on Joint Priorities – Policing: Federal

April 5: Ottawa backs away from timeline for law to make First Nations policing essential service

Update to “AFN-Canada MOU on Joint Priorities – Policing: Manitoba

April 5: Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs brings forward justice issues for meeting with Minister of Public Safety Office

Update to “AFN-Canada MOU on Joint Priorities – Policing: Saskatchewan

April 28: Experts, family say many questions remain unanswered in James Smith Cree Nation tragedy

Update to “Targeted Indigenous Groups”: Manitoba

April 4: Body of Lake St. Martin First Nation mother, 33, found at Winnipeg landfill April 6: Woman whose body was found in Winnipeg landfill climbed into bin before it was taken to dump: police April 7: Hundreds chant ‘we are not trash’, close Portage and Main in honour of woman found dead in Winnipeg landfill

Update to “Targeted Indigenous Groups”: Federal

April 13: Missing, murdered Indigenous men and boys need to be part of the discussion

Update to “Legislative and Institutional Issues”: Newfoundland and Labrador

April 5: Opposition calling on Newfoundland and Labrador to remove statute of limitations for physical abuse victims

Update to “Legislative and Institutional Issues”: Federal

April 24: Women’s shelters across Canada are losing nearly $150 million in funding

Update to “Legislative and Institutional Issues”: Federal

April 19: Delegates from Canada highlight land rights, safety for indigenous women and girls at UN Forum

Update to “Systemic Racism”: Saskatchewan

April 6: Lawyers want abduction charges stayed against Saskatchewan women, citing alleged human rights violations April 24: Dawn Walker, First Nations woman accused of fleeing with child, to argue she was trying to escape alleged abuse

Update to “Systemic Racism”: Alberta

April 14: Family of Cindy Gladue says province has ‘misplaced’ her remains

Update to “Systemic Racism”: B.C.

April 25: Indigenous girls overrepresented as victims of violence in Vancouver

Update to “Systemic Racism”:

April 21: “Decarceration Through Self-Determination” report calls on feds to strip $1B from Correctional Service of Canada budget

Update to “Systemic Racism in Policing”: Vancouver Police Department

April 8: Vancouver police announces official changes to handcuffing policy

Update to “Systemic Racism in Policing”: Thunder Bay Police

April 14: Report on troubled Thunder Bay Police Board brings hope but also doubt amid warning change will take time April 28: Indigenous people detail violent encounters with Thunder Bay police in human rights complaint

Update to “Systemic Racism in Policing”: Prince Albert Police

April 21: Family of man left brain dead after incident with Prince Albert police seeking answers April 26: Man declared brain dead after being stun-gunned multiple times by Prince Albert police taken off life support

Update to “Systemic Racism in Policing”: Saskatchewan (Saskatoon Police)

April 23: Saskatchewan man at centre of historic ‘Starlight Tours’ police misconduct case has died

Update to “Systemic Racism in Policing“: Edmonton Police

April 29: No charges for Edmonton police constable who kicked Indigenous teen in the head

Update to “Systemic Racism in RCMP”: Yukon

April 19: Inuk mother says 17-year old daughter’s run in with Yukon RCMP left her in hospitalized

Update to “Court Challenges”

April 16: – Justice Miscarried: EXCERPT – Wrongfully Convicted, Guilty Pleas, Imagined Crimes and What Canada Must do to Safeguard Justice“

Update to “Court Challenges”: Ontario

April 25: This Ojibway man served his sentence, then says the crown tried to put strict conditions on his release

Call to Action # 26

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

Update to “Actions Against Statute of Limitations”: Newfoundland and Labrador

April 5: Opposition calling on Newfoundland and Labrador to remove statute of limitations for physical abuse victims

Call to Action # 30

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

NEW SECTION: Background Content: “Decarceration through Self-Determination”

April 21: Decarceration Through Self-Determination: Ending the mass incarceration of Indigenous people in Canada

Update to “Decarceration through Self-Determination”

April 21: Report calls on feds to strip $1B from Correction Service of Canada budget

Call to Acton # 31

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

Update to “Govt. Actions to Reduce Overrepresentation: B.C.

Mar. 31: New Indigenous Justice Centre coming to Kelowna

Update to ‘Govt. Actions to Reduce Overrepresentation”: Saskatchewan

April 14: New program to house, help Indigenous women who are released from jail opens in Saskatoon

Call to Action # 40

Federal, provincial and territory governments to create funded & accessible Indigenous-specific victim programs

Update to “Aboriginal Specific-Victim Programs and Services”: Saskatchewan

April 25: James Smith Cree Nation grappling with what to do with public donations after 2022 attacks

Call to Action # 41

Federal government to appoint public inquiry into MMIWG

Update to “Government Commitments to Preventing Violence against Indigenous Women: New Brunswick

April 27: Services for survivors of sexual violence to expand with adidtional budget funding

Call to Action # 42

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

Update to “Govt. Commitments to Aboriginal Justice Systems”: B.C.

Mar. 31: New Indigenous Justice Centre coming to Kelowna

Update to “Govt. Commitments to Aboriginal Justice Systems”: Manitoba

April 12: Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) wants to create First Nations courts to reduce incarceration

Update to “AFN-Canada MOU on Joint Priorities – Policing: Alberta

April 18: Commitment to Community Policing

Reconciliation Calls to Action

UNITED NATIONS DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

Home Page – Current Reality

Update to “Federal Government Updates”

April 6: AFN wants federal UNDRIP plan amended to address a number of concerns

Home Page – Current Problems

Update to ” Bill C-15 Action Plan”: Federal

April 3: First Nations chiefs to debate Trudeau government’s draft UNDRIP action plan April 5: Justice minister pitches AFN with ‘imperfect ‘UNDRIP’ plan April 6: AFN wants federal UNDRIP plan overhauled, slams consultation process

Update to “Problems with BC’s UNDRIP: B.C.

April 11: Intervenors from Gitxaała in court to argue against B.C.s mineral claim regime

Update to “Provincial Opposition to UNDRIP”: Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba

April 12: Trudeau says premiers’ claims about natural resources power grab have ‘no grounding’ in truth

Update to “Problems with NWT UNDRIP Bill”: Northwest Territories

April 28: Dehcho First Nations support of UNDRIP legislation ‘up in the air’: grand chief

Call to Action # 44

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

Update to “Bill 41 – BC UNDRIP Action Plan”: B.C.

April 28: Grand Chief says B.C. Declaration Fund ‘special moment in history’ to build province

ROYAL PROCLAMATION AND COVENANT OF RECONCILIATION

Home Page – Background Content

Update to”What is the Doctrine of Discovery?”

April 7: Toronto Star editorial – Repudiating a racist doctrine April 13: Now what? Next steps for uprooting the Doctrine of Discovery : First Peoples Law Report April 13: Instead of seeking reconciliation, politicians manufacture crises for partisan gain

Call to Action #47

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

Update to “What is the Doctrine of Discovery?”

April 14: The Doctrine of Discovery and its grip on Indigenous Canada

SETTLEMENT AGREEEMENT PARTIES AND UNDRIP

Home Page – Current problems

Update to “Indigenous Responses to Vatican Repudiation of Doctrine of Discovery”

Mar. 31: AFN-QL Statement following Pope Francis’ announcement rejecting the Doctrine of Discovery April 10: Vatican’s repudiation of Doctrine of Discovery should be considered a first step only, say First Nation leaders

Call to Action # 49

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

Update to “What is the Doctrine of Discovery?”

April 10: Vatican’s repudiation of Doctrine of Discovery should be considered a first step only, say First Nation leaders April 14: The Doctrine of Discovery and its grip on indigenous Canada

YOUTH PROGRAMS

Home Page – Current problems

NEW SECTION: Voices of Indigenous Youth leaders

April 18: Advocates call on Canada to establish multi-year funding for Indigenous youth organizations

Call to Action # 66

NEW SECTION: Indigenous Youth Reports

April 17: A Labour of Love: The unpaid and exploited labour of grassroots and community-based Indigenous youth groups

MUSEUMS AND ARCHIVES

Home Page – Background Content

Update to “Repatriating Indigenous Artefacts”: Ontario

April 9: Investigation into Niagara burial ground paused after concerns from Haudenosaunee group

MISSING CHILDREN AND BURIAL INFORMATION

Home Page – Current Reality

Update to Table “Discoveries of Unmarked Graves”: Alberta

April 19: Added discovery of 19 unmarked graves at Blue Quill IRS

Update to Table “Discoveries of Unmarked Graves”: B.C.

April 20: shíshálh Nation says 40 unmarked graves believed found at residential school site, more are expected

Home Page – Current Problems

Update to “Discoveries of Unmarked Graves: Alberta

April 19: Search for unmarked graves at Blue Quills finds 19 sites that could be unmarked graves

Update to “Discoveries of Unmarked Graves”: B.C.

April 20: shíshálh Nation says 40 unmarked graves believed found at residential school site, more are expected

Update to “Discoveries of Unmarked Graves: QC

April 21: ‘Mohawk Mothers’ reach agreement with McGill to search hospital grounds for unmarked graves

Call to Action # 75

Update to “Disbursements of federal funds to find unmarked graves: Yukon

Mar. 25: Search for graves at Yukon residential school site planned for the summer

COMMEMORATION

Home Page – Current Problems

Update to: Provinces/Territories Opposed to National Day”: Manitoba

April 11: Manitoba government says it doesn’t have consensus to make Orange Shirt Day a statutory holiday in 2023 April 12: Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) releases a statement on the provinces refusal to honour Orange Shirt Day

Call to Action # 79

Federal government and Canadian Heritage to develop reconciliation framework for Canadian Heritage and Commemoration

Update to “Parks Canada and Provincial Actions”: Nunavut

April 8: Excitement for Gjoa Haven’s future as Inuit take lead on historical site for Franklin Expedition wrecks

MEDIA AND RECONCILIATION

Home Page – Current Problems

NEW SECTION: “Federal Budget Investments”

April 12: Indigenous Screen Office on edge of ‘funding cliff’ after being excluded from federal budget

Call to Action # 86

Schools of Journalism to establish Indigenous history and culture course for all media schools

NEW SECTION: “Other Journalism Initiatives”: Northwest Territories

April 26: Four week intensive pilot program wrapped up in Inuvik last friday

BUSINESS AND RECONCILIATION

Home Page – Current Problems

Update to “Individual Business Issues”: Ontario

April 4: Canada’s big banks are facing increasing pressure from climate activists as shareholders look to shape corporate policy

Update to “Individual Business Issues: Alberta

April 22: Hundreds of lodge workers in Fort McMurray face termination after rejecting pay cut, union says

Home Page – Background Content

Update to “Indigenous-led Initiatives“

April 15: First Nations investors redefining Canada

Update to “Indigenous-led Initiatives“: Federal and B.C.

April 25: First Nations and US Tribes gather for a continental discussion about Indigenous values in deal-making

Call to Action # 92

Corporate Canada to adopt UNDRIP as a reconciliation framework, apply to policy & operations

Update to “Indigenous-led Initiatives”: Ontario

March 21: Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, Sagamok Anishnawbek and Wahnapitae First Nation partner in historic, collaborative agreement with successful Canadian mining contractor

Update to “Government Programs”: Alberta

April 17: Creating more opportunities in Indigenous communities

Update to “Individual Business Initiatives”: Ontario

April 25: Hydro One to invest in critical electricity infrastructure to support mining operations in northwest Ontario

Other Issues

DRINKING WATER ADVISORIES

Home Page – Background Content

Update to “Indigenous-Led Initiatives”

April 20: CIER, One Drop Foundation and private sector partners to launch the Indigenous Water Allyship

Update to “Indigenous-Led Initiatives”: Manitoba

April 24: Water is sacred to Indigenous people. They have been fighting to protect it for decades (Seal River Watershed)

HOUSING

Home Page – Current Problems

Update to “Indigenous Housing Reports”: Ontario

April 10: ‘We’re in a humanitarian crisis’, Attawapiskat chief calls for more land to build adequate housing

Home Page – Background Content

Update to “Housing in Inuit Nunangat”

April 3: North will see part of latest $4B Indigenous housing strategy, says federal minister April 28: Nunavut Housing Corporation and NCC Development Limited sign design-build contracts for 150 new public housing units to start construction in Fall 2023

Update to “Homelessness: B.C.

April 4: Frozen to death (Indigenous homelessness in northern BC)

Update to “Federal Budgets”

April 18: For the first time, Indigenous-owned investment firm lands pilot project with CMHC to accelerate Indigenous housing

Update to “Fire Prevention on Reserve”: Ontario

April 18: Open Letter to Governments and Ring of Fire Metals from Norman Sheweybick on the demand for a fire truck and fire station in Webequie First Nation parallel to the study on the Webequie Supply Road

Update to “Government Programs”: Federal

April 21: Canada supports rapid housing projects for First Nations in southeastern Alberta April 27: Canada supports rapid housing projects for First Nations in northwest Alberta

URBAN COMMITMENTS TO RECONCILIATION

Home Page – Current Problems

Update to “Individual Municipal Issues: Alberta

April 21: ‘A wicked web of lies’: Alberta town under fire for rejecting wellness centre for Indigenous families

Home Page – Background Content

Update to “Individual Municipal Commitments”: Ontario

April 12: New economic development partnership between Saugeen Shores and Saugeen First Nation

Update to “Individual Municipal Commitments”: Ontario

April 24: New Indigenous Police Liaison says she hopes to ‘build bridges’, expand role in Hamilton

NEW SECTION: Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI)

April 13: Partnership between Council for the Development of Native Development Officers (CANDO) and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities

ENVIRONMENT

Home Page – Current Problems

Update to “International Environmental issues”

April 1: INVESTIGATION – Hollow Core: Environmental abuses by multinationals

Update to “International Environmental issues”: Federal

April 20: Canada’s support of Line 5 pipeline to come under scrutiny of United Nations

Update to “Forest Management”: Ontario

April 7: ‘We will never give up on defending our land’: Ontario declares 10-year logging ban on Grassy Narrows

Update to “Forest Management”: B.C.

April 18: Fairy Creek old growth protestors celebrate as a slew of contempt charges are withdrawn

Update to “Specific Industry Environmental Impacts: Alberta

April 17: First Nations blast Alberta Energy Regulator at hearing; minister promises reform April 20: Imperial Oil CEO ‘deeply apologetic’ in Commons committee testimony on oilsands tailings leek April 20: Oilsands discharge into First Nations water supply latest example of exploitation April 27: Canada oilsands leak heightens First Nations’ calls to clean up tailings

Update to “Specific Industry Environmental Impacts: Alberta

April 19: Suncor reports release of six million litres of water from settling pond on Fort Hills oil sands mine

Update to “Climate Change”: QC

April 27: ‘We will have to adapt’: Record high temperatures in Nunavik pose threat to way of life

Update to “Environmental Impacts”

April 26: To protect water, bring together Indigenous and western knowledge: University of Guelph expert report

Update to “Climate Change”: Inuit Nunangat

April 28: Inuit want access to loss and damage fund, Inuit Circumpolar Council president says

Home page – Background Content

Update to “Government Commitments to Environment”: Nova Scotia

April 4: Mi’kmaq Forestry Initiative shapes future of Nova Scotia forestry sector

Update to “Environmental Impacts:” Ontario

April 13: Why is High Park on fire? How Indigenous-led prescribed burns protect the land

Update to “Climate Change”

April 19: Canada’s delegation to UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) forging a new path forward on Indigenous climate leadership

Update to ‘Indigenous Alliances”: Prince Edward Island

April 20: Nature Conservancy of Canada buys PEI Island to give to Mi’kmaq

Update to “Climate Change”: Québec

April 27: Davie announces funding for the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (Canada) to expand the Arctic Corridors and Northern Voices Program

TREATIES AND LAND CLAIMS

Home Page – Current Reality

Update to “Current Reality”: Federal

April 6: First Nations leaders want federal UNDRIP plan amended to address a number of concerns

Home Page – Current Problems

Update to ‘Duty to Consult/FPIC”: B.C.

April 3: First Nations court challenge to B.C’s mineral rights system begins today April 3: This court case could change the future of mining in B.C. April 11: Intervenors join Gitxaała  in court to argue against B.C.’s mineral claims regime

Update to ‘Duty to Consult/FPIC”: B.C.

April 4: ‘We owe it to our children, those yet unborn within the Gitxaała  Nation’

Update to ‘Duty to Consult/FPIC”: Ontario

April 3: Matawa Chief’s Council issue formal response to Ontario government’s proposed Bill 71: Building More Mines Act April 12: The Chiefs of Ontario express support for Matawa Chiefs’ Council against Ontario’s Bill 71: Building More Mines Act April 17: Indigenous leaders, conservation charity not huge fans of Mining Act changes April 26: First Nations leaders in Treaty 9 say their message is clear – no development without us as partners April 27: Atikameksheng Anishnawbek issues a formal response to Ontario government’s proposed Bill 71 “Building More Mines Act“

Update to “Land Claims”: Ontario

April 4: Saugeen First Nation wins treaty ruling on century-old land dispute in Sauble Beach

Update to “Aboriginal Rights and Title”: Ontario

April 3: Matawa Chief’s Council issue formal response to Ontario government’s proposed Bill 71: Building More Mines Act April 26: 10 First Nations sue Ontario and Canada over resource extraction and broken Treaty 9 promises April 26: Can the Crown make land decisions without First Nations consent? Treaty 9 lawsuit argues no April 27: Changes to Mining Act expose cracks in Ontario’s duty to consult with First Nations

Update to “Aboriginal Rights and Title”: ALL

April 8: Canada is sitting on a critical minerals motherlode. But is it ready for the new gold rush?

Update to “Aboriginal Rights and Title”: B.C.

April 10: When Anarchists attack

Update to “Aboriginal Rights and Title”; B.C.

April 21: Coastal GasLink faces new fines for filing ‘false and misleading’ information

Update to “Aboriginal Rights and Title”: Alberta, Saskatchewan??

April 11: Western premiers blast Lametti for suggesting Ottawa might ‘look at’ provinces’ power over natural resources

Update to “Aboriginal Rights and Title”: Federal

April 16: Lucrative baby eel fishery shut down

Update to “Aboriginal Rights and Title”: Federal

April 26: New Agreements between First Nations and B.C. Government a step toward fulfilling Canada’s treaty obligations

Update to “Aboriginal Rights and Title”: Prince Edward Island

April 25: Lennox Island to fish 1,000 lobster traps off P.E.I.’s North Shore, with or without DFO signoff April 28: Lennox Island, DFO agree on 2023 moderate livelihood fishery off PEI

Update to “Court Challenges”: Saskatchewan

April 13: Onion Lake First Nation doubles down on legal action to now challenge “Saskatchewan First Act“

Update to “Court Challenges” Ontario, Federal

April 26: 10 First Nations sue Ontario and Canada over resource extraction and broken Treaty 9 promises April 14: AFN affirms support for First Nations’ assertion of rights in Treaty 9 legal action on cumulative impacts April 26: Can the Crown make land decisions without First Nations consent? Treaty 9 lawsuit argues no

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Update to “First Nations Land Management Regime”

April 4: Lands Advisory Board celebrates Canada’s Budget 2023 commitment to support development of an independent First Nation National Land Registry

Update to “Treaty Land Entitlement”: Federal, Saskatchewan

April 5: Cowassess First Nation receives mineral rights in Treaty Land Entitlement Transfer

Update to “Treaty Land Entitlement”: Federal, B.C.

April 15: Treaty 8 First Nation in B.C. celebrate inking of Treaty Land Entitlement claims with province, Ottawa

Update to “Treaty Land Entitlement”: Federal

April 25: Local First Nations’ loss of Montney Reserve ignites 20-year legal battle for justice

Update to “Treaty Land Entitlement”: Federal, B.C.

April 26: New Agreements between First Nations and B.C. Government a step toward fulfilling Canada’s treaty obligations

Update to “Aboriginal Rights and Title” Prince Edward Island

April 14: P.E.I.-based Abegweit First Nation signs 5-year fisheries deal with Ottawa

Update to “Comprehensive Claims and Modern Treaties”: Federal

April 27: What are Comprehensive Claims?

INDIGENOUS SUCCEESS STORIES

Theme	Date	Indigenous Group	Comment
Sports	April 12	First Nations	Indigenous Athlete of the Year Abby Sweeny hopes to coach basketball in Pimicikamak someday
Business	April 13	First Nations	Wayne McQuabbie, Chief Harvey Inlet First Nation, Gregory Newton, CEO and John Beaucage, VP of Nigel Power Corporation: Indigenous leadership is key to net zero goals
	April 24	First Nations	Keith Martell helped nurture a fledgeling bank for Indigenous people. As he retires, he’s seeing a solid base for the future
Media	April 4	First Nations	Obomsawin to receive film honour
	April 21	First Nations	“Speaking for Ourselves“: Abenaki filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin has spent a lifetime calling for a different future especially for Indigenous children
Justice	April 26	First Nations	The Moose Hide Campaign presented its four millionth moose hide pin to the Honourable Senator Michèle Audette
Education	April 28	First Nations	The Legacy Schools Program brings Indigenous truths into classrooms