Young Peoples’ Walk of Hope, June 7th- July 9th. Nine young people from Attawapiskat took part in a pilgrimage of 14 participants who walked from Cochrane to Niagara Falls, where, as members of the AFN they attended the First National Youth Summit on Wellness, July 9th. They stated that in undergoing this long walk they were following the custom of their ancestors who in times of duress would “walk great distances over our ancestral lands to gather strength and support from other Nations.”
Young people from many parts of Canada came to this conference at which they discussed issues of vital importance to young people. They called upon the AFN at its annual national assembly in Montreal in August to consider their resolutions.
Suicide of Azxraya Kokopenace, Attawapiskat. In April this 14 year old girl, who was in care, walked away from hospital and took her life not long after the death of her 17 year old brother, Calvin, from mercury poisoning and muscular dystrophy. The community has a new Facebook posting, “Attawapiskat Suicide Awarenness” , and underneath the words “Public Group.” It aims to extend a branch to young people to persevere in their difficulties.
Saskatchewan farmer charged in death of young Native man. Colten Boushie,22, of the Red Pheasant reserve north of Biggar, died August 9th from gunshot on the property of farmer, Gerald Stanley, who is charged with second degree murder. It is unfortunate that indigenous people on reserves in the region have a reputation of stealing from local residents. After the shooting and arrest of Mr. Stanley, there have been many racist comments on Facebook supporting him. Statistics Canada’s 2011 reports 43% of Red Pheasants unemployed, household income $19,091, and 55% without highschool graduation.
Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin calls for Aboriginal appointments at lower courts. Chief Justice McLachlin, in an interview with the Toronto Star (Aug. 10/16) is reported to welcome ethnic diversity and more aboriginal judges on the Supreme Court, and stated that the most senior judges work their way up, starting at the trial level, and that Aboriginal judges should be appointed here and follow this route as she did. Osgoode Hall Dean, Lorne Sossin , in an article in the most recent issue of Policy Options wrote that an aboriginal appointment “would bring much needed perspective on indigenous law and treaties that are a fundamental aspect of the Constitution, ‘one that we’ve always had to interpret because we’ve never had anyone who can speak in a first-person understanding of the language and culture from which those treaties emerged.’”
A shameful living heritage of mercury poisoning, Grassy Narrows and Area. The First Nation of Grassy Narrows and the Ontario government reported May 30th on the results of a joint effort to research and report on mercury in the river. These stated that the chemical is still in the waters. The Supreme Court has held that the latest owners of the Dryden pulp and paper plant are not liable for the remediation of the Wabigoon River because of Ontario’s 1979 agreement with the owners not to hold them responsible for any future cleanup, a decision made to assist with the sale of the company. The Toronto Star (Aug. 27/16) carried an interview with a former labourer at the plant, Kas Glowacki, who said that he and another employee had dumped over 50 barrels of salt and mercury in a pit, separate from known contaminant sites, that was lined with only polyurethane. He had written to the band a year ago, who had sent the letter on to the province. The Department of the Environment did not take steps to investigate Mr. Glowacki’s claim.
Gord Downie Exhorts for Indigenous to have a better life. At his final concert with the Tragically Hip in Kingston Mr. Downie pointed to Prime Minister Trudeau in the audience and declared, “ ‘He is going to take us where we need to go,’ “ and “we’ve got the guy to do it, to start, to help.’ “
Ninety Percent of Canadians support more public spending for a better standard of living for Indigenous people. A recent poll by Environics of non-aboriginal Canadian adults reported that 90% support greater spending to provide indigenous people with decent housing, safe drinking water and schools that provide education that gives natives equality of opportunity. There is broad public support for key recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. A Globe and Mail headline of Aug. 29/16 reads, ”Risky water systems pose health threat to one-third of people on First Nation reserves.”
Canada has signed on to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. This is a resolution and does not have the force of a treaty or convention. The preamble says that indigenous people have the right to “ ‘freely determine their political status.’ “ This may become a complicated issue in our governments’ relations with these citizens and private enterprise.
Premier Wynne has apologized for historic abuses toward Indigenous people and has committed the province to spend almost $222 million over three years on indigenous health care among First Nations in Northern Ontario. This is to be followed by permanent funding of $104.5 million to address inequities in health care and promote culturally appropriate medical services.
In September: the heritage and status of Métis and Inuit.
Charlotte Hardnen
Young people from many parts of Canada came to this conference at which they discussed issues of vital importance to young people. They called upon the AFN at its annual national assembly in Montreal in August to consider their resolutions.
Suicide of Azxraya Kokopenace, Attawapiskat. In April this 14 year old girl, who was in care, walked away from hospital and took her life not long after the death of her 17 year old brother, Calvin, from mercury poisoning and muscular dystrophy. The community has a new Facebook posting, “Attawapiskat Suicide Awarenness” , and underneath the words “Public Group.” It aims to extend a branch to young people to persevere in their difficulties.
Saskatchewan farmer charged in death of young Native man. Colten Boushie,22, of the Red Pheasant reserve north of Biggar, died August 9th from gunshot on the property of farmer, Gerald Stanley, who is charged with second degree murder. It is unfortunate that indigenous people on reserves in the region have a reputation of stealing from local residents. After the shooting and arrest of Mr. Stanley, there have been many racist comments on Facebook supporting him. Statistics Canada’s 2011 reports 43% of Red Pheasants unemployed, household income $19,091, and 55% without highschool graduation.
Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin calls for Aboriginal appointments at lower courts. Chief Justice McLachlin, in an interview with the Toronto Star (Aug. 10/16) is reported to welcome ethnic diversity and more aboriginal judges on the Supreme Court, and stated that the most senior judges work their way up, starting at the trial level, and that Aboriginal judges should be appointed here and follow this route as she did. Osgoode Hall Dean, Lorne Sossin , in an article in the most recent issue of Policy Options wrote that an aboriginal appointment “would bring much needed perspective on indigenous law and treaties that are a fundamental aspect of the Constitution, ‘one that we’ve always had to interpret because we’ve never had anyone who can speak in a first-person understanding of the language and culture from which those treaties emerged.’”
A shameful living heritage of mercury poisoning, Grassy Narrows and Area. The First Nation of Grassy Narrows and the Ontario government reported May 30th on the results of a joint effort to research and report on mercury in the river. These stated that the chemical is still in the waters. The Supreme Court has held that the latest owners of the Dryden pulp and paper plant are not liable for the remediation of the Wabigoon River because of Ontario’s 1979 agreement with the owners not to hold them responsible for any future cleanup, a decision made to assist with the sale of the company. The Toronto Star (Aug. 27/16) carried an interview with a former labourer at the plant, Kas Glowacki, who said that he and another employee had dumped over 50 barrels of salt and mercury in a pit, separate from known contaminant sites, that was lined with only polyurethane. He had written to the band a year ago, who had sent the letter on to the province. The Department of the Environment did not take steps to investigate Mr. Glowacki’s claim.
Gord Downie Exhorts for Indigenous to have a better life. At his final concert with the Tragically Hip in Kingston Mr. Downie pointed to Prime Minister Trudeau in the audience and declared, “ ‘He is going to take us where we need to go,’ “ and “we’ve got the guy to do it, to start, to help.’ “
Ninety Percent of Canadians support more public spending for a better standard of living for Indigenous people. A recent poll by Environics of non-aboriginal Canadian adults reported that 90% support greater spending to provide indigenous people with decent housing, safe drinking water and schools that provide education that gives natives equality of opportunity. There is broad public support for key recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. A Globe and Mail headline of Aug. 29/16 reads, ”Risky water systems pose health threat to one-third of people on First Nation reserves.”
Canada has signed on to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. This is a resolution and does not have the force of a treaty or convention. The preamble says that indigenous people have the right to “ ‘freely determine their political status.’ “ This may become a complicated issue in our governments’ relations with these citizens and private enterprise.
Premier Wynne has apologized for historic abuses toward Indigenous people and has committed the province to spend almost $222 million over three years on indigenous health care among First Nations in Northern Ontario. This is to be followed by permanent funding of $104.5 million to address inequities in health care and promote culturally appropriate medical services.
In September: the heritage and status of Métis and Inuit.
Charlotte Hardnen
