Thank- you for visiting Indigenous Watchdog - the Phase 1 launch of an online platform to deliver current, comprehensive and insightful information on critical Indigenous issues impacting First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action are the starting point for an exploration into a broad range of current events... Continue Reading →
What does the Fraser Institute’s Tom Flanagan get right about reconciliation? Not very much!
Tom Flanagan and the Fraser Institute released "Promise and Performance: Recent Trends in Government Expenditures on Indigenous Peoples" that rates investments in Indigenous programs as a failure since they have not lifted Indigenous people up from their entrenched position at the bottom of the Canadian economy. Flanagan's entire argument is presented in strictly economic terms... Continue Reading →
Indigenous Watchdog Status Updates – March 31, 2021
STATUS CHANGE Call to Action # 32 "Amend criminal code to depart from mandatory minimum sentences" changed from STALLED to IN PROGRESS Call to Action # 41 "Appoint public inquiry into MMIWG" changed from "STALLED" to "IN PROGRESS" What's Happening with Reconciliation The following table provides a quantitative look into what is happening with reconciliation... Continue Reading →
What does Indigenous success look like? Here are 85 examples of reconciliation in action!
Are you tired of always reading or hearing negative stories about how Indigenous people are treated in this country: how systemic barriers to Indigenous interactions with social structures are entrenched and continuously reinforced; how the economic pillaging of Indigenous territory continues unabated, and the pattern of Indigenous erasure seems to be repeating itself over and... Continue Reading →
What does justice for Indigenous people look like? It ain’t pretty!
Compared to all other categories of accused persons, Indigenous people continue to be jailed younger, denied bail more frequently, granted parole less often and hence released later in their sentence, over-represented in segregation, overrepresented in remand custody, and more likely to be classified as higher risk offenders. "Spotlight on Gladue: Challenges, Experiences, and Possibilities in Canada’s... Continue Reading →
Is Reconciliation advancing or retreating? Status Updates as of Dec. 31, 2020
Indigenous Watchdog is now completely updated and current as of December 31, 2020 The 36 "Calls to Action" updates below - Legacy and Reconciliation - are a measure of how reconciliation is actually working through the day-to-day actions and policy decisions various levels of government - federal provincial, territory and municipal - and other institutional... Continue Reading →
Is Premier Brian Pallister of Manitoba a racist, an entitled colonial brat – or both?
On Dec. 3, 2020 Indigenous Watchdog posted "Does systemic racism exist in Québec, Manitoba and New Brunswick? Don't ask their premiers." On the same day, Premier Brian Pallister of Manitoba said this and I quote: "They are also telling us that they are going to hold back the portion of our vaccine for Manitoba that... Continue Reading →
Does systemic racism exist in Quebec, Manitoba and New Brunswick? Don’t ask their premiers.
Over the last nine months Indigenous Watchdog has documented numerous examples of systemic racism against First Nations, Métis and Inuit people across Canada in healthcare delivery, child welfare jurisdiction and justice systems including excessive use of force by the police. Among its conclusions, “In Plain Sight - Addressing Indigenous-specific Racism and Discrimination in B.C. Health... Continue Reading →
Indigenous Watchdog Status Updates: Nov. 9, 2020 Part 2 – Calls to Action
Part 1 - Current Problems and Issues was posted on Nov. 13, 2020 Is the fact that so much is happening with Indigenous issues an indication that reconciliation is working or does all the activity indicate that reconciliation has gone off the rails? Putting aside for a moment the 53% of updates flagged as "Current... Continue Reading →
Indigenous Watchdog Status Update: Nov. 9, 2020 Part 1 – Current Problems and Issues
"Part 2 Status Updates - Calls to Actions" will be released on the weekend Indigenous Watchdog was officially launched on Feb. 25, 2020. Since then there have been 4 Status Update reports that have identified and documented 277 specific updates across all "Themes" and "Calls to Action". Of those, the greatest percentage (52%) have to... Continue Reading →
Why doesn’t the “Rule of Law” protect the Sipekne’katik First Nation?
We cannot have reconciliation until the extinguishment policy is off the table and our Aboriginal title and treaty rights are recognized, affirmed and implemented by Canada and the provinces. Not only in the Constitution but also on the ground. 1 Arthur Manuel. "Unsettling Canada: A National Wake-up Call." On the one hand, you have violent... Continue Reading →