What’s new in Indigenous Watchdog? 150 new entries: May 1 – June 1, 2023

65 Positive Actions = vs 83 Current Problems

Calls to Action (C2A) Status: June 1, 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	May 31	YTD
Current Reality	26	47	50	4	1	3	4	2	14
Current Problems	189	213	315	58	83	114	87	83	425
Legacy C2As	96	159	188	26	20	33	27	30	136
Reconciliation C2As	55	88	117	3	11	21	9	11	55
Govt. Commitments	–	–	48	3	2	5	4	9	23
Other Issues	–	–	78	13	16	10	23	15	77
Total	366	507	796	107	133	186	154	150	730
Indigenous Success Stories	–	–	65	9	5	3	7	13	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 Theme	Where Located
Québec’s Missing Children	Missing Children & Burial Information	Home Page – Explore by Theme
Mother. Sister. Daughter. CBC MMIWG Project	Justice: Call to Action # 41	Home Page – Background Content
Health Institution Commitments	Health: Call to Action # 18	Home Page – Background Content
Indigenous-Led Initiatives	Education: Call to Action # 12	Home Page – Explore by Theme
Commitment to Indigenous-Police Relations	Justice	Home Page – Background Information

Government Commitments

Government Commitments to Truth and Reconciliation

Jurisdiction	Date	Indigenous Group	Description
Federal	May 4	FN, M, I	National Indigenous leaders hope to renew relationship with Crown after meeting King Charles
Federal	May 7	FN, M, I	Trudeau says Charles is ‘deeply aligned’ with Canadian priorities on environment, reconciliation
Federal, ALL	May 17	FN, M, I	Northern Development Ministers’ Forum focuses on Economic Reconciliation through action
BC	May 17	FN, M	Vancouver permanently erects flags for Indigenous Host Nations in Stanley Park
Alberta	May 23	FN, M	Political party platforms show various degrees of commitment to Indigenous peoples in Alberta
Federal	May 24	I	Mary Simon is leading Indigenous peoples to new heights
New Brunswick	May 24	FN	New Awitgati Longhouse and Cultural Centre to provide programming and services to Indigenous community
Manitoba	May 26	FN, M	Manitoba government announces new Civilian Director of Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba
Federal	May 31	FN	New Framework Agreement with feds a ‘game plan’ for Kitcisakik

Current Problems in Government Commitments to Truth and Reconciliation

The following two issues have dominated the last month:

The conflict between First Nations of Ontario with the Métis Nation of Ontario over the Métis Self-Government agreement with the federal government:

• May 2: ‘An existential threat’: First Nations challenge Ontario Métis self-government deal
• May 4: Opposition from First Nations mount over Métis Nation of Ontario self-government deal
• May 8: Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs fully supports all efforts of Treaty 9 First Nations to protect their Treaty and traditional territories including legal challenges of Canada – Métis Self-Government Agreement
• May 9: Canada accused of stonewalling in court challenge to Métis Nation of Ontario self-government deal
• May 10: Ontario Regional Chief Glen Hare supports Robison-Huron Waawiindamaagewin in release of new research report: An Exploratory Study of the MNO’s “Historic Métis Communities” in Robinson-Huron Treaty territory
• May 20: Court dispute between First Nations and Métis Nation of Ontario highlights longstanding issues
• June 1: Métis leaders want introduction, passage of self-government legislation this spring

Racist comments by Québec MNA around findings of Viens Commission around systemic racism in Val-D-Or, Québec

• May 22: After ‘disgraceful’ remarks, First Nations leaders call on Québec MNA to resign
• May 23: Joint declaration by the Val-d’or Native Friendship Centre and its allies – Reaction to the unacceptable and disgraceful comments made by MNA Pierre Dufour
• May 29: Open Letter from Québec Native Women’s President

Jurisdiction	Date	Indigenous Group	Description
Federal	May 8	Métis	Métis Nation of Canada maps disputed transfer of veterans money to Manitoba Métis Federation
Québec	May 2	FN	Work of monitoring committee of the Special Commission on the Rights of the Child and Youth Protection: The AFNQL and FNQLHSSC are satisfied
Federal	May 8	M	To achieve reconciliation, Canada needs to recognize the Métis as a self-governing nation
BC	May 9	FN, I	Federal Court of Appeal allows Judicial Review of Bait-and-Switch approval of emergency towing vessel contract on BC’s coast
Federal, Nunavut	May 10	Inuit	Arbitrator rules Government of Canada and Government of Nunavut are in breach of the Nunavut Agreement regarding Inuit employment
Federal	May 13	Inuit	Trudeau schooled on the North’s pressing infrastructure needs during first trip to remote community
Alberta	May 15	Métis	New Métis Nation Alberta district map is a ‘hostile takeover’ of territory, argues Grande Cache Mountain Métis
Ontario	May 18	FN	Editing the Oath: growing call for province to mention treaty rights in municipal oath of office
Ontario	May 16	FN	Chiefs of Ontario launches public education and awareness campaign surrounding systemic racism
Alberta	May 25	FN, M	Don’t blame Indigenous people for Calgary cancelling July 1st fireworks
Federal	June 1	FN, M, I	Taxpayers Ombudsman requests that the Canada Revenue Agency improve the information it provides to Indigenous peoples

Legacy Calls to Action

CHILD WELFARE

Home Page – Current Problems

Government and Institutional Issues: Saskatchewan

May 12: First Nations mothers allegedly told babies died shortly after birth in Saskatchewan hospitals

Government and Institutional Issues: Saskatchewan

May 15: Mother of teen who died in Saskatchewan ministry care still begging for accountability, action a year later

Update to “Systemic Racism“: Québec

May 15: Québec sent Ottawa hospital hundreds of birth alerts despite Ontario ban

Update to “Systemic Racism“: Québec

May 25: Québec judge awards $25K to Inuk woman ‘forgotten’ by youth protection authorities

Update to “Child and Youth Advocate Reports”: Nunavut

May 30: Nunavut’s child protection system is in ‘crisis’ says Auditor-General

Call to Action # 3

Federal, provincial, territory governments to fully implement Jordan’s Principle

Update to: Government Commitments to Jordan’s Principle: Manitoba, Federal

May 10: Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs recognizes Spirit Bear Day and the implementation of Jordan’s Principle in Manitoba

Government Commitments to Jordan’s Principle

May 26: ‘I feel like I’m not behind’: Indigenous students in Manitoba embrace Jordan’s Principle supports

EDUCATION

Home Page – Current Reality

Update to “Current Reality”: Ontario

May 4: Key recommendations for provincial government of Ontario to complete all Calls to Action

Home Page – Current Problems

Update to “Curriculum Revisions”: Ontario

May 3: What you need to know about “Still Waiting for Truth and Reconciliation, a Progress Report on Indigenous Education in Ontario”

Update to “Systemic Racism”: All levels of government

May 11: OPNION: To get Indigenous murder and suicide rates down, first face the facts

Update to “Indigenous History”: B.C.

May 15: Colonialism, Capitalism and State Schooling in B.C.

Home Page – Background Content

Update to “Indigenous Identity”: Manitoba

May 10: Update on Indigenous Identity engagement sessions to University of Manitoba community

Update to “Indigenous History”

May 27: “We were anything but primitive’: How Indigenous-led archaeology is challenging colonial preconceptions

Update to “Indigenous History”

May 31: Marie Clements won’t let Canada forget its painful past with sweeping epic Bones of Crows

Update to “Indigenous History”: Federal

June 1: Statement from Ministers Marc Miller, Patty Hajdu, Dan Vandal and Pablo Rodriquez on National Indigenous History Month

Call to Action # 12

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

Update to “Indigenous-led Initiatives”: Alberta

May 25: 5 years on, Maskwacis, Alta. early childhood program celebrates community connections and benefits

EDUCATION FOR RECONCILIATION

Call to Action # 62

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

Update to “Government Commitments to Mandatory Indigenous Education Reform”: Manitoba

May 3: Manitoba Government provides update on K-12 Education Action Plan

Update to “Government Commitments to Mandatory Indigenous Education Reform”: Ontario

May 26: Grade 11 English course with focus on Indigenous voices to become mandatory in London region

Update to “Background Content”: Indigenous Education Resources”

May 29: Educational resources developed to support Anishinaabe Giizhigad held every June 6

Call to Action # 65

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

Update to “National Inuit Strategy on Research”

May 24: Expert team gathers to shape Inuit-led Health Research Network”

LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

Home Page – Current Problems

Update to “Indigenous Languages in Canada“: New Brunswick

May 7: Ceremony held to honour New Brunswick river amid name controversy

Update to “Indigenous Languages in Canada“: New Brunswick

May 9: New Brunswick community with racial slur to be renamed, signs already removed

Update to “Indigenous Languages in Canada“: Québec

May 16: Listuguj First Nation immersion classes help families learn Mi’kmaw together

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

May 26: The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke opposes Québec’s proposed legislation in Indigenous languages

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: Newfoundland and Labrador

May 28: Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation wants its youth to know the ways of their ancestors. So they took 20 kids 233 kilometres away from home to connect to their roots

Update to ‘Indigenous Languages in Canada”: BC

May 31: Reconciliation, one keystroke at a time

Call to Action # 13

Federal government to acknowledge that Indigenous rights include Indigenous language rights

Update to “Govt. Actions to Support Indigenous Languages”: Newfoundland and Labrador

May 9: New program launched to help teach Inuttitut

Update to “Government Actions to Support Indigenous Languages”: Québec

May 17: Kahnawà:ke receives $11M from Québec for new cultural and arts centre

Update to “Govt. Actions to Support Indigenous Languages”: Québec

May 18: Quebec warns to exempt some Indigenous students from new french language law

HEALTH

Home Page – Current Problems

Update to “Systemic Racism”: B.C.

May 9: Misprescribed and ‘Dumped’ at the hospital’s doors

Update to “Ongoing Health Crisis”: Federal, Ontario

May 8: Moses Beaver’s sons tell inquest their requests for help for Oji-Cree artist were brushed off May 12: More than 6 years later, Moses Beaver’s means of death ‘undetermined’ inquest jury finds

Update to “Health Care Reform”: All levels of government

May 23: The Treaty Right to Health and the Legacy of the Indian Health Policy (1979)

Update to “Health Care Reform”: All levels of government

June 1: They say Canada’s health system is broken. But can First Nations leaders create a new one in the shadow of colonialism?

Home Page – Background Content

Update to “Indigenous Health Organizations“: Ontario

May 10: Anishinabek Nation Health Transformation team prepares for engagement sessions with Anishinabek First Nations leadership

Update to “Indigenous Health Surveys”: Ontario

May 19: Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres (OFIFC) report on the Mental Health and Addictions environmental scan 2022

Update to “Health Care Reform”: All levels of government

May 30: Fireside Chats on Indigenous Health – improving the health of Indigenous peoples

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: Newfoundland and Labrador

May 1: Remote dialysis program launched in Sheshatshiu and Nutuashish

Update to “Government Recognition of Indigenous Rights to Health: Ontario

May 4: Ontario connecting Indigenous communities to more mental health and addictions support

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

May 9: Manitoba government’s new Nursing Float Pool supports patient care in rural, northern communities

Update to “Commitments to Indigenous Health”: Ontario

June 1: Creating Indigenous healing spaces at Hamilton Health Sciences

NEW SECTION: “Health Institution Commitments“

May 16: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Truth and Reconciliation Action Plan 2021-2024: Mid-way update

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”: Ontario

May 5: Doctors at this Toronto hospital can now refer Indigenous patients to a traditional healer

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”: Nova Scotia

May 11: Province invests in training new nurses

JUSTICE

Home Page – Current Problems

Update to “Systemic Racism in Policing“:

May 16: Police regularly dismiss, justify violence against Indigenous women, new research finds

Update to “Systemic Racism in Policing: Prince Albert Police

May : Saskatchewan First Nations groups call for inquiry, accountability following report into baby’s death

Update to “Systemic Racism in RCMP”: BC

May 1: Human Rights Tribunal hearings start today in Burns Lake May 3: She was ready to testify – Cdn. Human Rights Tribunal Burns Lake Inquiry (Indian Day School) May 18: Burns Lake witnesses describe mysterious visits from the RCMP May 23: RCMP lawyers suggest a journalist planted memories in Burns Lake May 24: Over the Department of Justice’s objections, an expert witness testifies about the RCMP

Update to “Systemic Racism in RCMP”: Manitoba

May 2: Security videos that show RCMP punching Indigenous man in Thompson point to tense relationship

Update to “Systemic Racism in RCMP”: BC

May 22: ‘On the Inside’: Why some Indigenous officers stick with the RCMP despite struggles

Update to “Systemic Racism in RCMP”

May 23: The Mounties: 150 years of conflict with Indigenous people

Update to “Systemic Racism in RCMP”: Ontario

May 26: RCMP apologize to dead Indigenous teen’s family, saying investigation was never closed

Update to “Systemic Racism in RCMP”: BC

May 25: RCMP arrested Indigenous assault victim instead of taking her to hospital, inquest hears

Update to “Targeted Indigenous Groups”: All level of government

May 2: MPs call for national emergency declaration on violence against Indigenous women, girls and two-spirt people

Update to “Targeted Indigenous Groups”: Québec

May 6: Groups to create interactive map of cases of missing and murdered Indigenous victims in Québec

Update to “Targeted Indigenous Groups”: Manitoba

May 12: Chiefs, families push for search for remains at Winnipeg landfill that could take years, cost up to $184M

Update to “Targeted Indigenous Groups”: Manitoba

May 19: Winnipeg is the epicentre for missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada

Update to “Targeted Indigenous Groups”: Manitoba

May 30: Priest in Little Grand Rapids arrested in sexual assault of 8-year-old girl, RCMP say

Update to “Targeted Indigenous Groups”: ALL

May 16: There’s been a lack of implementation on MMIWG Calls for Justice says FSIN vice-chief

Update to “Targeted Indigenous Groups”: All levels of government

May 25: Sexual assault organizations struggling to help victims post-pandemic study

Update to “Legislative and Institutional Barriers”: Manitoba

May 8: Incarcerated Indigenous women devastated after prison stops them from selling beadwork

Update to “Legislative and Institutional Barriers”: Nova Scotia

May 16: ‘Why did my daughter die?’ Mi’kmaw mother demands inquiry into Nova Scotia jail

Update to “Legislative and Institutional Barriers“: B.C.

May 24: B.C. researcher starts project to document Indigenous deaths in police custody

Update to “Legislative and Institutional Barriers“: Federal

May 30: Prison isolation units detrimental to the mental health of young Indigenous offenders: report

Update to “Systemic Racism:”: Federal

May 26: After spending 7 years detained in Turkey, Charman Smith is now home

Update to “Systemic Racism:”: Federal

May 28: Isolation cells in women’s prisons used almost exclusively for Indigenous prisoners, panel finds

Update to “Systemic Racism”: Saskatchewan

May 29: First Nations man says racial profiling led to assault by security guard at Regina Canadian Tire

Home Page: Background Content

NEW SECTION: Commitments to Indigenous – Police Relations

June 1: Indigenous police unit just a starting point for Ottawa, community members say

Call to Action # 27

Federation of Law Societies of Canada to ensure lawyers receive cultural competency and Indigenous rights training

Update to “Commitment of Law Societies”: Manitoba

May 26: Manitoba lawyers will be required to take Indigenous culture course

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: Indian Day Schools

June 1: Lawyers clean up ‘confusion’ around two day school settlements

Call to Action # 30

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

Update to “Govt. Programs to Improve Access to Justice”: RCMP

May 11: RCMP officers to begin field testing body-worn cameras in Nova Scotia, Nunavut and Alberta

Call to Action # 35

Federal Government to to eliminate barriers to creation of new Aboriginal healing lodges

Update to “Healing Lodges in Canada“: Federal

May 26: ‘You would’ve never seen these tears before’: Quebec healing centre shares how it helps Indigenous men

Call to Action # 40

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

Home Page

Update to “Why in Progress?”

May 29: Federal government invests $38.6M over 5 years and $8.45 annually on an ongoing basis for Indigenous-led and co-developed activities to support Indigenous victims of crime and survivors of violence

Update to “Aboriginal-specific Victim Programs: Federal

May 29: Increased support for families of missing and murdered Indigenous people and Indigenous victims and survivors of crime

Call to Action # 41

Federal government to appoint a public inquiry into MMIWG

Update to “Government Commitments to Preventing Violence Against Indigenous Women”: Federal

May 8: Ottawa announces $103M for Indigenous women’s shelters

Update to “Government Commitments to Preventing Violence Against Indigenous Women”: Federal

May 2: House unanimously supports system to alert public when Indigenous women go missing

Update to “Government Commitments to Preventing Violence Against Indigenous Women”: Federal

May 3: Government of Canada announces funding for Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ organizations in Québec

Update to “Government Commitments to Preventing Violence Against Indigenous Women”: Federal

May 4: Native Women’s Association of Canada established Safe Passage Women’s Safety Council and expanded Safe Passage online platform

Update to “Government Commitments to Preventing Violence Against Indigenous Women”: Federal

May 29: Ottawa offering $95M to help Indigenous families learn about missing loved ones May 29: Increased support for families of missing and murdered Indigenous people and Indigenous victims and survivors of violence

Update to “Government Commitments to Preventing Violence Against Indigenous Women”: Yukon

May 19: Congratulations to the Council of Yukon First Nations on the start of the construction of the Family Preservation Wellness Centre

Update to “Government Commitments to Preventing Violence Against Indigenous Women”: Manitoba

May 23: Manitoba government ‘s gender equity Manitoba Secretariat will co-ordinate whole-of-government work on 2SLGBTQQIA+ issues

EQUITY FOR ABORIGINAL PEOPLE IN THE LEGAL SYSTEM

Call to Action # 50

Federal government to fund establishment of Indigenous law institutes

Update to Background Content: “Revitalizing Indigenous Laws”: Federal

May 29: Filling the gaps in Indigenous law

Reconciliation Calls to Action

UNITED NATIONS DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

Home Page – Current Problems

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

May 15: Challenging colonial mining laws: First Nations fight for Indigenous consent May 18: When is it going to stop? Claims made on First Nations’ territories even as they fight century-old mining laws

YOUTH PROGRAMS

Call to Action # 66

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

Update to “Government Programs for Youth”: Manitoba

May 15: Manitoba government provides $1.2M for youth to build skills, enter the workforce

Update to “Government Programs for Youth”: Ontario

May 12: Ontario helping children and youth overcome barriers

MUSEUMS AND ARCHIVES

Home Page – Current Problems

Update to “Repatriating Indigenous Artefacts”: Catholic Church

May 1: “The right gesture’: Talks underway for Vatican to return Indigenous artefacts, Pope says

Update to “Cultural Appropriation”: Manitoba

May 16: Manitoba to conduct review of Indigenous-themed art after sculpture in premier’s office deemed inappropriate

Home Page – Background Content

Update to “Repatriating Indigenous Artefacts”: B.C.

May 8: Gitxaała bring treasure home, a ‘Historic Turning Point’ for the Nation

Call to Action # 67

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

Update to “Repatriating Indigenous Artefacts”: Ontario

May 18: First Nation sues Ontario over land the same day the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) returns 200 year-old pipe to it

Call to Action # 69

Library and Archives Canada to fully adopt and implement UNDRIP, ensure records access , add resources

Update to “Indigenous Heritage Action Plan”: Federal

May 19: Library and Archives Canada (LAC) helps preserve documentary heritage across Canada by funding projects in communities

MISSING CHILDREN AND BURIAL INFORMATION

Home Page – Current Problems

Update to “Misleading Information”: All levels of government

May 4: The Dangerous Allure of Residential School Denialism

Update to “Challenges for Special Interlocutor”: Federal

May 30: Advisory Committee on residential school graves says it won’t work with Netherlands-based NGO

NEW SECTION: Québec’s Missing Children

April 28: ‘It’s horrible’: Québec now searching for over 130 missing Indigenous children

Update to “Misleading Information”: Manitoba

May 27: Manitoba government must have known about Jim McCrae’s residential school denialism; Murray Sinclair

Call to Action # 75

Federal, provincial, territory and municipal governments to identify, protect and commemorate residential school cemeteries

Update to ” Federal Government Disbursements”: Federal

May 5: Details of upcoming work to find graves at residential school site presented in Carcross, Yukon

COMMEMORATION

Call to Action # 79

Federal Government and Canadian Heritage to develop reconciliation framework for Canadian heritage and commemoration

Update to “Reconciliation Initiatives with Canadian Heritage”: Federal

May 19: Parks Canada plans major rewrite of more than 200 historic site plaques

MEDIA AND RECONCILIATION

Home Page – Current Problem

Update to “Media Protest and the RCMP”

May 23: The RCMP suppresses honest reporting about colonialism

Update to “Problems with the Media”

June 1: ‘I had to break the rules’

BUSINESS AND RECONCILIATION

Home Page – Current Problems

Update to “Government Programs”: Federal

April 27: Even without new dedicated federal dollars, minister expects Indigenous tourism to continue to grow

Call to Action # 92

Corporate Canada to adopt UNDRIP as a reconciliation framework to apply to policies and operations

Update to “Business Advocacy Groups“: Conference Board of Canada

May 8: Indigenous ownership: Best Practices for Major Project Success

Update to “Individual Business Initiative”: Ontario

May 16: Canada Council of Aboriginal Business welcomes Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) as a Procurement Champion

NEWCOMERS TO CANADA

Home Page – Background Content

Update to: Indigenous Cultural Success”: Manitoba

May 20: Winnipeg organizations offer 240 newcomers chance to experience Indigenous culture at Manitoba Ahbee powwow

OTHER ISSUES

DRINKING WATER ADVISORIES

Home Page – Current Reality

Update to Table: Drinking Water Advisories

May 4: 139 Long term DWA’s have been lifted (82%). 27 First Nations communities still have 31 long-term DWAs

Home Page – Current Problems

Update to “Reports on Drinking Water Issues”: Federal

May 2: Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Bulletin – United Nations Water Conference 2023

Home Page – Background Content

Update to “Govt. Actions to Improve Drinking Water”: Federal

May 23: Ottawa pledges $12M to upgrade water services for Sioux Valley Dakota Nation

SUICIDE PREVENTION

Home Page – Background Content

Update to “Suicide Prevention Initiatives: Saskatchewan

May 8: Suicide Prevention Plan marks three-year anniversary with progress update

Update to “States of Emergency”: Manitoba

May 20: Northern Manitoba First Nation sounds alarm over isolation after youth suicides

FOOD INSECURITY

Home Page – Background Content

Update to: “Government Food Security Programs: Manitoba

May 11: Manitoba government invests $1.3 million in Northern Healthy Foods Initiatives

HOUSING

Home Page – Current Problems

Update to :”Fire Prevention on Reserves: Saskatchewan

May 4: Community support ‘overwhelming’ after fire destroys 8 homes on Saskatchewan First Nation

Home Page – Background Content

Update to “Fire Protection on Reserves”: Federal

May 19: Inaugural First Nations First Responders gathering held in Ottawa, First Nations Fire Protection Strategy updated

Update to: Government Programs: Federal

May 29: Canada supports Rapid Housing Projects in Northern Manitoba

Update to: Government Programs: Federal

May 31: Canada supports Rapid Housing Projects in Saskatchewan

URBAN COMMITMENTS TO RECONCILIATION

Home Page – Current Problems

Update to “Individual Municipal Actions”: Alberta

May 8: City of St. Albert publishes report of recent comments residents made during naming discussions

Home Page – Background Content

Update to “Government Programs”: B.C.

May 12: Support services strengthened in BC’s northern communities

ENVIRONMENT

Home Page – Current Problems

Update to “Specific Industry Environmental Impacts”: Alberta

May 4: Canada opens formal investigation into Imperial’s oilsands leak in northern Alberta

Update to “Specific Industry Environmental Impacts”: Federal

May 2: UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues calls on Canada to shut down the Line 5 pipeline

Update to “Specific Industry Environmental Impacts”: BC

May 17: Tracing the toxic impact of BC coal mining

Update to “Specific Industry Environmental Impacts”: BC

May 31: Minister to delay plan for closure of BC salmon farms after pressure from industry, Indigenous chief

Update to “Environmental Impacts”: Federal

May 4: Federal government failure to fix dikes sees Fort Albany evacuated due to flooding threat

Update to “Environment Impacts”: BC

May 11: More needs to be done to involve First Nations in emergency management, says Indigenous leader

Update to “Environmental Impacts”: Manitoba

May 17: New hope for flood-prone Peguis First Nation means evacuees could come home

Update to “Climate Change”: Newfoundland and Labrador (Nunatsiavut)

May 2: Climate Change solutions becoming a new way of colonizing Indigenous peoples, Inuit rep says

Update to “Climate Change”: Alberta

June 1: The Hamlet of Fort Chipewyan evacuates due too wildfires

Update to: “International Environment Issues: Federal

May 11: Future of Arctic Council in doubt after end of Russian chairship

Home Page – Background Content

Update to: Indigenous Leadership Initiative: Guardians

May 9: Indigenous Guardians help restore nature and community

Update to “Climate Change”

May 28: Fighting Fire with Fire

Update to “Government Commitments to the Environment”: BC

May 30: BC’s largest coastline clean-up gets major funding boost

TREATIES AND LAND CLAIMS

Home Page – Current Problems

Update to “Duty to Consult/FPIC”: BC

May 3: Dozens of mineral claims made in First Nation territory, as it fights to stop them in court May 15: Challenging colonial mining laws: First Nations fight for Indigenous consent May 18: ‘When is it going to stop?’ Claims made on First Nations territories even as they fight century-old mining laws

Update to “Duty to Consult/FPIC”: BC

May 21: BC company denies misleading Bonaparte First Nation about rail terminal expansion plans

Update to “Duty to Consult/FPIC”: New Brunswick

May 12: First Nations chiefs blast Higgs over report he is prepared to frack without thier consent May 12: An East Coast fight over fracking ‘could get ugly’, First Nations warn

Update to “Duty to Consult/FPIC”: Ontario

May 12: ‘We’re building that Ring of Fire’, says Doug Ford May 30: ‘Get off the bulldozer’ and come to the table, Matawa chief tells Premier Ford

Update to “Duty to Consult/FPIC”: Manitoba

May 26: O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation sues Manitoba Hydro for ‘years of harm’

Update to: “Aboriginal Rights and Title”: BC

May 12: Nuchatlaht First Nation has 14 days to decide how to proceed with landmark claim

Update to: “Aboriginal Rights and Title”: BC

May 17: Trial begins for a hereditary chief charged in the Coastal GasLink pipeline conflict

Update to “Land Back Movement”: Federal

May 19: ‘It needs to be a day of reckoning’. Parliamentary Committee studying land back

Update to “Land Back Movement”: Federal, Ontario

May 18: Garden River First Nation launches new lawsuit against Ontario and Canada

Home Page – Background Content

Update to: “Comprehensive Claims and Modern Treaties”: Federal

May 3: Whitecap Dakota First Nation signs historic treaty with Canada

Update to “Treaty Land Entitlement: Federal and Ontario

May 5: Lac La Croix First Nation in northwestern Ontario reaches ‘transformational’ land claim settlement

Update to “Aboriginal Rights and Title”: BC

May 3: McLeod Lake Indian Band, Province sign agreement to protect treaty rights

Update to “Aboriginal Rights and Title”: ??

May 17: ‘A really very big deal for us’. 3 Mi’kmaw First Nations excited about moderate livelihood fisheries

Update to “Land back Movement”: BC

May 22: Snuneymuxw reclaims kwula’xw in Land Back deal that brings members home

INDIGENOUS SUCCESS STORIES

Theme	Date	Indigenous Group	Comment
Government Commitments	April 27	First Nation	Esquao Awards continue to celebrate the accomplishments of women: Regina Crowchild
Government Commitments	May 9	First Nation	Remembering ‘Auntie Shirley’ Adamson, pioneering Indigenous leader in Yukon
	May 24	Inuit	Mary Simon is leading Indigenous people to new heights
Education	May 20	First Nation	First Wolastoqey valedictorian at University of New Brunswick hopes to inspire others with her story
Language and Culture	May 24	First Nation	John Kim Bell was North America’s first Indigenous conductor – now he’s a Governor-General’s award winner
	May 26	Inuit	The Indigenous Screen Office commits $1M in capital to support the creation of Iqaluit’s first large scale film and television production studio
Justice	May 8	First Nation	Moose Hide Campaign Day addresses reconciliation and gender-based violence
	May 11	First Nation	‘This is a call to action’: Sault student Nevaeh Pine’s speech outlining plight of missing, murdered Indigenous women wins national honours
Youth	May 13	First Nation	Meet Indigenous drag artists trying to ‘offer hope’ to LGBTQ and 2-spirit youth
Media	May 8	First Nation	Saskatchewan journalist wins Pulitzer Prize, Peabody Prize for podcast about her father’s residential school experience
Business	May 16	First Nation	Wehwehneh Bahgahkinagohn receives global recognition as “Best World Changing Idea, North America” in Fast Company’s 2023 World Changing Ideas Awards
Treaties & Land Claims	May 2	Inuit	Donat Milortok, Naujaat elder remembered as tireless advocate for Nunavut Land Claims
	May 22	First Nation	Saugeen First Nation holds ceremony to mark historic times at Sauble