What’s new in Indigenous Watchdog? 225 new entries: June 1 – July 1, 2023

85 Positive Actions = vs 76 Current Problems

Calls to Action (C2A) Status: July 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, 35	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	June 30	YTD
Current Reality	26	47	50	4	1	3	4	2	4	18
Current Problems	189	213	315	58	83	114	87	83	76	501
Legacy C2As	96	159	188	26	20	33	27	30	38	174
Reconciliation C2As	55	88	117	3	11	21	9	11	16	71
Govt. Commitments	–	–	48	3	2	5	4	9	13	36
Other Issues	–	–	78	13	16	10	23	15	18	95
Total	366	507	796	107	133	186	154	150	165	895
Indigenous Success Stories	–	–	65	9	5	3	7	13	11	48

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

Call to Action (C2A) Status Change

C2A	Date	Status Change	Description
C2A # 32	June 1, 2023	From STALLED to IN PROGRESS	Bill C-5 passed in November 2022 with some complaints about scope
C2A # 35	June 27, 2023	From IN PROGRESS to STALLED	No meaningful activity or progress since 2019 – 4 years ago. Funding issues persist

New Sections

Section	Call to Action Theme	Where Located
Mother. Sister. Daughter. CBC MMIWG Project	Justice: Call to Action # 41	Home Page – Background Content
How Ground-Penetrating Radar Works	Missing Children & Burial Information	Home Page – Background Content

Government Commitments

Government Commitments to Truth and Reconciliation

Jurisdiction	Date	Indigenous Group	Theme	Description
Federal, Manitoba	June 4	Métis	Agreements	About 4,000 Manitoba Métis Federation citizens vote yes on modern treaty with the Crown
Federal	June 12	FN, M	Justice	Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada announces a judicial appointment in province of Ontario
Alberta	June 13	FN, M, I	Political	National Indigenous History Month: Minister Wilson
Federal	June 15	FN	Legislation	Senate committee urges Cannabis Act overhaul to address exclusion of First Nations
BC	June 15	FN, M	Political	Métis Nation BC committed to positive and respectful relations with First Nations
Manitoba	June 15	FN	Financial	First Nations librarians strategize best service despite low funding
Saskatchewan	June 19	FN, M	Human Rights	Saskatchewan participates in Federal, Provincial, Territory meeting on Human Rights
Federal	June 21	FN, M	Legislation	Proposed legislation would grant Métis self-governing status, power to negotiate with Ottawa
Federal	June 22	FN, M, I	Legislation	Government of Canada releases UNDRIP Action Plan with 181 specific measures
Manitoba	June 23	FN	Financial	Manitoba government, seven First Nations sign historic forestry revenue sharing agreements
Newfoundland and Labrador	June 28	FN, I	Political	Provincial Indigenous Women’s Reconciliation Council hold first meeting
Yukon	June 28	FN	Political	‘What We Heard Report‘ released for the recommended Dawson Regional Land Use Plan
Nova Scotia	June 28	FN	Justice	Review Committee established to investigate deaths in custody

Current Problems in Government Commitments to Truth and Reconciliation

Update to First Nations (FN), Métis (M), and Inuit (I)

June 6: OPINION: To finally kill Colonialism, give property rights to First Nations individuals (FN)

June 10: Long lineups for treaty annuities at The Forks sparks discussion about ‘insulting’ $5 payment (FN)

June 12: Anishinabek Chiefs-in-Assembly reject the Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Agreement (FN, M) June 15: Ontario Chiefs confront minister over Métis self-government federal legislation (FN, M) June 19: Ontario First Nations chiefs protest federal Métis self-government bill (FN,M) June 22: Assembly of First Nations (AFN) call to delay implementation of Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation legislation (FN,M)

June 12: First Nations, federalism and lessons from the fight against COVID-19 (FN)

June 20: Deputy Minister left government weeks after Indigenous group privately called for his resignation, documents show (FN)

June 26: Majority of Manitobans want National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to be statutory holiday, polls suggest (FN, M, I)

June 28: Senators call on feds to bring Indigenous communities into Arctic security planning (FN, I)

June 28: As global powers watch, Canada’s north grows more vulnerable (FN, I)

Legacy Calls to Action

CHILD WELFARE

Home Page – Current Problems

Update to “Systemic Racism” : BC

June 18: BC Government fighting to keep birth alert records from public eye

Update to “Child and Youth Advocate Reports”: Manitoba

June 22: Manitoba Child Advocate releases report on fatal police shooting of Eishia Hudson June 22: Memengwaa Wiidoodaagewin (Butterfly Project): Manitoba Advocate releases a Special Report to honour Eishia Hudson

Update to “Govt. and Institution Issues”: BC

June 26: First Nations leaders in BC call on child and family minister to resign

Update to “Jordan’s Principle”: Federal

June 28: Backlog at federal Indigenous children’s program leaves families to shoulder heavy bills

Update to “Govt. and Institution Issues”: Québec

June 28: Coroner issues wake-up call in report on Inuk teen moved 78 times by the time she died, at 18

Update to “Govt. and Institution Issues”: BC

June 30: A horrific case highlights huge safety gaps in BC foster care

Call to Action # 4

Federal government to enact Indigenous Child Welfare legislation

Update to “Govt. Commitments to Child Welfare”: Federal

June 15: U.S. Supreme Court affirms the constitutionality of Indian Child Welfare Act

EDUCATION

Home Page – Current Problems

Update to “Indigenous History”: Saskatchewan

June 4: June is Indigenous History Month and I am living proof that my ancestors fought for a future

Update to “Systemic Racism”: Saskatchewan

June 7: Saskatchewan government should do more to support Indigenous students as grad rates remain stagnant: Auditor

Update to “Indigenous Identity”: Federal

June 21: BOOK EXCERPT: What fake Indigenous ‘Pretendians’ say about the endurance of colonialism

Home Page – Background Content

Update to “Indigenous History”

June 11: ‘Like a 2,000 piece jigsaw puzzle’ – How a long lost Wiikwemkoong diary found its way back home

Update to “Indspire Awards“

June 15: Meet some of the 2023 Indspire awards recipients making a difference in their communities

Update to “Indigenous History”: Alberta

June 17: Archaeology on ancestral lands: Students dig into Métis stories in historic Alberta river lots

Update to “Indigenous History”: New Brunswick

June 22: Long-lost headstones unearthed as volunteers restore Esgenoôpetitj cemetery

Update to “University and College Commitments”: Manitoba

June 29: ‘Just the Start’ Brandon University students now required to take Indigenous courses

Call to Action # 8

Federal government to eliminate discrepancy in education funding for on-reserve vs off-reserve

Update to “Govt. Commitments to Education“: Federal

June 2: The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and the Government of Canada announce updates to school design standards for schools on-reserve

Update to “Federal Education Statistics”: Federal

Jan. 11: Added Federal First Nations Education Statistics 2018-2019: tables: Student enrollment, per student funding, Budget operating expenses

EDUCATION FOR RECONCILIATION

Call to Action # 62

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

Update to “Government Mandatory K-12 Commitments“: Yukon

June 7: Kluane First Nation gets new school after 106 year wait

Update to “Government Mandatory K-12 Commitments”: Yukon

June 7: Ground breaking ceremony for N”tsaÜw Chu’ Kedts’edán Kù traditional camp marks new chapter for cultural education in Whitehorse

Update to “Indigenous Education Resources”: Manitoba

June 19: Northern Manitoba teachers use teddy bears to teach about truth and reconciliation

Call to Action # 65

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

Update to “University Indigenous Research“: Alberta

June 26: University of Alberta Indigenous researchers leads process to create new guidelines for including Indigenous people in Canadian clinical trials

LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

Home Page – Background Content

Update to “Indigenous Cultural Success”: Federal

June 5: Canada invests in a new Language and Cultural Centre in Tyendinaga Mohawk territory

Update to: “Indigenous Cultural Success”: Nova Scotia

June 14: ‘Kesite’tasikl’ exhibit opens in Halifax ahead of indigenous games

Update to “Indigenous Cultural Success:“: Saskatchewan

June 20: Pathway to Reconciliation mural project brings colour to downtown Regina

Update to “Indigenous Languages in Canada“: Federal

June 22: Ottawa’s Sir John A. MacDonald Parkway renamed Kichi Zībī Mīkan ??

Update to “Indigenous Languages in Canada“:BC

June 28: Fort William First Nation explores language reclamation within the community

Call to Action # 13

Federal government to acknowledge that Indigenous rights include Indigenous language rights

Update to “Govt. Commitments to Languages”: Federal

June 17: Efforts to save Wolastoqey language to get a boost from a new language platform

Update to “Govt. Commitments to Languages“: BC

June 22: Students in northern BC could learn Dakelh as early as the next school year as BC approves curriculum

Call to Action # 16

Post-Secondary Institutions, Provinces, Territories to create post-secondary degree & diploma programs in Indigenous languages

Update to “Commitments to Indigenous Languages”: Ontario

June 21: Six Nations Polytechnic celebrates largest Indigenous languages graduating class

Update to “Indigenous Education Accord“

June 26: Indigenous Education Protocol – 2023: Updated list of signatories, University Canada’s commitment to truth and reconciliation

Call to Action # 17

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

Update to “Why Stalled?”

June 20: Government of Northwest Territories waives change of name for Indigenous residents of the Northwest Territories

Update to “Reclaiming Indigenous Names”: Northwest Territories

June 20: Government of Northwest Territories waives change of name for Indigenous residents of the Northeast Territories

HEALTH

Home Page – Current Problems

Update to “Systemic Racism”: Saskatchewan

June 3: Juliette Tapaquon’s tragic story exposes health-care inequality

Update to “Systemic Racism”: All levels of government

June 5: Indigenous coalition urges Canada’s health care system to ‘Rise Above Racism’

Update to “Systemic Racism”: Ontario

June 13: Ontario land tribunal dismisses appeal against Inuit development in Ottawa

Update to “Systemic Racism”: All levels of government

June 13: Canadian Medical Association (CMA) announces the beginning of an apology process for harms to Indigenous people in health care

Update to “Ongoing Health Crisis”: Ontario

June 19: Medical patients flock to this northern community, but there aren’t enough places to stay

Update to “Ongoing Health Crisis”: Manitoba

June 16: Peguis First Nation, surrounding Manitoba communities fear lack of funding could shut down ambulance service

Update to “Ongoing Health Crisis”: Federal

June 20: Grassy Narrows chief questions federal commitment to mercury care home amid delays, soaring costs

Update to “Systemic Racism”: Alberta

June 22: Dr. Deena Henshaw was hired by Alberta Health Services (AHS) Indigenous Health team, then removed against their wishes June 23: The hiring and unhiring of Dr. Deena Henshaw warrants answers that we aren’t getting June 27: Doctors sign open letter to decry AHS decision to revoke Henshaw job offer June 27: Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada (IPAC) statement in response to the shocking and disrespectful events that precipitated Dr. Tailfeather’s resignation from Alberta Health Services (AHS)

Update to “Ongoing Health Crisis”: Northwest Territories

June 27: Better dental care means dealing with historical issues, says Indigenous dentist

Update to “Health Care Reform” All levels of government

June 26: Considerations for collecting data on race and Indigenous identity during health card renewal across Canadian jurisdictions

Home Page – Background Content

Update to “Indigenous Health Organizations“: Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada

June 3: How these Indigenous pharmacists are building trust and confronting health care’s legacy of systemic racism

Call to Action # 18

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

Update to “Govt. Commitments to Indigenous Health“: Manitoba

June 5: Manitoba government invests $145 million to improve access, reliability of health services across Manitoba’s north

Update to “Govt. Commitments to Indigenous Health“: Manitoba

June 8: Manitoba government invests more than $4.7 million in new addictions treatment spaces, enhanced community programming in rural northern Manitoba

Update to “Govt. Commitments to Indigenous Health“: Québec

June 9: Tabling of the ‘Cultural Safety’ Bill

Update to “Govt. Commitments to Indigenous Health”: Northwest Territories

June 13: Northwest Territories mental health system transformed through Stepped Care 2.0

Update to “Govt. Commitments to Indigenous Health”: Federal, New Brunswick

June 19: New lodge in Gagetown to offer land-based healing for Indigenous women

Update to “Govt. Commitments to Indigenous Health”: Manitoba

June 28: Discharge planners and passionate advocates for Indigenous clients

Update to “Medical Institution Commitments: Ontario

June 28: Niagara Health releases annual report (with a commitment to Indigenous reconciliation)

Call to Action # 21

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

Update to Background Content: “Indigenous Birthing Practices”

June 26: ‘A sacred experience’: Indigenous midwives revive birthing traditions to deliver babies at home

Call to Action # 22

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

Update to Medical Organization Commitments”: Ontario

June 26: It’s who I am, deeply rooted in me’: York region hospitals empower Indigenous Peoples with healing, smudging

Call to Action # 24

Medical and Nursing schools to require all students to take a course on issues impacting Indigenous health

Update to “Commitments to Indigenous Health”: Ontario

June 2: Toronto Metropolitan University School of Medicine’s Indigenous Health lead at the table from the beginning

Update to “Commitments to Indigenous Health”: Ontario

June 17: Medical school tackles rural doctor shortage with crash course in community culture (Northern School of Medicine)

JUSTICE

Home Page – Current Problems

Update to “Systemic Racism in Policing“: Newfoundland and Labrador

June 6: Royal Newfoundland Constabulary chief publicly acknowledges force’s systemic racism during announcement of Indigenous Advisory Committee

Update to “Systemic Racism in Policing“: New Brunswick

June 6: Three years later, no justice for Chantal Moore

Update to “Systemic Racism in Policing“: Federal

June 22: Federal Justice Minister orders new trial for First Nations men convicted of 1970s Winnipeg murder

Update to “Systemic Racism in Policing“: Saskatchewan

June 23: Regina mum wants daughter’s overdose death investigated as possible homicide

Update to “Systemic Racism in RCMP”: Alberta

June 6: Indigenous lawyer injured during central Alberta arrest alleges RCMP used ‘extreme force’

Update to “Systemic Racism in RCMP”: BC ?? Court Challenges”

June 6: RCMP Officer testifies about mistakes in Burns Lake investigation June 14: Day School survivors reluctant to speak to mounties: Cdn. Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) testimony June 16: RCMP removes investigators from Tribunal Witness list

Update to “Systemic Racism”: Nova Scotia

June 7: Halifax rally calls for public inquiry into the deaths of 2 Mi’kmaw people in custody

Update to “Targeted Indigenous Groups”: Federal

June 6: Advocate’s decry ‘unacceptable’ inaction on MMIWG Inquiry’s Calls for Justice following 4-year anniversary June 7: Every Canadian has a role in ending the MMIWG crisis, advocate says June 8: ‘Make a List’: Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) CEO tells Miller as feds get failing grades on progress made on MMIWG Plan June 19: ’15 years too long’: MMIWG Inquiry Calls for Justice June 19: “Is a genocide taking place in Canada? Short answer. Yes

Update to “Targeted Indigenous Groups”: Manitoba

June 7: Brother relieved sister missing from Winnipeg found alive June 8: Manitoba Premier remains mum on funding to search landfill for remains of two women June 10: ‘We were just brushed away’ – MMIWG June 19: Feasibility study says short timeline important for landfill search June 29: Leaked report on searching landfill for women’s remains shares how 60,000 tonnes of material could be examined

Update to “Targeted Indigenous Groups”: Nunavut

June 12: ‘Get at the truth’: Judge to study handling of sex allegations against Nunavut priest

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

June 5: Search for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls hampered by police apathy: Researchers

Update to “Legislative and Institutional Barriers”: Federal

June 26: Indigenous justice and a new path for Canada’s prisons

Update to “Government Justice Inquiries“: Ontario

June 27: Ontario Provincial Police reinvestigating deaths of 13 Indigenous people in Thunder Bay, Ontario over 13-year period

Update to “Court Challenges”: Federal

June 13: Judge reserves decision on motion to extend Indian Day School claims deadline

Update to “Court Challenges:”: Yukon

June 15: Ex-Anglican priest found guilty of sexually abusing 2 Yukon First Nations boys in the ’80s

Update to “Court Challenges“: Federal

June 19: RCMP say there was ‘insufficient evidence’ to lay charges in SNC-Lavelin affair

Update to “AFN-Canada MOU: Policing”: Ontario

June 12: Public Safety minister proposes temporary funding for 3 First Nations police services operating on ‘fumes’ June 12: Assembly of First Nations (AFN) supports Indigenous Police Chiefs of Ontario federal court motion June 19: 3 Indigenous police services in northern Ontario could cease operating due to a lack of funding

Home Page – Background Content

Update to “Thunder Bay Inquest”: Ontario

June 20: First Nations women appointed to top jobs on Thunder Bay Police Services Board

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 29: Final Agreement reached to resolve Percival class action

Call to Action # 32

Federal government to amend criminal code to depart from mandatory minimum sentences

STATUS CHANGE from “STALLED” to “IN PROGRESS“

June 1: Bill C-5 passed in November 2022 with some complaints about scope

Call to Action # 35

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

STATUS CHANGE from “IN PROGRESS” to “STALLED”

June 27: No meaningful activity or progress since 2019 – 4 years ago. Funding issues persist

Call to Action # 36

Federal, provincial, territory governments to deliver culturally relevant services to inmates on social issues

Update to “Indigenous Community Corrections Initiative”: Federal

June 23: Updated with Indigenous Community Corrections Initiative 2023

Call to Action # 41

Federal government to appoint a public inquiry into MMIWG

Update to “Why Complete?”

June 5: Mother. Sister. Daughter: A CBC MMIWG Project: A complete analysis of progress on all 241 Calls to Justice: After 4 years only 2 have been completed, around 50% have NOT started

Update to “Government Commitments to MMIWG”: Federal

June 1: Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) Annual Report Card on federal government Action Plan to address 232 Calls for Justice

Update to “Government Commitments to MMIWG”: Newfoundland & Labrador

June 2: Reconciliation efforts highlighted on anniversary of Final Report of the National Inqiuiry into MMIWG

Update to “Government Commitments to MMIWG”: Federal

June 3: 2022-23 Federal Pathways Annual Progress Report: Culture, Health & Wellness, Human Safety & Security, Justice, Capacity Building & Coordination

Update to “Government Commitments to MMIWG”: Federal

June 5: Feds say progress being made on MMIWG Calls to justice, critics disagree June 5: Southern Chiefs Organization (SCO) urges action on the issue of MMIWG2S+

Update to “Government Commitments to MMIWG”: Yukon

June 7: Yukon presents implementation plan for MMIWG2S+ strategy

Update to “Government Commitments to MMIWG”: Federal

June 5: Assembly of First Nations (AFN) releases Final Report from MMIWG2S+ National Gathering

Update to “Government Commitments to MMIWG”: BC

June 5: Indigenous-driven solutions lead the way on Path Forward

Update to “Government Commitments to MMIWG”: Saskatchewan

June 6: Saskatchewan reports continued progress addressing issue of MMIWG

Update to “Government Commitments to MMIWG”: Federal

June 9: Government of Canada announces funding has been allocated to 10 Indigenous women’s organizations and 2SLGBTQI+ communities working to end the national crisis of MMIWG and 2SLGBTQI+ people

Update to “Government Commitments to Indigenous Women”: Federal

June 6: The Government of Canada provides funding to the Native Women’s Association of Canada to prevent gender-based violence

Home Page: Background Content

NEW SECTION: Mother. Sister. Daughter: A CBC MMIWG Project: Federal

June 5: A complete analysis of progress on all 241 Calls to Justice: After 4 years only 2 have been completed, almost 50% have NOT started

Call to Action # 42

Federal, Provincial and Territory governments to commit to recognize and implement Aboriginal Justice Systems

Update to “Working Group on Reviewing Laws and Policies: Federal

June 8: Taking action to ensure all federal laws uphold Aboriginal Treaty and Rights

Reconciliation Calls to Action

UNITED NATIONS DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

Home Page – Current Reality

Update to “Current Reality”

June 22: Federal government releases UNDRIP Action Plan 2023-2028 with 181 measures to address implementation issues

Home Page – Current Problems

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

June 22: Ottawa releases action plan to implement UNDRIP, despite calls for more consultation June 22: Federal Action Plan for UNDRIP lacks input from rightsholders, the treaty nations, says Crowchild

Call to Action # 44

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

Update to “Why In Progress?”

June 22: Federal government releases UNDRIP Action Plan 2023-2028

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

June 22: Federal government releases UNDRIP Action Plan 2023-2028

Home Page – Background Content

Update to “Indigenous Responses to Action Plan”

June 21: Assembly of First Nations (AFN) acknowledges the UNDRIP Action Plan and calls for concrete implementation

Update to “Indigenous Responses to Action Plan”

June 22: Métis National Council joins announcement of the release of the UNDRIP Action Plan

CHURCH APOLOGIES

Home Page – Current Problems

Update to “Failure in Fund-Raising Efforts”: Catholic Church

June 13: Catholic Church’s reconciliation fund draws mixed reaction from residential school survivors

Call to Action # 61

Church Parties to Settlement Agreement to allocate permanent funding for healing, language and reconciliation projects

Update to “Church Commitment to Permanent Funding”: Catholic Church

June 7: Archdiocese of Edmonton donates $3.2M to Indigenous reconciliation efforts

YOUTH PROGRAMS

Home Page – Background Content

Update to “Voices of Indigenous Youth:

June 7: 38 young people share their visions of reconciliation

Call to Action # 66

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

Update to “Canadian Roots Exchange”: Federal

June 6: A strong voice: Canada’s Indigenous youth are not feeling the full effects of reconciliation and offer solutions

Home Page – Background Content

MUSEUMS AND ARCHIVES

Home Page – Current Problems

Update to “Repatriating Indigenous Artefacts”: BC

June 6: First Nations in BC pays almost $40,000 to bring 140 year-old robe home

Update to “Repatriating Indigenous Artefacts”: BC

June 15: Tahltan central government archives receives qualified repository status

Call to Action # 68

Federal government and Canadian Museum Association to establish a reconciliation funding program to commemorate Canada 150

Update to “Provincial Heritage Commitments”: Ontario

June 16: Hamilton adds signs at 4 monuments to acknowledge ‘problematic’ sites need to change

MISSING CHILDREN AND BURIAL INFORMATION

Home Page – Current Reality

Update to “Current Reality“

June 26: Added discovery of 88 unmarked graves at St. Brunos IRS to “Table of Residential School Unmarked Graves”

Home Page – Current Problems

Update to “Challenges for Special Interlocutor””: Federal

June 6: “Have some respect’: International involvement in residential schools burial work not wanted, needed

Update to “Challenges for Special Interlocutor””: Federal

June 16: ‘Canada must combat residential school denialism’, Special Interlocutor’s report says June 16: Residential School denialists tried to dig up suspected graves in Kamloops, BC, report says June 20: Residential School denialism is on the rise. What to know

Update to “Québec’s Missing Children”: Québec

June 15: Bodies of 2 Innu babies to be exhumed in first for Québec’s new law

Update to “Discoveries of Unmarked Graves”: Yukon

June 18: First Nations in Yukon hope search for unmarked graves of missing children can “bring peace’ June 29: 88 unmarked graves discovered at St. Bruno’s Indian Residential School June 26: St. Bruno’s Residential School ground penetrating radar report released

Update to “Discoveries of Unmarked Graves”: Québec

June 29: Search dogs find signs of human remains on site of Montreal’s old Royal College Hospital

NEW SECTION: How Ground Penetrating Radar Works

June 16: How ground penetrating radar is used to find unmarked graves at residential schools

Call to Action # 75

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

Update to ” Indigenous-led Commitments”: Manitoba

June 4: Manitoba First Nation and Columbian researchers discuss ‘forensics of care’ in their work on unmarked graves

Update to “Federal Government Disbursements”: Federal

June 13: Ground search begins at former Chooutla school site in Yukon

NATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION (NCTR)

Call to Action # 77

Update to “Commitments to Provide Records”: Federal

June 28: New Advisory Committee to transfer millions of unreleased residential school documents announced

COMMEMORATION

Home Page – Current Reality

Update to “Current Reality?”

June 20: National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) selects site for national Residential School monument on Parliament Hill

Call to Action # 80

Federal Government to establish a statutory holiday, “National Day for Truth and Reconciliation“

Home Page – Background Content

Update to “Phyllis Webb’s Story”

June 20: New picture book by Orange Shirt Day creator Phyllis Webstad to explore meaning of ‘Every Child Matters’

Call to Action # 81

Federal Government to commission and install a Residential School National Monument in Ottawa

Update to “Why In Progress?”

June 20: National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) selects site for national Residential School monument on Parliament Hill

Update to “Ottawa Monument”: Federal

June 20: Monument to residential school survivors, victims to be built on Parliament Hill June 20: National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) selects site for National Residential School monument

Call to Action # 82

Provincial and Territory governments to commission and install a Residential School monument in each capital city

Update to “Residential School Monuments”: BC

June 12: Residential School memorial pole will make stop on Vancouver Island before installation in Vancouver

Update to “Residential School Monuments”: Manitoba

June 25: New MMIWG monument a sacred place for families to gather, mourn

SPORTS AND RECONCILIATION

Call to Action # 87

Update to “Commitments to Public Education”: Nova Scotia

June 19: New home for Pictou County Sports Hall of Fame

Update to “Commitments to Public Education”: Sports Hall of Fame

June 26: Indigenous athletes among panelists at event celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day

BUSINESS AND RECONCILIATION

Home Page – Current Problems

Update to “Legislative and Institutional Issues”: Federal

June 8: John Ivison: “The case for backing Indigenous loans”

Home Page – Background Content

Update to “Indigenous-led Initiatives“: BC

June 16: Massive Vancouver land development unveiled for Jericho area

Update to “Indigenous-led Initiatives“: Ontario

June 26: Electra announces commitments for strategic investment from First Nations-owned Three Fires Group

Call to Action # 92

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

Update to “Individual Business Initiative”: Ontario

June 7: KPMG in Canada releases its Inclusion, Diversity and Equity report, reflecting a commitment to an inclusive & equitable workplace

Update to “Individual Business Initiatives“: Ontario

June 15: Deloitte Canada reinforces its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Commitment statement and policies

Update to “Individual Business Initiatives“: Manitoba

June 29: Canada Life announces support for new mentorship program for Indigenous learners at Red River College Polytechnic

Update to “Indigenous Business Organizations“

June 19: Energy deals reboot ties between Indigenous people and Corporate Canada

OTHER ISSUES

DRINKING WATER ADVISORIES

Home Page – Current Reality

Update to Table: Drinking Water Advisories

June 19: 142 Long term DWA’s have been lifted (84%). 26 First Nations communities still have 28 long-term DWAs

FOOD INSECURITY

Home Page – Current Problems

Update to: “Food Insecurity: Nunavut

June 8: Nunavut children going to school hungry, senators told

HOUSING

Home Page – Current Problems

Update to :”Federal Budgets“: Federal

June 12: Canada’s continued failure to provide adequate housing led to lawsuit, says chief

Home Page – Background Content

Update to “Government Programs”: Nunavut

June 2: 22 Modular housing units to be built across Nunavut

Update to: Government Programs”: Federal

June 9: New, urban, rural and northern Indigenous housing organization gets $287.1M for urgent projects

Update to: Government Programs”: Federal

June 8: Funding for urgent, unmet indigenous housing projects in urban, rural and northern areas to be distributed through the National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Incorporated

Update to: Government Programs”: Ontario

June 9: First Unitarian Ottawa and Partners unveil plans for ‘Odayanhaway’: a little village of sustainable and affordable housing

Update to: “Government Programs”: Northwest Territories

June 23: Housing Northwest Territories establishes permanent Indigenous Housing Forum

Update to: “Homelessness”: Saskatchewan

June 28: Government extends funding for Sawêyihtotân Project

URBAN COMMITMENTS TO RECONCILIATION

Home Page – Current Problems

Update to “Individual Municipal Issues”: Québec

June 4: Vitriol in Val d’Or: How homelessness and petty crime have re-ignited racial tensions

Home Page – Background Content

Update to “Individual Municipal Commitments”: Federation of Canadian Municipalities

June 15: “Stronger Together: A Toolkit for First Nations-Municipal Community Economic Development Partnerships”

Update to “Individual Municipal Commitments”: B.C.

June 19: Meet Vancouver’s first Senior Director of Indigenous Relations

Update to “Government Programs”: Federal, Québec

June 27: Investments in new Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre

ENVIRONMENT

Home Page – Current Problems

Update to “Specific Industry Environmental Issues”: Alberta

June 5: The Lie of a Cleaner Oilsands

Update to “Specific Industry Environmental Issues“: Ontario

June 20: Proposed Chalk River nuclear dumpsite violates UNDRIP, say Algonquin chief

Update to “Climate Change”: Federal

June 6: Spring wildfire costing Indigenous Services millions, says minister

Update to “Climate Change”: Ontario

June 6: Algonquins of Barriere Lake members evacuated from territory as Québec wildfires burn

Update to “Climate Change“: All levels of government

June 8: Wildfire season highlights the need for more emergency resources in remote Indigenous communities

Update to “Climate Change”: All levels of Government

June 14: During the worst wildfire season this century, Indigenous communities need to consider their participation in resource extraction, says researcher

Update to “Climate Change”: Federal

June 20: On energy transition, Canada should take a matriarchal approach

Update to “Climate Change”: Federal

June 26: Feds underfunding emergency preparation in First Nations communities, says report

Update to “Climate Change”: Québec

June 23: Québec wildfires: Cree community orders evacuation of 4,000 due to heavy smoke

Update to: “International Environment Issues: Federal

June 12: Indigenous communities in BC, Alaska declare state of emergency over Pacific Salmon

Home Page – Background Content

Update to: Govt. Commitments to the Environment: Federal

June 2: Federal investment to support Clean Energy Planning with QUEST Canada, Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation and Frog Lake First Nation

Update to: Govt. Programs: Federal

June 23: Ottawa, Yellowknife Dene sign procurement framework agreement for Giant Mine cleanup

Update to: Govt. Commitments to the Environment: Federal

June 27: A significant milestone between Cree Nation Government and Fisheries and Oceans Canada – signing a conservation agreement for Lake Sturgeon populations in Eeyou Istchee, northern Quebec

Update to: Govt. Commitments to the Environment: Federal

June 27: ‘Plan, prepare, act’: Government of Canada launches first National Adaptation Strategy

Update to: Govt. Commitments to the Environment: BC

June 28: Parks Canada contributes more than $525,000 to advance the Indigenous-led Westcoast Stewardship Corridor with First Nation partners on Vancouver Island

Update to: Govt. Commitments to the Environment: Federal

June 28: Government of Canada supports clean, renewable energy with $50 Million investment for Indigenous -led wind power in Saskatchewan

Update to “Indigenous Solutions – Climate Change”: BC

June 8: Ancient Indigenous ‘clam gardens’ could be modern day climate solution

Update to “Government Commitments to the Environment”: Federal

June 19: Government of Canada and Assembly of First Nations (AFN)chart a joint path for new and updated priorities on climate action

Update to “Indigenous Conservation Areas”: Federal, BC

June 22: How First Nations are asserting sovereignty over their lands and water

TREATIES AND LAND CLAIMS

Home Page – Current Problems

Update to: “Aboriginal Rights and Title”: Alberta

June 27: Experts call on Alberta government to strengthen treaty relationshios

Update to: “Supreme Court”: Federal

June 12: Supreme Court refuses to hear Métis harvesting rights case, sets in motion more expansive claim

Update to “Land Back Movement”: Federal, Ontario

June 29: In Brief: Ontario Court weighs in on Treaty Rights and Land Back

Home Page – Background Content

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

June 30: Nunavut one step closer to realizing land use plan

Update to “Indigenous Victories”: Federal

June 17: “Canada has a lot of unpaid bills’: $10B settlement reached in landmark First Nation Treaty case

Update to “Indigenous Victories”: Federal, Ontario

June 19: Robinson-Huron citizens offered long overdue payment June 19: Robinson-Huron Treaty Leadership, Ontario and Canada announce proposed settlement and next step in Trety Annuities court case

Update to “Indigenous Victories”: BC

June 22: Flying Dust First Nation to get land back from Canadian government after 91 years

INDIGENOUS SUCCESS STORIES

Theme	Date	Indigenous Group	Comment
Government Commitments	June 2	First Nation	Arnold Gardner: Northwestern Ontario heartbroken to lose longtime Ojibway chief and role model
	June 6	Fits Nation, Métis, Inuit	Nellie Cournoyea, Thelma Chalifoux, George Manuel: Canada Post pays tribute to Indigenous leaders with record stamp set
	June 14	First Nations	MLAs pay tribute to late Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in elder, Peggy Normandy and her enduring legacy
	June 27	First Nations	M’kmaw elder and author Daniel Paul has died at age 84
	June 30	Inuit	French town unveils plaque for Inuk war hero, John Shiwak
Language and Culture	June 10	First Nation	Chevez Ezaneh, Saskatchewan First Nation man builds Dene computer keyboard to help others to learn the language
Treaties and Land Claims	June 12	First Nation	Secwépemc leader George Manuel honoured with Canada Post stamp
Commemoration	June 19	First Nation	Adrian Stimson, Indigenous artist chosen to design Canada’s Afghan War monument
Education	June 22	First Nation	Pikangikum First Nation celebrates its largest ever graduating class – and its a big deal
Sports	June 21	First Nation	Joe Buffalo: Skateboarding saved me- now I’m giving back
Justice	June 23	First Nation	Charity and Cameron West walk across Canada to bring awareness for missing ad murdered Indigenous people