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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
"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 →
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 →
First, let's start with the following facts: $8,400 vs $18,178. That’s the per capita gap between First Nations and other Canadians in federal, provincial and municipal spending for programs and services1First Nations fall between 63rd and 78th vs Canada between 6th and 12th on the UN Human Development Index. The federal government’s Community Well-Being Index... Continue Reading →
“The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples” (UNDRIP) is an international instrument adopted by the United Nations on September 13, 2007, to enshrine the rights that “constitute the minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of the indigenous peoples of the world.” All four countries initially opposed (Canada, United States, Australia... Continue Reading →
What the hell is happening with Reconciliation? Indigenous Watchdog was launched on Feb. 25, 2020 primarily to track progress on the 94 Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action. In the past six months, that progress was delivered roughly every two months via three updates documenting a total of 153 specific actions as follows: SectionsApril 21June... Continue Reading →
