Truth and Reconciliation walkers headed to Ottawa
OTTAWA – Six members from Mushkegowuk Nation are headed on foot to Ottawa for the May 31st closing ceremonies of the TRC. Walkers started out in Cochrane, Ontario and arrived in Toronto last week and met with Ontario Regional Chief Stan Beardy.
“This is an important walk for us,” said Coordinator Pat Etherington Sr., and Elder from Fort Albany and also a residential school survivor. “We want to raise an awareness of what happened at these institutions and share discussion with young people and push to include this history in education systems.”
“It is very special what these people are doing,” said Ontario Regional Chief Stan Beardy. “The young people that are walking this journey are referred to the New People in the Seventh Fires Prophecy that says young people will work with Elders on healing and continue the teachings into a new generation. I wish them success and safety on their journey and encourage the public to support them.”
The walkers include: Coordinator Pat Etherington Sr. of Fort Albany, Frances Whiskeychan of Moosonee, Patrick Etherington Jr. from Moose Cree Nation, Maurice Wesley or Attawapiskat, Remi Nakogee of Attawapiskat and Darren Hughie of Kashechewan.
ASWCO announces million dollar partnership with Ontario
MISSISAUGA – Aboriginal Sport and Wellness Council of Ontario (ASWCO) announced a partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport that brings a $3.6 million dollar funding agreement for sport and recreation development with Aboriginal people across the provice.
The funding is set to assist the province’s new initiative called “Sport Pathway for Ontario Native Wellness.”
ASWCO will also be distributing $40,000 across the province to purchase equipment and leadership training for Aboriginal people in Sports and Recreation.
“We are pleased and grateful to be able to provide more opportunities to our people to live a healthy, active lifestyle” said Marc Laliberte, President of Aboriginal Sports & Wellness Council of Ontario. “Chi meegwetch to the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport for their past and continuing generosity and wisdom.”
Indigenous woman ordered to stop ceremonies on Victoria Island
OTTAWA – Susan Martin, whose daughter is one of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women in Canada, has been holding a sacred fire ceremony for the last month at Victoria Island on the Ottawa River.
Now, members of the National Capital Commission are telling Martin that she has to leave the island and end her sacred fire to make room for the Truth and Reconcilliation (TRC) ceremonies coming up at the end of this month.
Martin’s daughter, Terrie Ann Dauphinais was found murdered in 2002. It is that event that directed Martin to start the sacred fire on Victoria Island, a spiritual place for the indigenous people of the Ottawa area.
Martin told CBC News, “I was suicidal. I was suicidal for a long time. After four years I couldn’t take the pain anymore. And I went away, and I worked with a shaman and two elders up by Heron Lake to get me back.”
However despite the years of healing work that brought Martin to this point, the NCC has been sending employees and aboriginal liaisons to the island trying to get the Ottawa area woman to stop her sacred fire and give the TRC room for their ceremonies.
Martin says despite pressure to leave, she will remain on the island. “I know what I’m doing is right,” Martin told CBC News. “I can’t see why we can’t coincide together.”
Province to produce elementary teacher kits on treaties
NORTH BAY – Provincial schools will soon be receiving curriculum kits about treaty relationships working with First Nations.
The kits will help students and teachers from Grades 1-8 in Ontario learn the true history between indigeous people in Canada and 46 treaties the settler colonies made with them.
Kits will include teachers guides, books, maps, DVDs and an 800 piece Treaty of Fort Niagara Lego wampum belt designed by nine year old Alexander Hebert from Dokis First Nation.
David Zimmer, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs was excited about the development between the Anishnabek Nation and the province. Zimmer said, “Treaties are fundamental to the relationship between First Nation communities and their neighbours and to the future prosperity of all Ontarians. I’m thrilled that we can partner with the Anishinabek Nation to help increase public awareness on treaties and our shared history as truly, we are all treaty people.”
Grand Council Chief of the Anishnabek Nation Patrick Wedaseh Madahbee also expressed his anticipation of the awareness this package will bring to the people in Ontario. Madahbee said,
“The lack of understanding about the treaty relationship in Ontario has been a hindrance to the learning spirit of First Nations people and to all of the people in Ontario. The We Are All Treaty People teacher’s kit will help alleviate racism and support teachers in the area of treaty education.”
More than ninety of the kits have already been pre-ordered form school boards, universities and First Nations across the province.
Winnipeg and Edmonton host cities to APTN’s Aboriginal Day Live
WINNIPEG – Aboriginal People’s Television Network (APTN) announced the final lineup of indigenous entertainment for its’ annual live concerts – celebrating Aboriginal Day on Saturday June 20, 2015.
Tina Keeper and Kyle Nobess will co-host the Winnipeg stage. Acts include Andy Desjarlais Tribute Performed by Patti Kusturok, Don Amero, Brett Kissel, Federal Lights, Lightning Cloud, Marijosee, Mike Bone and Shane and Taylor May.
From the Edmonton stage Michelle Thrush and Don Kelly will co-host more indigenous talent. The performers in Edmonton are Crystal Shawanda, Derek Miller, George Canyon, Ghostkeeper, Leanne Goose, Murray Porter, Nathan Cunningham and the Northern Cree Singers.
APTN regularly broadcasts the four-hour two stage national show live across Canada. In 2014 the live broadcast reached over one million viewers.
Broadcast begins at 8:30pm EST on Saturday June 20, 2015. For more information check out the website www.aboriginaldaylive.com.
