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Posters plastered near Queen’s Park calling for Grassy Narrows justice

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The Ontario legislature was surrounded by posters reminding government officials about the dire situation in Grassy Narrows First Nation.

As Legislature returned to session this week, grassroots supporters of Grassy Narrows and its call for justice regarding environmental pollution installed posters around Queen’s Park in Toronto.

Those posters featured images of children pleading with the Ford government for compensation.

“Every time the government sits in that building, we are reminded that Doug Ford is still ignoring our people’s demands for justice,” said Grassy Narrows community member Chrissy Isaacs in a release. “These posters are here so they can’t look away anymore.”

Last year, it was reported that mercury in Grassy Narrows’ river system continued to impact the community due to an ongoing discharge of effluent from the Dryden Mill.

According to the Grassy Narrows First Nation, industrial mercury pollution that ran from the mill contaminated the English-Wabigoon River during the 1960s, devastating Grassy Narrows’ health, economy and “made fish toxic, cutting off a key food source and livelihood.”

The community says although the health impacts have been long-term, proper clean-up and supports by the province have been delayed for decades.

Supporters continue to call for a stop to the mill’s effluent as well as compensation for the harm done to the community members living in Grassy Narrows First Nation.

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More Money Needed For Safe Drinking Water For First Nations

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First Nations communities are still struggling with not having safe drinking water.

The Parliamentary Budget Report regarding First Nation’s drinking water was released and Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief, Derek Fox, said in a statement that the federal government needs have more funding commitments to ensure safe drinking water for these communities.

According to the report, spending in 2016/2017 as well as planned spending until 2025/2026 will be enough to cover capital costs but not to help maintain or pay for operational costs. The report estimates that $138 million should be spent per year in order to cover that spending.

Across NAN territory, there are seven short term and 13 long term boil water advisories happening. Neskantaga First Nation has been on a BWA for 26 years, that is the longest in Canada.

In NAN’s 2018 infrastructure assessment, it saw only 44 per cent of final costs were covered for operations and maintenance across NAN communities.

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Mary Simon Appointed Canada’s Next Governor General

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Mary Simon has been named the next Governor General of Canada.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau introduced Simon as the first Indigenous person to serve in the role.

“Today, after 154 years, our country takes a historic step, I cannot think of a better person to meet the moment,” said Trudeau at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que.

Queen Elizabeth II made the appointment on the recommendation of Prime Minister Trudeau.

Simon began her address to the public speaking Inuktitut, one of the two languages she speaks.

“ I can confidently say that my appointment is a historic and inspirational moment for Canada, and an important step forward on the long path towards reconciliation,” said Simon. “ this is a moment I hope all Canadians feel part of because my appointment reflects our collective progress towards building a more inclusive, just and equitable society.”

Simon was the first Inuk to hold the position as a Canadian ambassador representing Canada as Ambassador for Circumpolar Affairs and Ambassador to Denmark.

The Governor General Designate addressed her bilingualism that includes Inuktitut and English, but notably does not include fluency in French.

Simon says her experience growing up in the federal government day schools deprived her of the opportunity to learn French despite growing up in Nunavik, a northern area of Quebec.

“I am deeply committed to continuing my French language studies and plan to conduct the business of the governor general in both of Canada’s official languages as well as Inuktitut.”

All eyes will be on Simon as speculation of a federal election continues to circulate through Canada. As governor general, Simon will have the power to dissolve Parliament and send Canadians to the polls.

Chief Justice Richard Wagner has fulfilled the duties of governor general as the administrator since Julie Payette resigned in January.

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SLFNHA Reporting COVID-19 Cases In First Nation Communities

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The Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority is reporting five cases of COVID-19 in two First Nation communities.

The Health Authority says they are not identifying the communities or community members to respect confidentiality and privacy.

In the first community a positive case was identified on Friday and an additional two cases were confirmed on Monday.

The SLFNHA met with all relevant parties and the individuals are in isolation, known contacts have been identified and the community’s assessment centre opened to help with contact tracing and testing.

Community members have also been made aware of the situation and the testing services that are available.

The SLFNHA also says in the second community there were two positive cases identified on Monday as well and case management and contact tracing has responded.

Although the Health Authority hasn’t identified the communities, Misheegogamang First Nation issued the following statement on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/mishkeegogamang/posts/2997794440330096

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Pandemic Impacting Indigenous Communities

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The first COVID-19 case in Nunavut was confirmed on Thursday to be located in Pond Inlet, a fly-in community.

There are 129 COVID-19 cases in First Nation communities on reserve and 16 confirmed cases in Nunavik’s Inuit communities, which covers a third of Quebec in its northern region.

Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services said the community, the territorial government and Indigenous Services will give the case in Pond Inlet full attention to ensure contract tracing and maximum containment efforts are undertaken.

Miller said $690 million has been directly allocated by Indigenous Services to the health response for COVID-19.

“This includes activities undertaken directly by the department such as procurement of supplies and nursing services as well as the preparedness measures being undertaken by communities,” he said.

Miller said the pandemic is impacting indigenous communities in many ways including mental wellness.

“Whether there are cases or not or close to their communities, people find themselves experiencing distress, anxiety and uncertainty,” he said.

“This is particularly the case for people who are at higher risk, or the family members of those who are at higher risk.”

Miller said the Hope for Wellness helpline is also available for immediate culturally safe telephone crisis intervention 24/7 for First Nations, Inuit and Metis at 1-855-242-3310.

“These are real and understandable reactions and there are mental wellness supports available to help. It’s important to underscore that many communities and service providers are adapting their operations to respect the requirement for physical distancing and they should continue to do so,” he said.

Miller said crisis intervention counselors have increased at the Hope For Wellness helpline to keep up with demand.

He said Indigenous Services will continue to work with communities to address their needs.

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NWHU In Partnership With Area First Nations During Pandemic

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The Northwestern Health Unit works in partnership to help collect COVID results in First Nation communities, but they do not conduct the tests themselves.

The testing is done by the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch of the Federal Government, but the NWHU does collect this information and share it with Ontario Public Health system.

Acting Medical Official of Health Dr. Ian Gemmill says area First Nations have not reported any positive cases yet, with the only National positive case in a First Nation community being in the Montreal area.

Gemmill says they are keeping contact with the communities as well.

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Poplar Hill Mourning Death Of Chief Strang

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The Chief of Poplar Hill First Nation has passed away.

Band council member Eli Moose broke the news Sunday morning that Chief Jacob Strang passed away suddenly Saturday night.

Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa says the news is tragic, and that he will never forget his work and kindness.

Kenora MP Eric Melillo says that his thoughts are with the people of the community.

Poplar Hill is a remote community located about 120-kilometres north of Red Lake near the Ontario/Manitoba boundary.

It’s only accessible by air or winter road.

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First Nation Fire Deaths Still Under Continued 10 Year Investigation

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A detailed investigation is continuing into 56 First Nations fire deaths in Ontario over a ten year period.

The probe began last year and the Ontario Deputy Chief Coroner says they are now reviewing all collected data.

Jim Sproule says they met over the spring with their advisory group, made up of six elders from Northern Ontario.

Sproule explains they provided guidance on how to collect information and how that information will be communicated.

The report was originally supposed to have been released by now, but it will now likely happen at the end of this year or early in 2020.

The Office Of The Chief Coroner hopes to gain a better understanding of why such deaths occurred for possible future changes.

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Neskantaga Residents Finally Going Home

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Residents of Neskantaga First Nation are leaving Thunder Bay now that they’re able to use the water again.

Chief Chris Moonias notes about 220 people arrived in the Lakehead about a week ago, with most heading home on Monday.

The evacuation was ordered due to a water system failure.

Water samples have come back as satisfactory, however a long-standing boil water advisory remains in place.

Moonias says it feels de-humanizing with water restrictions in place for 25 years, and the federal government is trying to play down the situation.

Moonias adds he paid for the evacuation to Thunder Bay out of his own pocket.

 

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Money For First Nations FireSmart Programs

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Some new money from Ottawa to help First Nations communities protect themselves from wildfires.

Almost $48-million over 5-years is being doled out to expand on-reserve FireSmart programs to more communities.

It will include training First Nations teams in wildfire suppression, and ways to control the spread of wildfires.

Seamus O’Regan, the Minister of Indigenous Services, says that proper preparation and mitigation efforts can make a huge difference to protect communities.

“Due to climate change, many First Nations face increasing threats to their lands from wildfire and other natural hazards and have been among the hardest hit in recent natural disasters,” says O’Regan, “this is why our government is making significant additional investments to combat these threats by supporting First Nations-led solutions and knowledge through FireSmart programs and First Nations-led training, emergency planning and emergency capacity building.”

https://twitter.com/Min_IndServ/status/1161758156718034953

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