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Sol Mamakwa

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Mamakwa Asks For Children’s Medications For The North

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The provincial government is being asked to ensure pain and fever medication for children is being made available to first nations.

There has been a shortage of things like children’s Tylenol and acetominaphin for months now.

Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa says a number of first nations agencies in the north are taking matters into their own hands.

“Nishinawbe Aski Nation leaders and their allies are planning to travel to the U.S. to get these medications,” Mamakwa told the Ontario legislature last week.

“The thought of losing any of our children because we do not have the basic medications available is intolerable.”

Health Minister Sylvia Jones says they are working with the federal government to get a supply of medication as soon as possible, but she wishes the feds acted sooner.

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Mamakwa Says Ontario Needs Take Treaties Seriously

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The MPP for Kiiwetinoong says he’s skeptical about the provincial government’s commitment to First Nation treaties.

Sol Mamakwa says even though Ontario is celebrating Treaties Week, the government’s actions leave him asking questions.

“When I see the substandard housing…when I see the boil water advisories…when I see the lack of education, like lack of schools and resources in our nations…that says a lot to me,” Mamakwa told the Ontario Legislature recently.

Mamakwa adds there are numerous problems is in own riding that show the government isn’t living up to it’s commitment.

“In my riding I see young people, 11 years old, dying by suicide. What work is Ontario doing to uphold their treaty obligations?”

Mamakwa says the whole debacle regarding Bill-28, leads him to question the government about honoring things like treaties.

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Mamakwa To Take Part In Pope’s Visit

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There will be some representation from northwestern Ontario when the Pope visits Alberta next week.

Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa will be travelling with the federal NDP delegation.

Mamakwa says the Pope’s apology was a good first step, but more needs to be done.

“I think its important to be able to expand on that apology,” Mamakwa told a media conference at Queen’s Park on Thursday.

“Also important that everyone us survivors, and the families, it’s upon them on how they receive it, how they take it. But I think we need to be able to move forward and certainly look at options behind that apology.”

Mamakwa says while he did got to a residential school, he did not go to a residential school run by the Catholic Church, but the visit can be the start of healing.

“Words are not enough anymore. We need to take some action behind those words and for example having some sort of healing initiative because trauma, crisis in our nations has become a way of life, and that’s not acceptable anymore.”

Mamakwa says it’s important the Pope and the Catholic church return sacred artifacts stored at the Vatican and the release of their residential school records.

(File photo)

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Mamakwa, Vaugeois On NDP Cabinet

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A pair of Northwest Ontario Members of Provincial Parliament (MPP) now have additional roles with the Official Opposition.

NDP Interim leader Peter Tabuns has chosen Sol Mamakwa (Kiiwetinoong) to be a deputy leader as well as a critic for Indigenous and Treaty Relations and Northern Development.

Mamakwa is the first ever First Nations deputy leader in Ontario.

Newly elected member Lise Vaugeois (Thunder Bay-Superior North) will keep a close eye on the portfolio of Seniors, Persons Living with Disabilities and Accessibility.

In a news release on Wednesday, the party stated the goal was to assign members portfolios to respond to the needs and concerns of families across Ontario, including affordability, housing, anti-racism, mental health and addictions, the climate crisis, long-term care and more.

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Polls Support Local Incumbents In Provincial Election

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Kenora-Rainy River PC candidate is seen to likely hold on to riding next week.

That’s according to Canada 338, which shows the Progressive Conservatives forming another majority government.

According to the website, Greg Rickford has 43 percent decided voter support, but there is a margin of error of 10 percent.

Next is the NDP’s JoAnne Formanek Gustafson at 26 percent, but with a margin of error of 8 percent, so victory for Rickford
isn’t assured.

In the Kiiwetinoong Riding, incumbent NDP candidate So Mamakwa has 35 percent support compared to 29 percent for Dwight Monck of the Progressive Conservatives.

The website shows the riding leaning towards the NDP, but the margin of error is in the 10 percent range.

The Liberals are in third place in both ridings.

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Mamakwa Calls For First Nations Polling Stations

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The MPP for the Kiiwetinoong Riding hopes all First Nations will be allowed to vote during the provincial election.

During last month’s federal vote, three First Nations didn’t have polling stations set up on election day.

Sol Mamakwa says everyone has the right to vote, no matter where they live. “Communities should be able to access both advanced polls and then the regular polls, not either or. Every Ontarian and every Canadian has access to that, but not First Nations, especially the fly-in communities.”

He calls it a huge concern.

Elections Canada is reviewing concerns raised about the voting irregularities in the Kenora Riding on September 20th.

The provincial election is scheduled for June 2nd, 2022.

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Mamakwa Critical Of Youth Justice Closures

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The MPP for the Kiiwetinoong riding is questioning the priorities of the provincial government.

A number of youth justice centers in the region are being closed.

Sol Mamakwa says this especially hurts young girls from the far north who have to travel to secure facilities, often in Thunder Bay.

“That’s why I was asking about sending them to Thunder Bay. We know some of the issues that we face in the north regarding human trafficking so, you know, why do that?” he points out.

Mamakwa also points out that while those closures are being announced, $10.5-million was announced to expand two youth treatment centers in Ottawa and Oakville.

He is worried young people from the north will have to travel further to get the treatment they need.

“People don’t understand. And there are youth in our commmunities, and fly-in communities, who have never been in an urban town like Sioux Lookout, Pickle Lake, Thunder Bay, Kenora,” Mamakwa argues. “When we talk about far, it is very far, culturally.”

As many as 20 people are losing their jobs as a result of the closures in the Kenora area.

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Premier Takes Shot At Mamakwa

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Premier Doug Ford is taking a shot at the MPP for the Kiiwetinoong Riding.

Ford was responding to questions from Sol Mamakwa about the need for more COVID-19 vaccines for Indigenous peoples and demanding equal access.

“The member flew in to get his vaccine, so thank you for doing that and kind of jumping the line. I talked to a few Chiefs who were pretty upset about that…flying into a community that he doesn’t belong but that’s neither here nor there.”

Liberal MPP John Fraser took the Premier to task for his comments later on.

“I have to say that the comment the Premier made to the member from Kiiwetinoong this morning was beneath the office.”

Ford pointed out that the province has vaccinated more than 15-thousand people with first doses in 31 fly-in First Nations.

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Mamakwa Gets Vaccinated To Reassure Families

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A northwestern MPP is getting the COVID-19 vaccine to encourage others to follow his lead.

Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa publicly got his shot today, saying he wants First Nations families to know the vaccine is safe.

“It is used as a shield against the virus. As more of us get vaccinated, the end of this pandemic will be in sight. With the vaccine, we will be protecting ourselves, our languages and our traditions to thrive for future generations,” says Mamakwa.

Public health officials and Chief Gordon Beardy of Muskrat Dam First Nation asked him to take that step, after they saw some communities had very few people sign up to get the vaccine.

Neskantaga Chief Christopher Moonias adds that First Nations leaders must lead by example and get vaccinated.

“I am encouraged to hear that MPP Sol Mamakwa is also leading by example and getting vaccinated in Muskrat Dam alongside their leadership. Together as leaders, we can ease worries and hopefully encourage more people to protect themselves and our communities by getting vaccinated,” Moonias says.

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Local MPP Delivers Powerful Statement In Legislature

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A powerful statement was delivered Monday on the opening day of the Ontario Legislature.

It was made by Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa who refused to stand for the playing of O Canada and God Save the Queen.

In a statement, Mamakwa says “I sat down to honour my ancestors who signed the treaties with the crown. I will stand up when treaties are honoured by both levels of government.”

He added “I know Canadians and Ontarians share my commitment to fairness and justice for Indigenous Peoples.”

Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler tweeted out his support for Mamakwa.

Fiddler stated no one should be forced to participate in symbolic acts that they view as oppressive. I support his choice and it should be respected.

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