Latest news with #IndigenousCommunities
Globe and Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Two First Nations setting up encampment near proposed bridge to Ring of Fire
A political decision one thousand kilometres from Jeronimo Kataquapit's home in a remote First Nation near James Bay set the course for his summer. Now, the 20-year-old from Attawapiskat First Nation, his father, mother and older brother are headed upriver in two 24-foot freighter canoes on a 400-kilometre journey to 'reassert First Nations' presence' near the Ring of Fire region in northern Ontario. The family hopes to make it to their final stop, near a proposed bridge over the Attawapiskat River, by Saturday. There, they will meet a contingent from Neskantaga First Nation as the two communities unite to build a quasi-permanent encampment — and make a political statement. 'This is our home. This is our own territory, not just Attawapiskat's, but every nation in the area,' Kataquapit said in a recent phone interview with The Canadian Press, speaking from under a tarp in his canoe as his father navigated small rapids. They brought more than 200 litres of gasoline to run the 25-horsepower motors on their canoes. A generator also powers their Starlink kit that gives them access to high-speed internet from anywhere in order to document their travels on social media and stay connected to the outside world. 'Nothing's off the table': AFN warns of potential legal action if Bill C-5 passes Ontario's Bill 5 has passed. Here's why it has sparked conflict with First Nations The family left Attawapiskat on June 16 for the journey Kataquapit has dubbed 'Here We Stand,' which he said is a call to action to First Nations to show the federal and provincial governments they want to be consulted before any further development and mining in the mineral-rich Ring of Fire. The idea crystallized for Kataquapit in late May when Ottawa introduced Bill C-5, which Prime Minister Mark Carney's government said is designed to speed up major projects deemed to be in the 'national interest.' That bill, which was fast-tracked through the House of Commons and is now before the Senate, came on the heels of the similar Bill 5 that was rammed through the provincial legislature at Queen's Park in Toronto. A part of that legislation gives Ontario's cabinet the power to suspend provincial and municipal laws in so-called special economic zones in order to speed up projects such as mines. Premier Doug Ford has said the Ring of Fire would be the first such zone. Both pieces of legislation prompted outrage and protests at Queen's Park and Parliament Hill by First Nations who say the bills trample their rights and ignore their concerns. First Nations across the country, particularly those in northern Ontario, have warned they could turn to blockading roads, railways and mines if the legislation is not repealed. 'There's no way the governments can amend those bills,' Kataquapit said. 'Get rid of it, then maybe we can discuss other things.' House approves Bill C-5 to fast-track projects, Carney pledges summer consultations with Indigenous leaders Doug Ford accuses First Nations of 'coming hat in hand' for government money, despite treating them 'like gold' Neskantaga First Nation members have already flown to the Ring of Fire encampment site to prepare it and they plan to head back there this week to meet Kataquapit and his family, said Chief Gary Quisess. About a dozen Neskantaga community members made their way by boat plane to the proposed river crossing, built a dock and are ready to dig in for the long haul. 'It's going to be a little, small community,' Quisess said. 'Our message is simple: no one will cross the Attawapiskat River without our free, prior and informed consent.' Neskantaga wants the governments to help its community first before agreeing on any development deal. Its nursing station flooded two months ago and remains boarded up, Quisess said. The First Nation also holds a notorious record — it has been living under a boil-water advisory for 30 years. 'We live in a third world,' he said. Opinion: If Canada is seeking an ideal nation-building project, it should invest in First Nations infrastructure The province has proposed three roads that would connect the provincial highway system to two First Nations, Webequie and Marten Falls, as well as the mining exploration site known as Eagle's Nest inside the Ring of Fire. That proposed mine is owned by Wyloo, an Australian company. Two environmental assessments have been completed and a third one is underway for those roads. The completed reports have said the roads will take four to six years to build. Two bridge crossings of the Attawapiskat River have also been proposed. Both Neskantaga and Attawapiskat First Nations reside on the Attawapiskat River some 450 kilometres apart and they revere the waters that have provided life and sustenance for generations. They plan to live off the river and the land once entrenched near the Ring of Fire. 'The river is a very sacred area, many of our ancestors are buried along the shoreline, where they lived before,' Quisess said. In the days before his family's departure, Kataquapit held lengthy meetings with leadership to inform the rest of the community about the provincial and federal legislation. They also made several dozen Attawapiskat First Nation flags and family flags. Those flags are painted with handprints, signatures and messages like 'Kill Bill 5.' Kataquapit has been planting them on the shore along the river route. Some days, his family travels nine hours and up to 60 kilometres. Other days are slower and shorter, with the canoes moving between four and seven kilometres per hour, he said. 'Around this time the river really starts to dry up, so it's really shallow in some parts, so we have to get off the boat and put on our long boots and drag the boats,' he said. 'It's just slow and steady travel. It's been long, it's been tough, but we are going to get there to stand with Neskantaga for all First Nations.'
CBC
3 days ago
- Health
- CBC
Overdose deaths in Canada fell in 2024, still higher than pre-pandemic
National health data released Wednesday shows overdose deaths in Canada dropped in 2024 but the toll still remained much higher than it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. A joint statement from the country's chief medical officers of health, chief coroners and chief medical examiners said 7,146 people died of opioid-related overdoses between January and December 2024. That's down from 8,623 deaths in 2023 but much higher than the 3,742 deaths reported in 2019, according to data on the Public Health Agency of Canada's website. The statement said an average of 20 people a day died in 2024 from apparent opioid toxicity. The statement noted that the national numbers "mask important regional differences," with Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Northwest Territories reporting a rise in opioid-related deaths in 2024. The number of people who died decreased in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, New Brunswick and Yukon and stayed about the same in Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. There was no data available for Nunavut. Many Indigenous communities saw an increase in opioid-related deaths, especially among women, between 2023 and 2024 "due to colonialization and continued marginalization," the statement said. "The overdose crisis, driven by a toxic illegal drug supply, is one of the most serious public health crises our country has ever faced." WATCH | Why B.C. is reversing course on decriminalization: Why B.C. is making drugs illegal in public again | About That 1 year ago Duration 8:22 After mounting pressure from politicians, community members and police, B.C plans to recriminalize the use of drugs in public places. Andrew Chang explains why the province is reversing course on its pilot program aimed at addressing the overdose crisis. Some provinces and territories that had fewer deaths in 2024 attributed the drop, at least partly, to "a shift to lower toxicity of the drug supply, based on drug-checking data indicating a decrease in fentanyl concentrations," the statement said. Eighty per cent of the opioid toxicity deaths took place in British Columbia, Ontario and Alberta. Yukon, Alberta and Manitoba were all hard-hit on a per-capita basis, with 20 or more deaths per 100,000 population, according to the PHAC report. Seventy-one per cent of the deaths were among males. Stimulants often involved Fentanyl was involved in 74 per cent of the opioid toxicity deaths. Seventy per cent of opioid toxicity deaths also involved a stimulant. Stimulant drugs can include cocaine, methamphetamine and prescription drugs such as amphetamines. In addition to deaths, there were 5,514 hospitalizations; 36,266 ambulance responses and 24,587 emergency department visits due to suspected opioid-related drug toxicity across Canada in 2024, the report said. Those numbers were all about 15 per cent lower than what was seen in 2023. "We recognize that the data in this report may represent stories of pain, grief, and trauma. This report cannot adequately reflect the burden borne by Canadians," the agency said on its website. "We acknowledge all those impacted by substance use, and those who work to save lives and reduce substance-related harms on individuals and communities."
CTV News
3 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
National data shows overdose deaths dropped in 2024 but still higher than pre-pandemic
Celeta Cook, First Nations Health Authority Executive Director of Public Health Response wears a purple ribbon for overdose awareness during a news conference in North Vancouver, on Monday, April 14, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns TORONTO — National health data shows overdose deaths in Canada dropped in 2024 but the toll still remained much higher than it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. A joint statement from the country's chief medical officers of health, chief coroners and chief medical examiners says 7,146 people died of opioid-related overdoses last year. That's down from 8,623 deaths in 2023 but much higher than the 3,742 deaths reported in 2019. The statement notes that the national numbers 'mask important regional differences,' with Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador and the Northwest Territories reporting a rise in opioid-related deaths in 2024. The number of people who died decreased in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, New Brunswick and Yukon and stayed about the same in Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. There was no data available for Nunavut. Many Indigenous communities saw an increase in opioid-related deaths, especially among women, between 2023 and 2024 'due to colonialization and continued marginalization,' the statement said. 'The overdose crisis, driven by a toxic illegal drug supply, is one of the most serious public health crises our country has ever faced,' it said. Some provinces and territories that had fewer deaths in 2024 attributed the drop, at least partly, to 'a shift to lower toxicity of the drug supply, based on drug-checking data indicating a decrease in fentanyl concentrations,' the statement said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 25, 2025. Canadian Press health coverage receives support through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content. Nicole Ireland, The Canadian Press
CTV News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
‘Music connects people': New documentary explores Indigenous music and language
We get the details on an upcoming national music documentary featuring performances by Indigenous artists. A new documentary, 'Rhythms of the Land,' follows artists from Indigenous communities across Canada in hopes of keeping Indigenous languages alive through music. 'Music is such a part of our culture, and we wanted to make sure that people connected with this,' the director of the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages (OCIL), Georgina Liberty told CTV Morning Live's Crystal Garrett Wednesday morning. The OCIL, which commissioned the documentary, set out to find artists who perform in their respective Indigenous languages. 'It was such a great honour to be able to find 16 artists across this country who still could sing in their mother tongue language,' Liberty said. The documentary was filmed across the country, which Liberty said was important so the artists could perform where they were most comfortable. Most of them decided to perform in their communities or on traditional lands. 'Our production crew, which is pretty much 90 per cent Indigenous, went across the country from coast-to-coast to interview and record the artists,' Liberty said. 'Rhythms of the Land' is about the connection Indigenous people have to their land, culture, traditions, and to their languages. Music is also about connection, Liberty said. 'Music connects people, it's universal,' Liberty said. The documentary will be premiering on CTV July 12.
CBC
4 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
Ontario Human Rights Commission offers hiring guidance to avoid Indigenous identity fraud
A new policy statement from the Ontario Human Rights Commission calls on employers hiring for Indigenous-specific positions to find ways to verify candidates' Indigenous identities, with help from Indigenous communities. Juliette Nicolet, director of policy, education, monitoring and outreach at the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC), said the policy statement is a response to calls from Indigenous organizations and people who have been advocating for safeguards against Indigenous identity fraud. "The need for the guidance was really highlighted by widespread reports of alleged and proven Indigenous identity fraud across Canada ... by non-Indigenous people and so in response people called for action," Nicolet said. "We thought that it was critical that hiring practices and policies for Indigenous-specific positions include a process to confirm claims of Indigenous identity in alignment with [human rights code] obligations." The p olicy statement on Indigenous-specific hiring was released in May. It confirms that hiring Indigenous employees for Indigenous-specific positions is permissible under Ontario's human rights code and calls on employers to establish verification processes of Indigenous identity in consultation with local Indigenous peoples. Nicolet said cases of misrepresentation of Indigenous identity have been brought to the public's attention for years and the damage it does to Indigenous peoples "can't be minimized." " These [fraudulent claims] are harmful practices which, in the view of the Commission, can constitute a breach of trust and threaten the integrity of special programs and special employment positions that are specifically intended to support Indigenous people and address disadvantages resulting from discrimination," Nicolet said. Nicolet said the goal is for employers to reach out to Indigenous communities to begin a conversation. Employers have 'obligation and a right' to verify identity Maurice Switzer, a citizen of the Mississaugas of Alderville First Nation, was on the commission's Indigenous Reconciliation Advisory Group for the development of the policy and asked the OHRC in 2018 to turn its attention to this issue. Representatives from the Ontario Native Women's Association and Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres also participated in the creation of the policy statement and context guide. Switzer said employers can be uncomfortable having conversations about verification because standard hiring practices can make it inappropriate or illegal to ask about identity and culture when interviewing candidates for jobs. He said the purpose of the policy is to reinforce to employers that they have an "obligation and a right" to ensure that the person they hire for an Indigenous-specific position is, in fact, Indigenous. "It's not a colonial institution's place to tell people how to determine Indigenous ancestry or what it is…that's up to our communities," Switzer said. He added that the policy underlines this fact, making clear the need to engage with Indigenous communities and build relationships. "A lot of people, I think with the best of intentions, have thought they were contributing to the advancement of awareness of Indigenous peoples…but to do it in a way that's not legitimate or dishonest, that really undermines a lot of what they may have accomplished and it casts a pall over Indigenous peoples," he said. 'A very uncomfortable discussion' Gabriel Maracle, an assistant professor at Carleton University in Ottawa, said it's good to see the OHRC, universities and other institutions taking a lead on some sort of verification policy. He along with Amy Shawanda co-authored a recent Yellowhead Institute report on Indigenous identity fraud in academia. Maracle, who is from Tyendinaga Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, is hoping organizations that have been 'on the fence' about implementing verification policies become more proactive. "This is a very uncomfortable discussion to have," he said. "The next step is like, 'OK, well we've kind of put in these protective measures now, what do we do about the stuff that kind of got through?' "We're trying to lay down train tracks as the train is coming down." Shawanda, who is Anishinaabe from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, is an assistant professor at McGill University in Montreal. She said she sees a need for Indigenous-specific hiring policies. "We have the OHRC now that we can rely on," she said.
