March 2009

A $100,000 study covered by Health Canada released Monday says the infant mortality rate for First Nations babies in Canada, the Unites States, Australia and New Zealand is up to four times that of other newborns. Dr. Janet Smylie, a researcher at the University of Toronto, says startling health gaps among such diverse populations suggests social deprivation - not genetics - is to blame.

She also spoke of stereotypical and at times racist treatment received by First Nations people and the legacy of abuse exacerbating illness and death.

Posted at 09:47 AM | Permalink

The Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and Health Canada announced the pilot project that will educate practicing doctors on First Nations, Inuit and Metis health topics. The curriculum modules were developed by medical school faculty, aboriginal groups, and elders and include: obstetrics, gynecology, psychiatry and family medicine.

Posted at 09:14 AM | Permalink

At least 18 First Nations in Saskatchewan and Alberta have agreed to lease portions of their properties to One Earth Farms Corp. creating what may become Canada's largest farm. The Canadian investment firm will lease First Nations land on which it will grow crops, raise livestock and employ aboriginal workers.

One Earth is not yet releasing the names of the First Nations it has signed lease agreements or letters of intent with, however, Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine called the partnership a historic, watershed moment.

Posted at 11:56 AM | Permalink

Chiefs from Saskatchewan and Alberta are uniting with Bay Street investors to announce a super-sized one-million-acre operation titled One Earth Farms Corporation. The project is expected to provide 250 jobs for native people across the prairies and will provide First Nations an equity stake in the company. The founder of Sprott Resources Corp., Eric Sprott, will also donate one million dollars to the University of Saskatchewan to create a scholarship fund for Aboriginal students who wish to study agriculture.

Posted at 10:47 AM | Permalink

DreamCatching 2009 for teachers will be held in Winnipeg from May 3 to 6, 2009. The theme is Connecting the Dots: Building a Pathway to Career Awareness through Excellence in Math and Science.

Posted at 08:10 AM | Permalink

Les Leyne of the Times Colonist reports that the B.C. Liberals will now recognize Aboriginal title.

Posted at 02:54 PM | Permalink

The Crown will not appeal the recent acquittal of former First Nations leader David Ahenakew who made anti-Semitic remarks in a 2002 speech and newspaper interview. Dean Sinclair, director of appeals for the Crown, said, "[w]e could not find any reason to think the trial judge committed an error of law nor did we find any of his finding of fact were unreasonable."

Still, a Jewish organization, B'nai Brith has urged the federal government to review existing hate crime legislation. Moreover, the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC), expressed satisfaction with the court's finding and said the controversy has brought Jewish and First Nations groups closer together.

Posted at 11:24 AM | Permalink

The Kwu Silwna'quinx canoeing youth group from Penticton, B.C consists of 13 girls and 2 boys, aged 11-18. The group raised money to buy their own canoes and plan to fly to Scotland where they will paddle the North Sea. The youth group hopes to inspire First Nations Youth to persevere in overcoming their personal obstacles and challenges.

Posted at 09:18 AM | Permalink

The Aboriginal Learning Knowledge Centre is looking for feedback on their holistic lifelong learning models. Aboriginal communities and experts are invited to provide comments by April 30, 2009.

Posted at 08:14 AM | Permalink

There is a new court case regarding consultation and the crown's duty to consult First Nations: Kwikwetlem First Nation v. British Columbia (Utilities Commission) 2009 British Columbia Court of Appeal (BCCA) 68.

Posted at 05:23 AM | Permalink

Luke Simcoe of The StarPhoenix reports that Aboriginal groups were very disappointed in the Saskatchewan budget and view it as a missed opportunity to address the issues of poverty, education and the duty to consult in regards to resource exploitation.

"It is very disappointing that they would discuss resource revenue sharing with everybody but the First Nation people,"

Posted at 08:45 AM | Permalink

The Chronicle Herald reports that an audit of the Federal Governments Native education fund is critical of tracking procedures and that the fund has not kept pace with tuition hikes.

Posted at 10:30 AM | Permalink

Upcoming and past activities of the Aboriginal Learning Knowledge Centre are contained in the Bulletin of March 12, 2009 (pdf).

Posted at 09:20 AM | Permalink

The Winnipeg Free Press reports that the University of Manitoba has received a $50,000 donation from the Manitoba Métis Federation to help Aboriginal doctoral students.

Posted at 01:48 AM | Permalink

Former Prime Minister Paul Martin is leading a $50-million fund to help Aboriginal business and entrepreneurship. He said that some of Canada's top chief executives and business leaders have already expressed interest in getting involved.

Loans are being distributed through the private equity firm CAPE Fund Management. Assembly of First Nations Chief Phil Fontaine said that the CAPE fund represents an "incredible opportunity" to create and promote economic independence for First Nations peoples.

Posted at 08:30 AM | Permalink

Census Help Desk, of Statistics Canada, has reported that there has been an update to the Aboriginal Population Profile:

"Please be advised that an update was required for the 2006 Aboriginal Population Profile, Catalogue no. 92-594-XWE. The issue was rectified on March 3, 2009"

Posted at 08:22 AM | Permalink

Strengthening the Circle is a health and social group for Aboriginal grandmothers in Saskatoon. Shelley Thomas Prokop of the Community-University Institute for Social Research founded the program that helps fight feelings of isolation and loneliness, improves health knowledge and gives some kokums a chance to speak their own language.

About 50 kokums meet for a couple hours each month and Prokop recommends recruiting more grandmothers to join the program and possibly organize more meetings and activities.

Posted at 01:56 PM | Permalink

The First Nations University of Canada (FNUC) will host a meeting next week, March 17, with the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) in Regina. CAUT have placed a "censure" on the First Nation's University citing an unacceptable structure regarding its board of governors. CAUT executive director Jim Turk said "the university should follow the recommendations of two of its own studies by shaving the board to about a dozen experts and severely limiting the participation of politicians such as chiefs on the board."

The provincial government is also holding back $200,000 in operating funds to the university until satisfactory changes are made.

Posted at 02:46 PM | Permalink

A documentary titled 'Downstream' by California based filmmaker Leslie Iwerks, raises awareness about the effects of oilsands developments on a tiny community in northern Alberta. The film illustrates Dr. John O'Connor's years in the community helping people with their illnesses and spreading the word about their difficult situation.http://www.saultstar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1470585

Posted at 10:38 AM | Permalink

Former member of Parliament Jim Pankiw has been dismissed by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal for complaints that he distributed discriminatory political pamphlets directed toward Aboriginal people. In 2002 and 2003, Pankiw was MP for Saskatoon-Humbolt and during that period he distributed three brochures to constituents within his riding. The tribunal released a 13-page decision, dismissing the complaints because the householder brochures were not goods or services, notices, signs, symbols, emblems or other representations.

Posted at 11:14 AM | Permalink

Francisco Javier Hilario presents a seminar on the concepts of Human Development and the re-empowerment of First Nations peoples. The seminar takes place Friday, March 6, 2009, 3:30-5:00pm, in Arts Room 153 at the University of Saskatchewan. See poster for more details.

Posted at 04:00 PM | Permalink

Study Guide for the DVD Niigaanibatowaad: FrontRunners. This Study Guide is to raise awareness within the Anglican, Presbyterian, and United Churches so no church member can ever say "I never knew" and so all residential school survivors can tell their stories.

Please also see:

• The movie trailer on YouTube.
  
• National Film Board's description
  
• Ali Symons' comments on the FrontRunners Study Guide (Anglican Church of Canada)
  

"FrontRunners tells the story of 10 young Aboriginal men chosen to carry the Pan American Games torch from St. Paul, Minn. to Winnipeg, Man. in 1967. When they arrived at the stadium, however, a non-Aboriginal runner was given the honour of carrying the torch inside. Nine of the Aboriginal men were residential school students, and the film traces their journey of suffering and reflection."

Posted at 06:39 AM | Permalink

Dr. Jay Wortman, a past recipient of the Nation Aboriginal Achievement Award, is a physician whose work includes speaking to First Nations people about health. From his personal experience as a Metis from northern Alberta with a strong family history of diabetes, Dr. Wortman argues that First Nations traditional diets, consisting of fish, seafood, game and some edible wild plants, all of which were low in starch and sugar content, results in significant weight loss and improved sugars and lipids.

This is welcome research in light of the high rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes within the Aboriginal population. Dr Wortman endeavors to spread awareness on the benefits of a low-carb lifestyle.

Posted at 12:13 PM | Permalink

Bill Curry of The Globe and Mail tells of new changes to Indigenous governance.

Please also see:

• Taking Action on Governance: First Nation Government Support Program Re-Design Memorandum to Cabinet.
  

Posted at 09:39 AM | Permalink

First Nations University of Canada (FNUC) is under ongoing scrutiny by outside agencies after failing to heed recommendations from a 2005 report and now, a second report, entitled "Toward Long Term Sustainability and Accountability" has made similar recommendations and feels that "... a more aggressive approach is warranted" regarding the "university's plummeting enrollment, growing financial woes, unaccountable management and its politicized board of governors."

Posted at 08:30 AM | Permalink

Brandon Walker of The Daily Press reports that internal Indian & Northern Affairs documents show that portable classrooms in Attawapiskat were probably not inspected by Health Canada. This made it easier for Health Canada to find "no immediate health or safety concerns".

Posted at 04:00 PM | Permalink