Tag Archives: First Nations Leadership Council

Indigenous Nations, Politics

Rustad’s Indigenous policy announcement adds insult to injury, say First Nations

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

First Nations leaders are dismayed BC Conservative Leader John Rustad chose to announce his party’s proposed Indigenous policy on the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. 

The national holiday is a day of mourning that honours children and the survivors of residential schools, and acknowledges ongoing impacts to their families and communities. 

It’s not an appropriate occasion for a political leader to proclaim his agenda for how he plans to work with Indigenous peoples should he become leader, Cheryl Casimer, First Nations Summit political executive told Canada’s National Observer — particularly when that statement fails to uphold a commitment to Indigenous rights and title and the province’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA). 

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Indigenous Nations, Women

sɛƛakəs Harmony Johnson: Lead with your values

Originally published on qathet Living

Tla’amin Nation’s Harmony Johnson has dedicated her professional life to making change. Because so much has to change. 

The consultant, who lives between Tsleil-Waututh Territory and Tishosum, has been behind some of the biggest moments in reconciliation in qathet, BC and across Canada. They include working on the Tla’amin treaty; recording elders speaking ayajuthem; leading policy work with the First Nations Summit and First Nations Leadership Council; shaping and launching the First Nations Health Authority; writing Written as I Remember It with her grandmother, Elsie Paul; and authoring “They Sigh or Give You the Look: Discrimination and Status Card Usage” on behalf of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs – in response to the handcuffing assault by police of Maxwell Johnson and his 12-year-old granddaughter in a Vancouver bank. 

And so much more. 

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Indigenous Nations, Rivers & Oceans

New land-based fish farm proposed in Gold River

By Melissa Renwick, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Gold River, BC – A new land-based steelhead fish farm is being proposed in Gold River at the site of a former pulp and paper mill that closed in the ‘90s. 

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Indigenous Nations, Justice

The shooting of Jared Lowndes

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“The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is calling for justice, accountability, an inquest, and a higher level of oversight in the aftermath of the RCMP’s shooting of Jared Lowndes on July 8, 2021. The incident, which saw no attempt at de-escalation from the RCMP, left the 38-year-old father dead, his family seeking answers, and a community divided, as racist, hateful sentiments begin to rise.”

– First Nations Leadership Council

CKTZ News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

There are many questions surrounding the death of Jared Lowndes, a 38-year-old Indigenous man, at the hands of the Campbell River RCMP.

“Our investigation will determine what actually happened. Just because it is on social media doesn’t mean it is, or isn’t, factual. We’ll do our best to determine what happened and if appropriate, before we complete our investigation, we will consider releasing some facts,” said Ron MacDonald, Chief Civilian Director of the Independent Investigations Office (IIO).  

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Indigenous Nations, Rivers & Oceans

First Nations feel betrayed by court decision

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

First Nations backing Ottawa’s plan to phase out salmon farms in the Discovery Islands feel betrayed after a court ruled in favour of aquaculture companies looking to restock fish at their sites in the region.

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