Tag Archives: Gov of Canada

Rivers & Oceans

Canada invests more in oceans protection, but measures fail to salvage sinking fishing boat

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

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the next phase of Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan on July 19. It comes with a commitment to add $2 billion over nine years.

This builds on the $1.5 billion that’s been directed towards the program, which was launched in 2016.

Established to strengthen the protection of Canada’s coasts and wildlife, the Oceans Protection Plan is being labelled as a “Canadian success story” by the prime minister’s office (PMO).

Continue reading Canada invests more in oceans protection, but measures fail to salvage sinking fishing boat →
Indigenous Nations, Justice

Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs hosted a Peace and Unity gathering. RCMP made arrests

By Matt Simmons, The Narwhal, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

This week Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs welcomed a delegation from across the country and beyond to the yintah (territory) for a Peace and Unity Summit. Through the four-day event, the chiefs brought together Indigenous leaders, politicians, conservation groups and others to uplift Indigenous sovereignty, share space and join in solidarity with the Hereditary Chiefs in their opposition to the Coastal GasLink pipeline.

“It’s really heartwarming to see all the people coming together in peace and unity across Canada to maintain the solidarity of the Wet’suwet’en,” Dinï ze’ (Hereditary Chief) Madeek told attendees at the event.

“You make history by being peaceful. By being here, being together, being united, knowing that we all have the same heart,” Dinï ze’ Na’Moks said.

Arrests weren’t part of the plan.

Continue reading Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs hosted a Peace and Unity gathering. RCMP made arrests →
Indigenous Nations

National Advisory Committee Formed To Assist In Locating Unmarked Graves

By Jeremy Appel,  Alberta Native News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

(ANNews) – The federal government and National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) announced the formation of a National Advisory Committee on Residential Schools Missing Children and Unmarked Burials on July 20. 

The committee will bring together experts in a variety of fields, including Indigenous laws and cultural protocols, forensics, archeology, archival research, criminal investigations, communication and working with Survivors, to provide Indigenous communities with reliable information on how to identify, locate, and commemorate unmarked gravesites. 

Continue reading National Advisory Committee Formed To Assist In Locating Unmarked Graves →
Rivers & Oceans, Waste

West Coast infrastructure is on the rise to stem the wave of ocean plastics

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Editor’s note: FOCI volunteers carried out a ‘Mother’s Day Beach Clean-up of the beach between Hollyhock and Seaford Road, Cortes Island on May 9, 2022.

Coastal community cleanup groups on eastern Vancouver Island have been itching for the opening of B.C.’s newest ocean debris recycling depot. 

The Cumberland site, operated by Comox Strathcona Waste Management (CSWM) in partnership with the Ocean Legacy Foundation, opened in mid-June to tackle the tonnes of plastic washing ashore in the region, said Stephanie Valdal, CSWM’s waste management services co-ordinator. 

Continue reading West Coast infrastructure is on the rise to stem the wave of ocean plastics →
Indigenous Nations, Spirituality

‘It’s not over by a long stretch’: Residential school survivors await Pope Francis’ visit to Canada this month

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

Pope Francis is set to tour three regions in Canada between July 24 and 29 on what is being called a historic journey of “healing and reconciliation.”

Earlier this year at the Vatican, the Pope apologized to Indigenous representatives from across Canada for “the deplorable behaviour” of members of the Catholic Church who caused harm to Indigenous communities through the residential school system.

Continue reading ‘It’s not over by a long stretch’: Residential school survivors await Pope Francis’ visit to Canada this month →