Tag Archives: UNDRIP

Indigenous Nations History, Politics

Jody Wilson-Raybould tells Ottawa to take responsibility for reconciliation

Warning: This story contains details that may provoke distress or trauma in some readers.

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Jody Wilson-Raybould endured a salvo of emotions as news broke confirming the unmarked graves of 215 children at the Kamloops Indian Residential School at Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc.

The Independent MP for the riding of Vancouver Granville, former justice minister, and member of the We Wai Kai Nation was in her home community on Quadra Island, B.C., when she heard.

The initial surge of incredible sadness was pursued by increasing anger and a fixed sense of frustration.

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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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Indigenous Nations, Rivers & Oceans

Horgan’s criticism of federal decision ironic, says Chief Chris Roberts

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Campbell River Mirror, Local Journalism Reporter

B.C. Premier John Horgan’s criticism of the federal government’s handling the Discovery Islands fish farm consultation is ironic, says Chris Roberts, chief of the Wei Wai Kum First Nation.

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Health, Indigenous Nations

Workers tackling anti-Indigenous racism: scapegoating and ‘backlash’ at Island Health

By Odette Auger, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, also Lindsay Sample and Emilee Gilpin, the Discourse

Several current and former staff at Island Health are raising concerns after what they say has been a dismantling of the Indigenous Health department’s cultural safety facilitation team.

The staff allege that during the province’s 2020 investigation into Indigenous-specific racism in the health care system detrimental changes were made to their team. This included the firing of long-time cultural safety facilitator and then-Acting South Island Manager of Indigenous Health, Yvette Ringham-Cowan.

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Indigenous Nations, Politics

An Indigenous author explains Why the Indian Act must go

Campbell River Mirror, Local Journalism Reporter

Last week in a virtual Q & A session, Indigenous author Bob Joseph was asked “How will people know that they’ve achieved reconciliation?”

Joseph answered, “When people are at peace with the past.”

The first step is moving away from the Indian Act, according to Joseph, who advocates for First Nations heading towards self-governance, self-reliance and self-determination.

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