Category Archives: Indigenous Nations

Indigenous Nations, Justice

Reshaping a B.C. court to include Indigenous values

By Nora O’Malley, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Tofino, B.C. – Direct efforts are underway to address the distrust and problematic history First Nations face within Canada’s justice system.

At the beginning of May, Tofino Provincial Court was relocated from the Tofino Community Hall to the Tin Wis Conference Centre on Tla-o-qui-aht-First Nations traditional territory. Court will continue to be held at this new location on Tla-o-qui-aht land for the next few years.

Tin Wis is the former site of Christie Indian Residential School.

“It used to be the gymnasium of the residential school. It holds a lot of significance,” said Tla-o-qui-aht Justice Manager Curtis Joseph (Tayiisimčił).

Continue reading Reshaping a B.C. court to include Indigenous values →
Indigenous Nations, Politics

First Nations criticism of Danielle Smith goes national

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

(ANNews) – The national advocacy organization for Treaty First Nations has joined the chorus of First Nations telling Alberta premier Danielle Smith that a referendum on Alberta independence would be illegitimate without consulting the land’s original inhabitants.

“Any proposed separation of Alberta from Canada would be fundamentally illegitimate and unconstitutional without the explicit, prior, informed and collective consent of the First Nations whose lands and rights predate the formation of the province and of Canada,” Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak said in a May 12 news release.

Continue reading First Nations criticism of Danielle Smith goes national →
Environment, Indigenous Nations

BC’s development agenda tramples rights, First Nation leaders warn

By Sonal Gupta, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Indigenous leaders across BC are sounding the alarm over two new provincial bills they say threaten to undermine their people’s rights and weaken environmental safeguards.

The legislation introduced by Premier David Eby’s government aims to fast-track major infrastructure developments and clean energy projects. But First Nations leaders argue the bills were developed without the proper consultation required under BC’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA).

Continue reading BC’s development agenda tramples rights, First Nation leaders warn →
Indigenous Nations

New book offers an easy-to-read primer on Indigenous Rights

By Regan Treewater, Alberta Native News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

(ANNews) – “This book is not intended for lawyers,” begins author Bruce McIvor in his new book Indigenous Rights in One Minute: What You Need to Know to Talk Reconciliation. “It’s meant for non-lawyers interested in Canada’s commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, and how to make it a reality” (10).

Continue reading New book offers an easy-to-read primer on Indigenous Rights →
Indigenous Nations, Rivers & Oceans

Ancient clam gardens nourish the Mamalilikulla’s past and future

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Mamalilikulla Chief Winidi, or John Powell, wiggles his pitchfork back and forth to loosen the sand and gravel along a remote stretch of beach in the Broughton Archipelago, sandwiched between Vancouver Island and the BC mainland.

As he churns over layers of sediment, a fistful of clams surface with a couple of disturbingly large, fiery red marine worms that flail hundreds of legs to rapidly burrow back into the sand.

“Look at all those worms. That’s a good sign,” Powell said.  

“You see those a lot when you’re digging. They seem to aerate the soil.” 

Continue reading Ancient clam gardens nourish the Mamalilikulla’s past and future →