The Liberal government’s promised move to dissolve Indigenous Affairs and Northern Development (INAC) and replace it with separate departments reached a milestone Monday with the creation of two new ministries. Read the rest of this entry
Blog Archives
Indigenous Affairs is no more — departmental split is underway, Liberal government says
Canada’s Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, Carolyn Bennett, left, and Minister of Indigenous Services Jane Philpott take part in a cabinet shuffle at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on August 28, 2017.
‘We are tearing down the outdated and paternalistic structure of old,’ Carolyn Bennett says
By John Paul Tasker, CBC News, Dec 4, 2017
Criminalization of Indigenous Communities
Voices-Voix, August 1, 2017
In January 2017, Public Safety Canada (PS) disclosed that the Government Operations Centre (GOC) gathers information on Indigenous rallies for the purpose of “maintaining awareness” of events that may impact the safety and security of Canadians and events effecting the national interest. According to PS, the information gathered consisted generally of the date, location and purpose of the protests and rallies, including in relation to missing and murdered Indigenous women. Natural Resources Canada also reported that they monitor publicly available information such as Twitter, Facebook and media reports regarding protest activities that may impact the department, its employees or facilities. Read the rest of this entry
Government delays shutdown of Indian status-registration amid legislative deadlock
After a Quebec judge refused to give parliament more time to pass a bill to fix sex-based inequities in registration, another judge prevented Monday a complete shut-down of the process — for now
by Marie-Danielle Smith, National Post, July 4, 2017
OTTAWA — The Liberal government has prevented — or at least delayed — a complete shutdown of the Indian status registration system via a last-minute effort.
A Quebec judge decided last week not to give parliament more time to pass an already-overdue law fixing sex-based inequities in the registration system. The rules, found to be unconstitutional, were to be struck down this week. Read the rest of this entry
Inside INAC’s ‘coup d’état’ that decapitated Algonquin leadership system
Algonquins of Barriere Lake hold protest in Ottawa, 2010
By Shiri Pasternak, APTN National News, May 27, 2017
Before the axe dramatically fell on Barriere Lake’s customary government in August 2010, there were many forewarnings that the customary band’s days were numbered.
As early as 1995, during the first leadership crisis with the IBC, the Department of Indian Affairs debated imposing Section 74 of the Indian Act onto the community as an exit strategy to the Trilateral Agreement. In March 2008, an internal report summarizing impact scenarios of Ratt council recognition over the Nottaway council also offered the possibility of not recognizing both councils and instead imposing Section 74 on the community. Read the rest of this entry
Regina protest packs up after 4 months camped out on Albert Street
After a meeting with the INAC administration and Health Canada representatives, the camp has packed up
CBC News, August 21, 2016
The longest-running Colonialism No More solidarity camp has come to end after four months of protest and occupation in Regina.
Back in April. after a rash of suicides on the Attawapiskat First Nation in northern Ontario, a group occupied Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) office in Toronto and from there other camps and occupations sprung up across the country. Read the rest of this entry
‘Colonialism No More’ camp outside Regina’s INAC office surpasses 100 days
Photo: Eagle Feather News
Regina’s “Colonialism No More” camp has now reached a new milestone: 101 days.
Back in April, groups across Canada held rallies to address the First Nation suicide crisis at the Attawapiskat First Nation.
Since then, camps in Vancouver and Toronto have since packed up but Regina’s camp outside the local Indigenous and Northern Indigenous Affairs (INAC) office has remained strong. Read the rest of this entry
Colonialism No More group in Regina asked to move their tents
CTV News, June 28, 2016
The “Colonialism No More” group camped out in front of the Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) Office in Regina is being asked to move their tents.
Sue Deranger, a member of the rally says the owner of the building and the property manager both approached the group and informed them they would like to landscape the space they are currently camping on. Read the rest of this entry
Regina solidarity camp reaches one month anniversary
Photo: Eagle Feather News
The Colonialism No More Solidarity Camp officially began its occupation outside of the Indigenous and Northern Affairs (INAC) offices in downtown Regina on Monday, April 18th.
The Camp, initially formed in solidarity with the Attawapiskat youth and the community’s declaration of a suicide crisis, operates solely on a volunteer basis for all day-to-day requirements. The Camp pushes for 3-4 occupiers to spend the night and calls on the community to bring meals and other essentials. Read the rest of this entry
Chief’s bid to restore funding ‘ridiculous,’ say members of Liard First Nation
Chief Daniel Morris filed documents asking Federal Court to restore First Nation’s control of funding
By Phillippe Morin, CBC News, May 6, 2016
A group of Liard First Nation members is opposed to a recent court action launched by their chief and council.
In early April, Chief Daniel Morris filed court documents in Vancouver asking the Federal Court to restore the First Nation’s control of federal funding.
The First Nation, based in Watson Lake, Yukon, has been under third-party management for two years. The condition was imposed after it fell more than $700,000 in debt and failed to abide by the Federal First Nations Transparency Act. Read the rest of this entry
Protesters claim victory after doors open at INAC office in Regina
Tents outside the Regina offices of INAC, April 18, 2016. Photo: Adriana Christianson/CJME News
Group still camped in front of building demands government address health services on First Nations
The Canadian Press, April 29, 2016
Protesters camping outside the Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada office in Regina are claiming victory after the doors to the federal office opened to the public for the first time in nearly two weeks.
Protester Robin Pitawanakwat said they just want the department to once again start serving the public they are paid to serve.
