Ontario Birchbark

David Zimmer is the new minister of Aboriginal Affairs. “We enjoyed a positive relationship with Minister Zimmer in his previous capacity as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and we look forward to building on that relationship,” said Métis Nation of Ontario President Gary Lipinski in a news release. Lipinski attended the swearing-in ceremony on Feb. 11.…

In her Speech from the Throne on Feb. 19, Ontario’s new Premier Kathleen Wynne pledged to ensure that Aboriginal peoples “share in every opportunity.”  In portions that specifically addressed Aboriginal communities, the speech stated, “Your government is working with Aboriginal communities to ensure that the benefits of resource development are shared and opportunities for education, training…

The federal government is reviewing a decision by the Ontario Superior Court that it must disclose and provide all documents to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission related to the Indian residential schools era. In the House of Commons on Jan. 30, then-Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan said, “The decision is anything but clear-cut. The discussion, in terms of relevant documents, was…

Former Prime Minister Paul Martin speaks to students about Aboriginal history, culture and traditions at Free the Children’s We Stand Together launch at Monarch Park Collegiate. The campaign is a partnership with Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative.

The 10-day campaign for the third annual We Stand Together in Support of Aboriginal Education kicked off  Feb. 25 across the…

The Turtle Island Garden Club, started in spring 2012, is about more than growing vegetables.

Joanne Mitchell began her own garden work a number of years ago when personal problems became too much. After realizing the “healing experience” of working with her hands and growing things, she pitched the idea of a garden club to the Can Am Urban Native Homes.

“There were so many…

In 10 years, the small log cabin by Slant Lake–just off-reserve at Asubpeeschoseewagong (Grassy Narrows) First Nation in northwest Ontario–has been home to hundreds, from anti-clearcutting community members to non-Native environmental allies and warriors of other Indigenous nations.
On Dec. 2, the sacred fire by the Slant Lake blockade was re-lit, the one-room cabin warmed, and stories of…

There’s a dust-up on the horizon in northern Ontario. The shot was fired when a mining industry representative took aim on First Nation rights. The bullet came in the form of comments made at a recent mining symposium by Solid Gold Resources CEO Darryl Stretch.

Stretch referred to First Nations as “hostile third-party governments,” frustrations stemming, in part, from being blocked from…

A rally at the federal Aboriginal Affairs building at 25 St. Clair Avenue East in Toronto on Oct. 11 marked the third protest in two weeks by Six Nations citizens and supporters.

Six weeks into the school year, textbooks, curriculum materials and other supplies that were ordered in May had yet to be delivered by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC).  The Six…

First Nations, led by Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), have filed a complaint with the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal against the Thunder Bay Police Service.

“It is regrettable that my clients are put in this box and had to go to the Human Rights Tribunal to find an objective process. But certainly the public comments of the chief of police and of the mayor ... completely undermine any hope…

If treaty annuities—the yearly payout to status Indians under some of Canada’s historic agreements— were stock market investments, their rate-of-return might leave stock traders scratching their heads.

The 1850 Robinson Huron Treaty signed with the Anishinabek is one such example of Canada neither respecting the spirit nor letter of the agreements.

Originally offering First…

First Nations, led by Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), have filed a complaint with the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal against the Thunder Bay Police Service.

“It is regrettable that my clients are put in this box and had to go to the Human Rights Tribunal to find an objective process. But certainly the public comments of the chief of police and of the mayor ... completely undermine any hope…

As far as Mary Spencer is concerned, time flies quickly, so the 27-year-old Ojibwe boxer who lives in Windsor, Ont. does not mind having to wait another four years for another shot at Olympic glory.

Spencer had originally hoped to be a retired boxer by now. But things didn’t go quite as planned for her at the recent London Olympics.

The three-time world champion had been…

When the federal Police Officers Recruitment Fund concludes, that loss of funding will have an immediate and obvious impact on policing in Treaty 3.

“That’s 10 per cent of our (police) service basically,” said Treaty 3 Police Chief Conrad DeLaronde.

In 2008, the federal government allocated $400 million for a five-year period through the Police Officers Recruitment Fund. That…

Smoke from the sacred fire and sage smudges swirled in the breeze during the Elders’ Council held in Sheguiandah First Nation, Ont. on Aug. 10.

Elders from the United Chiefs and Councils of Mnidoo Mnising First Nations (UCCMM) met on the side of Highway 6 in front of the Elders’ building in Sheguiandah, a protest site where members had been camping for 18 days. A few tipis are up, along…

Ontario chiefs are looking for a “more aggressive” style of leadership.

“Times are changing in Canada and Ontario and … I’ve been advocating to the chiefs we need to be a lot more aggressive, we need to be a lot more vocal to make sure that we are being counted,” said Stan Beardy, newly elected regional chief for the Assembly of First Nations.

In two rounds of voting on June 27,…