CBC has learned that Aboriginal Affairs held back $1 billion in funding to Indigenous peoples over five years, allowing critical needs in Aboriginal communities, like potable water, housing and education, to go unmet. In an email to the CBC, Aboriginal Affairs said that “lapsed funds” are carried forward to future needs and used on a variety of programs, though the spokesperson did not specify what the carried forward funds were used for.

The B.C. First Nations Energy and Mining Council released a report June 3 saying mining companies should put dollars toward an emergency fund that would cover the damages caused by disasters like the catastrophic failure of the Mount Polley tailings pond in summer of 2014. The report says that more than 230 communities, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, live nearby the threat of mining operations, with 35 tailings ponds at 26 mines in 48 watersheds, which could impact 8,700 kilometres of fish-bearing waters, said the report.

Niagara-on-the-Lake campus of Niagara College recently celebrated the grand opening of its Aboriginal Student Resource Centre. The dedicated space for Indigenous students will be used for cultural programming, events, workshops and Elder teachings, as well as a place to drop in and hang out, study, use the computers and check out the library for Indigenous resources. The school had been trying for years to open a centre, but limited space at the campus had stalled the endeavour. Niagara College has 180 self-identified Aboriginal students.

The federal government is providing $72,614 in funding through the Aboriginal Languages Initiative to the Wahta Mohawks for language lessons and learning resources for 2015–16. Wahta Mohawks Chief Philip Franks said the First Nation is pleased to get the funding. “This is an important first step in the development of a language program that will form an integral part of the foundation for healing in our community. Healing through language and culture is a renewed focus of our health and social department programs at Wahta Mohawks,” he said in a news release.

A recently released report says public school teachers in Ontario are not receiving enough training on Aboriginal issues. Only 29 per cent of elementary schools and 47 per cent of secondary schools offer training on Aboriginal issues to teachers, said the report by People for Education, a research and advocacy group. The report comes on the heels of the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 recommendations, which included increased education in the classroom on residential schools and Aboriginal peoples.

The Canadian Human Rights
Tribunal recently ruled that the federal government did retaliate against Cindy
Blackstock, president of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society and
ordered the Department of Aboriginal Affairs to pay Blackstock $20,000 for pain
and suffering. The CHRT singled out the behaviour of David McArthur, former
special assistant to then-minister Chuck Strahl. The dispute centres on a
December 2009 meeting at the ministerial headquarters in Gatineau, Que.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler was in court June 9 in support of survivors in an ongoing legal battle with the federal government over documents relating to a 1990’s criminal investigation into widespread child abuse at St. Anne’s Residential School in Fort Albany First Nation.

Annie Johnston and Madeleine Jackson held each other and wept softly as Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner Dr. Marie Wilson talked about the children who had died at residential school, many of whose names were not recorded. And for more than half, the cause of death was not known.

“(Some) died alone in the wilderness, trying to escape from oppression and conditions they suffered at the school. Some children got lost, some drowned, others were eventually found, huddled together, frozen to death,” said Wilson.

THOMPSON HELPS RUSH CAPTURE TITLE

Thanks in part to Jeremy Thompson, the Edmonton Rush managed to capture its first National Lacrosse League (NLL) championship in franchise history.

Thompson, a member of the Onondaga Nation, and his teammates won the NLL title on June 5, thanks to an 11-10 victory over the Toronto Rock. With the win, Edmonton swept the best-of-three championship final in the minimum two matches.

Chief Bryan LaForme has a busy schedule these days. And
LaForme, the Chief of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, will continue to have his share of additional duties for the next couple of months.

That’s because his First Nation has been designated as host First Nation for both the Pan American Games and the Parapan American Games, which will be held in Toronto and surrounding communities this summer.