The Province of Ontario and Matawa-member First Nations have reached an agreement that will ensure First Nation communities benefit from the proposed Ring of Fire development, reads a press release. The regional framework agreement is a first step in a historic, community-based negotiation process, which began in July 2013. The nine Matawa-member First Nations and Ontario signed the framework agreement March 26 to move forward with a negotiation process on a community-based regional approach to development in the Ring of Fire.

The Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) has partnered with MusiCounts, Canada’s music education charity associated with the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. It’s a program designed to help keep music alive in schools across Canada. APTN has contributed $10,000 to the program and MusiCounts matched that amount. MusiCounts Band Aid Grants were awarded to two schools specifically through this partnership, Eskasoni Elementary and Middle School in Eskasoni, N. S.

First Nation communities in Ontario are lighting up, their homes that is, with green bulbs as part of the Green Light Strategy.  The green lights demonstrate to all who see them healthy families against violence towards women and girls. Karen Kejick is the creator of the idea. She is a member of the Grand Council Treaty #3 Women’s Executive Council. The Strategy began on the Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation with 50 green light bulbs distributed in the community. Other First Nations in northwestern Ontario are enthusiastic to join in.

The Christian Science Monitor reports that the late Shannen Koostachin of Attawapiskat is DC Comics latest character. Koostachin died in a car accident in 2010, but before her death she became known internationally for her activism in the area of education, inspiring a campaign known as Shannen’s Dream. DC Comics writer Jeff Lemire was inspired by Koostachin’s story to include her as a character in a Justice League comic book.

The Edmonton Journal reports that a new assistant

In Canada we take for granted the unfettered right of every individual to vote. That there could be any tampering whatsoever with this cornerstone of democracy seems impossible. But if Bill C-23 is passed, it could actually prevent certain demographics from exercising their right to vote.

North of Powell River, B.C., the ancient village of Tees Kwat may not have been occupied for centuries, but on March 15, Tla’amin (Sliammon) Nation’s original settlement hosted the signing of one of B.C.’s few modern treaties and a journey long in the making for the First Nation.

One of Toronto’s main transportation arteries was shut down on March 22 by activists seeking justice for missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW). About 35 people blocked Lakeshore Boulevard for 40 minutes.

The group had earlier been at a demonstration organized by poverty action groups at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre where the Ontario Liberal Party was holding its assembly. It was only when the rally ended that the MMIW supporters announced plans for further action.

Bridget Tolley is concerned that while politicians hammer out the need for a national public inquiry into murdered and missing Aboriginal women and girls, those who are supposed to be at the centre of the issue will be forgotten.

“A national inquiry would tell a lot, but how many years are we going to stand around calling for this while nothing is being done, and, in the meantime, can’t we start using that money and looking after our women?” asked an emotional Tolley.

More than a year after the missing women inquiry ruled that systemic racism and a “colossal failure” by RCMP and Vancouver police had allowed serial killer Robert Pickton to continue killing for years, B.C. has settled a lawsuit with 13 children of missing women, and announced a $4.9 million fund for 98 such children in the province.

Announcing the fund on March 18, B.C. Attorney General Suzanne Anton said a $50,000 fund for each child of women named in the missing women inquiry final report is “a fair amount” and “the right thing to do.”