Weekly Round-Up, April 8 2022
April 8 2022
A lot has been happening lately across Turtle Island. We know it can be hard to keep up, so we’ve compiled a list of news, events, and big stories related to Indigeneity and the climate crisis.
OPPORTUNITIES:
ICA is hiring: Communications Manager
Indigenous Climate Action (ICA) is looking for someone who is ambitious, personable and passionately committed to true Indigenous Climate Justice to serve as its Communications Manager. This position requires a deep understanding of the intersectional approaches of climate justice and Indigenous rights and nurturing relationships with communities through various online platforms.
ICA is hiring: Executive Assistant
Indigenous Climate Action (ICA) is looking for someone who is ambitious, personable and passionately committed to true Indigenous Climate Justice to serve as the Executive Assistant to the Executive Director and the Associate Director of ICA.
NEWS:
5 Anishinabek First Nations in Ontario sign agreement with Ottawa that would allow them to self-govern
April 7 2022
Five communities within the Anishinabek Nation in Ontario have signed an agreement with the federal government that would see them move away from the Indian Act and into self-governance. Moose Deer Point, Wahnapitae, Nipissing, Magnetawan and Zhiibaahaasing First Nations signed the historic agreement this week with the federal government.
Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation settles $43M land claim with Canada, Saskatchewan
April 7 2022
The Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation in Saskatchewan has reached a settlement in its Treaty Land Entitlement Claim, that’s been in the works since 2001. The joint settlement will see Canada provide $30.7 million and Saskatchewan will provide the remaining $12.6 million. As part of the agreement, the First Nation will have the option of buying up to 40,659 additional acres to add to their reserve lands.
Melina Laboucan-Massimo’s statement at the RBC AGM
April 7 2022
On April 7th, Melina Loboucan-Massimo spoke at RBC’s AGM. Later, she joined a press conference alongside Wet’suwet’en Hereditary chiefs and Sleydo’ (Molly Wickam).
Report Offers First Nations a Blueprint for Reclaiming Mining Sovereignty
April 7 2022
B.C.’s mining laws don’t match up with the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act in B.C., according to the First Nations Energy and Mining Council and the Elders they have on board. To address the gap — until the province revamps its laws — the council has been pushing Indigenous nations to take back sovereignty through their own laws and traditions. Their most recent report, “Indigenous Sovereignty: Implementing Consent for Mining on Indigenous Lands,” offers 25 recommendations for how Indigenous nations can do this.
UNDRIP plan in B.C. offers ‘true transformation and reconciliation’ says chief
April 7 2022
First Nations leaders in British Columbia are hopeful following the announcement of a five-year action plan to implement UNDRIP or the United Nations Declaration on The Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Declaration Act Action Plan outlines 89 steps for each ministry to improve the lives of Indigenous Peoples in the province. Cheryl Casimer, of First Nations Summit, was optimistic following last Wednesday’s announcement that was co-developed by the province and Indigenous leaders, such as the First Nations Leadership Council, which includes the Assembly of First Nations, First Nations Summit and Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC).
Métis Nation of Alberta marks historic return of bison to traditional lands
April 4 2022
The Métis Nation of Alberta says the arrival of 20 wood bison at a site northeast of Edmonton is a milestone for reconciliation. The bison, which were transported to Métis Crossing from Elk Island National Park on Feb. 22, are part of an education and experience program led by the Métis Nation in partnership with the park.
This 23-year-old McMaster student wants to see more Indigenous perspectives included in science
March 25 2022
Sage Hartmann, a fifth-year McMaster University science student from Red River Métis Nation in Manitoba, is out to centre Indigenous perspectives within the school's Faculty of Science, something she says there is desire for but not yet enough action on.
ACTIONS & EVENTS:
Wet'suwet'en Solidarity: Organizing Call
April 10 2022, 4:00 pm PDT
On April 10th, join Land Defenders to hear how you can get organized in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en fight against the Coastal Gaslink Pipeline! #NoMoreDirtyBanks #RBCisKillingMe
Webinar: EFC Speaker Series: Indigenous leadership in climate policy advocacy
April 19 2022, 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm Eastern Time
Acknowledging and upholding the role of Indigenous leadership in climate policy advocacy is probably one of the most important moral and strategic issues facing the climate movement in so-called Canada. It’s also one of the most complex, because it challenges deeply held, deeply entrenched systems of belief, knowledge and identity (especially within the white colonial structures of power that have dominated until now).