THIS is why the First Nations People don't just move away from these reserves, isolated or not...this is their HOME, and has been for thousands of years. THANK YOU GreyWolf for teaching me something new today!

Asubpeeschoseewagong First Nation is an Ojibway First Nation band government who inhabit northern Kenora in Ontario, Canada. Students at Grassy Narrows wrote and recorded an original song inspired by their home community.

[video:https://youtu.be/RY0MxIieVfs]

Full music video

[video:https://youtu.be/EgaYz8YWsO8]

Métis (pronounced 'may-TEE' in English and 'may-TEES' in French)

Apr 12, 2016 8:08 PM

Decision on whether to grant Indian status could improve access to federal programs

This is JUST being reported and isn't online yet. I am watching it live on CBC... I will have more as it becomes available. This will effect 200,000 Métis and 400,000 non-status aboriginal people.

Edit: Unanimous Supreme Court decision gives Métis "Indian" status under Canadian Constituion.

Supreme Court rules Métis, non-status aboriginals are "Indians" under Canada's 1867 Constitution

SEAN FINE - JUSTICE WRITER

The Globe and Mail
Published Thursday, Apr. 14, 2016 9:54AM EDT
Last updated Thursday, Apr. 14, 2016 9:55AM EDT

The Métis are “Indians” within the meaning of Canada’s 1867 Constitution, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously Thursday, setting the stage for possible negotiations over land and government education and health programs.

And non-status Indians, those of aboriginal ancestry who for various reasons have not been permitted to register for federal benefits, are also within the definition, the court said.

“Both federal and provincial governments have, alternately, denied having legislative authority over non-status Indians and Métis,” Justice Rosalie Abella wrote for the court. “This results in these Indigenous communities being in a jurisdictional wasteland with significant and obvious disadvantaging consequences. While finding Métis and non-status Indians to be “Indians” under s. 91(24) [of the 1867 Constitution] does not create a duty to legislate, it has the undeniably salutary benefit of ending a jurisdictional tug-of-war.”

edit: Live feed Canada's top court to rule on Métis, non-status Indian rights

Ontario Announces 24-Hour Mental Health Support
By The Canadian Press
Posted: 04/14/2016 7:09 am EDT Updated: 1 hour ago

ATTAWAPISKAT, Ont. — Ontario's health minister announced measures Wednesday aimed at helping an isolated First Nation cope with a suicide emergency.

Eric Hoskins visited Attawapiskat, near James Bay in northern Ontario, and met with leaders to discuss the crisis.

He announced that the province will provide up to $2 million for a so-called youth regional co-ordination unit and deployment of additional health-care workers and support staff to the community.

They include four psychological health workers, up to five nurses, two security staff, one communications officer and one incident manager.

Those workers will provide around-the-clock mental health support, and evening and night nursing clinical support, Hoskins said.

"Our government will be working with the community in the coming days to determine other supports and investments that can be made to help address this crisis,'' Hoskins said in a statement.

"The provincial government, the local band council and the community will hold a forum to develop a long-term plan to support the community to ensure the people of Attawapiskat — particularly youth — feel safe, respected and supported.''

Attawapiskat residents remain loyal to the troubled community
CBC News Posted: Apr 14, 2016 9:29 AM ET| Last Updated: Apr 14, 2016 3:02 PM ET

Many feel a deep attachment to the land; others would leave if they could, but it's not so easy

At Jerry Nakogee's camp, where dozens of Attawapiskat youths have gathered for an evening bonfire, the longtime resident, who says his son recently attempted to kill himself, explains why he would never leave the remote First Nations reserve.

"When you grow up in a small community, you adapt to the community. You just can't leave, just like that," said Nakogee, who used his camp to host the youth community event. "You can't run away from big problems. You have to deal with them. There's always a way to deal with problems like this."

Attawapiskat trip leaves Ont. health minister devastated yet hopeful

The Canadian Press
Published Thursday, April 14, 2016 11:59AM EDT
Last Updated Thursday, April 14, 2016 3:46PM EDT

TORONTO -- Ontario's health minister says his visit to a remote First Nations community in the midst of a suicide crisis was just as devastating as the years he spent as a doctor in war zones around the world.

Eric Hoskins travelled on Wednesday to Attawapiskat, where dozens of youth have tried to kill themselves over the past few months.

In addition to a three-hour meeting with community leaders, he also sat down for a few hours with dozens of young people, all of whom have been touched by suicide, including friends and family members either killing themselves or trying to.

Among those in attendance were children around the same age as the nine-year-old who was part of what officials called a suicide pact by 13 young people on the reserve earlier this week.

First Nations Health Care Needs 'Drastic Change,' Doctor Tells Committee

The Canadian Press
Posted: 04/14/2016 10:16 pm EDT

OTTAWA — The system used to deliver medical services to First Nations introduces unnecessary barriers to care and often prevents doctors from doing their jobs, an Ontario physician bluntly told a parliamentary committee on Thursday.

Dr. Michael Kirlew, a doctor based in Sioux Lookout, Ont., urged the federal government to take "drastic change" to save lives.

"The more time that we wait, the more children will die. I appeal to you today, not as politicians, not as members of political parties ... let's return the humanity to this process. This process needs that humanity."

Kirlew, who travels to communities near Sioux Lookout to provide care, said First Nations people living on reserve receive a standard of health care that is far inferior to what other people get.

Occupy INAC focuses national attention on Attawapiskat

On Wednesday, Indigenous activists and their allies, including members of Black Lives Matter in Toronto, began an occupation at the INAC offices. Now in its second day, the #OccupyINAC action has inspired similar sit-ins at INAC offices in James Bay and Winnipeg. A solidarity rally is planned tonight outside the occupation at 25 St. Clair Ave E in Toronto, beginning at 6:30pm.

Ricochet has been present throughout the occupation, producing this exclusive series of four video reports over the past 24 hours. Stay tuned for more coverage.

Sending counsellors to Attawapiskat won’t help

The tragic epidemic of suicide attempts in the remote Ontario community of Attawapiskat reminds us again of all that is wrong with aboriginal policy in this country. Especially the self-satisfied, fatuous response to it.

The crisis came to media and political attention when band leaders declared a state of emergency after 11 suicide attempts on Saturday, April 9, alone. But 101 people aged 11 to 71 have apparently tried to kill themselves since September, in a place with fewer than 2,000 residents and clearly far too little hope to go around. Obviously a dramatic solution is needed.

Instead two levels of government rushed in social workers. The feds sent about 18 well-meaning people, including a “crisis co-ordinator,” two youth support workers, a psychologist and two mental-health counsellors. Meanwhile, three of Attawapiskat’s four health-care workers have been sent to Thunder Bay for counselling of their own.

Then the Ontario ministers of health, and children and youth services, flew in, saying, “We have to roll our sleeves up and make this time different.” And $2 million in emergency funding was promised for more mental-health workers, a regional youth centre and some sort of long-term strategy. The chief proclaimed the response “awesome.” But it’s not. It’s awful.

Visual Essay - Real life on the rez
by Louise Bernice Halfe
Photography by Larry Towell
October 15, 2014 • 2,243 words

Alberta signs historic agreement with Treaty 8 First Nations

By Otiena Ellwand
First posted: Tuesday, April 26, 2016 01:45 PM MDT Updated: Tuesday, April 26, 2016 02:51 PM MDT

Alberta signs historic agreement with Treaty 8 First Nations
(Left to right) Deputy Grand Chief Isaac Laboucan-Avirom, Premier Rachel Notley and Indigenous Relations Minister Richard Feehan exchange gifts after signing a protocol agreement between the Government of Alberta and Treaty 8 First Nations at the Alberta Legislature in Edmonton, Alta., on Tuesday April 26, 2016. Photo by Ian Kucerak

Premier Rachel Notley signed a protocol agreement with aboriginal leaders Tuesday, promising better collaboration and co-operation with First Nations in northern Alberta.

Deputy Grand Chief Isaac Laboucan-Avirom of Treaty 8 called it a "historic day," saying that “actions will speak louder than words.”

Money coming for First Nation punished in 1885 Rebellion

FSIN applauds efforts of Beardy's and Okemasis First Nations
CBC News Posted: Apr 06, 2016 12:46 PM CT| Last Updated: Apr 06, 2016 12:46 PM CT

A Saskatchewan First Nation is getting ready to be compensated for actions taken by the federal government more than 130 years ago.

Today, the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations publicly stated its support for the Beardy's and Okemasis First Nation. The community wants to receive compensation for actions taken by the federal government after the 1885 Riel Rebellion.

Last May, the Specific Claims Tribunal ruled that the Crown erred in not paying treaty annuities.

Published on Oct 8, 2015

Canada has the world's second-largest supply of fresh water, but 169 First Nation communities have limited or no access to it. Nearly a quarter of the First Nations communities administered by Health Canada are currently without clean water. The alerts issued by the federal government range from "boil water advisories" going back more than 20 years to crippling "Do Not Consume" orders. VICE goes to Shoal Lake 40, a reserve only a few hours from Winnipeg that sits on a manmade island. The lake the reserve sits on supplies Winnipeg's drinking water, but Shoal Lake 40 has been under a boil water advisory for 17 years. In part two, we go to Neskantaga, a remote fly-in where the federal government opts to deliver rations of bottled water to rather than repair the treatment plant that would provide jobs and consistent water. VICE Canada meets with the chiefs, the political negotiators and the young residents who have spent their whole lives without accessible clean water.