Chiefs from across Ontario will enter into the second of a three-day meeting with the Ontario Government today, focusing on roundtable discussions with several members of Premiere Kathleen Wynne’s Cabinet. The purpose of the gathering is to renew a committed relationship between First Nations and the Province of Ontario in...
Ontario announces commitment to develop Treaty Awareness Day
The Province of Ontario has committed to moving forward with the development of a Treaty Awareness day, announced the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs David Zimmer in the Provincial Legislature today. “We support the initiative of a Treaty Awareness Day, and know that there is a benefit to educating residents of...
First Nations Chiefs in Ontario to meet with Premiere and Ministers at three-day gathering
MEDIA ADVISORY |Chiefs from the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians will join Chiefs from First Nations across Ontario for a three-day gathering at Queen’s Park this week. The gathering will include roundtable discussions with Cabinet Members, culminating in a meeting with Premiere Kathleen Wynne on Friday. The purpose of...
Ontario First Nations celebrate 20 years of Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy
First Nations organizations in Ontario are commemorating 20 years of programs and funding through the Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy (AHWS) at a two-day anniversary conference in Thunder Bay. The event will welcome more than 300 attendees on November 19-20 to recognize the programs and people that have provided vital...
Local leader in First Nations family services to receive lifetime achievement award for work in ending violence against women
The lead administrator for London’s Atlohsa Native Family Healing Services, Darlene Ritchie, will receive the John Robinson Lifetime Contribution Award for her work in ending women abuse at a ceremony Thursday evening. As a partner organization in the community, the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians (AIAI) recognizes and congratulates...
Aboriginal Affairs department uses infrastructure funds to keep social and education programs afloat but still underfunded
Despite the fact that Finance Minister Joe Oliver announced 5 years of federal surplus today, Canada’s Aboriginal Affairs department is deep in the red, and inequitably underfunding services to First Nations. Internal documents released from within the department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) show that the department...
A reflection on First Nations contributions to the First and Second World Wars
Every year on Remembrance Day I think about my grandfathers, father, uncles, and the 6,000 First Nations soldiers who served alongside the Canadian Forces throughout the First and Second World Wars. These men and women were not Canadian citizens and not subject to conscription efforts. Regardless, they volunteered and stood...
First Nations Chief challenges Harper’s income splitting policy as inequitable
This week Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced a $2.7 Billion income-splitting policy which will provide the greatest benefit to the highest income earners while short-handing low-income families. Nearly half of all benefits will flow to those making over $100,000 a year. The single biggest share of the almost $3 billion...
An open letter to all Canadians and members of the media
On Wednesday, October 22, people across Canada stood together, collectively watching a tragedy unfold in Ottawa. Thoughts and prayers reached out from all across the country in solidarity with those in the capital. I would like to express my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo....
Equal Services for First Nations Kids: Human Rights Tribunal to Hear Closing Remarks After 7 Years
Seven years ago, two organizations representing First Nations in Canada launched a human rights discrimination complaint against the federal government arguing flawed and inequitable services for First Nations children. During the week of October 20-24, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal will finally hear the closing arguments for this case. The...