The government just introduced another speech from the throne, outlining new spending and its legislative priorities for the coming session. When it comes to Indigenous policy, the speech included the usual increased funding for specific programs and services, often...
One of the main reasons for the lack of progress on the federal Indigenous file is the lack of united support among First Nations for real change. Sadly, our non-Indigenous political leaders do not talk about this, former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau being one...
In 2020, for many Canadians in remote and Northern regions – in both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities – access to reliable cell phone coverage is still a distant reality. That should be a national scandal. Politicians of all stripes continue to promise...
When we start discussing the inevitable economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic, both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick should lift restrictions on natural gas fracking. Natural gas prices are at lows, but that will not stay the case forever. Energy industry...
The finance ministers of over 130 nations and territories have arrived at a tentative agreement that will create a tax floor—a minimum corporate tax rate of a proposed 15 per cent. Its proponents, including Ottawa, sadly, claim it will create a “level playing field”...
Starting September 7th, 2021, the Ontario government required all workers in high-risk settings to either take the COVID-19 vaccine, provide a medical reason for refusing vaccination or undergo regular testing and education. This includes workers in healthcare,...
First Nations poverty may be Canada's most important moral issue in generations. Perry Bellegarde, the newly elected national chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), cites United Nations statistics showing the tragic gap between First Nations and the rest of...
First Nations poverty may be Canada’s most important moral issue in generations. Perry Bellegarde, the newly elected national chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), cites United Nations statistics showing the tragic gap between First Nations and the rest of...
Band custom election codes may not always be what they are cracked up to be. This should be a warning for Manitoba First Nations that come under these systems. Band custom allows an Indigenous community to be removed from the Indian Act's electoral processes and...
Nationally, 2015 should be an interesting year on the Aboriginal file. However, what specifically should Manitoba First Nations leaders expect? What follows is a list of priority issues that should be confronted by Manitoba First Nations. The first issue is missing...
Saskatchewan's Perry Bellegarde faces many challenges as the new National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations. The organization is in crisis after Shawn Atleo resigned from the post before the end of his term. A number of chiefs felt he acted too independently and...
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) has selected a new national chief. Perry Bellegarde, recently chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations and former chief of the Little Black Bear First Nation in Saskatchewan, will have three-and-a-half years to...
Residents of Canada's First Nations should begin to see noticeable improvements in the quality of their drinking water sooner rather than later. While the condition of water and sewage treatment systems on many reserves is a serious concern, significant resources have...
Deplorable water and sewage systems on many First Nations reserves are a real concern. This situation is exceptionally tragic when one considers that more than 90 percent of First Nations communities are located near or directly beside bodies of water. But what is...
If First Nations started to tax band members and include that revenue in their annual budget, there could be measurable improvements in their overall quality of life. In recent years, First Nations have been given more opportunities to create their own independent tax...