Indigenous

Women dance during the Abyas song to cleanse and bless the ground for the cedar mortuary pole replica carved by Mungo Martin in 1955 was removed from Thunderbird Park during a commemorative ceremony on the grounds of the Royal B.C. Museum in Victoria, B.C., on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

‘Forbidden Music’ explores complex preservation of B.C. Indigenous culture

Film documents 1950s efforts to preserve music threatened by potlatch ban, residential schools

 

The Survivors’ Flag hangs to honour Indigenous Peoples who were forced to attend residential schools, on the grounds of the legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Wednesday, September 28, 2022. A Fraser Valley First Nation is expected to provide an update on its work into missing children and unmarked burials at three former residential school sites. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

B.C. First Nation set to reveal initial findings in residential school probe

Investigation has been ongoing into schools in Mission, Chilliwack and Yale

 

Joan Gentles of the Tl’esqox First Nation has received many awards throughout her lifetime but says sharing her truth - though filled with trauma - is what allows others to share their truth and begin healing. (Kim Kimberlin/Black Press Media)

CASUAL COUNTRY: Cariboo’s Joan Gentles overcomes obstacles, feels fortunate

Joan Gentles is a counsellor, teacher, rodeo competitor and more

 

British Columbia’s environment minister says Joffre Lakes Provincial Park will remain closed until next Friday, after public access was shut down by two First Nations more than two weeks ago. George Heyman speaks during an announcement at Burns Bog, in Delta, B.C., on Monday, June 29, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C.’s Joffre Lakes Park set to remain closed for another week

First Nations halting temporarily access to ‘harvest and gather’ resources

British Columbia’s environment minister says Joffre Lakes Provincial Park will remain closed until next Friday, after public access was shut down by two First Nations more than two weeks ago. George Heyman speaks during an announcement at Burns Bog, in Delta, B.C., on Monday, June 29, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The first mobile overdose prevention site in B.C. on First Nations land opened at Cheam First Nation. Cheam OPS staff Kristi Colp, Sharon Downing, Brandon Krilow, and Myra Seymour pose with the bus on opening day, Sept. 1, 2023. (Cheam First Nation/ Facebook)

Indigenous-led overdose prevention site the 1st of its kind in B.C.

Cheam site aimed helping prevent ODs in customized bus with trained staff who also test drugs

The first mobile overdose prevention site in B.C. on First Nations land opened at Cheam First Nation. Cheam OPS staff Kristi Colp, Sharon Downing, Brandon Krilow, and Myra Seymour pose with the bus on opening day, Sept. 1, 2023. (Cheam First Nation/ Facebook)
FILE - In this March 25, 2016, file photo, the sun sets over the Badger-Two Medicine area near Browning, Mont. A Louisiana company will relinquish the last remaining oil and gas lease on land near Montana's Glacier National Park that's sacred to Native Americans in the U.S. and Canada, under a legal agreement announced Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, that would resolve a decades-long dispute. (Greg Lindstrom/Flathead Beacon via AP, File)

U.S. company gets $2.6M to relinquish oil lease on sacred Native American land

The deal would resolve a decades-long dispute over the 25-sq.-km. oil, gas lease in the mountainous area

FILE - In this March 25, 2016, file photo, the sun sets over the Badger-Two Medicine area near Browning, Mont. A Louisiana company will relinquish the last remaining oil and gas lease on land near Montana's Glacier National Park that's sacred to Native Americans in the U.S. and Canada, under a legal agreement announced Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, that would resolve a decades-long dispute. (Greg Lindstrom/Flathead Beacon via AP, File)
Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, 2019. (Black Press Media files)

Joffre Lakes Provincial Park to stay open over Labour Day weekend

It will then be inaccessible starting Sept. 5 as the province, Lil’wat Nation have ongoing talks

Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, 2019. (Black Press Media files)
English River First Nation Chief Jenny Wolverine, centre, says it’s believed 79 areas at the Beauval Indian Residential School could be the size of possible children’s graves and 14 are the size of infants, Saskatoon, Wednesday, August 29, 2023.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Kelly Geraldine

Residential school radar finds 93 Saskatchewan ‘areas of interest’

Findings at Beauval Indian Residential School could be graves of children and infants

English River First Nation Chief Jenny Wolverine, centre, says it’s believed 79 areas at the Beauval Indian Residential School could be the size of possible children’s graves and 14 are the size of infants, Saskatoon, Wednesday, August 29, 2023.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Kelly Geraldine
People attend a Red Dress Day ceremony marking the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirited people in Canada, in Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, May 5, 2022. Racism and the lack of primary care providers mean off-reserve First Nations, Métis and Inuit females have poorer health overall compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts, says a study by the Public Health Agency of Canada.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Racism factor in unequal health care provided Indigenous women: PHAC study

‘Colonialism isn’t historic, it’s ongoing — these harms are continuing and they’re perpetuated still’

People attend a Red Dress Day ceremony marking the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirited people in Canada, in Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, May 5, 2022. Racism and the lack of primary care providers mean off-reserve First Nations, Métis and Inuit females have poorer health overall compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts, says a study by the Public Health Agency of Canada.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Amy Parent, right, is shown with the Ni’isjoohl memorial pole alongside Nisga’a Chief Earl Stephens during a visit to the National Museum of Scotland in this handout image provided by National Museums Scotland. Parent says the pole is set to begin its month-long journey home to the Nisga’a Nation in northwestern British Columbia. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-National Museums Scotland-Neil Hanna

Nisga’a memorial pole about to start journey home to B.C. from Scottish museum

Pole is set to make its journey to the Nass Valley in the belly of a Canadian military aircraft

Amy Parent, right, is shown with the Ni’isjoohl memorial pole alongside Nisga’a Chief Earl Stephens during a visit to the National Museum of Scotland in this handout image provided by National Museums Scotland. Parent says the pole is set to begin its month-long journey home to the Nisga’a Nation in northwestern British Columbia. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-National Museums Scotland-Neil Hanna
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Gary Anandasangaree walks past members of the media during the Liberal Cabinet retreat in Charlottetown, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023. Canada changed the way it settles First Nation land claims, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada confirmed Friday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

Canada confirms it changed land claim process, mulls Indian Act changes

More than half of the 160 specific claim funding requests were denied

Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Gary Anandasangaree walks past members of the media during the Liberal Cabinet retreat in Charlottetown, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023. Canada changed the way it settles First Nation land claims, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada confirmed Friday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese
Two First Nations say they’re “shutting down” public access to B.C.’s Joffre Lakes Park for more than a month to allow for harvest celebrations. Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, 2019. (Black Press Media files)

First Nations ‘shutting down’ B.C.’s Joffre Lakes Park for more than a month

Lil’wat, N’Quatqua First Nations say the park will reopen on National Truth and Reconciliation Day

Two First Nations say they’re “shutting down” public access to B.C.’s Joffre Lakes Park for more than a month to allow for harvest celebrations. Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, 2019. (Black Press Media files)
Darryl Burns, who’s sister Gloria Burns was killed during a mass stabbing on the James Smith Cree Nation, reacts as the Saskatchewan RCMP provide a preliminary timeline during a media event in Melfort, Sask. Thursday, April 27, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards

First Nation hosts healing gathering to recover from stabbing rampage

Condolences and prayers offered as part of a traditional healing gathering

Darryl Burns, who’s sister Gloria Burns was killed during a mass stabbing on the James Smith Cree Nation, reacts as the Saskatchewan RCMP provide a preliminary timeline during a media event in Melfort, Sask. Thursday, April 27, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards
Clams are being nurtured in a clam bed restoration project underway on the West Coast of Vancouver Island this summer. File photo THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Building walls: B.C. Indigenous youth reclaiming clam harvest heritage

Coastal First Nations youth make their mark by cultivating ancient food systems in their territories

Clams are being nurtured in a clam bed restoration project underway on the West Coast of Vancouver Island this summer. File photo THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
A fish farm in Laich-Kwil-Tach territory. File Photo Courtesy Coalition of First Nations for Finfish Stewardship

B.C. First Nations coalition seeks to join case to support fish farm closures

Coalition of 19 nations says they have an obligation to protect wild salmon

A fish farm in Laich-Kwil-Tach territory. File Photo Courtesy Coalition of First Nations for Finfish Stewardship
Journalists work in Toronto on Monday, July 18, 2016. The Native American Journalists Association announced Friday it is <a href="https://apnews.com/article/native-american-journalists-association-indigenous-a011a451ba06f479ad6766b0eccf9a6e">changing its name</a> to the Indigenous Journalists Association in an effort to become more inclusive and strengthen ties with Indigenous journalists worldwide. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Indigenous journalist association renamed for inclusivity

The group that was founded in 1983 and now includes more than 950 members

Journalists work in Toronto on Monday, July 18, 2016. The Native American Journalists Association announced Friday it is <a href="https://apnews.com/article/native-american-journalists-association-indigenous-a011a451ba06f479ad6766b0eccf9a6e">changing its name</a> to the Indigenous Journalists Association in an effort to become more inclusive and strengthen ties with Indigenous journalists worldwide. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
Telus has raised their investment from $1 million to $2 million over the next five years for Indigenous groups. (Ben Bogstie/Terrace Standard)

Telus doubles funding to help Indigenous organizations, communities in Canada

It will help fund a NQuatqua First Nation program that connects B.C. youth to the land

Telus has raised their investment from $1 million to $2 million over the next five years for Indigenous groups. (Ben Bogstie/Terrace Standard)
A protester speaks with Winnipeg police Insp. Gord Spado, centre, and Const. Brian Wurm, right, as City of Winnipeg workers remove a blockade on the main road into the Brady Road landfill just outside Winnipeg,Tuesday July 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski

Rallies across Canada demand landfill search for slain Indigenous women

Families and supporters want city, feds, province to work together to come up with a solution

A protester speaks with Winnipeg police Insp. Gord Spado, centre, and Const. Brian Wurm, right, as City of Winnipeg workers remove a blockade on the main road into the Brady Road landfill just outside Winnipeg,Tuesday July 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski
Jacob Billy smiles proudly after using yellow paint to paint his handprint on the flanks of a horse. (Patrick Davies photo - 100 Mile Free Press)

Secwépemc families enjoy Family Fun Equine Day near 108 Mile Ranch

The event was hosted at the Flying Rooster Farm

Jacob Billy smiles proudly after using yellow paint to paint his handprint on the flanks of a horse. (Patrick Davies photo - 100 Mile Free Press)
Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director of First Nations Child and Family Caring Society holds a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016. The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal has approved a $23.4-billion settlement agreement for First Nations children, youth and families harmed by the federal government’s underfunding of child welfare services.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Human Rights Tribunal approves $23B First Nations child welfare settlement

Those who qualify for the settlement will receive at least $40,000, court approval needed

Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director of First Nations Child and Family Caring Society holds a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016. The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal has approved a $23.4-billion settlement agreement for First Nations children, youth and families harmed by the federal government’s underfunding of child welfare services.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick