Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Dismisses the Complaint on legal technicality - Caring Society appealing
News Release:
First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada to appeal Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Decision to dismiss discrimination claim for First Nations Children on a legal loophole.
OTTAWA, March 14 /CNW/ - The First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada is deeply concerned with the ruling today from Shirish Chotalia, Chair of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, to dismiss the complaint filed by the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada and the Assembly of First Nations in 2007 alleging that the Federal Government is racially discriminating against First Nations children by providing less child welfare benefit on reserve. Chair Chotalia dismissed the case on a preliminary motion brought by the Federal Government even though the Federal Government had tried, and failed, to get the case dismissed on similar grounds in Federal Court on two previous occasions. Chair Shirish Chotalia did not address the overwhelming evidence of the inequity and harm experienced by First Nations children on reserves even though she was in possession of numerous reports confirming the problems such as the Auditor General of Canada (2008), the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (2009) and internal documents from the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. Instead, Chair Shirish Chotalia dismissed the case on a legal technicality suggesting that the Federal Government can provide a different, and inequitable, level of service to First Nations children so long as the Provinces/Territories provide the service to all other children. In issuing this ruling, Chair Shirish Chotalia, in effect legalized racial discrimination against vulnerable children on reserve by the Federal Government.
The First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada will immediately appeal Chair Shirish Chotalia's decision to Federal Court. This case is being followed by over 7200 Canadians and organizations making it the most formally watched court case in Canadian history. Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada, says that "the Government of Canada should not be immune from human rights laws and obligations to First Nations children because of a legal technicality and we will take all necessary measures to ensure that this case is decided in a public forum on the full set of facts - the children deserve nothing less." The appeal will be filed in Federal Court in the next 30 days.
Read the ruling: http://bit.ly/i531IB
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IPSMO's note: If you have not yet signed up as witnesses on the "I Am a Witness" website http://www.fncfcs.com/fnwitness, please do and join over 7200 Canadians and organizations to follow the most formally watched court case in Canadian history.
Thank you.
--
In Solidarity,
IPSMO on unceded Algonquin Territory
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Passing of Aboriginal Historian Olive Patricia Dickason
The Aboriginal community grieves the departure from this world of a great Métis women, the historian Dr. Olive Patricia Dickason. It is Difficult to even begin to describe the importance of the intellectual legacy of such a thinker. This loss is heavy since Olive Dickason, through her work and through the example of courageous living, has marked all members of our Canadian society.
Georges Sioui, Coordinator Program of Aboriginal Studies
La communauté autochtone pleure le départ de ce monde d'une grande femmes métisses, l'historien Dr. Olive Patricia Dickason. Il est difficile même de commencer à décrire l'importance du legs intellectuel de cette grande penseure. Cette perte est très lourde puisque Olive Dickason, par son oeuvre et per l'exemple d'une vie courageuse, a marqué chaque membre de notre société canadienne.
Georges Sioui, coordonnateur du programme d'études autochtones
Link: Winnipeg Free Press - Author who detailed the aboriginal contribution to Canada's economy dies at 91
Link: Globe and Mail Obituary - DR. OLIVE PATRICIA DICKASON C.M., PH.D., D.LITT.
Link: Guest Book for Olive Patricia Dickason
Georges Sioui, Coordinator Program of Aboriginal Studies
La communauté autochtone pleure le départ de ce monde d'une grande femmes métisses, l'historien Dr. Olive Patricia Dickason. Il est difficile même de commencer à décrire l'importance du legs intellectuel de cette grande penseure. Cette perte est très lourde puisque Olive Dickason, par son oeuvre et per l'exemple d'une vie courageuse, a marqué chaque membre de notre société canadienne.
Georges Sioui, coordonnateur du programme d'études autochtones
Link: Winnipeg Free Press - Author who detailed the aboriginal contribution to Canada's economy dies at 91
Link: Globe and Mail Obituary - DR. OLIVE PATRICIA DICKASON C.M., PH.D., D.LITT.
Link: Guest Book for Olive Patricia Dickason
SHOE STATEMENT - Vigil for our Missing and Murdered Women
Help raise awareness about the violence and injustice suffered by Aboriginal women in Canada!
When: Friday, March 18th, 2pm
Where: Parliament Hill
The Aboriginal Law Students Association and the Law Union of Ontario from the University of Ottawa will be joining McGill University student groups to take part in a vigil at Parliament Hill taking place Friday, March 18th at 2pm.
The vigil will be the culmination of a two-week campaign in which McGill students, faculty and friends will strive to collect over 500 pairs of women’s shoes to be displayed on the steps of Parliament as a symbolic representation of the missing and murdered women. The shoes will be donated to women’s shelters in Ottawa and Montreal following the event.
Speakers at the vigil will include Kristen Gilchrist, Bridget Tolley and Lindsay Mossman. Those with personal stories or insight about the Stolen Sisters are welcome to come forward and share as well.
PLEASE JOIN US IN THIS EVENT!!
For more information, please contact Sarah Sherhols at sherhols@gmail.com OR Michelle Theriault at michelle.s.theriault@gmail.com
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Help for the Kateri Native Ministry of Ottawa
Dear Friends,
I write to you today asking for your support in helping First Nations, Metis and Inuit people to reconnect with the land. Naategama or Peaceful Waters is a 230 acre property owned by the Archdiocese of Ottawa and entrusted exclusively for the use of Kateri Native Ministry. Located on the Ottawa River near the Quyon Ferry Landing. Under the direction of Kateri Native Ministry, Naategama has been used for Aboriginal youth and Elder retreats, community workshops, and family reunions of Indian Residential School Survivors.
I write to you today asking for your support in helping First Nations, Metis and Inuit people to reconnect with the land. Naategama or Peaceful Waters is a 230 acre property owned by the Archdiocese of Ottawa and entrusted exclusively for the use of Kateri Native Ministry. Located on the Ottawa River near the Quyon Ferry Landing. Under the direction of Kateri Native Ministry, Naategama has been used for Aboriginal youth and Elder retreats, community workshops, and family reunions of Indian Residential School Survivors.
Kateri Native Ministry of Ottawa is moving forward with plans to improve the facilities by installing a floating dock to allow better access to the water for canoeing and swimming. We would like to upgrade washroom amenities, construct a sweat lodge and continue with plans for a more permanent healing and training centre.
Kateri receives no government funding and relies entirely upon the generosity of benefactors like you. A traditional bison feast will be held March 25, 2011 in Mac Hall, Bronson Centre, 211 Bronson Ave., Ottawa, ON, in support of improvement on the land. Tickets are $50 each or a table of eight tickets can be purchased for $425.
Our guest speaker, Viola Thomas (Sto:lo First Nation) of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, will speak on the importance of the land in native cultures.
Tickets can be purchased:
2. by cheque made payable to “ Kateri Native Ministry of Ottawa” and mailed to: 310-211 Bronson Ave., Ottawa ON K1R 6H5.
Tickets will be delivered to the address provided.
Kateri Native Ministry of Ottawa is a Catholic lay ministry registered as a non-profit charitable organization. It is committed to the healing and reconciliation of Aboriginal people under the guidance of the Archdiocese of Ottawa. Your support of Kateri Native Ministry of Ottawa is dearly appreciated. Please do not hesitate to call me with any questions you may have.
Thank you,
John Corston
Executive Director
Kateri Native Ministry of Ottawa
(613) 565-4180
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Just in time for International Women's Day -- March 8th -- of which the theme in Canada is GIRLS RIGHTS MATTER ...
Calling Young Aboriginal Women across Canada ages 16 to 29!
ENTER THE YOUNG ABORIGINAL WOMEN'S CREATIVE ESSAY CONTEST
Do you want to be part of one of the biggest gatherings of women from around the world happening in Ottawa-Gatineau from 3-7 July?
The Aboriginal Women's Leadership Circle for Women’s Worlds 2011 invites you to submit your written, artistic, or otherwise creative submissions to attend Women’s Worlds 2011. We greatly value the participation of young Aboriginal women and would like to hear directly from YOU about why you want to be at this exciting global event by answering "What does Aboriginal women’s leadership mean to you?"
3 grand winners will be awarded an honorarium of $1,500 (one young First Nation woman, one young Inuit woman, one young Métis woman) plus the opportunity to present their essay at the Women’s Worlds 2011 congress
7 winners will be awarded an honorarium of $1000
WHO SHOULD SUBMIT?
Young Aboriginal Women (trans, Two-Spirit, gender non-conforming inclusive), First Nations, Métis, Inuit, status, and non-status identified from 16-29
Deadline: 25 March 2011
Notification of acceptance: 4 April 2011
SEE ATTACHED FOR CONTEST GUIDELINES AND MORE INFORMATION.
Contact: youngaboriginal@womensworlds.ca
womensworlds.ca
Calling Young Aboriginal Women across Canada ages 16 to 29!
ENTER THE YOUNG ABORIGINAL WOMEN'S CREATIVE ESSAY CONTEST
Do you want to be part of one of the biggest gatherings of women from around the world happening in Ottawa-Gatineau from 3-7 July?
The Aboriginal Women's Leadership Circle for Women’s Worlds 2011 invites you to submit your written, artistic, or otherwise creative submissions to attend Women’s Worlds 2011. We greatly value the participation of young Aboriginal women and would like to hear directly from YOU about why you want to be at this exciting global event by answering "What does Aboriginal women’s leadership mean to you?"
3 grand winners will be awarded an honorarium of $1,500 (one young First Nation woman, one young Inuit woman, one young Métis woman) plus the opportunity to present their essay at the Women’s Worlds 2011 congress
7 winners will be awarded an honorarium of $1000
WHO SHOULD SUBMIT?
Young Aboriginal Women (trans, Two-Spirit, gender non-conforming inclusive), First Nations, Métis, Inuit, status, and non-status identified from 16-29
Deadline: 25 March 2011
Notification of acceptance: 4 April 2011
SEE ATTACHED FOR CONTEST GUIDELINES AND MORE INFORMATION.
Contact: youngaboriginal@womensworlds.ca
womensworlds.ca
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
3e Colloque étudiant du FERA
Résistance et reconstruction : les peuples autochtones au passé et au présent
Université d’Ottawa, 9 mars 2011
Desmarais 3105, 9h-16h
Horaire et information:
http://www.sciencessociales.uottawa.ca/fera/fra/index.asp
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3rd FASR Graduate Conference
Resistance and Rebuilding: Exploring Indigenous Challenges Past and Present
University of Ottawa, march 9, 2011,
Desmarais 3105, 9am-4pm
Schedule and information:
http://www.sciencessociales.uottawa.ca/fera/eng/index.asp
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