National Indigenous News July 13

Darrell Stranger takes a look at some of the latest Indigenous news making headlines across the country. 

Transcript

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This is a look at your national indigenous news. I'm Daryl Stranger. Four Yukon First Nations are now interveners in a case before the Supreme Court of Canada. Their interest in the case is connected to their ongoing battle with the Territorial Health Authority, also known as Sha Kwa. But the case itself is about the Rebuilding Ontario Place Act, which was passed by the Ontario government in December of 2023. The Act aims to fast track the redevelopment of Ontario Place, a theme park owned by the provincial government that has been closed since 2012. The legislation would allow Premier Doug Ford's government to bypass environmental assessments and heritage protections outlined in other provincial legislation. It would also shield the province from any legal action brought against it regarding the park and effectively grant the Ontario Minister of Infrastructure the final say over what happens to the land. The act has already been subjected to two appeals in the Ontario court system, both of which were dismissed. The Yukon First Nations joint submission is about the legal protections the territory gave itself when it passed changes to the Health Authority Act in April. Those changes gave the Yukon government similar protections. The four Yukon First Nations, all of whom have self-government agreements involved in the case, are the First Nation of Nacho Nyakdun, Little Sam and Carmax First Nation, Selkirk First Nation, and Vontequin First Nation. Little Sam and Carmax and Vuntaquitchen have already formally indicated to the Yukon government they are looking to take over their own healthcare needs. However, the Yukon government has also been approved as an intervener in the case. Their case concerns the public trust framework in the territory. As interveners, the four First Nations and the government officially take no position on the eventual outcome of the case and are not joining as a direct party. Their role is to offer useful and distinct arguments based on their expertise without supporting a specific party in the case. A local horse ranch in Soutina Nation in southern Alberta called Dodging Horse Ranch is making a difference in the community by providing educational programs to local youth. Joanna Luna is here to tell you more on the program.

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Willie Ulry, award winner Brent Dodging Horse, won this award last year for his involvement to the community and more. He is the CEO of DH Ranch's Satina Nation. He helps out the youth with rebuilding confidence, strength, and more.

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Well, the DH Ranch Foundation is an Indigenous-led nonprofit. We're building strong indigenous futures through culture, land, and horses. Well, I think why this matters is many indigenous youth face barriers and impacts to uh blonde and confidence. And this experience of the land-based teachers and strength and mentorship. It builds confidence in leadership. They learn responsibility, life skills. Reconnecting to culture is very important. Experience is safe and belonging, and it's indigenous-led. And the impact is so important for youth development, focus, uh, truth and reconciliation and action, and not sorry, commitment.

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Instantina Nation, I'm Joanna Luna.

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An Inu community in the Cote Nord region of Quebec has signed a deal with the federal and provincial governments to officially recognize its jurisdiction over child and family services. The agreement allows for the implementation of a new law establishing a governance framework designed by and for the Iwusha Mak Mani Utanem community. The law will go into effect in September, replacing the Provincial Youth Protection Act in the community's jurisdiction. The federal government said in a news release that the law will ensure that decisions about children's welfare are made by the community in accordance with their customs, language, and values. The signing marks the first indigenous community in Quebec to enter into a three party agreement under the federal framework of the Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis children, youth, and families. Ottawa has also committed to investing funds through 2030 to support the Inu community's assumption of responsibility for child and family services. That's a look at your national Indigenous news.