It’s time to stop using the “rule of law” as a weapon against Indigenous peoples

 By Corey Shefman Protests against the RCMP’s attempts to remove Wet’suwet’en traditional leadership from their homeland continue to gain steam. First Nation and other allies have been blockading railways, bridges and public buildings across Canada. As the civil disobedience grew and began to affect urban Canadians, many of whom found themselves

The Scientific Link Between Culture and Health for Canada’s Indigenous Populations is Strong

 Wab Kinew has been telling scientists and health care professionals for years that culture is medicine. Epidemics of obesity, diabetes, infectious diseases and suicide that plague First Nation children across Canada are complex and multi-faceted.  Yet government solutions often focus on simplistic bio-medical approaches – when they address the crises

Before Bytown – Part 1

 Sketch of the Ottawa River and Rideau Falls in 1826. At this point, they’re still untouched, and looked pretty much the same as they did when Champlain passed them. (Archives of Ontario, I0002118)  Ottawa’s story starts with the river that gave it its name. Of course, it wasn’t always called the

Universities Play Key Role in Reconciliation

 The success is staggering. The number of Aboriginal people and communities using education as a means to a greater future is rising. It’s a cause for celebration. Just 50 years ago, there were roughly 200 Status Indians taking courses at Canadian universities and colleges. In 2011, the number of self-identified

Lingering legal wars of the officially recognized Métis Nation

 While Canada has made headway in addressing injustices of First Nation groups, it has largely overlooked the rights of Métis - another significantly large Aboriginal population. The Métis have been tossed back and forth between federal and provincial governments, each disputing its jurisdictional responsibility to deal with them as a