> INUIT COMMUNITY WEATHER NETWORK: Inuit communities across Nunavut are leading a groundbreaking initiative to improve local safety and knowledge through Silanga.ca, a new website that shares real-time weather data from community-managed weather stations in remote areas. Developed by Silanniarviit, this project responds to community requests for more accurate, land-based weather information to guide safe travel, hunting, and harvesting. The stations are solar-powered, built for Arctic conditions, and are maintained by local technicians who pass on knowledge to youth.
““Sharing with the youth knowledge about the land, having better understanding of the weather and how it affects the coast, as well as being able to better predict what will happen in [the communities’] hunting areas is one of the goals.”
-David Didier, Project Coordinator
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COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP CONT.
> KEHEWIN CREE NATION TRADITIONAL BIRTHING PRACTICES: In April, Kehewin Cree Nation marked a very special occasion; the community welcomed the first baby born on their land in over 60 years. This was made possible thanks to Kehewin Cree Nation’s midwifery program, which was established in 2018 to provide culturally safe care to local families. The program was created in response to the long-standing practice of evacuating expectant mothers from the community to give birth. New parents Maelan Simaganis-Tsatoke and Kenneth Gadwa-Stone shared their experience of welcoming their son Kasohkikapowit in a warm community space filled with smudging, songs, and with the loving presence of kokums.
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"His name is Kasohkikapowit, and that means 'he who stands strong’...[a]fter he was born, the kokums … said he's going to blaze a path for others in the community, so that's how they came up with his name."
-Maelan Simaganis-Tsatoke
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COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP CONT.
> INDIGENOUS MEDIA ASSOCIATION OF CANADA: Earlier this year, a group of veteran Indigenous journalists launched the Indigenous Media Association of Canada (IMAC) to support First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples working in the industry. IMAC was founded to support Indigenous journalists working at the federal level, to advocate for fairer media representation, and to help implement Article 16 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which protects Indigenous peoples' right to their own media. The association will work to protect culturally grounded storytelling and ensure that Indigenous perspectives (especially on land, water, and community) are reflected in journalism.
““Often, we are invited to a seat at other people's tables, and we appreciate that. But we needed to build our own table in our own way because we have such unique needs and we're such a small group...We wanted to; we needed to advocate for ourselves with our own voice."
-Eden Fineday
”> MI'KMAW COMMUNITY FISHING SELF-REGULATION: Eight Mi’kmaw communities in Nova Scotia are leading a new path in self-determination by launching their own Treaty Right Protected (TRP) management plan for the commercial elver fishery. The initiative is grounded in Mi’kmaw law, conservation, and community engagement. Coordinated through the Kwilmu’kw Mawklusuaqn Negotiation Office, the plan secured nearly 20% of the 2025 quota and prioritizes sustainable harvesting. While some Mi’kmaw fishers continue to operate independently of federal regulation, all are united to provide for their families through rightful access to the fishery.
at parliament hill
> FIRST INDIGENOUS MINISTER OF INDIGENOUS SERVICES CANADA: In the 2025 federal election, 12 Indigenous MPs were elected to Parliament. In a historic first, Mandy Gull-Masty (of Waswanipi Cree Nation) was sworn in as the first Indigenous person to lead Indigenous Services Canada, the department responsible for delivering services to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. A former Grand Chief of the Cree Nation of Eeyou Istchee, Gull-Masty joins the new cabinet alongside two other Indigenous MPs Rebecca Chartrand (Churchill–Keewatinook Aski) and Métis MP Buckley Belanger (Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River).
Check out this post from our Instagram page to learn more about your new MPs!
> PARLIAMENT BACK IN SESSION: At the end of May, Parliament returned with the Speech from the Throne by King Charles III. The speech outlined priorities including reconciliation, fasttracking resource projects, addressing the housing crisis, and boosting Canada’s military and Arctic presence.
While the speech emphasized nation-to-nation partnerships, many First Nations leaders raised concerns about how treaty rights will be respected as project timelines are set. Parliament was sitting until June 20 and is now on break for the summer. Parliament will sit again beginning September 15.
What is the speech from the throne?
The throne speech marks the beginning of a new parliamentary session. This means that everyone who was elected can officially get back to work. The content of the speech reflects the plan for how the government will enact the promises it made during the election campaign.
AT PARLIAMENT HILL CONT.
> INTRODUCTION OF BILL S-2: On May 29, the Minister of Indigenous Affairs announced Bill S-2 in the Senate, which aims to address longstanding inequities with registration and band membership in the Indian Act. Bill S-2 replaces the previous Bill C38: An Act to amend the Indian Act (new registration entitlements), which was introduced in 2022 but didn't move forward before Parliament was dissolved in March 2025. The Senate bill sets out to fix long-standing issues in the Indian Act by restoring status to those affected by past policies, reconnecting people to their original bands, and removing outdated language in the text of the law itself.
“ ”"As Minister of Indigenous Services, eliminating gender-based inequities and colonial legacies in the Indian Act is a responsibility I take seriously. Today, we are taking an important step to address these long-awaited changes that continue to affect First Nations individuals and their families."
-The Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty Minister of Indigenous Services
what we’re listening to
> Our Relatives: This five-part podcast series from APTN News takes a powerful and compassionate look at the lives of Indigenous people experiencing homelessness in Winnipeg. Hosted by reporter Kathleen Martens and social media editor Jesse Andrushko, Our Relatives explores the stories, struggles, and dreams of those who come to the city seeking safety and stability and often face the opposite.
> Métis in Space: In this fun and thought-provoking podcast, hosts Chelsea Vowel and Molly Swain sip wine and decolonize sci-fi one episode at a time. Métis in Space uses humour and sharp analysis to break down popular science fiction and pop culture through an Indigenous feminist lens.
