The Rundown - Spring 2025

n w o d n u R e h T ISSUE 15

A POLICY ‘

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2025 SPRIN

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Welcome to The Rundown!

Whether you’re interested in politics (the drama, the intrigue!), looking for ways to dismantle settler-colonialhetero-patriarchy, or just confused about what politicians ACTUALLY do all day, The Rundown is here for you!

In t his is s u e:

B I L L s-2 PRIDE MONTH red dress day

With each season, IYR’s Centre for Indigenous Policy and Research will bring you a new edition of The Rundown recapping everything you need to know about what’s going on in Canadian policy when it comes to Indigenous rights, community, and reconciliation.

This edition of The Rundown contains mentions of residential schools, MMIWG2S+ AND colonial violence MMIWG2S+ Support Line: 1-844-413-6649 Residential School Survivors & Families Support Line: 1-800-721-0066 Hope for Wellness: 1-855-242-3310 or www.hopeforwellness.ca

truth & reconciliation > RED DRESS DAY: On May 5, Red Dress Day was observed across the country. Families, activists, and allies gathered for a vigil on Parliament Hill, led by Algonquin activist Bridget Tolley, the founder of Families of Sisters in Spirit. Centred around ceremony, youth leadership, and healing, the event honoured the memory of lost loved ones, like Tolley’s mother, Gladys Tolley. Youth from Kitigan Zibi First Nation drummed and spoke with pride before a crowd of supporters. A new collaborative initiative was announced, focusing on data collection and advocacy to support the implementation of the 231 Calls for Justice.

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“It hurts to be here again, to share our stories after two decades, but we’re still here. We went through a lot of prime ministers, ministers, senators, national organizations, chiefs and councils, but the families are still here and we’re gonna be here till we get truth, accountability, and justice."

-Bridget Tolley

truth & reconciliation CONT’D > SIXTIES SCOOP CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT: In May, a group of Métis and non-status survivors of the ’60s Scoop won an important legal challenge against the federal government. A Federal Court judge recognized that Canada had a responsibility to protect children who were adopted under the Adopt Indian Métis (AIM) Program in Saskatchewan because it helped fund the program. The decision comes as a major milestone for AIM program survivors, but drew strong criticism from Métis leaders for excluding thousands of others affected outside of the AIM program. Leaders like David Chartrand of the Manitoba Métis Federation expressed frustration that many other Mètis and non-status survivors have been left without justice. The Otipemisiwak Métis Government called the ruling “painful” and emphasized that the ‘60s Scoop impacted Métis families across borders.

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“This decision does not close the door on our pursuit of justice...Our government will continue to explore every possible avenue to ensure that Métis Survivors receive the recognition and justice they are owed.

-Otipemisiwak Métis Government President Sandmaier

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truth & reconciliation CONT’D > VANCOUVER ISLAND NATIONS CHILD WELFARE: On Vancouver Island, First Nations communities are fighting to take back control over how they care for their children and families. The Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nation recently signed an agreement with provincial and federal governments to take back authority over how they support families, launching their own services rooted in community leadership.

Inspired by the long-standing prevention model of the Namgis’ First Nation, their new approach focuses on keeping children within their communities through wellness programs, family planning, and support from matriarchs and hereditary chiefs.

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“Every time I talk about this, I get so excited and passionate. I think it’s my passion that has allowed me to stay as long as I did in the negotiation process and so when I talk to other Nations who aren’t feeling as hopeful, I just want to give them hope...I feel confident in our ability to draw from our hereditary chiefs and our matriarchs to start rebuilding what we’ve lost.”

-Salla Sukow, Executive Director Galgapothla Family Services Society

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COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP > 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.

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“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.

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“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

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> 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.

NIPD & PRIDE MONTH >NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY: On June 21, celebrations and ceremonies marked National Indigenous Peoples Day in so-called Canada. From coast-to-coast-to coast, powwows, festivals, traditional games, fashion shows, and feasts were held. Highlights included a fish fry and stage show hosted by the North Slave Métis Alliance in Yellowknife. Meanwhile, Whitehorse featured bannock bake-offs and cultural showcases at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre. In Winnipeg, the 11-day “Many Nations, One Heartbeat” festival was held. Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside came alive with performances, art, and a vibrant block party, where a sixmetre house post carved by Tsleil-Waututh artist Zac George was ceremonially blessed. > HEALING THROUGH DRUMMING: Jennifer Lenny, a Two-Spirit Métis graduate from the University of Saskatchewan’s SUNTEP program, utilizes drumming, song, and education as tools for healing, cultural connection, and visibility. As a member of the Spirit Strong Singers, a TwoSpirit and women’s drumming group, Lenny helped lead a powerful performance at the University of Saskatchewan's Pride flag-raising ceremony, honouring both Pride Month and Indigenous Peoples Day. Now working as a teacher and addictions counsellor, Lenny shares their story to uplift others, especially Two-Spirit and gender-diverse youth, reminding them they are seen, valued, and part of the circle.

NIPD & PRIDE MONTH CONTD. > INDIGIQUEER PRIDE BEADWORK: For Pride Month 2025, Tłı̨chǫ Dene Indigiqueer artist Keira Ash was named Artist of the Month by the Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley. Their featured work is a beautiful, beaded flower incorporating colours from 2SLGBTQIIA+ flags, which was created to cover a whiskey logo on a hat they received shortly after becoming sober. The project is a deeply meaningful symbol of queer Indigenous pride and healing. Ash is based in Yellowknife and began beading in 2021 after attending a workshop and has since grown into a celebrated artist. The Pride-inspired collection was recently featured at an Indigenous pop-up, and they continue to create pieces that uplift Indigiqueer youth and honour community visibility.

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“For me, as an Indigiqueer person, I just really wanted to give that gift to these young baby Indigiqueer Two Spirit youth that I was working with – like you are seen, you are loved, like you are part of this. And I feel like sometimes that gets lost in the various processes of colonization and not feeling comfortable in being who you are.”

Check out Keira on Instagram at @gremlin.hours.

-Keira Ash

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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.

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"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

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what we’re reading > Beyond The Rink: Behind The Images of Residential School Hockey: Launching this month in Thunder Bay, Beyond the Rink: Behind the Images of Residential School Hockey explores the powerful and complicated story of the 1951 Sioux Lookout Black Hawks, a championship team from Pelican Lake Indian Residential School. Co-authored by Janice Forsyth and others, the book examines how the sport offered moments of identity and connection. > Theory of Water: Nishnaabe Maps to the Times Ahead: Acclaimed Nishnaabeg author Leanne Betasamosake Simpson’s Theory of Water: Nishnaabe Maps to the Times Ahead is a powerful reflection on the relationships between Indigenous peoples and water. Blending Nishnaabeg storytelling, Elder teachings, and her own lived experience, Simpson invites readers to reimagine water not just as a resource, but as a vital life-force and guide toward a more just and connected future

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.

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questions, comments, suggestions?

Send them to centre@indigenousyouthroots.ca