December 2021

Inside this issue: Letter from Editor

2-5

Business/Job Opportunity Spirit Of Children Calendar

6-7

CreeAtion Community Care S. AFN

8-9

Tungasuvvingat Inuit

10-11

Every Child Matters Round Dances (Dec-11-2021)

12-13

Round Dance

14-15

Favorite Foods Beautifully Indigenously Made

18-19

Yau, Tansi and Hello TOK Readers! As we are moving along, we entering the festive season with great anticipation for the New Year to bring hope, love and new beginnings. As Covid-19 has affected everyone on a global level, only to build nostalgic moments and memories to treasure for the rest of your lives, we have come to a

place of gratitude and to count our blessings each day. As there has been a great loss throughout the world of loved ones gone too soon, let’s hope that 2022 brings hope and relief from such tragedies, and losses.

edged and justice brought forward to those that led these horrific institutions.

That our lost children are brought home and laid to rest with their ancestors, finally at peace. I don’t know how these government officials, and the ones who were As our lost children of unmarked graves by residential teachers, and school officials in these schools could live schools have been discovwith themselves knowing ered, found, and acknowl-

what they did to our children!?! It’s beyond me, to even consider them human because that is pure evil as far as I am concern. This month is: National Indigenous Month, Christmas and M.A.D.D., Role Models topics.

Stay Safe & Merry Christmas!!!

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Interior/Exterior

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DM/Text/Call/Email for appointments

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Go on a treasure hunt and create seven treasures, each uniquely designed by award-winning Sheila Callingbull-Owen. Using needle crafting as a metaphor for life’s healing journey, you will find what you need, use some recycled items, and create something lovely and new. Patterns and instructions are included to make items for gifts or home décor, and an item to wear.

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For More Info please go to her website: https://www.littletipirecreeations.com

Youth Care Worker

Various Positions

CreeAtion Community Care

River Cree Casino & Resort

Check out these sites for any job opportunities:

Edmonton and Rocky Mountain House AB Enoch AB Contact: 780-707-9430

Online: www.rivercreejobs.com

Email: creeationcommunitycaresociety@gmail.com

In person: ask security officer to show you HR office, bring a copy of current resume, we help you fill out an application.

Long Haul Truck Driver Full-time— Transworld Xpress Inc. Winnipeg MB

Personal Executive Assistant , Part- Office Lead & Digital Marketing time—Tsunami Solutions Ltd, Dun- Coordinator, Full-Time—QM Envican BC ronmental, Mississauga ONT

Rate: $21.60/Hour Register and/or sign into Aboriginaljobboard.ca

Rate: $20.00 /hour

Executive Administrator, Full-time, Coast Funds, Vancouver BC

Director of Finance, Full-time, Takla Fish and Seafood Plant Cutters Nation, Prince George BC and Cleaners, Full-time Seasonal, Louisbourg Seafoods Ltd., Louis***Aiming to Hire in January*** bourg, NS Closing Date: December 31, 2021 $16.00-$24.00/hour after 48 hours Expiration Date: January 31, 2022 Please email to: isfapplicaSubmit your resume by December 30, tions@louisbourgseafoods.ca 2021 to Human Resources @ hr@taklafn.ca

Salary - $55000-$65000 For more information please contact: Kataneh Sherkat @ katanehs@wmc.bc.ca or Max Mollineaux @ maxm@wmc.bc.ca

Salary to be discussed

Apply to : rePlease apply online in QM careers sume@tsunamisolutions.com with site. Or email your cover letter & resubject: “Personal Executive Assistant” sume to : careers@QMenv.com, please include the job title in subject line.

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Dec 1,8 /21 - 1pm-2:30pm Feeding the Kind Wolf, read more on Native Child and Family Services of Toronto.

Toronto, ONT Dec 1/21 - 10am—12pm Healing Circle, Fort Nelson Aboriginal Friendship Centre, Fort Nelson BC Dec1,2,7,12,15,16,17,19,24, 26,31/21– 10am-6pm Orcas: Our Shared Future

Royal BC Museum, Victoria BC Dec 1, 2/21 - 10am - 2pm, Aboriginal Youth Employment Skills Building Program, Native Youth Resource Centre, Toronto ONT

Family Centre Downtown, Lethbridge AB

Remembrance and Action on Fort Nelson Aboriginal Violence, ONT Friendship Centre, Fort Nelson BC Dec 3/21 - International Day Dec6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,1417 of Disabilities, ONT ,19,22,24,25,26,27,28,29,30, Dec 10/21—3pm –then SunDec 4/21 - 11am—1pm West 31/21, 10am –2pm, Aborigi- day Dec 12/21—6pm, I AM End Community Centre Van- nal Youth Skills Building Pro- Collective Proudly Pregram, Native Youth Resents—A Very Indigenous couver BC source Centre, Toronto ONT Holiday Market 2021, Alberta Dec 5/21—Indigenous Pop Aviation Museum, EdmonDec7 –9/21 Special Chiefs Up Shop YYJ Christmas ton AB Market, Fernwood Communi- Assembly, Canada ty Association Victoria BC Dec 7/21 7pm—9pm Awak- Dec11/21 10am—Sun Dec12/21 5pm Authentically Dec 6/21—9am –Fri Dec 10 en: Ministry Series: “Lairos Indigenous, Kerby Centre, Blanket Exercise” Saska12pm, APEC 2640: ResiCalgary AB toon SK dential and Commercial Development on First Nation Dec 7,14,21/21—7pm –8pm, Dec 13/21 10am—3pm Ogichidaa Community HelpLands—Tulo…, Thompson Medicine Wheel—All are er Training Program (16 Rivers University, Kamloops welcome, London ONT weeks), Toronto ONT BC Dec 8/21—10am—12pm Go to Indigenous Events Dec 6/21 1pm—3pm AA Healing Circle, Fort Nelson Canada December 2021 for Meeting Oneida Nation of the Aboriginal Friendship Centre, more information.

Fort Nelson BC Thames, Southwold ONT

Dec 3/21 - 1:30pm—3:30pm - All My Relations - Youth, Dec 6/21 National Day of

Dec 9/21 6-8am Food Bank,

COLLABORATIVE STUDY URGES DECISIONMAKERS TO ADDRESS FIRST NATIONS FOOD INSECURITY AND SOVEREIGNTY on October 21, 2021

(Ottawa, ON) – The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is pleased to announce the release of the Key Findings and Recommendations for Decision-makers of the First Nations Food, Nutrition and Environment Study (FNFNES). The 10-year study was led by principal investigators and researchers from the AFN, the University of Ottawa and Université de Montréal.

Built on collaborative research with 92 First Nations across the country, the FNFNES highlights that traditional foods remain foundational to First Nations’ health and well-being, and that the quality of traditional food is superior to store bought food. However, due to environmental degradation, socioeconomic, systemic and regulatory barriers, many First Nations face three to five times the rate of food insecurity than the Canadian population overall. Families with children are affected to an even greater degree.

The FNFNES partners urge the environment. decision-makers to use the  Support continuing key findings and recommenresearch, education and dations, being released the public awareness. week after World Food Day,  Create a First Nationsto inform policies and proled joint national task grams to address First Naforce or committee to tions food insecurity and sovplan how to implement ereignty. The six primary these recommendations. recommendations are:  Support initiatives pro- “For First Nations, traditional food represents much more moting First Nations rights, sovereignty, self- than nutrition, it plays important cultural, spiritual and determination, values ceremonial roles. There is an and culture. urgent need to address sys Prioritize protecting the temic problems and barriers environment, First Narelating to First Nations food tions lands, waters and systems, security and soverterritories. eignty in a way that honors  Build capacity to elimi- First Nations knowledge, nate barriers to proper leadership and rights. New nutrition, reducing food programs, policies and legisinsecurity. lation must be created to protect the environment from  Improve partnerships, collaboration and com- further degradation and enmunication between First sure that First Nations have Nations and all levels of access to a healthy diet, ingovernment, as well as cluding traditional food,” says AFN Senior Director of Envipartnerships between First Nations to support ronment Lands and Water and FNFNES Principal Insharing information about food, nutrition and vestigator Tonio Sadik.

“This first of its kind study can only be accomplished because of the strong partnership between the AFN, the government officials and the academic researchers. In particular, we are grateful for the collective wisdom of the nearly 7,000 participants and team members from the 92 communities throughout the country over the last 10 years. We sincerely hope the findings of FNFNES will contribute to improving the nutritional quality of food and the health of First Nations for generations to come,” says Dr. Laurie Chan, FNFNES principal investigator, University of Ottawa professor and Canada Research Chair in Toxicology and Environmental Health.

“This participatory research was possible because it emanated from a need expressed by First Nations to shed light on the nutrition and environmental situation in their communities. First Nations face disproportionate challenges in terms of ac-

cess to healthy, culturally relevant food. FNFNES points to the need for guaranteeing improved access to traditional food which has a potential role in countering the rise in chronic disease and combating food insecurity,” says Dr. Malek Batal, FNFNES principal investigator, professor in the Nutrition Department of the Faculty of Medicine of Université de Montréal, and Canada Research Chair in Nutrition and Health Inequalities.

guarding First Nations’ rights and jurisdiction and provide a baseline for measuring environmental changes.

makers

Summary of Findings and Recommendations for eight Assembly of First Nations Now complete, the FNFNES regions identified areas needing fur- The AFN is the national orther study. Its core partners ganization representing First are collaborating on another Nations people in Canada. multi-year research project Follow AFN on Twitter called the Food, Environ@AFN_Updates. ment, Health and Nutrition of For more information please First Nations Children and Youth (FEHNCY) study. Like contact: the FNFNES, this study is AFN being funded by Indigenous Lori Kittelberg Services Canada’s First NaCommunications Officer Studies like the FNFNES can tions and Inuit Health support First Nations to Branch.

Assembly of First Nations make informed decisions Review the following on 604-340-3117 (mobile) about nutrition, the environ- the FNFNES website: lkittelberg@afn.ca ment and environmental Key Findings and Recomstewardship, lead to further University of Ottawa research and advocacy safe- mendations for DecisionDr. Laurie Chan

FNFNES Principal Investigator Professor and Canada Research Chair in Toxicology and Environmental Health 613-562-5800 ext. 7116 laurie.chan@uottawa.ca Université de Montreal / Bilingual interview contact Dr. Malek Batal FNFNES Principal Investigator Canada Research Chair in Nutrition and Health Inequalities (CIENS), Professor and Director WHOCollaborating Centre on Nutrition Changes and Development (TRANSNUT) Nutrition Department 514-343-6111 poste 35177 malek.batal@umontreal.ca

TUNGASUVVINGAT INUIT PLEASE WITH VERDICT IN MARK JEFFREY INQUEST December 8, 2021

OTTAWA, ON – Twenty out of the twenty-four recommendations presented to the jury by Tungasuvvingat Inuit (TI), Aboriginal Legal Services (ALS), Coroner’s Council and Correctional Services Canada were accepted by the jury in the inquest into the death of Inuk inmate Mark Jeffrey. Mark Jeffrey died on June 29th, 2015, while in custody at Beaver Creek Medium Security Institution in Gravenhurst, Ontario. TI is pleased with the acceptance of recommendations after the Jury delivered

their verdict on December 1st following eight days of testimony and closing statements made by TI.

culture supports. His experi- dations included: ence as an Indigenous adult  To recognize that Inuit in in the criminal justice system minimum security custois not unique and it is our dy require Inuit-specific hope, this inquiry and the Indigenous adults are services, employment of recommendations will be overrepresented in the CanaInuit staff at Inuit Centres used to initiate improvements dian Criminal Justice System of Excellence (as outwhile in the system, and outand the rate continues to lined in Anijaarniq) comes for those that sucescalate. Amanda Kilabuk, should be increased to cessfully complete their Executive Director of TI parmeet the needs of Inuit terms.

As Beaver Brook is ticipated in the inquest statin custody. deemed an Inuit Centre of ed, “It was difficult to hear Excellence (ICE), there are  • The Anijaarniq: A Holisthe details of Mr. Jeffrey’s tic Inuit Strategy must be experience while in custody higher expectations for the co-developed, coat Beaver Creek Institution. institution to provide Inuitimplemented and cospecific programming for He was placed in segregamanaged by Correctional tion for 74 days and did not Inuit in custody.

Services of Canada and have acceptable access to Some of the key recommenInuit governments, Inuit

land claim organizations lence producing an anand Inuit communities. nual report on the results This will include: a. creof the Anijaarniq strategy ating a collaborative for the Inuit governworking group that inments, Inuit land claim cludes stakeholders from organizations and Inuit Inuit land claims, Inuit organizations. governments and Inuit  • Correctional Services organizations to develop of Canada explore ways a better understanding of in which to better underthe distinct needs of Inuit stand and meaningfully in federal custody and address the relevant bardeveloping a strategic riers to recruiting Inuit implementation plan on Elders, Inuit Liaison Ofhow to address these ficers and • Inuit staff for needs; b. the developInuit Centres of Excelment of a mutually lence, such as the possiagreed upon implemenbility of Correctional Sertation plan, accountabilvices of Canada providity framework and ing the following employshared responsibilities ment supports for its Inuthat will identify contribuit staff, including Inuit tions and advancements contractors: a. Relocaby all parties engaged in tion supports; b. Accomthe working group; and modation supports; c. c. Inuit Centres of ExcelCounselling supports; d.

Transportation supports; e. Seniority incentives; f.

Multi-year contracts; and g. Offer services virtually where applicable (Elders can work from home) • Correctional Services of Canada should conduct a feasibility study about: a. moving the Inuit Centre of Excellence from Gravenhurst to an institution closer to Ottawa, Ontario; and b. increasing capacity for Inuit serving their federal sentence to serve their sentence in an existing Institution in Inuit Nunangat.

Kilabuk added, “We are pleased that many of the recommendations were accepted, and it was apparent that the Inuit voice and perspective was required in this process. As for Implementa-

tion of the recommendations, it is incumbent on Correctional Services Canada (CSC) to address these recommendations. Because of this inquiry for Mr. Jeffrey, it is welldocumented for CSC to improve their practices and policies, training, and include the full weight of their Inuit Liaison Officers and Elders when it comes to dealing with Inuit in the criminal justice system.”

For more information, please contact Tungasuvvingat Inuit Manager, Communications Joël Lamoureux. jlamoureux@tiontario.ca or 613299-4684.