April 2021

Inside this issue: Letter from Editor

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Suzette Amaya

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Beautifully Indigenously Made

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Quote of the Day

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AFN

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Poem

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CreeAtion Community Care 9 Society

Yau! Tansi Everyone! It’s been awhile since a monthly edition of TOK been released! So much has changed in this world and it hasn’t been very easy for many. This pandemic has changed the lives of many on a global level and it’s not going anywhere any day soon.

out of Africa?! Doesn’t need to be stored in a freezer and only one shot needed for each person! Slowly going through different phases of re-opening businesses, AGAIN! The numbers are slowly rising again?! Whether the numbers are slowly decreasing or slowly increasing, just reminds us that we are not out of the woods yet.

Johnson & Johnson has a new vaccine that's apparent- Sigh! I believe for the sake of future generations, take evely can fight the variant from

ry precaution set to prevent the spread, redundant but valuable and worth it ~

This edition is going to be promoting: 

Authors, story-tellers

Staying home and spending  Seamstresses & Regalia time with my family has been Makers amazing, not that we really  Any musicians & drum/ go anywhere anyways, we rattle makers have always enjoyed the comforts of our home.  Community Businesses I have been working on a catalog and updating my website to promote Indigenous artists!

Happy Reading Everyone!

Please stay safe!

Sincerely Sisiqwan Iskwew

Tawow to “Beautifully Indigenously Made”! I love promoting please contact them in the information provided. beautiful authentically Indigenous creations!

If you are interested in any of their masterpieces, please Briefly, from my own personal experience, I love when I am contact them & please remember to give them at least 24 making dreamcatchers or small throw pillows, or when I hours to respond as they could be busy with other orders or work on my own regalia. I learnt from one of my elders with their families. when we are creating, making or participating in our tradiIf you are an artist that would like to be included in this sectional arts and regalia, we are restoring. Reconnecting to tion, please email: eagleflightpublishing@gmail.com and our traditional culture and our people., It’s been therapeutic please include the contact information you would like for and healing experience. She told me that when we come to people to contact you at, and 3 photos of your masterpiecthis place come in a good spirit and good thoughts, thankful es. to the Creator always.

If you have any questions please email us!

This section has been designed to show the beautiful piecHiy hiy, gi’anakaci! es from each artist along with their contact information. If you have any questions about any of their masterpieces

Cedar Water Creations

by Daven Email: davenw99@gmail.com

Crystal Boucher Email: Crystal.boucher84@gmail.com

Shannon Callingbull Email: sdcallingbull@hotmail.ca

April Morin 780-905-1682 Email: april.morin@enochnation.ca

Jenny Morin Email: jennymorin@live.ca

Lil’Wolfe Beadifulz

780-720-9425 mizzolivia@hotmail.com

Lorna Ward Email: wardl19@hotmail.com

The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man

Assembly Of First Nations Welcomes Supreme Court Ruling On Carbon Pricing Legislation on March 26, 2021 (Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde welcomes yesterday’s Supreme Court of Canada decision on the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, urging all levels of government to respect First Nations rights, title, and jurisdiction and responsibilities to traditional territories in its implementation.

“Environmentalists and economists agree that putting a price on pollution is the most effective way to address climate change, and I welcome this decision as a way to help curb the impacts of climate change in our territories and across the country,” said AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde. “The recognition by the Supreme Court’s in its decision that climate change causes significant harm in the Canadian Arctic, on coastal communities and on Indigenous peoples is important. First Nations are often the first to feel the harmful effects of climate change. I reiterate the need for provincial and territorial governments to work together with First Nations as lead-

ers in climate action to identify meaningful and effective solutions to address the impacts of climate change on our communities, infrastructure, ways of life and wellbeing.”

The Supreme Court of Canada ruled March 25 that the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (GGPPA) is constitutional. The decision comes after Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta challenged the GGPPA legislation since it was first implemented in 2019 (ON and SK) and 2020 (AB). The provinces argued that the Act’s two-tiered carbon pricing was unconstitutional and undermined provincial authority over natural resources.

The AFN, based on direction from the Chiefs-in-Assembly, intervened in this case, as well as court cases in Saskatchewan, Ontario and Alberta, arguing the Government of Canada has a direct legal obligation to recognize Aboriginal and Treaty rights in any legislative efforts to address climate change.

“The impact of Climate

Change is felt everywhere, especially in the north,” said AFN Yukon Regional Chief Kluane Adamek, Chair of the AFN Advisory Committee on Climate Action and the Environment. “First Nations require immediate actions and rights based approaches. While we embrace these efforts to mitigate the damage of greenhouse gas emissions, we stand firm that First Nations rights, title, and jurisdiction over their traditional territories is paramount when considering carbon pricing, and by extension climate solutions. First Nations have been leaders in proposing transformative strategies for environmental protection. We must ensure that following this Supreme Court ruling, implementation and enforcement of the GGPPA will respect First Nations jurisdiction, title and rights as stewards of the land.”

AFN Chiefs-in-Assembly, through Resolution 103/2017: Carbon Pricing Regimes mandates AFN to develop innovative solutions to the unique circumstances of First Nations, including the possibility of rev-

enue recycling mechanisms that minimize the disproportionate effects of carbon pricing on First Nations. In Resolution 09/2018: Develop First Nations-Specific Solutions for the Green House Gas Pollution Pricing Act, Chiefs – in – Assembly reaffirmed these calls, in addition to the need for financial support for First Nations to explore the implications and opportunities of carbon pricing on their territories, including their participation in the clean energy economy.

The AFN is the national organization representing First Nation peoples in Canada. Follow AFN on Twitter at @AFN_Updates.

For more information please contact: Kelly Reid Communications Officer Assembly of First Nations 905-717-0062 (cell) kreid@afn.ca