October 2021

Inside this issue: Letter from Editor

2-3

Purpose Current Events

4-5

Tungasuvvingat Inuit

6-7

Truth & Reconciliation AFN

8-9

CreeAtion Community Care Society

10-11

Spirit Of The Children Society Beautifully Indigenously Made

12-13

Favorite Foods & Entertainment

14-17

Job Opportunities & Business

18

Tansi TOK Readers! Tawow You know you read and to another edition of Tànte watch and hear the news Ohcî Kiya! about Covid-19 and you never think that you would catch Truthfully life is full of so many unpredictable events, it… my family and I caught it! and it’s been very trying for So much emotions, and thoughts, and uncertainty my family and I! We deal flooded me. Thankfully, living with it as best as we can, at home, we were able to and always remember to pray and trust in Creator to access some medicines from family that is better than antihear our prayers. biotics. It’s been a slow pro-

cess but we’re slowly on the mend! At times, I struggled mentally, watching the news and hearing of loss family members in the community.

Coming across a video on YouTube, that this sickness has a negative spirit and if it can consume you, then it defeats you. So we prayed and we prayed everyday even on days we didn’t feel

like it. Learning that Creator is bigger than this sickness and that we belong to Creator and His plans are bigger than this Covid. We got through the worst, and continue to take the natural medicines, and continue to move forward with more of an attitude of gratitude and purpose. Happy Reading TOK Readers!

With the chaos in this world, and uncertainty, I have been pondering this thought lately, “Your purpose, do you know what it is?”

Definitely a very good question for anyone with Covid19, and climate change, and life changing experiences.

My family caught Covid-19, and with full exposure about this virus on the news came fear! People dying within days of being tested positive, and so many risks that follow after it. Then with the vaccine came hope but that drowned when there were reports of people having bad reaction to it. Today there are still people contracting Covid-19 and they are fully vaccinated.

The bottom line is, the health care system is trying to save lives and at least that is what is important. People can point fingers and agree to disagree, but the bottom line is after all is said and done, did you do what was best for you and your family to live the fullest in life?

My life wasn’t easy in my younger years, from childhood to young adult. Just as many were affected by colo-

nization, residential school and the sixties scoop, I grew up in survivors mode, and somewhat sleep mode that I felt I was only existing. Growing up being told that I am atheist and with negative words that hurt my selfesteem. As I grew, I adapted to addictions to cope with the pain and trauma I endured by my family. During that time, when I was age 17, I was told about God, and His Son, Jesus. At first I was skeptical but was willing to try anything to not face the abuse I endured by my family. The first day, I accepted Jesus into my heart, and took this as a challenge somewhat to see it to believe it, because I sure didn’t believe He was going to save me from the abuse I faced by my mother, who was raised in residential school. Why am I sharing something so personal, because I hope to help who ever is reading this with anything they’re going through. You are not alone, and you can get help and get healing because you have purpose. Many choices I made were how I coped with my childhood trauma, and

today, I live free from the addictions of alcohol, and drugs. I have come to a place of forgiveness and understanding of the dysfunctions of my family I grew up with. Don’t get me wrong, I went through many sessions of counselling and therapies, as well as groups to heal and move forward in my life.

purpose.

I am still not sure today, but I use what gifts He has given me. I will never stop believing in Him, one day I will see Him. He is the giver and taker of life, we don’t have control of where we go after we leave this world to the spirit world but we do make choices that result at the end of our lives.

All the accomplishments I achieved was because I felt I So I am going to keep movhad to prove to my parents ing forward and keep praying that I am worth more than He shows me my purpose. they said I was worth.

Purpose, isn’t just doing Coming to terms with this things because it’s expected and putting closure by writing from you. Purpose is taking my story and writing letters the good in your life and doand burning them, brought ing the best you can be to me closure and peace. Of live in the fullest of what Jecourse, the memories are sus has blessed you with. To still there but the memories be a mother, father, daughdon’t hurt me anymore or ter, niece, friend… haunt me.

My story has helped other Of course, over the years, women with domestic vioeven though I had accepted lence, and alcoholism, suiJesus, I still had a rough cide, and uncertainty. Truthjourney, but I learnt so much fully, I wouldn’t have survived along the way. My Savior, all these events if I didn’t saved me over and over have my Creator. again, and I kept getting up and moving forward. Every Find your purpose, and you will find hope, and love… It life threatening event, only might take time but you will left me thinking, okay I am get there with His help... still here, then what is my

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31 Oct4-Indigenous Perspective Oct5-Woodland Cultural Workshops, Fort Edmonton Centre—Tanya Talega LecPark, 6am-7:59pm ture, 184 Mohawk St. Brantford ON Oct4-Sisters in Spirit Day, 12Noon, Jubilee Park, We- Oct5-4th Indigenous Stutaskiwin AB dents & Professionals, 6pm, Oct4-Teachings of the Drum, Mosaic Stadium, 1700 11725-93 Street, Edmonton Elphinstone St. Regina SK AB, Thurs 6pm-8pm @ St. Faiths Anglican Church.

Oct6-Black Indigenous Storytelling, 7pm to 7:30pm, Oct5-Wichitowin Indigenous Toronto ONT, More Detail on PROUDOUT.COM Engagement Conference, Tues. Saskatoon SK Oct6-6:30pm-8pm The Four Sacred Medicines with Chef Oct5-Atlantic Indigenous Health Conference, Atlantic Johl Whiteduck, Art Gallery Policy Congress Of First Na- of Burlington, 1333 tion Chiefs Secretariat Inc., Lakeshore Rd. Burlington ON. 153 Willowdale Dr., Dartmouth NS

Oct6-6pm, Office of Indigenous Initiatives Webinar, Nipissing University, 100 College Dr. North Bay ONT.

Squamish BC

Oct6-9am & Oct7-5pm, Honouring Our Languages 2021, Red River Exhibition Park, 3977 Portage Ave. Winnipeg, MB.

Oct7-2pmto6pm, First Nations & Inuit Art, First Arts Premiers Inc., 65 George St. Toronto ONT

Oct6, Oct7-Unions & the Indigenous Truth & Reconciliation, Wed. & Thurs. Oct6-7, 9:30am to 4pm, 1880 Triumph St. Vancouver BC

Oct7-7pmto8:30pm, Odawa Native Friendship Centre, Ottawa, ONT.

Oct7toOct8, Indigenous Peoples Certificate, Module 1, 75 University Ave W. Waterloo, ONT. More details: wlu.ca/fsw/indigegogy

Oct8-10am to 6pm, Orcas: Oct7-7pm to8:30pm, Sea-to Our Shared Future, Royal -Sky Book Club : 21 Things BC Museum, 675 Belleville You May Not Know...For St. Victoria BC more details read more on Squamish Public Library,

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31 Oct8-7pm, Yasmine Mathurin, Remai Modern, 102 Spadina Cres. E, Saskatoon, SK Oct9-1pm to 4pm, Humber River Salmon Walk, Etienne Brule Park, 10 Catherine St. Toronto, ONT

come, Atlohsa Family Healing Services, 343 Richmond St. #109, London ONT.

ROM, Idea Exchange– Queen’s Square, 1 N Square, Cambridge ONT

Oct13– Online All-Access Webinar Arts and Culture, Ociciwan Contemporary Art Centre, 10124-96 Street, Edmonton AB 6:30pm-8pm

Oct 15 –12pm to 1pm, First Nations Public Libraries Week with Author… Waterloo Public Library, 35 Albert St. Waterloo, ONT

Oct9-7:30pm to 9:30pm, Oct13-7pm to 8pm, Black Twin Flames, King’s Theatre, Indigenous Storytelling, To209 St. George St. Annapo- ronto ONT. lis Royal, NS Oct14-9:30am to 1130am, Oct 11-10am to 2pm, Aborig- Kingston Indigenous Laninal Youth Employment Skills guage Nest. Kingston Building Program, Native Frontenac Public Library, Youth Resource Centre, To- 130 Johnson St. Kingston, ronto ONT. ONT Oct 12 –7pm to 8pm, Medicine Wheel—All Are Wel-

Oct14-2pm to 3pm, Indigenous Perspectives at the

Oct 15 & Oct 16-8pm, A New World, The Orpheum, 601 Smithe St, Vancouver BC Oct16—7pm to 9pm, Twin Flames, Lawrence O’Brien Arts Centre, Voisey Dr, Happy Valley—Goose Bay NL Oct19-6pm to 9pm, The Virtual Effect presents “Elevate: Anti-Racism”, The Creative

Hive, 16819-111Ave, Edmonton AB. Oct21, Thurs, 4pm to 5pm, LitFest Presents: Avenue of Champions with Conor Kerr, Metro Cinema, 8712-109 Street, Edmonton AB Oct23, Sat. 1:30-3:30pm, Land-Based Learning—Fall 2021, St. Albert Further Education, 80 McKenney Ave #107 St. Albert AB For more Information, please go to: Indigenous Events October 2021 Canada

TUNGASUVVINGAT INUIT CONCLUDES 34TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

September 16th, 2021 OTTAWA, ON Tungasuvvingat Inuit (TI) is pleased to announce the successful completion of our 34th Annual General Meeting in Ottawa, Ontario on Thursday, September 16th, 2021.

The annual meeting was held virtually for the second year due to COVID-19.

The AGM was well attended (virtually) by Inuit community, TI staff and stakeholders and partners. A variety of presentations showcasing the incredible achievements of program service and delivery while placing a spotlight on the growth at TI in 2020 – 2021 were applauded by all who attended. As the urban Inuit community grows across Ontario, TI has worked hard to match the demands. TI now employees the largest number of employees it ever has in its 34-year history. As the urban Inuit community grows,

the demand for more employees to deliver programs grows and the need for more funding also increases. TI has never been tested like we have this past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. TI and our teams were able to pivot and successfully deploy critical programming and service delivery like food security, housing assistance, cultural supports, employment training, human trafficking intervention and much more. The Board of Directors and management team express extreme gratitude and respect to our staff that have made considerable sacrifices to ensure supports were available for urban Inuit to access.

The courage and strength of the people at TI came together and we could not be prouder of the effort, the resiliency, and the level of innovation that it took to push through.” Executive Director, Amanda Kilabuk highlighted the significant work TI accomplished despite the health challenges at hand saying, “As an organization, we strengthened our relationships with our Indigenous partners, participated on provincial and federal tables on topics like the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women National Action Plan.

Throughout the vaccination engagement process, TI contributed using an urban Inuit lens in collaboration with The Wabano Centre for AborigiIn his year end address, TI Board of Director President, nal Health in Ottawa, Ottawa Public Health and Ontario Kaajuk Kablalik stated, “In our lifetime, we have never Public Health. We successwitnessed the kinds of chal- fully hosted a pop-up vaclenges we have faced since cination clinic and provided late 2019. The pandemic has barrier free access to the vaccine. threatened our urban Inuit community in many ways.

TI is very much looking for-

ward to 2022 and our 35th anniversary providing programs and services to Inuit in Ottawa and Ontario. It started with a dream and a small original funding base of $80,000. 34 years later we are funded to overt $10,000,000 annually. Ontario’s Inuit population has grown from under 100 in 1987 to estimates of 6000+ in Ontario. Most of these individuals have either personally accessed or had a family member access services or programming that is offered

by TI. To match the growing urban Inuit population, TI will be diligent as we continue to invest in partnerships that will provide much-needed funding to build supports in Ottawa and Ontario.

For more information contact, Joël Lamoureux, Manager, Communications 613.299.4684 - jlamoureux@tiontario.ca

URBAN INUIT IN ONTARIO COUNTING ON LIBERAL GOVERNMENT TO INCREASE SUPPORTS FOR GROWING POPULATION

SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 OTTAWA, ON Tungasuvvingat Inuit (TI) congratulates the Liberal Party of Canada on being reelected in leading the nation as the federal governing party. TI is pleased with the relationships with the Liberal government and we look forward to continued support for the growing urban Inuit population across Ontario. As we reflect, we are pleased with the accomplishments achieved, the increased interest in strategic partnerships and the increased funding. We are encouraged and look forward to ongoing favorable outcomes in our relationship with the Liberal government. It is important to note that the 2016 Census released data that substantiated urban Inuit populations that exceed 40%. Based on the explosive population growth, the need for services and programs for urban Inuit continue to match the population increase. Identifying and addressing these unique

needs as the national public government will require a policy framework that focus on Inuit living away from the north. (Inuit Nunangat) In 2022, TI will celebrate 35 years of serving urban Inuit in Ontario. In 1987, it was estimated that there were roughly 100 Inuit in Ontario.

35 years later, with the anticipation of the release of data from the 2020 survey, it is expected that the data will reveal that the urban Inuit population will approach 50%. The focus of TI is to work directly with Inuit communities in Ottawa and Ontario while advocating on behalf of Inuit living outside of Inuit Nunangat. It is imperative for effective reconciliation that the Liberal government understand the individual identities of Indigenous peoples of Canada and understand the uniqueness of each culture. Additionally, we invite the government to meet and discuss urban Inuit -specific issues. Effective governance and true reconciliation includes understand-

ing the importance of culture and needs such as the portability of Inuit rights and understanding the requirement to offer supports for Inuit living away from the north.

As the population of urban Inuit shifts to the south, we remind the Liberal government that they do so not because they want to but, because they are forced to.

Often there is no choice but to move south as the personal and financial cost of staying in the north is unsustainable. The lack of housing, the exorbitant cost of living, lack of employment, unavailability of proper healthcare, pursuit of higher education, employment, and issues surrounding substance use and trauma are just some of the reasons for relocation.

ing, reconciliatory efforts on behalf of the Government of Canada and ultimately, enough supports and services for urban Inuit so that they may be self determined and enjoy the equity of opportunity provided to all Canadians.

For more information contact, Joël Lamoureux, Manager, Communications 613.299.4684 - jlamoureux@tiontario.ca

Tungasuvvingat Inuit is the only Inuit-specific service organization of its kind in Canada offering 20+ highly integrated, front-line programs and services to urban Inuit in Ontario.

Tungasuvvingat Inuit is a one -stop resource centre to meet the rapidly growing, The goal of TI is to make complex, and evolving needs services and programs avail- of Inuit in Ontario and is recable to ensure the transition ognized as a leading advois made easier. TI offers cate for urban Inuit and is more than twenty front line prominent within the frameservices and programs that work of national Inuit organirequire significant funding to zations operate. We look forward to continued relationship build-

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is Sept. 30, but some provinces won't make it a stat holiday

those who did not return," Brenda Gunn, academic and research director at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, told CTV National News.

The new federal statutory holiday coincides with OrAnthony Vasquezange Shirt Day, which was PeddieCTVNews.ca writer started in 2013 as a way to honour Indigenous children Contact and educate Canadians Published Saturday, Septemabout the impact the residenber 18, 2021 10:09PM EDT tial school system had on Last Updated Saturday, SepIndigenous communities. tember 18, 2021 10:09PM Creating such a federal holiEDT day was one of the 94 calls WINNIPEG -- Much of Canato action by the Truth and da will observe a second Reconciliation Commission holiday this month. back in 2015.

On Sept. 30, federal offices, Many provinces and territobanks and post offices will be ries have followed the federal closed to mark the first Nagovernment's lead in marking tional Day for Truth and Recin the day as a designated onciliation. holiday and day off for stu"The idea is really to set dents. aside a day that we honour Private companies and orall the children who survived ganizations can decide if residential schools, as well they want to honour optional as honour and recognize

or unofficial holidays, and ples through colonization provinces can also designate continues. Dozens of First holidays.

Nations have started searchHowever, Alberta, Saskatch- ing for graves at former resiewan, New Brunswick, Que- dential school sites, and across Canada more people bec and Ontario have chosen not to recognize Sept. 30 are educating themselves to as a statutory holiday. It's a learn what reconciliation decision some say is callous, means. but not unexpected.

“To our groups, reconciliation means, ‘How can I take ac"It kind of goes along with that 'get over it' attitude that tion in my personal life and many Canadians have, but affect change within my own we must never forget, or we community?’,” explained Lori Abraham, Indigenous cultural end up repeating our mistakes." Robert Kakakaway, a program director at 1JustCity. residential school survivor, told CTV News. "It should not At the former Kamloops Indibe a time of celebration, but an Residential School, where a time of education." a suspected 215 graves Kakakaway spent six years were found in May, members at Marieval Indian Residen- of the Tk'emlúps te Secwétial School in Saskatchewan, pemc First Nation will play an honour song on Sept. 30. It where more than 700 unmarked graves were discov- will be played at 2:15 P.T., coinciding with the number of ered in June. graves that "shocked the Beyond the statutory holiday, world," the First Nation said. work to recognize the damage done to Indigenous peo-

AFN NATIONAL CHIEF ROSEANNE ARCHIBALD LOOKS FORWARD TO BUILDING THE HEALING PATH FORWARD WITH RE-ELECTED PRIME MINISTER JUSTIN TRUDEAU on September 21, 2021 (Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations National Chief RoseAnne Archibald congratulates newly re-elected Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party of Canada on achieving a minority government in the 44th federal election.

“I offer congratulations to Prime Minister Trudeau and the Liberal Party on their reelection,” said National Chief RoseAnne Archibald. “I look forward to continuing to work with the Liberal government and all parties to address First Nations priorities as set out in the Healing Path Forward platform, while continuing to make transformative

change for our children, com- – you’ve made us all proud,” munities and Nations.” said National Chief ArchiThe Healing Path Forward: bald. “There is a healing path forward and we can get there 2021 Federal Priorities for Strengthening and Rebuild- by working together. I committed to working with all paring First Nations platform outlines the priority areas for ties after the election to enstrengthening, rebuilding and sure that Canada guarantees equality and equity as we healing First Nations. The document identifies a series heal, as we rebuild and of commitments federal par- strengthen First Nations.”

Nations citizens in Canada. Follow AFN on Twitter @AFN_Updates.

Contact information: Jamie Monastyrski Press Secretary Assembly of First Nations 613-612-7229 (mobile) jamiem@afn.ca

Kelly Reid ties must make to First Na- For more information on The Communications Officer tions to strengthen relation- Healing Path Forward, and Assembly of First Nations 613-292-0857 (mobile) ships and build a stronger other information on First kreid@afn.ca Canada.

Nations priorities and con“I recognize every First Na- cerns, please visit the AFN Lori Kittelberg website: https://www.afn.ca/ Communications Officer tion citizen who chose Assembly of First Nations whether to vote in this elec- the-healing-path-forward/.

604-340-3117 (mobile) tion or not and offer my sincerest congratulations to all The AFN is the national or- lkittelberg@afn.ca of the Indigenous candidates ganization representing First

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