Nunavut News - April 10, 2023

ᕿᒻᒦᑦ ᐃᒡᓗᓕᒃ ᐊᕐᓇᖅ

‘ᑐᔅᓯᐅᔾᔨᖃᑦᑕᕆᑦ,’ ᐊᓈᓇᐅᔪᖅ ᐸᓂᒃᑰᓚᐅᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᐋᓐᓂᕐᔪᐊᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ

Dogs maul Iglulik girl

‘Please keep praying for her,’ mother pleads after daughter, 4, sustains serious facial injuries

ᐊᕐᕕᐊᓂ ᓂᔾᔭᐅᓯᔭᖅᑏᑦ

ᐅᖃᐅᓯᖃᖅᐳᑦ

talk about balancing music

Get your motor running

Toonik Tyme racers take take off from Iqaluit to Kimmirut and back in what would eventually take around four to six hours depending on the individual. Trevor

streets

ᕿᑭᖅᑕᓂ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᑲᑐᔾᔨᖃᑎᒌᖑᔪᑦ

ᐱᕈᖅᐸᓪᓕᐊᖏᓐᓇᖅᐳᖅ

ᐊᖓᔪᖅᑳᖅ ᐅᖃᖅᐳᖅ

ᐱᒻᒪᕆᐅᕗᖅ

ᑭᒡᒐᖅᑐᐃᔨᖃᕐᓂᕐᒥ ᐆᒪᔪᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ

ᐅᖃᓪᓚᖕᓂᐅᔪᓂ, ᐅᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᐅᓛᔪᒃ ᐊᑭᓱᒃ

ᕿᑭᖅᑕᓂ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᑲᑐᔾᔨᖃᑎᒌᖑᔪᑦ (QIA)

ᐊᖏᒡᓕᕙᓪᓕᐊᖏᓐᓇᖅᐳᖅ, ᐅᔾᔨᕆᔭᐅᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ

ᑲᑐᔾᔨᖃᑎᒌᖑᔪᓂ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᑲᑎᒪᓂᖓᓐᓂ.

ᑲᑎᒪᓂᖅ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐃᖃᓗᖕᓂ

ᐊᖅᓴᕐᓃᑦ ᑐᔪᕐᒥᕕᖓᓂ ᐊᒻᒪ ᑲᑎᒪᕝᕕᖓᓂ ᒫᔾᔨ 29−ᒥ 30−ᒧᑦ.

“ᖄᖏᖅᓯᒪᔪᓂ ᖃᔅᓯᐊᕐᔪᖕᓂ ᐊᕐᕌᒎᔪᓂ

ᑲᑐᔾᔨᖃᑎᒌᒃᐳᑦ ᐱᕈᕐᔪᐊᖅᓯᒪᕗᖅ, ᐃᓚᖃᖅᑐᒥ

ᑕᕆᐅᕐᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐆᒪᔪᓄᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᕝᕕᖓ.

ᐃᓄᖕᓄᑦ ᖃᐅᔨᒪᓂᖃᖅᐳᒍᑦ (ᐃᓄᐃᑦ

ᖃᐅᔨᒪᔭᑐᖃᖏᓐᓂ) ᐱᓕᕆᕝᕕᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ

ᐊᓯᖏᓐᓂᓪᓗ ᐱᓕᕆᕝᕕᖃᖅᖢᑕ ᑕᐃᑲᓃᑦᑐᓂ

ᐱᕈᖅᐸᓪᓕᐊᖏᓐᓇᖅᑐᓂ,” ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᕿᑭᖅᑕᓂ

ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᑲᑐᔾᔨᖃᑎᒌᖑᔪᑦ ᐊᖓᔪᖅᑳᖓ ᐅᓛᔪᒃ

ᐊᑭᓱᒃ, ᕿᑲᓚᐅᑲᖕᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᑕᐃᑲᓂ ᕿᑭᖅᑕᓂ

ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᑲᑐᔾᔨᖃᑎᒌᖑᔪᑦ 2023-24−ᒥ ᑮᓇᐅᔭᐃᑦ

ᐊᑐᖅᑕᐅᔪᒃᓴᓄᑦ ᐅᖃᓪᓚᖕᓂᐅᔪᒥ, ᐃᓚᒋᐊᖅᓯᓪᓗᓂ

ᐅᓇ ᐱᓕᕆᓂᐅᕗᖅ ᑲᑐᔾᔨᖃᑎᒌᖑᔪᑦ

ᐱᔭᕆᐊᖃᖅᑕᖏᓐᓂ ᑲᔪᓰᓐᓇᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ.

“ᑕᐃᒪᐃᓕᐅᕈᒪᕗᒍᑦ, ᓇᓗᓇᐃᖅᓯᓂᕐᒥ

ᑭᒡᒐᖅᑐᐃᓂᑦᑎᓐᓂ ᐃᓄᖁᑎᑦᑎᓐᓂ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᕐᔪᐊᖑᔪᒥ

ᐱᓕᕆᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᑐᓴᖅᑕᐅᔪᒪᓪᓗᑕ.”

ᐱᕈᖅᐸᓪᓕᐊᓂᖓᓂ ᐊᑐᖅᑕᐅᓂᖓ ᕿᑭᖅᑕᓂ

ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᑲᑐᔾᔨᖃᑎᒌᖑᔪᑦ ᑕᕆᐅᕐᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ

ᐆᒪᔪᓄᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᕝᕕᖓ ᐆᒃᑑᑎᐅᕗᖅ ᑕᒪᑐᒪᙵᑦ, ᐱᕈᖅᐸᓪᓕᐊᔪᒥ ᑎᑎᕋᖅᓯᒪᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᓇᐅᑦᑎᖅᓱᖅᑏᑦ

ᓄᓇᒥ ᐸᖅᑭᔨᐅᔪᓂ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔮᖃᖅᑎᑕᐅᓪᓗᑎᒃ

ᐊᒻᒪ ᕿᓂᖅᑕᐅᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᕿᑭᖅᑕᓂ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ

ᑲᑐᔾᔨᖃᑎᒌᖑᔪᓂ ᐊᐅᓱᐃᑦᑐᕐᒥ, ᖃᖏᖅᖢᒑᐱᒃ, ᖃᐅᓱᐃᑦᑐᖅ, ᒥᑦᑎᒪᑕᓕᒃ

ᑲᑐᔾᔨᖃᑎᒌᖑᓪᓗᓂ,

ᕿᑭᖅᑕᓂ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᑲᑐᔾᔨᖃᑎᒌᖑᔪᑦ ᐊᖓᔪᖅᑳᖓ ᐅᓛᔪᒃ ᐊᑭᓱᒃ ᐊᒻᒪ ᕿᑭᖅᑕᓂ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᑲᑐᔾᔨᖃᑎᒌᖑᔪᑦ ᐊᖓᔪᖅᑳᖓᑕ-ᑐᒡᓕᐊ ᓕᕙᐃ ᐹᓇᐸᔅ ᓈᓚᒃᐳᑦ ᑮᓇᐅᔭᐃᑦ ᐊᑐᖅᑕᐅᔪᒃᓴᓂᑦ ᐅᓂᒃᑳᕆᔭᐅᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᐱᒋᐊᕐᓂᖓᓂ ᕿᑭᖅᑕᓂ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᑲᑐᔾᔨᖃᑎᒌᖑᔪᓄᑦ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᐅᔪᓄᑦ ᑲᑎᒪᓂᖓᓐᓂ ᒫᔾᔨ 29−ᒥ.

ᑲᑐᔾᔨᖃᑎᒌᖑᔪᑦ ᓂᐅᕕᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᓄᑕᐅᙱᑦᑐᒥ ᑯᐊᐸᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᒥ ᖃᐅᓱᐃᑦᑐᕐᒥ ᓴᖑᑎᑕᐅᓪᓗᓂ ᖃᔅᓯᒐᓚᖕᓄᑦ−ᐊᑐᖅᑕᐅᔪᒃᓴᒥ ᐃᒡᓗᕐᔪᐊᖑᓂᖓᓂ ᓇᐅᑦᑎᖅᓱᖅᑏᑦ ᓄᓇᒥ ᐸᖅᑭᔨᐅᔪᓂ ᐊᔾᔨᐸᓗᖏᓐᓂ ᐱᒋᐊᕈᑕᐅᔪᓂ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᕙᓪᓕᐊᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᐊᓯᖏᓐᓂ ᓄᓇᓕᐅᔪᓂ. ᓇᐅᑦᑎᖅᓱᖅᑏᑦ ᐱᒪᑐᑦᑎᐊᕆᐊᖅᑏᑦ ᐸᖅᑭᔨᐅᕗᑦ

ᑕᓪᓗᕈᑎᐅᑉ ᐃᒪᖓᓐᓂ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐊᒃᑐᖅᑕᐅᓂᖏᓐᓂ

ᐊᒻᒪ ᐱᕚᓪᓕᕈᑕᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᖏᕈᑕᐅᔪᒥ

ᑕᓪᓗᕈᑎᐅᑉ ᐃᒪᖓᓐᓂ ᑲᓇᑕᒥ ᑕᕆᐅᕐᒥ ᐊᑐᓗᐊᖅᑕᐃᓕᒪᑎᑦᑎᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐃᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᖃᐅᓱᐃᑦᑐᕐᒥ

ᑲᓇᖕᓇᖓᓂ ᓴᓐᓂᕈᒻᒥ, ᒥᑦᑎᒪᑕᓕᐅᑉ ᕿᑭᖅᑖᓗᐊᓂ ᐊᒻᒪ ᑕᓪᓗᕈᒻᒥ. ᓇᐅᑦᑎᖅᓱᖅᐸᒃᐳᑦ ᑕᕆᐅᑉ ᓯᑯᖓᓂ

ᖃᓄᐃᓐᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᐊᒻᒪ ᓇᐅᑦᑎᖅᓱᖅᐸᒃᐳᑦ ᐊᕙᑎᖓᓐᓂ

ᐊᕕᒃᑐᖅᓯᒪᓂᐅᔪᒥ. ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᐆᒪᔪᓕᕆᔨᕐᔪᐊᒃᑯᑦ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᐅᔪᓂ

ᕿᑭᖅᑕᓂ ᕿᑭᖅᑕᓂ ᐆᒪᔪᓕᕆᔨᐅᔪᓂ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᐅᔪᑦ

ᐱᓕᕆᔾᔪᑕᓪᓗᐊᑕᐅᕗᑦ ᐆᒪᔪᕐᓂ ᐊᐅᓚᑦᑎᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᕿᑭᖅᑕᓂ ᐊᕕᒃᑐᖅᓯᒪᓂᐅᔪᒥ, ᐃᓱᒪᓕᐊᖑᔪᓂ ᑕᐃᒃᑯᓂᖓ ᒪᕐᕉᔪᓂ ᑲᑐᔾᔨᖃᑎᒌᖑᔪᓂ ᐊᒃᑐᐃᑐᐃᓐᓇᕆᐊᖃᕐᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᐃᓅᓯᐅᔪᓂ ᕿᑭᖅᑕᓂ ᐃᓄᖕᓂ. “ᐱᒻᒪᕆᐅᕗᖅ ᐆᒪᔪᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᕝᕕᖃᕐᓂᕐᒥ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᖅᓯᓂᕐᒥ ᑭᒡᒐᖅᑐᐃᓂᑦᑎᓐᓂ ᐃᓄᖁᑎᑦᑎᓐᓂ

ᑕᐃᒃᑯᓄᖓ ᐱᓕᕆᓂᐅᔪᓄᑦ,” ᐊᑭᓱᒃ ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ,

ᐅᖃᐅᓯᒃᓴᓕᐊᖑᒍᓂ ᑐᒃᑐᓄᑦ ᑲᑎᙵᓂᐅᔪᓂ, ᐊᓪᓚᙳᐊᓂ ᕿᓚᓗᒐᕐᓂ ᐅᓄᕐᓂᐅᔪᓂ

ᐊᒻᒪ ᐊᓯᖏᓐᓂ ᐆᒪᔪᓂᑦ. “ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᒪᕗᒍᑦ

ᐃᓱᒪᓕᐊᖑᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᐅᕝᕙᓘᓐᓃᑦ ᐅᖃᓪᓚᖕᓂᐅᔪᓂ

ᓯᕗᓂᒃᓴᓂ ᐊᒃᑐᐃᑐᐃᓐᓇᕆᐊᓕᖕᓂ ᐃᓄᖁᑎᑦᑎᓐᓂ

ᐊᕕᒃᑐᖅᓯᒪᓂᑦᑎᓐᓂ ᐆᒪᔪᒥ ᐅᓪᓗᒥ−ᐃᓪᓗᒧᑦ

ᑐᙵᕕᖃᖅᑐᒥ.”

ᑲᑎᖅᓱᐃᓂᖅ ᐱᖅᑯᓯᑐᖃᖅᑎᒍᑦ ᖃᐅᔨᒪᓂᐅᔪᒥ

ᐊᑐᕐᓂᖃᕆᕗᖅ ᐱᓕᕆᔭᐅᓂᖓᓂ ᐅᓇᐅᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᑐᓂᓯᓂᕐᒥ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᓂ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐅᖃᓪᓚᖕᓂᕐᒥ ᐆᒪᔪᓂ ᐊᐅᓚᑕᐅᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᕿᑭᖅᑕᓂ.

“ᐃᓄᐃᖅ ᖃᐅᔨᒪᔭᑐᖃᖏᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᕝᕕᖓ, ᑲᑎᖅᓱᐃᓲᖑᓪᓗᑕ (ᖃᐅᔨᒪᓂᐅᔪᓂ) ᐃᓄᖁᑎᑦᑎᓐᓂ, ᐱᕙᒃᐸᕗᑦ ᐊᑐᕈᓐᓇᕐᓂᐊᕋᑦᑎᒍᑦ ᐅᖃᓪᓚᖕᓂᐅᔪᓂ

ᐆᒪᔪᓄᑦ. ᐅᑯᐊ ᑐᓴᒐᒃᓴᐅᕗᑦ ᐱᓯᒪᔭᑦᑎᓐᓂ, ᒫᓐᓇ ᐱᓯᒪᕗᒍᑦ (ᐅᓂᒃᑳᕆᓯᒪᓂᐅᔪᓂ) ᑎᑎᕋᖅᓯᒪᔪᓂ ᐊᒻᒪ ᓂᐱᓕᐊᖑᔪᓂ ᓇᓗᓇᐃᖅᓯᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐅᑯᐊ ᓇᓚᐅᑦᑎᐊᖅᑐᓂ ᑭᐅᔾᔪᑕᐅᔪᓂ, ᐅᕝᕙᓘᓐᓃᑦ ᐃᓄᖁᑎᑦᑕ ᑕᑯᓯᒪᔭᖏᓐᓂ ᖄᖏᖅᓯᒪᓕᖅᑐᓂ ᐊᕐᕌᒍᓄᑦ 5,000−ᓄᑦ ᐆᒪᓂᕐᒥ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ.”

Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) President Olayuk Akesuk and QIA Vice-President Levi Barnabas listen to budget details at the outset of QIA’s board of directors meeting on March 29. Trevor Wright/NNSL photo

NTI begins removal process of Kanata Trading Co. twins from Nunavut Agreement

Nunavut land claims organization working on strengthening enrolment process

By Trevor Wright Northern News Services Nunavut

Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI) is investigating potential fraudulent enrolment under the Nunavut Agreement.

NTI became aware of the potential fraudulent enrolment of Amira and Nadya Gill, with Karima Manji claiming they were her adopted children and identifying an Inuk woman as their birth mother.

Subsequently, on March 30, NTI announced it received information from the Inuk woman identified as the birth mother confirming Amira and Nadya are not her children. NTI stated that the process of removing the twins’ Inuit status under the Nunavut Agreement has been initiated.

The issue received attention after having their small business Kanata Trading Co. products featured and going viral, with many online noting holes in the story about their Inuit heritage. Their education also received funding from Indspire, an Indigenous national charity meant for investing in the education of First Nations, Inuit and Metis people. Indspire did not return messages from Nunavut News as of press time.

The Kanata Trading Co. website is now currently protected behind a password following this issue receiving attention.

The family of Kitty Noah, whom the Gill

twins claimed to be a part of, came out with a statement on April 4 condemning the fraudulent claims.

“It has been a complete shock to find out that Amira and Nadya Gill were registered under the Nunavut Agreement using the name of my mother,” wrote Noah Noah, Kitty’s son.

“We do not know the Gill sisters and had no knowledge that they existed, but Karima Manji, their mother is know to our family. My mother is a vulnerable person who may have been exploited.”

The family statement went on to add they were not the ones to file this complaint, but they are happy to see quick action undertaken by NTI on this matter.

“At this time, we are also asking for the RCMP to conduct an investigation into this situation, given that it appears these claims have been made fraudeulently.”

“It is harmful to Indigenous communities to claim and benefit from falsely claiming Indigenous identity.”

The Iqaluit Community Enrollment Committee will be reviewing the removal application and will make a decision.

NTI’s enrolment process is governed by Article 35 of the Nunavut Agreement. Community enrolment committees in each of Nunavut’s 25 municipalities review applications.

The function of removal under the Nunavut Agreement can be initiated by the committee

or at the request of another enrolled person under the Nunavut Agreement, “as a consequence of that person no longer meeting the enrolment requirements,” according to Article 35.

NTI notes this case is the first of its kind under the NTI enrolment program and the organization will be working with community enrolment committees to strengthen the process to prevent any future fraudulent claims.

Nunavut increases basic allowance through Income Assistance Program

Move made to offset soaring cost of food

ᐊᐃᑉᕆᓕ 1−ᒥ, ᐃᓄᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᑦ, ᐊᐅᓚᑕᐅᓪᓗᓂ ᒥᓂᔅᑕ ᒫᒡᒍᓕᑦ ᓇᑲᓱᖕᒧᑦ ᐊᖏᒡᓕᒋᐊᖅᓯᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐱᒋᐊᕐᓂᖓᓂ ᑮᓇᐅᔭᖅᑖᕆᔭᐅᒃᑲᓐᓂᖃᑦᑕᖅᑐᓂ ᐊᑐᐃᓐᓇᐅᔪᓂ ᓂᖃᐃᓱᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᔪᒥ.

On April 1, the Department of Family Services, led by Minister Margaret Nakashuk, increased the basic allowance available through its Income Assistance Program. NNSL file photo

By Trevor Wright Northern News Services

-6 ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ: $2,688

-7 ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ: $3,011

-8 ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ: $3,302

-9 ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ: $3,563

By Trevor Wright Northern News Services

ᐊᖏᒡᓕᒋᐊᖅᑐᒥ

ᐊᖏᒡᓕᒋᐊᖅᑎᑦᑎᓯᒪᕗᑦ ᓂᖃᐃᓱᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖑᔪᒥ ᐱᒋᐊᕐᓂᖓᓂ ᑮᓇᐅᔭᖅᑖᕆᔭᐅᒃᑲᓐᓂᖃᑦᑕᖅᑐᓂ ᐊᐃᑉᕆᓕ 1, 2023 ᐱᒋᐊᕐᓗᓂ.

ᓄᑖᖑᔪᑦ ᐊᑭᖏᑦ ᐃᒪᐃᓕᖓᕗᑦ: ᐊᕕᒃᑐᖅᓯᒪᓂᐅᔪᑦ 1: ᐊᕐᕕᐊᑦ, ᐃᖃᓗᐃᑦ, ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᖅ -1 ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ: $914 -2 ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ: $1,024 -3 ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ: $1,446 -4 ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ: $1,840

-5 ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ: $2,203

-6 ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ: $2,538

-7 ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ: $2,845

-8 ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ: $3,121

-9 ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ: $3,369

-10 ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ: $3,589

ᐊᕕᒃᑐᖅᓯᒪᓂᐅᔪᑦ 2: ᐃᒃᐱᐊᕐᔪᒃ, ᖃᒪᓂᑦᑐᐊᖅ, ᐃᖃᓗᒃᑑᑦᑎᐊᖅ, ᐃᒡᓗᓕᒑᕐᔪᒃ, ᐅᖅᓱᖅᑑᖅ, ᓴᓂᕋᔭᒃ, ᐃᒡᓗᓕᒃ, ᖁᕐᓗᖅᑐᖅ, ᓇᐅᔮᑦ, ᑎᑭᕋᕐᔪᐊᖅ

-1 ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ: $974

-10 ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ: $3,792

ᐊᕕᒃᑐᖅᓯᒪᓂᐅᔪᑦ 3: ᑭᙵᐃᑦ, ᑭᒻᒥᕈᑦ, ᐸᖕᓂᖅᑑᖅ, ᓴᓂᑭᓗᐊᖅ, ᑕᓗᕐᔪᐊᖅ

-1 ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ: $992

-2 ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ: $1,104

-3 ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ: $1,558

-4 ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ: $1,981

-5 ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ: $2,372

-6 ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ: $2,731

-7 ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ: $3,059

-8 ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ: $3,354

-9 ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ: $3,618

-10

ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ: $3,851

ᐊᕕᒃᑐᖅᓯᒪᓂᐅᔪᑦ 4: ᑲᖏᖅᖢᒑᐱᒃ, ᓴᓪᓖᑦ, ᐊᐅᓱᐃᑦᑐᖅ, ᑰᒑᕐᔪᒃ, ᒥᑦᑎᒪᑕᓕᒃ, ᕿᑭᖅᑕᕐᔪᐊᖅ, ᖃᐅᓱᐃᑦᑐᖅ

-1 ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ: $1,048

-2 ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ: $1,160

-3 ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ: $1,637

-4 ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ: $2,081

-5 ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ: $2,491

-6 ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ: $2,868

-7 ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ: $3,211

-8 ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ: $3,520

-9 ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ: $3,795

-10

ᐃᓚᒋᔭᐅᔪᓂ: $4,037

ᓇᑭᙶᕐᓂᖓᓂ: ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᑦ

To help Nunavummiut keep up with the increasing cost of food in the territory, Nunavut’s Department of Family Services has increased the Income Assistance Program’s basic allowance as of April 1, 2023.

The new rates are as follows:

Zone 1: Arviat, Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet

-1 family member: $914

-2 family members: $1,024

-3 family members: $1,446

-4 family members: $1,840

-5 family members: $2,203

-6 family members: $2,538

-7 family members: $2,845

-8 family members: $3,121

-9 family members: $3,369

-10 family members: $3,589

Zone 2: Arctic Bay, Baker Lake, Cambridge Bay, Chesterfield Inlet, Gjoa Haven, Sanirajak, Iglulik, Kugluktuk, Naujaat, Whale Cove

-1 family member: $974

-2 family members: $1,087

-3 family members: $1,533

-4 family members: $1,950

-5 family members: $2,334

-6 family members: $2,688

-7 family members: $3,011

-8 family members: $3,302

-9 family members: $3,563

-10 family members: $3,792

Zone 3: Kinngait, Kimmirut, Pangnirtung, Sanikiluaq, Taloyoak

-1 family member: $992

-2 family members: $1,104

-3 family members: $1,558

-4 family members: $1,981

-5 family members: $2,372

-6 family members: $2,731

-7 family members: $3,059

-8 family members: $3,354

-9 family members: $3,618

-10 family members: $3,851

Zone 4: Clyde River, Coral Harbour, Grise Fiord, Kugaaruk, Pond Inlet, Qikiqtarjuaq, Resolute Bay

-1 family member: $1,048

-2 family members: $1,160

-3 family members: $1,637

-4 family members: $2,081

-5 family members: $2,491

-6 family members: $2,868

-7 family members: $3,211

-8 family members: $3,520

-9 family members: $3,795

-10 family members: $4,037

Source: Government of Nunavut

Amira, left, and Nadya Gill, face removal from the Nunavut Agreement after Nunavut Tunngavik found out the twins may be fraudulently enrolled as Inuit under the agreement. Queens University website photo

ᐊᖏᒡᓕᒋᐊᖅᓯᕗᖅ

ᑮᓇᐅᔭᖅᑖᕆᔭᐅᒃᑲᓐᓂᖃᑦᑕᖅᑐᓂ

Iqaluit’s 58th annual Toonik Tyme celebrated ᐃᖃᓗᐃᑦ

58-ᒋᓕᖅᑕᖓᓂᒃ ᐊᕐᕌᒍᑕᒫᑦ ᑐᓂᖅ ᑕᐃᒻ

Red fireworks go off to mark the beginning of Toonik Tyme in Iqaluit. Trevor Wright/NNSL Photo ᐊᐅᐸᖅᑐᑦ ᐃᑭᑎᑦᓯᔾᔪᑏᑦ ᐱᒋᐊᙵᕐᓂᖓ ᑐᓂᖅ ᑕᐃᒻ ᐃᖃᓗᓐᓂᑦ.

Iqaluit held its 58th annual Toonik Tyme celebrations this past week and a half, bringing family sliding, ski-doo races, iglu building, craft fairs and kid’s games to the community. The biggest event of Toonik Tyme this year was the race to Kimmirut, which took off at 10:16 a.m.

The top five in the Toonik Tyme Kimmirut race are as follows:

- First: Billy Kilabuk, 2:32 p.m.

- Second: Mike Nester, 2:39 p.m.

- Third: Jay Peter, 2:59 p.m.

- Fourth: Wayne Michael, 3:19 p.m.

- Fifth: Dan Nuyalia, 3:25 p.m.

ᐃᖃᓗᐃᑦ 58-ᒋᓕᖅᑕᖓᓂᒃ ᐊᕐᕌᒍᑕᒫᑦ ᑐᓂᖅ ᑕᐃᒻᒥ ᖁᕕᐊᓲᑎᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᐱᓇᓱᐊᕈᓯᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐᒥᑦ ᓇᑉᐸᖓᓂᓪᓗ, ᐃᓚᒌᑦ ᖃᒧᑎᙳᐊᓕᐅᖅᖢᑎᒃ, ᖃᒧᑕᐅᔭᒃᑯᑦ ᓱᑲᓐᓂᑭᓴᐅᑎᓪᓗᑎᒃ, ᐃᒡᓗᕕᒐᓕᐅᖅᖢᑎᒃ, ᓴᓇᐅᒐᓕᐅᖅᖢᑎᒃ ᐊᒻᒪ ᓄᑕᖅᑲᑦ ᐱᙳᐊᖅᑎᑦᑎᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓄᑦ.

ᐊᖏᓛᖅ ᑐᓂᖅ ᑕᐃᒻᒥ ᑕᒪᑐᒪᓂ ᐊᕐᕌᒍᒥ ᑭᒻᒥᕈᒻᒧᑦ

ᓱᒃᑲᓴᐅᔾᔪᐊᖅᑐᑦ, 10:16-ᒥ ᐅᓪᓛᒃᑯᑦ.

ᑕᓪᓕᒪᑦ ᖁᓪᓕᖅᐹᖑᔪᑦ ᑐᓂᖅ ᑕᐃᒻᒥ ᑭᒻᒥᕈᒻᒥ ᓱᑲᓐᓂᑭᓴᐅᑎᔪᑦ

ᐅᑯᐊᖑᕗᑦ:

- ᓯᕗᓪᓕᖅᐹᖅ: ᕕᓕ ᕿᓚᕝᕙᖅ, 2:32 ᐅᓐᓄᒃᓴᒃᑯᑦ

- ᐊᐃᑉᐸᖓ: ᒪᐃᒃ ᓇᔅᑐ, 2:39 ᐅᓐᓄᓴᒃᑯᑦ.

- ᐱᖓᔪᖓᑦ: ᔭᐃ ᐲᑕ, 2:59 ᐅᓐᓄᒃᓴᒃᑯᑦ

- ᑎᓴᒪᖓᑦ: ᕙᐃᓐ ᒪᐃᑯᓪ, 3:19 ᐅᓐᓄᒃᓴᒃᑯᑦ

- ᑕᓪᓕᒪᖓᑦ:

Fireworks go off on the first night of Toonik Tyme along Iqaluit’s breakwater. Trevor Wright/NNSL photo

Toonik Tyme racers take take off from Iqaluit to Kimmirut and back in what would eventually take around four to six hours depending on the individual. Trevor Wright/NNSL ᑐᓂᖅ ᑕᐃᒻᒥ ᓱᑲᓐᓂᑭᓴᐅᑎᔪᑦ ᐃᖃᓗᓐᓂᑦ ᑭᒻᒥᕈᒻᒧᑦ ᐊᐅᓪᓚᖃᑦᑕᖅᑐᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐅᑎᖅᑐᑎᒃ ᐃᑲᕐᕋᓄᑦ ᑎᓴᒪᓄᑦ ᐱᖓᓲᔪᖅᑐᓄᑦ ᒪᓕᓪᓗᒍ ᐃᓄᒃ.

A helmet sits on top of a racer’s snowmobile. Trevor Wright/NNSL photo ᑎᓯᔪᖅ ᓇᓴᖅ ᐃᒃᓯᕚᖅᑐᖅ

Participants in the Toonik Tyme Kimmirut race run toward their snowmobiles. Trevor Wright/NNSL photo

ᖁᕕᐊᓲᑕᐅᑎᓪᓗᒍ

Sports & Recreation

‘To my Whale Cove babies’

‘ᑎᑭᕋᕐᔪᐊᕐᒥ

By Stewart Burnett Northern News Services Local Journalism Initiative Kivalliq

With a 6-2 victory over Rankin AC in the women’s futsal territorials Sunday, March 12, Red Flags earned themselves a ticket to nationals this month to represent Nunavut.

“We’re speechless,” said Dayna Bruce, following the tournament, where Red Flags went undefeated among eight teams from around the territory. The tournament served as a qualifier for the women’s futsal Canadian championship in Calgary this April.

“We worked so hard to get here and it’s a surreal feeling,” said Bruce.

Eema Jones said her team was very nervous before the final game.

“But we did so good,” she said. “To my Whale Cove babies, shout out to them. This one was for you guys.”

Bruce said that once the players hit the court, the nerves calmed down.

Those nerves were readily apparent on the opponent’s side in the finals as well, as at least one Rankin AC player was spotted bent over the trash can between shifts.

“Everyone was nervous on our team,” said Keisha Aliyak, Rankin AC player and tournament organizer. “There was a couple of us who have weak stomachs, so it was either from exhaustion or nerves. We played our best this last game so I’m not surprised there was puking.”

She was proud of the turnout for the tournament, which saw teams from Rankin Inlet, Iqaluit, Whale Cove and Coral Harbour.

“It’s always a heartbreak losing,” admitted Aliyak. “But Red Flags was the better, stronger team this game. They were undefeated all weekend, so it shows that they’re a really strong team. It is what it is.”

Now Red Flags is preparing for the nationals mid-April. The team has picked up Aliyak, along with Kelsie Kaludjak, Lyla Hapanak and Maiya Twerdin to bolster their Team Nunavut forces.

6-2−ᒥ ᒫᓚᖃᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ AC−ᑯᓐᓄᑦ

ᐊᕐᓇᓄᑦ ᕗᑦᓱᓪ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᐱᙳᐊᕐᓂᐅᔪᓂ, ᓈᑦᑎᖑᔭᖅ, ᒫᔾᔨ 12−ᒥ, ᐊᐅᐸᖅᑐᓂ ᐊᐅᓚᖁᑎᓂ ᐱᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ

ᑭᒡᒐᖅᑐᐃᔭᖅᑐᕐᓗᑎᒃ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ. “ᓂᓪᓕᕈᓐᓇᐃᓪᓕᕗᒍᑦ,” ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᑕᐃᓇ ᐳᕉᔅ, ᒪᓕᒃᑐᒥ ᓵᓚᖃᕋᓱᐊᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ, ᐊᐅᐸᖅᑐᓂ ᐊᐅᓚᖁᑎᓂ ᓵᓚᐅᙲᓐᓇᖅᖢᑎᒃ 8−ᖑᔪᓂ ᑲᑎᙵᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᓄᓇᕗᓕᒫᒥ.

ᓵᓚᖃᕋᓱᐊᕐᓂᐅᔪᖅ ᐱᔨᑦᑎᕋᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐱᔪᓐᓇᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᕐᓇᓄᑦ ᕗᑦᓱᓪ ᑲᓇᑕᒥ ᓵᓚᖃᕋᓱᐊᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᑭᐊᓪᒍᕆᒥ ᑕᒪᑐᒪᓂ ᐊᐃᑉᕆᐅᓂᐊᖅᑐᒥ.

“ᐊᒃᓱᕈᖅᖢᑕ ᐱᓕᕆᓚᐅᖅᐳᒍᑦ ᐅᕗᙵᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐅᒃᐱᕐᓇᙱᖦᖢᓂ ᐃᒃᐱᒍᓱᖕᓂᐅᕗᖅ,” ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐳᕉᔅ. ᐄᒪ ᔫᓐᔅ ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐱᙳᐊᖅᑎᖏᑦ

ᓯᕘᕋᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᓯᕗᓂᐊᓂ ᑭᖑᓪᓕᖅᐹᖑᔪᒥ ᐱᙳᐊᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ.

“ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᐱᓕᕆᑦᑎᐊᕐᔪᐊᓚᐅᖅᐳᒍᑦ,” ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ.

“ᑎᑭᕋᕐᔪᐊᕐᒥ ᓄᑕᕋᓛᒃᑲᓄᑦ, ᐃᕆᐊᓛᕐᕕᒋᕙᒃᑲ. ᐅᓇ ᐃᓕᔅᓯᓐᓄᑦ ᑐᕌᖓᕗᖅ.”

ᐳᕉᔅ ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐱᙳᐊᖅᑏᑦ ᓯᑯᒧᐊᕋᒥᒃ, ᓯᕘᕋᓂᖓ ᐸᓚᖅᓯᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ.

ᑕᐃᒃᑯᐊ ᓯᕘᕋᓂᐅᔪᑦ ᑕᑯᒃᓴᐅᕐᔪᐊᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᐊᑭᕋᖏᓐᓂ ᑭᖑᓪᓕᖅᐹᖅᓯᐅᑎᒥ ᐊᒻᒪᓗᑦᑕᐅᖅ, ᐊᑕᐅᓯᓪᓗᐊᒥ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ AC ᐱᙳᐊᖅᑎᒥ ᑕᑯᔭᐅᔪᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐅᑯᖓᓪᓗᓂ ᐊᒃᑕᕐᕕᖕᒧᑦ ᐃᓇᖏᖅᑕᐅᓚᐅᑲᖕᓂᖓᓂ.

“ᑭᒃᑯᓕᒫᑦ ᓯᕘᕋᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᐱᙳᐊᖅᑎᑦᑎᓐᓂ,” ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᑮᓴ ᐊᓕᔭᖅ, ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ AC− ᑯᓐᓄᑦ ᐱᙳᐊᖅᑎᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ ᓵᓚᖃᕋᓱᐊᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓱᐃᔨᐅᔪᒥ. “ᖃᔅᓯᒐᓚᒃᑎᒍᑦ ᓴᙲᑦᑐᒥ ᐊᕿᐊᕈᖃᕋᑦᑕ, ᑕᐃᒫᒃ ᐅᕙᙵᐅᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᑕᖃᓗᐊᕐᓂᑯᒧᑦ ᐅᕝᕙᓘᓐᓃᑦ ᓯᕘᕋᓗᐊᒧᑦ. ᐱᔪᓐᓇᕐᓂᓕᒫᑦᑎᓐᓂ ᐱᙳᐊᓚᐅᖅᐳᒍᑦ ᑕᐃᒫᒃ ᑲᒪᓚᐅᙱᓚᖓ ᒥᕆᐊᖅᓴᖅᑐᖃᕐᓂᖓᓂ.”

ᐅᐱᒍᓱᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐅᐸᖕᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᓵᓚᖃᕋᓱᐊᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ, ᑕᑯᓚᐅᖅᑐᓂ ᐱᙳᐊᖅᑎᐅᔪᓂ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ, ᐃᖃᓗᐃᑦ, ᑎᑭᕋᕐᔪᐊᖅ ᐊᒻᒪ ᓴᓪᓕᓂ. “ᐆᒻᒪᑎᒧᑦ ᓱᕋᐃᓂᐅᖏᓐᓇᐅᔭᖅᐳᖅ ᓵᓚᒋᔭᐅᓪᓗᓂ,”

ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐊᓕᔭᖅ. “ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᐊᐅᐸᖅᑐᓂ ᐊᐅᓚᖁᑎᓂ ᐱᐅᓂᖅᓴᐅᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ, ᓴᙱᓂᖅᓴᐅᔪᓂ ᐱᙳᐊᖅᑎᐅᔪᓂ ᑕᒪᑐᒪᓂ ᐱᙳᐊᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ. ᓵᓚᒋᔭᐅᓚᐅᙲᓐᓇᖅᐳᑦ ᐱᓇᓱᐊᕈᓯᐅᑉ ᓄᙳᐊᓂᓕᒫᖓᓂ, ᑕᐃᒫᒃ ᑕᑯᒃᓴᐅᑎᑦᑎᕗᖅ ᓴᙱᔪᒻᒪᕆᐊᓘᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᐱᙳᐊᖅᑎᐅᓂᖏᓐᓂ.

ᑕᐃᒪᐃᑉᐳᖅ.” ᒫᓐᓇ ᐊᐅᐸᖅᑐᓂ ᐊᐅᓚᖁᑎᓂ ᐸᕐᓇᒃᐸᓪᓕᐊᓕᖅᐳᑦ

ᑲᓇᑕᒥ ᐱᙳᐊᕐᓂᐅᔪᒧᑦ ᐊᐃᑉᕆᓕᐅᑉ−ᕿᑎᖅᐸᓯᐊᓂ.

ᐱᙳᐊᖅᑎᐅᔪᑦ ᐃᓚᐅᑎᑦᑎᓂᐊᖅᐳᑦ ᐊᓕᔭᕐᒥ, ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑭᐅᓪᓯ ᖃᓗᔾᔭᖅ, ᓚᐃᓚ ᕼᐊᐸᓇᒃ ᐊᒻᒪ ᒪᐃᔭ ᑐᕘᑎᓐᒥ ᖁᕝᕙᕆᐊᖅᑎᑦᑎᓂᕐᒧᑦ

ᑭᐅᓪᓯ ᖃᓗᔾᔭᖅ

ᑎᒍᒥᐊᖅᐳᖅ

ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ AC−

ᑯᑦ ᐲᕋᓱᐊᕐᓂᖏᓐᓂ

ᐄᒪ ᔫᓐᔅ ᐱᒋᐊᖅᑎᑦᑎᕗᖅ ᐃᓯᖅᑎᑦᑎᓇᓱᐊᕐᓂᕐᒥ ᐃᓯᕐᕕᖓᓄᑦ. Eema Jones launches a shot on net. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo ᑮᓴ ᔫᓐᔅ ᖁᙱᐊᖅᐳᖅ ᐱᙳᐊᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᐅᐸᖅᑐᓂ ᐊᐅᓚᖁᑎᓂ ᓵᓚᖃᕋᓱᐊᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ AC−ᑯᓐᓂ ᑭᖑᓪᓕᖅᐹᖅᓯᐅᑎᓂ.

Keesha Jones observes play as Red Flags take on Rankin AC in the finals. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Red Flags players celebrate as the final buzzer sounds and they win the women’s territorial. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

ᐄᒪ ᔫᓐᔅ, ᑐᓄᐊᓂ ᓴᐅᒥᖕᒥ, ᑲᑎᖅᓱᐃᕗᖅ

ᐊᐅᐸᖅᑐᓂ ᐊᐅᓚᖁᑎᓂ ᐱᙳᐊᖅᑎᐅᔪᓂ

ᑯᕆᔅᑕ ᐃᒥᒃᑕᐅᑦ ᑕᓕᖅᐱᖕᒥ, ᖁᕕᐊᑉᐳᑦ ᐃᓯᖅᑎᑦᑎᓚᐅᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᐊᐅᐸᖅᑐᓄᑦ ᐊᐅᓚᖁᑎᓄᑦ.

ᐸᓂᓛᖅ ᑕᖅᑕᖅ ᓱᒃᑲᓴᐅᔾᔪᐊᖅᐳᖅ ᔩᓂ ᔫᓐᔅᒥ ᑭᖑᓪᓕᖅᐹᖅᓯᐅᑎᒥ

ᖃᓄᐃᓕᐅᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ.

ᑭᐅᓪᓯ ᖃᓗᔾᔭᖅ ᐊᐳᖅᐳᖅ ᐃᓯᖅᑎᑦᑎᑦᑕᐃᓕᒪᔨᐅᔪᒧᑦ

ᓇᐃᐆᒥ ᐃᒥᒃᑕᐅᒻᒥ ᓄᓱᒃᓯᓇᓱᐊᕐᓂᖓᓂ

ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ AC−ᑯᓐᓂ ᖃᓂᓐᓂᖅᓴᐅᓂᖏᓐᓂ

ᐊᐅᐸᖅᑐᓂ ᐊᐅᓚᖁᑎᓂ ᓵᓚᖃᕋᓱᐊᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ

ᐱᙳᐊᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᓈᑦᑎᖑᔭᖅ, ᒫᔾᔨ 12−ᒥ.

ᐱᙳᐊᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ.

ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᕐᒥ AC−ᑯᑦ ᐱᙳᐊᖅᑎᖏᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᓵᓚᖃᕋᓱᐊᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐋᖅᑭᒃᓱᐃᔨᐅᔪᖅ

ᑮᓴ ᐊᓕᔭᖅ ᖁᙱᐊᖅᐳᑦ ᐱᙳᐊᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ

ᐃᒃᓯᕚᕐᕕᐅᔪᒥ.

Christa Emiktowt, right, cheers after scoring for Red Flags. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Eema Jones, back left, gathers with Red Flags players Macy Jones, Dayna Bruce, Vivian Paniyuk, Keesha Jones and Kayla Jones, with Jeannie Jones, Naomi Emiktowt and Christa Emiktowt in front. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Kayla Jones huddles with her team before the championship game. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Kelsie Kaludjak crashes into goaltender Naomi Emiktowt as she tries to pull Rankin AC closer to Red Flags in the championship game Sunday, March 12. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Panilaaq Tartak races against Jeannie Jones in finals action. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Rankin AC players and tournament organizer Keisha Aliyak watches play from the bench. Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Anti-racism policies in health care should be led by Indigenous staff: report

Report finds inadequate staffing, burnout, moral distress and dissatisfied patients

More Indigenous practitioners are needed to address systemic racism, but that can’t happen without a supportive education system that also envisions them in leadership roles, says a report commissioned by Health Canada and touted as the first comprehensive review of the health-care workforce.

The report, released March 4 by the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS), includes an assessment of 5,000 studies done over the last decade on various issues, such as the retention of nurses and doctors and the impact of technology. Some of the research was from countries with similar care models, including Australia, the United Kingdom and Germany.

It outlines multiple hurdles in health care, including inadequate staffing, burnout, moral distress and dissatisfied patients. It also says the system should prioritize culturally safe workplaces, with a focus on team-based care and gender equity so women, who have been the main caregivers at home as well during the pandemic can stay in leadership roles. The report, which includes surveys of 400 health leaders and professionals, also calls on governments and organizations to develop strategies to support Indigenous practitioners and trainees.

It says racism is a major barrier for many workers as recruitment and retention are among the biggest challenges to planning a health-care system for the future, including in rural and remote areas.

“There are substantial disparities between rates of Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in every health profession, including nursing, medicine, midwifery, dentistry,” says the report, which calls for data collection on racialized trainees and workers.

Indigenous participants highlighted the legal and ethical need to advance the Indigenous health workforce, linking the labour gap to persistent social inequities among First Nations, Inuit and Metis Peoples.

“They also noted the legal obligations of our governments to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, along with the ethical responsibility to fully implement the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada,” the report says.

‘High levels of racism’

Dr. Marcia Anderson, an internist at Grace Hospital in Winnipeg, was among the 15 people who assessed the scientific literature. She said that as part of Canada’s systemically disadvantaged populations, Indigenous Peoples face “really high levels of racism in the workplace or in the learning environment.”

ᐊᒻᒪ ᓄᓇᖃᖅᑳᖅᓯᒪᙱᑦᑐᑦ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᑕᒪᐃᓐᓂᒃ ᐋᓐᓂᐊᖃᕐᓇᙱᑦᑐᓕᕆᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐃᖅᑲᓇᐃᔮᓕᖕᓂᑦ, ᐃᓚᐅᓪᓗᑎᒃ ᐃᓗᐊᖅᓴᐃᔨᑦ, ᐃᓅᓕᓴᐅᑎᑦ, ᐃᕐᓂᓱᒃᓰᔨᑦ, ᑭᒍᑎᓕᕆᔨᑦ,” ᐅᖃᖅᑐᖅ ᐅᓂᒃᑳᖅ ᓴᖅᑭᑕᐅᔪᖅ ᒫᑦᓯ 4.

“In some reports that could be 80 or 90 per cent of people who report experiencing racism,” she said, adding one of the key “pathways” forward is through Indigenous-led development of policies, safe reporting and investigation processes, as well as mandatory education and training for all employees.

“Even within Indigenous populations there is significant diversity. As a First Nations person, I need to know more about cultural safety and cultural humility so I can provide culturally safe care to Inuit people, for example,” said Anderson, who is Cree and Anishinaabe.

Anderson said the gap also compromises care for Indigenous patients, who have endured racism in the health-care system.

She cited the case of 37-year-old Indigenous patient Joyce Echaquan, who died in a Quebec hospital of pulmonary edema in 2020, shortly after filming herself being insulted by hospital staff, as an example of the need for Indigenous Peoples to be part of the health-care workforce and provide leadership in ensuring culturally safe care.

However, Indigenous Peoples face the additional burden of driving change, often on their own and without compensation, Anderson said.

That may involve using connections to their community to help build relationships, sometimes referred to as “cultural load” or a “minority tax,” she said.

“That’s not something my non-Indigenous colleagues are getting asked to do,” said Anderson, also vice-dean of Indigenous health, social justice and anti-racism at the University of Manitoba.

“There can be significant expertise, community connections and relationships and experience and those are really valuable to institutions but institutions haven’t always valued them. So, when we’re asking Indigenous members of our teams to do this extra work, the point is, it should be fairly compensated because it’s part of the value-add to the institution.”

Educational inequities

Indigenous Peoples in remote areas are more likely to be employed in community care settings and in jobs that don’t involve advanced education, compared to their counterparts in urban locations, Anderson said.

“I think that has to do with educational inequities that make it harder for Indigenous Peoples to enter programs like nursing or medicine or pharmacy and then be in those positions.”

Health Canada said health-care workers — from family doctors to personal support workers, massage therapists, dental hygienists and dietitians — are “the backbone of our health-care system and they are currently experiencing unprecedented challenges.”

“There are substantial disparities between rates of Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in every health profession, including nursing, medicine, midwifery, dentistry,” states a report released March 4. Aman Parhar/Black Press photo

“The government of Canada is committed to protecting and strengthening Canada’s publicly funded health-care system, including by addressing the health workforce crisis,” it said in an emailed response.

“This evidence-based assessment report will inform ongoing collaboration between the government of Canada, the provinces and territories and key stakeholders to identify both immediate and longer-term solutions to address significant health workforce challenges.”

Serge Buy, CEO of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, said many Canadians, including himself, are regularly affected by health-care issues, including the lack of a family doctor.

“I don’t have a doctor. My father, who’s 85, doesn’t have a doctor, for two years,” said Buy.

“My doctor quit in the middle of the pandemic. He sobbed on my shoulder saying, ‘I can’t do this.”’

Buy said that while much of the report highlights issues unveiled during the pandemic, they have not previously been backed up by scientific evidence now available to governments, non-government organizations and other stakeholders.

For example, during the pandemic, women health-care practitioners have found it difficult to remain involved in leadership, administration or research due to increased caregiving responsibilities, the report says.

“These factors are rarely considered in workforce planning,” it says regarding gender equity.

—By Camille Bains, The Canadian Press

Feds’ draft plan to enshrine UN’s Indigenous rights declaration ‘not perfect’: Lametti

Still a lot missing that needs to be improved, minister concedes

Justice Minister David Lametti said Wednesday he knows the government’s draft action plan for implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is not perfect.

“It is not perfect. It is not final. It is not complete,” he told a special gathering of Assembly of First Nations chiefs.

“There’s a lot missing in there that needs to be improved.”

The national advocacy voice for more than 600 First Nations across Canada staged the meeting so chiefs could vote on a batch of draft policy resolutions and debate the proposed action plan that Lametti’s department released last month.

The document seeks to lay out the first steps in Ottawa’s blueprint for aligning Canadian laws with the UN declaration, which affirms the rights of Indigenous Peoples to self-determination and to their language, culture and traditional lands

Such was the goal behind the landmark legislation the federal Liberals passed in 2021, which stipulated that the government must return to Parliament with an implementation plan by this June.

Lametti said that time frame got a green light

from former assembly national chief Perry Bellegarde, who during his tenure had pushed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government to pass the bill.

Former NDP MP Romeo Saganash had brought forward similar legislation twice.

His first private member’s bill was defeated in 2014, during the majority mandate of Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper. The second passed in the House of Commons in 2018, but did not make it through the Senate before Parliament was dissolved for the 2019 election.

Canada first endorsed the declaration itself in 2010.

Lametti said Wednesday that finalizing an action plan is just the next step toward implementation, but noted the process to get it right could extend beyond his lifetime.

The draft contains 101 specific measures that Ottawa pledges to take to better align its actions and laws with the recognition of Indigenous rights.

The steps span across different federal departments, and contain commitments to “include measures to address anti-Indigenous racism” as

part of the government’s broader anti-racism strategy and work with Indigenous people to ensure communities “equitably and consistently benefit from natural resource development” on their lands.

Sara Mainville, a lawyer working with the assembly on the issue, told chiefs in a briefing on Tuesday that “there is too much noncommittal language” in the plan. She voiced concerns that it appears to stick with the status quo.

“Canada didn’t do its homework,” she said, echoing criticisms that the plan’s wording is too vague.

Lametti seemed to understand that criticism, emphasizing to the chiefs Wednesday that the next few months will be dedicated to making changes.

“The action plan is a draft,” he said. “It is meant to be the focal point for intense discussion over the next three months.”

He added there will be a lot of dialogue on the document’s strengths and weaknesses, but ultimately, “it is just a draft.”

By Stephanie Taylor, The Canadian Press. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 5, 2023.

ᒥᓂᔅᑕ ᒪᓕᒐᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᓐᓄᑦ ᑕᐃᕕᑦ ᓛᒻᑎ ᐅᖃᖅᑐᖅ ᖃᐅᔨᒪᓂᕋᖅᖢᓂ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᑦ ᑎᑎᕋᕆᐊᕐᖓᐅᑎᖓᓂᒃ ᖃᓄᐃᓕᐅᕈᑎᒃᓴᓄᑦ ᐸᕐᓇᐅᑎᒥᒃ ᐊᑐᓕᖅᑎᑦᑎᓂᐊᕐᓗᓂ ᓄᓇᕐᔪᐊᕐᒥ ᑲᑐᔾᔨᖃᑎᒌᑦ ᓱᓕᓂᕋᕈᑎᖓᓂᒃ ᓄᓇᖃᖅᑳᖅᓯᒪᔪᑦ ᐱᔪᓐᓇᐅᑎᖏᑦ ᐱᐅᓗᐊᙱᒻᒪᑦ.

Minister of Justice David Lametti says he knows the government’s draft action plan for implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is not perfect. The Canadian Press/Justin Tang

Iqaluit Humane Society set to open Nunavut animal care hub

Goal is to open veterinary clinic in fall; future plans to expand into shelter

The Iqaluit Humane Society has purchased the old NunaVet Animal Hospital (building 3070) in Iqaluit’s Apex neighbourhood and is currently renovating it into a centre for animal care and shelter.

Last summer, NunaVet closed its doors, shuttering the doors of Nunavut’s only veterinary clinic.

That continued to be the case until late last year, when the Eric S. Margolis Foundation came in to help the Iqaluit Humane Society and to make this a reality.

“Just before Christmas, we found out they were willing to make a significant donation to our organization,” said Janelle Kennedy, president of the Iqaluit Humane Society board of directors, just as the old NunaVet building was available to purchase.

“Our long-term plan is we’ll have a vet clinic, other pet services as well as an on-site manager and animal rescue running out of that building,” she added.

However there’s a lot of work ahead for them, the society has two years of renovations planned, with the first phase of renovations is expected to be finished by the end of October this year.

First, the planned veterinary clinic, which the Humane Society is planning to open first and then the second year of renovations will be on the shelter side of things.

“A lot of the renovations have to do with upgrading plumbing, fixtures, but one of the big things is the building is located in a residential area. In order to be successful, we have to be good neighbours, we want to make sure we minimize noise, disturbance, traffic, all of those things are on our mind,” said Kennedy.

Building proper fencing, soundproofing the building and being a good neighbour are all things the Humane Society is taking into consideration with the building being in a residential area.

The demand is there for a veterinary clinic in Nunavut’s capital, noted Kennedy. When she was planning a travelling clinic for May they were planning for five days in Pond Inlet and five days in Iqaluit and the Humane Society was looking for home-stays for the veterinary team while in Iqaluit.

“Two people wrote to me about homestays,

and I recorded 37 messages that day of people asking for an appointment. I had to tell people, I just need the rooms first and I’ll let you know about appointments. Just in that few hours I posted I had 37 requests for appointments,” she said. “Yeah, I think there’s a huge demand.”

Plans for hub

The Humane Society hopes to have the new building to serve as a hub for keeping mobile equipment ready and accessible for travelling veterinary clinics going to communities outside of Iqaluit.

“Now that we have the building, the vet

clinic (will) definitely be a better hub for doing more regular community visits,” said Kennedy. Grooming, boarding, pet supplies and training are all services the Society hopes to host at their new building. Kennedy notes there’s at least a few pet groomers and trainers in Iqaluit they would love to work with.

“All of our activities should culminate in being some sort of one-stop shop where we can do everything we’ve already been doing for the last 20 years but to be able to expand our services so we can have a complete pet wellness centre,” said Kennedy.

In line with these goals, they’re also in the process of changing their name to Nunavut Animal Rescue, while not official yet, it’s something they’ve been basically working toward since starting the Iqaluit Humane Society, holding or supporting spay and neuter clinics in multiple communities since opening up over 20 years ago, from Qikiqtarjuaq, Iglulik, Kimmirut, Resolute Bay, and Pangnirtung.

Bouncing Back

Since September 1, 2021, the Iqaluit Humane Society has had to make do without a shelter. Between not having buildings, the Iqaluit Humane Society continued rescue efforts, depending on foster homes for dogs received by the city, Iqaluit residents or nearby communities.

From hosting multiple foster dogs in her own home, to soon having a newly renovated, bigger building is something she didn’t think would be possible. “I never thought we would be here. We never imagined a foundation would be so incredibly generous. They’ve been following us for years and they really see what we do for Nunavut,” said Kennedy, praising the Eric S. Margolis Foundation.

“We are all very hopeful and we think there’s a bright future ahead but it’s going to take a village, we can’t do it all on our own.”

The first phase of renovations is expected to be completed by this fall. Photo courtesy of Janelle Kennedy

By Trevor Wright Northern News Services Iqaluit

ᐊᖏᕐᕋᒥ ᐅᖅᓱᐊᓗᖕᒧᑦ ᐅᑎᕐᕕᐅᓂᕐᒥ ᑐᒃᓯᕋᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐱᓕᕆᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᒪᑐᐃᖅᐳᖅ

$1,000−ᓂ ᐊᑐᐃᓐᓇᐅᑎᑕᐅᕗᑦ ᑮᓇᐅᔭᓂᒃ

By Trevor Wright Northern News Services Nunavut

ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᑦ (GN) ᒪᑐᐃᖅᓯᓯᒪᕗᑦ ᑐᒃᓯᕋᕐᓂᐅᔪᒥ

ᐱᓕᕆᓂᐅᔪᒥ 2023−ᒥ ᓇᖕᒥᓂᖃᖅᑐᓄᑦ ᐊᖏᕐᕋᒥ ᐅᖅᓱᐊᓗᖕᒧᑦ ᐅᑎᕐᕕᐅᓂᕐᒥ ᑕᐃᒪᐃᓐᓂᐊᕐᓂᕋᓚᐅᕐᓂᖏᓐᓂ 2023-24−ᒧᑦ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᑮᓇᐅᔭᓂ ᐊᑐᖅᑕᐅᔪᒃᓴᓂ.

ᓇᖕᒥᓂᖃᖅᑐᓄᑦ ᐊᖏᕐᕋᒥ ᐅᖅᓱᐊᓗᖕᒧᑦ ᐅᑎᕐᕕᐅᓂᕐᒥ ᐊᑐᐃᓐᓇᖃᖅᑎᑦᑎᕗᑦ ᐱᔪᓐᓇᖅᑐᓂ

Nunavut homeowner fuel rebate application process opens $1,000 being offered to offset costs of owning home in territory

By Trevor Wright Northern News Services Nunavut

The Government of Nunavut (GN) has opened the application process for its 2023 homeowner fuel rebate as promised in the 2023-24 Nunavut budget.

The homeowner fuel rebate offers eligible homeowners in the territory a one-time $1,000 payment. To be eligible, one needs to prove they own a home in Nunavut and have lived in it on April 1, 2023. Necessary documentation can include any one of the following:

-A copy of your certificate of title (available from Nunavut Land Titles Office)

-A copy of your recent property tax assessment

-A copy of your recent property tax notice

Due to changes last year to the federal government’s pricing rules on the carbon

ᓇᖕᒥᓂᖃᕐᓂᕐᒥ ᐊᖏᕐᕋᕆᔭᐅᔪᓂ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ

ᐊᑕᐅᓯᐊᖅᑐᒥ $1,000−ᒥ ᐊᑭᓖᓂᐅᔪᒥ. ᐱᔪᓐᓇᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ, ᐃᓄᒃ ᑕᑯᒃᓴᐅᑎᑦᑎᔭᕆᐊᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᓇᖕᒥᓂᖃᕐᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᐊᖏᕐᕋᖓᓂ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐃᒡᓗᒋᓯᒪᓗᓂᐅᒃ ᐊᐃᑉᕆᓕ

ᑐᒃᓯᕋᐅᑕᐅᔪᑦ ᓇᓂᔭᐅᔪᓐᓇᖅᐳᑦ ᖃᕋᓴᐅᔭᑎᒍᑦ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᑦ ᐃᑭᐊᖅᑭᕕᖓᓐᓂ, ᐅᕝᕙᓘᓐᓃᑦ ᐅᐸᒡᓗᓂ ᐃᖃᓗᒃᑑᑦᑎᐊᕐᒥᐅᑕᓄᑦ, ᐃᖃᓗᐃᑦ, ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᖅ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐃᒡᓗᓕᖕᒥ. ᐊᓯᖏᓐᓂ ᓄᓇᓕᐅᔪᓂ, ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᓐᓂ ᖃᐅᔨᒪᖃᑎᒌᖕᓂᐅᔪᒥ ᐱᓕᕆᔨᒥ ᐃᑲᔪᖅᓱᐃᔪᓐᓇᖅᐳᖅ ᐱᓂᕐᒥ ᑐᒃᓯᕋᐅᑕᐅᔪᒥ.

ᑐᒃᓯᕋᖅᑎᐅᔪᑦ ᓂᕆᐅᒍᓐᓇᕐᓂᐊᖅᐳᑦ ᐅᑕᖅᑭᓂᐅᔪᓂ ᐱᓇᓱᐊᕈᓯᐸᓗᖕᓂ ᑎᓴᒪᓂ ᐊᑭᓕᖅᑕᐅᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐅᓪᓗᖓᓂ ᑐᒃᓯᕋᐅᑎ ᐱᔭᐅᓂᖓᓂ. ᐃᓱᓕᕝᕕᒃᓴᖓ ᑐᒃᓯᕋᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᑎᓯᐱᕆ 31, 2023−ᖑᕗᖅ. ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᑦ ᑐᓂᓯᔾᔮᙱᓚᑦ ᐅᓄᕐᓂᖅᓴᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᑕᐅᓯᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᑭᓕᐅᑕᐅᔪᒥ ᐊᑕᐅᓯᕐᒧᑦ ᐃᓄᑐᐃᓐᓇᕐᒧᑦ, ᐅᕝᕙᓘᓐᓃᑦ ᖃᔅᓯᒐᓚᖕᓄᑦ ᐊᑭᓕᐅᑕᐅᔪᓂ ᐊᑕᐅᓯᐅᔪᒧᑦ ᓇᖕᒥᓂᕆᔭᐅᔪᒧᑦ. ᐃᓄᑐᐃᓐᓇᐃᑦ ᓅᓯᒪᓪᓚᕆᒃᑐᓂ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥ ᐱᔪᓐᓇᙱᑐᐃᓐᓇᕆᐊᖃᖅᐳᑦ ᐅᑎᖅᑎᕕᐅᓂᖓᓐᓄᑦ.

ᐊᑐᖅᑕᐅᔪᒃᓴᓂ ᕕᕗᐊᕆᒥ. ᓄᓇᕘᑉ ᑮᓇᐅᔭᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᖏᑦ ᐊᑐᐃᓐᓇᖃᖅᑎᑦᑎᕗᑦ 2023 ᓇᖕᒥᓂᖃᖅᑐᓄᑦ ᐊᖏᕐᕋᒥ ᐅᖅᓱᐊᓗᖕᒧᑦ ᐅᑎᕐᕕᐅᓂᕐᒥ ᐃᑲᔪᕐᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᑮᓇᐅᔭᓂᒃ

Nunavut Finance Minister Lorne Kusugak, who delivered the 2023-24 territorial budget in February. Nunavut’s Department of Finance is offering the 2023 homeowner fuel rebate to help offset the costs of owning a home in the territory. NNSL file photo

tax, Nunavut had to cancel the Nunavut Carbon Rebate program. As part of efforts to help manage the higher costs of owning a home, the homeowner fuel rebate is being offered.

Applications can be found online on the Government of Nunavut website, or in person for residents in Cambridge Bay, Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet and Iglulik. In other communities, a Government of Nunavut liaison officer may assist in obtaining an application.

Applicants should expect to wait around four weeks for payment from the date the application is received. Deadline to apply is Dec. 31, 2023.

The GN will not issue more than one payment to a single individual, nor multiple payments for one property.

Individuals who have moved away from Nunavut permanently may not be eligible for the rebate.

ᓇᖕᒥᓂᖃᖅᑐᓄᑦ

Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal highlights investments in clean energy during Iqaluit visit

Vandal supports Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link and hydro projects around Iqaluit

By Trevor Wright Northern News Services Iqaluit

Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal visited Iqaluit on April 4 to meet with the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce and to highlight federal investments in renewables and critical minerals.

“Budget 2023 delivers crucial investments to build Canada’s economy, to fight climate change, to make life more affordable and to create new opportunities for Canadian businesses as well as Canadian workers,” said Vandal.

To achieve this, he said there will be more measures to incentivize investments in clean, affordable energy while providing jobs in the process.

“The plan we brought forward last week will

mean big things for Nunavut, new instruments, cleaner air and water and new opportunities,” said Vandal.

“We also know the importance of meaningful consultation and engagement with Indigenous leaders as well as communities. That’s why the budget allocated more funding to the federal guidelines on the duty to consult, helping our commitment to economic reconciliation.”

A 15 per cent refundable tax credit for non-emitting electricity generation and transmission equipment between provinces is tailor-made for projects such as the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link.

“The Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link is very important as well as the Iqaluit hydro electricity project. Both have been supported by the federal government in the past, specifically through CanNor (Canadian Northern Eco-

nomic Development Agency) and Northern Affairs. There was a heavy emphasis on clean electricity and clean energy in Budget 2023.”

“We are going to work with the leadership in the Kivalliq. We think there’s tremendous potential there to create clean energy.”

Vandal also touted an additional $4 billion investment in the federal critical minerals strategy which Nunavut’s is going to be a part of.

“We do know Nunavut’s going to be very important for critical minerals in the future. We know critical minerals are absolutely essential as the world races to try and build clean energy mechanisms and systems.”

“We have $40 million of that dedicated toward working in northern regions on land use plans, assessments, (and) regulatory processes. Nunavut’s going to be front and centre in that whole process.

Vandal added that this upcoming May

will be the 30th anniversary of the Nunavut Agreement.

“We’ve done big things together before and we will do them again.”

Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal highlights federal Budget 2023 investments in clean energy as well as critical minerals being beneficial for Nunavut while visiting Iqaluit on April 4. Trevor Wright/NNSL photo

Iglulik girl suffers serious facial wounds in dog attack

Mother says three dogs will be put down

By Trevor Wright Northern News Services Iglulik

A four-year-old girl in Iglulik was viciously attacked by three dogs on March 31, leaving her with serious facial injuries.

Sharon Mary Kappianaq’s daughter, who is now wearing an eye patch, is still healing from the scary ordeal but seems to be doing better now, according to her mother.

“That’s her right eye. It’s very bad,” Kappianaq wrote on Facebook on April 5, alongside a photo of her child that de-

picts the extent of the damage done to the girl’s face. Stitched wounds and bruising are visible.

“Thank you all for positive words for us. Please keep praying for her. Thankfully she still alive with me and her twin sister,” Kappianaq added.

She said her father, Bart Hanna Kappianaq, one of the dog catchers in Iglulik, is planning to put down the trio of dogs once he returns from the land, where he’s currently serving as a Canadian Ranger.

Nunavut News was unable to reach the hamlet’s senior administrative officer for comment as of press time.

Vatican rejects Doctrine of Discovery, a move Indigenous people have long urged

The Vatican has rejected the Doctrine of Discovery a year after Pope Francis met with Indigenous groups from Canada and apologized for the Catholic Church’s role in the residential school system.

A statement from the Vatican on March 30 said the papal bulls, or decrees, “did not adequately reflect the equal dignity and rights of Indigenous peoples.”

The 15th-century doctrine was connected to the idea that lands being colonized were empty, when in fact Indigenous people had long called them home.

“These racist legal doctrines have allowed Canada to unilaterally claim sovereignty over our peoples and our lands and further used it as an excuse to commit genocide,” Chief Bobby Cameron of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, which represents 73 First Nations in Saskatchewan, said in a statement.

“Today, the Vatican finally said what our peoples have always known.”

More than 500 years ago, popes began issuing the first of a series of edicts, known as papal bulls.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, which investigated residential schools in Canada, said these bulls helped shape the political and legal arguments that became known as the Doctrine of Discovery.

The commission’s final report included a call to action for all religious denominations “to repudiate concepts used to justify European sovereignty over Indigenous lands and peoples, such as the Doctrine of Discovery.”

Last March, First Nations, Metis and Inuit groups went to Rome to meet with Pope Francis. Francis apologized for the church’s role in residential schools, but delegates also told him the doctrine must be rejected.

The pontiff travelled to Canada in July for a six-day tour, during which apologized again for residential schools and was criticized for not addressing the papal bulls. Throughout his stops in Alberta, Quebec and Nunavut, people held signs and yelled for the Pope to reject the doctrine.

Donald Bolen, the Archbishop of Regina, said Indigenous people made it clear that the Vatican needed to address the issue.

“The language in those bulls is deeply wounding and problematic, and there was a desire for the Holy See to address it, and they have.”

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, of which Bolen is a member, said in a statement that it’s grateful Indigenous organizations urged the move. The conference signed a statement calling for the church to reject principals associated with the doctrine in 2016.

Bolen said the Vatican’s statement Thursday shows Francis was listening to Indigenous people during their meetings at the Vatican and throughout his time in Canada.

“I think there’s no doubt that it’s a response given at the request of Indigenous people in Canada,” he said.

The statement from the Vatican, however, said the doctrine is not part of the teachings of the church and the documents were “written in a specific historical period and linked to political questions.”

The Vatican said the contents of the documents were manipulated for political purposes to justify “immoral acts against Indigenous Peoples.”

“It is only just to recognize these errors, acknowledge the terrible effects of the assimilation policies and the pain experienced by Indigenous peoples, and ask for pardon.”

Cody Groat, who is Mohawk from Six Nations in Ontario and

an Indigenous studies professor at Western University, said implying that the church never advanced the doctrine shifts the blame. Groat, who is also seeking to be the federal NDP candidate in a rural Ontario riding, said the statement suggests the Vatican recognizes it is in “a period of global reckoning” and had to take this step “in order to stay relevant.”

ᒫᑦᓯ 2022−ᒥ, ᐃᖅᑭᓖᑦ, ᐊᓪᓚᐃᑦ ᐊᒻᒪ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᖃᑎᒌᑦ ᕉᒥᓕᐊᓚᐅᖅᐳᑦ ᑲᑎᖃᑎᖃᕆᐊᖅᑐᖅᖢᑎᒃ Pope Francis−ᒥᑦ. ᕗᕌᓐᓴᔅ ᒪᒥᐊᓚᐅᖅᑐᖅ ᑐᒃᓯᐊᕐᕕᐅᑉ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖓᓂᒃ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕆᐊᖅᑎᑕᐅᕙᓚᐅᖅᓯᒪᔪᓄᑦ, ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᑲᑎᒪᔭᖅᑐᖅᓯᒪᔪᑦ ᐅᖃᓚᐅᕐᒥᔪᑦ ᑑᑯᕇᓐ ᑎᔅᑲᕗᕆ ᕿᐱᓗᒃᑕᐅᔭᕆᐊᖃᕐᓂᖓᓂᒃ.

In March 2022, First Nations, Metis and Inuit groups went to Rome to meet with Pope Francis. Francis apologized for the church’s role in residential schools, but delegates also told him the Doctrine of Discovery must be rejected. Vincenzo Pinto/Pool File Photo via AP

Federal Justice Minister David Lametti tweeted Thursday that advocacy by Indigenous leaders and communities led to the Vatican’s statement, calling it “a doctrine that should have never existed.”

“This is another step forward,” he said.

—By Kelly Geraldine Malone and Stephanie Taylor, The Canadian Press

‘Today, the Vatican finally said what our peoples have always known,’ says chief

A four-year-old Igulik girl suffered cuts that required stitches and bruising to her face after being attacked by three dogs on March 31. NNSL file photo