Sen. Jane McCallum: Can we stop with the Indigenous identity fraud? cdnpoli (subs)
Feds’ silence on funding, transition plan for child welfare law causing ‘intense nervousness and frustration’
The cold, calculated and alarmingly high rates of Indigenous identity fraud are critical problems that need to be addressed through legal channels. While the headline-grabbing instances are raising awareness of this problem, we are not doing enough to discuss and then meaningfully respond to the effects of these acts on dispossessing body, mind, and spirit of Indigenous esquiwak . This unilateral extractive relationship, imposed by pretendians, is predetermined, focused, and malicious.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ottawa commits $39.4M to support Indigenous languages in the NorthThe federal government says it is investing $39.4 million to support Indigenous languages in the territories.
Read more »
Meet three Indigenous Two-Spirit TikTokers who are cultivating community online and offlineThe Star spoke to three Two-Spirit TikTokers on how they have used the platform to connect to communities and carry forward their roles and responsibilities.
Read more »
Open Space Arts Society celebrates 50 years with two Indigenous exhibitsWhile there are hundreds of non-commercial, artist-run spaces in Canada today, the Open Space Art Gallery, founded in 1972, was one of the first in the country.
Read more »
What to do with pretendiansOTTAWA—I found it easier to doubt Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond for her apparent misrepresentation of academic achievements than question her claims of Indigenous identity and belonging. Her case has brought complex questions about Indigeneity again to the fore after a CBC investigation documented issues with her claims of Cree ancestry and detailed instances where she reported educational accomplishments there was no evidence she had achieved. Thanks to the federal government and the white supremacy built into the Indian Act, the irony is that Indigenous identity was meant to define who was a “real Indian.” Except that made a total mess of it. First Nations’ knowledge systems are built on connections between communities and between us, with responsibilities to each other. If a so-called Indigenous community refuses its responsibilities to Indigenous neighbours, that’s the sign it’s not an Indigenous community. Ovide Mercredi was right, as usual, when he called for First Nations to return to our tribes and to ignore the federal government-enforced construct of 631 separate First Nations. When I introduce myself as Taku River Tlingit, my tribe is the 39,000 Tlingit across northwest North America. But I have to claim just one community according to the federal government, which messes up the connections between Tlingit communities. Even worse, the federal government demands status cards as proof of being a “real Indian.” It’s galling in light of the status card history of crossing off First Nations women for arbitrary reasons. The use of status cards to define First Nations individuals breaks the Supreme Court’s 2016 Daniels decision, which ruled that the line between status and non-status is so blurry it cannot be used to exclude individuals. The continued use of status cards upholds the federal government’s power and ironically messes up our knowledge systems, including roles, responsibilities, and belonging. Belonging is essential for mental wellness. It risks exclu
Read more »
Opinion | Government must reject exaggerated claims of Métis heritageIn the last several years, governments have thrown open the door to rights and benefits to collectives and individuals with no legitimate entitlement. Opinion by Alex (Sonny) Batisse
Read more »