Conversations Towards Reconciliation

Podcast with Alderville First Nation Chief Taynar Simpson

Recent Posts

A conversation about the Alderville economy, plus the challenges of procurement policies

The podcast:

Alderville First Nations Chief Taynar Simpson discussed economic development in Alderville, including the diverse economy, the role of the Band Council in the economy, and the ongoing community comprehensive business development plan. He also addressed the issue of indigenous procurement in Canada and the challenges indigenous businesses face. He made a case for more transparency and accountability. Of course, he touches on upcoming events in Alderville. Originally aired: October 15, 2024

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Simpson calls on Ontario minister to return artifacts after years of poor storage and neglect

Indigenous artifact

The podcast:

Boxes full of artifacts like arrowheads, tools, and other items are stacked up in a number of Ontario facilities. There are items dating back to 800 BC. The storage of some items unearthed by archaeologists is left to the archaeologists themselves. An open letter addressed to the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism calls on them to take action, especially when Indigenous communities try to retrieve those artifacts. Alderville First Nation Chief Taynar Simpson is one of the letter’s signatories. Continue Reading →

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Alderville chief reflects on Anishinaabe of Upper Great Lakes’ recent settlement and shares two popular Alderville events

The Anishinaabe of the upper Great Lakes won an important settlement recently. Alderville is part of the Anishinaabe Nation. A treaty signed in 1850 was not honoured. The breach involved freezing annual treaty payments at $4 per person for 150 years. As a result, a settlement of $126 billion is to be paid within six months. Continue Reading →

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Personhood proposal for the Ganaraska River, plus details of the new $48.7 billion child welfare plan

Alderville First Nation Chief Taynar Simpson and Port Hope Mayor Olena Hankivsky are exploring the possibility of seeking personhood for the Ganaraska River. This is similar to the efforts to protect the Magpie River in Quebec. Simpson explains in this podcast that giving the river the status of a person under the law would provide better protection than what currently exists. While the talks are moving forward, this is the first time the initiative is being made public, and the implications are explained. This podcast also includes the details of a $47.8-billion child welfare agreement announced at the recent Assembly of First Nations meeting near Montreal. Continue Reading →

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Alderville Chief attends historic Anishinabek Nation meeting where traditional election revived

Anishinabek Nation Chiefs-in-Assembly elected Linda Debassige as the Grand Council Chief

 

At a landmark meeting of the Anishinabek Nation earlier this month, members selected Linda Debassige as the new Grand Council Chief using a traditional stand-up vote for the first time in decades. Alderville First Nation Chief Taynar Simpson attended the meeting. He talks about this historic moment on the show, including the preparations, the nomination, and the final selection. He will also discuss the agenda items covered and the concerns raised during the meeting. Later, he will look ahead to a significant proposal he hopes to raise at another important meeting of chiefs. Continue Reading →

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Chief discusses major steps Alderville is taking towards self-determination in housing and band elections

Alderville band council 2024

The show:

Alderville First Nations are taking several significant steps to empower them in critical areas. There are historic barriers to Indigenous people owning homes on First Nations reserves. In this interview, Chief Taynar Simpson will talk about how members can purchase land and own their homes. Next, you will hear Simpson outline how the community moves towards self-determination in electing its band council. Historically, First Nations faced a prescribed process mirroring settler’s forms of democracy. Continue Reading →

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The future of unmarked burials discovered in Alderville, plus a path toward an Indigenous police force

Workers with ground penetrating radar on Cowessess First Nation in Saskatchewan.

Across Canada, First Nations are using ground-penetrating radar to uncover the burials of children near residential schools. In 2021, Alderville conducted its radar probes on a site near the Alderville United Church (formerly Wesleyan Methodist) on Second Line Road. This is where an Industrial School existed in 1849 as a training centre for several First Nations in the region. Alderville Chief Taynar Simpson will update the situation related to the burials, along with several recent developments. He will review the history of the Industrial School and its relationship to the burials. Continue Reading →

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Access to medical care and relations with the federal Conservatives are discussed with Alderville Chief

Former Cree Grand Chief Matthew Mukash

 

Access to medical treatment for Indigenous people living in the far north is a challenge. In this episode of Conversations Towards Reconciliation, Taynar Simpson, the Alderville First Nation chief, will explore this timely issue. Recently, the CBC reported on Cree grand chief Matthew Mukash, who spent four days in an ER hallway. Simpson will also talk about efforts by the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Cindy Woodhouse, who is trying to make inroads with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, hoping to forestall the tensions and angst that marked the party’s last time in power. And, as always, there is lots of news and information about what is happening in Alderville. Continue Reading →

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New Marvel series’ portrayal of Indigenous people and critique of recent federal boil water funding

The show:

Marvel Studios is getting praise from some corners for its new series Echo, as some say it is good to see an Indigenous superhero portrayed. Alderville Chief Taynar Simpson will explain what it means to have Indigenous representation in critical roles in the entertainment industry. He will discuss the new streaming series and the history of Indigenous representation and a new mobile game, Contest of Champions, that has added an Indigenous character who is a survivor of the Sixties Scoop. Then,  Simpson will discuss a new $6-billion investment in the water infrastructure of First Nations reserves. It is part of an ongoing promise to fix the boil water advisories plaguing Indigenous people. Continue Reading →

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Relations with Northumberland municipalities and Assembly of First Nations

In December, Alderville First Nation Chief Taynar Simpson attended the Assembly of First Nations annual general meeting in Ottawa. A new chief for the assembly, Cindy Woodhouse, was elected. In this show, you will hear Simpson talk about Woodhouse and the significance of her election. And you will also learn about several other key issues, including child welfare, housing, economic development, and policing. In the second segment, Simpson will discuss a critical concept called the duty to consult. It addresses the responsibility of various levels of government to consult with Indigenous people. Continue Reading →

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