Conversations Towards Reconciliation

Recent Posts

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

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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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Filed under: Conversations Towards Reconciliation, Community, Conversations Towards Reconciliation, Environment, Politics, Social Justice

Alderville Chief attends historic Anishinabek Nation meeting where traditional election revived

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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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Filed under: Conversations Towards Reconciliation, Alderville, Anishinabek Nation, Community, Conversations Towards Reconciliation, Social Justice

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

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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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Filed under: Conversations Towards Reconciliation, Alderville, Conversations Towards Reconciliation, Democracy, Housing, Indigenous People, Politics, Social Justice

Metis rights in Bill C-53 raises concerns for Alderville Chief, plus remembering former PM Brian Mulroney

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Cassidy Caron, president of the Métis National Council

Legislation aimed at providing Metis people the same rights for self-governance returned to the House of Commons for a third reading last month. It gives rights like authority concerning internal governance, citizenship, elections, government operations, and child and family services. In the show’s first segment, you will hear Alderville First Nations Chief Taynar Simpson explain the concerns many First Nations representatives express about the legislation, also known as Bill C-53. In the second segment, Chief Simpson reflects on the legacy of former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. Mulroney died on February 29 at the age of 84. Continue Reading →

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Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Alderville, Conversations Towards Reconciliation, Indigenous People, Politics

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

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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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Filed under: Conversations Towards Reconciliation, Alderville, Conversations Towards Reconciliation, Healthcare, Indigenous People, Northumberland County, Politics

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

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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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Filed under: Conversations Towards Reconciliation, Alderville, Chief Taynar Simpson, Conversations Towards Reconciliation, Politics