1420 replies to this topic

[LJ]

Does it have a safe injection room?

[Victoria Watcher]

Group banished from Haida Gwaii in wake of man’s death by vehicle

 

https://cheknews.ca/...ehicle-1252623/

 

 

 

Multiple posts on social media indicate thatafter being shunned, seven individuals have allegedly fled the island and are on the move.

 

Northwest B.C. residents also posted on Facebook that the Gwaalagaa Naay Corporation announced the banishment of these individuals. Gwaalagaa Naay Corporation is the economic development agency in Skidegate, owned by the Skidegate Band Council.

 

More than 100 local businesses also banned them from using their premises, according to other social media posts.

 

Similar social media posts indicate the confiscation and demolishing of homes occupied by the group followed. The situation escalated and became regional on April 29, as they reportedly exited Haida Gwaii and travelled by ferry to Prince Rupert with their belongings in tow.

 

However, they were met with a cold reception at the Prince Rupert terminal, where numerous people had gathered, drumming and holding banners saying “Justice for Luke” and “In Solidarity with Haida Gwaii” to protest their arrival. Videos shared in local Facebook groups depict this dramatic moment, during which the protesters expressed their opposition to allowing the individuals to remain in the community.

 

The situation sparked further demonstrations along the Highway 16 corridor with First Nations communities in Terrace, Kitwanga, Gitsegukla, Burns Lake, Prince George, and others indicating solidarity. In numerous online videos, residents gather on the roads, drumming and waving signs to make it clear that the individuals from the banished group are unwelcome in their communities. Hashtags such as #Justice4Luke have gone viral.

 

There is a larger movement within Haida Gwaii to distance itself from the drug trade, with many residents demanding action and change.

 

The group involved in the controversy has reportedly continued their journey east, with their last known destination being McBride, B.C.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 01 May 2025 - 09:06 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Right back to 1885 practices when we allow FN to run things.



https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.7523993



'Years of history': Who is the former drug dealer banished from Haida Gwaii?


Skidegate band councillor warned court years ago that banishment could be in the cards for Frank Young







Progress.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 02 May 2025 - 12:52 PM.

[dasmo]

Sounds better than our system. Have you been downtown lately? 

[dasmo]

"Scared neighbours. An atmosphere of "fear, mistrust and continual disruption." People "upset and anxious and worried in their own homes."

As she listed Frank Young's impacts on her small Haida Gwaii community, a Skidegate band councillor told a B.C. provincial court judge in 2020 that the First Nation wouldn't rule out banishment if the system couldn't protect residents from the harms caused by his drug dealing."

[Victoria Watcher]

Good thing we gave over Haida Gwaii to the natives. All good with administration there.

[dasmo]

One less drug dealing family terrorizing the neighborhood. So they are already up one over our management. 

[UDeMan]

What, no Gladue assessment before punishment on Haida Gwaii

[dasmo]

What, no Gladue assessment before punishment on Haida Gwaii

That's for our justice system towards them. They are applying their own here. Our system still has to process them. 

[Victoria Watcher]

Indigenous hiring fair changes location, offers new programming to meet community needs

 

The event is free to attend and will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 231 Regina Ave.

https://www.timescol...-needs-10623756

 

 

The Victoria Native Friendship Centre and WorkBC are hosting an Indigenous hiring fair Wednesday in the friendship centre’s gymnasium.

 

The event is free to attend and will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 231 Regina Ave.

 

About 25 employers from various sectors are attending, such as the Victoria Airport Authority and Sooke School District 62.

 

 

[...]

 

After receiving feedback that culturally-appropriate programming was missing from previous fairs, the location for this year’s event was changed to the VNFC instead of a WorkBC centre, where the first fair took place in 2019.

 

“It was felt at the time that it was a very colonized space,” Lane said.

 

Lane’s team worked in collaboration with the VNFC to organize this year’s event in a way that honours local First Nations traditions.

 

Attendees can expect a traditional welcome, refreshments and an Indigenous safe circle, said Lane, where people are welcome to take a break, seek advice or spend time alone.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 06 May 2025 - 11:42 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Gathering lets Greater Victoria students see the land through Indigenous eyes

The students connected with Indigenous culture during the Na’Tsa’Maht Grade 12 Gathering at Camp Thunderbird



https://www.vicnews....us-eyes-7993804




They should just take a drive up Cooper Road near View Royal if they want to see what indegenous eyes face every day on reserves.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 08 May 2025 - 02:00 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Vancouver Island sees Indigenous push for child welfare control

 

Vancouver Island Nations have been working to assume jurisdiction over their children

 

 

 

Fragments of broken pottery and glass lie scattered along the remote beaches of the Smith and Seymour Inlets on the B.C. Coast, the only remains of the once-lively villages that belonged to the Gwa'sala and 'Nakwaxda'xw Peoples.

 

Already ravaged by colonial diseases, the residential school system, and the overindustrialization of fishing and logging on their traditional territories, the federal government gave both nations the choice to relocate to a reserve on Vancouver Island where they were told they would receive homes, jobs and healthcare.

 

In 1964, hundreds of members of both nations moved to the Tsulquate Reserve – nearly at the northernmost tip of Vancouver Island near Port Hardy – where they were met with only three unfinished homes, no running water, racist townspeople and nowhere to moor their boats. Some attempted to go back to their villages, but they had been torched by the government.

 

As a result of years of trauma and oppressive paternalism, in the decades that followed the reserve was devastated by poverty and drug and alcohol abuse, which resulted in hundreds of children being taken into government custody. In the 1970s and '80s, upwards of 70 per cent of their children were apprehended.

 

 

 

https://www.vicnews....control-7813035

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 10 May 2025 - 02:06 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Songhees Nation has issued a statement saying it trusts that those involved in the disappearance and death of a man whose body was recently located on reserve lands will be punished.

“This is not the outcome anyone hoped for, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family,” the chief and council of the 670-member Songhees Nation said, after the discovery of the remains of Kielan Hall, 23, who had been missing for more than a year.

“We trust that all those responsible for the crimes committed will be brought to justice.”

The nation asked media not to contact members or “attempt to gather information on our lands.”

On Tuesday and Wednesday, staffed checkpoints were erected at both ends of Cooper Road — off Craigflower Road and off Admirals Road — leading into and out of the Songhees Nation to keep unwelcome visitors out.

https://www.timescol...eserve-10697302

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 23 May 2025 - 02:40 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

High-tech housing project to share site with controversial First Nation grow-op



And Brain Porter says neither development is exceptional by Six Nations standards — where no zoning regulations exist.

Community members build what they want on their own lands, he says.

"I've got lots of friends that had great views of natural areas and then someone purchased the property and converted it into something else and they didn't have a say over it," he said.

Porter notes that just to the northeast of the property, along Chiefswood Road, one of the main arteries through the community, is the Ohsweken Speedway. It's owned by a Six Nations member who built it on family lands. The racetrack roars to life every Friday night from May to September.

______

"There are factories going up weekly, right in the interior of all these lots," he said.

"There's no process for building permits. So there's lots of construction happening here. The vast majority, none of the members know about it."

Health Canada and Ontario's Ministry of the Attorney General say they have no agreements with Six Nations allowing it to license marijuana producers or retailers. The issuing of cannabis licences by First Nations communities — outside of federal and provincial frameworks — has not been tested in court.


https://www.cbc.ca/n...tions-1.7557651




That sounds like a place where you can get things done.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 11 June 2025 - 04:07 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Indigenous people fleeing wildfires face immense mental health burdens. Experts say they shouldn't have to

Psychologists say more resources, better communications needed to provide supports to Indigenous evacuees


https://www.cbc.ca/n...ities-1.7559381

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 15 June 2025 - 03:44 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

North Island First Nation mulls banishment for drug dealers, bootleggers

Elected Kwakiutl First Nation chief Verna Hunt said band members voted in favour of a motion calling for four of its members living on reserve to be exiled



https://www.timescol...eggers-10834185


There have even been calls from the community to burn down the houses where the accused drug dealers and bootleggers reside, but Hunt said that’s not going to happen.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 20 June 2025 - 05:31 AM.

[LJ]

Never thought I would be in favour of following Indians lead on substance abuse, but here we are.

[Lupurus2901]

Come on man

[Victoria Watcher]

Victoria council has agreed to provide $125,000 to help fund two events being planned by the Songhees and Esquimalt nations this summer and fall.

 

Council backed a motion Thursday to provide up to $100,000 and waive fees for the use of Royal Athletic Park to the Songhees First Nation for a cultural celebration and PowWow on Sept. 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

 

It also supported a $25,000 contribution to the Esquimalt Nation, which is collaborating with the Songhees to host a stop at Fort Rodd Hill for Tribal Journeys on July 29.

 

This year marks the fourth year of the PowWow. The last three years, the city has pledged $50,000 in support.

 

The ceremonial event, which draws more than 10,000 people to the park, honours former residential school students and others, in memory of children who died at the institutions.

 

Mayor Marianne Alto plans to reach out to neighbouring municipalities to contribute to the event.

 

 

https://www.timescol...-event-10840144

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 22 June 2025 - 11:09 PM.

[LJ]

Hope all the other muni's tell her to go pound sand.