December 2022
November 2022
Michelle O’Bonsawin: An Abenaki at the Supreme Court of Canada
The Justice Michelle O’Bonsawin with CAO Executive Director, Mr. Daniel G. Nolett and AFNQL Regional Chief, Mr. Ghislain Picard.
Yesterday, in Ottawa, the welcoming ceremony of the new Supreme Court of Canada judge, Justice Michelle O’Bonsawin, took place. The entire W8banaki Nation of Odanak is extremely proud that a W8banakiak from the community is the very first Indigenous judge to sit on the highest court in the country.
In addition to being a highly respected judge in the Canadian legal community, Ms. O’Bonsawin’s career and accomplishments are remarkable and it is an invaluable honour to have such an ambassador for our Nation.
Our most sincere congratulations!
October 2022
Viewing of the documentary “The Predentians”
Identity wars: What makes an Indigenous person Indigenous, and how do “pretendians” complicate things ?
Drew Hayden Taylor examines the issue of ‘pretendians,’ those faking Indigenous heritage, in this new documentary that we invite you to watch here.
September 2022
August 2022
Kiuna celebrates 46 new graduates
At its 8th graduation ceremony, Kiuna, the only First Nations post- secondary institution in Quebec, is proud to finally be able to highlight the resilience, the determination, and the success of its 46 graduates from the 2020, 2021, 2022 cohorts.
These graduates are obtaining their diplomas in various college programs including Social Science – First Nations profile, Special Care Counselling and Aboriginal Contexts, Event Planning, Administrative Work, Arts, Literature and Communication – Indigenous Cinema profile and First Nation Language profile.
Kiuna’s objective is to democratize access to post-secondary studies for First Nations members. The college is recognized for its culturally adapted educational services through its unique environment where programs, student services, human resources, teaching methods and pedagogical material take into account Aboriginal culture and traditions.
These 3 cohorts now bring the number of graduates to 151 since the institution opened in 2011.
Justin Trudeau appoints first Indigenous judge, Michelle O’Bonsawin, to the Supreme Court
The entire W8banaki Nation of Odanak is extremely proud of the Prime Minister’s proposal to appoint the Honourable Michelle O’Bonsawin to the Supreme Court of Canada, making her the first Indigenous person to sit on the country’s highest bench. In addition to being a highly respected judge in the Canadian legal community, Ms. O’Bonsawin’s career and accomplishments are remarkable and it is an invaluable honour to have such an ambassador for our Nation. Our most sincere congratulations!
Abenaki, Mi’kmaq and Mohawk Nations oppose listing black ash as endangered species
As you know, the federal government is evaluating the possibility of listing the black ash as a species at risk. If this were to happen, it would, among other things, prohibit the sale of baskets in Odanak and W8linak.
Following the sending of a letter co-signed by 8 First Nations Chiefs describing the situation, the APTN network wished to hear the voice of the members of the Nation. Their team therefore travelled to Odanak to film a report on the importance of ash trees for the Indigenous people of Quebec.
Have a good viewing!
Article and complete report just HERE
Message to the public following the incident at the Odanak Pow Wow
Kwaï mziwi,
The elected members of the Abenakis of Odanak Council wanted to address you following the incident that occurred at the end of the Odanak Pow Wow on July 31. An unauthorized demonstration by the Métis group Soleil levant and its supporters generated insecurity and concern among members of the Odanak community. In no case did the Council recognize the Métis group Soleil levant nor the Abenaki Warrior Society (the leader of the Society being Tommy Gill).
The elected officials met on August 1st and two resolutions were proposed. You will find them by clicking HERE. Steps are also underway on the side of the Abenaki Police Force (CPDA) and arrests could occur.
We invite members of the community who have received threats or been victims of intimidation to file a complaint with the CPDA.
We remain at your disposal and wish to restore the climate of tranquility in Odanak,
– The elected members of the Abenakis of Odanak Council
July 2022
Chiefs of eight First Nations denounce how important the protection of First Nations’ rights and interests remains with regards to listing the Black Ash under the Species at Risk Act
Chiefs of Odanak, W8linak, Kahnawà:ke, Wendake, Gespeg, Gesgapegiaq, Essipit and Long Point First Nations signed a letter addressed to Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada (MELCCC), and to Marc Miller, Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations Canada. The letter denounces how important the protection of First Nations’ rights and interests remains with regards to listing the Black Ash under the Species at Risk Act (SARA).
During November of 2018, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) completed an assessment of the state of the Black Ash population across the country. The COSEWIC suggested to list the species as endangered, using the rationale that the emerald ash borer, a species of invasive beetle, decimated a substantial proportion of Black ash across its distribution area in Canada.
Following the assessment completed by the COSEWIC, the MELCCC initiated a consultation process focused on the potential listing of the Black ash as an endangered species to Schedule 1 of the SARA. This process allowed for a deeper understanding of socio-economic and cultural matters that would result from the suggested listing. The MELCCC will then have to forward his recommended course of action to the governor in council.
With regards to this consultation, the signatory Chiefs remain adamant: the Black Ash is a highly significant species on cultural, spiritual, and socio-economic levels for several First Nations across Quebec. Listing the Black Ash under the SARA would result in several prohibitions, the latter of which may have serious consequences on traditional activities that are closely connected to the species. Intergenerational transmission, along with the continuity in traditional practices might be called into question.
According to Chief O’Bomsawin: “Black ash and our baskets have always been at the center of our culture. Basketry is our way of life that, this is what is at stake here”.
Chef Montour: “Imposing restrictions on Indigenous basket makers will not have the effect of reducing the decline of the black ash tree. This decline is caused by an invasive insect, and not by the Indigenous Peoples who have been sustainably harvesting the black ash tree for generations. Restrictions will however result in impacts to Indigenous rights and the loss of important cultural practices.”
Facing such findings, signatory chiefs demand that agreements be signed with First Nations, upstream of the Minister’s final decision, to allow for the protection of rights and interests. If no measures are taken to protect such rights and interests, the chiefs recommend that the Black Ash must not be listed under the SARA.
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To read the letter sent to the ministers, click here.