March 2022
Free webinar for Indigenous People
The Canada Revenue Agency is pleased to be hosting a free and interactive webinar for Indigenous Peoples about the benefits and credits they could be eligible to receive.
Register here: https://collaboratevideo.net/cra-arc/Ind-Aut
EVENT | Beyond Borders – Awasiwi kakaniganek
It has been a decade since the Vermont’s government recognized four groups of Vermonters as Native American tribes – a decision made in a political process from which the Abenkaki of Odanak First Nation was largely excluded.
On this tenth anniversary of state recognition, the University of Vermont welcomes the Abenaki of Odanak and their New England relatives to share their historical perspective on land they consider to be their unceded territory in and adjacent to the Green Mountain State: a homeland known as Ndakina.
The event is free and open to all and can be attended in-person or remotely.
Register now : go.uvm.edu/beyondborders
February 2022
Projet W 2022 : L’exposition interactive Lakamigwezo (In French only)
Après deux ans d’absence, c’est avec fébrilité et excitation que nous annonçons le retour du Projet W sous la forme d’un tout nouveau concept. Fidèle aux dernières éditions, le Projet W se veut une occasion de rendre hommage à la Nation abénakise par la diffusion et la présentation de sa culture. Et c’est avec ce même objectif que le Projet W 2022 pendra la forme d’une exposition interactive.
C’est au Centre des arts populaires de Nicolet, le 5 et 6 mars prochain, respectivement de 10h à 17h et de 10 à 16h, que les membres des communautés abénakises d’Odanak et de Wôlinak présenteront le fruit du travail qu’ils ont accompli au cours des dernières semaines. Sous le thème de la famille – lakamigwezo en langue abénakise – les visiteurs seront invités à explorer et s’initier à l’histoire, les traditions, la langue et le territoire qui ont forgé l’identité et la culture de notre Nation depuis des temps immémoriaux. Il s’agira également de l’occasion parfaite pour découvrir une Nation forte et fière de son héritage et d’aller à la rencontre des exposants abénakis qui vous feront vivre une expérience culturelle des plus captivantes !
Comme le mentionne Kim Arseneault, coresponsable de l’Exposition W, « Au-delà des œuvres d’art présentées, ce projet représente une belle opportunité de briser les barrières entre allochtones et autochtones afin d’unir les peuples dans une vision fraternelle. »
« Cette exposition se veut un lieu de rassemblement, de découverte et de partage entre les gens, entre les Peuples. Nous sommes heureux d’accueillir le public au cœur de la culture abénakise », souligne Julie Cleary, directrice des services sociaux N8wkika du Grand Conseil de la Nation Waban-Aki.
L’entrée est gratuite et l’exposition est ouverte à tous. Dans le but de respecter les mesures sanitaires en vigueur, le passeport vaccinal sera exigé à l’entrée de la salle.
Ce projet est une initiative des services sociaux N8wkika du Grand Conseil de la Nation Waban-Aki en collaboration avec les Centres de santé et les conseils de bande d’Odanak et de Wôlinak ainsi que le Musée des Abénakis.
Congratulations to Michelle O’Bonsawin for successfully defending her PhD thesis
Her thesis is titled “A Principled Approach: The Mandatory Application of the Gladue Principles at Review Board Hearings”. The thesis was conducted under the supervision of our colleague from the Common Law Section, Dr. Joao Velloso, and the jury unanimously recommended it for an award.
Madam Justice O’Bonsawin is an Abenaki of Odanak, and the first Indigenous judge named to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Ottawa. She is originally from Hanmer in the Sudbury region, perfectly bilingual and actively learning her Abenaki language.
In 2019, Madam Justice O’Bonsawin was inducted into the University of Ottawa’s Common Law Honour Society.
Congratulations Dr. O’Bonsawin!
QNW at a hearing for Bill 24 at the Quebec National Assembly
Marjolaine Étienne, President of Quebec Native Women (QNW), will be at a hearing today at 3:00 p.m. before the Commission des institutions at the Quebec National Assembly on Bill 24, An Act to amend the Act respecting the Québec correctional system to provide for the power to require that an offender be connected to a device that allows the offender’s whereabouts to be known. The purpose of this bill is to provide that a judge may require that an offender be bound to an electronic tracking bracelet to promote the safety of a person who is a victim of violence.
In order to take part in this hearing by videoconference, please consult the National Assembly’s website live.
“QNW is committed to addressing domestic violence. Our objective is to protect Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ who are victims of violence in all its forms and who are disproportionately vulnerable to their non-Indigenous sisters. Domestic violence is a real societal problem that must be addressed with concrete and tangible actions in order to find solutions. Upstream consultations must therefore be held with Indigenous communities and organizations in order to take into account their particularities,” says Marjolaine Étienne, President of QNW.
NEW SERVICE | Consultation with a health care professional
The Odanak Health Centre, in collaboration with the Abenaki Council of Odanak and the CIUSSS MCQ, is proud to announce the launch of a brand new pilot project! As of now, a satellite site of the GMF de Pierreville is accessible to members and non-members of the Odanak community, and this, within the health center.
If you need to consult a health professional for your medical needs, here are the different options available to you depending on your situation:
