Feds start consultations on Red Dress Alert
“Every day that we don't have a red dress alert, Indigenous women, girls, diverse-gendered folks and two-spirit people go missing,” said MP Leah Gazan.
Urban Indigenous Communities in Ottawa
Matteo Cimellaro will be covering urban Indigenous communities in and around Ottawa.
Canada's National Observer is a proud participant of the Local Journalism Initiative, which supports the creation of original civic journalism that covers the diverse needs of underserved communities across Canada.
Indigenous students in Ontario still face inequities
Indigenous students in Ontario still have lower attendance and graduation rates and are suspended twice as often as their non-Indigenous peers.
Feds give Indigenous tourism a boost
The federal government is offering grants of up to $25,000 directly to small businesses that support Indigenous-led tourism across Canada.
Assembly of First Nations elects a new chief. Here’s her take on the climate file
Cindy Woodhouse was elected the new national chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) in Ottawa on Thursday, with the mandate to move the AFN through the implementation of the organization’s climate action strategy, among other environmental priorities.
Behind First Nations’ demands for climate tax exemptions
The Chiefs of Ontario supports climate action and other strategies to lower emissions, but the purpose of the challenge is because "the federal government has not responded with something that adequately responds to the realities of communities."
Exclusive: Feds face burning questions over ‘upside-down approach’ to climate readiness
Ottawa continues to underinvest in disaster preparedness and mitigation on First Nations despite ballooning recovery costs from the worst wildfire season on record, according to documents shared with Canada’s National Observer.
Complex climate file faces new Assembly of First Nations chief
First Nations leadership from across the country will be descending on Ottawa to elect a new national chief, with questions remaining about how the new Assembly of First Nations leader will balance climate action with resource development.
Women and Indigenous Peoples left ‘out in the cold’ by Ottawa, say critics
NDP members are voting against Ottawa’s fall economic statement to protest gaps in funding for Indigenous Services in the midst of an infrastructure crisis.
Take a good look at your forests, Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw says
Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw has a message for other bands. Take a good look at your forest, especially within a 10-kilometre radius, and do what you can to clean it up and ensure the community is protected from the big one that can devastate the way the Bush Creek fire did.
Cat Lake First Nation is ready to take on Doug Ford’s government
Cat Lake First Nation leadership is voicing their opposition to Queen’s Park over failing in their duty to consult, conduct proper environmental assessments and keep treaty obligations.
Libraries open the door to Indigenous arts and culture
The Calgary Public Library is one of dozens in urban centres across Canada prioritizing Indigenous representation in their space.
‘Business as usual is not going to cut it’: Niki Ashton on feds’ economic update and wildfires
As the ash settles on Canada’s record wildfire season, “business as usual from the federal government is not going to cut it,” NDP MP Niki Ashton told Canada’s National Observer.
Scant investments in wildfire prevention in fall economic update
After Canada’s worst wildfire season on record, Ottawa’s mini-budget is scant on investments to protect First Nations and other communities from a new era of fire.
Living and breathing with wildfire smoke
The health risks of wildfires and their disproportionate impacts on First Nations have left health experts calling on Ottawa to increase funding and centralize environmental health research.
Act not react: Multiple audits advised feds to help First Nations before wildfires hit
In August, the devastating Bush Creek wildfire in B.C.'s Interior roared its way 21 kilometres into the valley where Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw sits. It destroyed 64 structures, including 34 community homes.