Indigenous

Autumn Cooper, right, of the Stz’uminus First Nation speaks about her experiences learning her traditional language, at an event announcing provincial funding for Indigenous language, art, culture and heritage revitalization at the legislature June 14. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

B.C. commits $35M to continue revitalization of Indigenous languages, arts, culture

First Peoples’ Cultural Council learning initiatives to be funded

Autumn Cooper, right, of the Stz’uminus First Nation speaks about her experiences learning her traditional language, at an event announcing provincial funding for Indigenous language, art, culture and heritage revitalization at the legislature June 14. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)
T. Patrick Carrabré, Métis composer and UBC Director of the School of Music, has worked with Indigenous artists for more than 20 years (Photo courtesy T. Patrick Carrabré).

‘Give them back their music, and the future is limitless’: B.C. Indigenous prof

Wave of mainstream popularity helps Indigenous communities reclaim music and educate other Canadians

T. Patrick Carrabré, Métis composer and UBC Director of the School of Music, has worked with Indigenous artists for more than 20 years (Photo courtesy T. Patrick Carrabré).
Police officers patrol the waters of False Creek by boat near the athletes village and GM Place in downtown Vancouver, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010. An Indigenous-led partnership is moving ahead with plans to host the 2030 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and Whistler. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Indigenous-led bid for 2030 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Whistler moving ahead

B.C.’s Lilwat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations spearheading the project

Police officers patrol the waters of False Creek by boat near the athletes village and GM Place in downtown Vancouver, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010. An Indigenous-led partnership is moving ahead with plans to host the 2030 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and Whistler. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
A new campaign by Cheekbone Beauty features lip glosses with names like Lucious Lead, E.Coli Kiss, and Mercury Shimmer (photo provided by Cheekbone Beauty).

#GlossedOver: Indigenous-owned beauty brand releases contaminated water lip gloss

Cheekbone Beauty aims to raise awareness for Indigenous communities dealing with contaminated water

A new campaign by Cheekbone Beauty features lip glosses with names like Lucious Lead, E.Coli Kiss, and Mercury Shimmer (photo provided by Cheekbone Beauty).
The 7 Generations Cup is a skateboarding competition that started on Friday, June 10. The ticketed event is scheduled to run until Sunday, June 12 at Langley Events Centre, and is open to the public. (Tanmay Ahluwalia/Langley Advance Times)

Skateboarders flying from around the globe to Lower Mainland

Competitors prepare for first-ever ‘7 Generations Cup’ underway at Langley Events Centre

The 7 Generations Cup is a skateboarding competition that started on Friday, June 10. The ticketed event is scheduled to run until Sunday, June 12 at Langley Events Centre, and is open to the public. (Tanmay Ahluwalia/Langley Advance Times)
Judy Wilson, Chief of Neskonlith Indian Band and Executive Member of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, speaks during a news conference on the impact of Bill C-58 on Indigenous communities, in the foyer of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on December 4, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Indigenous leaders survey members to explore racist responses when status cards used

Online survey will determine the extent of difficulties members face

Judy Wilson, Chief of Neskonlith Indian Band and Executive Member of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, speaks during a news conference on the impact of Bill C-58 on Indigenous communities, in the foyer of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on December 4, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A young member of the Polish delegation shows off a drawing she made during the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019, at United Nations headquarters. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Urgent measures must be taken to ensure rights of Canadian children: UN committee

UN says urgent action is needed on discrimination, monitoring, abuse, neglect, standards of living

A young member of the Polish delegation shows off a drawing she made during the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019, at United Nations headquarters. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
People take part in a march in Mission, B.C., Saturday, June 4, 2022 in a handout photo. Indigenous leaders have called a meeting with RCMP in Chilliwack, B.C., to discuss how police intend to proceed after a pickup truck driver allegedly hit four members of a memorial march on Saturday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Robert Jago

Indigenous leaders seek RCMP response after marchers hit by truck in Mission

‘They are holding his truck more accountable than him’

People take part in a march in Mission, B.C., Saturday, June 4, 2022 in a handout photo. Indigenous leaders have called a meeting with RCMP in Chilliwack, B.C., to discuss how police intend to proceed after a pickup truck driver allegedly hit four members of a memorial march on Saturday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Robert Jago
Steven Guilbeault rises during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, May 12, 2022. The environment minister says a new bill he introduced gives legal protection to Canada’s historic sites for the first time and ensures Indigenous Peoples have a stronger voice in identifying and protecting places of historic significance in Canada.THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle

Canada’s historic sites get Indigenous voices, stronger protection in new bill

Canada only G7 country without legislation protecting historic sites, despite having more than 300

Steven Guilbeault rises during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, May 12, 2022. The environment minister says a new bill he introduced gives legal protection to Canada’s historic sites for the first time and ensures Indigenous Peoples have a stronger voice in identifying and protecting places of historic significance in Canada.THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle
Maxwell Johnson, a Heiltsuk First Nation member who was arrested alongside his granddaughter as they were trying to open an account at the Bank of Montreal, sings and drums outside the bank’s main branch before a news conference in Vancouver, on May 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

No public hearing into arrest of Indigenous man, granddaughter at Vancouver bank

Review of an earlier disciplinary decision upholds its conclusions

Maxwell Johnson, a Heiltsuk First Nation member who was arrested alongside his granddaughter as they were trying to open an account at the Bank of Montreal, sings and drums outside the bank’s main branch before a news conference in Vancouver, on May 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
People take part the 2019 Spirit of the People Powwow at Chilliwack Secondary on Feb. 16, 2019. Youth are being asked “What does being Indigenous mean to you?” as the topic of the National Indigenous Peoples Day 2022 Writing and/or Art Contest. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)

Fraser Valley writing, art contest open to all Indigenous youth in B.C.

Youth asked ‘What does being Indigenous mean to you?’ as the topic contest

People take part the 2019 Spirit of the People Powwow at Chilliwack Secondary on Feb. 16, 2019. Youth are being asked “What does being Indigenous mean to you?” as the topic of the National Indigenous Peoples Day 2022 Writing and/or Art Contest. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, and Siksika Nation Chief Ouray Crowfoot participate in a signing ceremony on the Siksika Nation in Siksika Nation, Alta., Thursday, June 2, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Prime minister signs historic land claim settlement with Alberta First Nation

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the chief of a southern Alberta First…

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, and Siksika Nation Chief Ouray Crowfoot participate in a signing ceremony on the Siksika Nation in Siksika Nation, Alta., Thursday, June 2, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
The Emergency Room entrance at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. (John McKinley file)

B.C. Indigenous family files complaint for mistreatment at Vancouver Island hospital

Island Health said it acknowledges man did not receive culturally safe care

The Emergency Room entrance at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. (John McKinley file)
Assembly of First Nations former chief Phil Fontaine, center, stands outside St. Peter’s Square at the end of a meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican, Thursday, March 31, 2022. Residential school survivors met with Roman Catholic bishops today to discuss what they expect from Pope Francis’ visit to Canada next month.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Andrew Medichini

Residential school survivors tell bishops their expectations of Pope Francis’s visit

Group of residential school survivors wants the papal visit expanded to more locations

Assembly of First Nations former chief Phil Fontaine, center, stands outside St. Peter’s Square at the end of a meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican, Thursday, March 31, 2022. Residential school survivors met with Roman Catholic bishops today to discuss what they expect from Pope Francis’ visit to Canada next month.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Andrew Medichini
Artwork by Métis artist Jean Paul Langlois for Brenda Knights and Jason Bothe’s skateboard brand, Bentwood Skateboards. (Contributed photo)

B.C. couple commissions Indigenous art for skateboards

Brenda Knights and Jason Bothe run initiatives to get Indigenous youths skateboarding

Artwork by Métis artist Jean Paul Langlois for Brenda Knights and Jason Bothe’s skateboard brand, Bentwood Skateboards. (Contributed photo)
Recent UBC graduate Aiyana Twigg won the 2022 Lieutenant Governor’s medal for inclusion, democracy and reconciliation. (Courtesy of Aiyana Twigg)

UBC student wins Lieutenant-Governor medal for work on Indigenous language revitalization

Aiyana Twigg helps under-resourced communities to develop their own dictionaries, among other things

Recent UBC graduate Aiyana Twigg won the 2022 Lieutenant Governor’s medal for inclusion, democracy and reconciliation. (Courtesy of Aiyana Twigg)
Shirley Ann Soosay, from Samson Cree Nation, Alta., is seen in an undated handout photo. Soosay's remains were buried in a California cemetery in 1980. On Friday, they are expected to return to her community about 43 years after she was last heard from. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Violet Soosay, *MANDATORY CREDIT*

‘Always hope’: Remains of Cree woman sent home to Alberta decades after disappearance

‘Now there’s closure, there’s healing that can start happening’

Shirley Ann Soosay, from Samson Cree Nation, Alta., is seen in an undated handout photo. Soosay's remains were buried in a California cemetery in 1980. On Friday, they are expected to return to her community about 43 years after she was last heard from. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Violet Soosay, *MANDATORY CREDIT*
The former Kamloops Indian Residential School is seen in Kamloops, B.C., on Tuesday, June 1, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Trudeau faces chants, pounding drums as he walks through crowd at Kamloops memorial

Prime Minister gets stern reception at a daylong memorial held at the nation’s PowWow Arbor

The former Kamloops Indian Residential School is seen in Kamloops, B.C., on Tuesday, June 1, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Kamloops Indian Residential School survivor Camille Kenoras holds eagle feathers as she laughs during a ceremony to mark the one-year anniversary of the TkÕemlœps te SecwŽpemc announcement of the detection of the remains of 215 children at an unmarked burial site at the former residential school, in Kamloops, B.C., on Monday, May 23, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

215: Memorial honours unmarked graves found 1 year ago at former Kamloops residential school

Governor General Mary Simon, Canada’s first Indigenous person in the role, attended the event

Kamloops Indian Residential School survivor Camille Kenoras holds eagle feathers as she laughs during a ceremony to mark the one-year anniversary of the TkÕemlœps te SecwŽpemc announcement of the detection of the remains of 215 children at an unmarked burial site at the former residential school, in Kamloops, B.C., on Monday, May 23, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The BC Prosecution Service announced a number of policy changes May 20, aimed at bettering the justice system for Indigenous people. (Credit: Cliff MacArthur/provincialcourt.bc.ca)

New BC Prosecution document guides against excessive incarceration of Indigenous people

Prosecutors reminded to always consider impacts of colonialism, residential schools

The BC Prosecution Service announced a number of policy changes May 20, aimed at bettering the justice system for Indigenous people. (Credit: Cliff MacArthur/provincialcourt.bc.ca)