Latest news with #FortWilliamFirstNation
CBC
3 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
Thunder Bay Public Library appoints Indigenous relations adviser
The Thunder Bay Public Library has appointed Stephanie MacLaurin as its new senior adviser of Indigenous relations, a key leadership role aimed at advancing the library's commitment to reconciliation and the decolonization of public spaces. MacLaurin, who is Anishinaabe from Fort William First Nation and a lifelong resident of Westfort, brings more than eight years of professional experience to the position. Their background includes work in governance, Indigenous political science, mental health and post-secondary education. In the new role, MacLaurin will oversee the Indigenous Services Department. They will liaise with the Indigenous Advisory Council and other community partners. Their work will support the implementation of the library's Relationship-Building and Reconciliation Action Plan, which was developed in 2018 with guidance from the advisory council. The plan outlines the library's commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action and a broader effort to decolonize library practices and spaces. That includes providing educational resources, supporting Indigenous knowledge preservation and reviewing library policies. "A new job isn't just a fresh start," says MacLaurin. "It's the opening chapter of a story waiting to be written with passion, purpose and possibility. Stepping into this new role feels like stepping into the life I've been working towards." MacLaurin says they were drawn to the role by its emphasis on community engagement, something they missed in a previous position. "When I moved into my last position that I left for this job, I lost that kind of community component," they said. "I found myself looking at a role that was possibly all-encompassing for the interests that I have in my life right now." MacLaurin said the role immediately clicked for them. They have already identified three early priorities a few weeks into the role: strategic planning for the Indigenous Services Department; building relationships with Indigenous organizations and leadership; and contributing to policy analysis alongside library management. MacLaurin emphasized the importance of libraries being welcoming, inclusive spaces for Indigenous community members and organizations. "I found myself at Mary J. and Brodie a lot throughout my years, sitting at the table, doing research here, whether it was writing, finding the peace that you get within a library. So I would hope that this is something that Indigenous people could experience here and that they're finding peace and comfort." Raili Roy, director of community development at the library, said the team is excited to welcome MacLaurin. "They stood out as an exceptional candidate," Roy said. "We feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with them. We have much meaningful and rewarding work ahead." MacLaurin replaces Robyn Medicine who held the role for nearly a decade. Medicine passed away in February. During her time in the role, Medicine established Indigenous Knowledge Centres across all branches. "Robyn did an incredible job in this role and she has so much love from the community," they said. MacLaurin isn't sure yet which programs created by Medicine will remain. "But I really couldn't imagine just removing all of the hard work that she did." MacLaurin said they're hoping to build a place that is grounded in belonging, education and reconciliation.
CBC
3 days ago
- General
- CBC
Thunder Bay Public Library appoints Indigenous relations advisor
The Thunder Bay Public Library has appointed Stephanie MacLaurin as its new senior advisor of Indigenous relations, a key leadership role aimed at advancing the library's commitment to reconciliation and the decolonization of public spaces. MacLaurin, who is Anishinaabe from Fort William First Nation and a lifelong resident of Westfort, brings more than eight years of professional experience to the position. Their background includes work in governance, Indigenous political science, mental health and post-secondary education. In the new role, MacLaurin will oversee the Indigenous Services Department. They will liaise with the Indigenous Advisory Council and other community partners. Their work will support the implementation of the library's Relationship-Building and Reconciliation Action Plan, which was developed in 2018 with guidance from the advisory council. The plan outlines the library's commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action and a broader effort to decolonize library practices and spaces. That includes providing educational resources, supporting Indigenous knowledge preservation and reviewing library policies. "A new job isn't just a fresh start," says MacLaurin. "It's the opening chapter of a story waiting to be written with passion, purpose and possibility. Stepping into this new role feels like stepping into the life I've been working towards." MacLaurin says they were drawn to the role by its emphasis on community engagement, something they missed in a previous position. "When I moved into my last position that I left for this job, I lost that kind of community component," they said. "I found myself looking at a role that was possibly all-encompassing for the interests that I have in my life right now." MacLaurin said the role immediately clicked for them. They have already identified three early priorities a few weeks into the role: strategic planning for the Indigenous Services Department; building relationships with Indigenous organizations and leadership; and contributing to policy analysis alongside library management. MacLaurin emphasized the importance of libraries being welcoming, inclusive spaces for Indigenous community members and organizations. "I found myself at Mary J. and Brodie a lot throughout my years, sitting at the table, doing research here, whether it was writing, finding the peace that you get within a library. So I would hope that this is something that Indigenous people could experience here and that they're finding peace and comfort." Raili Roy, director of community development at the library, said the team is excited to welcome MacLaurin. "They stood out as an exceptional candidate," Roy said. "We feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with them. We have much meaningful and rewarding work ahead." MacLaurin replaces Robyn Medicine who held the role for nearly a decade. Medicine passed away in February. During her time in the role, Medicine established Indigenous Knowledge Centres across all branches. "Robyn did an incredible job in this role and she has so much love from the community," they said. MacLaurin isn't sure yet which programs created by Medicine will remain. "But I really couldn't imagine just removing all of the hard work that she did." MacLaurin said they're hoping to build a place that is grounded in belonging, education and reconciliation.
CBC
6 days ago
- General
- CBC
In the centre of Ontario's drug crisis, Fort William First Nation fights for new facility
Social Sharing After declaring a state of emergency over its toxic drug crisis last summer, Fort William First Nation hasn't stopped advocating for more resources for its members. The Ojibway First Nation, which neighbours Thunder Bay, Ont., has purchased a facility at an undisclosed, off-reserve location to support people who have completed a detox program as they wait to get into treatment. The problem? Neither the provincial nor federal government has agreed to help support the facility's operating costs, according to Chief Michele Solomon. "Because it's not on reserve, we are not funded or assisted by the federal government, and the provincial government funding sources push us back to the federal government — so we become a hot potato between these governments," Solomon said. The Thunder Bay district, which encompasses Fort William, continues to have the highest opioid-related death rate in Ontario at nearly five times the provincial average, according to the latest report from Ontario's Office of the Chief Coroner. "Whatever challenges you see Thunder Bay facing … this is amplified in a community like ours because of the lack of resources that are available at our fingertips," said Solomon. We become a hot potato between these governments. - Chief Michele Solomon, Fort William First Nation About 1,000 people live in Fort William, while the First Nation itself has just under 3,000 members. While the community has services available to help those dependent on substances, including a community mental health and addiction harm reduction outreach program, Solomon hopes the addiction care facility will bridge the gaps created by long wait times to get into treatment. "We're already looking at a $1-million investment into this facility, and we want it operational. We want our people to be able to use this facility," Solomon said. "We believe that this is a model of care that other First Nations and other communities, I think, could incorporate … and I believe that it's a missing piece in the mental health and addiction system." Province, feds speak to addictions investments Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) spent more than $440,000 on mental health and addictions support in Fort William First Nation in 2024-2025 through the Indigenous Health Equity Fund, said spokesperson Pascal Laplante in an emailed statement to CBC News on Friday. In the same fiscal year, "ISC provided approximately $225,000 in new annual funding under the Indigenous Health Equity Fund to support Fort William's health priorities, as determined by the community," he said. While Laplante did not specifically mention the addiction care facility Fort William has purchased, he said "ISC is aware of the challenges that Fort William First Nation is experiencing as they see a rise in addictions in the region. "Meetings have been held with the community and the province of Ontario to discuss long-term supports and address critical needs in response to their state of emergency," Laplante said. The closest treatment centres to Fort William are Ka-Na-Chi-Hih (youth treatment) in Thunder Bay, and Dilico Adult Residential Addiction located in Fort William First Nation, he said. Furthermore, ISC's Non-Insured Health Benefits program covers travel costs to the closest appropriate and available treatment centre. When asked about the province's support for Fort William's addiction care facility, a spokesperson for Ontario's Ministry of Health provided an emailed statement. While they did not mention any funding specifically for Fort William, they said the government "is using every tool we have to help people get the treatment they need by expanding access to safe, comprehensive mental health and addiction services," said spokesperson Ema Popovic on Thursday. In the Thunder Bay area, this includes support for: A new Homelessness and Addictions Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub. Nearly 60 new addictions beds and safe sobering beds at Dilico Anishinabek Family Care and St. Joseph's Care Group. A new Youth Wellness Hub. The Superior North Specialized Treatment and Alternative Responders mobile crisis response team. Creating a recovery community Long Lake #58 First Nation has been taking a community-led approach to addressing alcoholism and addiction by supporting collective healing with its members. The Ojibway community does not have a dedicated detox centre on reserve. Instead, they've been bringing groups of people to a First Nation-owned hotel in Thunder Bay — about 300 kilometres away — to participate in a 10-day detox program before going into treatment. Long Lake #58 First Nation supports dozens of its members as they detox 2 months ago Duration 2:10 The First Nation is celebrating 22 of its members who recently completed a treatment program at Dilico Anishinabek Family Care. "Seeing them look so healthy and actually want to do the work and still want to continue their healing, and just working towards bettering their lives, it's really amazing to see," said Noreen Agnew, manager of Long Lake #58's band rep program. Participants completed a month-long post-treatment program at Pasha Lake, where they did traditional activities on the land such as fishing and sharing circles. Now, they're back in Thunder Bay and preparing to return to their First Nation after a nearly four-month journey, Agnew said. Kyle Arnold is a community support worker specializing in addiction for Long Lake #58. He's more than six years into his recovery from addiction. "I think it's so important for them to heal together because they are creating a recovery community within their community, and I think that's the piece that's been missing," Arnold said of the group from Long Lake #58. "A lot of them are related, they're family, and it's strengthened them as a core — and it's bringing recovery into [Long Lake #58]." Agnew said a key part of the program's success has been listening to participants "and letting them lead us." "We're giving them the opportunity to tell us, 'OK, this is what we need.' So OK, let's help them do that," she said. Back in Fort William First Nation, Solomon said she's going to continue pushing for community-led solutions to the drug crisis. "When you have services that are designed by the community that they're intended to serve, then it will have those values in mind. It will have those ways of knowing and being in mind," said Solomon.
CBC
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Panel hosted by Mattea Roach among the events featured at 2025 Festival of Literary Diversity
A panel hosted by Mattea Roach is among the events featured at 2025 Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD). Running from April 27 to May 4, the FOLD spotlights work by diverse authors from communities that are typically underrepresented in Canadian publishing. The Brampton, Ont.-based festival features both live online and in-person events with authors from Canada and around the world taking part. The panel hosted by Roach, with writers Tanya Talaga, Amal Elsana Alh'jooj and Morgan Campbell, breaks down how to have difficult conversations in a constructive way. It will take place on May 3 at 11 a.m. at The Rose and will be featured in a future episode of Bookends. Talaga is a writer and journalist of Anishinaabe and Polish descent. She is a member of Fort William First Nation. Her book Seven Fallen Feathers: Racism, Death and Hard Truths in a Northern City won the RBC Taylor Prize, the Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing and the First Nation Communities Read: Young Adult/Adult Award. All Our Relations: Finding the Path Forward was the basis for the 2018 CBC Massey Lectures. Her most recent work is the book and four-part documentary called The Knowing, which is nominated for the 2025 Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing. Alh'jooj is a professor at McGill University and a founder of several NGOs including Arab-Jewish Centre for Equality and Economic Empowerment and Cooperation. She was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 and won the New Israel Fund's Human Rights Award in 2013. She is the founder and executive director of the organization PLEDJ (Promoting Leadership, Empowerment, Development and Justice). A Bedouin Palestinian activist born in Israel, she wrote the memoir Hope is a Woman's Name. Campbell is an Ontario-based journalist and a senior contributor at CBC Sports. He was a sports writer at the Toronto Star for over 18 years. His work highlights where sports intersect with off-the-field issues like race, culture, politics and business. His memoir My Fighting Family is his first book. Other events include writing workshops and a panel featuring Canada Reads all-stars Kamal Al-Solaylee, David Chariandy and katherena vermette. Al-Solaylee's memoir Intolerable was a contender on Canada Reads 2015, when it was defended by Kristin Kreuk. Chariandy's novel Brother was shortlisted for Canada Reads in 2019 and was defended by actor and model Lisa Ray. vermette's novel The Break was defended by Candy Palmater in 2017. This year, FOLD is celebrating its 10th anniversary. "This is a big milestone," said Jael Richardson, a Canadian author and executive director of FOLD, in a press statement. "We've been through a lot over these last 10 years and we've learned a lot too." Richardson is a writer, editor, activist and the former books columnist for Q on CBC Radio. Her books include the picture book Because You Are and the nonfiction book The Stone Thrower, which was adapted into a picture book of the same name. Richardson's debut novel, Gutter Child, was published in 2021 and was a finalist for the 2021 Amazon Canada First Novel Award. "The theme, a Decade of Change, invites us to look at what we've accomplished with the FOLD and where we want to go next. It will also allow us to examine what's happening — and not happening — in publishing right now," she said.
