Latest news with #IndigenousVoices
CBC
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Wayne K. Spear, Georges Erasmus and Rosanna Deerchild among winners for 2025 Indigenous Voices Awards
Social Sharing Wayne K. Spear, Georges Erasmus and Rosanna Deerchild are among this year's winners of the Indigenous Voices Awards (IVAs). Since 2017, the IVAs have recognized emerging Indigenous writers across the country for works in English, French and Indigenous languages. The awards have given a total of $247,000 to writers over their eight-year history. Spear and Erasmus won the $5,000 award for published prose in English for their book Hòt'a! Enough!: Georges Erasmus's Fifty-Year Battle for Indigenous Rights. The autobiography chronicles Dene leader Erasmus's decades-long fight for Indigenous rights, including his pivotal roles in the Berger Inquiry, the Oka Crisis, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples and Aboriginal Healing Foundation. "For Indigenous peoples this book is an inspiration. A vivid look into the sacrifices and sheer determination of a person and his community in the continual struggle for recognition of our rights," said the jury in a citation. "For non-Indigenous peoples this book is an eye opener into what has and continues to go into the constant struggle for recognition and respect and the role that Georges has played in that." The jurors for the English prizes were Cody Caetano, Camille Georgeson-Usher, Liz Howard, Jessica Johns, Conor Kerr, Jónína Kirton, Cecily Nicholson, and Otoniya Juliane Okot Bitek. A vivid look into the sacrifices and sheer determination of a person and his community in the continual struggle for recognition of our rights. Spear is a Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk) educator and writer. His other books include Residential Schools, with the Words and Images of Survivors and Full Circle: The Aboriginal Healing Foundation and the Unfinished Work of Hope, Healing, and Reconciliation. Spear is based in Toronto. Erasmus is the former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, president of the Indian Brotherhood of Northwest Territories and chair of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation. He is a recipient of the Order of Canada and is based in Yellowknife. Deerchild won the $5,000 award for published poetry in English for her collection She Falls Again. The title follows the voice of a poet attempting to survive as an Indigenous person in Winnipeg when so many are disappearing. Riddled with uncertainties, like if the crow she speaks to is a trickster, the poet hears the message of the Sky Woman who is set on dismantling the patriarchy. Through short poems and prose this collection calls for reclamation and matriarchal power. "With precision, humour and love, Deerchild invites us into trickster conversations, cultural and familial memory, the beauty and resistance of Indigenous life and the revolutionary power of Sky Woman's return," said the IVA jury in a citation. "Deerchild instructs that 'these stories are scars i turn to stars/set free in the sky of telling,' where the rhythm of Cree 'carries/[her] back to bone memory,' and assures us that it's the lovers who will save us all." With precision, humour and love, Deerchild invites us into trickster conversations, cultural and familial memory, the beauty and resistance of Indigenous life and the revolutionary power of Sky Woman's return. - IVA jury Deerchild has been storytelling for more than 20 years, currently as host of CBC's Unreserved. Deerchild also developed and hosted This Place, a podcast series for CBC Books around the Indigenous anthology This Place: 150 Years Retold. Her book, calling down the sky, is her mother's residential school survivor story. Deerchild is currently based in Winnipeg. The French prizes went to Émergence insoumise by Cyndy Wylde and Trouver la maison by Océane Kitura Bohémier-Tootoo. Previous winners include Alicia Elliott, Brandi Bird, Cody Caetano, Emily Riddle, Brian Thomas Isaac, jaye simpson, Tanya Tagaq and Jesse Thistle. The IVAs are a crowd-funded non-profit organization with additional support provided by the Canada Council for the Arts, Pamela Dillon & Family Gift Fund, Penguin Random House Canada, Scholastic Canada and Douglas & McIntyre.
ABC News
05-06-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Melissa Maykin
As this trend spreads, concerns are growing about the risks of brain injuries and the intense pressure on young men to prove themselves. 2h ago 2 hours ago Thu 5 Jun 2025 at 12:05am Fijians used 626.13 terabytes of data watching porn last quarter, according to one telco, landing it in the top 10 countries worldwide for pornography-related searches. Thu 7 Dec Thu 7 Dec Thu 7 Dec 2023 at 6:45pm The Pacific Games has been heralded as a "resounding triumph" for the Pacific region, but with ill Solomon Islanders treated in hospital car parks, some are asking, at what cost? Tue 5 Dec Tue 5 Dec Tue 5 Dec 2023 at 5:39am The first register of its kind in the South Pacific will identify children living with cerebral palsy to help improve understanding, reduce risk factors and meet their needs. Wed 29 Nov Wed 29 Nov Wed 29 Nov 2023 at 7:57pm The developing system is the second cyclone of the South Pacific season which only began a fortnight ago. Tue 14 Nov Tue 14 Nov Tue 14 Nov 2023 at 7:34am Pasifika people are generous people – their commitment to serving and supporting others is central to their identities. But that generosity comes at a cost. Fri 10 Nov Fri 10 Nov Fri 10 Nov 2023 at 11:47pm Several of Australia's Pacific neighbours have encouraged the country to adopt the Voice. So, how do they ensure Indigenous voices are heard? Wed 4 Oct Wed 4 Oct Wed 4 Oct 2023 at 7:55pm With work underway to update New Caledonia's unique way of grappling with its colonial history, pro-independence Kanak leaders reflect on the gains made and the path ahead for the French territory. Sat 30 Sep Sat 30 Sep Sat 30 Sep 2023 at 7:21pm With the body a canvas for breathtaking craftsmanship and the transfer of knowledge, the tatau is etched into stretched skin using needle-sharp animal bones. Fri 11 Aug Fri 11 Aug Fri 11 Aug 2023 at 8:49pm Repurposed medical supplies from Queensland hospitals are improving health services for rural Papua New Guineans, who volunteers say have been left behind by their government. Sat 15 Jul Sat 15 Jul Sat 15 Jul 2023 at 7:57pm While bees are proving their worth as an effective side hustle, they're also helping communities in Solomon Islands in the fight against climate change. Fri 7 Jul Fri 7 Jul Fri 7 Jul 2023 at 9:36pm Tonga looks set to become the first Pacific country to experiment with wave technology when work commences on a power wave park later this year. Thu 22 Jun Thu 22 Jun Thu 22 Jun 2023 at 6:57pm New Zealanders on recently approved permanent resident visas call for refunds after the government streamlined their path to citizenship, making their visas virtually redundant. Fri 9 Jun Fri 9 Jun Fri 9 Jun 2023 at 7:26pm While New Zealanders have welcomed easier, cheaper pathways to gain Australian citizenship, some say they were left in the dark about plans to abolish an expensive visa that will soon be redundant. Tue 16 May Tue 16 May Tue 16 May 2023 at 7:00pm Proudly representing the Brisbane suburb of Goodna, Samoan rapper Talisi Poasa is breaking new ground for Pasifika in Australia and broadening the horizons of his beloved community, "the four-three". Sat 15 Apr Sat 15 Apr Sat 15 Apr 2023 at 7:37pm Believed to have crashed into the sea off PNG's Manus Island, the rare interstellar meteor was one of the first ever documented, and it has scientists questioning if it could be artificially made. Sat 15 Apr Sat 15 Apr Sat 15 Apr 2023 at 12:04am A landmark resolution by Vanuatu law students and its government to get climate change to the world's highest court has been adopted by the United Nations, in a bid to clarify if states are responsible for preventing climate harm. Thu 30 Mar Thu 30 Mar Thu 30 Mar 2023 at 1:30am A large contingent of ADF troops has begun a humanitarian mission in Vanuatu in the wake of last week's twin cyclone disaster, while the nation's seasonal workers in Australia are raising money for affected families. Mon 13 Mar Mon 13 Mar Mon 13 Mar 2023 at 8:32pm From cooking tutorials to family-focused gyms, these Pacific Islanders are trying to curb the disproportionate rates of chronic disease in their communities. Wed 8 Mar Wed 8 Mar Wed 8 Mar 2023 at 7:58pm Australia is sending RAAF planes, HMAS Canberra and 600 personnel to help Vanuatu's population rebuild after "evil twin" cyclone event. Mon 6 Mar Mon 6 Mar Mon 6 Mar 2023 at 5:57am Tongan woman Esitia Tupou moderates a Facebook page for Polynesians in Brisbane where they expose men they claim cheat on girlfriends, wives, and families. But experts warn it comes with risks. Fri 17 Feb Fri 17 Feb Fri 17 Feb 2023 at 6:54pm Chewed across South-East Asia and the Pacific, a market for the intoxicating betel nut has opened up in Australia, giving some Solomon Islander seasonal workers a taste of home. Thu 19 Jan Thu 19 Jan Thu 19 Jan 2023 at 10:27pm Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will address the Papua New Guinea national parliament and visit the resting place of the late Sir Michael Somare during a two-day visit next week. Thu 5 Jan Thu 5 Jan Thu 5 Jan 2023 at 5:48am A Papua New Guinean researcher calls for Australia to help deliver its next national census amid speculation the population is as high as 17 million. Wed 4 Jan Wed 4 Jan Wed 4 Jan 2023 at 7:35pm Fiji's police force says it has requested assistance from the country's military after reports of violence in the wake of last week's national election. Thu 22 Dec Thu 22 Dec Thu 22 Dec 2022 at 11:22pm
CBC
20-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Kìwekì Point river lookout 'invites reflection, connection and renewal'
The National Capital Commission officially reopened Kìwekì Point and a new bridge connecting it with Major's Hill Park. The design highlights Algonquin Anishinabeg voices.
Globe and Mail
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Make Canada the 51st state? How about making America the 11th province, instead
Drew Hayden Taylor is an Anishnawbe playwright and humorist. Ever since Donald Trump became U.S. President again, he's been talking smack about making Canada the 51st state. It even came up when Mr. Trump met Prime Minister Mark Carney in the Oval Office last week. Speaking as an Indigenous person, this isn't the first time somebody from far away has cast covetous eyes upon the land we call home. If we had a nickel for every time we've heard somebody say 'Trust us, it's for your own good,' well, we'd be able to afford better housing. The difference here, of course, is those people were usually white, not orange. Needless to say, the response in all 10 provinces and three territories has been less than enthusiastic. The Simpsons once called Canada 'America Junior,' but truth be told, we prefer to think of ourselves as a healthier version of the States. We tend to chicken-fry fewer things, for instance – though we do have a habit of covering things with gravy and cheese. Maybe we should call that Canadian-goose-frying. I would like to humbly offer up an alternative suggestion – a modest proposal, if you will. It seems like it would make better sense if – conceivably, maybe, just hear me out – we make America Canada's 11th province. Look at it logically. Our country is bigger. I've always been told – and why, I'm not sure – that size does matter. Canada is a whole 1.6-per-cent larger than our southern neighbours. You can do a lot with 1.6 per cent – especially when you put our respective populations into the formula. America holds 340 million souls, while Canada is home to substantially fewer, at 41.1 million people, all equally divided into regions according to their allegiance to a hockey team. The difference in population means the average American, living in their crowded cities, could easily afford a split-level duplex in Flin Flon, Man., that has a front yard extending practically to the horizon. Moose included. Add to that the fact we have an unlimited (in theory) supply of fresh water, and a substantially larger amount of natural resources of all types. Who wouldn't want that? Ah, I have such fond memories of harvesting, with my family, the bounty of the land, coming home with bushels full of butter tarts and ketchup chips. America will never have that without us. Somebody down south once asked me what a Nanaimo bar was. I told him it was a chain of bars that only served Caesars, Canadian Club, screech, Molson Golden beer and basically any drink that has a human toe in it (ever been to Dawson City?). I told them, 'It's a Canadian thing,' and they believed me. This is why they need us. I casually mentioned the proposal on X, and the response was pretty much uniform: No Americans allowed, unless they are fleeing some Asian land war. Some followers floated the idea of keeping California; a few mentioned Hawaii. Others admitted a fondness for New Orleans or Key West. Evidently the parts were greater than the whole. It should be pointed out here that from an Indigenous perspective, there never was a border. If you ever get the chance to glance at a map of North America designed by the Indigenous community, you'll notice there is a very definite turtle shape to the continent: One bottom leg is Florida, the other is California, and the top arms and head are Canada, with the bulk of the shell being America. Interestingly enough, it has roughly the same shape as the North American tectonic plate. Ancient Aliens theorists may not believe Indigenous people were capable of building our own large stone edifices, and needed extraterrestrial help in designing a dreamcatcher, but I think our ancestors knew a tectonic plate when they saw one. Regardless, that is why many First Nation communities refer to this continent as Turtle Island. Within the cosmology of many Aboriginal cultures, specifically the Haudenosaunee, North America rests on the back of a giant turtle where Sky Woman landed from a hole in the sky, and then proceeded to create the land, the trees, the mountains, and the first casinos. Borders came later, with colonization. For proper annexation, we could augment the Catholic Church's Doctrine of Discovery, which provided legal and religious justification to Christian explorers and colonizers claiming ownership of lands and territories they 'discovered' outside of Europe. Essentially, it argued these lands were effectively 'empty' or available for Christian powers to claim because they were not inhabited by Christians. With a little tweaking, Europe could become Canada, and Christians could be changed to Canadians. Granted, it's a stretch. But greater travesties have been committed with much less rationale.
CTV News
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Sunfest 2025 unveils artist lineup
London's premier outdoor summer festival has unveiled its lineup at a kickoff event hosted by CTV London's Nick Paperella. Sunfest 2025 will be packed with music, dancing, food, and drink when it returns to Victoria Park from July 3 – 6. In its 31 years, Sunfest has grown from a small local event to an international attraction and brand. It is also an economic driver for the city. 'We have the economic studies that show that, you know, 20 to 25 per cent of attendance are coming from outside of London and other parts of Canada, and even all over the parts of the world,' said Alfredo Caxaj, the founder of Sunfest. Sunfest began with a focus on international acts, and this year it will feature more than 20, including groups from Cuba and Africa. 'We have a great band from DR Congo this year,' highlighted Mercedes Caxaj, the artistic co-director. 'They make all of their outfits and all of their instruments. They're known as an Afro-futuristic, punk, eco-friendly collective.' She added that the international sounds of Sunfest will be met equally by homegrown talent. 'This year we are really seeing a big focus on Indigenous voices, especially from across Canada and internationally. We also have women-led voices as well,' explained Mercedes. Sunfest Chair Paula Jesty hopes all featured artists will bring smiles to attendees' faces amidst an increasingly polarized world. 'I think now more than ever in the world we live in, we need organizations like Sunfest. We need to remember and to celebrate,' said Jesty. And if people take time to do just that, Alfredo concedes he would be moved, 'By all of you, by the local community, international people. This is so beautiful because it's so meaningful.' A free kickoff block party for Sunfest will be held this weekend at London Brewing Co-op on Burbrook Place. More information on Sunfest acts can be found online.
