Latest news with #Mattagami
Hamilton Spectator
26-04-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
My unexpected journey to education
I never imagined I would be just weeks away from graduating with my honours bachelor's degree in Indigenous Studies from McMaster University. As an Anishinaabe woman and a member of the Mattagami First Nation, I know this moment will be more than just crossing a stage. It is in honour of all my brothers and sisters who were denied this opportunity. The history of education in Canada surrounding Indigenous Peoples is complex, marked by barriers that made access to post-secondary education difficult for many of us. Before 1951, if a First Nations person wanted to attend university, they had to give up their 'Indian Status.' That meant giving up their identity just to access education. That unthinkable choice is still evident today and is part of what drives me to keep going. I once heard someone say, 'I am coming to take what they told me I could never have,' and those words resonated deeply with me. My academic journey started in 2020, not in a classroom but online. I signed up for the University of Alberta's free online course, 'Indigenous Canada.' It opened my eyes to truths I had not been taught before about our Indigenous communities' history, strength, and resilience. That course transformed my perspective. I knew I had to keep learning. That's when I found the Indigenous Studies 2+2 university transfer program through Mohawk College in Hamilton. This pathway allows students to start with a college diploma and finish with a university degree, connecting institutions like McMaster and Wilfrid Laurier University. At the time, I did not think I had what it took to return to school. I only had my high school diploma, and university felt like something for others — not me. In April 2023, I graduated from Mohawk College with an honours diploma in General Arts and Science and an honours certificate in Indigenous Studies. Mohawk College gave me the skills, confidence, and a community that I needed when I doubted myself. I am forever grateful for the mentors, classmates, and opportunities I found there. In September 2023, I started my first semester as a third-year student at McMaster University in the Honours Indigenous Studies program. From the beginning, I was welcomed into a place centring Indigenous knowledge, values, and community. All incoming Indigenous students are invited to participate in a summer transition program through the Indigenous Studies Department, which helped ease me into university life. It encompasses two weeks of culture, connection, and learning. That program set the tone for everything that followed. For me, education is more than academics. It is healing. Every paper I write and every grade I receive is a step forward on a path that was once blocked. Learning through an Indigenous lens has been empowering. We are taught that knowledge is not just in books but is transmitted from generation to generation, and it lives in our stories, ancestors, and the land. This opportunity for education would not have happened without the incredible people who created McMaster's Indigenous Studies Department. I recently had the privilege of interviewing Mohawk scholar and professor of English and Cultural Studies, Dr. Rick Monture from Six Nations of the Grand River, who shared the department's history. It is a story of vision, determination, and heart. The Indigenous Studies Department at McMaster University began through the determined efforts of Mohawk scholar Dr. Dawn Martin-Hill from Six Nations of the Grand River. Then a PhD student, Martin-Hill worked tirelessly to ensure Indigenous perspectives and education were centred at McMaster. At the time, Trent University was the only other university in southern Ontario offering Indigenous courses. In 1989, through the leadership of Dr. Martin-Hill, the unwavering support of Chief Harvey E. Longboat of Six Nations, and the collaboration of McMaster anthropologist Dr. Harvey Feit, the first Drumbeat Conference was organized and co-hosted by McMaster University and the Six Nations of the Grand River Confederacy. This important gathering laid the foundation for what would become the Indigenous Studies Department we know today. Martin-Hill, the Six Nations Community, and a small group of Indigenous McMaster students organized and advocated for change. Shortly afterward, Monture (then a T.A. for Dawn Martin-Hill and a graduate student) and Algonquin/Mohawk scholar Dr. Bonnie Freeman (then an undergraduate student) developed Indigenous introduction courses. They gained support from McMaster's president and vice-chancellor, Geraldine Kenney-Wallace (1990-1995). This advocacy led to the McMaster Indigenous Students Association and the President's Advisory Committee on Indigenous Issues. Chief Longboat's vision for centring Haudenosaunee language, culture, and history was deeply influential. However, the department has always maintained an inclusive approach, honouring diverse Indigenous Nations across Turtle Island. From a small office in University Hall's basement, the former Indigenous Studies program has grown into a department and an essential hub for Indigenous students and the wider community. In 2015, it introduced a four-year honours degree, established the McMaster Indigenous Research Institute in 2019, and became a formal department in 2022, focusing on Indigenous education and research. In September 2024, the department launched its first Indigenous studies graduate program. The department provides numerous supports, including an Elder-in-Residence, academic and cultural resources, an outdoor space, and a student lounge, fostering a strong sense of community. As I look ahead to graduate studies this fall, an incredible full-circle moment has emerged. Dr. Savage Bear, a Nehiyaw'iskwew (Cree woman) and assistant professor within the Indigenous Studies Department, who facilitated the Indigenous Canada course that so profoundly influenced my path in 2020, has graciously agreed to supervise my master's research paper. Dr. Bear's dedication to education is widely recognized, and she was recently appointed to the Order of Canada. I am so grateful to the amazing faculty and staff at McMaster University and Mohawk College who believed in me and helped guide my steps. There are too many to amazing people to name, and I am afraid I could forget someone if I tried. But if you're reading this and were part of that journey, chi miigwetch. Your support has meant everything. Above all, thank you to my children, my most incredible supporters and the brightest light in my life. Your love has given me the motivation to continue on this journey. I know all of this is possible because of the resilience of our ancestors, and their legacy continues to guide us as we move forward.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Canada Nickel signs agreement with First Nations for Crawford Nickel Project
Canada Nickel Company (Canada Nickel) has announced a significant agreement with the Mattagami, Matachewan and Flying Post First Nations, members of the Wabun Tribal Council, regarding the Crawford Nickel Sulphide Project. This agreement is a 'significant' advancement in terms of progressing the Crawford Project, while also promoting cooperation with First Nations communities. It also establishes an early business and employment opportunities framework as the parties work towards a comprehensive Impact Benefits Agreement (IBA). The agreement encompasses pledges for transparent negotiations on significant contracting opportunities including the construction of a 25.2km railway line, the relocation of Highway 655 and the development of a temporary overpass on Highway 655. These initiatives aim to promote economic development and address the priorities of the three First Nations. Canada Nickel CEO Mark Selby said: 'This agreement is a milestone in the development of the Crawford Project and reflects our commitment to meaningful partnerships with First Nations and our respect for the Traditional Territories in which we are fortunate to operate. 'We value our ongoing work with Flying Post, Mattagami and Matachewan First Nations, and the collective advocacy efforts of Wabun Tribal Council, and we look forward to building on this foundation to deliver long-term benefits for their membership, our project, and the region writ-large.' Scheduled between 2025 and 2029, these projects will prioritise First Nations businesses, promote own-source revenue, foster partnerships and support regional growth. The agreement additionally sets up systems for transparency and cooperation, including regular engagement sessions. A First Nations business representative will also be appointed to coordinate opportunities within the project. The primary initiatives outlined in the agreement involve giving priority access to businesses owned by First Nations for contract participation, as well as offering specialised training programmes aimed at improving local skills development. Matachewan First Nation Chief Alex 'Sonny' Batisse said: 'This agreement provides a genuine starting point for addressing the impacts of the Crawford Project on our lands and people. It is a positive step towards ensuring Matachewan First Nation's members voices are heard and our rights are respected." Canada Nickel also announced the results of the front-end engineering and design (FEED) activities for the project, which were completed by the company's consultants. The main objective of the FEED was to revise the estimate of the initial capital costs. Engineering efforts concentrated on the initial capital expenditure, drawing on information gathered from a winter geotechnical programme, a test piling initiative and revised quotations. The mining schedule was reorganised to expedite the extraction of higher-value ore from the East Zone and decrease pre-stripping by 30%. Another significant alteration was the reorganisation of the mining schedule. Ore from the East Zone will now be extracted and processed first, advancing by an average of 12 years, while ore from the Main Zone has been postponed. "Canada Nickel signs agreement with First Nations for Crawford Nickel Project" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
