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National Indigenous News September 18 · National Indigenous Newscasts

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: This is a look at your National Indigenous News.
• 0:02
  SPEAKER_00: I'm Daryl Stranger.
• 0:03
  SPEAKER_00: Canada's Justice Ministry is requesting a federal court review a decision by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal not to fill positions on the commission overseeing the reform of the First Nation Child Welfare System and Jordan's principle program.
• 0:16
  SPEAKER_00: The move is in response to an August 18th decision by Tribunal Chair Jennifer Kurana to not appoint two new commissioners to the case that has languished for nearly 15 years.
• 0:25
  SPEAKER_00: In July, the federal government requested that Korana add the commissioners because when the tribunal started hearing the case in 2012, the panel consisted of members Sophie Marshall Dawn, Regime Belanger, and Edward Lustig.
• 0:36
  SPEAKER_00: Bellanger died suddenly in 2015, leaving just two to oversee the case.
• 0:40
  SPEAKER_00: Lustig resigned on July 7th, leaving just Marshall Dawn.
• 0:44
  SPEAKER_00: According to the government, the case has gotten more complex since Belanger's death and requested that the chair not allow Marshall Dawn to continue on her own.
• 0:51
  SPEAKER_00: Parties, including the Assembly of First Nations and the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, argued having to bring new commissioners up to speed would delay the hearings.
• 0:59
  SPEAKER_00: Kurana agreed with the parties.
• 1:01
  SPEAKER_00: According to the chair, reasons she dismissed the request will follow.
• 1:04
  SPEAKER_00: In its application to the federal court, the government argues that the tribunal's decision was not rational and logical, and that it failed to consider the evidence and submissions before it.
• 1:13
  SPEAKER_00: In 2016, the tribunal ruled that Canada discriminated against First Nations children by knowingly underfunding programs that were supposed to help them.
• 1:20
  SPEAKER_00: They ordered the discrimination to end immediately and that all sides work together to come up with a plan to reform the system.
• 1:26
  SPEAKER_00: A decade later, Marshall Dawn is now reviewing plans put forward by the federal government and another by a group called the National Children's Chiefs Commission, a body commissioned by chiefs across the country.
• 1:37
  SPEAKER_00: Indigenous leaders from Treaties 6, 7, and 8, joined by the Blackfoot Confederacy, have passed an urgent resolution backing the Satellite Cree Nation's decision to use its treaty authority to offer refuge for individuals seeking gender-affirming medical care.
• 1:52
  SPEAKER_00: In a news release, the Satellite Cree Nation in Alberta emphasized that this endorsement from fellow treaty nations underscores they are not isolated in the effort.
• 2:01
  SPEAKER_00: By asserting jurisdiction in this way, the nation noted, treaty rights are reinforced for every participating community and for generations yet to come.
• 2:08
  SPEAKER_00: Last week, the nation revealed plans to draft its own legislation safeguarding healthcare providers who deliver gender-affirming treatments restricted under Alberta's current rules.
• 2:17
  SPEAKER_00: Officials pointed to language in Treaty 6 guaranteeing that a medicine chest shall be kept at the house of each Indian agent for the use and benefit of the Indians, as the foundation for the initiative.
• 2:27
  SPEAKER_00: Alongside the protective law, Saddle Lake is developing a national clinician licensing pathway.
• 2:32
  SPEAKER_00: The system would enable qualified Canadian health professionals to serve the nation without first navigating provincial credentialing hurdles.
• 2:38
  SPEAKER_00: Leaders describe the change as a major step toward expanding access to doctors and other practitioners, resources First Nations have long struggled to attract and keep under the present colonial framework.
• 2:48
  SPEAKER_00: According to the nation, multiple physicians and health workers from across Canada have already shown interest and contacted the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta about obtaining licenses.
• 2:57
  SPEAKER_00: Satellite Crenation plans to apply the same model not only to gender-affirming care, but also to primary care, specialist services, and a full range of Allied health professions.
• 3:07
  SPEAKER_00: The nation has pledged to share both its forthcoming health law governance structure and the broader care delivery model with any other treaty nations that wish to adopt similar approaches.
• 3:17
  SPEAKER_00: Papekasis Crenation has officially opened the first indigenous-owned and operated funeral home in Saskatchewan, located in Lorely, Saskatchewan.
• 3:26
  SPEAKER_00: The idea for the funeral home came from Thunderchild First Nation, a First Nation just north of the community.
• 3:31
  SPEAKER_00: The funeral home marks an important milestone for Papekasis, providing a space close to home where families can gather to honor and celebrate the lives of their loved ones.
• 3:39
  SPEAKER_00: The new funeral home has created a space where indigenous traditions can be practiced.
• 3:43
  SPEAKER_00: The facility's design allowed for the inclusion of features where traditional practices can be observed, including smudging.
• 3:49
  SPEAKER_00: The facility also features an entry hall, gathering hall, meeting rooms, kitchen, as well as catering and floral services.
• 3:55
  SPEAKER_00: Cremation, traditional burial, memorial products, and ceremonial and ritual services will be offered at the funeral home.
• 4:01
  SPEAKER_00: The cost of the funeral home was just over$7 million, with Indigenous Services Canada providing just over$1 million through the Community Opportunities Readiness Program.
• 4:09
  SPEAKER_00: Papekasis Cremation says the new facility is part of the nation's long term development strategy.
• 4:15
  SPEAKER_00: That's a look at your national Indigenous news.