First Nations Forward | Canada's National Observer: Climate News

Special report

First Nations Forward

Produced in collaboration with the Real Estate Foundation of BC, I-SEA, Vancouver Foundation, Vancity, Catherine Donnelly Foundation, Donner Canadian Foundation, Clayoquot Biosphere Trust, North Foundation, Willow Grove Foundation, Canadian Center for Journalism, Victoria Foundation, and the Port Moody Foundation. National Observer retains full editorial control over the topics and the reporting.

115 Articles

Indigenomics: on recognition and the uncomfortable space

Canada is in an uncomfortable space. For over 150 years, this country has been in a push/pull dynamic relationship with First Nations people.

First Nations Forward

By

Carol Anne Hilton

May 3rd 2018

While B.C. and Alberta squabble over bitumen, this First Nation just made a massive move to protect the coast

The Heiltsuk Nation in coastal British Columbia has announced a new partnership with Horizon Maritime in a joint effort to prevent and respond to marine incidents and preserve the west coast for future generations.

First Nations Forward

By

Emilee Gilpin

May 1st 2018

The Haida language is here to stay

As politicians argue over pipelines and nuclear warfare, fear not. In many corners of the world, people are working tirelessly to learn land-based languages old as time, remembering, reawakening and revitalizing alternative ways forward.

First Nations Forward

By

Emilee Gilpin

April 25th 2018

Breathing new life into languages of the land

Language is at the heart of any culture. It is more than just a set of words and rules. It defines the way you dream, think, communicate, understand the world– and your and everyone else's place in it.

First Nations Forward

By

Emilee Gilpin

April 12th 2018

In brighter news, a clean energy success story

Heat pumps, solar panels and energy kits are just some of the ways the Skidegate band council is ensuring a more sustainable future for their community.

First Nations Forward

By

Emilee Gilpin

April 9th 2018

Indigenous marine response centre breathing life into reconciliation

The Haíłzaqv (Heiltsuk) are marine people. Our oral history confirms our existence in our territory since time immemorial. Archaeological evidence corroborates that my people have continuously lived in relationship to our lands and waters for at least 14,000 years, over 700 generations.

First Nations Forward

By

Saul Brown

April 6th 2018

Minister Carolyn Bennett says exoneration of Tsilhqot'in chiefs opens door to reconciliation

Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, Carolyn Bennett said yesterday in the House of Commons, that Trudeau's exoneration was a step in a longer process of reconciliation.

First Nations Forward

By

Emilee Gilpin

March 27th 2018

Joe Alphonse, Tsilqot'in, Canada, British Columbia, exoneration

When Trudeau delivered a historic apology more than 150 years in the making

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivered an historic apology on Monday in the House of Commons, more than 150 years in the making, exonerating six chiefs from the Tsilhqot'in Nation who were unjustly killed by a colonial government in British Columbia in 1864.

First Nations Forward

By

Emilee Gilpin

March 26th 2018

Tsilhqot'in send off leadership for historic exoneration of six war chiefs wrongfully hanged

At least 100 community members of the Tsilhqot'in Nation came together in Tl'etinqox, one of six Tsilhqot'in communities, to send their leadership off, the Tsilhqot'in way.

First Nations Forward

By

Emilee Gilpin

March 23rd 2018

Hunter Lang was recognized with a 2017 Premier’s Award for Aboriginal Youth Excellence in Sport.

Young Indigenous athletes recognized as leaders and role models

The 2017 Premier’s Award for Aboriginal Youth Excellence in Sport honours Indigenous youth for outstanding accomplishments in British Columbia.

First Nations Forward

By

Tracy Sherlock

News

March 22nd 2018

Something's stirring on Haida Gwaii

Heiltsuk and Haida women came together in Haida Gwaii for a Women's Dialogue Session focused on women's leadership, traditional and cultural knowledge, and coastal unity.

First Nations Forward

By

Emilee Gilpin

March 14th 2018

The wildfire warriors of Tl'etinqox

When a wildfire broke out near his remote B.C. community last summer, Tl'etinqox First Nation Chief Joe Alphonse and his community refused to leave.

First Nations Forward

By

News

February 19th 2018

This First Nation is four steps ahead of climate change

It's as if Chief Patrick Michell of the Kanaka Indian Bar Band has a superpower. With what appears to be a normal set of eyes, his vision stretches back to the last 8,000 years of his people and ahead, to a future of climate chaos and unshakeable hope.

First Nations Forward

By

Emilee Gilpin

February 15th 2018

Carolyn Bennett, Indigenous affairs, Parliament Hill

Trudeau government to turn over new leaf in 'transformative' rights recognition framework

The federal government is embarking on a coast-to-coast-to-coast consultation process before drafting its new Recognition and Implementation of Rights Framework for Indigenous peoples.

First Nations Forward

By

Elizabeth McSheffrey

February 14th 2018

B.C. working on big changes for Indigenous child welfare

B.C. First Nations appear poised to start taking back care of their own children, using their own culture and laws, as the number of Indigenous kids in foster care across Canada has reached crisis proportions.

First Nations Forward

By

Tracy Sherlock

February 6th 2018