First Nations

Western Forest Products Completes Sale of Ownership Interest in Newly Formed Mid-Island Partnership

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 28, 2024
First Nations, Limited partnership, Nation, Wood, TSX, Transaction

The parties also announced the new name for the Partnership, which will be known as La-kwa sa muqw Forestry (pronounced la-KWAH-sa-mook) going forward.

Key Points: 
  • The parties also announced the new name for the Partnership, which will be known as La-kwa sa muqw Forestry (pronounced la-KWAH-sa-mook) going forward.
  • The Partnership consists of certain assets and liabilities of Western’s Mid Island Forest Operation, including the newly-established Tree Farm Licence 64, created through the subdivision of Block 2 from Tree Farm Licence 39.
  • The operations of the new Partnership cover approximately 157,000 hectares of forest land in the traditional territories of the Nations near the communities of Campbell River and Sayward on eastern Vancouver Island.
  • Members of the media are asked to contact Western’s media relations to confirm their attendance and obtain event details.

A Year of Rapid Growth and Improvement: Reviewing the Progress of BC's Indigenous-led Gladue Services

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
First Nations, Chemical oxygen demand, Risk, Nation, Gladue report, Trauma, Support, Research, West Bank, Legal Aid BC, Aftercare

“Having an Indigenous-led organization administer and develop Gladue Report Services in BC is groundbreaking.

Key Points: 
  • “Having an Indigenous-led organization administer and develop Gladue Report Services in BC is groundbreaking.
  • The standards BCFNJC holds for Gladue Reports is high, and the team is committed to ensuring these standards remain exceptional.
  • For comparison, over an 11-year period, Legal Aid BC produced an average of 120 Gladue reports per year.
  • Gladue reports will be provided for Dangerous Offender and Parole Hearings on a case-by-case basis.

Ontario’s transition to EPR Nears One-year Milestone

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
First Nations, EPR, Environment, Recycling, AI, Collection, Work

Optimizing the recycling system includes leveraging technological advancements that will modernize the system and play a pivotal role in enhancing efficiency and accuracy. Innovations such as AI enabled cameras and optical sorters equipped with advanced sensors will revolutionize recycling collection and sortation. These technological innovations offer unparalleled precision and improved efficiency while simultaneously reducing contamination levels. Transparency will be improved through data from material audits, centralized administration, and enhancements to supply chain system design -- all critical for enhancing the recycling system.

Key Points: 
  • As the administrator of Ontario’s common collection system, Circular Materials is responsible for operating this new EPR system for blue box materials.
  • This transition to EPR is taking place between 2023 and 2025, with full EPR implementation across Ontario starting January 1, 2026.
  • On July 1, 2023, Circular Materials kick-started Ontario’s transition to EPR for packaging.
  • Over 400 blue box programs in Ontario are expected to transition to EPR in 2026.

Securing Canada's AI advantage

Retrieved on: 
Sunday, April 7, 2024
First Nations, Child care, Natural language processing, NRC, Artificial intelligence, Child, Deep learning, Parliament, Investment, Democracy, Cohere, SSHRC, Woman, Safety, G7, Natural science, Drug discovery, Canada national team, Commons, Agriculture, Federation, Act, Research, Regional development agency, IRAP, Food, IBM, House, AIDA, National Research Council, Coveo, Digital, Health, Millennials, OpenText, Government, Growth, Today, TELUS, Public, Advisory Council, Working Group, Life, Housing, Ecosystem, BlackBerry, Social science, CIHR, Medical device

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced a $2.4 billion package of measures from the upcoming Budget 2024 to secure Canada's AI advantage.

Key Points: 
  • The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced a $2.4 billion package of measures from the upcoming Budget 2024 to secure Canada's AI advantage.
  • We will also develop a new Canadian AI Sovereign Compute Strategy to catalyze the development of Canadian-owned and located AI infrastructure.
  • Creating a new Canadian AI Safety Institute, with $50 million to further the safe development and deployment of AI.
  • Today's announcement is about investing in innovation and economic growth to secure Canada's world-leading AI advantage today and for generations to come.

Lost for words? Research shows art therapy brings benefits for mental health

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Observational study, Depression, Health, First Nations, Mental health, Grief, Schizophrenia, Acute stress disorder, Environment, Mental, Post-traumatic stress disorder, Risk, Eating, Patient, Journal, Trauma, Research, Child, Magic, Anxiety, Cancer, Fatigue, Sculpture, Adolescence, Drawing, Regulation, Safety, Spectrum, Art therapy, Emotion, Palliative care, Dementia, Nursing

Art therapy uses creative processes, primarily visual art such as painting, drawing or sculpture, with a view to improving physical health and emotional wellbeing.

Key Points: 
  • Art therapy uses creative processes, primarily visual art such as painting, drawing or sculpture, with a view to improving physical health and emotional wellbeing.
  • Art therapy can be used to support treatment for a wide range of physical and mental health conditions.
  • In a study published this week in the Journal of Mental Health, we found art therapy was associated with positive outcomes for children and adolescents in a hospital-based mental health unit.

An option for those who can’t find the words

  • Where possible, after finishing an artwork, a person can explore the meaning of their work with the art therapist, translating unspoken symbolic material into verbal reflection.
  • However, as the talking component is less central to the therapeutic process, art therapy is an accessible option for people who may not be able to find the words to describe their experiences.
  • Art therapy has also been linked to improved outcomes for people with a range of physical health conditions.

Our research

  • While most care takes place in the community, a small proportion of young people require care in hospital to ensure their safety.
  • However, these “restrictive practices” are associated with negative effects such as post-traumatic stress for patients and health professionals.
  • Read more:
    'An arts engagement that's changed their life': the magic of arts and health

    Our research looked at more than six years of data from a child and adolescent mental health hospital ward in Australia.

  • Confirming the effect of a therapeutic intervention requires controlled clinical trials where people are randomly assigned one treatment or another.
  • Although ours was an observational study, randomised controlled trials support the benefits of art therapy in youth mental health services.

What do young people think?

  • In previous research we found art therapy was considered by adolescents in hospital-based mental health care to be the most helpful group therapy intervention compared to other talk-based therapy groups and creative activities.
  • In research not yet published, we’re speaking with young people to better understand their experiences of art therapy, and why it might reduce distress.

A promising area


The burgeoning research showing the benefits of art therapy for both physical and especially mental health highlights the value of creative and innovative approaches to treatment in health care. There are opportunities to expand art therapy services in a range of health-care settings. Doing so would enable greater access to art therapy for people with a variety of physical and mental health conditions.

  • She has received funding from the Health Education and Training Institute (HETI) for the Mental Health Research Award.
  • Iain Perkes works for the University of New South Wales and the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network which is part of NSW Health.
  • He is affiliated with Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) and the Health Education and Training Institute (HETI, NSW Health).

Eight charts on how Australia’s population is growing – and changing

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Employment, First Nations, Climate change, COVID, Longevity, Growth, Demography, Bias, COVID-19, Education, Ageing, City, Mortality, Transport, Infant, Death, Life expectancy, Woman, Housing, Workforce, Blak

And population characteristics can tell us much about how the inhabitants of a place have changed over time and where the population might be headed in the future.

Key Points: 
  • And population characteristics can tell us much about how the inhabitants of a place have changed over time and where the population might be headed in the future.
  • Unpacking Australia’s population composition reveals the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.

Living longer and with fewer children

  • Our increased longevity, alongside below-replacement fertility, means Australia’s population is structurally ageing.
  • The challenges of an ageing population include greater aged care needs, amid a relative shrinking workforce.
  • In other words, populations like Australia need to work out how to fund more with fewer financial resources or risk declining living standards.
  • The shape of population age distribution matters more than ever, especially with evidence indicating children in Australia will be outnumbered by people aged 65 and over in the coming ten years.

High short-term growth, potential for population decline

  • Australia’s population has grown at a historically high rate since the reopening of international borders during COVID-19.
  • Most of Australia’s population growth is from overseas migration, as has been the case since 2005 (except during COVID border closures).
  • Natural population increase – the number of births versus deaths – also contributes to Australia’s rising population.

More diverse than ever


Half the world has below-replacement fertility, and the average number of births per woman is set to decline even further. Australia is competing with the likes of Germany, Canada, the United States, New Zealand and the United Kingdom to attract suitable people to migrate.

  • From a Blak country to a European colonial settlement, Australia now relies heavily on people migrating from India and China.
  • First Nations people, for example, have a much younger age profile and higher growth rate than the non-Indigenous people.

City living

  • Australia’s population is also highly urbanised, with a high concentration of people living along the southeastern coastline from southeast Queensland to Victoria.
  • By 2036, Melbourne is projected to be Australia’s largest capital city, not surprising give Sydney has a considerable surplus of people moving to live in other places in Australia.
  • More people are living alone, and the number of people in each household on average is declining.


Liz Allen does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Burgundy Diamond Mines 2023 Socio-Economic Agreement Report released highlighting its contribution and investment in Canada’s North

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 21, 2024
Diamond, BDM, Employment, First Nations, Government, Yellowknives, Environment, Ekati Diamond Mine, ASX, Kugluktuk, Ekati, Indigenous peoples, Hamlet, Safety, Workforce

PERTH, Western Australia and CALGARY, Alberta, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Burgundy Diamond Mines (ASX:BDM) is pleased to provide its 2023 Socio-Economic Agreement Report.

Key Points: 
  • PERTH, Western Australia and CALGARY, Alberta, March 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Burgundy Diamond Mines (ASX:BDM) is pleased to provide its 2023 Socio-Economic Agreement Report.
  • The Socio-Economic Agreement Report is published annually and highlights the numerous ways our operations at Ekati Diamond Mine provide social and economic benefits to Canada’s North.
  • The report summarizes key performance metrics covering safety, employment, environment, community investment and northern business expenditures.
  • Burgundy Diamond Mines’ commitment to sustainable development and contributions towards local communities, specifically benefiting local Indigenous peoples including First Nations, Inuit and Métis, are outlined in the report.

Considering the Barriers to Clean, Safe Water on World Water Day

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation, Interlake, Employment, First Nations, Climate change, Partnership, United, Risk, Education, Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation, United Nations, Drinking water, World Water Day, Glass, Water 1st International, Water, Nursing

CREEMORE, Ontario, March 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As we approach World Water Day on March 22, Water First Education and Training Inc. wants to know what safe water means to you.

Key Points: 
  • CREEMORE, Ontario, March 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As we approach World Water Day on March 22, Water First Education and Training Inc. wants to know what safe water means to you.
  • For most of us, safe water means not even considering the act of turning on the tap, cooking dinner, or taking a shower.
  • Reflecting on the importance of World Water Day and raising awareness of the disproportionate effects of climate change and the number of drinking water advisories in Indigenous communities, John Millar, Water First’s Founder and Executive Director, says, “To me, safe water means the ability to feel respected because everyone should have access to safe, clean drinking water in Canada.
  • “To me, safe water means turning on the tap and not wondering if the source of the water was safe, or considering what equipment was used by how many skilled people,” says Water First Project Manager Krysta Wordock.

RC Show 2024 Levels Up Its Culinary Offerings

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 18, 2024
Maker, Kraft Heinz, First Nations, Interview, UP, Farmer, ICAN, Competition, Creativity, Restaurant, Quell, Partnership, Farm Credit Canada, Pizza, AMEX, LEVEL, Indigenous, Woman, Coffee, Breakfast, Food, Tea, Taste, RC, Dole, Dairy Farmers of Canada, BIPOC, Associated, Landscape, Clubhouse

Restaurants Canada, Ardent Mills, Lactalis Canada Foodservice and Dole are on the search for the country’s top and emerging pizza talent with the RC Pizza Competition .

Key Points: 
  • Restaurants Canada, Ardent Mills, Lactalis Canada Foodservice and Dole are on the search for the country’s top and emerging pizza talent with the RC Pizza Competition .
  • The highly anticipated Garland Canada Culinary Competition returns live and in-person with semi-finals on April 8 and finals taking place on April 9 on the RC Show Culinary Stage!
  • Visit the RC Pop Up Experience to learn, taste, and experience some of the best and brightest in Canada’s culinary scene.
  • ICAN’s special curation of recipes will be featured at the RC Pop-Up Experience, Food Truck’N Experience, and Breakfast With Champions.

CHAR Tech and Lake Nipigon Forest Management Inc. Sign Partnership Agreement

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
ArcelorMittal, Employment, MOU, First Nations, Agreement, Lake Nipigon, Partnership, Natural Resources, Biomass, SFL, Forestry, Memorandum, Renewable natural gas, CHAR, RNG, Silviculture

The partnership, Lake Nipigon Forest Sustainable Energy Solutions, (the “Partnership”) builds upon the foundation laid by the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in April 2023 .

Key Points: 
  • The partnership, Lake Nipigon Forest Sustainable Energy Solutions, (the “Partnership”) builds upon the foundation laid by the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in April 2023 .
  • LNFMI is a forest management co-operative comprised of four local First Nation Communities who hold the Sustainable Forest License (SFL) on the Lake Nipigon Forest:
    The Partnership will continue advancing development of the jointly-owned facility modeled after CHAR Tech’s flagship facility in Thorold, Ontario.
  • Under the Agreement, LNFMI will oversee the annual wood fiber harvest from the Lake Nipigon Forest, ensuring CHAR Tech’s wood waste feedstock supply for the wood waste-to-renewable energy (RNG and biocarbon) facility.
  • In January 2023, LNFMI was awarded an investment of $200,000 to support formalizing the LNFMI and CHAR Tech partnership for the Lake Nipigon Forest Sustainable Energy Solutions RNG and biocarbon production facility.