First Nations

Indigenous fathers help build stronger communities. Here’s how we can better support them

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 16, 2024
NHMRC, Social media, Medical Research Council, Courage, National Health, ARC, Father, Cartoon, Longitudinal study, Social services, Data, Frustration, Gap, Australian Research Council, Health, Mother, Policy, Family, First Nations, Child, Movement, Aborigine, Housing, Research, Toy

When approaching how to support the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, there is a tendency in favour of strengthening and empowering mothers, rather than fathers.

Key Points: 
  • When approaching how to support the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, there is a tendency in favour of strengthening and empowering mothers, rather than fathers.
  • We analysed data from around 150 First Nations fathers about the support they needed.

Doing away with negative stereotypes

  • In Australia, there has been a particularly cruel characterisation of Indigenous fathers as deviant, distant, and/or drunkards.
  • These harmful characterisations were reflected in a 2016 cartoon by Bill Leak of an Aboriginal man unable to recall the name of his son.
  • They are often disciplined, devoted and sober, and want to be positive role models for their children.

More support needed

  • Our research found more than 60% of Indigenous dads surveyed indicated needing further support.
  • These were finances, social services, housing, and the ability to spend more time with their children.
  • One of the fathers expressed frustration at the lack of available social services, wanting more support in general.

What needs to be done?

  • This means examining the social and economic circumstances that can affect a person’s life, from their housing situation through to feeling included in society.
  • There is a pressing need for additional investigation into how best to support Indigenous fathers and Indigenous men.
  • There are also positive flow-on effects to others, as found by researchers Lyndon Reilly and Susan Rees:
    If you have strong Indigenous fathers, you will have strong Indigenous families.
  • If you have strong Indigenous fathers, you will have strong Indigenous families.
  • Leonard Collard has previously received funding from organisations such as the Australian Research Council, state and federal as well as other funding bodies.
  • Dr Collard is a member of the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council.

EverWind's Leading Canadian Green Hydrogen and Ammonia Project Will Generate Substantial Economic & Structural Benefits, Major Study Finds

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 15, 2024
Labrador, Growth, Grid, GDP, Mi'kmaq, NS, Atlantic Canada, Employment, First Nations, Wind, Partnership

HALIFAX, NS, Feb. 15, 2024 /CNW/ - EverWind Fuels ("EverWind"), a pioneering developer of an Atlantic Canadian green fuels hub based across Nova Scotia & Newfoundland & Labrador, today announced the release of EverWind's Economic Impact Assessment on its Nova Scotia based green hydrogen and ammonia project ("Nova Scotia Project").

Key Points: 
  • HALIFAX, NS, Feb. 15, 2024 /CNW/ - EverWind Fuels ("EverWind"), a pioneering developer of an Atlantic Canadian green fuels hub based across Nova Scotia & Newfoundland & Labrador, today announced the release of EverWind's Economic Impact Assessment on its Nova Scotia based green hydrogen and ammonia project ("Nova Scotia Project").
  • The Economic Impact Assessment, which was supported by Deloitte Canada, found significant economic and environmental benefits from EverWind's Nova Scotia Project, including the full green energy production cycle from renewable power generation (wind & solar) to green hydrogen-to-ammonia production.
  • Capacity Development and Innovation – The Nova Scotia Project will enhance Canada's green energy innovation, while supporting Nova Scotia's labour market.
  • Future phases of the project, which include additional onshore and offshore wind development, are set up to generate further economic benefits to Canada and Nova Scotia.

Climate change is forcing Australians to weigh up relocating. How do they make that difficult decision?

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 15, 2024
Disaster, Built environment, Soil, School, Colonization, Heat, Woman, Bird, Weather, Flood, ECU, Fire, Plant, Biodiversity, Nature, Edith Cowan, Government, Humanities, Risk, Hatred, Country, School of Design, Curtin University, Climate change, Climate, Health, Face, City, Disability, Grief, Tree, First Nations, Insurance, Pacific Islander, Aborigine, Housing, Research, Erosion, Environment, Tourism

Big environmental changes mean ever more Australians will confront the tough choice of whether to move home or risk staying put.

Key Points: 
  • Big environmental changes mean ever more Australians will confront the tough choice of whether to move home or risk staying put.
  • Communities in the tropical north are losing residents as these regions become hotter and more humid.
  • Others face rising bushfire risks that force them to weigh up the difficult decision to move home.

We’ve been slow to adapt to increasing impacts

  • It is increasing the frequency and intensity of disasters and extreme weather events such as heatwaves, fires, storms and floods.
  • It is also accelerating environmental changes such as soil erosion, salinisation of waterways, loss of biodiversity, and land and water degradation.
  • Both sudden disruptions and gradual pervasive decline have impacts on the places where we live, work and play.

What factors affect the decision to stay or go?

  • Systemic inequalities mean some people are more at risk from environmental change and have less capacity to respond than others.
  • This makes it more likely to be owned or rented by people with fewer financial resources, compounding their disadvantage.
  • For First Nations peoples and communities, connections to and responsibilities for places (Country) are intimately intertwined with identity.
  • For them, the impacts of climate change, colonisation and resettlement interact, further complicating the question of relocation.

So who stays and who leaves?

  • They nominated bushland, beaches, fauna and flora, and the climate/weather as characteristics they valued and feared changing or losing as climate change progressed.
  • One study participant wrote:
    It would be hotter and much more unpleasant in summer.
  • I would miss being able to cycle or walk to the local lakes to connect to nature and feel peaceful.
  • We also found place attachment was associated with people acting to protect that place, such as protesting environmentally destructive policies.

Proper planning for adaptation is long overdue

  • It causes significant economic and non-economic losses for both individuals and communities.
  • A changing climate and inappropriately built or located housing interact to create conditions where some people can or should no longer stay.
  • We need co-ordinated, well-governed, long-term planning for people to move in the face of environmental change to ensure equitable and positive transitions for individuals and communities.


Justine Dandy received funding for this work from the Centre for People, Place and Planet, Edith Cowan University. Zoe Leviston received funding for this work from the College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University

NMG Announces Offtake Agreement with GM for Canadian Graphite and US$150 Million Equity Investment

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 15, 2024
EV, Electric Vehicles, Other Energy, Other Natural Resources, Mining, Minerals, Alternative Energy, Alternative Vehicles, Fuels, Batteries, Energy, Technology, Automotive, Natural Resources, Automotive Manufacturing, Manufacturing, EVS, Climate change mitigation, Engineering, General Motors, Cadillac, Investment, Growth, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, Exercise, Warrant, Indian stock exchange, POSCO, GM, Project, Supply, Tranche, Graphite, First Nations, Interview, Communication, TSX Venture Exchange, Multimedia, ESG, Metal, FID, Inflation, NOU, EDGAR, Renewable energy

GM also commits to subscribe for a further US$125 million of equity upon the successful completion of conditions precedent and a positive final investment decision (“FID”) (the “Tranche 2 Investment” and together with the Tranche 1 Investment, the “Transaction”).

Key Points: 
  • GM also commits to subscribe for a further US$125 million of equity upon the successful completion of conditions precedent and a positive final investment decision (“FID”) (the “Tranche 2 Investment” and together with the Tranche 1 Investment, the “Transaction”).
  • NMG and GM will also enter into an investor rights agreement (the “Investor Rights Agreement”) which includes registration rights at the closing of the Tranche 1 Investment.
  • The Investor Rights Agreement also provides GM with certain rights relating to its investment in NMG, including certain board nomination and anti-dilution rights.
  • Copies of the Subscription Agreement, the Offtake Agreement, and the Investor Rights Agreement will be available on the Company’s page on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov .

Politics with Michelle Grattan: Assistant minister Malarndirri McCarthy says there’s ‘no rush’ on treaty and truth-telling

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 15, 2024
First Nations, Gap, Productivity, Politics, Aborigine, Federation, Government, Indigenous Australians, Human, Policy, Tobacco

What are multiple gaps are still vast, with many areas not on track to meet their targets.

Key Points: 
  • What are multiple gaps are still vast, with many areas not on track to meet their targets.
  • After the failed Voice referendum, the government is looking to the next steps for First Nations people.
  • To discuss this week’s policy announcement, the centrepiece of which is a $700 million jobs program for people in remote areas, we’re joined by Malarndirri McCarthy, senator for the Northern Territory and Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians.
  • On treaty and truth telling, McCarthy urges patience:
    As a Yanyuwa Garrawa woman […] treaty to me is still unfinished business for First Nations people and our country, just like truth-telling is.

Soft plastic recycling is back after the REDcycle collapse – but only in 12 supermarkets. Will it work this time?

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
RPET, Ozone, Aldi, Water, Nature, Federation, Food, Supermarket, Plastic, River, First Nations, Environment, Recycling

After the memorable collapse of Australia’s largest soft plastic recycling program REDcycle in late 2022, a new scheme is emerging.

Key Points: 
  • After the memorable collapse of Australia’s largest soft plastic recycling program REDcycle in late 2022, a new scheme is emerging.
  • The trial underway in 12 Melbourne supermarkets intends, once again, to provide customers with an in-store option for recycling “scrunchable” food packaging.
  • Read more:
    REDcycle's collapse is more proof that plastic recycling is a broken system

What do we know about the new scheme?

  • The taskforce is a coalition of the three major supermarkets: Woolworths, Coles and Aldi.
  • The taskforce assumed responsibility for roughly 11,000 tonnes of soft plastic, formerly managed by REDcycle, across 44 locations across Australia.
  • Much like the original REDcycle scheme, the new small-scale trial in Victoria has identified several potential end markets for used soft plastic.

Why are soft plastics so difficult to recycle?

  • There’s also less demand for recycled soft plastics, compared to other plastics.
  • Many manufacturers prefer using brand new or “virgin” plastics or recycled rigid plastics instead, such as recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET), leaving limited avenues for recycled soft plastics to find new uses.
  • Soft plastics can get tangled or stuck in machinery at recycling or waste-processing facilities, causing inefficiencies and disruptions in the process.

Finding local solutions

  • So local, decentralised, small-scale recycling or reprocessing infrastructure is the way to go.
  • We need to encourage individuals to participate actively in recycling efforts, and foster local businesses focused on resource recovery.
  • To this end, we are currently exploring innovative enterprise-based recycling solutions in remote First Nations communities in Queensland.

The high cost of cheap packaging

  • This has made them popular choices for packaging.
  • Recycling soft plastic packaging does face numerous obstacles.
  • These stem from complex composition, contamination risks, sorting and processing challenges, scarce recycling infrastructure and limited demand for the end product.
  • Read more:
    We need a global treaty to solve plastic pollution – acid rain and ozone depletion show us why


Anya Phelan 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.

James Smith Cree Nation deploys new Indigenous-led emergency alert system

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Indigenous, Emergency, Talking stick, James Smith Cree Nation, Person, Federation, Cree, Data, Safety, First Nations, Stabbing, Child, Gunshot, FSIN, Partnership

James Smith Cree Nation, Feb. 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nearly a year and a half after a stabbing massacre at James Smith Cree Nation, Chief Wally Burns announced his community has signed a new partnership that gives First Nations leaders access to a new emergency alert system.

Key Points: 
  • James Smith Cree Nation, Feb. 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nearly a year and a half after a stabbing massacre at James Smith Cree Nation, Chief Wally Burns announced his community has signed a new partnership that gives First Nations leaders access to a new emergency alert system.
  • “This is about putting control back into the hands of our people when we’ve felt underserved by the traditional emergency alert system,” says Chief Burns.
  • James Smith Cree Nation is the first First Nations community in Saskatchewan that will be able to send community-based safety alerts directly to their members.
  • He says existing emergency alert systems have often missed the mark in serving the unique needs of First Nations communities.

Centerra Gold Announces Mount Milligan Mine Life Extension and Additional Agreement with Royal Gold

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Goldmark, Copper, News, TSX, Mount, Resource, Gold, Safety, PEA, TCM, First Nations, Royal Gold, Palladium

The additional agreement entered into with Royal Gold (the “Additional Royal Gold Agreement”), which is effective immediately, provides supplementary payments to Mount Milligan that has enabled the reserve increase and corresponding extension of the mine life described above.

Key Points: 
  • The additional agreement entered into with Royal Gold (the “Additional Royal Gold Agreement”), which is effective immediately, provides supplementary payments to Mount Milligan that has enabled the reserve increase and corresponding extension of the mine life described above.
  • The existing Amended and Restated Purchase and Sale Agreement with Royal Gold dated as of December 14, 2011, as amended (the “Existing Stream Agreement”), is not affected by the Additional Royal Gold Agreement.
  • The Additional Royal Gold Agreement, taken together with the Existing Stream Agreement, will have the effect of increasing payments for Mount Milligan gold and copper production sold to Royal Gold under the Existing Stream Agreement, among other things.
  • The percentage of gold and copper production streamed to Royal Gold remains unchanged at 35% gold and 18.75% copper.

THE NEWS FORUM building news and content coalitions across Canada

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
The News Forum, Emotion, News director, Investment, News, Empathy, Crime, Ecosystem, First Nations, Journalist, Partnership

FORUM DAILY WEST, is a daily news program focusing on Western Canada stories, launching February 26, 2024 (Monday to Friday 11PM ET).

Key Points: 
  • FORUM DAILY WEST, is a daily news program focusing on Western Canada stories, launching February 26, 2024 (Monday to Friday 11PM ET).
  • The News Forum presents BREAK THE NEEDLE, a 44-minute weekly show hosted by Adam Zivo, to find answers.
  • DOCUMENTARIES - The News Forum has also partnered with Serendipity Media Production, to broadcast a wide range of Canadian productions.
  • "I am thrilled and energized by the incredible synergy that our distribution partnerships with The News Forum bring to our content.

Can more ethical histories be written about early colonial expeditions? A new project seeks to do just that

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Name, Indigenous Voice to Parliament, Weapon, First Nations, Violence, Human voice, Mining, Record, Elder, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Racism, Plant, Royal Botanic Gardens, Heart, Queensland Herbarium, Australian, Native title in Australia, Girramay, Apathy, History, Family, Map, Knowledge, Parliament, Research, Whaling

The name of the Aboriginal man in this article was how he was referred to, and his relative has requested we honour this name.

Key Points: 
  • The name of the Aboriginal man in this article was how he was referred to, and his relative has requested we honour this name.
  • Truth-telling is at the heart of a new research project we are currently leading that re-examines the legacy of the Hann Expedition, which travelled Queensland’s Cape York Peninsula in 1872.
  • Our project seeks to rewrite this period of history – and others – to honour the voices and experiences of Aboriginal people whose contributions to colonial-era expeditions have long been overlooked.
  • Jerry was derogatorily referred to as “the blackboy”, and his important role in the expedition has never been fully acknowledged.

Descendants leading research

  • Our research team includes descendants of the 1872 expedition, such as the project lead and co-author, Peter Taylor (a descendant of Norman Taylor’s), and co-researcher and co-author Cameo Dalley (a great-granddaughter of Tate’s).
  • As descendants, each of us has inherited different family narratives about what took place on the expedition, and whose contributions were central.
  • Further funding will support our research and the involvement of Traditional Owners along the expedition route, including Olkala, Kuku Yalanji, Lama Lama and Guugu Yimithirr people.
  • The united commitment of the descendants and their detailed knowledge of this expedition will be incredibly valuable in working with Elders across the cape who still grieve about their own history.

Why truth-telling is needed in Australia

  • Truth-telling was a vital component of the Uluru Statement from the Heart signed by over 200 Indigenous delegates from around Australia.
  • However, the failed referendum on a Voice to Parliament last year arguably demonstrated an apathy towards such processes at a national level.


Nicole Huxley is affiliated with North QLD Land Council, Jumbun Limited, Ngrragoonda RNTBC Aboriginal Corporation, Joint Coordinating Committee Member Qld - DSDSATSIP. Cameo Dalley and Peter Taylor do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.