SCHOOL SHOOTING IN LA LOCHE, SASKATCHEWAN

“First Nations citizens and Canadians across the country are shocked and saddened by the shooting and fatalities that took place Friday, January 22 in La Loche, Saskatchewan.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of La Loche and with the friends and families of all those affected by the tragedy. On behalf of myself and the AFN National Executive I convey our sincere sympathies and condolences. I am from Saskatchewan and know the community of La Loche and their neighbor, the Clearwater River Dene First Nation very well. This tragedy touches many of us personally.” AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde said in a statement.

The were four fatalities including Dayne Fontaine, 17, and his 13-year-old brother Drayden, who were killed first at a home before the shooter headed over to the school, where he gunned down Adam Wood, a 35-year-old teacher, and 21-year-old Marie Janvier, a teaching assistant.

The reports say that seven were injured and classified as critically wounded, and at least three of them were students at the high school.

The unnamed 17-year-old, whose identity must be withheld in accordance with Canada’s Youth Criminal Justice Act, was apprehended quickly by RCMP and appeared in court on January 25, 2016. He has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder and seven counts of attempted murder. He also faces one count of unauthorized possession of a firearm.

AFN NATIONAL CHIEF WELCOMES B.C. SUPREME COURT DECISION REAFFIRMING DUTY TO CONSULT AND ACCOMMODATE FIRST NATIONS

OTTAWA, Jan. 14, 2016 /CNW/ - Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde welcomes the decision by the B.C. Supreme Court that the province failed in its duty to properly consult and accommodate First Nations on the Northern Gateway pipeline project.

“Today’s ruling is a strong reminder to all governments of their duty to properly consult and accommodate First Nations on any initiatives that could affect our lands, waters, lives and rights,” said National Chief Bellegarde. “The Crown’s legal duty to consult is a key constitutional requirement. It cannot be offloaded or delegated. This case is a good example of the need for governments to work with First Nations right from the outset in designing and implementing environmental protection and assessment laws and to involve us in intergovernmental agreements. I lift up the Coastal First Nations, the Great Bear Initiative Society and Gitga’at First Nation for pursuing this matter to ensure First Nations rights are protected and respected.”

The B.C. Supreme court ruled on January 13 that the province breached the honour of the Crown by failing to consult with the Gitga’at and other Coastal First Nations on the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline, and that the province should have consulted First Nations about whether or not to terminate an agreement with the federal government respecting cooperation on environmental assessment. The court ruling means that Enbridge must now apply for an environmental assessment certificate from the province and the province must now consult First Nations. The Northern Gateway project was approved by the federal government in 2014.

The National Chief stated: “The Prime Minister has committed to make sure all federal laws and policies respect First Nations rights. He has committed to give life to the principles of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, including the right of First Nations to free, prior and informed consent on any developments in our traditional territories. We call on provincial governments to follow suit. Today’s decision shows that working together to realize these commitments will be a win for everyone, including First Nations, governments, the private sector and all Canadians.”

KAHNAWAKE’S KONA WILLIAMS IS CANADA’S FIRST INDIGENOUS FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST

After more than a decade of schooling, Kona Williams of Kahnawake started her first job recently as a Forensic Pathologist, the first Indigenous person to do so in Canada.

She began her position at the Centre of Forensic Sciences (CFS), a laboratory in Toronto that provides forensic science services to law enforcement agencies in Ontario, according to the Eastern Door.

Among her many responsibilities Williams will perform autopsies, including those that may be homicide, and testify as an expert witness in court as well as train future forensic pathologists as the centre is part of the University of Toronto.

APTN PROGRAMS NOMINATED FOR TOP TV AWARDS

January 20, 2016, Winnipeg, Manitoba – Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) congratulates the programs affiliated with the network on their nominations for a 2016 Canadian Screen Award.

The recipients of this year’s Canadian Screen Awards will be announced at a series of galas held during the 2016 Canadian Screen Week, which runs March 7 - 13, 2016. The award categories for which nominees are associated with APTN programming include:

• Best Dramatic Series: Blackstone - Ron E. Scott, Jesse Szymanski and Damon Vignale, Prairie Dog Film + Television.

• Best Comedy Series: Mohawk Girls - Catherine Bainbridge, Tracey Deer, Christina Fon, Cynthia Knight, Linda Ludwick and Ernest Webb, Rezolution Pictures Inc.

• Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Comedic Role: Mohawk Girls, Episode: Bridesmaidzilla, Brittany LeBorgne.

• Best Direction in a Comedy Program or Series: Mohawk Girls, Episode: What’s Your Number?, Tracey Deer.

• Best Writing in a Comedy Program or Series: Mohawk Girls, Episode: Rez Balls, Cynthia Knight.

• Best Direction in a Documentary Program: Kaha:wi - The Cycle of Life, Shane Belcourt.

CONSENSUS REACHED ON FIRST FIVE SECTIONS OF PROPOSED KAHNAWA:KE TOBACCO LAW

(Kahnawake – 15, Tsiothohrkó:wa/January2016) The Kahnawà:ke Legislative Coordinating Commission announced that consensus was reached on the first five sections of the proposed Kahnawà:ke Tobacco Law at the Hearing held on January 14, 2016.

The agenda included the addressing of community members’ comments that were not properly included in the materials made available at the first meeting (First Hearing – Part 1) held on 27, Kenténha/October 2015. These comments were brought forth and addressed, with no changes to the draft being proposed. As a result, the original consensus for the first four affected sections, 1. Jurisdiction, 2. Paramountcy, 3. Intent and Purpose and 4. Scope, was reconfirmed after approximately 45 minutes of discussion and debate.

This was followed by the final agenda item (Section #5, Definitions). After approximately ninety (90) minutes of discussion and debate consensus was reached on the entire section, which was a new agenda item. The meeting ended at 8:20pm.

For clarity, the proposed Kahnawà:ke Tobacco Law is in the First Hearing phase of the Community Decision Making Process. Approximately thirty community members were in attendance. The First Hearing – Part 3 meeting date will be announced later.

SENECA NATION ESTABLISHING MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM

The Seneca Nation of Indians is pursuing its own medical marijuana program on sovereign lands, but on its own schedule.

New York’s medical marijuana program launched on Jan. 7 and the Seneca Nation is working on a separate plan to grow, manufacture and distribute marijuana on its territories.

Seneca Nation of Indians President Maurice John Sr. said the initiative must meet regulations from the state and federal government, as well as the Nation’s own rules, according to Buffalo Business First.

Nation members have previously cited a U.S. Department of Justice memorandum they say gives Native American tribes jurisdiction over how medical marijuana businesses are opened, operated and regulated within their own territories.

Members voted Nov. 3 to authorize the Seneca Nation Council to begin developing laws and regulations to govern a medical marijuana program.

The timeline for the initiative will depend largely on how quickly the organization can work its way through regulations.