Podcasts about bc indian chiefs

Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Depending on which election poll you are looking at, the Liberals are leading by anywhere from 5 to 10 points nationally. The last poll to suggest the Conservatives were tied with them was taken by Abacus on February 4, 2025. An Angus Reid poll taken on April 7, 2025 found that in British Columbia the Liberal Party leads by 11 points. It's more difficult to get a breakdown riding by riding. While 338Canada's projections are generally fairly accurate, they are calculated using a mostly proportional swing model adjusted with provincial and regional polls. In North Island Powell River there are currently at least three factors which this approach does not take into account. Firstly there is the widespread reaction to a series of tweets Conservative candidate Aaron Gunn made between 2019 and 2021. Many people feel his comments about residential schools are demeaning to First Nations and at this point 57 elected and former politicians, as well as Frst Nation leaders, have signed a joint letter calling for his resignation. So has every other candidate in North Island Powell River. There is also a little group of 9 politicians, primarily based in Campbell River, who have come out in support of Gunn. However with this kind of controversy going on, it is difficult to believe that 48% of the electorate would vote for Aaron Gunn if there were an election today. There is also NDP candidate Tanille Johnson's popularity with some of the electorate, and the fact Bob Chamberlain, former Vice President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, endorses her. Lastly, Liberal candidate Jennifer Lash, her Campaign Manager and Deputy Campaign Manager are all government staffers with an intimate understanding of how elections are run. When I interviewed Deputy Campaign Manager Holly Johnson last week, they had recruited 150 volunteers. Those are three good reasons to ignore 338Canada's projections for North Island Powell River. The only poll that could tell us what is going on in North Island Powell River must be taken here.

Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - A growing number of elected and former politicians in the North Island Powell River riding are calling upon the Conservative Party to withdraw their endorsement of Aaron Gunn, and demand he withdraw his candidacy. There were already 19 names on this jpoint letter when Cortes Currents spoke to the two women spearheaded this campaign.  “This has all happened within the last 48 hours. I believe (Bob Chamberlain) a former Vice President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs who sent out the first call for Gunn to be removed. After that many other chiefs supported the call for him to step down,” explained Arzeena Hamir, a former Regional Director of Area B in the Comox Valley Regional District.  Wendy Morin, a City Councillor from Courtney, added. “When I saw the repeated posts of comments that Aaron Gunn has made, particularly that the experience of residential schools etc was not genocide, that's what really struck me as really harmful to First Nations communities in our region. Especially since the House of Commons unanimously stated that residential schools were genocide and, that was from all parties, including the onservatives. I thought, wow, this is someone who's a candidate who's not even aligned with the previous MPs in the House of Commons. I just felt that it was really important to show solidarity with the First Nations communities in our region, in the region where Aaron Gun is running.” Arzeena Hamir:  “As elected and former elected officials, we just wanted to support First Nations leaders in really emphasizing that call because it's just an unacceptable viewpoint.” Wendy Morin: “We felt that it was important to show leadership on this and to show that local leaders across all different backgrounds, we don't all agree with each other. We don't all vote the same way, but on this issue we were very united.” Arzeena Hamir: “She and I sat down and crafted the letter and then sent it out for everybody else to sign.” Robyn Mawhinney, from Area C was one of the recipients,   “I, as a director in the Stratcona Regional District know that within the administrative boundaries of the Strathcona Regional District, there are 11 First Nations and there are many more First Nations when you look at the entirety of the North Island Powell River riding. I believe that reconciliation is multifaceted and much more than only economic reconciliation. I have grave concerns with our riding being represented by someone who doesn't appear to take this full spectrum of reconciliation seriously. First Nations Leadership Council and many other First Nations leaders have expressed concerns with Aaron Gunn and I support them.” Arzeena Hamir:  “We're not asking for the conservatives to not put up a candidate because everyone has a right to representation, but that candidate obviously was not vetted properly. Apart from his very awful views on First Nations, there's just a long list of very disturbing comments that this person has made. We don't believe that people like that should take the platform of a candidate.” “I think many people who just vote Conservative normally, don't even realize what he stands for. So this part of this letter is to raise that awareness in people so that they know, and hopefully choose otherwise.”

Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - Bob Chamberlain, former Vice President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs  and former elected chief of the Kwikwasut'inuxw Haxwa'mis First Nation is endorsing NDP candidate Tanille Johnson in North Island Powell River.  “I just hope that your listeners are understanding and supportive of justice for First Nations people.”  “I hope they'll vote for the NDP. I say that because I've been NDP my whole life. Back here I've got a sign when I ran for the NDP in Nanaimo." "I hope that they will recognize that only the Liberals and the Conservatives have ever formed government in Canada federally. The situation we're trying to deal with and correct today is a result of red and blue. I have no faith that they'll do what's right,  from Prime Minister Trudeau's tearful acceptance of  the missing murdered indigenous women's report and the Truth and Reconciliation report - which he then did nothing with.” “That's why I would encourage people to support Tanille. She's from here. She's got the lived experience of the North island, she understands .She's  very articulate, and has high concerns for the environment and employment. To me, she's an ideal candidate because she's First Nations, but she's not limited to that focus. Looking at what economy would make good sense, what does the environment need given the current global warming crisis, and what we need to do in our little area of the world to look after our environment.” 

People with Indian Status cards face stigma and discrimination on a daily basis when they show their cards at stores or to officials, according to a landmark study commissioned by the Union of BC Indian Chiefs. The report is titled They Sigh or They Give You the Look: Discrimination and Status Card Usage. Last December, we spoke with Harmony Johnson, sɛƛakəs, from the Tla'amin Nation, who is the lead author of the report.

People with Indian Status cards face stigma and discrimination on a daily basis when they show their cards at stores or to officials, according to a landmark study commissioned by the Union of BC Indian Chiefs. The report is titled They Sigh or They Give You the Look: Discrimination and Status Card Usage. We speak with Harmony Johnson, sɛƛakəs, from the Tla'amin Nation, who is the lead author of the report.

British Columbia is changing provincial legislation to remove barriers for Indigenous Peoples exercising jurisdiction over child and family services, becoming the first province in Canada to expressly recognize this inherent right within provincial legislation.“This is a pivotal shift toward real and meaningful change that respects Indigenous rights and improves services and supports for Indigenous children, youth and families,” said Premier John Horgan. “B.C. was the first province to bring the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples into provincial law and it's fulfilling to see how that bold action continues to create reforms that support reconciliation and make life better for Indigenous communities.”The amendments, the largest in more than 25 years, will respect the inherent rights of Indigenous communities to provide their own child and family services, and to keep Indigenous children safely connected to their cultures and their communities.“The colonial era of the Province controlling child welfare must come to an end — and this legislation cannot be passed soon enough,” said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, Union of BC Indian Chiefs. “This legislation holds the promise of finally affirming the inherent rights of First Nations to ensure our children are with their families, communities and people. It brings me incredible joy to think about this change in my lifetime, and for my grandchildren and great grandchildren. As Indigenous Peoples, we have the right to exercise self-determination over our children and we are glad this is finally being recognized through law.”The changes will also help to further address and reduce the disproportionate number of Indigenous children in provincial care.“We know that the current child-welfare system is a continuation of harmful colonial practices, and the solution is to re-assert jurisdiction over their children, youth and families in accordance with their customs, traditions and Indigenous laws,” said Mitzi Dean, Minister of Children and Family Development. “These amendments are a significant step in the creation of an approach that properly respects the inherent rights and legal orders of Indigenous Peoples and reshapes the provincial laws to focus on the best interests of Indigenous children.” The modernized legislation will support Indigenous Peoples to re-establish, develop and exercise child-welfare laws for their community members and to recreate their own models for child and family service delivery, including family support, child protection and adoption services. Upholding jurisdiction will have an unparalleled positive impact on Indigenous children, youth and families, respecting and facilitating connections to communities, and resulting in healthier lifelong outcomes.The amendments were developed in consultation and co-operation with Indigenous rightsholders, Modern Treaty Nations, Indigenous Governing Bodies (IGBs), Métis Nation BC and Indigenous partners. This is an important step in meeting government's commitments under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and achieving the goals in the Declaration Act Action Plan, Theme 1: Self Determination and Inherent Right of Self Government.

A federal court ruling has implications for Southeast Alaska commercial salmon fishing. The ruling says federal fisheries officials neglected to consider dwindling orca populations when approving Chinook salmon harvests. At the same time, tribes in the Pacific Northwest are putting additional pressure on federal officials to come up with a sustainable plan for endangered salmon in the Snake River system. Wednesday on Native America Calling, Shawn Spruce gets updates on trouble spots for salmon with Bob Chamberlin (Kwikwasut'inuxw Haxwa'mis), chair of the First Nation Wild Salmon Alliance and previous vice president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs; Michael Orcutt (Hupa), fisheries department director for the Hoopa Valley Tribe; and Olivia Ebertz, KYUK news reporter.

A federal court ruling has implications for Southeast Alaska commercial salmon fishing. The ruling says federal fisheries officials neglected to consider dwindling orca populations when approving Chinook salmon harvests. At the same time, tribes in the Pacific Northwest are putting additional pressure on federal officials to come up with a sustainable plan for endangered salmon in the Snake River system. Wednesday on Native America Calling, Shawn Spruce gets updates on trouble spots for salmon with Bob Chamberlin (Kwikwasut'inuxw Haxwa'mis), chair of the First Nation Wild Salmon Alliance and previous vice president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs; Michael Orcutt (Hupa), fisheries department director for the Hoopa Valley Tribe; and Olivia Ebertz, KYUK news reporter.

As a step to dismantle systemic racism and discrimination faced by Indigenous, Black and people of colour, the Province is introducing the anti-racism data act.Data collected under the act will help identify gaps in programs and services, and allow government to better meet the needs of Indigenous, Black and racialized British Columbians. The act is the first of its kind in Canada to be co-developed with Indigenous Peoples.“Our province is shaped by diversity with people from all over the world choosing to come to B.C. to build a better life. But for too long, systemic racism and the long-lasting effects of colonialism have unfairly held people back when it comes to education, job opportunities, housing and more,” said Premier John Horgan. “These injustices are compounded when Indigenous Peoples and racialized communities ask for action, only to be told by government to provide evidence using data that is not being collected. Today, we are taking an important step toward building a more equitable province by shining a light on barriers that exist so we can improve services and make life better for everyone.”The anti-racism data act is based on the input of more than 13,000 British Columbians. More than 90% of racialized people who provided feedback through community-led engagement sessions believed that collecting intersectional demographic data such as ethnic origin, ancestry, faith, ability and gender identity could bring positive change in B.C. and be a step toward building trust between government and Indigenous Peoples and racialized communities.“It is long overdue to finally move beyond institutionalized denialism and publicly commit to addressing anti-Indigenous racism in British Columbia, using the tools that are necessary such as data collection, information sharing and public reporting,” said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs. “If accurate data is not collected, then First Nations people are often not believed when we describe the impact of racism and discrimination against First Nations. This new legislation will bring needed changes to support respectful and ethical approaches to data collection, data standards and consistency in reporting and addressing how First Nations access or receive necessary supports and services in British Columbia.”Chief Lydia Hwitsum, political executive of the First Nations Summit, said: “For far too long, our people have been disproportionately affected by systemic racism, whether it be in the legal system, medical system, government institutions or other areas of society, and this injustice has been invisible due to the lack of disaggregated data. This legislation will enable enhanced collection, analysis and utilization of data in a way that honours our rights to data sovereignty. Nothing about us without us. We see this legislation as a beginning to addressing the larger systemic racism issues and problems that exist within our society.”The legislation is one of the first pieces of new legislation to be co-developed with Indigenous leadership under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, with the Province working in partnership with First Nations and Métis communities to ensure their voices are reflected in the act. The legislation will help advance Indigenous data sovereignty and self-governance, which are key commitments under the Declaration Act Action Plan, and establish a process for government to seek consent from Indigenous communities to use their data.“This historic legislation will fundamentally change government programs and services in B.C. by removing long-standing barriers,” said Rachna Singh, Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism Initiatives. “Our work doesn't end today – we must face up to the discomfort of talking about racism and fully commit to the work needed to be anti-racist. We will continue to work with Indigenous Peoples and racialized communities at every stage as we take the next steps to implement this legislation based on mutual trust and respect as we build a better, more inclusive B.C. for everyone.”The act will ensure that the proper safeguards and protections are put in place to protect this information and prevent it from being used for harm. It will also require government ministries to follow careful guidelines before any statistical data is shared publicly and to release statistics annually to support and advance racial equity.“The anti-racism data act is an important step toward the development of strategies, methods and policies that will break down the systemic barriers that maintain or exacerbate avoidable and unfair inequalities in power, resources or opportunities across the many racial, ethnic and cultural groups in British Columbia,” said Regional Chief Terry Teegee, B.C. Assembly of First Nations. “The careful and thoughtful collection of information will be critical to keep this work focused and effective. I'm pleased that the many years of hard work to realize the implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act is beginning to bear fruit with the co-development of this legislation. The anti-racism data act will benefit First Nations, and all British Columbians, as we strive toward more inclusive and equal communities.”The anti-racism data legislation builds upon initial recommendations from the B.C. Human Rights Commissioner's report, The Grandmother Perspective, which provides suggestions about how government can use disaggregated data to address systemic discrimination. It is also informed by recommendations from the In Plain Sight report from Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, which outlines steps for government to address anti-Indigenous racism in the health-care system.The Province will continue to engage with Indigenous Peoples and racialized communities to support the implementation of the anti-racism data act and tackle systemic racism in B.C. This will include creating a new data advisory committee to collaborate with government on implementing the legislation.

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - The Union of BC Indian Chiefs is the latest First Nations group to speak against the so called truckers ‘Freedom Convey' which pulled into Ottawa on January 29th. According to the BBC, what began as a protest against truckers needing to prove they have been vaccinated before entering Canada, appears to have become a cry for all pandemic measures to be repealed. The organizers have allegedly pledged to keep going "for as long as it takes... until Canada is a free nation again". in his morning facebook broadcast from Ottawa, a trucker calling himself ‘the crackpot farmer' said the leaders of his movement are holding a press conference with all the media at 1 PM eastern time today (Feb 9th). He added, “that's an interesting development because, up until now, we've kind of not been on speaking terms with those people.” Chief Judy Wilson, Secretary/Treasurer of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs said, “We were seeing the concerns with the other nations, like Algonquin and some of the nations in Alberta. They didn't feel they were being respected. That's not a good way to ask for our support or for our involvement. That's actually belittling and putting our people down. It didn't feel quite like a freedom for Indigenous people.” Last Friday, the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians issued a press release stating, “Among the many images of the convoy protest in Ottawa are videos of people dancing using Indigenous hand drums, participating in a mock peace pipe ceremony, and the use of what appears to be a sacred fire. Grand Chief Joel Abram states ‘This is completely unacceptable and it's making a mockery of all Indigenous Peoples.'” First Nations leaders in Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta condemned the Truckers misappropriation of First Nations ceremonies. The President of the Manitoba Metis condemned the truckers use of Métis symbols, like their sash, adding: “Canadians and Red River Métis Citizens always have the right to protest, but as your elected representatives, we have the duty to inform all Canadians that these individuals and this convoy in no way represent what we believe in. We are all in this together and staying together is the only way we will be able to walk the path to the other side of this pandemic.” A number media images show truckers carrying confederate flags and even swastikas. The Union of BC Indian Chiefs issued a press release stating, “In Ottawa, not only were racist flags flown, racist signs paraded around, monuments desecrated, and a homeless shelter threatened, thousands of people and hundreds of vehicles occupied downtown Ottawa – the traditional territory of the Algonquin Peoples. The Algonquin Nation has called the actions occurring in their territory “unacceptable,” stating they did not support the set-up of a teepee, the pipe ceremony and sacred fire in Confederation Park. The appropriation of Indigenous culture to serve a divisive, misinformed agenda is horrific and indicative of the hateful, racist nature of the protests occurring across Canada.” Wilson added that truckers have also made remarks about Islamic immigrants and people of colour. “This is displaced racism and discrimination against people who are already struggling and people who are already trying to make a better life here in Canada,” she said. Wilson pointed out that, regardless of what people may think, a lot of people are in the hospital, some have died and many have severe complications from COVID. Her sister (a nurse) and mother are among those that came down with COVID, and her mother still does not have any sense of taste or smell.

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - It has been a week since the Federal Court of Canada condemned RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki for her failure to respond to the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC). The case revolved around an interim report from 2017, but in her Judgement and Reasons Associate Chief Justice Jocelyne Gagné pointed to numerous other cases where the RCMP had acted in the same high handed manner. “It is in the public interest to have a police oversight institution that functions properly and is unobstructed.” she wrote. One of the organizations applauding the Court's Decision to hold the police accountable is the Union of BC Indian Chiefs. “The recent decision calls into question and challenges the integrity of the highest ranking RCMP official in the land, Brenda Lucki, in regard to her complete lack of accountability,” explained Grand Chief Stewart Phillip. On January 12th, Lucki issued a press release stating, “I respect the Federal Court's decision that the RCMP's response to the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) matter was not provided as soon as feasible, as per the RCMP Act. In the past there had been delays in responding to CRCC interim reports due in part to the number of interim reports issued, the scale and complexity of the cases and the volume of relevant material to be analyzed … A 2019 Memorandum of Understanding between the CRCC and RCMP commits us to improving our service standards by providing a written response to CRCC reports within six months. We have made significant progress; in November 2021, we cleared our backlog of responses to CRCC interim reports and since April 1st, 2021 all new interim reports have been responded to within the agreed upon six-month time frame.” This response did not address the concerns of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs. “Indigenous people are alarmed that the escalating militarization of the RCMP. There was a time when the RCMP were given a very strong mandate to keep the peace, but we all know that that has transitioned into a very dark place where the RCMP are finding themselves as the enforcement arm of resource development, extractive industries, oil, and gas pipelines, mines, and they're coming down harshly and with pronounced measure of police brutality in regard to the citizens of this province of this country that simply seek to protect the integrity of the environment, the watersheds of riparian systems, wild salmon, and so on and so forth,” said Grand Chief Phillip. “We saw that demonstrated at ferry Creek where the RCMP were brutally assaulting the people that were standing there in opposition to old-growth logging, which the Horgan government promised to stop when they ran for the last election. And with respect to the Wet'suwet'en it's far darker in terms of the full military assaults on the peaceful encampments of Wet'suwet'en people who are simply carrying out their rights in regard to the declaration on the rights from indigenous peoples, the Delgamuukw-Gisday'wa case. All of these high court decisions have given them every right to protect their homelands from the predation of the industrial corporations that are out there, wreaking havoc.” He added that the RCMP care carrying their assaults out in a manner that is virtually indistinguishable from military operations. “Governments need to be held to account as well as the RCMP itself. That's why the union of BC Indian shoots applauds the court decision that calls into question Brenda lucky and her very racialized execution of her campaign against indigenous peoples and the environmental movement or who simply seeking to protect the integrity of the environment.”

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, is among those speaking out against Horgan's proposal to defer logging on 2.6 million hectares of the province's most at risk old growth forests. He also spoke against “the alarming reduction of old growth forests due to unsustainable logging practises.” Phillip praised the “incredibly dedicated, committed, individuals who understand the incredible value of old growth forest” and are opposing Teal Cedar Products logging operations at Fairy Creek. (The RCMP have arrested 1,160 as of Thursday, November 4.) “When John Horgan ran in the last snap election, he made a commitment to safeguard, protect, and ensure that logging in old growth forestry would be deemed to be absolutely sustainable and that there would be a dialogue with Indigenous peoples and other groups (that have a vested interest in the preservation and protection of old growth forests) and so on and so forth, but unfortunately that did not happen,” said Grand Chief Phillip. He calls the government's “confusing announcement” yet another example of this administration's “crisis management, whereby the Horgan government lurches from issue to issue.” The idea of giving First Nations 30 days to respond to it is “ludicrous.” If the government wants to address this issue, Phillip says it needs to commit to a “formal legislative process with a time frame of three to five years,” and provide funding for the project. He described the current announcement is a delaying tactic: “As we speak, logging continues in old growth forest stands. Permits are firmly in place. Other permits are being issued. What the Horgan Government has done, effectively, is defer the deferrals.” The Horgan Government also promised to honour the UN Declaration on the rights of Indigenous Peoples. Grand Chief Stewart Phillip pointed out, “They promised to realign the laws of British Columbia to incorporate our jurisdictional interest - and we all know that did not happen.”

"We need to create spaces for gentleness. In the harshness that we live in, we don't think about that gentleness enough, and the kindness that's going to be required to build a new world." This week, we sit down with Am Johal, connector of radicals, builder of worlds and local organizer in Vancouver to talk about art, fight, play, gentleness and more!   Mutual Aid donations this week go to: Carnegie Community Action Project (Vancouver based): http://www.carnegieaction.org/  Union of BC Indian Chiefs: https://www.ubcic.bc.ca/ 

As the Union of BC Indian Chiefs announces it's applying to intervene in a BC Human Rights Tribunal case against the Vancouver Police Department over an incident of alleged racial profiling -- where a Heiltsuk man and his granddaughter were handcuffed and detained after attempting to open a bank account -- UBCIC lawyer Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond discusses the broader issue of system racism in policing. SFU research fellow Julianne Piper discusses the potential reopening of the US/Canada border in the weeks and months ahead.

In Episode 99 of the Warrior Life Podcast, we talk to two Indigenous warrior women who have long advocated for the health, safety and well-being of Indigenous women and children: Kukpi7 Chief Judy Wilson and Katsi'tsakwas Ellen Gabriel. They joined me to talk about Canada's failed National Action Plan to address the ongoing genocide that is murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls. Kukpi7 Chief Judy Wilson is the Chief of Neskonlith Indian Band in BC and also serves as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs. Chief Judy is an advocate of language, culture, history, aboriginal rights and title for Secwépemc communities and she is grounded in the work that matters to our peoples daily lives. Katsi'tsakwas Ellen Gabriel was well-known as the former spokesperson chosen by the People of the Longhouse and her community of Kanehsatà:ke during the 1990 “Oka” Crisis. She's also served as President of the Quebec Native Women's Association and has been an Indigenous human rights and environmental activist for decades. Here is the video version on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-I3N3kkYEE Kukpi7 Chief Judy Wilson Neskonlith Indian Band https://neskonlith.net/tmicw/chief-and-council/ Union of BC Indian Chiefs https://www.ubcic.bc.ca/executive Ellen Gabriel's Blog: Sovereign Voices 1 https://sovereignvoices1.wordpress.com/ Twitter = EllenGabriel1 National Action Plan https://www.mmiwg2splus-nationalactionplan.ca/ Federal Pathway https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/DAM/DAM-CIRNAC-RCAANC/DAM-RECN/STAGING/texte-text/fed_patway_mmiwg_2slgbtqqia_1622728066545_eng.pdf FOLLOW ME ON TIKTOK @pp2cool FOLLOW ME ON IG @pam_palmater FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER @Pam_Palmater Please note: Nothing in this podcast/video advocates for violence on Indigenous territories. Please also note: The information contained in this podcast/video should not be misconstrued as legal, financial or medical advice, nor should it be relied on as such. This podcast/video represents fair political comment. If you would like more information about these issues, you can check out my website at: https://www.pampalmater.com If you would like to support my work and help keep it independent, here is the link to my Patreon account: https://www.patreon.com/join/2144345 My new book: Warrior Life: Indigenous Resistance and Resurgence by Fernwood Publishing: https://www.fernwoodpublishing.ca/book/warrior-life Warrior Life book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3lAleUk NEW WARRIOR LIFE PODCAST MERCH: https://www.teespring.com/stores/warrior-life-2 (Images of used with permission)

Grand Chief, Stewart Phillip, President, of The Union of BC Indian Chiefs talks about the heart breaking history of residential schools in this country, and Indigenous groups call for Canada to identify graves after remains of 215 children are found. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chapter 1: Let’s talk about the Canadian labour market as we start looking ahead to the new year.  Economist Brendon Bernard has written a great piece on it for the Indeed Hiring Lab, he joins us now to talk about what the numbers are saying. Chapter 2: The octopus they named after Bonnie Henry at Sidney’s Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea is being released. He was being cared for at the centre for the past six months but now it’s time for Henry to return to the wild once again.  Guest: Niki Reitmayer, CKNW Mornings contributor Chapter 3: B.C.'s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner is launching a public campaign clarifying mask exemptions. Chapter 4: It’s an outcome environmental advocates and local Indigenous leaders have been fighting for, for decades.  Open net fish farms will be phased out of the Discovery Islands over the next 18-months.  Guest:  Bob Chamberlin, advocate for wild salmon, former vice president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs. Chapter 5: The hotel and tourism industries might take years to recover according to the fiscal update we got from provincial finance minister Selina Robinson yesterday.  We’ve recovered most of the 400,000 jobs lost in the Spring but the majority of remaining job losses are in industries that don’t see much hope on the horizon.  Guest: Ingrid Jarrett, president and CEO of the BC Hotel Association. Chapter 6: If you’re looking for something to do this evening, or anytime over the holiday season, we may have the ticket for you!  A local ballet studio has produced a film adaptation of Tchaikovsky’s iconic Nutcracker, and it premiers online tonight.  The founder of Goh Ballet, former principal dancer for the National Ballet of Canada, Chan Hon Goh joins us with more. Chapter 7: The 7 p.m. cheer for frontline healthcare workers was an awesome nightly ritual when the pandemic first began. Now since we’re entering the holiday season, there’s a new idea for how we can show our appreciation! Guest: Rory Richards, West End resident who started the 7 pm cheer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Street checks are when police stop someone in public to question them and record their information in a police database, outside the context of an investigation. Statistics show that Black and Indigenous people are by far the most common target of this kind of police attention. The BC Civil Liberties Association, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs and the Hogan’s Alley Society are calling for a stop to the practice. We talk with BCCLA policy lawyer Latoya Farrell about their concerns about the legality and usefulness of street checks.

Street checks are when police stop someone in public to question them and record their information in a police database, outside the context of an investigation. Statistics show that Black and Indigenous people are by far the most common target of this kind of police attention. The BC Civil Liberties Association, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs and the Hogan’s Alley Society are calling for a stop to the practice. We talk with BCCLA policy lawyer Latoya Farrell about their concerns about the legality and usefulness of street checks.

Chief Don Tom joins Lynda to discuss racial discrimination by police officers right here in British Columbia. Guest: Chief Don Tom, Vice-President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs

Dakota Holmes, of Union of BC Indian Chiefs, describes a racist assault on her. And Hua Foundation's Jackie Wong talks about rising hate's context.Vancouver Co-op Radio's independent daily news show — reporting on the front lines in our community on Coast Salish territories, hosted by reporters Mei Xi Tan and David P. Ball. Weekdays starting 7 a.m. on 100.5fm in Vancouver, and podcasting at thepulse.coopradio.org. (Theme song used with permission of Hannah Epperson).

Dakota Holmes, of Union of BC Indian Chiefs, describes a racist assault on her. And Hua Foundation's Jackie Wong talks about rising hate's context.Vancouver Co-op Radio's independent daily news show — reporting on the front lines in our community on Coast Salish territories, hosted by reporters Mei Xi Tan and David P. Ball. Weekdays starting 7 a.m. on 100.5fm in Vancouver, and podcasting at thepulse.coopradio.org. Produced by Laurence Gatinel and Bryan McKinnon (Theme song: 'Iodine' used with permission of Hannah Epperson).

Peter Van Dusen has more on today's meeting of political leaders and Wet'suwe'ten hereditary chiefs, as blockades continue. Joining us are Grand Chief Stewart Phillip (Union of BC Indian Chiefs) and Kenneth Deer (Mohawk Nation at Kahnawà:ke). We also hear from Shachi Kurl (Angus Reid Institute) about new public opinion polling on the blockades. MPs debate the latest coronavirus developments: Don Davies (NDP), Garnett Genuis (Conservative), and Arif Virani (Liberal). Yves Giroux, the parliamentary budget officer, discusses his new report on fiscal sustainability. Political commentators Robin MacLachlan, Tim Powers, and Susan Smith debate the week’s top stories.

Today's show takes a look at the decision by the Federal Court of Appeal to dismiss a legal challenge from four Indigenous communities over the re-approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline. I am joined by the Grand Chief of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs to discuss the frustration over the decision and what the next steps are. I also speak with the Andrew Longhurst with the BC office of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. He released a report outlining the concerns around the declining number of subsidized Assisted Living options in the province. And since it is the middle of the week, it is time for another edition of That's Whack Wednesday.

An appeal to inhibit the further progress of the TMX pipeline has been defeated. Indigenous Leaders held a press conference to explain why this is a dangerous move. We speak with Chief Don Tom, Vice-President, Union of BC Indian Chiefs

A United Nations committee working to end racism is urging Canada to immediately stop the construction of three major projects in BC as they do not the free, prior and informed consent of impacted Indigenous groups. The committee on the elimination of racial discrimination monitors a convention to end racial discrimination signed by countries including Canada, and is calling for a suspension of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, Site C dam and Coastal GasLink pipeline. We speak with Kukpi7 Judy Wilson of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs.

A United Nations committee working to end racism is urging Canada to immediately stop the construction of three major projects in BC as they do not the free, prior and informed consent of impacted Indigenous groups. The committee on the elimination of racial discrimination monitors a convention to end racial discrimination signed by countries including Canada, and is calling for a suspension of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, Site C dam and Coastal GasLink pipeline. We speak with Kukpi7 Judy Wilson of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs.

The Sunday Edition Chapter 1 Grow Tech Labs and ETC3 Launched Canada's first privately-owned plant science research centre in Vancouver Guest: Barinder Rasode, CEO and Co-Founder of Grow Tech Labs Chapter 2 Should we make community college free? One expert says we should - and the economics behind it back him up Guest: Bruce Sacerdote, Professor of Economics, Dartmouth College Chapter 3 The RCMP put out a warning this week about a new scam on popular messaging platform WhatsApp involving cheap airline fares Guest: Jesse Miller, Founder of Mediated Reality, social media educator Chapter 4 First Nations Leadership Council to release a statement condemning ongoing racist attitudes in BC Guest: Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President, Union of BC Indian Chiefs

In today's episode I talk the Vice President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs after the BC government introduced new legislation that will make BC the first province in Canada to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. I speak with a spokesperson from the BC Green Party to talk about the federal election results for the party and what that may mean for the party here in BC. I am joined by the Mayor of Logan Lake to talk about a drop in 3rd quarter profits for the company that operates the copper mine in the community. And to begin today's show I talk haunted houses with a local haunted maze creator as it is the final weekend before Halloween.

More Indigenous children have been apprehended than ever went through the residential school children. One of the reasons for these apprehensions is the lack of adequate child and family services on reserve. On Sept 6, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ordered the federal government to pay $40,000 to each child who was apprehended or taken from their homes on reserve, no matter what the reason. We talk about the ruling with Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs.

More Indigenous children have been apprehended than ever went through the residential school children. One of the reasons for these apprehensions is the lack of adequate child and family services on reserve. On Sept 6, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ordered the federal government to pay $40,000 to each child who was apprehended or taken from their homes on reserve, no matter what the reason. We talk about the ruling with Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs.

David Dennis is a 44 year old First Nations man who is currently in the end stages of liver disease and he is in desperate need of a liver transplant. CKNW Contributor Claire Allen spoke with David Dennis  about when and why he started drinking…  As mentioned, Dennis is in desperate need of a liver transplant, but he is no longer on the waitlist for a liver because he has not met the requirements of the Abstinence Policy. Dennis has managed to stay sober for three months, but in order to receive a liver transplant, the medical authority specifies that a recipient must abstain from alcohol for six months.  Yesterday, David, along with the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, filed a formal complaint at the BC Human Rights Tribunal which challenges the lawfulness of the Abstinence Policy. In their release, David and the BC Union of Indian Chiefs stated that the required Abstinence Policy is a “lethal form of racism.” In a conversation with CKNW Contributor Claire Allen, David explained why he believes the Abstinence Policy to be discriminatory.  Dennis says that if he is given the chance to get a liver transplant, he would stay sober, even after the transplant. CKNW Contributor Claire Allen asked him what he hopes will be the result of his Human Rights complaint…  BC Transplant statement: BC Transplant is aware of this case and appreciates the distress that patients and their loved ones face when needing an organ transplant. It is a difficult time for all those involved and we do everything we can to support patients through the process. While we do not publicly discuss the specific details of individual cases due to patient privacy, we will be reviewing this case together with the Liver Transplant Team at Vancouver Coastal Health.”  

Chapter 1

Last month, in response to an FOI request, the Vancouver Police Department released data on almost 100,000 street checks from 2008 to 2017. The data shows that Black and Indigenous people are disproportionately targeted by steet checks. The Union of BC Indian Chiefs and the BC Civil Liberties Association have filed a complaint with the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner calling for an investigation into the practice. Dylan Mazur is community lawyer with the BC Civil Liberties Association.

Last month, in response to an FOI request, the Vancouver Police Department released data on almost 100,000 street checks from 2008 to 2017. The data shows that Black and Indigenous people are disproportionately targeted by steet checks. The Union of BC Indian Chiefs and the BC Civil Liberties Association have filed a complaint with the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner calling for an investigation into the practice. Dylan Mazur is community lawyer with the BC Civil Liberties Association.

Derrick O'Keefe interviews activist, Judy Rebick and Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs about Idle No More actions across Canada.