Sol Mamakwa
@solmamakwa
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Member of Provincial Parliament for the riding of Kiiwetinoong in Northwestern Ontario. Anishinineh.
Toronto, Ontario
Joined June 2009
Hey Canada, . On July 1, wear an orange shirt or place one outside instead of a flag. Stand with us in solidarity as we reflect, remember all our lost children.
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This is my message to Canada on Canada Day. I will not celebrate with picnics and fireworks. I’ll spend the day reflecting, remembering all we have lost and how to move forward. I ask you to do the same.
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I am the only Ontario MPP that went to residential school. @gregrickford told me I would be briefed about the announcement. This did not happen. I am stunned by this government’s continued lack of understanding & respect.
Today, Premier @fordnation and I announced $10M to investigate former Indian Residential Schools burial sites in the province. Ontario will work under the guidance of Indigenous leaders and communities to support this painful and necessary work.
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Today is the 1st National Day for Truth & Reconciliation and most importantly, Orange Shirt Day. It is an opportunity for all to reflect on the truth of Canada’s history & the ongoing intergenerational trauma caused by Indian Residential Schools. Stand with us for hope&change.
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Here is my response to Premier Ford’s comments from this morning to the media on his apology to me.
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Today I asked the Min. of Education @Sflecce why First Nations schools are not included in Ontario free menstrual products program. I was not given an answer. Jurisdictional issues should not be dividing provincial and First Nations schools and students.
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As the government is busying themselves in buck-a-beer, beer in corner stores & tailgating, we just want clean drinking water in some communities in Kiiwetinoong.
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Not an apology.
I join the Canadian Bishops and the whole Catholic Church in Canada in expressing my closeness to the Canadian people, who have been traumatised by shocking discovery of the remains of two hundred and fifteen children, pupils at the Kamloops Indian Residential School.
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Today I am speaking my language, Anishininiimowin, for the first time in the Ontario Legislature. Join me in celebrating Indigenous languages and our ways of life. #ONpoli
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The sacred responsibility of finding our missing children and bringing them home should be above politics. @fordnation does not understand this. They do not care. They did not live it.
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In the spirit of reconciliation, I’d like to remind my fellow MPPs at Queen’s Park to refrain from saying “our Indigenous People” when speaking in the chamber or in public. You do not own us.
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In Ontario, today is the first day of Treaties Recognition Week. We know Ontario would not exist without treaties.
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We haven’t seen you at Question Period last couple of days. Where are you @fordnation? . Ontario is in a state of emergency. It is time to lead, not hide.
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More than a dozen lawyers from across Canada have formally requested the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigate the Canadian government and the Vatican for crimes against humanity following preliminary reports that the remains of an estimated 215…
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Hey check out this map. This is where Ford expects people in northern Ontario to get free COVID-19 rapid antigen tests.
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Indigenous Peoples across Canada are hurting. We are in pain, remembering all those we have lost and the destruction of what residential schools has left behind. The discovery of those precious 215 lost children – our children – has underscored the daunting amount of work to…
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Hey @Kaepernick7. When I protested “God Save the Queen” in Ontario parliament(Canada), I was heckled with “take a knee, Kaepernick.” I take that as a compliment. As First Nations, we face oppression, we die preventable deaths. We must acknowledge the full legacy of colonialism.
@HeatherHpcp @athenaph @solmamakwa Today was a good one. @solmamakwa was brilliant! All our old shows are archived here and I see today's show is up already:
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A crime against humanity. Period. Remains of 215 children found at former residential school in B.C.
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Here is my message on National Indigenous Peoples Day. #NIPD2022 #NationalIndigenousPeoplesDay
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Today is Orange Shirt Day also know as the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. It’s a day to reflect. It’s a day to mourn. It’s a day to remember the ones that never came home. It’s a day to learn about Indian Residential Schools. Let’s walk together on this journey.
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Today was an amazing day. I’ve never thought this would happen: to speak my language in Ontario Legislature. Meegwetch for the support.
What a day to work at the legislature! Proud of @solmamakwa and my coworkers who made this historic day happen - allowing indigenous languages to be spoken and transcribed in the house. This is decolonization in action. Now other gov’ts must follow suit #onpoli #cdnpoli
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Racism is so visible.
Where is the army? the water cannons? The batons? The rubber bullets? The guard dogs? Snipers on the roof?. Oh that’s right. Those are only for #Indigenous land and rights defenders. @JustinTrudeau @fordnation . You need to end this now.
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I got a vaccine in Muskrat Dam at the request of First Nations leadership and health leaders as part of a movement to encourage our people to get vaccinated. It shows the shot is safe and I trust in the science. We are protecting ourselves, our languages and our traditions.
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Conservative MPPs just did a shift change. But we are still here cuz we good like that. 👍🏾.
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I will not stand for Canada’s national anthem or God Save the Queen until First Nations people receive equitable human rights. Neskantaga hasn’t had clean drinking water for over 25 years. Honour your treaties, Canada and Ontario. (Video from Nov. 2/20)
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On March 1, 2021, I was invited by Sandy Lake First Nation to receive my 2nd dose of Moderna vaccine. I was there to promote vaccine uptake in fly-in First Nations. Meegwetch to Dr. Suzanne Shoush for the shot.
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Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. But this happened today during question period.
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Today Bill 28 was passed by the Ford Government, imposing an unfair contract on education workers and backed up by the use of the notwithstanding clause. It is a sad but also a scary moment in Ontario.
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I’m proud to be First Nations. I’m proud to be Oji-cree. I’m proud to have syllabics on my office door in Queen’s Park. Thanks to Ontario Legislative Assembly for the lettering.
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8pm Update from Red Lake: 179 fires . We are at war with forest fires. Climate change is climate crisis. It is real.
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February 1, 2023 marked 28 years of boil water advisory in Neskantanga. It’s not an anniversary to celebrate or to be proud of. This is the other Ontario. The other Canada. (Video from July 22, 2022 in Neskantanga First Nation)
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Here is my Members’ Statement for today on Orange Shirt Day. They neglected us. They sexually abused us. They murdered us.
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This year, Canada Day will not be celebrated in Keewaywin First Nation. Instead, it will be a day of mourning. #215CanadaDayOfMourning .#215children
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National Indigenous Peoples Day is a time of love, joy & reflection. We are more than just a day or month marked on a calendar. Our existence is our resistance. We are still here and will continue to be here. We are reclaiming and with each generation, we are getting stronger.
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Never I’ve heard a drum in the chamber since I been here . It was a first. It was part of an unveiling of an Indigenous carving of the 7 grandfather teachings. It is change for me rather than seeing all the colonial carvings in this place.
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I stand with Mi'kmaq - we have the right to fish, earn a living on our lands. Colonial laws will no longer divide us.
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Hey #Ontario . We need towns, municipalities or cities to act hosts for First Nations evacuees in northwestern Ontario. Evacuations are on hold because gov’t can’t secure host communities. Hosts need to provide wraparound services, eg. health, security, mental health, etc.
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We need to understand the past in order to build a better present, and stronger future, together. #OrangeShirtDay.#EveryChildMatters #NDTR. (Shorter version video)
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This content might be difficult to hear for some. (8.5 minutes). This is the statement I made today for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. I’m sharing my story today to let people know that we can’t have reconciliation without truth.
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Hey @RtHonJoeClark . Honest question. I have to pledge allegiance to the @RoyalFamily to become a Member of Provincial Parliament in Ontario. It’s so colonial. What would you do if you were Anishnabe?.
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Tomorrow I will be visiting Bearskin Lake. Approx 50% of the population has tested positive for COVID-19, including babies, children and elders. It’s difficult to see and understand the effects of this emergency. More support is needed on the ground.
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This National Indigenous Languages Day, let us celebrate all the language speakers and the work being done to keep our languages for future generations.
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These pictures from Eabametoong First Nation speak for themselves. It’s been -35 to -45 this past week in far northern Ontario. We have people living in canvas tents in our communities. This is Ontario. This is Canada. It’s 2021. 1/3
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No running water in the community since a week ago. There are 24 people here keeping the community infrastructure and homes safe. It’s so important to be here, to see firsthand on what Neskantaga is going through.
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Today Ontario NDP caucus announced critic files and I will continue to be Critic for Indigenous and Treaty Relations, as well as Northern Development. It’s also an honour to be the first First Nations Deputy Leader in Ontario. #ONpoli
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Today is Indigenous Veterans Day. To all Indigenous veterans, and those currently serving, thank you for your contributions and sacrifice. Yesterday I spoke to honour Indigenous veterans in Kiiwetinoong and in other places. Meegwetch for watching.
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When some Indigenous communities have no access to clean drinking water, that is not privilege. When colonial systems deny us basic human rights in Ontario and Canada in 2020, that’s not privilege.
"These protesters, these activists, may have the luxury of spending days at a time at a blockade, but they need to check their privilege," outgoing Conservative Leader @AndrewScheer says of the #Wetsuweten protesters. #cdnpoli. More here:
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Thanks for doing the story @ColinDMello. On May 28, I will be speaking my language in the chamber for the first time.
It was a simple request, that has significant meaning. NDP MPP Sol Mamakwa wanted to bring his mother to Queen's Park, and speak in his Indigenous language - the only one she understands. What happened next, made history in the Ontario Legislature. #onpoli
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Yesterday I chose not to be disruptive. As a person,it’s not my nature to be disruptive. I’m so immune to governments taking my rights away as a First Nation person that it becomes a norm for me. I support TO and voted against the bill to invoke the Charter by gov’t.
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Highly recommend to anyone to listen.
WARNING: This video contains details some readers may find distressing. Former senator Murray Sinclair, who chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, delivered this statement on the discovery at Kamloops residential school.
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To @fordnation these Nations were not satisfied with the response to the questions asked today in Question Period. Will you meet with the leaders?.
Neskantaga chief-elect Chris Moonias and current chief Wayne Moonias disrupted Question Period after Indigenous Affairs Minister was asked about their opposition to the Ring OF Fire #onpoli
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I’m sitting 30 feet away from Health Minister. She is said this 5 or 6 times with a straight face.
In question period, Health Minister @celliottability says the govt is taking advice from CMOH Dr. Williams and science advisory table and "others." We know the science table has spoken out publicly against the government's measures #onpoli.
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We remember the children that never came home from Indian Residential Schools. But also we acknowledge the survivors and their families that continue in the path of healing. #NDTR2022 #OrangeShirtDay
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As an MPP, I send condolences, thoughts and prayers to our communities all the time. And sometimes I attend funerals. But this one caught me off guard. I’m tired. RIP Kevin ❤️
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Our communities just want drinking water. We need Ontario to be part of the solution. Today, I marked #TreatiesRecognitionWeek by calling on the Premier to honour the sacred agreements between First Nations and the government by investing in our communities . #fnpoli #onpoli
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Chief of Williams Lake shared stories about children that were raped & tortured, babies that were thrown in the incinerator. Prayers to First Nations in BC affected by the possible 93 unmarked graves found near St. Joseph’s Mission Indian Residential School. Genocide.
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This is Phillip Wapoose. All winter he lived in a tent w/his wife. She recently passed away while she was on dialysis. She was an elder & she died, houseless, w/o clean water or plumbing. Imagine your loved one dying like this. No respect for ALL of our elders? . This is Canada.
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Our home on native land….✌🏾.
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It is time. Our history was not our choice. But we can make choices now to turn the tide. Survivors of the schools must be listened to, respected and acknowledged. Canada must confront the truth.
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I was in Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug(Big Trout Lake) this week. Here are some prices Indigenous women and girls pay for menstrual products.
Today I asked the Min. of Education @Sflecce why First Nations schools are not included in Ontario free menstrual products program. I was not given an answer. Jurisdictional issues should not be dividing provincial and First Nations schools and students.
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This afternoon, I introduced my PMB, the Inherent Right to Safe Drinking Water Act. We should be able to expect access to safe, clean drinking water no matter where we live in Ontario. It will be debated this week on Thursday at 6pm.
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I’ve been an MPP for almost 3 years. I see how govt complacency & jurisdictional ping-pong treats Indigenous People. That game is structural violence. It is structural racism. Period. I just want a better Ontario. Is that too much to ask? . Have a good weekend to all.
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Today is Indigenous Veterans Day. We remember and commemorate the contribution of Indigenous veterans. As nations, we say meegwetch and honour these veterans for the contributions they made to Canada and the rest of the world.
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Truth-telling stories that governments never believed. Governments cannot put a number on these searches. Hurt. Sorrow. Heartbreak. Anger. These are some emotions of indigenous people across Canada. Again, we are united in grief.
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I encourage you to visit a fly-in First Nation in Kiiwetinoong. Come see firsthand the challenges we have, such as clean drinking water. We have a First Nation on a boil water advisory for over 26 years….and there are others.
Stopped by this incredible fish fry at Big Grassy First Nation. Minister @GregRickford is right! Their Lake of the Woods Walleye is so delicious.
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We cannot continue this trend. 1. Youth dies by suicide .2. Police/coroner investigate .3. Mental health crisis respond .4. We talk to media.5. System stays the same .6. Repeat. We need2work together to have community-based solutions that are sustainable.
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Discoveries are more than just numbers.We know more sites at former residential schools will be recovered as this work continues. Our nations need everyone to listen, to stand with us in solidarity & to support the work of bringing these children home.
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The women of Grassy Narrows and Chief Turtle are at the steps of Queen’s Park right now. They are staying until a statement of claim is picked up by a government official representing the Premier. They will stay there until it’s picked up.
BREAKING: Grassy Narrows sitting at Queens Park until Ford accepts statement of claim . #GrassyNarrows #FreeGrassy #ShutDownDrydenMill
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Another friendly reminder to fellow MPPs: Do not say “I have Indigenous friends” or “some of my best friends are First Nations” during Question Period or in public. Having First Nations friends does not mean you’re a friend to First Nations. #ONpoli #reconciliation #indigenous.
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Ford plans to shut down Queen’s Park. NDP will not agree without: . 👉🏾paid sick days.👉🏾end extraordinary police powers .👉🏾shut down non-essential workplaces .👉🏾meaningful, expanded SUPPORT for affected workers/businesses.
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Treaties are more just than having First Nations friends. Treaties are more than having worked in the First Nations communities. Treaties are sacred agreements between settlers and First Peoples to share benefits of the lands and resources. This is not happening in Ontario.
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Look at the difference in price of chicken between Sioux Lookout at FreshMarket $7.97 and Sandy Lake First Nation where the same thing is $54.16 at Northern Store. While there are federal programs to bring these costs down the savings don’t always get passed down to consumers.
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The violent dispossession of First Nations people from the land for the purpose of resource “development” is the foundation Canada was built on. In a provincial state of emergency, why are resources going to removing land defenders from unceded lands?.
BC Pours Resources into RCMP Raid on Wet’suwet’en Territory during Provincial Climate Emergency: "Prioritizing fossil fuel expansion while British Columbians grapple with a climate emergency is an alarming, criminal and incredibly poor decision"
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In Neskantaga yesterday, we heard about experiences living with water boil advisory for 26+ years. Brayden, 6, has been asking his grampa Lawrence, “why is the water always broken?” . Brayden was asked if he wanted to say something. He said 3 words. “Fix the water.”
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I am confident we can overcome this pandemic. I know there is some distrust and hesitancy in taking the vaccine. Personally, I’ve gathered the facts, trust in the science, and I’m ready to do my part. Please join me in getting the COVID-19 vaccine and ending this pandemic.
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“We are putting Ontario and Canada on notice. No more development - mining, forestry, hydro or any other similar activities without our consent," says the Chief of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Donny Morris. Check link for other quotes.
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We believe the churches are supposed to be about love, honesty, inclusion and being a place to admit wrong. How come the @Pontifex is not doing that now? Coming clean, acknowledging the wrong about the #215children?.
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Today, Tanya Talaga’s The Knowing, will come out on CBC Gem. The docu-series is about the journey to find out what happened to Annie Carpenter. She was 5 years old when the Indian Act became law.(1/4)
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We sat with with survivors and families in Maskwacis to listen to the Papal apology. It was a very heavy day for many. We felt it all around. The apology is only a beginning of a long process of healing that must be followed up with real action. Words are not enough anymore.
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There you have it. Today I was sworn in for my second term as the Member of Provincial Parliament for Kiiwetinoong. It’s an honour to be a part of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario’s 43rd Parliament. #kiiwetinoong
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Listening to Tories talk on “corridor of prosperity,” or “road to the Ring of Fire” is depressing. They say Ont can fuel electric car boom - what they don’t say is they’ll trample over James & Hudson Bay Lowlands, ruining carbon-capturing peat moss to do it.
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Within a crisis, there is a crisis within a crisis. This is by design. Listen to Bee, a 10 year old, advocate for clean drinking water for her community and other indigenous communities.
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One of my dreams & hopes: we all have clean drinking water. We are the only people in Canada that have to keep fighting for this. Because of the ignorance & state of denial, the current approach is not acceptable & it is not working.
This continues to be a very frustrating issue we continue to deal with in Neskantaga. The water is shut off again because of low levels at the reservoir. We were forced to accept this design when it was first constructed because it worked for a government bureaucrat’s camp. 😡😡.
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This morning, I asked for a moment of silence for the passing of Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair. Meegwetch for all he has done for justice and to make Canada better for all of us.
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Today is #EarthDay . It is important to acknowledge what the earth means to us. We all have a responsibility in taking care of Mother Earth. #RestoreOurEarth
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To move forward in a good way, we need apology from you for the role of church in the abuse and deaths of our children/ancestors at Indian residential schools across Canada. The greatest wound in our nations is taking away our spirituality.
Let us pray for all the sick that may no one be left alone, that everyone receive the anointing of listening, closeness and care. We can all give it with a visit, a phone call, an outstretched hand.
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So syllabics showed up at my office door today at Queen’s Park. I thought I’d share because it’s so cool but I asked for bigger fonts. 👍🏾 Special thanks to @AnishNation and @LindaDebassige for visiting my office and Queen’s Park
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