Latest First Nations News

Indigenous pot shop owner refuses to shut down after being raided by province

Cory Brewer, sovereign dispensary owner standing behind all of the products packaged for seizure by the CSU.Article source- https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/indigenous-pot-shop-owner-refuses-to-shut-down-after-being-raided-by-province/ Indigenous pot shop owner refuses to shut down after being raided by province.Kelsie Kilawna - Local Journalism Initiative ReporterJun 11, 2020   Tupa’s Joint opened without provincial license. Owner Cory Brewer says he’s asserting his sovereign rights backed by his band and UNDRIP. Members of British Columbia’s Community Safety Unit (CSU) raided Tupa’s Joint, an Indigenous owned cannabis dispensary, and seized all of its products Wednesday. “They took 10 thousand dollars worth of product,” says owner Cory Brewer. Brewer, a member of the Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB), opened Tupa’s Joint on May 23, 2020. The store sells cannabis and hemp products but is also a healing centre focused on cultural wellness. But Tupa’s Joint doesn’t have a provincial license to sell cannabis. Brewer says he doesn’t plan on getting one. “As far as I’m…

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A message from the Assembly of First Nations Knowledge Keepers

A message from the Assembly of First Nations Knowledge Keeperson April 30, 2020 Mother Earth is speaking to us in ways foretold in our prophecies. Time constantly evolves. These changes bring with it new challenges and unknown threats. There will be a time for renewal, a time we can understand unknown threats such as COVID-19. This new threat is gripping our communities and we are in unchartered waters as the world scrambles to respond. What can we do? STAY HOME. We are vulnerable to infectious diseases. Most of our communities are ill-equipped to fight this global pandemic. The health and well-being of our people will suffer dramatically. Poverty, overcrowding, and a lack of safe drinking water have impacts on health that are compounded by a lack of readily available health care. Those most susceptible to COVID-19 are our Knowledge Keepers. We need to protect them. What can we do? STAY HOME. We are…

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ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS BULLETIN – AFN COVID-19 (C-19) National Task Force

ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS BULLETIN – AFN COVID-19 (C-19) National Task Forceon May 5, 2020 SUMMARY:  The AFN Executive Committee established the AFN COVID-19 (C-19) National Task Force to support the AFN Executive Committee by drawing on experts in the health, emergency management, communications and legal/policing sectors and other areas as required.The AFN C-19 National Task Force will engage in dialogue with experts, leadership and First Nation citizens to provide recommended actions that will support the mitigation of impacts of the C-19 virus and ensure First Nations have access to reliable and accurate information.The AFN will continue to advocate with all governments for planning, preparation and response measures that address the unique needs of First Nations. The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is making every effort to ensure that the unique needs of First Nations are addressed during this global pandemic. The AFN is advocating with all governments to engage with First Nations…

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Assembly of First Nations Celebration of Third Annual National Day of First Nation Fishing Rights – May 18, 2020

Celebration of Third Annual National Day of First Nation Fishing Rights – May 18, 2020on May 11, 2020 Fishing is part of First Nations culture and identity. It sustains First Nations peoples and economies and is a constitutionally protected inherent and Treaty right. In the spirit of reconciliation and raising awareness of our shared history and future, the Assembly of First Nations National Fisheries Committee, by direction from Chiefs-in -Assembly, have declared the Monday preceding May 25 a National Day of First Nations Fishing Rights. This year, National Day of First Nation Fishing Rights falls on May 18, 2020. This will be the third year there is a day to honour the inherent right to fish, to raise awareness of its interconnectedness to growing sustainable environments, conservation, and water protection and fostering healthy individuals and nations. In AFN Resolution 75/2017, National Day of First Nations Fishing Rights, Victoria Day was chosen by the National…

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