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Winnipeg Free Press
2 hours ago
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
Grandfather rock, symbolic sweat lodge on archdiocese grounds described as important symbols of reconciliation
After smudging and a prayer for the Creator's blessing, a grandfather rock and symbolic sweat lodge were unveiled Friday on the grounds of the Archdiocese of St. Boniface bishop's residence. The 1.5-metre-tall M'shoomis Asin, or grandfather rock, was donated to the archdiocese by a parishioner five years ago. The symbolic sweat lodge was welded by students at Murdoch MacKay Collegiate. Also unveiled at the ceremony was a panel about sweat lodges and grandfather rocks, which Indigenous people believe are sacred because they contain generational knowledge and a spirit. A panel with information about the grandfather rock appears in English, French, Lakota and Ojibwe. A second panel, in English and French, describes the role of sweat lodges in Indigenous tradition and culture. RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS The 1.5-metre-tall M'shoomis Asin, or grandfather rock, was donated to the archdiocese by a parishioner five years ago. In his address, St. Boniface Archbishop Albert LeGatt said the grandfather rock and sweat lodge were important additions to the grounds, which also contain statues and panels acknowledging the work of religious orders in the province in nearby Heritage Park. LeGatt said the decision to recognize the importance of the rock was made last year when an elder told him it was, in fact, a sacred grandfather rock. LeGatt reached out to Clayton Sandy, an elder from the Sioux Valley Dakota First Nation, to find a way to acknowledge its significance. They came up with an idea to surround it with a symbolic sweat lodge, since heated rocks are a crucial part of those healing ceremonies. Together, they 'remind us of the richness of Indigenous tradition' and the history of the archdiocese, LeGatt told the 75 or so people gathered for the ceremony. He noted 'there have been moments of darkness in that history,' but by recognizing the grandfather rock and sweat lodges on church grounds the archdiocese is showing its commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous people, and to taking seriously the calls to action directed at churches by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. In this way, the archdiocese was showing 'the inherent value and worth of Indigenous spiritual values,' LeGatt said. In his remarks, Sandy noted the significance of the two items on church grounds since, for many years, Indigenous spiritual practices and traditional teachings were suppressed by the Roman Catholic Church. The unveiling showed that Roman Catholics and Indigenous people were making progress in the journey of reconciliation, he said, adding 'if we don't come together with open minds, nothing changes.' RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS The grandfather rock and symbolic sweat lodge are located in front of the bishop's residence, built in 1864, at the corner of de la Cathedrale and Taché avenues. Tuesdays A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world. Speaking about the students who made the symbolic sweat lodge, Murdoch MacKay Collegiate welding teacher Collin Doyle said they 'really took ownership' of the project, and through it learned about the cultural significance. Vice-principal Jordan Zoppa added that for the students 'it was not just an assignment. They took it as a responsibility… they showed up with curiosity in their hearts.' LeGatt said he hopes the additions to the grounds will indicate to Indigenous people that 'this is a safe place and all are welcome.' For Sandy, whose parents and six siblings are residential school survivors — he was a '60s Scoop child — the event was significant because it was a 'symbol of healing between Indigenous people and the church… we have come a long way.' The grandfather rock and symbolic sweat lodge are located in front of the bishop's residence, built in 1864, at the corner of de la Cathedrale and Taché avenues. faith@ The Free Press is committed to covering faith in Manitoba. If you appreciate that coverage, help us do more! Your contribution of $10, $25 or more will allow us to deepen our reporting about faith in the province. Thanks! BECOME A FAITH JOURNALISM SUPPORTER John LonghurstFaith reporter John Longhurst has been writing for Winnipeg's faith pages since 2003. He also writes for Religion News Service in the U.S., and blogs about the media, marketing and communications at Making the News. Read full biography Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Cision Canada
5 hours ago
- Science
- Cision Canada
Canadian Coast Guard begins 2025 Arctic Summer Season
YELLOWKNIFE, NT, June 20, 2025 /CNW/ - The Canadian Coast Guard's annual Arctic summer operational season is underway. Through its new Arctic Strategy, the Canadian Coast Guard is working with Inuit, First Nation, and Métis partners to deliver services and programs in the North, by the North, for the North. In total, seven Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers are scheduled to deploy from June into November to enable the annual northern community resupply, search and rescue operations, marine pollution incidents, Canadian Arctic security, and other operational and program commitments. June 11 – CCGS Pierre Radisson departed Quebec City, QC, for icebreaking, Arctic science support, Marine Environmental and Hazards Response (MEHR) vessel reconnaissance and assessment, buoy tending operations, and refueling Killiniq's remote communication station. June 26 – CCGS Henry Larsen departs St. John's, NL, for icebreaking, Arctic science support, and Operation Pacer Goos e – to support the annual resupply of U.S. Pituffik Space Base in Greenland. June 27 – CCGS Amundsen departs Quebec City, QC, for the 2025 Amundsen Science mission. July 1 – CCGS Des Groseilliers departs Quebec City, QC, for icebreaking, Arctic science support, MEHR vessel reconnaissance and assessment, and refueling the weather station in Eureka, NU. July 9 – CCGS Jean Goodwill departs Dartmouth, NS, for icebreaking in Southern and Central Arctic, as well as the High Arctic, if required. July 17 – CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier departs Nome, Alaska (following its deployment in Operation North Pacific Guard), for icebreaking, Arctic science support, MEHR vessel reconnaissance and assessment, and buoy tending operations in the Western Arctic. September 18 – CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent departs Cambridge Bay, NU, to assist the Joint Ocean Ice Study in the Beaufort Sea, and provide icebreaking support in the High and Low Arctic. It will be the last vessel operating in the Arctic, until the end of November 2025. Through presence, assistance, and operations, the Canadian Coast Guard continues to demonstrate and reinforce Canada's long-standing, well-established sovereignty in the North. Quick Facts: The Canadian Coast Guard maintains safe and efficient marine navigation in Arctic waters by providing icebreaking services to the shipping industry and other vessel traffic, and daily ice and operations briefings in the North. Iqaluit's Marine Communications and Traffic Services centre reopened on May 16, 2025, and ensures safe navigation in the region by monitoring Arctic marine traffic, responding to maritime distress calls, broadcasting weather and ice information, and issuing navigational warnings. Across the Arctic, search and rescue training occurs with Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary units to gain extensive local knowledge of specific risks and enhance capacity for search and rescue in the Arctic. The seasonal Arctic Marine Response Station in Rankin Inlet, NU, will reopen on June 25, 2025, to provide local maritime search and rescue services during the summer season. The Arctic MEHR and Monitoring and Compliance teams maintain a permanent presence in the Arctic, with a network of 28 equipment caches, 24/7 standby response for marine pollution incidents in the North, and full-time facilities in Iqaluit, NU, and Yellowknife and Hay River, NT. On Great Slave Lake and the Mackenzie River in the Northwest Territories, the Canadian Coast Guard's two specialized buoy tenders, the CCGS Dumit and CCGS Eckaloo, conduct seasonal buoy tending to help commercial shipping and community resupply along the river, if water levels permit. SOURCE Canadian Coast Guard
CBC
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
Inside the creation of a ji'kmaqn
CBC Indigenous reporter Sis'moqon goes to Eskasoni First Nation in Nova Scotia to learn about the ji'kmaqn and why this traditional musical instrument has been vital to the Mi'kmaw culture.
Hamilton Spectator
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Doug Ford apologizes over ‘hat in hand' comment about First Nations
TORONTO - Ontario Premier Doug Ford has apologized for saying First Nations should not keep coming 'hat in hand' to the government if they say no to mining projects, a comment many First Nation leaders called racist. Ford delivered that apology in a meeting at Queen's Park Thursday to several dozen chiefs who are part of the Anishinabek Nation. 'I get pretty passionate and I just want to sincerely apologize for my words, not only is it for all the chiefs in that room, but for all First Nations,' Ford said as he spoke to Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige after the meeting. On Wednesday, Ford said he was willing to give First Nations whatever they wanted for support to develop mines, but that came with a warning. 'There's going to be a point that you can't just keep coming hat in hand all the time to the government, you've got to be able to take care of yourselves,' Ford said. 'And when you literally have gold mines, nickel mines, every type of critical mineral that the world wants, and you're saying, 'No, no, I don't want to touch that, by the way, give me money' — not going to happen.' Ford's government recently passed into law Bill 5, which gives cabinet the power to suspend municipal and provincial laws for chosen projects through the creation of so-called special economic zones. The premier has said the first such zone would be the Ring of Fire region in northern Ontario, which is said to be rich in critical minerals. The special economic zone law is part of an omnibus bill that the government says is needed to speed up construction of large infrastructure projects, particularly mines. Shortly after the passage of the bill into law, Anishinabek Nation asked for a meeting with the premier and Ford agreed. He was joined Thursday by Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford. All said it was a positive meeting, which came after passionate protests from First Nations at Queen's Park when Bill 5 was first introduced in mid-April. 'While there are many other rights holders in this province, our chiefs felt today that the apology was sincere,' said Debassige, whose Anishinabek Nation represents 39 First Nations across the province. 'We are looking at today as a new day going forward.' The vast majority of Ontario's 133 First Nations have spoken out against Bill 5 and see the new law as yet another example of a government trampling their rights and ignoring their concerns. Many First Nations have threatened to blockade roads, railways and mines if the bill is not repealed. 'Our First Nations within the Anishinabek Nation remain opposed to Bill 5,' Debassige said. 'The opposition remains in that of which the speed of Bill 5 was entertained and this has been communicated to the premier and to various ministers. The First Nations have spoken with the premier, have proposed ideas and solutions and the premier has made certain commitments that we're not going to speak to today.' Ford did not commit to repealing the law, but he and Rickford are planning a summer of consultations with First Nations, along with Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce. Other First Nation leaders were incredulous about Ford's apology. 'Being 'passionate' doesn't give you an excuse to express your racism,' said Alvin Fiddler, the Grand Chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation, which represents 49 First Nations in northern Ontario, including those in the Ring of Fire region. 'If and when Doug Ford is ready to personally apologize to the people of Nishnawbe Aski Nation, we will consider it. If the premier is sincere with his apology, he needs to show it, not just say it.' Ford has said the new law is a tool in the fight against U.S President Donald Trump's ongoing trade war. Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberal government has proposed legislation that is similar in many ways to Ontario's law. That, too, has prompted anger from First Nations, who gathered en masse earlier this week in Ottawa to voice their concerns. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 19, 2025.
Toronto Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Doug Ford apologizes over 'hat in hand' comment about First Nations
Published Jun 19, 2025 • 2 minute read Premier of Ontario Doug Ford speaks to media during the First Minister's Meeting in Saskatoon on Monday, June 2, 2025. Photo by Liam Richards / THE CANADIAN PRESS Ontario Premier Doug Ford has apologized for saying First Nations should not keep coming 'hat in hand' to the government if they say no to mining projects, a comment many First Nation leaders called racist. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Ford delivered that apology in a meeting at Queen's Park to several dozen chiefs who are part of the Anishinabek Nation. Ford's government recently passed into law Bill 5, which gives cabinet the power to suspend municipal and provincial laws for chosen projects through the creation of so-called special economic zones. The premier has said the first such zone would be the Ring of Fire region in northern Ontario, which is said to be rich in critical minerals. The special economic zone law is part of an omnibus bill that the government says is needed to speed up construction of large infrastructure projects, particularly mines. Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige says she and the 39 First Nations she represents have accepted Ford's apology. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Bill 5 has sparked outrage among First Nations across the province who see the new law as yet another example of a government trampling their rights and ignoring their concerns. Many First Nations have threatened to blockade roads, railways and mines if the bill is not repealed. On Wednesday, Ford said he is willing to give First Nations whatever they want for support to develop mines, but that came with a warning. 'When I first came into office, I told Minister (Greg) Rickford, 'Treat them well, give them what they need, whatever they want for them to prosper.' But there's going to be a point that you can't just keep coming hat in hand all the time to the government, you've got to be able to take care of yourselves,' Ford said. 'And when you literally have gold mines, nickel mines, every type of critical mineral that the world wants, and you're saying, 'No, no, I don't want to touch that, by the way, give me money' — not going to happen.' MMA NHL Canada Toronto & GTA World
