The Supreme Court of Canada announced its unanimous judgment affirming the constitutional validity of the Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families (Bill C-92) on February 9.
2023 was a difficult year. The summer months were disrupted by forest fires that raged across Eeeyou Istchee and uprooted the lives of many. Plans and projects were put on hold as survival became the main priority. At the helm of the Cree Nation Government, Grand Chief Mandy Gull-Masty worked tirelessly with all the communities to oversee this collaborative response.
Nunavut’s historic devolution (or Namminiqsurniq) agreement with the government of Canada on January 18 marked the largest land transfer in the country’s history. The territory will have final decision-making authority over its two million square kilometres of land and resources while collecting royalties that previously went to the federal government.
First Nations groups across Quebec applauded the nomination of Manon Jeannotte as the province’s first Indigenous lieutenant-governor on December 7, despite the unanimous vote in Quebec’s National Assembly only one day later to abolish the position.
November 15 marked the 50th anniversary of the Malouf decision, which recognized existing Cree and Inuit rights in northern Quebec. It was the first explicit judicial recognition of Indigenous rights in Canadian history.
Many Indigenous groups brought their voices to the largest ever climate gathering, COP28, which was held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from November 30 to December 12. About 84,000 people were registered for the annual Conference of the Parties (COP), nearly triple last year’s numbers.
November 15 marked the 50th anniversary of the Malouf decision, which recognized existing Cree and Inuit rights in northern Quebec. It was the first explicit judicial recognition of Indigenous rights in Canadian history.
Three years after the death of Atikamekw mother Joyce Echaquan, First Nations groups are critical of Quebec’s Bill 32, which aims to respond to Indigenous inequality by creating a “cultural safety approach” in the province’s health network.
Grand Chief Mandy Gull-Masty linked land rights and climate change during a speech to the United Nations advisory session on Indigenous rights. Gull-Masty asked the committee to study resource restitution, using an environmental context.
Changes may soon be coming to the Cree constitution, which was enacted alongside a governance agreement with Canada in 2017 to advance Cree self-determination in Eeyou Istchee.
