1. 4 u Government
of Canada
Gouvernement
du Canada
News of interest to Aboriginal people
COMMUNITY
FOCUS Investing in children and families from the Government of Canada
SPRING 2005
Tlicho land claim The youth centre at Little Red River
Paddle your way
UPDATE Projects are unique to each community,
Update is sent to First Nations and Inuit communities and organizations four
times a year, and costs about 20 cents a copy to produce and mail. and self- Cree Nation in northern Alberta helps keep and include hot lunch programs, to health and wellness
You can read Update on the Internet at government kids safe, and teaches them about summer jobs and more. Read
www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/pr/pub/upd/index_e.html.
You can subscribe or send your comments to Update using the agreements healthy life choices. In 2003-2004, more community success When she’s paddling down the majestic
attached postage-paid reply card, or by:
the First Nations’ stories and check out the Grand River, Cindy Martin feels connected to her
E-mail: Update@inac.gc.ca A dream became reality “Before we had a youth
Fax: (819) 953-2305 National Child Benefit latest progress report on community—and to her Cayuga roots—at Six
Telephone (toll-free): 1 800 567-9604 or TTY/TDD: 1 866 553-0554 for the Tlicho people in the centre, kids would be Reinvestment Initiative the Internet at: Nations of the Grand River Territory
Published under the authority of the
Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Northwest Territories when out on their own with invested in more than: “Paddling In this issue
www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ in Ontario.
Ottawa, 2005
the Tlicho Land Claims nothing to do,” says Patsy 194,430 children with friends and
www.ainc-inac.gc.ca
QS-6172-111-EE-A1 ISSN: 1704-4286 Johns, coordinator of
93,616 families pe-cp/ncb_e.html. “It brings us closer to our ancestors family helps build a New community
and Self-Government Act
© Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada 1,423 projects who paddled down this river for many stronger community,” programs to
Cette publication peut aussi être obtenue en français sous le titre : received Royal Assent on the Little Red River Family 600 communities Inuit and Northern says Six Nations
Dernières Nouvelles. generations,” says Cindy. reduce smoking
February 15, 2005. This Enhancement Program. communities take part in paddler and health
For information on Indian and Northern Affairs Canada programs and services: page 2
Website: www.ainc-inac.gc.ca brings into force the first a similar program called the Cindy is an avid paddler and leader of expert Cindy
E-mail: InfoPubs@ainc-inac.gc.ca “The youth centre gives them a Martin. Nursing student
Telephone (toll-free): 1 800 567-9604 or TTY/TDD: 1 866 553-0554 combined comprehensive National Child Benefit. To find out the Aka:we Canoe Club. Aka:we is the
For information on Government of Canada programs and services:
place to go, and it keeps them out of says “yes” to a
Website: canada.gc.ca land claim and self- more about programs and success stories in Mohawk word for paddle.
Telephone (toll-free): 1 800 O-Canada (1 800 622-6232)
trouble, away from alcohol or drugs,” says better life
or TTY/TDD: 1 800 465-7735 government agreement in your region, visit the Internet at: The community started the club in 1998 to
Patsy. “They take part in healthy activities, page 3
We are reviewing our distribution of Update. If you would like to have the Northwest Territories, www.nationalchildbenefit.ca.  promote health and well-being. Today more than
Update sent directly to your home or work, please fill out the attached
like learning how to cook.”
reply card (postage is free!) or e-mail Update@inac.gc.ca. and the second such 90 people, aged 9 to 49, are active members. New activity
agreement in Canada. Visit All across Canada, booklet helps kids
“Paddling with friends and family helps build a
www.tlicho.com for more communities support kids stronger community,” says Cindy, who loves to
stay safe
PHOTO: CINDY MARTIN
information. For more and families with funding get out on the water with her daughter Lauren page 3
information about land from the First Nations’ (seen at right) and son Darcy. Celebrate
claim and self-government National Child Benefit As Traditional Wellness Coordinator, Cindy also National
agreements in Canada, Reinvestment Initiative. sees the health benefits: “Being out on the water Aboriginal Day
7
visit this website at: This initiative is a partnership offers both exercise and stress relief.” Nine-year-old Lauren King looks forward to another page 4
between federal, provincial season of paddling with family and friends at Six
www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/pr/ Last year, Aka:we became an official racing club Nations of the Grand River Territory in Ontario.
agr/index_e.html. and territorial governments when it joined the Canadian Canoe Association. Here she’s all smiles at the first annual Pauline
and First Nations. It aims to Johnson Regatta in 2004—and she plans to take
This means they can compete with other clubs
part again this year at the August 13th event.
reduce child poverty and in Canada and the world, including at the 2006
support parents as they North American Indigenous Games. Paddling
clubs at Kahnawake and Kanesatake in Quebec, “The program is designed to give Aboriginal
move into the workforce.
and at Chippewas of the Thames in Ontario, are people better access to Canada’s canoe and
also members of this racing community. kayak sport system,” says program director
John Edwards. “It also encourages clubs and
The Canadian Canoe Association also gives community building.”
financial and technical support that helps
Aboriginal communities participate in canoeing If your community is interested, you can e-mail
and kayaking sporting events. John Edwards for more information at
jhedwards@canoekayak.ca or call
This is thanks to a new program called the 1 (613) 260-1818, extension *2201. 
Aboriginal Paddling Initiative. This program is
a partnership with Aboriginal Sport Circle and the FOR MORE INFORMATION :
Canadian Canoe Association: www.canoekayak.ca
Canada Games Council, and is funded through Aboriginal Sport Circle: www.aboriginalsportcircle.ca
Sport Canada. They have already supported seven Sport Canada: www.pch.gc.ca/progs/sc/index_e.cfm
clubs across Canada—with more to come. qwewrt

2. 2 3
K IM M ARTIN ’S JOURNEY :
HEALTH AND HEALTH AND
WELLNESS New projects to help reduce smoking Learning to say “yes” to a better life: WELLNESS
Make your house From nicotine patches to The simple word “stop” changed College in Quebec, and plans to go to
The Sliammon First Nation opened the doors
Stay Safe!
a healthy home healing circles, the first on-reserve to its new clinic in November 2004. Already, Kim Martin’s life from a roller coaster ride university for nursing or family medicine.
A new booklet by Health Canada
smokers’ clinic in Canada uses both they have helped more than 30 people. of failed starts to a future full of promises. will help parents and other
Learning how to prevent and “It is important for Aboriginal people
clean up mold growing in your modern and traditional methods to help
Kim grew up in the Mohawk community to know that no matter how they grew
caregivers make their homes Keep those
“The response is unbelievable. We are safer for children. It’s called Stay
house can improve the air you members stop smoking.
of Kahnawake, Quebec. School wasn’t an up and what they’ve gone through, it is Safe: An Aboriginal Education cards and letters coming!
breathe—and your health. very pleased,” says Jo-Anne.
Guide to Hazard Symbols. It has “It makes my heart proud to see our brothers
The following publications from “We are trying to marry best health care important issue at home, but Kim enjoyed possible to turn things around,” says Kim. activities and fact sheets to teach
This is one of eight new projects funded and sisters making their dreams become real,”
Canada Mortgage and Housing practices with best traditions that are unique to learning and was the first in her family to young children about household PRINCE RUPERT, B.C.
Corporation show you how to by Health Canada. Projects are also Kim is one of 21 students chosen to receive hazards. It also has games,
the community,” says Jo-Anne Allan. She graduate from high school. pictures to colour and other fun “Good to know about interesting programs
prevent mold from growing—and underway in Nunavut, Saskatchewan, Canada Post’s 2004 Aboriginal Education
how to recognize and safely clean activities. To order a free copy and projects,”
is the clinic nurse manager of the Sliammon Incentive Award. The awards celebrate
up small amounts of mold. You Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New At college, Kim discovered a whole new in English, French or Inuktitut, IQALUIT, NUNAVUT
will also find out what to do for Smokers Clinic in British Columbia. First Nations, Inuit or Métis people who call Health Canada’s toll-free Thanks to all of you who send us comments. Do you
Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The goal is to world. She ended up in the wrong crowd,
more serious mold problems. information line, 1 866 225-0709, have question or comment? Want to see a story
help reduce high rates of non-traditional started partying, and failed her year. She have overcome hardships to pursue learning. and ask for the publications office. covered? Let us know—your ideas matter! Fill
First Nations Occupants’ Guide did go back to school, only to quit—more Every winner received a $1,000 award. out the reply card and mail yours in today!
tobacco use—and improve health and
to Mold Health
Canada
Santé
Canada
Postage is paid.
wellness—in First Nations and Inuit than once. Her life went up and down like
Mold in Housing: An You can get information and application —The Editor
communities. This information will help this for several years.
Information Kit for First Nations forms for the 2005 award at the Canada
Communities other communities across Canada develop
The magic moment came when she Post website. Visit www.canadapost.ca,
About Your House—Fighting programs to reduce smoking.
entered a nursing program that she loved. click on “In the Community” at the
Mold: The Homeowners’ Guide
These projects are part of the Government When her demons came calling again, she bottom of the page, and then “Aboriginal Ab
original Ed ol
s
uca
An tion mb
G uid e Sy
to H a z ard
About Your House—Measuring
Humidity in Your Home of Canada’s First Nations and Inuit hesitated. But then she heard a simple, yet Education Incentive Award.” The deadline
personal information are provided in Info Source, which is available in federal government offices, at your local public library
Spring 2005
This information is used to respond to reader requests and to evaluate Update, and is protected under the provisions of the
We would like to receive your comments and suggestions about Update.
for Canada Post to receive your application
Privacy Act. Individuals have the right to protection of and access to their personal information. Instructions on obtaining
Tobacco Control Strategy. Find out more decisive word: “stop!”
If you live in the North, look
for the About Your House by visiting the Health Canada website at:
Kim has held on to that word ever since.
is July 21, 2005. 
New website
North series. www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fnihb. Click on
She is now in her second lets you follow
Kim Martin says the award from Canada Roundtable
7
To order any of these free “Community Programs” and choose
publications, call Canada “It is year of nursing
Mortgage and Housing Corporation
“Tobacco” from the Programs and Projects important for at John Abbot
Post means a lot to her after she turned her
life around to study nursing.
progress
toll-free at 1 800 668-2642. menu. Find out more about the Sliammon Aboriginal people to
On April 19, 2004, the Government of
For more information about
Smokers Clinic at: www.sliammon.com/ know that no matter how Canada and Aboriginal leaders had a
housing, visit the Internet at
www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca. health/tobacco.  they grew up and what historic meeting called the Canada-
they’ve gone through, it is Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable.
7
Two very good reasons to quit smoking: possible to turn things At that meeting, they agreed to
Vicki Harry’s children, Jayce and Gavin, Are you planning to stop smoking, around,” says student find new ways to work together to
begged her to stop smoking so she would
chewing tobacco or using snuff?
What topics would you like to see covered in future issues?
Kim Martin. improve quality of life for Aboriginal
be around to see them grow up. She’s been people in Canada. Over the past year,
smoke-free ever since. Vicki is now helping For information that can help you go smoke-free, leaders and experts from federal,
others to stop smoking as a certified
no
contact Health Canada: provincial and territorial governments
Aboriginal tobacco facilitator and a Toll-free telephone: 1 800 O Canada (1 800 622-6232) and Aboriginal organizations have
Send Update to my address listed above.
yes
and on the Internet at http://infosource.gc.ca.
cultural support worker at the Sliammon Website: www.GoSmokeFree.ca (click on continued this work. They have held
Smokers Clinic in British Columbia. “Aboriginal Campaign”) a series of working groups in key
Send Update to me by e-mail at:
areas including: health, education,
Did you find this issue informative?
lifelong learning, housing, economic
Fight West Nile Virus – Avoid Mosquito Bites! opportunities, negotiations and
PHOTO: YVES CLÉMENT, PHOTO FEATURES
accountability for results. You can
West Nile virus is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. It can make you sick, and can sometimes lead read all about the April 19th meeting,
to serious illness. The best way to protect yourself is to avoid mosquito bites. Use insect repellents that contain and the results of each
DEET or other approved ingredients, and wear light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing. Reduce the number of follow-up group, at the official
mosquitoes around your house and yard by emptying standing water from old tires, boats, and other outdoor Roundtable website:
Comments:
Comments:
objects where mosquitoes can breed. For more information on West Nile virus, visit www.westnilevirus.gc.ca
Address:
www.aboriginalroundtable.ca.
Name:
or call toll-free 1 800 816-7292.