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Ontario invests $33M in mental health and addiction support for Indigenous communities

On Thursday, the provincial government announced $1 million in funding to address mental health and addiction issues towards First Nations.

This funding will allow for the development of two buildings within the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation that will offer mental health and addiction services, according to Chief Jacqueline French.

“There are big issues in our community that we can no longer ignore,” French said. “We’ve had multiple youth overdoses in our community. We said we want to continue down this road at this rate or we will lose generations.”

First Nations Council is working on a community wellness strategy, that requires community and external partnerships to work together to address issues stemming from drug trafficking to mental health.

Ontario has provided $33 million for 100 mental health and addiction supports and programs from 2022-2023, to meet the rising need for services across Ontario.

“For generations, Indigenous communities and elders have taught the importance of community-based, culturally-informed approaches to healing and wellness. It is critical that responses to challenges faced by Indigenous partners are anchored in partnership and collaboration,” said Provincial Associate Minister of Mental Health, Michael Tibollo.

“Today marks another milestone in those partnerships; investing in connecting Indigenous communities to Indigenous land-based healing, health services, and upgraded healing centres and facilities,” he said.

Myeengun Henry, who serves as a councillor for Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, spoke to their concerns over a rise in drugs and crime within the three communities.

“We know when there’s a crisis in one nation and we all come together and it becomes a part of who we are to help each other,” said Henry.

Following speeches, Chief Todd Cornelius of Oneida Nation of the Thames, Chief Roger Thomas of the Munsee-Delaware…

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Ontario commits $1M to Chippewas of the Thames for mental health & addictions support

Ontario announced $1 million in funding for mental health and addictions supports to Chippewas of the Thames First Nation Thursday with the long-term goal of building two new treatment facilities for the area’s three Indigenous communities to use.

The move is part of larger efforts to address rising rates of illegal drugs and human trafficking through the development of a community wellness and mental health strategy.

“We all know that there are huge gaps in accessing those types of services from detox to treatment,” said chief Jacqueline French.

“We can’t continue down this road at this rate or we’ll lose generations,” French said, noting there have been multiple overdoses in the community and “huge” waiting lists for addictions treatment. 

woman speaks into microphoneJacqueline French, chief of Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, says the $1M in provincial funding will contribute to addressing the immediate approach in supporting our people to the road and healing and recovery. (Michelle Both/CBC)

“It’s just next to impossible to access those services outside of our community,” she said. “There is definitely a need for more because of the increase of what we’re seeing happening in our community.”

‘We can’t fix this problem by ourselves’

MPP Michael Tibollo, Ontario’s associate minister of mental health and addictions, came to the First Nation for the announcement.

“When it comes to finding an effective mental health care system for Indigenous peoples, there are far too many barriers to access and culturally safe options are few for people from Indigenous communities, and this is something that we must change,” said Tibollo.

three people stand togetherJacqueline French, Chief of Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, (left) and councillor Myeengun Henry (right) present MPP Michael Tibollo, Ontario’s associate minister of mental health and addictions, with a painting and belt in honour of the announcement on May 4. (Michelle Both/CBC)

Since 2022, he…

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Red Cross blood drives for Dare announced

Red Cross blood drives for Dare announced

Published 12:18 pm Thursday, May 4, 2023

blood

Every two seconds of every day someone needs blood. “This lifesaving care starts with one person making a generous donation,” stated a Red Cross press release. “A single donation can save more than one life.”

“The need for blood is constant,” said Frank Spruill, Red Cross blood donor ambassador. “While 62% of the U.S. population can give blood, only about 3% donate. The actual blood donation takes about 10 – 12 minutes, and the entire process from arrival to departure is about one hour”.

“If you are healthy and feeling well, please schedule an appointment to donate now,” stated the release. Appointments can be made by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767).

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Upcoming Red Cross blood drives in Dare County include:

May 10 – Our Lady of the Seas, Buxton, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

May 24 – First Flight High School, Kill Devil Hills, noon to 6 p.m.

May 26 – Kitty Hawk United Methodist Church, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

May 30 – Pitts Center, Town of Southern Shores, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

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Trio of London area First Nations receives $1M in addiction treatment funding

A $1 million boost from the Ontario government will go a long way in tackling the mental health and addiction crisis facing three First Nations communities, local Indigenous leaders say.

Jacqueline French, chief of Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, said the funding announced Thursday marks a milestone contribution to support members of the communities on their road to healing and recovery.

“It’s huge,” French said.

“It’s a significant move that we are making together, as three First Nations,” she said, stressing the importance of collaboration between her community, Oneida Nation of the Thames and Munsee-Delaware Nation.

The money will support the development of a new community wellness strategy and external partnerships to address mental health and addiction. It also signals the beginning of a long-term plan to construct two buildings on First Nations territory that would house services for harm reduction, medical support and outpatient care, French said.

“We have a crisis team, as well as a cultural outreach team (and) harm reduction, so the facilities that are coming in will really address … that need in the community around mental health and addictions.”

One of the biggest challenges facing on-reserve members is a lack of available services. Typically, when residents are ready to seek support, they must commute to London or nearby towns, French said.

“There are huge gaps in accessing those types of services, from detox to treatment, (and) there are huge waiting lists,” she said, adding many cannot afford to pay for private programs.

French was one of the leaders to secure the funding from the Ontario government. Thursday, she joined chiefs Todd Cornelius of Oneida Nation of the Thames and Roger Thomas of Munsee-Delaware Nation in signing a joint declaration on the fight against illegal drugs and human trafficking in their communities.

The declaration, read by Liz Antone, stated the chiefs will take action…

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First Colony Foundation archaeologists zero in on site of Algonquian village

First Colony Foundation archaeologists zero in on site of Algonquian village

Published 8:08 am Thursday, May 4, 2023

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First Colony Foundation volunteers conduct a previous dig at Elizabethan Gardens on Roanoke Island, while FCF officer Alastair Macdonald observes. First Colony Foundation photo

Theodor de Bry’s 1590 print of the first English arrival at Roanoke in 1584, showing the Native American village. Library of Congress

Ground penetrating radar tests at Roanoke Island’s Elizabethan Gardens may soon reveal the location of an Algonquian village, where local natives entertained the first English explorers to America’s shores in 1584, a spokesman for First Colony Foundation says. Results are expected by May.

The expanded survey, which began in April, will again be conducted on behalf of First Colony by Chartrand Geoarchaeological Solutions of Williamsburg, Va., which conducted initial ground tests at the gardens site in January. The goal is to locate evidence for the as-yet-undiscovered Algonquian village of Roanoac. When completed, the electronic survey will create three-dimensional views of the site, buried beneath at least six feet of sand dune.

“Roanoke is such a place of mystery,” says Eric Klingelhofer, one of FCF’s vice presidents for research. “So much has already been lost to the sands of time, which is why finding the site of this Algonquian village will be an important step forward in in understanding America’s beginnings so long ago.”

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Captains Phillip Amadas and Arthur Barlow visited the village during their 1584 reconnaissance mission, aimed at establishing the first English settlement in America. The explorers described the village as consisting of “of nine houses, built of cedar, and fortified round with sharp trees,” as protection against their enemies.

“The Elizabethan Gardens is…

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When it comes to energy independence on Wisconsin’s tribal reservations, ‘actions are more than words.’ How one tribe is taking action.

The plan is to eventually work with Menominee Nation to build its own tribal reservation-wide solar energy utility service.

KESHENA – Dozens of volunteers learned how to install and operate solar panels on the Menominee Reservation last week as part of the tribe’s efforts to achieve energy independence.

The training took place at the College of Menominee Nation campus in Keshena and the solar panels installed will be used to power one of the college’s buildings.

“It was exciting to see how quickly things are progressing,” said Menominee Chairwoman Gena Kakkak in a statement. “It’s been a short time from when we approved funding to work towards renewable energy and partnered with Indigenized Energy. Today, we see the plan and development moving forward.”

In August, the Menominee Nation started working with Indigenized Energy, which is based on the Standing Rock Reservation in North and South Dakota.

The organization’s founder and executive director, Cody Two Bears, said the initiative was born from the Indigenous-led movement to protest and stop and the Dakota Access Oil Pipeline project on Standing Rock in 2016.

Indigenized is looking to help tribal nations across the U.S. become energy independent and help move societies from dependence on fossil fuels, which harm the environment, Two Bears said.

The training at the college will help empower local community members with the skills to develop and maintain solar energy, rather than having an outside company install the panels and then leave, he added.

Roxanne Johnson, an elder member of the Ho-Chunk Nation who lives on the nearby Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican Reservation, said she signed her and her husband up as soon as she heard about the training program.

“It’s an example of what can be done,” she said. “I’m very excited by what the Menominee are…

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Robinson as mayor: Wants to give back to community that helped him

Jeffrey L. Robinson  |  Muncie Star Press

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Star Press gave candidates for Muncie mayor the opportunity to write a commentary prior to Tuesday’s primary election. Jeffrey L. Robinson, president of the Muncie City Council, is unopposed in the Democratic Primary Tuesday and will face either incumbent Mayor Dan Ridenour or retired police officer Tony Cox in November. Here is his commentary.

Munsee Town. Muncietown. Magic City. Friendly City. Little Chicago. Muncie.

Home. 

I was born and raised here, and through the good and the bad, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, I love this city. 

Muncie is the people. And there is one thing that marks someone as a Munsonian: grit.  

I strive to embody the guts, determination, resiliency, and backbone of a Munsonian. I struggled in high school. I was just getting my career started when the Great Recession hit. I’ve had to regroup and start over a couple of times like many others. 

But just like a true Munsonian, and the city itself, I’ve persevered.  

I’ve fought the fight. I understand what people have been through. And the reason I’m here today, and willing to run for Mayor, is because of the people in this city who stuck their necks out to help me in my time of need. I’m ready to do the same for our citizens.

We all see the problems we face. There are challenges to be met and struggles to overcome. As your next Mayor I will lead the effort to prioritize lasting change for our city that addresses the real problems we face so that our younger citizens, and those yet born, can achieve a better quality of life.

I’m a community champion and advocate with a proven track record of working with everyone — community leaders, local businesses, and neighbors — to make decisions that put Muncie residents…

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Mike Ford to speak at Watkins Museum about project to preserve culture of Munsee Tribe in Kansas

Mike Ford to speak at Watkins Museum about project to preserve culture of Munsee Tribe in Kansas – The Lawrence Times
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Upcoming events include Final Friday art walk, theater, birds, festivals and more

photo by: Mother Earth News

The Mother Earth News Fair will be 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, April, 29, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, April 30, at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.

FRIDAY

• Rain or shine, April’s Final Friday art walk happens Friday evening. Exhibits and events include:

Outdoor art market, 4:30-7:30 p.m., with a group show from 6 to 9 p.m., Art Emergency, 721 E. Ninth St.

A unique look at familiar local landmarks at “ANNECREDIBLE Drawings of Lawrence” by Anne Patterson; also a pop-up jewelry event by Kansas City artist Manda Wylde; music from Alonzo Beardshear from 6-9 p.m. at Phoenix Gallery, 825 Massachusetts St.

“Lost and Found: Paintings by Jon Sloan: and music from Matthew Mulnix and Martin Farrell Jr., 5-9 p.m., Lucia Beer Garden + Grill, 1016 Massachusetts St.

Walt Ohnesorge’s artwork and other works by Indigenous artists, 6-9 p.m., Art Love Collective, 646 Vermont St.

Fally Afani’s “Community Faces in Special Places,” Lawrence Visitors Center, 812 Massachusetts St.

“Transferred Inspiration” highlighting art from the teen curatorial collective Hang12. Visitors may also see the annual art exhibit of Lawrence school district students. Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire St. (open until 9 p.m.)

Shawn Brackbill’s “American Lustre: Images from Music and Life” with music by Sweeping Promises and food truck by JB’s Tacos, 5-9 p.m., Cider Gallery, 810 Pennsylvania St.

Sugarfoot Detour Final Fridays Outdoor Concert Series, 7 p.m., 901 Pennsylvania St.

• Mike Ford, director of the “We Are Munsee” cultural preservation project, will speak on “The Munsee Tribe in Kansas,” 7-8 p.m., Watkins Museum of History, 1047 Massachusetts St. Visitors may also see “From Then to Now: A Student History of Haskell Indian Nations University,” on exhibit through August on the second floor of the museum.

•…

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Linguistics Effort Leads to Opening of Algonquian Library

Linguistics Effort Leads to Opening of Algonquian Library “); jQuery.each(this.attributes, function () { if (this.name == ‘data-iframe’ || this.name == ‘data-‘) return; iframe.attr(this.name.replace(/^data-/, ”), this.value); }); jQuery(iframe).insertAfter(jQuery(this)); jQuery(this).remove(); }); AI_responsive_widget(); }, 50); }); jQuery(window).resize(function () { AI_responsive_widget(); }); } ]]>

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