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Rotary News
The Rotaract Club of Toronto is having its annual fundraiser at La Maquette on February 22, 2018 to assist the Anishnawbe Health Centre of Toronto (www.aht.ca). The sponsorship tiers are $1,000, $500 and $250. If you would like to sponsor, please contact Joseph Hanna (josephatef@hotmail.com).
John Currie, Lisa Farano and Chris Snyder attended the Nation to Nation Conference in Ottawa November 27th & 28th. Paul Martin, Joe Clark, Bob Rae, Ministers Bennett and Philpott, National Chief Perry Bellegarde, Ovide Mercredi, Isadore Day, Murray Sinclair, Stephen Kafkwi and many other Indigenous Peoples made presentations during the conference. There were only 110 at the conference so we had a wonderful opportunity to connect with these people and many others. A full recording will be available shortly. We will advise you when. It is well worth listening to!
The Rotary Convention is only 6 months away. We have been approved for one breakout session, have had our booth approved and are working on the opening ceremonies with RI. The Friendship Centre will have 4-5 Indigenous entertainment acts (let us know by January 31st of any groups/acts you would recommend. The acts will be about 30 minutes long). We are also working with Kairos to determine how we can work the Blanket Exercise in.
What is your club doing? Please email Julie Dunaiskis (julie@eccgroup.ca) with a brief summary so we can post on the HIP website and provide an update in upcoming newsletters. This will help other clubs and provide a sense of how we are involved. We do not know the precise number of clubs across Canada who are involved in educational and awareness activities, however, our guess is at least 100. Some were involved well before HIP, many on their own and some because of our encouragement and leadership.
Photo Album - We have added several photos from the Northern First Nations Coat Drive.
Reading Lists - Three new books have been added this month to the HIP Reading List on our website (Rotary HIP - Reading). The first book is "An Army of Problem Solvers: Reconciliation and the Solutions Economy. The second book is "Heart of Turtle Island: the Niagara Escarpment". The third book to be added shortly will be "The Right to be Cold: One Woman's Story of Protecting Her Culture, the Arctic and the Whole Planet" by Sheila Watt-Cloutier. We encourage you to pick up the Canadian Geographic special edition on Indigenous Peoples. It is on the newstand now and is terrific.
Request a Speaker - Would your club like to have a Speaker at an upcoming meeting? If so, please check the list of available speakers on our website under Resources/Speakers List. Or contact Tom Sears (tsears@sympatico.ca) to propose a date and a subject you would like the person to speak about i.e. a) about HIP b) a project or c) awareness of the issues. Ideally these talks will inform members and guests and hopefully engage members in becoming involved in an Indigenous program, donating money and developing a relationship with the local Indigenous community. We are happy to help you connect with the community close to you.
Other News
A reminder, you can find our slightly revised brochure on our website under Resources (Rotary HIP - HIP Brochure). If you would like to use it, you may print and distribute to your networks. If you need more, contact us and we can send. We have also improved our Facebook page and added a twitter handle. We have over 200 FB followers and 60 twitter subscribers to date. If you would like to be a friend on our Facebook page, click : https://www.facebook.com/HonouringIndigenousPeoples/ to see our new site. You can like, follow and share. We also encourage you to check our website and contents regularly. Encourage your friends too. Also, send Julie (julie@eccgroup.ca) the email address of anyone who you think would like to receive our newsletter.
We receive many comments on our website, however, we have grown considerably since it was first created. Our communications committee lead by Fred Lawlor, John Currie and Shirley Hawkins and administered by Julie is currently reviewing our website and other communication materials.
News & Events
This past month, the Northern First Nations Coat Drive was quite busy with many volunteers organizing clothing drives in several communities. HIP Executive Director, John Currie is co-ordinating the many pallets that need transportation to the communities. A BIG thank you goes out to the many donors who contributed goods and financial support. We could not have done this without you and can't wait to hear from the communities when the trucks arrive with the deliveries. We have included a list below outlining the community drives and destinations of the goods.
A few of the items collected with Richmond Hill United Church drive
HIP would like to recognize the outstanding efforts of Richard Szwed, Laurie Siblock, Alison Cordier, Anna Agraso, Shane Eberth, Rosemary Coolen, Evelyn Smith, Blake Holton, Julia McCrea, Floreen Forde, Charles Eberth, Ken Smid & Pete Dalmazzi. Over the last month, these individuals and their organizations have been instrumental in delivering 34 pallets of critically needed supplies to 21 Indigenous communities in Ontario and Saskatchewan.
- Leamington School - 9 pallets going to Bearskin (Richard Szwed)
- Laurie Siblock - 13 pallets going to 15 Indigenous communities in Ontario (Laurie Siblock)
- Mowat Collegiate (Alison Cordier) & Pine Ridge High School (Anna Agraso) - 4 pallets bound for 6 Indigenous
communities in Sask in partnership with True North Aid (Ken Smid), Backyard Brands (Shane Eberth), TST, Pickering
Rotary Club (Charles Eberth) & Scarborough Rotary Club (Floreen Forde)
- Village of Taunton Mills (Rosemary Coolen) - 2 pallets to Deer Lake of knitted winter wear and hygiene products
- Pickering Rotary Club ((Evelyn Smith) - 1 pallet of school supplies and Xmas gifts for Neskantaga
- (Blake Holton & ladies) - 1 pallet of clothing and supplies for Neskantaga
- (Julia McCrea) - 1 pallet of books for Sioux Lookout
HIP Director, John Andras, wanted to pass along a special event being planned for May 11, 2018. The Kawartha Truth and Reconciliation Support Group are hosting a concert at Market Hall in Peterborough to raise money for the Gord Downie-Chanie Wenjack Fund. The organizers are looking for approximately $5,000 of sponsorships to defray the cost of the venue and acts. If you can assist, please contact John @ jandras@mackieresearch.com.
The Gord Downie-Chanie Wenjack Fund was extremely helpful in the realization of the Paddling for Truth and Reconciliation Project the past summer joining Indigenous youth and elders from the James Bay region with youth and leaders from Camp Pathfinder and Camp Wabun for training and a canoe trip in Algonquin Park. Plans are being made for a follow up trip on the Albany River next summer.
At the Nation to Nation Conference in Ottawa, it was announced that Canadians for a New Partnership (www.cfnp.ca) are ceasing operations on December 31st. The organization was started by Joseph Kafkwi and board members included Paul Martin, Ovide Mercredi, Joe Clark, Scott Serson and Charles Coffee along with many other players. HIP was one of three chosen beneficiaries of remaining funds to be disbursed (the Gord Downie-Chanie Wenjack Foundation was another). Paul Martin insisted that HIP receive something. It is through everyone's hard work that this came about.
Approved Projects (Rotary HIP - Approved projects)
Check the HIP website to see full project descriptions and updates. We hope you or your club can support any of the projects mentioned as follows. We need much more financial support. Please join in. Not only will you help the project become reality and assist with the educational needs but you will learn a lot as well. We are also reviewing several new initiatives. When approved, we will be providing a brief outline with a link to the project. All of the projects below have been approved by our project committee and have the full support of the Indigenous community.
Kashechewan's Paddling with the Cree
In 2016, 16 young people completed their first canoe adventure along the Albany River to Kashechewan despite some difficulties with low water levels. The members developed strong whitewater skills and were able to line canoes down the rapids. Many could not swim but they learned how to be comfortable and safe in the water.
Two groups participated in 2017 to great success. Click the following link for their exciting report Rotary HIP - Newsletters. If you would like to help cover the costs of equipment and training, you can do so online through our HIP website and receive an immediate donation receipt from Canada Helps who processes the donations for us.
You can also send a cheque made payable to HIP and indicate it is for this project. This money will help First Nations children learn a lot about themselves and their culture. The Ontario Government have given us a sizeable donation, however, we need additional funding. We also received a $2,500 donation from a donor in the UK. The cause was brought to their attention by a person working in Moose Factory. This is the largest individual donation received for this project to date.
Dolly Parton Imagination Library
Through the Dolly Parton Foundation, OISE and Native Child and Family Services of Toronto, books are supplied every month to Indigenous children from age 0 to age 5 in the GTA. If your club would like to help sponsor this program in the GTA or in a separate community, contact Chris Snyder. Additional details are outlined on our website. Already there are 180 children enrolled in the GTA program and Keith McCrady, the co-ordinator who works with Native Child and Family Services of Toronto has received many favourable comments. The Ontario Government recently has agreed to fund all of the Ontario fly-in communities for three years. There are, however, many non fly-in communities across the country who could use the books and education they produce.
One Laptop per Child Canada
OLPC Canada connects Indigenous education programs to technology designed with 21 st century students in mind. To date, the initiative has provided laptops and tablets to more than 10,000 Indigenous youth located in 60+ communities from coast to coast. The laptops and tablets are preloaded with educational content including books and interactive programs highlighting Aboriginal languages and cultures. OLPC is currently undergoing a reorganization. As a result, we are putting this program on hold until the reorganization is completed. All donations sent in will be directed as planned, however, we are not accepting any new donations until we advise further.
Elephant Thoughts
Elephant Thoughts is a leader in First Nations and Inuit educational programs. A team of professional educators incorporates First Nations and Inuit values, culture, special needs and specific disciplines into all programs. Their programs teach and integrate traditional and contemporary knowledge.
The Rotary Club of Uxbridge recently supported a one-week summer science program in Timiskaming First Nation, Quebec. As the first reserve created in Canada, the Algonquin community is located right on the border of Quebec and Ontario and 60% of their traditional territory is in Ontario. The Elephant Thoughts Summer Camp has been high-quality science and technology-themed programming to help engage and empower participants between the ages of 9-13. The children in last year's program had many wonderful nature experiences. The aim of the program is to help promote the "Big Ideas" relating to all fields of science and technology while creating awareness about traditional culture and Indigenous science practices. Participants are encouraged to develop the confidence to ask questions and gain a better understanding of how the world around us works through hands-on materials and equipment. The goals of the summer camp are to promote science and technology, solidify a working foundation of scientific principals and methods and to encourage and excite participants to enter careers in science and technology. Your donation today will allow more children to experience nature next summer.travelling to First Nations and Inuit communities nationwide since 2004 to deliver high energy,
We continue to work with these and other groups to develop programs. Currently, we are working on new projects with the Native Child and Family Services of Toronto, several communities in Northern Ontario, the Native Friendship Centre in Toronto, a financial literacy initiative along with some technology-driven initiatives. We are also working on a possible global grant focussing on Indigenous cultural education. If you have a project you would like others to join you in, please contact us. Application forms are on our website under Contacts if you have a project you wish us to consider or approve.
Please note, while much of our work is in Ontario, we are a national organization aiming at communities across the country. If you have a project in your area you would like us to know about or assistance with, please let us know. It is our plan to have directors, Rotary and Indigenous from coast to coast within a few months.
Blog (Rotary HIP - Blog)
As always, there have been many news items recently that have been added to our blog. We have some updates on our gifts-in-kind initiative this month and a write up on one of our newest books listed on our website. Keep checking back for regular updates.
Resources - Films & Documentaries (Rotary HIP - Films & Documentaries)
If you have recently viewed a good film or documentary or read a book not on our list with an indigenous theme or message, please email Julie Dunaiskis (julie@eccgroup.ca) and Janet McLeod (jmm@nexicom.net) to add to our list.
HIP Membership & Donations
We would like you, your club and friends to become members. You do not need to be a Rotarian to join. You can join today by selecting (Rotary HIP - Become a Member) on the HIP website. Complete the online form and send us a cheque for $100 made payable to HIP. By becoming a member, you are saying we like and support what HIP is doing. Here is $100 to help move the cause of education and awareness forward. Please note, HIP membership payment cannot be done online as it is not tax-receiptable. Please send a cheque c/o 100 Simcoe St., Suite 110, Toronto M5H 3G2 and reference the online form or send a note with your name, address, email and club(if applicable) to the above address. We will send you an acknowledgement and ensure you will receive our monthly newsletter. We have had a number of new members in the last few months. This is great... keep them coming.
Charitable donations are accepted online through our website (Rotary HIP - Make a Donation) and the donor will receive a tax receipt immediately. You may designate funds to a specific project or to general projects focusing on education. Thank you for your continued support of our projects in particular we have had a terrific response to our ask for support for the transportation costs for shipments to the fly-in communities. We need more money. If you are able to help with this or other initiatives and want to get a tax receipt for 2017, please send in before the end of the year. You can also send in a cheque made payable to HIP and send to c/o ECC Group, 100 Simcoe St., Suite 110, Toronto, ON M5H 3G2.
Message from HIP Chair, Chris Snyder
What's ahead? 2017 has been a very eventful year for HIP. Among other things, we have a new Executive Director, John Currie. We have had a huge involvement in shipping goods to the fly-in communities in Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, successful canoeing projects, partnerships with One Laptop per Child and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
There have been many awareness-creating activities and more and more clubs and Indigenous communities are connecting.
We have a new business plan, however, we have not had an opportunity to put it all into readable form to be put on our website. This will be done in January.
We are working on a number of new initiatives around financial literacy and technology-driven educational initiatives. The most important will be culturally related.
HIP is a Canada-wide initiative and while most of our thrust has been in Ontario, we will have directors added, both Rotarian and Indigenous from coast to coast.
This does not mean one needs to wait until then to become involved in our mandate of education and awareness.
In order to make reconciliation work, Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples need to all create better relationships with each other. Part of our vision is to have every Rotary club working with an Indigenous community, ideally in your own area but if not with one of the reserves in the northern part of the country. By doing this, it will require us to develop connections, get to know each other and further educational activities. When I mentioned this to the BC Treaty Commissioner at the recent Nation to Nation Conference, she thought this was amazing and said she would help in any way they could.
Can you imagine the results if 750 clubs developed a working relationship with an Indigenous community or organization? Better still, getting others in your own community involved the same way. This is HIP's challenge to you. We are here to help facilitate.
You can start by going on our website under Resources to find out the community and the First Nation group closest to you. If not there, send us an email and we will work with you to help develop a connection.
In the meantime, best wishes to all for a happy holiday and the best for 150 plus 1.
Meegwetch,
Chris Snyder
Chair, HIP
416-364-0181 Ext. 2501
905-990-1735