Nation to Nation: Celebrating Canada’s 150th while First Nations face suicide crisis

Nation to Nation
Canada is celebrating its 150th birthday this year, yet many Indigenous people don’t feel like going to the party.

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Sheila North Wilson is struggling with the news that her cousin committed suicide. She learned of the death while in Ottawa where she appeared before the Indigenous Affairs committee to testify about suicide. North Wilson speaks to Nation to Nation about what she’s facing.

Heritage Minister Melanie Joly is in charge of organizing Canada’s 150th birthday party, but she’s facing push back from Indigenous artists who don’t see Canada’s birth as a cause to celebrate. Joly speaks to Nation to Nation about this issue at the University of Toronto’s Art Gallery surrounded by Kent Monkman’s exhibition, Shame and Prejudice, which challenges Canada’s image of itself.

And the Nation to Nation to MPs panel discusses the ongoing suicide crisis in First Nations and what role the government needs to play.

 

 

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