SCO Summer Reflections: Welcoming Anew...

GREETINGS FROM THE GRAND CHIEF

Aniin, Wash-tay and hello, my relatives!

I greet you with a warm summer welcome as we reflect upon moments in time this past season. Moments that have imprinted, made history and will direct action toward meaningful reconciliation and the security of our future generations.

With Autumn Equinox around the corner, September signifies the closing of a cycle and our direction to the South. It shows us the preparation necessary to enter the West and the adult stage of life, supported by Mother Earth's grounding energy and the medicine of sage. With many opportunities over the summer to participate in the advancement of SCO’s vision – to protect, preserve, promote, and enhance our rights, languages, customs, and traditions – we are pleased to share with you some moments of impact that took place in First Nation across southern Manitoba.

From gathering and sharing our teachings and traditions on the powwow trail, to the Pope’s apology, this summer offered us the gift of additional perspective as we chart a new path forward we can all be proud of.

I look forward to continuing this hard and necessary legacy building work with you over this next season, and wish all a balanced long weekend ahead.

Miigwetch, Pidamye and thank you,

Grand Chief Jerry Daniels

HONOURING OUR TRUE HISTORY

September 30th is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and over the next month, we invite you to listen and learn about the true history shared by the Survivors of the Indian Residential School (IRS) and Day School System and draw attention to what meaningful and lasting reconciliation can look like.

We are asking all to place an orange shirt in your window this month to show your support. Be sure to watch for SCO's Every Child Matters engagement initiative taking place across Manitoba!

THE POPE'S APOLOGY: WHAT'S NEXT...

Pope Francis ‘deeply sorry,’ asks for forgiveness for residential schools during Alberta visit. Photo credit and article: CBC Global News

With the Papal apology and jounrey to Turtle Island this past July, the SCO called for three key areas to be addressed by Pope Francis. One of the top priorities is for the Catholic Church to finally honour its commitment to the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (IRSSA) that was negotiated back in 2006. In that agreement the Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian, and United churches agreed to each provide modest reparations. The Catholic Church is the only church not to honour its $25 million financial commitment.

SCO is also calling for the Catholic Church to commit to fully releasing all records and documents associated with residential schools, and lastly, we are calling on Pope Francis to publicly denounce and renounce the Doctrine of Discovery.

CONNECTING COMMUNITY: POWWOW TRAIL 2022

One of the more striking images from Powwow trail was Lela Mentuck of Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve.

At just 15 years of age, Lela made a bold statement with her regalia and face paint, honouring all Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

Also featured, was Survivor and Thriver Harriet Prince at 81 years old and a proud member of Sagkeeng Anicinabe First Nation.

When she was a child, Harriet was sent away to three different residential schools and was torn away from family and community.

Despite all odds, Harriet returned to culture, tradition and ceremony and has become a master seamstress, a knowledge keeper, and a true mentor and leader.

Follow us on social media to catch all the highlights from the powwow trail!

JORDAN'S PRINCIPLE: EXPANDING RESOURCES

SCO is pleased to announce that after working with Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg Children’s Hospital and Indigenous Health for more than a year, a Jordan’s Principle Coordinator is now available at HSC Children’s to support First Nation children and their families, throughout their care at the facility.

Find out more about Jordan, Jordan’s Principle, and where else we have Jordan’s Principle team members to help!

TRANSFORMING OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

On August 10, 2022 southern First Nation community members gathered and walked in unity for our health.

The goal of the 5 kilometre walk held in 9 communities was to walk for all the reasons we need a new Anishinaabe and Dakota health care system that will address existing system inequities. This new health care system is being built on a foundation of culture that follows ancestral ways in balance with Western medicine, ensuring optimal health.

DRINK TO DONATE: LAST CALL!

There is still time to support and make this an even more prosperous partnership in raising funds for future southern First Nation students!

SCO and Corpell's Water have partnered on Every Child Matters water bottles with a distinctive orange label and a powerful message to honour the children who attended residential schools. For each case of water sold, Corpell’s will donate funds to a newly endowed SCO Scholarship Fund at the University of Brandon, and Domo Gas and SCO will match the donations up to $25,000.

The limited edition bottles are available until September 30th at Safeway and Sobey’s in the deli section, Food Fares, Red River Co-op Stores, Esso, One Stop in Selkirk, the Brokenhead Community Store, FreshCo and Domo Gas Stations.

SUPPORTING COMMUNITY GATHERINGS & CEREMONIES

SCO is pleased to be providing grants to our member First Nations wanting to host community gathering and ceremonies to honour the strength and resilience of the Survivors of the Residential and Day Schools, 60s Scoop and the Child Welfare System, the families of MMIWG2S+, and to remember our lost children.

Grant funding available is between $20K - $30K depending on community population size. Applications and questions can be emailed to survivorshealing@scoinc.mb.ca and more information by clicking the button below.

Learn More

WATER IS LIFE + WE ARE HER STEWARDS

SCO’s Water Quality Testing Team has been working hard for the past four years to identify opportunities for good stewardship across our Nations and monitor our water for cleanliness and potability.

So far, they have been to 28 southern First Nation communities with more underway!

Here is a snap of their travels to Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation making friends with a bear and SCO Summer Student Desiree Murdock taking samples under the bridge, and SCO Program Navigator on Water Authority, Kenneth Courchene in O Chi Chak Ko Sipi First Nation. 

GOLFING FOR OUR FUTURE: RECAP

SCO and the Southern Chiefs’ Economic Development Corporation are delighted to announce that our annual fund-raising golf tournament that took place on August 10, 2022 was a resounding success!

The 5^th edition of this event has raised more than $97,000 in annual and endowed scholarships that will be awarded to students from SCO-member communities.

STORY IDEAS? CONNECT WITH US...

If you have any story ideas or items you would like shared in future monthly updates, please contact the SCO communications team.

Email: media@scoinc.mb.ca

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Southern Chiefs' Organization · 1572 Dublin Ave · Winnipeg, MB R3E 0L4 · Canada