Robert-Falcon Ouellette

Great to see the Hercules flying into Winnipeg, not once but twice in a period of five minutes & helping the people of Northern Manitoba suffering terrible forest fires . C’était formidable de voir l’Hercules de l’ARC atterrir à Winnipeg, non pas une fois, mais deux fois en cinq minutes, et d’aider les habitants du nord du Manitoba qui souffrent de terribles incendies de forêt.

Great to participate again in the triservice band of the Canadian Armed Forces at the pride parade 2025 in Winnipeg.

Election Day is Here! Let Your Voice Be Heard!

Today is the day. As we go to the polls and vote, let’s remember that our vote is powerful. Indigenous peoples make up 4.7% of the Canadian population, yet we are significantly underrepresented in Parliament.

In the 2021 federal election, Indigenous Members of Parliament only represented 2.7% of the 338 seats. We have only had the right to vote since 1960. This election, we have the chance to help change that.

Voting is not just a right; it's a way for us to influence the policies that affect our communities. From economic reconciliation, our children, to clean water and self-determination, the promises made by political parties need to translate into action.

Whether you align with the Liberal, NDP, or Conservative platforms, remember the importance of your vote. Let’s hold our leaders accountable. Let’s make sure our voices are heard. Don’t let the chance slip by. Go vote, support Indigenous candidates, and stand up for the issues that matter to us. Your vote today will shape the future of our children and generations to come.

Key Information for Voting:

• Polls are open until 9 p.m.

• Check your voter information card for your assigned polling station.

• Need help? Call Elections Canada at 1-800-463-6868 for assistance.

Let’s make today count! For our communities, for our future.

Le jour des élections est arrivé ! Faites entendre votre voix !

Aujourd'hui est le jour. En allant aux urnes pour voter, rappelons-nous que notre vote est puissant. Les peuples autochtones représentent 4,7 % de la population canadienne, mais nous sommes nettement sous-représentés au Parlement. Lors des élections fédérales de 2021, les députés autochtones ne représentaient que 2,7 % des 338 sièges. Nous n'avons eu le droit de vote qu'en 1960.

Cette élection, nous avons la chance de changer cela. Voter n'est pas seulement un droit, c'est un moyen pour nous d'influencer les politiques qui affectent nos communautés. De la réconciliation économique à la protection de nos enfants, en passant par l'accès à l'eau potable et l'autodétermination, les promesses faites par les partis politiques doivent se traduire par des actions concrètes.

Que vous vous identifiiez au Parti libéral, au NPD, au Bloc ou au Parti conservateur, rappelez-vous l'importance de votre vote. Exigeons que nos dirigeants rendent des comptes. Assurons-nous que nos voix soient entendues.

Ne laissez pas cette occasion vous échapper. Allez voter, soutenez les candidats autochtones et défendez les enjeux qui nous importent. Votre vote aujourd'hui façonnera l'avenir de nos enfants et des générations à venir.

Informations clés pour voter -

• Les bureaux de vote sont ouverts jusqu'à 21 h.

• Vérifiez votre carte d'information électorale pour connaître votre station de vote assignée.

• Besoin d'aide ? Appelez Élections Canada au 1-800-463-6868 pour obtenir de l'aide.

Faisons en sorte que cette journée compte ! Pour nos communautés, pour notre avenir.

Silent Signals: An Indigenous Lens on the 2025 Leaders’ Debate

In many Indigenous traditions, speaking is an act of intention—each word weighed and each pause honored—and listening goes beyond sound to include careful observation. We take our time to speak and devote equal care to watching how those words are carried, for it is in gesture and posture that truth often reveals itself. Last night, we watched the federal leaders’ debate of April 17, 2025 in Montreal on mute, mindful that while words hold power, their weight is measured by the conviction behind them. Stripped of rhetoric, the candidates’ unspoken signals laid bare their confidence, discomfort and perhaps their inner thoughts.

Mark Carney
The former central banker carried himself with measured assurance: a straight back, hands clasped, eyes sweeping the panel. Yet his posture sometimes betrayed hesitation—subtle shoulder twitches, a fleeting touch to the nose, shifting weight from foot to foot, and glances down at his notes. These micro‑expressions hinted at internal calculation: confidence bolstered by expertise but tinged with a feeling of detachment, as though he felt intellectually above the fray, Though at times, he even looked a little unsure.

Pierre Poilievre
At the outset, the Conservative leader appeared impeccably composed yet subtly nervous. Crisp, upright posture, steady gaze, and deliberate gestures signaled control and conviction, but his rapid blinking betrayed tension. As the debate progressed, he visibly loosened—shoulders relaxing, facial expressions softening, arms moving more freely—suggesting that initial formality gave way to human warmth. In those moments, you could feel him enjoying the debate.

Jagmeet Singh
From his very first gesture, the NDP leader seemed intent on commanding the stage. Wide hand sweeps and animated arm movements drew the eye, signaling both passion and a desire for inclusion. Early on, a slight tilt of the head and a tentative smile hinted at uncertainty—as if he wondered whether he truly belonged. But as he warmed to his campaign themes, his gestures grew bolder, his posture straighter, and his expressions more assured, reflecting a journey from self‑doubt to assertive conviction.

Yves‑François Blanchet
In stark contrast, the Bloc Québécois leader exuded placid nonchalance. Leaning on the podium with arms relaxed, he seemed almost indifferent to the outcome. His casual hand rests and the occasional shrug conveyed a “nothing to prove” attitude. Whether this was strategic confidence or genuine apathy is for viewers to decide, but his ease stood in marked relief against the others’ intensity and occasional nervousness.

Who emerged victorious?
Was it Poilievre’s controlled composure, Carney’s analytical reserve, Singh’s impassioned drive, or Blanchet’s laid‑back assurance? Silent observation leaves interpretation to each viewer. In the end, it may not be the words that sway us but the unspoken signals—posture, gesture, and gaze—that reveal where true conviction lies.

Indigenous Rock The Vote



IndigenousRockTheVote.ca
https://indigenousrockthevote.blogspot.com

Faisons entendre nos voix ! Joignez-vous à Indigenous Rock the Vote ce niski-pîsim (28 avril) et assurez-vous que les communautés autochtones soient représentées. Votre Nawasônikêwin (vote) est essentiel pour façonner l'avenir du Canada. Ensemble, nous pouvons créer un changement significatif et poursuivre le travail de la réconciliation. Kinawasônikêw pimipahtâw Allez voter !

IndigenousRockTheVote.ca.

Dates importantes pour les élections !
Vote par anticipation : du 18 au 21 avril, de 9 h à 21 h
Vote par bulletin spécial dans les établissements de soins aigus : du 20 au 22 avril
Date limite pour demander un vote par correspondance : 22 avril
Jour des élections : 28 avril
Assurez-vous que votre voix soit entendue ! Consultez votre carte d'information électorale pour plus de détails. Faisons entendre le vote des communautés autochtones !

Let’s make our voices heard! Join Indigenous Rock the Vote this niski-pîsim (April) 28th and ensure Indigenous communities are represented. Your Nawasônikêwin (vote) is crucial in shaping Canada’s future. Together, we can create meaningful change and continue the work of reconciliation. Go vote Kinawasônikêw pimipahtâw!

IndigenousRockTheVote.ca.

Important Election Dates!
Advance polling: April 18-21, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Special ballot voting in acute care facilities: April 20-22
Deadline to apply for mail-in voting: April 22
Election day: April 28
Ensure your voice is heard! Check your voter information card for details. Let’s rock the vote, Indigenous communities!

The Challenge of Education During an Election in a "Anti-Woke" Climate.

As the federal election continues, a concerning issue emerges: the false and misleading information children are exposed to, particularly regarding Indigenous peoples and their struggles. In a time of political polarization, such misinformation can deeply impact young minds, perpetuating stereotypes that have been ingrained in society for generations. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada issued Calls to Action aimed at improving Indigenous education at all levels. Yet, without proper education, future generations will continue to make the same mistakes.

Since 2015, Canada has spent significant effort on reconciliation, but before then, only a few truly cared, while most educators and society were preoccupied with their own issues. This shift toward reconciliation is a recent development, and yet now, the pendulum seems to be swinging in the opposite direction, especially against those who are labeled as "woke." The idea of being "awake" to the struggles of others, of gaining knowledge and understanding, is now being criticized as if awareness itself is wrong. This is concerning, as it risks undoing the progress made in the effort to build a more inclusive and informed society.
In Winnipeg over the weekend, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre’s speech illustrated how such misunderstandings can occur during political campaigns. Poilievre spoke about tax cuts, crime, and military spending, but also mentioned Indigenous peoples briefly. “We will invest in treatment and recovery,” he stated, adding that young people would receive services like counseling, detox, group therapy, and sweat lodges. While this may seem thoughtful, it risks oversimplifying Indigenous identity to cultural practices like sweat lodges. Indigenous peoples are diverse communities with fundamental needs for healthcare, education, clean water, and economic development.

What is troubling is that the reference to healing centers glosses over deeper issues facing Indigenous peoples. Communities continue to struggle with poor access to education, healthcare, and economic equality. These challenges are compounded by the outdated and oppressive Indian Act, which restricts Indigenous governance. A fleeting political nod to ceremonial practices should not replace genuine commitments to reforming these inequities.

The TRC emphasized the importance of education in dismantling stereotypes and promoting reconciliation. However, the process is slow, as shown by the controversy in Newfoundland and Labrador. The provincial education department ordered the destruction of 8,600 textbooks after they were found to contain inaccurate and stereotypical portrayals of Indigenous peoples. The books, purchased for over $200,000, were criticized for perpetuating harmful myths, such as that all Indigenous peoples share the same creation story or that “eastern peoples hunt caribou, and western people fish.”

These textbooks, used by Grade 7 and 8 French immersion students, included significant misrepresentations of Indigenous cultures and territories. They falsely claimed that all Indigenous peoples do not pay taxes or receive free post-secondary education. The books also inaccurately portrayed Indigenous governance, suggesting that all Indigenous groups operate under clan systems, a model not found in all communities. Furthermore, the omission of the 2017 apology by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to Newfoundland and Labrador’s Indigenous survivors of residential schools highlighted the lack of accurate historical representation.

This incident underscores the problem of how Indigenous peoples are portrayed in educational materials. Schools and governments must ensure students are taught accurate, culturally sensitive, and inclusive information. The TRC Calls to Action identified the need for more effective Indigenous education across all levels to ensure future generations are better informed and more empathetic.

Unfortunately, this responsibility is often overlooked. Too often, Indigenous leaders are forced to explain who they are and what their communities need. Many appointed to positions of power over Indigenous affairs have had limited exposure to Indigenous peoples. This lack of awareness in leadership contributes to the perpetuation of stereotypes and the slow pace of change.

The destruction of inaccurate textbooks is a necessary step, but it raises important questions: How did these resources, filled with damaging stereotypes, end up in the classroom? Did anyone involved in the approval process consult with Indigenous communities? As provincial NDP leader Jim Dinn pointed out, the fact that these resources were approved without proper oversight is troubling. The subsequent decision to shred the books underscores the need for vigilance in how educational materials are chosen.

This situation highlights the critical importance of education in shaping the future. The TRC’s Calls to Action urged the teaching of the true history of Indigenous peoples to foster understanding beyond stereotypes. Political figures like Poilievre must recognize that addressing Indigenous issues requires more than symbolic gestures; it requires practical, long-term commitments to justice.

If we do not invest in the right education and dismantle the stereotypes that persist, future generations will continue to misunderstand and misrepresent Indigenous peoples. Reconciliation, as the TRC emphasized, begins with education, and it’s time for all of us to ensure future generations are equipped with the truth, compassion, and understanding necessary to move forward in a reconciled Canada.

https://indigenousrockthevote.blogspot.com/2025/04/the-challenge-of-education-during.html

Anohc (Today), we celebrate Indigenous ayamiwin (languages) as vital connections to our culture, wisdom, and history. Ayamiwin is sôhkahtwâwin (resilience), memory, and home. Every word preserved and every new speaker is a sâkohtwâwin (victory). Join us in honoring those who keep our languages alive... YOU! (Cree)