Akwesasne Healing Centre still waiting on Care Centre to close permits

Akwesasne Healing Centre still waiting on Care Centre to close permits

Officials from both the Akwesasne Healing Centre, the City of Cornwall and the Care Centre — formally the Cornwall General Hospital — met on July 16 in order to discuss what was needed in order for the shelter to officially open its doors.

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The Standard-Freeholder reported earlier this month the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (MCA) had invested more than $90,000 in order to create the Akwesasne Healing Centre, a homeless shelter and healing centre located at the Care Centre. Despite being nearly ready to welcome its first visitors, the 11,000-square-foot shelter had to remain locked due to not receiving the proper permits from the City of Cornwall.

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“The feedback we have received for the (Akwesasne Healing) centre has been very positive for us,” said MCA Grand Chief Abram Benedict. “We’re excited about it — this is our first initiative that we started off-reserve for service delivery.”

According to the city’s acting chief building official, Charles Bray, the long-standing issues related to permits for the Care Centre were top of mind during the meeting.

“It was very productive and the owner and their consultant now have a clear understanding of what is required in order for the city to issue the required building permits in compliance with the Ontario Building Code,” said Bray.

Benedict said although the Akwesasne Healing Centre has yet to receive the city’s approval to formally open its doors, he expected that it should be received within the coming week or so.

“The unfortunate part is that we’re stuck between the owner and the city at this point,” he said. “We did have a productive meeting last Friday — I think that we now have a pathway forward.”

According to Benedict, two permits are needed in order to open the Akwesasne facility — one for the Care Centre itself and one for the healing centre.

Lost Indigenous children remembered

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Lost Indigenous children remembered Photo by Jessica Munro / jpg, BT

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Article content GANANOQUE – The beat of drums and the strumming of a guitar played over the sound of passing cars as people gathered here to reflect on the hundreds of Indigenous children whose remains were recently found across Canada. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. Try refreshing your browser. Lost Indigenous children remembered Back to video On this Canada Day, the flag outside Town Hall flew at half mast as Mayor Ted Lojko asked those gathered for a moment of silence. “Today is a day that we kind of don’t want to be here, but we feel we have to be here, so that we can speak about the things that have been discovered, and speak about the injustices that have happened, or the things that have been forgotten,” said Kevin John Saylor, co-chairman of The First Peoples of The Thousand Islands Committee. Following the 215 unmarked graves found in Kamloops, BC, The First Peoples of The Thousand Islands Committee had a ceremony at the town hall to remember the children. The Canada Day event was the second ceremony in remembrance of the Indigenous people buried in unmarked gravesites. Toggle full screen mode Previous Gallery Image Photo by Jessica Munro / jpg, BT Photo by Jessica Munro / jpg, BT Photo by Jessica Munro / jpg, BT Photo by A / jpg, BT Photo by Jessica Munro / jpg, BT Next Gallery Image Toggle gallery captions All 5 Photos for Gallery

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Article content “Today seemed like an appropriate day to bring down the celebration to something more solemn, because Canada needs to atone for some very deep wrongs, and deep wounds that have been inflicted, so I think Canada Day is very appropriate for this celebration,” said Clarice Gervais, who smudged sage to cleanse the area throughout the ceremony. John Saylor added: “Do we celebrate colonization? I think 32 million people say yes; I think the other few million say why would we celebrate that? It’s just something to ponder and think about and talk about, and that’s why we’re here.” There was a sea of orange in front of the building, as a hundred or more community members wore orange in unity with Indigenous and non-Indigenous people of ­Turtle Island (North America) and across Canada. Within the crowd of people stood Lojko, who offered a land acknowledgement: “We begin this Canada Day by acknowledging that we are on traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee Nation, as well as the Anishinaabe Nations, and the First Peoples Nation.” “We do so by respecting both the land and Indigenous people who continue to walk with us throughout this world,” he added. The front steps of the town hall were lined with rows of children’s shoes; people who attended the memorial, Indigenous or not, were asked to place shoes on the steps if they wanted to. The shoes are left for those who never made it home, said Gervais. “We don’t know if they made it home in spirit either. So we want to encourage them to go home, and we want to give them the shoes that they need to go home because of course everything was taken from them, even their shoes.”

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Article content The last residential school was closed down 25 years ago, in 1996, and more than 150,000 Metis, Inuit and First Nations attended those schools. Many Indigenous people feel that, despite good intentions, the government of Canada could do more along the lines of truth and reconciliation. “They just have to follow through with their intentions. Let’s figure out who these poor children are, what happened to their families, and why is there so much trouble with some of the native populations … it’s partly, in a big way, going through this system and not being able to be who you are or follow your culture or families,” said John Saylor. The Town of Gananoque is supportive of the committee to use the town hall for the memorials. “They have been trying to consult, and it’s a bit of a road. They’re still learning but they’re trying to consult. It’s still not quite enough; I think hearts need to open a little further but it’s starting,” said Gervais. Lojko added in his acknowledgement: “In recognition to the importance of all the Indigenous people, we strongly support truth and reconciliation calls to action in our nation and continue to support local endeavors where possible.”

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For reconciliation, and the children

ATHENS – The sun broke through the rain clouds on Monday morning as a prominent First Nations leader joined locals in marking National Indigenous Peoples Day.

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Annually, June 21 is a day to reflect on and recognize the history of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

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“We’re honouring, respecting and showing support to our First Nations brothers and sisters,” said Diane Godwin-Sheridan, who worked alongside her husband, Dave Sheridan, to touch up a mural on the wall of Athens Fresh Market.

Mary Lynn Baker originally painted the 90-foot-long scene of the town’s landmarks and history in 1994. The Sheridans say they are creating a new mural with Baker’s work as the guide.

While the Sheridans are working on the entirety of the mural, they wanted to unveil the 10-by-10 section that they have renamed “First Nations Market” in respect of Indigenous Peoples Day.

“I’ve looked into the artwork that has been used in the Truth and Reconciliation committee, and their specific designs and lettering styles used as logos for that committee and I’ve integrated them into the mural itself,” said David.

“It is a tribute to the history of Athens and they’re trying to keep it alive as well,” he added.

“It’s just been delightful for me to be a part of, for Diane as well, to continue to strengthen the looks of the murals that are existing.”

They are within a week of completing their painting.

“I didn’t have the time to completely finish it by June 21; the motivation for Monday’s event was to strictly show respect and honour the Native people of Canada.”

Elmer St. Pierre, National Chief of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, had only ever driven through Athens once before and says this was his first time seeing the mural. He thinks it was a great idea.