Good morning! This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly roundup of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news concerning Indigenous communities, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, and their reserves, territories, and treaty rights. Every Monday, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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Start Date: 2025-05-04
End Date: 2025-05-10

Top Headlines

Main Stories

Federal Ministers Issue Statement on Red Dress Day 2025

On May 5, Ministers Gary Anandasangaree, Patty Hajdu, and Steven Guilbeault issued a joint statement to mark Red Dress Day, the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ People. The statement referenced ongoing initiatives under the National Action Plan and Federal Pathway, including the Red Dress Alert pilot in Manitoba, and support for programs like the Inuvialuit Family Wellness Centre. The government also reported continued annual progress and referenced the National Inquiry’s Calls for Justice. Collaboration with Indigenous organizations, provinces, and territories is positioned as central to addressing the crisis.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Tŝilhqot’in Nation Signs Child and Family Services Coordination Agreement

On May 9, the Tŝilhqot’in Nation, Canada, and British Columbia signed a historic Coordination Agreement under An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families. The agreement outlines new responsibilities and processes for child and family services led by the Tŝilhqot’in Nation, and includes $35.2 million in federal funding for prevention, governance, and support services in its initial phase, with an additional $766,222 from British Columbia. The agreement follows the enactment of the Tŝilhqot’in children and families law on April 1, 2025, establishing a new legal model grounded in Tŝilhqot’in teachings.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Releases Data on Decision and Sentencing Outcomes for Indigenous Accused

Statistics Canada released a Juristat article on May 6 examining disparities in criminal court outcomes between Indigenous and White accused in adult criminal court from 2016/2017 to 2020/2021. The dataset provides new details on differences observed in decision and sentencing outcomes and is available for industry analysis.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

Indigenous NFB Works Featured at imagineNATIVE’s 25th Anniversary

The National Film Board of Canada announced four new Indigenous documentaries and animations to be featured at the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival in Toronto, from June 3 to 8 in person and June 9 to 15 online. Works by Kim O’Bomsawin, Sinakson Trevor Solway, Amanda Strong, and Alanis Obomsawin will be presented, covering themes including Indigenous youth, masculinity, and traditional stories. Industry programming includes a roundtable with Alanis Obomsawin.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Publishes Infographics on Inuktut Language Knowledge in Nunavut

Statistics Canada released two infographics on May 7 offering insights into the knowledge and use of Inuktut in Nunavut, drawing on data from the 2021 Census and the 2022 Indigenous Peoples Survey. These visualizations supplement the previously published Languages in Nunavut, 2021 report and are intended to inform language revitalization and planning.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

Important Updates

Secondary Stories

CNSC President Addresses Indigenous Engagement in Nuclear Sector

Pierre Tremblay, President of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, addressed the Canadian Nuclear Association on May 5, detailing engagement with Indigenous Nations, recent partnerships, and the need for consultation as the sector considers new nuclear projects and regulatory modernization.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Red Dress Day Marks 15th Anniversary

Indigenous communities across Canada observed Red Dress Day, honoring missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and raising public awareness through education and community ceremonies.

Sources: Canadian News Outlet: www.cbc.ca

Files on Residential School Abuses Face Destruction Deadline

CBC News reported that files documenting abuses at residential schools may be destroyed unless survivors request their preservation, raising considerations for records management and survivor engagement.

Sources: Canadian News Outlet: www.cbc.ca

Urban Indigenous Friendship Centres Support Community Healing

CBC Radio profiled the role of friendship centres in providing support, connection, and healing for urban Indigenous populations, highlighting their significance for community development and access to services.

Sources: Canadian News Outlet: www.cbc.ca

Coroner’s Inquest Sought for Deaths of Indigenous Women in BC

The BC First Nations Justice Council called for a coroner’s inquest into the deaths of Tatyanna Harrison, Chelsea Poorman, and Noelle O’Soup, reflecting ongoing advocacy for justice and accountability in Indigenous communities.

Sources: Canadian News Outlet: www.thestar.com

Nunavut Radio Archives Feature Dene Language Preservation Efforts

CBC North's Indigenous Radio Archives aired a segment on May 5 focusing on Dene culture and language preservation, discussing intergenerational transmission and community strategies.

Sources: Canadian News Outlet: www.cbc.ca

Provincial Announcements

Ontario Funds Jays Care Foundation’s Indigenous Rookie League

The Ontario government is providing $300,000 to Jays Care Foundation to expand baseball programming, including Indigenous Rookie League and Challenger Baseball, supporting Indigenous youth access to sport across the province.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Ontario Approves Construction of First Small Modular Reactor

Ontario has approved Ontario Power Generation to begin construction of the first of four small modular reactors at Darlington, with plans for Indigenous equity partnership and ongoing engagement with Williams Treaties First Nations.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Public Officials' Social Media

MP Patty Hajdu Marks Red Dress Day and Shares Crisis Line Information

MP Patty Hajdu posted on May 5 recognizing Red Dress Day, honoring missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people, and shared the 24/7 crisis line for support.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Anita Anand Issues Bilingual Statement on Red Dress Day

MP Anita Anand posted in English and French on May 5, joining communities to honor missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people and reaffirming commitment to address the crisis.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Julie Dabrusin Reaffirms Commitment to Address MMIWG Crisis

MP Julie Dabrusin posted on May 5 reaffirming the commitment to ending the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Mark Strahl Recognizes Red Dress Day Anniversary

MP Mark Strahl noted May 5 as the 15th anniversary of the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator René Cormier Observes Red Dress Day

Senator René Cormier posted on May 5 marking Red Dress Day’s 15th anniversary, honoring missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator Marilou McPhedran Advocates for Red Dress Alert System

Senator Marilou McPhedran posted May 9 supporting a Red Dress Alert System to expand Amber Alerts, and called for amplifying Indigenous voices.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Scot Davidson Pledges to Continue Reconciliation with Local First Nations

MP Scot Davidson posted on May 5, pledging ongoing reconciliation efforts with the Chippewas of Georgina Island on Red Dress Day.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Shannon Stubbs Raises Concerns on Justice and MMIWG

MP Shannon Stubbs posted May 6 expressing concerns over federal justice policies and their impact on Indigenous women and girls.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator Karen Sorensen Highlights Indigenous Art Exhibit in Banff

Senator Karen Sorensen posted May 9 about the "The Ancestors are Talking – Paintings by the Indigenous Seven" exhibition running in Banff from May to October 2025.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

What We're Reading This Week

• Indigenous communities mark Red Dress Day honouring MMIWG, educating young girls: CBC covers community events and educational efforts on Red Dress Day.
• Indigenous people raise awareness about their missing and murdered: The Star reports on efforts to raise awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous people.
• Barrie community puts spotlight on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls with ceremony: CTV reports on Barrie’s community ceremony for MMIWG.
• Colombia takes regional lead in Indigenous self-government, raising hopes for Amazon protection: The Star explores Indigenous self-government developments in Colombia.
• Files documenting worst abuses at residential schools to be destroyed unless survivors ask otherwise: CBC reports on the pending destruction of residential school abuse records.