Government blames sex workers for violence used against them

injustice

I had planned to write my first post here about something light-hearted (I’m working on pieces about yoga and an awesome art project). Much of my time is spent thinking about violence in our communities, so I wanted to take on some more positive issues, reminding us of our strengths and possibilities as Indigenous people. But [...] . . . → Read More: Government blames sex workers for violence used against them

Christie Blatchford’s “Helpless” is hapless and historyless account of Caledonia conflict

About six months ago, the Globe and Mail‘s Christie Blatchford filed a series of courthouse dispatches from Hamilton, ON regarding the case of a Caledonia, ON family and their $7 million lawsuit against the Ontario government for failing to protect them from “the natives” (of Six Nations) as a result of the Caledonia land conflict. With [...] . . . → Read More: Christie Blatchford’s “Helpless” is hapless and historyless account of Caledonia conflict

Why are First Nations still paying Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) in Ontario?

Remember when I said that, beginning Sept. 1, the province of Ontario was going to be honouring point-of-sale tax exemptions for its (8%) portion of the 13% Harmonized Sales Tax (HST)?  Well, it seems some retailers didn’t get the message. While shopping today, I flashed my trusty Secure Certificate of Indian Status at both Walmart and [...] . . . → Read More: Why are First Nations still paying Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) in Ontario?

HST rebates: A how-to for Status Indians living in Ontario

Are you a Status Indian living in Ontario? Have you bought anything there in the past two months off-reserve and paid sales tax? If ‘yes’ on both fronts, beginning Sept. 1, you can submit your claim for a refund of the Ontario portion (8%) of the province’s new 13% Harmonized Sales Tax (HST).  To claim it, you [...] . . . → Read More: HST rebates: A how-to for Status Indians living in Ontario

First Nations, Ontario Agree to Fight for Continued Tax Exemption from Impending HST

A press release issued today from the Ontario government states that the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Minister of Revenue have entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Chiefs of Ontario (COO) committing both parties to work together to realize the continuation of the First Nation point of sale tax exemption within the framework [...] . . . → Read More: First Nations, Ontario Agree to Fight for Continued Tax Exemption from Impending HST