Landscape Of Nations: Six Nations and Native Allies Commemorative Memorial

It was a great day for the "Spring Awakens CommUnity Gardening Gathering" at the Thorold Indigenous Unity Garden, welcoming the growing season together in community again after the long winter season. Everyone gathered to reconnect with the land, with one another, and with the spirit of spring.

Brock University searching for new Indigenous vice-provost In wake of Robyn Bourgeois’ departure, Sheila Cote-Meek is filling the gap on an interim capacity.

Before Brock University began the process of searching for its next vice-provost of Indigenous relations, there was a moment of initial panic following the departure of Robyn Bourgeois.

But with Sheila Cote-Meek already on campus in the faculty of education, that uncertainty was quickly resolved.

Coming from the Teme-Augama Anishnabai community and a member of Temagami First Nation, Cote-Meek’s resume included a range of leadership experiences at higher education institutions, as well as extensive experience working with Indigenous communities.

Brock was “very fortunate” to have that calibre a replacement nearby, said Arja Vainio-Mattila, provost and vice-president, academic.

“As soon as we knew that Robyn was stepping down, I think we had Sheila on deck within a week. This is an absolutely central position on the team. I could not imagine having a vacancy in this role.”

In late January, Cote-Meek was announced as special adviser to the provost before being approved by the Brock senate vice-provost, Indigenous engagement, on an interim capacity through December 2026.

“I’m actually quite happy to be in the role, was happy to step in and to help out,” said Cote-Meek.

As she takes over the position, key areas of focus include creating a strategic plan outlining goals and priorities for the next five years, increasing Indigenous representation and building relationships with First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities.

“That will be really important in terms of setting up the accountability for this particular role,” said Cote-Meek. “I also think about institutional change and being responsive to Indigenous people’s needs within the university system so that’s what I’m focused on.”

The senior leadership position at Brock was created in 2019 and after a year-long international search, Amos Key Jr. was announced as Brock’s first vice-provost, Indigenous engagement.

Following his departure in September 2020, associate professor Bourgeois was named in an acting capacity to the position before being appointed vice-provost in November 2022 to a five-year term.

Vainio-Mattila said Bourgeois resigned from the position earlier this year but was unable to provide additional information.

Asked her reasons for leaving, Bourgeois — who is on administrative leave at Brock through March 2027 — replied “no comment” in an email.

In the immediate aftermath of Bourgeois’ departure, Vainio-Mattila said she heard chatter on social media about Brock “walking away” from the Indigenous leadership position, but those stories were “completely made up.”

“There was never a moment in which anybody suggested that we would have not have this position going forward,” said Vainio-Mattila.

Cote-Meek said while Indigenous leadership roles in higher education take many forms, they experienced an uptick following the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. The goal was to help universities respond to Indigenous communities in a more systemic and sustained way.

And ensuring there is a “place and space” for Indigenous students, faculty and staff to be successful.

“Prior to these positions being put in place, most of the focus was on providing Indigenous student services,” she said. “What these roles were brought in to do is bring a more co-ordinated effort that brings focus to the whole university about Indigenous people, Indigenous culture, Indigenous history.”

Brock will take the remainder of the year to fill the position, with Cote-Meek in the process of leading the consultation process, committee and terms of reference. As the position of vice-provost does not come with an academic appointment, Vainio-Mattila said Brock may open the position to people without an academic background.

“It’s about Indigenous engagement and there’s that strong connection to community,” she said. “It’s both important that it is done but is done well.”

In the meantime, Cote-Meek said her job is to acknowledge the “good work” done previously while creating and finalizing the Indigenous strategic plan, focusing on community relationships “grounded in community accountabilities,” and keeping all other elements, including student services, running.

“The work of recruiting a vice-provost does intersect with some of the work I’m doing but I hope it will be in a helpful way to them. Some of these big things will be put in place so that when they do step into the role, they don’t have to focus on building a plan,” she said.

Cote-Meek said Indigenous leadership positions in higher education are “critical” to maintain. For decades, Indigenous students were marginalized, facing lower achievement rates and a lack of belonging or recognition.

Now — with more than 30 years in the system — Cote-Meek said her role as interim vice-provost allows her to step back and see how students are “flourishing within these institutions that have been historically very challenging, even for myself as an earlier student.”

Her own education lacked initiatives like Brock’s Indigenous Plus program, which helps students build careers, strengthen their cultural ties and gain tools for success.

While it’s important to highlight those achievements, Cote-Meek said much work remains.

“Indigenous students finding their way into systems like this is remarkable considering what they are up against in the school system. I’ve seen changes, I’d like to see more.

“Part of putting this plan in place is an opportunity to reflect on that and dream big if you will — have some aspirations going forward.”

Victoria Nicolaou is a reporter with the St. Catharines Standard.

‘Start of something new and powerful’: Inquest into death of Niagara Indigenous woman starts today

Heather Winterstein died in December 2021 while waiting in the St. Catharines emergency department.

In a spirit of peace, truth and reconciliation, family, friends and loved ones of Heather Winterstein gathered in Fort Erie to honour and celebrate the young Indigenous woman’s life in anticipation of an inquest into her death.

Francine Shimizu, Winterstein’s mother, spoke during The Heather Winterstein Inquest & Community Gathering on Thursday, an event at Sessions on the River in Fort Erie, about what life has been like for her since her daughter’s death.

“It has been very difficult not getting the answers or (not) getting the right answers, and I’m happy the inquest is going to take place,” she said.

A coroner’s inquest into Winterstein’s death is set to open today.

Winterstein, 24, died Dec. 10, 2021 of necrotizing fasciitis, a type of flesh-eating disease that is preventable if treated properly.

She first visited the emergency department at Niagara Health’s Marotta Family Hospital in St. Catharines on Dec. 9, complaining of severe back pain after a fall. She was discharged home with Tylenol.

The back pain became more severe a day later, and she returned to hospital by ambulance. She died while waiting in the emergency department.

The coroner’s inquest is expected to last 13 days and hear testimony from around 22 witnesses.

“The inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding Ms. Winterstein’s death. The jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing further deaths,” said a news release from the Ministry of the Solicitor General.

A statement released by the Chiefs of Ontario, a body representing 133 First Nations in Ontario, said the inquest “represents more than a single case.” It is a significant moment to address “how systemic racism, stigma and bias, continues to shape the experiences of First Nation (health care) patients.”

“These tragedies have reinforced longstanding calls from First Nations Leadership, families, and advocates for culturally safe, trauma-informed and equitable healthcare systems, including the full implementation of Joyce’s Principle and systemic reforms to address anti-Indigenous racism in healthcare,” it said.

Joyce’s Principle, a call to action from the Atikamekw Nation in Quebec, looked to ensure Indigenous peoples the same level of treatment and respect in the health-care system following the 2020 death of Joyce Echaquan.

For more than four years, Shimizu has fought to get answers concerning her daughter’s death.

A registered nurse, Shimizu spoke about the convergence of stigmas that led to her daughter’s death and how she is fighting to make sure no one else loses a loved one the same way.

“I knew from day one there was something wrong. I was treated as if I was a crazy person … as if I was trying to get notoriety from my daughter’s death; that wasn’t true,” she said, her voice shaking as she spoke during Thursday’s event.

“My whole goal is to stop this from happening to any other parent that has a child (living) with addiction, that has an Indigenous child, that has a marginalized person in their family.”

“I’m doing this for you.”

Shimizu described Winterstein as someone who cared deeply and profoundly for all life.

“I called her my little zookeeper … she enjoyed caring, playing with and feeding her animals,” Shimizu said.

“I could hear her talking, laughing and giggling with her animals. She had budgies, a conure (parrot), cats, dogs, lizards, snakes, hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits.”

Shimizu shared fond memories and the bond she had with her daughter.

“Heather was special to me because we went through so much together,” she said.

“Even her delivery was difficult, but not impossible. Heather, as a child, was always smiling and laughing.”

“I was proud of Heather when she said she was addicted to he**in, when she admitted she was also addicted to fentanyl,” Shimizu said.

“I was so proud when I took her to the methadone program and I was proud of Heather for going to counselling, drug counselling and detox.”

Shimizu said she does not want Winterstein’s death to be in vain, but for people and organizations to learn from it.

“I don’t want Heather’s death to be for nothing,” she said.

“This inquest is going to go in a good way, and it’s going be the start of something new and powerful.”

Winterstein’s aunt, Jill Lunn, said celebrating through music is “important that as one, we acknowledge the person that she (Winterstein) was.”

“The sacrifice she made to allow us this opportunity to work together to heal our problems. And that we can do that together, so in unity, we can come together as a community with one voice,” she said.

“Music doesn’t discriminate, it shares without interference, and music enters our spirit and uses the space between the molecules … that gives us an opportunity to share a vibration. Because whether we want to or not, music will cause us to have a vibration.

“In this shared vibration, we will feel her presence.”

Matthew P. Barker is a St. Catharines-based general assignment reporter for the Standard.

The Damnation — Mighty Niagara Film Fest The Damnation takes place in the small, largely Indigenous Canadian communities of Creek and Buffalo Mines where developers - led by a mysterious religious figure - have appeared and are clearcutting the land. These developments and age-old colonial sentiments have helped un-earth a malignant evil t