The Government of Canada Announces Funding for an Aboriginal Women’s Organizing Network Society…The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls highlighted the underlying systemic causes of ongoing violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. The COVID-19 pandemic also created unprecedented challenges for victims seeking help and the frontline organizations that support them. Taleeb Noormohamed, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Granville, announced up to $400,000 for the Aboriginal Women’s Organizing Network Society to Increase the capacity of Indigenous women’s and 2SLGBTQQIA+ organizations will enable these organizations to address the root causes of gender-based violence (GBV) and ensure that Indigenous women and their communities can prosper now and in the future.
CBS Broadcasters Mock Native American College Basketball Player…During an NCAA basketball game last week, CBS sports commentators made fun of a Wichita State player of Native American heritage, mocking his name. In a game between Wichita State and Grand Canyon University, broadcasters Chick Hernandez and Chris Walker made jokes about Isaiah Poor Bear-Chandler’s name, which is a tribute to his Native American heritage. Poor Bear-Chandler is Oglala Lakota and grew up on the Pine Ridge Reservation. During the game, Walker said to Hernandez, “I’m going to let you say his name. Is it Pooh Bear? Come on, you got to be kidding.” Hernandez replied: “It’s not Pooh Bear. It is Isaiah Pooh Bear … It’s one of the better names in college basketball.” “No, that’s the best name in college basketball,” Walker responded. “Pooh Bear? Come on.” The comments were captured on Twitter and quickly spread across social media.