Niigaan Sinclair

Niigaan Sinclair

Columnist

Niigaan Sinclair has commented in and written for international and national print media and is on sabbatical from his job as an Associate Professor at the University of Manitoba.

He is Anishinaabe, born and grew up in Treaty One, and joined the Winnipeg Free Press as a columnist in 2018.

He is also a recovering high school teacher.

Recent articles of Niigaan Sinclair

Northern lights intersection of Indigenous science, spirits

Niigaan Sinclair 5 minute read Preview

Northern lights intersection of Indigenous science, spirits

Niigaan Sinclair 5 minute read Friday, Mar. 24, 2023

Mino-dibikad o’o waawaateg.

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Friday, Mar. 24, 2023

TANNER BANAS PHOTO

Photos of Northern Lights taken at approximately 11:30 p.m., March 23rd, in Lac Du Bonnet.

Inquiry into Chinese interference necessary, no matter where lumps land

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Inquiry into Chinese interference necessary, no matter where lumps land

Niigaan Sinclair 5 minute read Monday, Mar. 20, 2023

The Globe and Mail published a column by an unnamed national security official Friday headlined “Why I blew the whistle on Chinese interference in Canada’s elections.”

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Monday, Mar. 20, 2023

In 2019, Canada’s conflict of interest and ethics commissioner Mario Dion issued a report vindicating Jody Wilson-Raybould, claiming that Trudeau “improperly pressured” her. (Darryl Dyck / Canadian Press files)

Hopeful time (sort of) for Indigenous people

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Hopeful time (sort of) for Indigenous people

Niigaan Sinclair 4 minute read Friday, Mar. 10, 2023

It’s been a hopeful time.

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Friday, Mar. 10, 2023

The Winnipeg Jets became the first NHL team to create an Indigenous logo in 2019. Now, all 32 teams in the NHL have followed suit. (Mike Sudoma / Winnipeg Free Press files)

Canada’s corridors of power no place for toxic, racist behaviour

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Canada’s corridors of power no place for toxic, racist behaviour

Niigaan Sinclair 5 minute read Friday, Mar. 3, 2023

When the first and longest-serving First Nations woman in the British Columbia legislature resigned last month, she blamed rampant, toxic and racist behaviour.

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Friday, Mar. 3, 2023

When the first and longest-serving First Nations woman in the British Columbia legislature resigned last month, she blamed rampant, toxic and racist behaviour.

Trudeau government shows utter disregard for its own 2021 Indigenous rights legislation

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Trudeau government shows utter disregard for its own 2021 Indigenous rights legislation

Niigaan Sinclair 5 minute read Friday, Feb. 24, 2023

On June 21, 2021, the federal government passed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

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Friday, Feb. 24, 2023

JEFF MCINTOSH / CANADIAN PRESS FILES

A memorial in memory of the 215 unmarked graves found at Kamloops, B.C., is pictured on the steps of a church on the Stoney Nakoda First Nation in Calgary, Alta., Thursday, June 17, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

First ministers meetings need First Nations

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First ministers meetings need First Nations

Niigaan Sinclair 4 minute read Friday, Feb. 17, 2023

Canada’s premiers accepted this week the federal Liberal government’s proposal of $46.2 billion over 10 years to support health care throughout the country.

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Friday, Feb. 17, 2023

Canada’s premiers accepted this week the federal Liberal government’s proposal of $46.2 billion over 10 years to support health care throughout the country.

Reconnecting and sharing family’s story of survival

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Reconnecting and sharing family’s story of survival

Niigaan Sinclair 4 minute read Monday, Feb. 13, 2023

It’s odd, I’m sure, to be a miracle.

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Monday, Feb. 13, 2023

SUPPLIED

Janelle Delorme’s great-grandfather Fulgence Delorme

Hallway medicine without the medicine

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Hallway medicine without the medicine

Niigaan Sinclair 5 minute read Friday, Jan. 27, 2023

I’m driving home on a Monday when my sister calls.

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Friday, Jan. 27, 2023

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES

Murray Sinclair, a former senator and chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, waited more than 16 hours for treatment while suffering from heart failure.

AFN leader keeps big picture in sight

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AFN leader keeps big picture in sight

Niigaan Sinclair 4 minute read Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023

The career path of RoseAnne Archibald, the first female grand chief of the Assembly of First Nations, is filled with “firsts.”

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Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023

Spencer Colby / The Canadian Press files

AFN National Chief RoseAnne Archibald says ‘provinces often need to be reminded what First Nations rights and the federal government is too timid in reminding them.’

Poilievre ‘think tank’ event adds to nonsense

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Poilievre ‘think tank’ event adds to nonsense

Niigaan Sinclair 4 minute read Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023

As is his calling card, Conservative Party of Canada Leader took no media questions during his appearance Friday at a Winnipeg event organized by the Frontier Centre for Public Policy.

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Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023

Conservative Party of Canada Leader Pierre Poilievre spoke at an event in Winnipeg Friday organized by the Frontier Centre for Public Policy. (Mike Sudoma / Winnipeg Free Press)

Freedom ‘fighters’ are not fighting for Indigenous

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Freedom ‘fighters’ are not fighting for Indigenous

Niigaan Sinclair 5 minute read Friday, Jan. 6, 2023

A coalition of mostly Indigenous organizations, families, and survivors of violence has issued a statement to denounce the so-called freedom convoy for its “blatant use of Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit kin to further their own misguided and propagandic agenda.”

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Friday, Jan. 6, 2023

James Bauder, co-organizer of last year’s convoy occupation of Ottawa, announced he was cancelling the convoy in Winnipeg due to “security concerns.” (Sean Kilpatrick / Canadian Press files)

Spoiler alert: Avatar extends ‘settler fantasy’

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Spoiler alert: Avatar extends ‘settler fantasy’

Niigaan Sinclair 4 minute read Monday, Jan. 2, 2023

Director James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water is not only a followup to the 2009 original, but a sequel to the 1990 movie Dances with Wolves.

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Monday, Jan. 2, 2023

MARK FELLMAN / 20TH CENTURY STUDIOS

Director James Cameron’s Avatar sequel has dominated at the box office.

Year of highs, lows for Indigenous people

Niigaan Sinclair 4 minute read Preview

Year of highs, lows for Indigenous people

Niigaan Sinclair 4 minute read Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022

Naawi-Oodena, the former Kapyong barracks site in south Winnipeg, was recently designated an “urban reserve” by the federal government.

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Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES

Chief Cindy Woodhouse smudges before a press conference announcing that Naawi-Oodena was officially converted to reserve, which will be developed into residential and commercial space starting in the spring of 2023.

Fomenting hate sets stage for heinous criminals’ devastating acts

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Fomenting hate sets stage for heinous criminals’ devastating acts

Niigaan Sinclair 5 minute read Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022

When armed gunman Marc Lépine entered the École Polytechnique in Montreal on Dec. 6, 1989 and shot 28 people — killing 14 women — there was absolutely no denying that this heinous act was a hate crime.

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Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022

Family and friends of three murdered women gather at a vigil in Winnipeg, Thursday, December 1, 2022. It was announced that Jeremy Skibicki faces three more charges of first-degree murder. In addition to Rebecca Contois, who was identified earlier, Skibicki has been charged in the deaths of Morgan Beatrice Harris, Marcedes Myran, and an unidentified female. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Say the names, remember them

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Say the names, remember them

Niigaan Sinclair 4 minute read Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022

For Anishinaabe people, funerals take four days.

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Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022

A vigil was held Thursday for the victims of alleged serial killer Jeremy Anthony Michael Skibicki. (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press)

Indigenous youth awards spotlight on future

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Indigenous youth awards spotlight on future

Niigaan Sinclair 4 minute read Friday, Nov. 25, 2022

After receiving the Manitoba Indigenous Youth Achievement Award for athletics, Russel Linklater had a message for everyone like him.

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Friday, Nov. 25, 2022

Recipients of Manitoba Indigenous Youth Achievement Awards held at the Victoria Inn on Wednesday. (Tec Voc Photography)

Recognizing Indigenous names a small step

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Recognizing Indigenous names a small step

Niigaan Sinclair 5 minute read Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022

I wrote a column in March about how the Manitoba Vital Statistics Act marginalizes Indigenous names and maintains the legacy of residential schools.

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Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022

I wrote a column in March about how the Manitoba Vital Statistics Act marginalizes Indigenous names and maintains the legacy of residential schools.

U.S. court case would reverse rights of Indigenous kids

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U.S. court case would reverse rights of Indigenous kids

Niigaan Sinclair 4 minute read Friday, Nov. 11, 2022

This week, while the eyes of the world have been on the United States mid-term elections, the U.S. Supreme Court has been hearing arguments in the remarkable Haaland v. Brackeen.

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Friday, Nov. 11, 2022

The plaintiffs are arguing the law is discriminatory and violates the rights of non-Indigenous foster parents because it places them in “fourth-tier status.” (Mariam Zuhaib / The Associated Press files)

Ottawa hearings reveal harsh truths for Canada

Niigaan Sinclair 5 minute read Preview

Ottawa hearings reveal harsh truths for Canada

Niigaan Sinclair 5 minute read Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022

If one thing is clear about what has been learned from the Public Order Emergency Commission investigating the so-called “freedom convoy,” it is the organizers didn’t care about anyone other than themselves and supporters.

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Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022

SEAN KILPATRICK / THE CANADIAN PRESS

Lich testified through tears Friday that her protest was never told to disperse.

New grand chief inherits organization in crisis

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New grand chief inherits organization in crisis

Niigaan Sinclair 4 minute read Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022

If there’s one thing evident at the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, it’s that a grand overhaul is necessary.

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Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022

BRITTANY HOBSON / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

On Wednesday, former Pimicikamak Cree Nation chief Cathy Merrick was picked to lead Manitoba’s most powerful First Nations organization.

How has hoisting of Maple Leaf at rallies changed how we see symbol of tolerance and compassion?

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How has hoisting of Maple Leaf at rallies changed how we see symbol of tolerance and compassion?

Niigaan Sinclair 5 minute read Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022

Last week, the Forks North Portage Partnership posted a call to hire a consultant to “gather input from Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations, private and public partners of The Forks, and members of the public regarding Canada Day programming.”

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Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022

Mike Sudoma / Winnipeg Free Press
A massive Canadian flag is seen flying from the back of a semi truck.

Indigenous policy platforms offer civic choice

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Indigenous policy platforms offer civic choice

Niigaan Sinclair 4 minute read Friday, Oct. 21, 2022

Winnipeg’s mayoral hopefuls have been pitching platforms to Indigenous voters.

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Friday, Oct. 21, 2022

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES

Mayoral contender Scott Gillingham is promising to reinstate a joint RCMP-Winnipeg Police Service warrant task force, he says is critical to preventing crime in Winnipeg.

Turpel-Lafond in spotlight

Niigaan Sinclair 5 minute read Preview

Turpel-Lafond in spotlight

Niigaan Sinclair 5 minute read Monday, Oct. 17, 2022

There’s a saying on the Prairies that if you shake your family tree hard enough, an Indigenous ancestor is likely to fall out.

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Monday, Oct. 17, 2022

United in orange: making progress on the reconciliation path

Niigaan Sinclair 5 minute read Preview

United in orange: making progress on the reconciliation path

Niigaan Sinclair 5 minute read Friday, Sep. 30, 2022

Drive by an elementary school playground this week if you still question the importance of the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.

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Friday, Sep. 30, 2022

JOHN WOODS / CANADIAN PRESS FILES

Last year, 10,000 orange-clad citizens walked from The Forks to St. John’s Park for a powwow.