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Deusdedit Ruhangariyo
Special to ICT
Around the World: The Tournament of Hope in Canada prioritizes mental health awareness, Western Australia council approves returning park to Indigenous name, first Māori to play at Wimbledon honored, and Tibetans protest Chinese dam project
CANADA: Tournament prioritizes mental health
This spring, young people from various communities within Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) will gather in Fort William First Nation for an exceptional community event, CBC News reported on February 14.
The Tournament of Hope, scheduled from April 12th to 16th, is orchestrated by Titus Semple, who emphasizes that it transcends the typical boundaries of a mere hockey tournament.
Marking its second year, this event will encompass not only hockey, broomball and volleyball competitions but will also function as a pivotal youth summit, with a significant emphasis on raising awareness about mental health issues.
Two years ago, Semple was approached by local First Nation leaders who sought his assistance in tackling the persistent challenges of suicide and mental health among Indigenous youth.
In response to this urgent call, Semple embarked on organizing the Tournament of Hope as a proactive measure to address these pressing issues within the community.
“There was a spike in suicides happening within our communities up north and something needed to be done.” Semple said, according to CBC News.
“The number one thing that kept coming up was to provide the youth some hope.” he said. ” So why not host a youth hockey tournament with a focus on hope. I am from the North, I love my people, especially the youth.
“We are not afraid to have tough conversations,” said Semple. “We want [the youth] to realize that it’s OK to open up and talk about your emotions and the things that you’re going through.”
Semple aims for the tournament to foster meaningful conversations and leverage sports as a catalyst for unity. One approach, he suggests, is to ensure the event is both free of charge and non-competitive, thereby encouraging participation solely for the joy of it.
Jon McKay, from Semple Enterprises, has been involved in the project since its inception and shares Semple’s perspective that the primary focus isn’t on winning.
“You don’t really know who won last year’s tournament. … I think it’s just they had so much fun that there wasn’t really an emphasis on winning the tournament,” he said, according to CBC News.
Youth from numerous communities in the area are anticipated to attend, with Semple noting the interest of other First Nation communities from across Canada.
This year, a shortage of funding for evening youth activities led the tournament to collaborate with Matawa Communities. As a result, Matawa will host a movie night, a bowling night and a mini powwow.
AUSTRALIA: Council approves renaming park
Boorloo’s Aboriginal Elders have granted permission to a Western Australian council to restore a reserve to its authentic First Nations name, the National Indigenous Times reported on February 15.
The City of Vincent, in a unanimous decision on Tuesday night, voted to rename Banks Reserve – nestled in the picturesque suburb of Mt. Lawley – to Warndoolier. This move reflects the council’s commitment to honoring the area’s Indigenous heritage.
Following the decision, city officials convened with the Elders of the Boordiya Reference Group on Wednesday. The Elders wholeheartedly supported the initiative to rename the park to Warndoolier, emphasizing the importance of preserving and acknowledging the cultural significance of the land.
Situated on the Swan River foreshore in Mt. Lawley, spanning 3.5 hectares, Warndoolier Reserve is bordered by Joel Terrace, the historic East Perth Power Station, and the Toni Di Scerni wetlands. It holds special recognition as a Place of Reconciliation, serving as a symbol of unity and understanding.
Warndoolier, formerly known as Banks Reserve, has long been revered as a sacred gathering place and campsite for First Nations peoples. Its renaming marks a significant step towards reclaiming Indigenous identity and heritage within the community.
While the council has taken a decisive step, there remains one final hurdle to overcome. An application must be submitted to Landgate, the authority responsible for granting official names on behalf of the Minister for Lands, John Carey. This process represents the last formal stage in solidifying the transition to Warndoolier Reserve.
“We acknowledge Banks Reserve is intrinsically connected to Aboriginal people and as a community, we must continue to recognise and support the history of Aboriginal language and culture along with the ongoing connection to country,” Vincent mayor Alison Xamon said, according to National Indigenous Times.
“By capturing the original place name, Warndoolier, and the relationship the Traditional Owners have with the reserve, we will be contributing to the preservation of Aboriginal culture and Noongar language in our suburbs.
“It is so important that we recognize the original First Nations heritage of this land.”
Mayor Xamon emphasized renaming Banks Reserve represents a significant stride towards revitalizing the traditional Indigenous names of areas within Vincent.
“The reviving of significant site names is an important part of preserving our history and demonstrating our commitment to reconciliation,” she said, according to National Indigenous Times.
“Since 2012, we have been consulting with Traditional Owners, Aboriginal Elders, the Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group and Aboriginal organizations on the dual naming/renaming of Banks Reserve.
“We will also be installing an interpretation node at the park, which will provide the opportunity for visitors to gain information about the history and ecology of the foreshore and surrounding environment, including Aboriginal cultural heritage information and stories.”
Mayor Xamon highlighted the significant community engagement surrounding the proposal to revert the reserve’s name to the Noongar designation, Warndoolier. With 276 submissions received, over 55 percent advocated for the renaming.
NEW ZEALAND: Māori tennis legend honored
Dame Ruia Mereana Morrison, a celebrated figure in Rotorua’s sporting history, has been honored with induction into the prestigious International Tennis Hall of Fame. This recognition comes over six decades after her groundbreaking achievement as the first Māori player to compete at Wimbledon, Te Ao Maori News reported on February 17.
Morrison is featured in the Hall of Fame’s digital exhibition, “Breaking Boundaries in Black Tennis,” showcasing a selection of top global tennis players.
Her Hall of Fame profile states she is “still regarded as one of New Zealand’s best players of all time.”
The 87-year-old was bestowed with this prestigious accolade earlier this month. Speaking from her Rotorua home, Morrison expressed her gratitude at the recognition.
“I’m just grateful to be asked to be part of this. That’s an honour in itself. And I have accepted, so that’s even better while I’m still alive,” she said, according to Te Ao Maori News.
Sixty-one years ago, Morrison was named a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE), shortly after she made history as the first person of Māori heritage to compete at Wimbledon in 1957.
Now 87 years old, Morrison was honored as a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2021 for her contributions to tennis. Additionally, she holds life membership in both the Aotearoa Māori Tennis Association and Tennis New Zealand, and she has been inducted into the Māori Sports Hall of Fame.
She is celebrated as both a tennis champion and a pioneering figure, breaking barriers and inspiring Māori and non-Māori women in sports alike.
Morrison, hailing from Te Arawa and of Ngāti Tūwharetoa descent, was raised in a family of nine children.
CHINA: Tibetans protest Chinese dam
On Wednesday, over 300 Tibetans in Sichuan province protested against a hydropower dam project, which threatens to displace residents of two villages and six monasteries, according to sources familiar with the situation, Radio Free Asia reported on February 17.
Demonstrators gathered at Dege County Town Hall in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, urging authorities to cease construction of a 2,240-megawatt dam on the Drichu River.
In China, particularly among Tibetans, protests are uncommon due to strict controls on gatherings and extensive surveillance, as seen in video footage obtained by Radio Free Asia. Protesters in the video demand a halt to the dam project while county officials assert their lack of authority in the matter and urge calm.
The dam project is anticipated to displace residents of Wangbuding township near the river, according to anonymous sources speaking to RFA.
The Drichu River, known as the Jinsha River in Chinese, traverses Tibetan-inhabited areas and is a crucial tributary of the Yangtze River.
Hydropower projects in Tibetan regions are contentious, with activists arguing they disrupt ecosystems and fertility of farmland, and displace communities.
“The Chinese government has been planning for the past decade to dam the Drichu River near Wangbuding in Dege County with the aim of building a large hydroelectric plant,” said the Tibetan living in exile, according to Radio Free Asia. “Now the project has formally begun, which means that both the villages and six monasteries in the upper district of Wangbuding area will have to be relocated.”
The Dege County Police did not provide an immediate response to a media inquiry.
“In Tibet, there are many Tibetan villages and towns along the Drichu River, but the Chinese government, without paying any heed to the local people’s needs or to the environmental hazards, has built several dams already and they plan to build many more,” said Zamlha Tempa Gyaltsen, deputy director of the Tibet Policy Institute, the Tibetan government-in-exile’s policy and research arm, according to Radio Free Asia. “This is further proof of their complete lack of concern for the welfare and environment of Tibet,”
My final thoughts
My final thoughts are about Tibetans in Sichuan province in China who face imminent resettlement without being involved in the decision-making process.
The Tibetans denounce a hydropower dam project that imperils the livelihoods of residents from two villages and six monasteries.
Such actions underscore the urgent need for authorities to heed the concerns of affected communities and halt projects that endanger lives and cultural heritage. It’s imperative that a thorough and transparent assessment of the project’s impacts be conducted, involving meaningful engagement with local communities, and respecting their rights.
Only through genuine dialogue and consideration for human and environmental well-being can sustainable solutions be found.
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