Canadian PM comments on Indigenous Children remains found

Submitted by Zedlines Contributor on Mon, 31/05/2021 - 10:58

Content warning: This story mentions the death of Indigenous Canadians.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the discovery of the remains of 215 children at the site of what was once Canada’s largest residential schools for Indigenous children on Friday is a shameful reminder of Canada’s colonial history.

The children were students at the Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia, which closed in 1978. 

Sachém - Part of The Picture

Submitted by charlottec on Mon, 31/05/2021 - 07:58
North Stradbroke Island local Sachém is an artist whose intellect and creativity reaches new levels. With his name being a title given to the Native American chief from the Mohegan tribe in the North East of the USA, it was prophetic that frontline First Nation/African American leader Sachém would become a talented writer and orator. The rapper, singer, and spoken-word poet has combined his greatest works into his debut EP Part of the Picture. Most of the collection was recorded with Mules Mecca at District Studios, with "Take It Off" and his latest single "Chasin" recorded with Papertoy in Gadigal and "Gemini" with K Rasta in Meanjin. The EP's guest artist appearances include RMC, Grand Master Absent and Sol Chld. "This is a collection of music gathered from significant parts of my life over the last 18 months," Sachém explained of the art piece. As expected, the powerful songwriter manages to give a perfect snapshot of his intersectional experience of life in the EP. "I would like the listener to gain a better understanding of the complexities of a young Indigenous person living in this colonised world. The many emotions, thoughts and struggles that come up within our lives as a result of our history and current experience, challenge the morals and values of our cultural lens. So we are forced to sit in this weird space that lies between the two worlds. This is a space that not many people outside this experience would understand. And despite this we still manage to survive, create and express. This EP is only Part of the Picture that makes up the Blak experience in Australia." Having played at Yonder Festival in 2020 and Mountain Goat Valley Crawl 2021, fans who see Sachém live can expect to be enamoured by a "young indigenous man, conflicted and exhausted, amidst a turbulent battle of ego, monetary gain and self-discovery" which manifests in a theatrical and emotive performance. The artist also won the 2017 Oodgeroo Noonuccal Poetry Prize through Queensland Poetry Festival and 2020 Brisbane City Council Best Original Song Award. Sachém laces rhymes with personal stories, while touching on poignant social & cultural issues that have and continue to impact his life.

Australian charities put at risk by new Federal laws

Submitted by Zedlines Contributor on Fri, 28/05/2021 - 11:20

The Federal Coalition government is considering new regulations that would deregister charity organisations if any of their volunteers is convicted of a summary offence, the lowest level of legal breaches.

The regulations would apply to over 59,000 registered not-for-profit groups, many of which engage in political advocacy. 

University of Sydney academic, Professor Ruth Phillips, says these regulations target political protest and dissent.

SpaceX resupply mission to bring baby squids and tardigrades to space labs

Submitted by Zedlines Contributor on Fri, 28/05/2021 - 11:20

SpaceX is launching its 22nd cargo resupply mission on 4 June, which will carry science experiments supplies, including 128 baby luminescent bobtail squid and 5,000 tardigrades.

The research will investigate how zero gravity affects the symbiotic relationship between the squid and the beneficial microbes that they host. On the other hand, the tardigrades, a species famous for tolerating extreme environments, will be studied for effects of spaceflight on biological survival. 

Rise in Queensland COVID vaccinations

Submitted by Zedlines Contributor on Fri, 28/05/2021 - 11:19

COVID-19 vaccinations in Queensland have almost tripled since last week, with almost all Queensland vaccine hubs now fully operational. 

Health Minister Yvette D’ath is urging those who are eligible for the vaccine to make an appointment with their GP.

Minister D’ath says 9049 COVID-19 tests have been done in the last twenty four hours alone, in wake of rising cases in Victoria.

Giant otter rediscovered in Argentina

Submitted by Zedlines Contributor on Fri, 28/05/2021 - 11:19

A giant river otter, previously thought extinct, has been found in Argentina. 

The giant otter was last spotted in the 1980’s, with fears habitat loss and hunting had led to the species extinction in the region.

The return of the otters is being attributed to the formation of the Impenetrable national park in 2014, which aimed to restore natural areas in Argentina.

Giant otters are top predators, and are vital in helping to balance local ecosystems.

 

Queensland border checks reinstated

Submitted by Zedlines Contributor on Fri, 28/05/2021 - 11:19

Border checks will be re-imposed at Queensland airports and border roads after Victoria was declared a COVID hot spot. 

A hard border won’t be implemented, instead the border checkpoints will be similar to roadside breath test sites. 

Police say stops will be random, and they will be looking for indications of long distance travel. 

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