Circulated to members via email on May 30, 2024. Also available in the Members' Only section of the website here.

APA Members receive the latest version of our newsletter directly to their email inboxes.  

Newsletter issue 2023:1 Spring has been emailed to members, and is also available here.

Featured in this issue:

• The Importance of Language Dialects - a correction/explanation relating to Newsletter 2022:2; and an insightful contribution by Julie Kapyrka, sharing the teachings of Anne Taylor (Curve Lake First Nation), on the use of respectful suffixes to one's name when that person is no longer living in this physical realm
  

• The Algonquin and Huron Alliance: Using Oral Tradition, History and Archaeology to Understand True Relationships in 17th Century New France, by Lawrence Jackson

• Congratulations to the winner of the random Radiocarbon Date Lottery and to the winners of the Book Draw!

• Spring Awards for Members

Julie Kapyrka has kindly provided an updated version of the article from Newsletter 2022:2 entitled 'Miigwech Gidigaa Migizi-ban, My Friend', which is now available to members on the Member Resources tab (follow the link and log in to navigate to the page). 

As a bonus, a preview from Newsletter 2023:1 is also there entitled 'The Importance of Language Dialects'.  Miigwech to Anne Taylor of Curve Lake First Nation and to Julie Kapyrka for sharing these important language lessons with our members!

The current newsletter, New Series 2022:2, has been circulated to members via email, and members can access it by logging in to the website and heading to the Member Resources landing page :)

Featured contents include:

* a tribute to Gidigaa-Migizi-ban by Dr. Julie Kapyrka

* archival research tips: summary from APA's Land Registration Ask An Expert session by Nadine Kopp

* announcing the Paul Lennox Research Award for members

* members random draw opportunity: win the Radiocarbon Date Lottery

* new members random draw opportunity: win a copy of Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg: This Is Our Territory by Gidigaa-Migizi-Ban (Doug Williams)

For all previous newsletters, visit the public page for APA's Newsletter Archives -- here

Firstly, many thanks to Nadine Kopp, who has just completed 2 terms on the Board!  Nadine has been so very helpful with Board tasks, Newsletter Editing and social media communications, and recently Chaired the Nominations Committee for the 2022-24 Board!

To contact the current Board of Directors members, send an email to members@apaontario.ca, or contact an officer or director individually via the Executive Directory.

Our online Annual General Meeting by Zoom will take place on Saturday July 9th at 10am, followed by a look at Collections and Repositories. 

Members in attendance will be entered into a random draw to receive a complementary box submission to the Sustainable Archaeology repository, courtesy of APA Ontario!

The *preregistration signup link* has been emailed directly to all current APA Ontario members.

If you would like to register and can't find your email invitation, just drop a line to members@apaontario.ca or visit the event page here.

The nomination window closed at midnight last night for the next term of the Board of Directors.  The Nominations Committee will now contact all candidates who were nominated. 

We appreciate the time given by all members who are able to serve the Ontario APA at this time!

Best Regards from the 2020-2022 Board of Directors,

Cathy, Dixie, Jordan, Josh, Laura, Laurie and Nadine

Members, check your email inboxes for our Notice of Election and Call for Nominations! (deadline for nominations/self-nominations: May 6th)

Ontario Expanding Fourth-Dose Eligibility

Additional booster dose will provide an extra layer of protection against severe illness and hospitalization

April 06, 2022

TORONTO — The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, is expanding eligibility for fourth doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to individuals aged 60 and over as well as First Nation, Inuit and Métis individuals and their non-Indigenous household members aged 18 and over starting on April 7, 2022. Expanding booster eligibility will provide an extra layer of protection against the Omicron and BA.2 variants and, in addition to antivirals, are another tool the province is using to live with and manage COVID-19.

“As we continue to live with COVID-19, we are using every tool available to manage this virus and reduce its impact on our hospitals and health system, including by expanding the use of booster doses,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Vaccines are our best defence against COVID-19 and its variants. Because of our exceptionally high vaccination rates and Ontario’s cautious approach, we currently have one of the lowest hospitalization rates in the country and have performed well throughout this pandemic when compared to other similar sized provinces and states. I encourage everyone who’s eligible to get boosted as soon as you’re able.”

Starting on Thursday, April 7 at 8:00 a.m., eligible individuals will be able to book their fourth dose appointment through the COVID-19 vaccination portal or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900, directly through public health units that use their own booking systems, through Indigenous-led vaccination clinics, participating pharmacies, and participating primary care settings. Booster doses are being offered to these individuals at a recommended interval of five months after receiving their last booster.

Locations and timing for additional boosters may vary by public health unit based on local planning and considerations.

Ontario has been offering fourth doses of the COVID-19 vaccine since December 30, 2021 to vulnerable populations including residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes, First Nation elder care lodges and older adults in other congregate care settings that provide assisted-living and health services. Providing additional boosters to these groups has helped to prevent serious outcomes in the population during the Omicron wave.

All eligible Ontarians are encouraged to get their fourth dose as soon as possible. As with vaccines for other diseases, you are protected best when you stay up to date.