A cross-country look at where some of Hudson’s Bay artifacts are held
By Tara Deschamps Hudson’s Bay, Canada’s oldest company, is seeking court permission to auction off its artifacts, art and even the royal charter that gave the business the power to dominate the 17th century fur trade. However, thousands of items imbued with Bay history have already wound up in the hands of archival institutions. Here’s a look at where some of the Bay’s memorabilia resides. Manitoba Museum The Winnipeg museum’s website says Hudson’s Bay began to acquire historical objects to open a museum in 1920. The company wound up donating many of those items to the Manitoba Museum in 1994 and its collection kept growing over the years because of donations from the descendants of fur trading families and other Bay employees. The museum now counts 27,000 on its Hudson’s...
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Conservative candidate Aaron Gunn target of protest rally
By Rochelle Baker, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer First Nationleaders and protesters rallied outside Aaron Gunn’s campaign office in Campbell River Saturday demanding the Conservative Party withdraw his candidacy. A crowd of about 150 people waved signs reading “Drop the Gunn” and “We Need Gunn Control,” while First Nationsleaders, residential school survivors, educators and community workers voiced their anger over Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s decision not to remove Gunn from the party’s slate. Gunn has sparked concern and anger nationwide over a collection of contentious comments and social media posts — particularly those First Nations leaders say promote residential school denialism. Gunn is also drawing fire for insisting there are only two genders, the “gender pay gap doesn’t exist” and systemic racism is a “myth”. An online petition...
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Cariboo school district data system allows for proactive support
By Andie Mollins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter As School District 27 (SD 27) rolls out a new system to manage and utilize data, education coordinators from Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN) are excited about the opportunities it presents. “All these children, they all have the ability to be successful,” said Norma Sure, the education director at WLFN. She and Leah Briault, the nation’s education coordinator, oversee the education of all children from WLFN, whether they live on or off reserve or attend school near or far. They do so through the Local Education Agreement (LEA) which is meant to affirm First Nations’ rights to control and make decisions over the education they receive. However, since the LEA’s implementation, barriers to student information have made it difficult for them to make...
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‘Crown jewel’: HBC’s charter among the art and artifacts it seeks to auction off
By Tara Deschamps Hudson’s Bay will seek court approval to put the royal charter that launched the company 355 years ago on the auction block, along with its trove of art and historical artifacts. The collapsing department store chain known as Canada’s oldest company said it’s applying to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to sell the items, which would ensure some of its most valuable and historical assets get the “care, consideration and expertise required” and “can be fully prioritized through a separate process facilitated by a fine art auction house.” Hudson’s Bay has yet to detail the catalogue of items it wants to hit the auction block, but the collection traces the path Hudson’s Bay took as it transformed from a fur trading powerhouse in the 17th century...
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Cocaine is killing more people in Newfoundland and Labrador than fentanyl, police say
By Sarah Smellie -CP-Highly potent cocaine is circulating in Newfoundland and Labrador, and police said Wednesday the drug is killing more people than fentanyl. Cocaine seized recently by the RCMP was found to have “purity levels that we have never seen before,” reaching 90 per cent or higher, Insp. David Emberley told a news conference in St. John’s. “This is alarming and highly toxic for human consumption,” he said. Figures supplied to reporters Wednesday by the province’s chief medical examiner’s office show steep climbs in cocaine and fentanyl toxicity deaths from 2022 to 2024, compared with the previous four years. However, the cocaine deaths outpace those from fentanyl: last year, cocaine killed 43 people in the province, compared with 20 who died from fentanyl. Eight people died from a combination...
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First Nations health organization expanding supports
By Pearl Lorentzen, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeside Leader First Nations Health Consortium (FNHC) was formed to help people apply for Jordan’s Principle and has found other sources of funding to expand its services to First Nation people in Alberta. In 2017, FNHC was founded by Bigstone Health Commission, Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council (KTC), Maskwacis Health Services, and Siksika Health, to bid to be the organization to help people in Alberta apply for Jordan’s Principle. The First Nations are from each of the three treaty areas in Alberta. Bigstone and KTC are in the region covered by the Lakeside Leader. Maswacis is south of Edmonton. Siksika is south of Strathmore. Each of these First Nations has a seat on the board, but the services are open to all...
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Mattawa officially extinguishes fireworks sales in the municipality
By David Briggs, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, BayToday.ca Mattawa has not banned fireworks; however, they are heavily regulated, and now, council has officially banned the sale of fireworks within the municipality. Specifically, the new by-law notes, “No person shall sell Fireworks or Firecrackers, either Family Fireworks or Display Fireworks, or any class thereof, within the Municipality at any time.” Mayor Raymond Bélanger made clear, “Our by-law is not suggesting a ban of fireworks, it is suggesting a ban of sales. We’re hoping the by-law will give us a tool to regulate who and when fireworks are allowed to be used in our town.” Council passed the by-law unanimously. See: Mattawa updates fireworks by-law, bans sales Before the by-law was passed, Aleem Kanji, the Chief Advocacy Officer for the Canadian National...
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Manitoba, Nunavut premiers hopeful for hydro project, seeking federal help
By Steve Lambert The premiers of Manitoba and Nunavut are hopeful a proposed hydroelectric and fibre optic project is moving closer to fruition and are seeking federal money. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew and Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok have signed a memorandum to work together on the project and ask Ottawa for capital funding. The proposed Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link would see a 1,200-kilometre line built through northern Manitoba to several Nunavut communities west of Hudson Bay that currently use diesel to generate electricity. It has been talked about for years and a recent estimate put the cost at $1.6 billion. Manitoba announced this week it would dedicate 50 megawatts from its Crown energy corporation to the project, which Kinew says is only a start. Kinew and Akeeagok met at the Manitoba...
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The Latest: Judge finds probable cause to hold administration in contempt over deportation order
A federal judge on Wednesday said he has found probable cause to hold President Donald Trump’s administration in criminal contempt of court for violating his orders to turn around planes carrying deportees to El Salvador. U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg warned he could refer the matter for prosecution if the administration does not “purge” its contempt. Boasberg said the administration could do so by returning to U.S. custody those who were sent to the El Salvador prison in violation of his order so that they “might avail themselves of their right to challenge their removability.” Here’s the latest: Trump taps Clayton as interim US attorney for New York’s Southern District amid spat with Schumer Trump is picking Jay Clayton to serve as interim U.S. attorney for the Southern District...
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Debate begins with party leaders laying out how they intend to negotiate with Tru
By Nick Murray -CP-As the French language election debate got underway Wednesday night, the four main federal party leaders were asked to lay out policy priorities that have nothing with the United States. But the conversation quickly turned to the elephant in the room — Donald Trump — and how the leaders would deal with the U.S. president. The leaders began the debate by sparring over how to respond to the trade war with the United States and pitching themselves as the best one to negotiate with Trump. Poilievre said that on his first day in office, he would open negotiations with Trump on an agreement put an end to tariffs. “We can’t control Trump. So at the same time, we need to control what we can,” Poilievre said. “That...
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Carney, Poilievre align on pipelines as Trump and trade loom over French debate
By Nick Murray Liberal Leader Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre aligned on support for new oil and gas pipelines as a matter of national security during the French language election debate Wednesday night. Dealing with U.S. President Donald Trump was a running theme as the four main federal party leaders took the stage in Montreal for the first of two debates. Even the debate moderator Patrice Roy cited the elephant in the room as he pitched questions on immigration, affordability and Canadian identity. During an exchange on climate change, Poilievre argued Canada needs to build a national pipeline, highlighting how Alberta oil and gas is transported east through pipelines passing into the United States. “Quebecers that buy Alberta oil, it needs to go through the United States, giving...
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Throne speech ignites outcry over Ford’s environmental rollbacks
By Abdul Matin Sarfraz / Canada’s National Observer / Local Journalism Initiative Despite years of public outcry and widespread criticism from experts and advocates over weakened conservation laws, the Ford government doubled down on its first day back in power — vowing to slash environmental oversight to fast-track mineral and infrastructure projects. Critics warn the plan will gut crucial environmental reviews, provoke legal battles, spark First Nations resistance and further weaken protections already under strain. The backlash follows Tuesday’s throne speech, which pledged new legislation to “streamline” environmental assessment in order to fast-track major infrastructure projects and development in Ontario’s Ring of Fire. While the government frames the move as a response to US trade tensions, saying Ontario is fighting for the future of its economy, opponents call it a...
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On the banks of a N.S. river, elver fishers from a Mi’kmaq First Nation defy Ottaw
By Michael Tutton As night falls along the banks of the Fitzroy River, Tabitha Morrison pauses from dipping her net for baby eels, and explains why she believes Ottawa’s rules shouldn’t govern Indigenous fishers. “We’re out here trying to make a living,” said the Mi’kmaq fisher in an interview Tuesday about 50 kilometres west of Halifax, where headlamps of 15 other fishers intermittently brightened the tidal waters. “There are catch limits we follow …. We have the right to self-govern ourselves and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” said Morrison, 38. The member of Sipekne’katik First Nation was harvesting baby eels, known as elvers, migrating along the waterway — even as the federal Fisheries Department had assigned the harvesting rights in the river to a non-Indigeous, commercial licence holder. After chaos...
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Grassy Narrows grassroots hold rally in Kenora
KENORA – Grassy Narrows community members hosted a rally Tuesday afternoon in downtown Kenora to send a message to federal politicians: Respect First Nations’ right to say no to nuclear waste disposal. The rally followed an email sent “on behalf of families from Grassy Narrows First Nation” to the members of Parliament for Kenora-Kiiwetinoong, Thunder Bay-Rainy River, Thunder Bay-Superior North and three other northern Ontario ridings. That letter asks each MP “to clearly state your position on the proposed nuclear waste disposal site near Ignace during this (April 28) federal election.” The Nuclear Waste Management Organization, a federally mandated body funded by Canada’s nuclear power producers, wants to construct a deep-underground repository for spent nuclear fuel at a site west of Ignace and east of Wabigoon Lake First Nation. “Voters...
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Beardmore, Nakina losing skating rinks
By Mike Stimpson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Thunder Bay Source GREENSTONE — Municipal councillors decided Monday night that residents of Beardmore and Nakina will continue to have indoor space for curling and community events but not skating and hockey next winter. In motions passed after much debate and four deputations, councillors decided to permanently cease operation of the two communities’ indoor skating rinks this year. But the motions spared the Beardmore and Nakina curling rinks from closure and directed municipal staff to continue with public engagement and consultations regarding community facilities. “I’m overall pretty pleased with being able to retain the curling side of the (Beardmore) complex,” said Rick Mikesh, a pastor in Beardmore who made a deputation to Greenstone council last October but could not attend Monday’s proceedings. “We’re...
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Hand games tournament returning to Ecole Providence
By Emily Plihal, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, South Peace News Ecole Providence in McLennan is excited to welcome back its annual Hand Games competition, set to take place on April 25. “We decided to organize a hand games competition after it was discussed at our First Nations, Metis, and Inuit meeting,” says FNMI Indigenous coordinator and educational assistant Norma Chalifoux. “We’ve called the games Holy Family Catholic Regional Division 2025 Hand Games.” The games will be hosted at the school on Friday, April 25 with grand entry at 10 a.m. and games played until 2 p.m. Chalifoux says the games are a lot of fun and have cultural significance. “I find the importance of hand games to give other cultures a chance to play our game and to see how...
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Taking steps to reduce alcoholism, self-harm and suicide
By Darrell Greer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Kivalliq News While Nunavut remains home to the country’s highest rates of suicide and self-harm, and very high rates of hospitalizations due to alcohol, the territory is taking steps to reduce those numbers. These harms are linked to the social and health inequalities experienced by the population due to colonialism, according to a Canadian Mental Health Association report released late in 2024. David Tulugak of Rankin Inlet said the reasons behind suicide remain complex but, in his opinion, although the effects of colonialism are still evident, they are starting to fade a bit as the years roll past. And, he said, in many cases, alcoholism is long overdue to be cut down, so that children in the community may benefit. “I don’t like...
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Two men charged with murder of man found behind Winnipeg home
WINNIPEG MAN-Police say two men have been charged with murder after a body was found behind a home. Bronson Emery Dale Kequahtooway was discovered dead on March 28. Police say the 30-year-old had been living in Winnipeg but was originally from the Zagime Anishinabek First Nation in Saskatchewan. The two accused from Winnipeg are charged with second-degree murder, along with weapons and drug offences. Police say two men and two women have also been charged with accessory after the fact to murder. Media reports from the scene showed a row of garbage and recycling bins partially covered with a black tarp and police tape. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 16, 2025. ...
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Brantford Traffic Stop Leads to Drug and Weapons Charges for 3 Brantford Men
By Joshua Santos Turtle Island News BRANTFORD, ONT-Three Brantford men are facing drug trafficking and weapons charges after police seized suspected fentanyl, crack cocaine, brass knuckles, and other illegal items during a traffic stop. Brantford Police Service (BPS)officers conducted the stop on a vehicle travelling along Brock Street on April 9, according to a BPS news release. Three men were in the vehicle, including a driver who police said was driving with a suspended licence and wanted on a warrant. During the traffic stop BPS said a bag containing a white powdered substance was seen, in plain view, prompting a search of the vehicle and its occupants. As a result police seized approximately 22.7 grams of suspected fentanyl, about 10 grams of suspected crack cocaine, nearly 24 tablets of dilaudid,...
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Sharing who they are from Blackfoot to Six Nations
From Blackfoot to Mohawk: Indigenous Students are Connecting Across Provinces in Cultural Exchange Program By Joshua Santos Writer Children from two Indigenous schools, separated by more than 3,000 kilometers, found common ground through language, tradition, and storytelling in a cultural exchange program connecting Alberta and Ontario. Students from Napi’s Playground Elementary School on the Piikani Nation in southern Alberta recently met with their peers at Oliver M. Smith Kawenni:io (OMSK) Elementary School in Six Nations on March 10. “It was cool, I like their traditions and how they dance,” said OMSK Grade 5 student Madisyn Hess. “They had a whole bunch of beading.” The visit marked a rare opportunity for children to immerse themselves in another Indigenous culture while strengthening pride in their own. “I think it expands the world...
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