Court grants stay in counting Alberta separatism petition signatures
By Jeremy Appel, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Alberta Native News The Court of King’s Bench has ordered the chief electoral officer not to count signatures for a separatist referendum petition until the court decides whether the petition was properly initiated. Justice Shaina Leonard issued her ruling in favour of Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN) and the Blackfoot Confederacy’s request for a stay in the counting of petition signatures on April 10, the day after arguments wrapped up in the First Nations’ application for judicial review. Leonard emphasized that separatist organization Stay Free Alberta can continue collecting signatures for its referendum petition and that her “decision has no impact whatsoever” on its May 2 deadline. “Specifically, the Chief Electoral Officer shall not certify the petition results or make a referral to...
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First Nation blasts boat decision
By Connor McDowell, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Brandon Sun The chief of Keeseekoowenin Ojibway First Nation issued a statement last week saying he did not consent to the return of motorboats at Clear Lake. Chief Dwayne Sonny Blackbird, responding last Wednesday to Parks Canada’s boat policy announcement earlier in the day, said the decision did not reflect a collaborative or mutually supported outcome, even though engagement sessions took place. “Our people have a sacred responsibility to protect these waters,” Blackbird said in a public letter. “Engagement without consent is not partnership, it is process without authority. We will not allow our rights to be interpreted as agreement where none has been given.” He said the First Nation, which has land on the northwest shore of Clear Lake, would continue to...
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Cold Lake First Nations restorative justice program gets provincial funding
By Chantel Downes, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeland This Week The funding is part of Alberta’s broader 2025-26 investment in restorative justice initiatives, with the province announcing $720,000 in grants for 19 non-profit organizations, municipalities and Indigenous communities. For Cold Lake First Nations, the latest grant builds on earlier funding over the last two years that helped lay the groundwork for the program, according to information from the Government of Alberta. The announcement came as part of Alberta’s March 27 funding release, which said Budget 2026 is investing $1.3 million in restorative justice initiatives for the fiscal year, including the Alberta Restorative Justice Grant and the Youth Justice Committee Grant. Individual restorative justice grants can be worth up to $50,000 and must be used for operational activities. Minister of Justice...
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Clean energy groups call for East-West grid connections, investments in renewables
By Alessia Passafiume A coalition of clean energy groups is calling on Ottawa to connect the country through a grid powered by renewable energy. The David Suzuki Foundation says Canada is facing an energy affordability crisis, while demand for energy is set to expand in the coming decades. The foundation and 15 allied organizations say the solution to that crisis is investing in clean energy by upgrading the existing grid and connecting it between provinces and territories. They say a revamped and expanded clean energy grid will deliver more jobs and improve Canada’s energy independence, while saving people money on their energy bills. “Through a clean, connected Canadian grid, we can deliver affordable energy, create tens of thousands of good union jobs and build a stable economy for generations to...
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Many US Catholics are dismayed by Trump’s unprecedented broadside at the first American pope
By David Crary, Peter Smith And Steve Peoples WASHINGTON (AP) — A majority of U.S. Catholic voters supported Donald Trump in his 2024 presidential victory. Yet across the broad Catholic political spectrum – even among conservative-leaning bishops – there is dismay over Trump’s unprecedented verbal assault on the Pope Leo XIV, the first American to lead their church. Leo says he is sharing a Gospel message and not directly attacking Trump or anyone else with his appeals for peace and criticism of attitudes fueling the war. Criticism of Trump came from Archbishop Paul Coakley, head of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and from Minnesota-based Bishop Robert Barron, who only a few days ago was applauding Trump as an Easter guest at the White House. Barron called the president’s remarks...
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Carney issues call for unity, says no time for ‘politics as usual’
By Kyle Duggan Prime Minister Mark Carney greets his wife, Diana Fox Carney, as he arrives to speak at the Liberal national convention in Montreal on Saturday, April 11, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi Prime Minister Mark Carney issued a call on Saturday for political unity and for Canadians to dispatch with “politics as usual” as the country confronts a crumbling international order it once benefited gainfully from. Carney made the remarks to Liberal party rank-and-file in a speech to rally the troops on the closing day of the party’s national convention in Montreal. Carney addressed two large existential threats posed to Canadians: the rapidly changing geopolitical environment, and major leaps forward in artificial intelligence technology. He assured supporters that such threats also present major opportunities for the country, if...
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As session returns, Eby’s government faces ‘peril’ over DRIPA: political scientist
By Wolfgang Depner A political analyst says British Columbia Premier David Eby faces a “moment of real peril” as legislators return to Victoria this week. Eby has staked his government on plans to suspend sections of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act for up to three years. The premier has told First Nations leaders in a recent meeting that he plans to introduce legislation to suspend the sections this week. Stewart Prest from the University of British Columbia says he does not understand why the premier would risk his office on the issue, and that the plans make a promise by the Conservative Party of B.C. to repeal all of DRIPA more appealing. First Nation leaders have voiced opposition to Eby’s plans, and one of them —...
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B.C. First Nation asks UN body to count cultural losses in spill compensation formula
By Wolfgang Depner Delegates from a First Nation along British Columbia’s coast will lobby an international maritime body headquartered in the United Kingdom to change the compensation formula for oil spills. Chief Marilyn Slett, elected chief of the Heiltsuk Nation in northwestern B.C., will be in London on Tuesday to address the International Maritime Organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations. The IMO sets global standards for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping, and Slett says she will ask the organization’s legal committee to include Indigenous cultural losses. Slett points specifically to the events that happened almost exactly a decade ago, when the tug Nathan E. Stewart hauling a tank barge ran aground some 10 nautical miles west of Bella Bella, B.C. The hull of the...
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Fortress Louisbourg history shows importance of settlers’ friendships with Mi’kmaq
By Rosemary Godin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cape Breton Post In the beginning from time immemorial, Mi’kmaq lived on land in Unama’ki (Mi’kmaq word for Cape Breton) that they did not consider as owned in the colonial way of thinking. The land could neither be sold to strangers nor given away. But the peaceful L’nu were willing to share it with new peoples who showed up. For 500 years – ever since visiting ships sailed into Cape Breton waters – the goodwill of the Mi’kmaq has been essential to the well-being of travellers to the shores of Unama’ki. Stories abound on this island of peaceful and helpful relationships that lasted for centuries, such as the Mi’kmaq and the French and the Scots. Mi’kmaq historians accept that one of the first...
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Judge orders temporary pause on Alberta separation referendum petition process
By Jack Farrell An Alberta judge has put up a roadblock on a petition drive to force a vote on the province quitting Canada. Justice Shaina Leonard, in a written decision issued Friday afternoon, says organizers can continue collecting signatures. But she says Elections Alberta can’t verify those names or otherwise refer the matter to Premier Danielle Smith’s government until an overall decision is issued on the associated First Nations’ court challenge. Lawyers for multiple First Nations are calling for Alberta’s citizen-initiated referendum process and a separatist group’s use of it to be halted, saying without due consultation it amounts to a treaty violation and is unconstitutional. They were in court in Edmonton this week trying to get the petition drive stopped in the meantime. Lawyers for the Alberta government...
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‘There’s still no justice’: Fifth walk to be held for Fort Nelson homicide victim
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca FORT NELSON, B.C. — For a fifth time, the walk to remember a slain resident of Fort Nelson has been organized by his family wanting answers in his death. Artchie Gairdner, a Métis man, was found dead in his household back in 2021. Autopsy results confirmed the 69-year-old’s death as a homicide. Gairdner’s niece, who has organized the event, said there’s “still no justice”. She spoke to Energeticcity.ca on condition of anonymity. “I believe that [the RCMP] did not do a full investigation,” the woman said. “There are other murders and missing people in Fort Nelson, within a couple of years of Artchie, too.” RCMP media relations officer Sgt. Kris Clark confirmed to Energeticcity.ca Gairdner’s murder case remains open with an investigation...
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Minister approves Canadian Rangers to help Nunavut hamlet amid power problems
Canada’s emergency management minister says she has approved a request from the Nunavut government to urgently deploy the Canadian Rangers to the Hamlet of Gjoa Haven to help distribute drinking water amid icy cold conditions. A statement from Eleanor Olszewski says the Canadian Army Reserve members will also assist with logistical support in the community on King William Island, which the local energy provider says has been suffering from power outages for several days. Olszewski’s statement says the situation has threatened the community’s water system, triggering a local state of emergency. She says the Government Operations Centre within Public Safety Canada is working with the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces to ensure the residents of Gjoa Haven have the support and resources they need. Qulliq Energy...
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Commercial salmon fishing to open in California for the first time since 2022 as population rebounds
By Sophie Austin SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Federal fishery managers voted Sunday to open waters off the coast of California to commercial salmon fishing for the first time since 2022, with the population rebounding after wet winters ended a long drought. The decision by the Pacific Fishery Management Council to allow limited commercial and recreational salmon fishing off the coast is a win for the state’s salmon fishing industry, which has grappled with years of season closures due to dwindling fish stocks. The council, which manages fisheries off the West Coast, barred commercial salmon fishing off California for the past three years. It voted last year to allow some recreational fishing for the first time since 2022. The council is an advisory group to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, which...
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Grand Chief Stewart Phillip says ‘heartsick’ MLA wife doesn’t support DRIPA
By Marissa Birnie A First Nations leader whose wife is a B.C. government legislator says she doesn’t support Premier David Eby’s plan to suspend parts of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, and is “heartsick” over the issue. Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, who was among B.C. Indigenous leaders who condemned the suspension plan at a Vancouver news conference, says Eby has “sidelined” his caucus during DRIPA negotiations and the NDP has a “leadership issue.” Phillip, who is president of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs and whose wife is MLA Joan Phillip, says he can’t speak on her behalf but other legislators should vote with their conscience. Joan Philip — who is suffering an undisclosed illness — is one of three Indigenous members of Eby’s caucus, which holds...
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Former NHL star to visit Fort Nelson for documentary screening
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca FORT NELSON, B.C. — Two northeast B.C. bands have collaborated to screen a documentary and welcome a former NHL star next week. A veteran of 739 NHL hockey games, Jordin Tootoo will visit Fort Nelson for a screening of a documentary based on him and a Q&A session with community members on Thursday, April 16th. ‘Tootoo’ will be screened at Fort Nelson’s Phoenix Theatre. The event is being organized by Fort Nelson First Nation (FNFN) and Prophet River First Nation (PRFN) alongside School District 81 and Sandy Hart of Remax Action Realty. Directed by Michael Hamilton, the 2025 film explores the trials and tribulations of former NHL star Jordin Tootoo, from his humble beginnings in Rankin Inlet in Nunavut to his voluntary...
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First-ever education director conference features Kanesatake
By Hadassah Alencar, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Eastern Door The First Nations Education Council (FNEC) hosted an inaugural Director’s Gathering in Laval for education directors from different Indigenous communities to share insights, learn new strategies, and improve educational management. For Watsenniiostha Nelson, director of education of the Kanesatake Education Center (KEC), the conference on April 1 and 2 has inspired her and helped get more ideas to improve on already positive working relationships between educational staff in Kanesatake. Nelson hopes to improve communication and better meet the needs of all school staff. “I want to make sure that they feel supported and safe to take healthy risks when it comes to their jobs that would be beneficial,” said Nelson. “I feel like it could be better, so I would...
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FN chiefs raise concerns about government and separatist lawyers talking outside of court
By Jeremy Appel, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Alberta Native News On the final day of court submissions aiming to halt the process of initiating an Alberta independence referendum, three First Nations leaders are raising concerns about the perceived proximity of government and separatist lawyers. On April 9, Justice Shaina Leonard of the Court of King’s Bench heard arguments from lawyers for Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN) and Blackfoot Confederacy, as well as the provincial government, Stay Free Alberta CEO Mitch Sylvestre and chief electoral officer Gordon McClure. ACFN and the Blackfoot nations, consisting of the Piikani, Siksika and Kainai bands, are asking Justice Leonard to order a stay on the chief electoral officer’s counting of the Stay Free Alberta petition signatures until she rules on whether the petition can proceed....
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Former head of Manitoba Inuit Association facing sex assault charges in Nunavut
The former leader of an Inuit organization based in Winnipeg is facing multiple sexual assault charges in Nunavut. RCMP in the territory say 39-year-old Nastania Mullin was arrested Wednesday in Winnipeg following an investigation that began last year. Mullin is in custody and is expected to be transferred to Nunavut, where he is to have a first court appearance. Mounties say he faces seven charges involving four complainants. The alleged sex assaults happened in Iqaluit between 2003 and 2023. Mullin was chief executive officer of the Manitoba Inuit Association, a resource centre that represents Inuit in the province, but he was removed from the job in November. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 10, 2026. ...
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Applications open for renovation program in Kahnawake
By Eve Cable, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Eastern Door A new addition to the Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) Child and Family Services Renovation Program could ease the burden for multi-generation families living in one unit, with new provisions this year specifically earmarked for families to create additional bedrooms and bathrooms in living spaces. The Overcrowding Supplement has been created this year as part of the program, which will allow Kahnawa’kehró:non with many family members to create more space to live comfortably in their homes. The provision is part of a funding package totalling around nearly $1 million from ISC, which last year saw 24 households benefit from renovations. “We want to service as many community members as possible,” said Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) chief Ryan Montour, the portfolio...
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Alberta regulator challenges legal basis of Imperial Oil tailings spill lawsuit
By Sonal Gupta, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer Alberta’s energy regulator is pushing for the dismissal of parts of a First Nation’s lawsuit over toxic tailings spills at Imperial Oil’s Kearl oilsands mine in the province’s north. According to court filings obtained by Canada’s National Observer, the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) calls Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation’s claims “overly vague and general,” contending that it wrongly targets the regulator instead of the site’s operator, Imperial Oil, while also challenging the province’s oilsands oversight system. The First Nation and its advocates are countering the claim by denouncing the regulator’s efforts as a “delay tactic.” “They’re trying to see if we will go away, but we’re not gonna go away, and neither is this case,” said Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation Chief...
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