Gov. Gen. Mary Simon honours broadcaster, sex worker champion at Rideau Hall
By The Canadian Press A former Supreme Court justice, a medical pioneer, a broadcaster and a champion for sex workers joined the Order of Canada during a ceremony at Rideau Hall on Thursday. Gov. Gen. Mary Simon said it’s a privilege to present these individuals with their awards as their names join a long list of distinguished Canadians who have helped the country “move together toward reconciliation, truth and inclusion.” “You push boundaries and inspire us to reach higher, and through acts of generosity that support people in need, you remind us of the power of compassion,” Simon said during her speech at Thursday’s investiture ceremony. Retired Supreme Court justice Rosalie Silberman Abella was invested as a companion of the Order of Canada for her work on constitutional law, and...
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KSCS hits one-year mark for First Nations Child and Family Services Settlement Agreement
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase Kahnawake Shakotiia’takehnhas Community Services (KSCS) has reached the one-year mark since the start of the claims period for the First Nations Child and Family Services Settlement Agreement. Louise Mayo, the First Nations Child and Family Services liaison officer with KSCS, says she has spent the past year working in the community to raise awareness about the settlement and ensure eligible community members know they can apply. “Our goal is to try to get as much as 100 percent coverage as possible so that by the year 2028 everyone in the community is aware of this settlement agreement and has the choice to apply or not,” Mayo said. This includes anyone impacted by the removal of a child through a child welfare agency...
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Tewatohnhi’saktha Launches Indigenous Women Entrepreneur Fund
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase Tewatohnhi’saktha launched a new loan and grant program designed to help Indigenous women entrepreneurs start and grow their business. Katsi’tsaié:ri Paul, Tewatohnhi’saktha’s Indigenous Women Entrepreneur Project Development Officer, explained that the Indigenous Women Entrepreneur Fund will support participants from the earliest stages of developing a business plan through to launching and operating their business. “The program is here to support Indigenous women entrepreneurs from the idea stage all the way to running their business,” Paul said. According to Paul, the fund was created to help address the systemic barriers that disproportionately impact Indigenous women when trying to start businesses. “The challenges for Indigenous women include balancing family responsibilities and sometimes not being taken seriously by banks or the community,” Paul said. Tewatohnhi’saktha...
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First Nation seeks transparency as questions loom over Sarnia, Ont., pipeline leak
By Jordan Omstead The size of a Sarnia, Ont., pipeline leak remained unclear days after it was first reported, a nearby First Nation said as it issued a call for transparency. Aamjiwnaang First Nation demanded answers about a March 11 spill it said took place along the southern fence line of Suncor’s Sarnia refinery last week, adjacent to its reserve. In a news release this week, the First Nation said reports confirm it led fuel product to leak into the ground and St. Clair River. “There is no end in sight. No cause of the leak has been reported to Aamjiwnaang, and we still do not know how large of a spill occurred,” the First Nation’s statement read Tuesday. “Aamjiwnaang demands answers.” Suncor says its preliminary investigation indicated the source...
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Highways should be part of Canadian defence: NOMA
By Sandi Krasowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Chronicle-Journal In a recent letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) urges the federal government to recognize Highway 11, Highway 17, and the Highway 11/17 corridor as critical national infrastructure by designating the corridor as dual-use transportation infrastructure that supports both civilian mobility and national defence readiness. Rick Dumas, mayor of Marathon and NOMA president, referred to a Carney announcement for Canada to reach five per cent for defence spending by 2035. “We believe that the critical infrastructure of Canada is the Trans-Canada corridor. And we’re looking at a dual purpose and dual use of the highway to simply move our military as well as our civilians, up and down the Trans-Canada corridor,” he said. “A serious...
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Vancouver Island First Nations gain control of three Clayoquot Sound forestry areas
By Brenna Owen Tyson Atleo, a hereditary leader of the Ahousaht First Nation, says the creation of three new forestry areas to be managed by his community and two others on the west coast of Vancouver Island marks the realization of a long-standing promise. Atleo recalls assuring the community more than 15 years ago that “we would find a pathway forward to regaining control over some of our forest resources.” The vision is to manage the forests of Clayoquot Sound, a globally recognized biosphere that includes Tofino, B.C., in a way that reflects the nation’s interest in ecological integrity and balance it with access to economic opportunity, he said. The total combined area of the three new tree farm licenses is about 52,000 hectares, with Ahousaht set to manage about...
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Manitoba NDP, Tories trade accusations and insults in testy legislature session
By Steve Lambert Insults and accusations have been flying in the Manitoba legislature this week in an atmosphere so noisy that Speaker Tom Lindsey has complained that he is having a hard time hearing what’s being said. The governing New Democrats accused Opposition Progressive Conservative Leader Obby Khan on Tuesday of using bigoted and transphobic language, after he criticized Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara. The NDP accused Khan of uttering the phrase “whatever you are” to Asagwara, who is non-binary, and calling Asagwara a terrible person. The alleged remark was made while politicians were yelling and heckling, and did not register on a recording of the proceedings. Khan denied the accusation Tuesday and elaborated on Wednesday. He told reporters he was telling the NDP to repeat their comments outside the legislature...
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Critics urge Ottawa to help Inuit resist Chinese surveillance, economic dependence
By Dylan Robertson The Carney government is leaving Inuit communities at risk of Chinese surveillance and economic dependence and isn’t facing up to the threat China poses to the North, critics say. “Inuit communities are central to the challenge. Yet they are often not provided with the resources, information or technical support needed to fully assess these complex Chinese investment proposals,” said Elizabeth Donkervoort, director of the China Strategic Risks Institute think tank. “We need to make sure that Inuit and Indigenous communities are genuine partners in addressing these issues,” she told a March 9 news conference on Parliament Hill. Donkervoort’s group released a report earlier this month arguing that Ottawa must help Inuit resist Beijing’s attempts to extend its influence across the Canadian Arctic. The report says those attempts...
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N.S. Oscar winner Tamara Deverell says province’s cuts to arts will hurt the economy
By Devin Stevens One of Nova Scotia’s newest Oscar winners says the provincial government’s decision to cut funding for arts and culture will not only impact the development of young talent, but will also hurt the economy. Tamara Deverell won the Academy Award for production design along with Dartmouth set decorator Shane Vieau over the weekend for the pair’s work on director Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein. Her win comes a few weeks after the province tabled a budget with more than $130-million in grant reductions, including the scrapping of millions of dollars for the arts and culture sector. After public backlash, Premier Tim Houston’s government reversed more than $50-million worth of cuts to programs impacting people with disabilities, African Nova Scotians and Indigenous groups, but reductions to arts programs remain...
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‘Take full advantage’: Trades fairs aim to bridge employers, job seekers
By Matt Prokopchuk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, NWOnewswatch.com THUNDER BAY — A skilled trades fair making multiple stops in the Northwest is aiming to match companies with people looking for work. Chi Mino Ozhitoowin is scheduled to hold its Connect 2026 skilled trades, training and employment event in Fort Frances on March 24 and Dryden on March 25. It was at the TownPlace Suites by Marriott hotel in Thunder Bay on March 17. Chi Mino Ozhitoowin is the for-profit entity created by a group of seven First Nations that are partnered on the Waasigan Transmission Line. “It’s so important because we have trained over a couple hundred people now and we want to make sure that they take full advantage of the training that we have provided for them and...
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Penguins captain Sidney Crosby to return from lower-body injury in game against Carolina
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Sidney Crosby is back. The Pittsburgh Penguins captain will return to the lineup on Wednesday night against Carolina after missing nearly a month with a lower-body injury sustained while competing for Canada at the Milan Cortina Olympics. “Excited to get back in it,” Crosby told reporters after the team’s morning skate. Crosby hasn’t played since his right leg buckled during a collision with Czechia’s Radko Gudas during Canada’s quarterfinal win at the Olympics. The Penguins placed the 38-year-old on injured reserve after the Olympic break ended. Pittsburgh, one of the league’s biggest surprises this season, went 5-3-3 during Crosby’s 11-game absence and is in second place in the Metropolitan Division with less than a month to go. The Penguins are eyeing a return to the playoffs...
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Six Nations hit with floods and snowstorm in one week
By Alex Murray Writer March came in with a roar and continued to blast last week when rain flooding roadways turned into snow packed icy roads. Early in the week road warning signs went up, small cabins at Chiefswood Park were flooded out and fields filled with water after melting ice pushed the Grand River over its banks Tuesday (March 10, 2026). But, by Friday snow covered the community when a winter blast hit, causing slippery and snow packed road conditions. The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) issued flood warnings and a flood watch alert to Six Nations and the City of Cambridge last week warning the public to use extreme caution around local waterways and to keep children and pets away from the waterways. Six Nations Police (SNP) said...
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Six Nations Grand River Development Trust approves $42,000 in funding for 4 local volunteer organizations
By Alex Murray Writer Grassroots volunteering is an important part of life for the Six Nations community. Volunteer organizations fill many needs, which is why the Six Nations of the Grand River Economic Development Trust (EDT) regularly approves funding for volunteer organizations and initiatives. The EDT recently approved $42,000 in funding to support four local grassroots volunteer organizations and initiatives on Six Nations in 2026. The four grassroots organizations were selected during a meeting of the Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation (SNGRDC)’s Economic Development Trust Committee on March 4, 2026. “Supporting grassroots initiatives is one of the most meaningful ways we can give back, and we’re proud that SNGRDC’s success allows us to continue investing in the people, programs, and organizations that make the Six Nations community...
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Brantford creating new Indigenous relations strategy
A new Indigenous relations and reconciliation strategy for the City of Brantford is beginning its public engagement phase and Six Nations leaders were among the first to hear about it. Tabitha Curley, owner of Fluid Consulting presented the city’s plan to Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) at its General Council meeting on March 10. She said part of the plan is to gather feedback from municipal staff, residents and Indigenous communities to help shape a potential reconciliation framework. Curley said Fluid Consulting and KLB Consulting were hired through a competitive bid process to lead the Indigenous Truth and Reconciliation strategy’s community engagement work. “We’ve been working with city staff… to design and lead a process where we will seek engagement from city staff [and] city residents about Indigenous relations,” she...
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Six Nations appoints new CEO
Six Nations former Chief Operating Officer (COO) is the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) made the announcement Monday March 3, the beginning of the March break. Debra Jonathan will take over the job effective Monday, March 23, 2026. She is a Six Nations band member. Jonathan took over as Chief Operating Officer nine months ago in June 2025. She has served as the Director of Well-Being, where SNEC said as Director of Well-Being she “was instrumental in strengthening the department and promoting community well-being.” She comes to the position with 20 years of experience including holding senior-level management experience at SNEC and the Inuit Health Branch, and Indigenous Services Canada. Elected Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill said “Having had the opportunity to work along-side Debra for the...
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Cree singer fighting battle of AI image of her
By Alex Murray Writer Last month, Donita Large found an online article promoting her new album, The Ancestors. But she quickly noticed something was off: The featured photo was not of her but was instead an AI-generated image of what it posed as a stereotypical Indigenous woman. The prominent Cree singer-songwriter, who hails from Edmonton, is now speaking out about the generative AI wave affecting creatives the world over. The accompanying image, which we won’t share out of respect for Large, depicted what is supposed to be an Indigenous woman. “The image of the Indigenous woman posted on the website is not me,” Large said in a statement. “The title connecting to the image states ‘Donita Large releases the new album The Ancestors…’, which makes this misleading. False visual information,...
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Six Nations Elected Council: ISC programs to Greenbelt concerns
Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) heard updates from its committees regarding service gaps and development at the General Council meeting on March 10. Councillor Greg Frazer gave the Well-Being Committee update as he chaired the last meeting in Councillor Amos Key Jr’s absence. His update was regarding a recent presentation from Abigail Hill, Wellbeing Liaison officer about the federal Auditor General’s report on Indigenous Services Canada programs. Councillor Frazer said the report highlighted significant shortcomings in federal services for First Nations communities. “The Auditor General had said that ISC made unsatisfactory progress with remote First Nations and health services,” Councillor Frazer said. His report said remote communities require additional support and funding. The report also found that federal programs addressing oral health for First Nations had not been properly evaluated....
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Editorial: Reconciliation or delay???
The city of Brantford is creating a new “Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation” strategy. It’s supposed to be a strategy aimed at improving relations between the city of Brantford and Six Nations of the Grand River. And it will be a wonder if it happens. Let’s be frank. Any relationship that has existed between the two has been more than testy over the decades, if in fact there even is a relationship. And having lunch with the mayor is hardly a relationship. What there is, is a “relationship” based on centuries of history blighted by stolen lands, discrimination and economic loss. It’s a relationship that saw Six Nations children taken from residential school to work as servants and gardeners for Brantford residents. The relationship between the Six Nations of the Grand...
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Today in History
March 15 In 1973, Indigenous people in Alberta won a settlement of nearly $200,000 in so-called “ammunition money” because an 1877 treaty stipulated they should have been paid $2,000 annually. March 17 In 2020, Ontario Premier Doug Ford declared a state of emergency over COVID-19, ordering the closure of bars, restaurants, theatres and libraries. Alberta and British Columbia made similar declarations, while the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs declared a state of emergency for 62 First Nations, closing reserve borders to non-essential travel. March 18 In 2019, the country’s top bureaucrat announced he would retire as clerk of the Privy Council. Michael Wernick said in a statement there was no path for a “relationship of mutual trust’’ if the Conservatives or N-D-P form the next government. Former justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould...
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Six Nations Farmers Association want $75,000 for white corn project
The Six Nations Farmers Association appeared before the Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) at the General Finance Committee meeting on Monday (March 16) to request $75,000 for its long-running white corn project. It’s an initiative organizers say remains essential to food security, cultural continuity and community sharing. Ruby Jacobs told SNEC the project, which operates on roughly 35 acres, continues to meet steady demand across the territory. “The need for it is still there,” she said. “Last year, the years before there, it’s been quite a success. There’s that everything’s got planted, everything got used up at the end of the season.” The project grows both white and flint corn and provides traditional food to longhouses, schools and community members. She said the initiative traces its roots back to the...
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