Manitoba youth advocate calls for more help for kids affected by wildfires
By Steve Lambert The Manitoba advocate for children and youth says the provincial government must do more to reduce the harm caused to young people from wildfires. Sherry Gott says children’s health and education are hurt by fires, particularly in remote and Indigenous communities that are more likely to be evacuated. She says in addition to breathing smoke and missing school, studies have shown children exposed to wildfires are more likely to experience adverse mental health effects than adults. Gott’s office is calling on the province to assess the full impact of fires on young people, and to ensure mental health, education and child protection supports are part of emergency planning. This year’s wildfire season in Manitoba was the worst in decades, with 32,000 people forced out of their communities....
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First Nations to intervene in Alberta independence case
By Jeremy Appel, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Alberta Native News (ANNews) – Six First Nations groups, including the Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations and Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta, have been granted intervenor status in a court challenge of the Alberta Prosperity Project’s (APP) effort to collect signatures for a referendum on Alberta independence. The APP is attempting to bring the following question to referendum: “Do you agree that the Province of Alberta shall become a Sovereign Country and cease to be a province in Canada?” Weeks after APP leader Mitch Sylvestre brought his group’s application forward to begin collecting signatures for the referendum question in July, Alberta Chief Electoral Officer Gordon McClure sent the question to the Court of King’s Bench to determine whether it’s constitutional. Section...
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How you can get your hands on a piece of Hudson’s Bay history
By Tara Deschamps When Hudson’s Bay filed for creditor protection and closed its stores, it left thousands of pieces of art and artifacts the retailer owned in need of a new home. Later this year, some will learn their fate. Here’s how the auction process will unfold. What pieces are available? The retailer had 4,400 items — 1,700 pieces of art and about 2,700 artifacts — when it collapsed in March. It hasn’t revealed what most of the items are but has said the bulk are from the company’s “retail era.” Among the available items are 27 paintings that will be sold by Heffel Fine Art Auction House during a live auction in November. Highlights of that auction include a painting of Morocco made by former British prime minister Winston...
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Tougher bail rules will lower gangs and guns violence: Poilievre
By Matt Prokopchuk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TBnewswatch.com THUNDER BAY — The federal leader of the opposition used a visit to Thunder Bay to, in part, promote his party’s proposed changes to Canada’s bail system. Pierre Poilievre’s comments come less than a week after Nishnawbe Aski Nation declared a state of emergency across its 49 member First Nationsover what its officials called “an escalating crisis” of gang infiltration, drug trafficking and drug-related violence. The declaration followed the shooting death of 27-year-old Sebastian Towegishig in Ginoogaming First Nation on Oct. 8 and the arrests of two teens after a two-day manhunt. Meanwhile, another NAN community in northeastern Ontario entered a fourth day under a shelter-in-place advisory on Thursday. When asked by reporters about the state of emergency and what his solutions...
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B.C. coroner’s panel report calls for action to reduce the risk of youth suicide
By Ashley Joannou A report commissioned by British Columbia’s chief coroner says little progress has been made in understanding, recognizing and reducing the risk of youth suicide in the province. Dr. Jatinder Baidwan convened a panel of experts in March to review the deaths of 435 people between the ages of 9 and 25 who died by suicide between Jan. 1, 2019, and Dec. 31, 2023. The report makes five recommendations to reduce such deaths, including the creation of a provincial suicide risk reduction framework specifically focused on youth and young adults. It says training of medical professionals should include early identification, assessment and follow-up of young people who may be at higher risk of death by suicide. It also calls for better data collection and a review of existing...
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Manitoba Wildlife Federation warns highway blockade sets “dangerous precedent” as hunters denied access to Crown lands
By Steven Sukkau, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Winnipeg Sun The Manitoba Wildlife Federation (MWF) is sounding the alarm over what it calls an “unlawful blockade” on a provincial highway leading to the east side of Lake Winnipeg, a move the group says is denying licensed hunters and anglers access to Crown land during moose season and, if left unchecked, could set a “terrible precedent” across the province. In letters to both the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Gary Anandasangaree, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety, MWF alleges that members of Bloodvein First Nation have set up a roadside barrier, initially referred to as a “check stop”, that is now operating as a full blockade, turning away non-Indigenous hunters from accessing public land. According to the federation, Chief Young of Bloodvein...
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Promises and apologies from Premier as candidates duke it out at debate and forum
By Talar Stockton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Yukon News Representatives for the three official territorial parties endeavoured to woo the audiences at two forums held in Whitehorse over Oct. 8 and 9. Both events took place at the Gold Rush Inn in the downtown of the Yukon capital city: the first debate on Oct. 8 was organized by the Council of Yukon First Nations. Various Yukon First Nations chiefs and audience members posed questions of Premier Mike Pemberton, the Liberal Party leader, Kate White, the leader of the Yukon NDP, and Currie Dixon of the Yukon Party. The first night of forum saw Pemberton apologize for comments made at this summer’s Council of Yukon First Nations general assembly. The News has not been able to confirm what the premier’s comments...
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Rivers in Alaska, Yukon set to warm: how will this affect salmon?
By Talar Stockton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Yukon News The North — including the Yukon and Alaska — is warming much faster than the rest of the world due to climate change. Researchers want to know how that will affect the baby salmon hatching in rivers in the Yukon and Alaska. A recent study looked at the temperature of the Porcupine River, as well as temperatures in the Teedriinjik, Aniak, Andreafsky, Koyukuk, Takotna and Chena. It found that the warming in the Porcupine River may be enough to limit the growth of Chinook salmon based on the frequency of days and river length which will warm to the upper limit of the temperature range for individual growth. The Porcupine River connects to the Yukon River at Fort Yukon in Alaska,...
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Industry must provide opportunities if they want to work on First Nations’ territory
By Sam Laskaris, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Windspeaker.com When companies look to do any work on First Nations’ land, they have to remember some simple truths, said Chief Jennifer Constant of Mattagmi First Nation in northern Ontario. “It’s our land. It’s our resources. It’s our backyard. It’s our space,” said Constant during a panel discussion at the Forward Summit on Oct. 8. “And from our perspective, the advocacy for inclusion stems from that. I’m certain if any of you have someone show up in your backyard… you’d be asking ‘Who are you and what are you doing in my yard?’” Constant spoke on a panel titled Forestry and Mining—Returning to the Land; The Interconnection Between Indigenous Communities and The Natural Resource Sector. Tim Harvey, the CEO of Mattagami Aki, the...
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Ford pledges to speak with Carney about All Nations Hospital
By Matt Prokopchuk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TBnewswatch.com KENORA — Federal funding for a planned new hospital in Kenora is one of the topics Premier Doug Ford says he’ll discuss with Canada’s prime minister. Speaking in Kenora on Wednesday, Ford said he’s scheduled to meet with Mark Carney on Thursday. Responding to a reporter’s question, the premier said he’ll forward local requests for Ottawa to chip into the cost of the All Nations Hospital. “He’s going to come over and we’re going to have a good long chat about quite a few different things, and I’ll mention this,” Ford said. “I’ll mention the request.” Ford, along with other provincial officials — including Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford — and several local and regional political and health care leaders were in...
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Route 54 Variety owner Kris Hill’s annual Harvest food give-away
It’s all about family. Route 54 Variety owner Kris Hill’s annual Harvest food give-away fed over 700 families. Volunteers and family, like daughter Markie Styres and her four-year-old daughter Willow, filled bags of food placed in cars by Kris Hill and two more granddaughters. (Photo by Jim C. Powless)...
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Longhouse lights a new fire with rebuilding
By Carly McHugh Writer After a devastating fire destroyed it three years ago, the Ganohsa’o:weh longhouse rose from the ashes, new and improved, a testament to the strength of the Six Nations and Haudenosaunee communities. Rebuilt on the Kayanase site along Highway 54, it now sits atop a hill, overlooking the adjacent turtle garden. Its restoration is part of a larger expansion plan, established by Kayanase and GRETI, which are both divisions of Grand River Employment and Training (GREAT). On Sept. 29, community members gathered inside the traditional structure, to celebrate its completion and what its return means for not only the project’s partners, but for First Nations culture as a whole. “Today is about enjoying the fact that we were able to rebuild,” said Erin Monture, CEO of GRETI....
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SNEC provides additional funding to local language program after HCCC/HDI funding falls through
By Lynda Powless Editor Financial help from both Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs’ Council (HCCC) has helped the Six Nations Language Commission (SNLC) keep Haudenosaunee languages alive in the community over the years. But this year SNEC had to come to the program’s rescue a second time when the HCCC’s Haudenosaunee Development Institute (HDI) funding fell through. The HCCC does not release it annual audits or post them publically. SNEC approved additional funding for the SNLC after a discussion over how to support language revitalization while managing community funding sources. The decision was made at the October 6 General Finance Committee meeting to provide an additional $330,000, after councillors weighed various options for sourcing the funds, including from the Ontario First Nations Limited Partnership (OFNLP), the...
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Six Nation Elected Council says triple killer can’t be buried here
SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND RIVER-A man responsible for the triple homicide of three Six Nations people, including a pregnant woman, has died in prison but will not be buried at Six Nations. Nicholas Shipman, involved in a gruesome homicide in 2018. died in Millhaven Institution’s Regional Treatment Centre, near Bath. Shipman, 43, died on Oct. 2 at the facility. His death sparked controversy on Facebook when a community member asked if he should be buried at Six Nations. One of the victim’s families approached Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill telling her that plans were being made for Shipman to be buried at the Stump Hall cemetery on First Line Road. Elected Chief Hill told SNEC, in a closed emergency session, Oct. 8, 2025, that she had...
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Ontario court orders the estate of multi-millionaire the late Ken Hill to be divided by his 9 children
BRANTFORD,ONT- An Ontario Superior Court has ordered that all nine of the late multi-millionaire Ken Hill’s children will share in his estate after ruling circumstances surrounding his “purported will’ were “odd.” Hill’s children challenged the will arguing it was “suspicious.” Hill’s estate is estimated at over $38 million. Ken Hill was a partner and the public face of Grand River Enterprises, Six Nations most successful tobacco company. Hill died at the age of 62 in Florida of a blood clot “associated with COVID.” He owned businesses, properties in at least three countries, a car collection, yacht and a huge mansion at Six Nations. Court was told Hill left behind a simple will. Court received a photocopy of a computerized will, that was dated just four months before his death. The will...
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Six Nations Development Corporation and Boralex honoured for monumental clean energy project
TORONTO, ONT. – Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation (SNGRDC) and energy production company Boralex are this year’s Canadian Renewable Energy Association’s (CanREA’s) Innovative Canadian Clean Power Project of the Year. SNGRDC received the award, for their upcoming Hagersville Battery Energy Storage Park. The Haldimand County, Ont., site could become the largest battery storage facility in Canada, according to a press release. Once complete, it will provide 300 MW/1.2 GWh of flexible capacity. That will help alleviate the provincial grid during peak times, At the same time it will set a new standard for large-scale energy storage. SNCRDC and Boralex accepted the award at the CanREA Gala, at the Electricity Transformation Canada Annual Conference and Exhibition in Toronto. The project is the second clean energy initiative the two...
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MCFN administrator tells Chiefs of Ontario Early Childhood education means family engagement
By Sam Laskaris Writer Katharine Brown has more than two decades of experience working as an early childhood educator in her First Nation. Brown is currently the Early Years Administrator for Mississauga of the Credit First Nation (MCFN), where she manages a team of more than 40 staff in various programs. Brown provided some details of her work at the Chiefs of Ontario (COO) Early Learning & Child Care Conference. The two-day event, which concluded Oct. 3, was held at the Hilton Toronto Airport Hotel and Suites in Mississauga. Brown was one of five panelists for a conference session. It was titled COO Early Learning and Child Care Regional Panel on Providing Wisdom and Seeking Guidance. During the session Brown was asked for ways MCFN officials interact with families to...
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Brantford hospital unveiled Indigneous health strategy
By Celeste Percy-Beauregard, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Hamilton Spectator A hospital near the most populous First Nation in Canada has debuted its first Indigenous health strategy. Around five per cent of Brantford’s population identified as Indigenous as of the 2021 census profile. But the Brantford General Hospital and Willett Urgent Care Centre in Paris — both overseen by Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) — also serve residents from the neighbouring Six Nations of the Grand River, and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. “We want to ensure First Nations and Indigenous people feel safe when receiving health care at BCHS and stay connected to their culture, language, and traditions,” Michelle Bomberry said in a media release. Bomberry is the manager of BCHS’s Indigenous Health Services, which was introduced in...
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It comes down to transparency
The Haudenosaunee Confederacy Council (HCCC) and its development arm, the Haudenosaunee Development Institute (HDI) need to start answering for the millions of dollars in income they receive on behalf of Six Nations. For over a decade the HDI has received, on behalf of the HCCC, millions of dollars that it has used to invest in among other things off reserve properties, including a high rise in Toronto, houses near the community and more. The dollars have been received over the years from developments taking place on unceded Six Nations Haudenosaunee lands. Lands that belong to Six Nations Haudenosaunee and are being used by Ontario and Canada to building towns, cities, roadways and more on unceded lands that belong to ALL of the Six Nations Haudenosaunee right here in southern Ontario...
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Today in History
Oct 8 1951 Princess Elizabeth arrives at Dorval Airport to start cross-country tour with her husband Prince Philip, later Duke of Edinburgh; her First Royal Tour lasts until November 12, 1951; she will be crowned Queen Elizabeth II the following year. Montréal, Québec 1971 Supreme Court of Canada rules that Aboriginal women cannot be deprived of Indian status because of marriage to non-Indian; under the Bill of Rights. Ottawa, Ontario Oct 10 1613 John Guy explores Trinity Bay with 18 men, to establish contact with the Beothuk Indians. Trinity Bay, Newfoundland 1615 Samuel de Champlain and his party of 500 Huron warriors move to attack Onondaga and Seneca strongholds. Syracuse, New York Oct 11 1615 Samuel de Champlain and war party of 500 Hurons are ambushed by Onondagas and Senecas...
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