James Smith Cree Nation seeks answers on COVID-19 funds
By Nicole Goldsworthy, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, SaskToday.ca JAMES SMITH CREE NATION — The chief of James Smith Cree Nation says he is seeking answers and accountability after raising concerns about how COVID-19 funding was handled by the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN). Chief Kirby Constant confirmed Wednesday he sent a formal letter to the FSIN requesting documents and clarification regarding funding tied to the pandemic. “As chief, I have a responsibility to protect the interests of our nation and to ensure transparency and accountability when our nation’s name is referenced in matters involving public funds,” Constant said in a open letter to members. The request follows a 2025 summary report by Indigenous Services Canada based on a forensic audit conducted by KPMG. The report found the FSIN received...
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Aspire Program seeking the next generation of Kahnawa’kehró:non scientists
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase The Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM) is launching the Aspire Program for Kahnawa’kehró:non students to increase Indigenous representation in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEM) fields. Doctor Gareth Lim, Associate Professor at the University of Montreal and Principal Scientist at the Centre de Recherche du CHUM (CRCHUM), developed the internship program during the COVID-19 pandemic in response to the ongoing underrepresentation of Indigenous people in STEM fields. “I felt like it was something we should improve, ” Lim said. Lim reached out to Dr. Alex McComber, a Kahnawa’kehró:non researcher at McGill University, to help broker an introduction to the Kahnawake Education Center (KEC). Lim worked alongside KEC to create the Aspire Program. “The idea was to focus on students...
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Ottawa commits $1.4 billion to Indigenous health services
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase Minister of Indigenous Services Canada Mandy Gull-Masty announced this week that the federal government will invest nearly $1.4 billion over eight years to support Indigenous health services across the country. According to Gull-Masty, this funding will ensure that Indigenous peoples have access to reliable and culturally informed health services. “Indigenous–led organizations and community leaders are driving meaningful change in health and wellness,” Gull-Masty said. “By investing in critical health, wellness, urban programming, and assisted living programs, we are supporting care that is culturally rooted, community–driven, and life–changing.” The funding will be distributed through three programs, each with different timeframes. The first program allocates $168 million to Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples (UPIP) over a five-year period. The National Association of Friendship Centers...
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Conservatives call for lower gas tax and cuts to ‘wasteful spending’ to pay for it
By Sarah Ritchie and David Baxter The Conservative Party of Canada is calling on Ottawa to drop the federal tax on gas and diesel fuel for the rest of the year. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Thursday that lifting the Fuel Excise Tax, Clean Fuel Standard and GST surcharges from gas and diesel would save about 25 cents a litre. Poilievre estimated the resulting reduction in tax revenue at $5.25 billion. The party said it would permanently eliminate the Clean Fuel Standard after 2026. Poilievre said affordable energy is the “lifeblood” of a strong economy. He said that in order to cover the cost of the tax cut, the government should terminate a handful of programs and call off some planned projects, including the proposed high speed rail line between...
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Orange ‘Every Child Matters’ shirts banned from Queen’s Park legislature
A northern Ontario MPP submitted a formal complaint to Queen’s Park’s house speaker on Thursday after security wouldn’t allow observers into the gallery wearing an “Every Child Matters” t-shirt, and in another case, a sewn patch of the Transgender pride flag. Thunder Bay-Superior North NDP MPP Lise Vaugeois sent speaker Donna Skelly a letter requesting clarity on whether the message arising from the discovery of First Nations child grave sites on the grounds of former residential schools should be interpreted as a political protest. “Every Child Matters is a statement that should not be discouraged, in fact, it is a powerful message of support for those missing and murdered Indigenous children,” Vaugeois wrote, citing similar messaging that is displayed in Queen’s Park’s public reception rooms. “If you could make a...
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Human Rights Tribunal set to deliver verdict on First Nations child welfare deal
By Alessia Passafiume The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal is expected to release a decision today on a landmark First Nations child welfare deal reached between chiefs in Ontario and the federal government. The decision could bring an end to a nearly 20-year dispute that began in 2007 when the Assembly of First Nations and the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society filed a joint human rights complaint In 2016 the tribunal concluded the federal government had discriminated against First Nations children by underfunding the on-reserve child welfare system and ordered reforms. That work came to a halt when First Nations twice rejected a $47.8-billion federal deal in 2024. Chiefs in Ontario voted in favour of a separate deal last year, saying they couldn’t wait for a national agreement while...
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Five people charged with murder in death of Eabametoong First Nation man: OPP
Provincial police say five people, including two youths, have been charged with murder and aggravated assault in the death of a man at a First Nation in northern Ontario. OPP say officers with the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service responded to a report of an assault on Albany River Crescent in Eabametoong First Nation just after 3:30 a.m. on Sunday. They say two people were found with life-threatening injuries and were airlifted to hospital. OPP say one of the individuals, a 33-year-old man of Eabametoong First Nation, died from his injuries. Police say five suspects, including two teens ages 15 and 17, have each been charged with second-degree murder and aggravated assault. They say the suspects are scheduled to appear in court this month and anyone with information is asked to...
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Cook-Searson re-elected chief in LLRIB vote, councillors named
By Nicole Goldsworthy, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, SaskToday.ca LAC LA RONGE INDIAN BAND — Tammy Cook-Searson has been re-elected chief of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB) following the band’s March 30 general election. Official results show Cook-Searson received 2,089 votes. Her nearest challenger was Jude Ratt with 926 votes, followed by Larry Roberts with 533 and Bruce Fredrick McKenzie with 379. A total of 3,927 valid votes were cast in the chief’s race, with 27 ballots spoiled. Overall turnout reached 3,954 voters, including electronic and in-person ballots across all communities. Cook-Searson led in several areas, including 915 electronic votes, 396 in Stanley Mission (Section 5) and 394 in La Ronge (Section 6). Councillors were also elected across LLRIB’s six sections. In Section 1 (Little Red River Reserves 106C...
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Hip Hop artist Tony Tootoosis is making moves in music and culture
By Chevi Rabbit, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Alberta Native News Tony Tootoosis, born Anthony Tootoosis and known professionally as Tony Toosick is from Poundmaker First Nation; he grew up between Thunderchild, Saskatchewan, and Edmonton, Alberta. His music reflects both his Indigenous roots and the streets he knew growing up. “A lot of my music reflects Indigenous culture and humour, but it also has street references,” he says. “I’m a powwow musician, audio engineer, and skateboarder. I like to think of myself as a bit of an activist – I speak my mind and stand up for what’s right in our community. Other than that, I’m just a free person.” His start in music began early, learning guitar through a friend who was a punk rock fan and exploring heavy metal,...
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Premier Eby says changing DRIPA is ‘non-negotiable’ and will pass this session
By Wolfgang Depner B.C. Premier David Eby says that changing the Declaration on the Rights of Aboriginal Peoples Act is “non-negotiable” and it will be pushed into law. Eby’s statement comes ahead of his meeting with First Nations leaders on Thursday to discuss the changes to the legislation, which was cited in the landmark Cowichan Tribes Aboriginal title court decision that has sparked concerns about implications for private land ownership. The premier’s pledge comes as a letter from outgoing Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie calls on the Cowichan Nation to renounce any claim to private property following last year’s court ruling. The ruling says sections of the Land Title Act that establish fee-simple title as “indefeasible” do not apply to Aboriginal title, and calls on the province and the First Nation...
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Doctors speak out on Saskatchewan’s forced drug treatment legislation
By Jeremy Simes Groups that represent doctors in Saskatchewan say they’re worried a bill that proposes to force treatment on those battling drug addictions could put additional pressure on squeezed emergency rooms. “The Saskatchewan Medical Association isn’t able to support the Compassionate Intervention Act in its current draft,” Dr. Pamela Arnold, the association’s president, said in an interview Wednesday. “We agree that urgent action is needed to save lives, but we do have serious concerns.” The association, along with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan, had earlier said in a statement the province should strengthen existing treatment programs before implementing involuntary care. They said they’re concerned emergency rooms could become intake points for addictions patients, resulting in more overcrowding, delayed care and strain on staff. Arnold said the...
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Statement by Prime Minister Carney on the launch of the Artemis II mission
April 1, 2026 Ottawa, Ontario “Today, Canadian Space Agency astronaut Colonel Jeremy Hansen makes history as the first Canadian to venture to the Moon. With Artemis II, Canada becomes only the second nation on Earth to send an astronaut on a lunar mission. This remarkable achievement is a testament to Colonel Hansen’s exceptional skill, and to the decades of discipline, dedication, and perseverance that brought him to this moment. It is also a testament to Canada and our world-class science, our cutting-edge technology, and our remarkable astronauts. This moment reminds us of what Canada has always been: a nation of explorers, builders, and innovators. Colonel Hansen carries forward the legacy of those who came before him – Marc Garneau, Roberta Bondar, Chris Hadfield – and the dreams of every young Canadian...
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Activist’s group accused of ‘terrorist attack’ in collision with Antarctic krill trawler
By Joshua Goodman MIAMI (AP) — A ship operated by a group founded by anti-whaling activist Paul Watson collided with a Norwegian krill trawler off Antarctica in what the ship’s owner likened to a “terrorist attack” that endangered its crew and could have caused a disaster in the same environmentally sensitive waters the activists claim they want to protect. A two-minute video provided to The Associated Press by the Aker QRILL Co. of Norway shows the moment Tuesday when the M/V Bandero, operated by the Captain Paul Watson Foundation, slowly steams toward the stern of the Antarctic Sea, hitting the fishing vessel on its port side at a slight angle. The collision underscores the growing battle in the frigid Southern Ocean over the future of Antarctic krill, a shrimplike crustacean...
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Premier Eby says changing DRIPA is ‘non-negotiable’ and will be pushed into law
By Wolfgang Depner Changing British Columbia’s Declaration on the Rights of Aboriginal Peoples Act is “non-negotiable” and it will be pushed into law, Premier David Eby said on Wednesday. “We are working with chiefs to try to find a path forward,” Eby said at an unrelated news conference in Victoria. “We have to do it, and we will do it.” Eby’s statement comes ahead of his meeting with First Nations leaders on Thursday to discuss the amendments to the so-called DRIPA legislation, which was cited by First Nations in two landmark cases last year. The Cowichan Tribes Aboriginal title decision last August sparked concerns about implications for private land ownership, while the B.C. Court of Appeal added to the uncertainty in December when it found the province’s mineral claims regime...
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With Nunavut devolution 1 year away, what’s happening?
By Arty Sarkisian, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunatsiaq News Federal and territorial leaders have many ways to describe how big of a deal Nunavut devolution is. It’s an “historic moment” and the signal of a “new era.” But it’s also a “lot of paper” that covers two million square kilometres. The Nunavut government is planning a renovation at the main federal office at Qimugjuk Building in Iqaluit, which will be transferred to the territory after Nunavut devolution agreement takes effect on April 1, 2027. (Photo by Arty Sarkisian) As of Wednesday, there is one year left until the 200-page devolution agreement comes into effect. So Nunatsiaq News looked into what specifically is going to change for Nunavut on April 1, 2027. What are we devolving anyway? Federal workers and the...
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Chiefs welcome ‘remoteness quotient’ in child welfare deal
By Mike Stimpson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, SNnewswatch.com FORT HOPE — One of the most welcome components of the Ontario Final Agreement (OFA) to reform child welfare services on reserves is the remoteness quotient, leaders of northern First Nations say. The remoteness quotient is the factor by which child and family services funding is increased to account for extra costs incurred by remote First Nations such as Eabametoong, whose Fort Hope reserve is some 370 kilometres north of Thunder Bay and accessible only by air during most of the year. “We’re going to need that part of the agreement because, right off the bat, we’re disadvantaged in anything that we do in the community because of the remoteness factor,” Chief Solomon Atlookan told Newswatch. He was speaking shortly after Monday’s...
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‘How many more have to die?’: Northern Ontario fires expose delays in human rights complaints for First Nations
By Jon Thompson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Ricochet The fly-in Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nationlost another home to fire over the weekend, as the Auditor General of Canada refuses to investigate allegations that the Canadian Human Rights Commission is “slow-walking” complaints over inequitable firefighting resources in northern Ontario First Nations. The March 28 duplex fire in the community 600 kilometres north of Thunder Bay followed a house fire four days earlier that took the life of KI Chief Donny Morris’s three-year-old grandson. On Friday, the Auditor General’s office refused a public call by the five-member Independent First Nations Alliance and KI, supported by the 49 chiefs of Nishnawbe Aski Nation to investigate why there has been no progress on an urgent claim they filed with CHRC seven months ago. “Our office...
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Bonnechee Valley raise concern over potential tax loss to non-profit Aboriginal housing plan
By Debbi Christinck, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Eganville Leader Eganville – Bonnechere Valley could be facing a loss of $18,000 in taxation revenue annually if an application by the Ontario Aboriginal Housing Support Services Corporation is successful. “I am worried about it,” CAO Annette Gilchrist said last Tuesday during council. “I am worried they are going to win and we are going to lose this assessment.” She explained this application is province-wide and is being fought by other municipalities across Ontario. There is a big impact in many larger municipalities and the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) is also involved in presenting the impacts on municipalities. Locally it would impact 51 properties in the County of Renfrew for a taxation impact of $36,000 to the county. In BV it...
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Historic Saskatchewan town of Duck Lake fails in bid to sell naming rights
By Fakiha Baig and Jeremy Simes Duck Lake — a Saskatchewan community steeped in history that includes Louis Riel and the Northwest Rebellion — will not be renamed for a corporate sponsor. The mayor says a campaign accepting bids to buy the naming rights to the town is dead but admits the bad blood it spawned lives on. “Lots of people still won’t even look at me anymore. They’re quite angry about it,” Mayor Jason Anderson said in an interview. On Tuesday, the deadline passed for the town, located north of Saskatoon, to accept sealed bids from businesses to pony up and take over the town name. The minimum acceptable bid was $10 million. Anderson said there were no bidders in the campaign, which began last fall and would still...
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First Nations chiefs demand apology after PM said he could ‘outlast’ demonstrator
By Alessia Passafiume Two First Nations chiefs are calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney to apologize for saying he could “outlast” a First Nations woman who was protesting over mercury poisoning in her community. Chrissy Isaacs, a Grassy Narrows woman suffering from mercury poisoning, was in Toronto on Monday to demand compensation from the provincial government for mercury contamination. The Dryden Paper Mill released thousands of kilograms of mercury into the community’s river system from the 1960s to 1970s, and community members are still dealing with the fallout today. During a news conference Carney held on Monday with Ontario Premier Doug Ford to announce new funding for housing, Isaacs and a group of community members and their supporters were chanting and shouting about the harms they are facing. Carney responded...
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