Job seekers pack Ramara job fair amid cost-of-living squeeze
By Danielle Pitman, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, OrilliaMatters.com With last year’s talk of tariffs and trade wars still swirling, the current state of the economy is overshadowed by the rising costs of living. A job fair organized by the Ramara Chamber of Commerce and Chippewas of Rama First Nations economic development department provided a window into the local job market. There was a lot of engagement from the community. Within the first couple of hours of Thursday’s event, more than 75 people had signed the registration form. This year there were also more employers who responded quickly, said Carol Benedetti, office administrator with the Ramara Chamber of Commerce. The OPP had a table with details about two jobs: civilian data entry clerks and provincial communications operators. Both positions begin on...
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Human rights tribunal approves massive child welfare deal for Ontario FirstNations
By The Canadian Press The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal has approved a landmark First Nations child welfare deal between the federal government and First Nations in Ontario, partially ending a decades-long discrimination case. Monday’s decision comes after chiefs across the country twice voted down a national $47.8 billion deal proposed by the federal government to reform the child welfare system. The tribunal said it chose to issue a “letter decision” ahead of a formal decision to come later, so that First Nations in Ontario do not lose a full year of funding under the agreement. It said it reserves the right to make changes to the letter decision after its release. “In choosing to work with the (Chiefs of Ontario) and the (Nishnawbe Aski Nation), and in recognizing their rightful...
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‘Carney is at a crossroads’ with First Nations, says AFN national chief
By David P. Ball, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, IndigiNews Prime Minister Mark Carney has earned a “mixed” report card over his first year in office, according to the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN). Asked to grade the Liberal leader’s performance, Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak told IndigiNews he “is at a crossroads” if he wants to earn Indigenous people’s trust while also achieving his economic ambitions. She gave the former central banker positive grades for his willingness to meet with and hear from chiefs, Woodhouse Nepinak noted. Carney marked one year since being sworn into office on March 14. He raised hopes for many Indigenous leaders with his subsequent election platform. “At the core of a Mark Carney-led government will be a fundamental commitment to advance the process...
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Human rights tribunal approves massive child welfare deal for Ontario FirstNations
By The Canadian Press The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal has approved a landmark First Nations child welfare deal between the federal government and First Nations in Ontario, partially ending a decades-long discrimination case. Monday’s decision comes after chiefs across the country twice voted down a national $47.8 billion deal proposed by the federal government to reform the child welfare system in 2024. The decision marks a step toward resolving a 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 about federal child welfare funding. In a ruling on that complaint in 2016, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal concluded the federal government had discriminated against First Nations children by underfunding the on-reserve child welfare...
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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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Strangers drawn to Membertou’s good-natured lifetime achievement award winner
y Rosemary Godin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cape Breton Post For 49 years, Anthony “Ikey” Paul has been driving a school bus in Membertou. What’s most delightful to him these days is when he runs into those then-teenagers from years ago with their grandchildren in tow. He has always driven high school-age students and says they were the “best kids.” “There was no problem with any of the kids when I was driving,” says Paul. And he jokes: “We knew who all their parents were.” Paul is now a supervisor and drives occasionally. Laughing, he says at times he will see a student get on a bus that is a child of someone he drove in the past, “and I’ll go: oh no, there’s gonna be trouble – because they’re...
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Tate McRae continues Junos reign with four big wins, despite not attending ceremony
By Alex Nino Gheciu Tate McRae says she’s “Canada down” — and the country’s evidently pretty down with her too, as she led all winners at the Juno Awards industry gala on Saturday. However, the Calgary-born pop star did not attend the ceremony, nor did she provide a video message or written statement acknowledging the wins. The absenteeism turned out to be a theme of the evening as several winners, as well as top nominees Justin Bieber and The Weeknd, no-showed at the Hamilton ceremony where most of the awards were handed out. McRae took home four of the night’s biggest prizes, including artist of the year, single of the year for “Sports Car” and album of the year for “So Close To What,” along with pop album of the...
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Indigenous stewards on BC’s coast left in the dark as sun sets on federal guardianship program
By Hope Lompe, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer The Enhanced Nature Legacy fund is scheduled to sunset on Mar. 31, potentially affecting hundreds of jobs — and for those affected, there’s no word yet on what will happen afterward. Indigenous Nations are bracing for a funding cut to their stewardship offices and guardian programs as the Carney government signals another departure from Trudeau-era environmental policies. The Hill Times reported earlier this month that federal estimates show conservation funding is set to be reduced from $953 million in 2025-26 to $366 million in 2026-27. “Definitely a lot of concern out there, because there’s a lot of implementation dollars on the table [and] we haven’t been told [if] Canada is not renewing some of it,” said Dallas Smith, president of...
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Oka supports Kanesatake security team
By Hadassah Alencar, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Eastern Door The Municipality of Oka announced that both the municipalities of Oka and Two Mountains and all the townships within them will adopt a resolution in support for funding for the Kanesatake Perimeter Security (KPS) at their next council meeting. “It is important for our region to support the efforts of the Kanesatake community to provide a safe living environment for its residents. By supporting the request to renew funding for KPS, we are taking a step in the right direction,” said Oka mayor Patrick Hardy in the press release issued on March 25. The decision to jointly support the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake (MCK) caretaker council’s efforts to fund the KPS was made on March 23 by all elected officials...
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HIV education and awareness non-profit to visit Indigenous communities
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A regional non-profit dedicated to promoting awareness of HIV and AIDS will make stops in Treaty 8 communities next month. Positive Living North is scheduled to hold sessions regarding education, testing and awareness of the human immuno virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) at Blueberry River First Nations (BRFN) and West Moberly First Nations (WMFN) in April. The Indigenous-led organization was founded in 1992 and holds workshops throughout the region promoting preventative health and holistic wellbeing to residents throughout northern British Columbia. According to Fort St. John Positive Living North community health educator Jufil Boquecosa, the sessions are part of an initiative funded by the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA). She told Energeticcity.ca the purpose of...
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‘Horrific loss’: Man guilty of killing five gets life sentence
By Carrie Ivardi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TBnewswatch.com Warning: This story contains details that may be disturbing to read KENORA — Archie McKay has been sentenced to imprisonment for life. The Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug man was convicted last May on five counts of second-degree murder for setting the fire that killed his partner, Geraldine Chapman, their daughter, Shyra Chapman, and three children in Geraldine’s care, Angel McKay, Karl Cutfeet and Hailey Chapman. Justice J.S. Fregeau handed down the sentence in a Kenora courtroom on Monday. Fregeau imposed concurrent sentences for each of the five murders. McKay will serve 25 years of imprisonment before being eligible for parole. “He imposed the highest sentence possible in Canadian law on Archie,” said Assistant Crown Attorney James Cavanagh, who worked on this case with colleagues...
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Inquest to examine death of Ontario Indigenous woman following hospital visit
By Maan Alhmidi An inquest is set to begin next week to investigate the 2021 death of an Indigenous woman in St. Catharines, Ont., shortly after she was discharged from a hospital emergency room visit. Heather Winterstein was a 24-year-old member of the Cayuga Nation with ties to Six Nations of the Grand River. The Chiefs of Ontario organization said Winterstein went to the emergency department Marotta Family Hospital for a severe backache on Dec. 9, 2021, when she was given Tylenol and discharged. It said Winterstein returned the following day, collapsed in the waiting room and later died. The organization, which represents First Nations chiefs in the province, said no answers have been given to her friends or family. “Heather’s death is a tragic reminder of the systemic racism...
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Own-source revenues drive growth in Kahnwake
By Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Eastern Door Even with a hefty decline in spending on capital projects, the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) budget continues to climb, reaching a new all-time high of nearly $133.1 million in projected spending, with a modest surplus expected. “We’re very proud of putting this budget together and making sure we are funding as many things as we can and improving quality of life for Kahnawa’kehró:non through proper programs and services as well as through some, potentially, direct benefits coming out in the upcoming year,” said MCK economic development portfolio chief Paul Rice, who was flanked by executive financial officer Kyle Delisle at the unveiling of the budget for the upcoming fiscal year this week. The budget, which projects a $1.9 million...
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‘I couldn’t say no’: Indigenous artist becomes first to be featured by new project
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca FORT NELSON, B.C. — An Indigenous artist from Fort Nelson has overcome barriers to be celebrated by the Northern Rockies Arts Council (NRAC). A member of Fort Nelson First Nation (FNFN), Amber Lloyd is the first to be featured in NRAC’s ‘Artist Spotlight’, a new project. Highlighting a new local artist from the area each month, it is supported by the British Columbia Arts Council and Northern Development Initiative Trust. Each artist will have an article, featured video and podcast appearance through NRAC channels. Videography will be done by Ryan Dickie of Winter Hawk Studios, while the podcast is hosted by Devin Bellerose and the article is written by Esme Stephens. “[Project director] Francine Freeman reached out to me,” Lloyd told Energeticcity.ca....
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Orange ‘Every Child Matters’ shirts banned from Queen’s Park legislature
By Ricochet Local Journalism Initiative Reporter 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...
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Chiefs implored to ‘stand firm’ against nuclear waste project
By Mike Stimpson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, SNnewswatch.com AROLAND — First Nations need to oppose a nuclear-waste disposal plan together, Aroland First Nation’s chief told fellow chiefs this week. “I think what we need to do as Nishnawbe Aski Nation is to stand firm,” Chief Sonny Gagnon said Wednesday at the NAN Spring Chiefs Assembly in Toronto. “We have quite the battle that is before us.” He added that the 49 member First Nations of NAN, a political organization for Treaty 5 and Treaty 9 communities across northern Ontario, “need to work collectively.” The ramifications of a nuclear waste repository operating in Northwestern Ontario and nuclear waste being trucked to the site are “a lot worse than what (mining in) the Ring of Fire is going to be doing,” he...
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Indigenous services minister questioned about fire that killed toddler
By Alessia Passafiume First Nations chiefs from northern Ontario demanded answers Thursday from Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty after they linked the death of a three-year-old boy to a lack of federal funding for fire services in their communities. On Monday, a house fire in a northwestern Ontario community took the life of Chief Donny Morris’s three-year-old grandson and left two others with serious injuries. The Independent First Nations Alliance, a group of five First Nations that includes Morris’s own community of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, filed a Canadian Human Rights Commission complaint in August 2025 alleging Indigenous Services Canada was systemically discriminating against their communities by underfunding on-reserve fire services. Chief Carla Duncan of Muskrat Dam Lake First Nation — a member community of that alliance — told Gull-Masty during a...
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Ontario delays path to balance, pumps billions into research and innovation in budget
By Allison Jones and Liam Casey Ontario is delaying a path to balance once more, as one of several shock absorbers meant to ease the province down a potentially bumpy economic road ahead, though it is currently faring better than previously feared in the face of U.S. tariffs. Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy is for the third year in a row delaying a surplus, now projecting black ink in 2028-29, with an expectation of closing out this fiscal year $12.3 billion in the hole and worsening to $13.8 billion next year. That nearly $14-billion deficit is a significant jump from the $7.8-billion deficit the 2025 budget eyed for this upcoming year, as Ontario bets big on infrastructure, research and innovation funds, high-growth industries and cutting costs for small business. “I’d prefer...
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Carney takes victory lap after meeting NATO target: ‘We’re just getting started’ Slugline: Cda-NATO
By Kyle Duggan For the first time since the end of the Cold War, Canada is spending roughly two per cent of its GDP on national defence — a key NATO alliance benchmark Ottawa previously failed to meet. NATO’s annual report, released Thursday, contains estimates stating Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government met the key spending benchmark for 2025 by shelling out just over $63 billion. Canada has come under heavy pressure in recent years from its allies — and especially from the U.S. — to dramatically ramp up its military spending. “For the last 10 months, Canada’s new government has been working with unprecedented speed and scale,” Carney told a press conference in Halifax on Thursday. “We’re just getting started.” Carney said his party ran for office “recognizing the world...
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Alberta’s NDP warns of gerrymandering as new boundary map recommendations released
By Jack Farrell Conflicting recommendations on redrawing Alberta’s electoral boundaries ahead of the 2027 election are leading the Opposition NDP to warn that Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservatives are trying to gerrymander electoral districts to increase the voting power of its bedrock support in rural areas. The majority opinion in the Electoral Boundaries Commission’s final report, released Thursday, recommends Edmonton gain one new seat in the legislature while Calgary gains two, with the additions coming largely at the expense of less populated rural areas in central and west Alberta. The minority opinion, put forward by the two UCP-appointed members, similarly recommends more seats in Edmonton and Calgary, though it suggests creating more than a dozen new hybrid ridings to bring rural and urban voters together. It also doesn’t eliminate any...
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