AFN National Chief reminds First Nations leaders their decisions change lives
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak delivered the opening address at a Markham conference. (Photo by Sam Laskaris.) By Sam Laskaris Writer TORONTO-Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak reminded leaders at a two-day conference in Toronto to remember their decisions and deeds change the lives of thier people. Woodhouse Nepinak delivered the opening address at the First Nations Leading The Way Conference on Oct. 8. The two-day event, held at the Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites Conference Centre, featured First Nations leaders from across the country who were on panels and workshops, which provided details on fiscal independence, financial management, access to financing and sound land governance. Early on in her address Woodhouse Nepinak reminded the assembled leaders of various First Nations institutions “through your deeds...
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Northwest MPPs support NAN’s call for change after Ginoogaming tragedy
By Mike Stimpson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Thunder Bay Source GINOOGAMING — The band office for Ginoogaming First Nation reopened Friday, the day after the arrest of two suspects in the shooting death of a man in the community on Long Lake’s east shore. A shelter-in-place advisory for the Ginoogaming-Longlac area was lifted Thursday afternoon, more than a day after police issued it following a shooting incident that took the life of Sebastian Towegishig and injured another person. Meanwhile, Indigenous leaders and Northwestern Ontario MPPs say the situation that unfolded in Ginoogaming this week illustrates an urgent need for change. “I empathize with other First Nations within the municipality of Greenstone who also are struggling with having their hands tied when they want to deal with members who are harbouring...
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‘Increasing our visibility’: Oshki Wenjack says accreditation could open new doors
By Matt Prokopchuk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TBnewswatch.com THUNDER BAY — Officials with an Indigenous education institute that serves dozens of northern Ontario First Nations say obtaining provincial accreditation is the start of bigger things. A celebratory media conference was held at the Oshki-Pimache-O-Win: The Wenjack Education Institute’s main facility in Thunder Bay on Thursday. It was to officially announce that the not-for-profit received its full accreditation, which now allows it to create its own programs and confer its own credentials, under provincial oversight. “This isn’t a one-day event by one small group, this is a community event,” Kim Falcigno, the institute’s senior vice president of academics, said at Tuesday’s announcement, adding that it’s a celebration of everyone who played a role in the years-long process. “We’re now kind of...
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Activists from Gaza-bound flotilla expected to return to Canada this weekend
By Miriam Lafontaine The first of six Canadian activists aboard a flotilla that was detained by Israeli forces while attempting to bring humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip has returned home. Indigenous rights activist Mskwaasin Agnew landed at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport on Saturday afternoon, greeted by a group of family, friends and supporters. “Israel kidnaped me in international waters,” she told a group of reporters through tears. “They held me illegally. I did nothing wrong.” The Israeli military interception earlier this week involved a flotilla of nine boats in the Mediterranean Sea. The activists aboard them had been attempting to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza. According to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, a total of 145 activists were brough to shore for processing and deportation in Israel following the...
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‘We’re losing control of our communities’: First Nations in states of emergency as Doug Ford pushes to mine the north
By Jon Thompson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Ricochet Ontario Provincial Police arrested two suspects on Thursday following a two-day, shelter-in-place order in Ginoogaming First Nation and the neighbouring town of Longlac. OPP charged them with second degree murder in the shooting death of Ginoogaming man Sebastian Towegishig. Another victim has been transported 300 kilometres west to Thunder Bay to receive intensive care for gunshot wounds. First Nations across far northern Ontario are now calling on Canada and Ontario’s governments to make a priority of ridding their communities of illicit drugs, some making public safety a prerequisite to conversations about mining. Ginoogaming has been under a state of emergency since May 2024, when Chief Sheri Taylor and her council called for a full-time police presence to contend with drugs and gangs....
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Two teenagers charged with murder in shooting at Ginoogaming First Nation: OPP
Provincial police say two teenagers have been charged with second-degree murder after a shooting in a northern Ontario First Nation on Wednesday left one person dead and another injured. Police say they were called to the scene at Echum Drive in Ginoogaming First Nation around 2:15 a.m. for a report of shots fired, and officers found one person dead and another hurt. OPP issued a two-day shelter-in-place order as officers searched for two armed suspects, with all schools in the area closed and residents advised to stay indoors. Police now say two teenagers from Brampton, Ont., aged 15 and 18, have been arrested and charged with second-degree murder and attempting to commit murder using a firearm. Nishnawbe Aski Nation, which represents 51 First Nation communities across northern Ontario, alleged Thursday...
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Former residential school demolished on Meares Island
By Nora O’Malley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Ha-Shilth-Sa Editor’s note: The following story contains strong language from former students of the Christie Indian Residential School and references that may be upsetting to some readers. Meares Island, B.C. – Shattered glass. Wailing cries soothed by traditional drums. Wood cracked as the digger excavator tore into the roof of the old Christie Indian Residential School, releasing decades of bridled sorrow and anger. “They gave me a sledgehammer. I went to town,” laughed Hesquiaht First Nation’s Cecil Sabbas, 74, who went to the Christie Indian Residential School for eight years. “As I was hitting it I said, and pardon my language, ‘Take that you mother fucker!’ Every hit I did. Take that. When I finally finished and demolished it, I said, ‘Fuck you!’...
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B.C. tables new law on closed meetings between First Nations and municipalities
By Wolfgang Depner The president of the group representing local governments in British Columbia says she welcomes proposed changes that would make it easier for First Nations and municipalities to meet behind closed doors. Cori Ramsay, president of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, said her group and First Nations requested the changes, saying they give nations “the same level of confidentiality” that other levels of government receive. “This is really about building strong relationships with our First Nations partners,” Ramsay said. Ramsay said the proposed changes close gaps in current legislation, but do not change existing processes around final decisions being made in public. Government house leader Mike Farnworth said the proposed amendments “allow or require” local governments to hold closed meetings when discussing “culturally sensitive and confidential information”...
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Indigenous communities want major role in Ottawa’s new housing plan
By Sonal Gupta, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer The new federal Build Canada Homes program could help solve the housing crisis — but only if the government delivers promised funding and ensures Indigenous communities lead the effort, housing advocates say. On Sept. 14, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the creation of Build Canada Homes, a federal housing agency tasked with deploying $13 billion to build 4,000 modular homes in its initial phase. The first wave will focus on transitional and supportive housing for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Six cities, including Winnipeg, Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa, Longueuil and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, will launch the program. In Winnipeg, the announcement is welcome because local housing pressure is especially acute, said Jackie Hunt, senior director of strategy...
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Senator says she was never told her 2005 surgery would leave her sterile
By Dylan Robertson A Quebec senator says she was never told by her doctor that a surgical procedure she went through in 2005 would render her unable to have children, and hopes her story can advance a broader reckoning on systemic racism in Canada. Sen. Amina Gerba told her story to her colleagues on the floor of the Senate earlier this month. She said she went public to support legislation before the Senate to criminalize forced or coerced sterilizations. “I never wanted to be seen as someone who played the victim. I always fought to move forward,” Sen. Amina Gerba told The Canadian Press in an emotional French-language interview this week. “I didn’t want to talk about it at all. But it was too hard to keep quiet.” Gerba said...
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Police looking for suspect in Ontario First Nation after violent incident
-CP-Police on a First Nation in northern Ontario are urging residents to shelter in place as they search for an individual they believe to be armed and dangerous. Nishnawbe Aski Police say officers responded to a disturbance late Saturday afternoon after getting reports of a violent incident in the community of Brunswick House First Nation. Police say a male victim sustained injuries, but did not offer further details about his condition in a news release. Police say they are searching for a young male suspect, although did not have a detailed description of the individual. A significant police presence, including Ontario Provincial Police officers, will remain the area as the investigation continues. Members of the community are urged to stay inside, close all curtains and to call 911 if they...
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Three N.L. activists aboard a Gaza-bound flotilla released from Israeli detention
By Emily Baron Cadloff Three Newfoundland and Labrador activists who were part of a flotilla that was detained by Israeli forces have been released and are en route home to Canada. Sadie Mees, Devoney Ellis, and Nikita Stapleton travelled safely to Amman, Jordan, Sunday morning. The members of the Canadian Boat to Gaza, part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, were aiming to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza and break Israel’s naval blockade. The World Health Organization and international NGOs have declared famine conditions in the Gaza Strip have been ongoing since August. Kira Mees, Sadie’s mother, says she last heard from her daughter around Oct. 7. Sadie told her mom that The Conscience, the boat she was on, was nearing an interception point, and she may be detained in Israel....
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Alberta Premier Smith says Ottawa is dodging responsibility for pipeline decision
By Lisa Johnson Alberta’s government says Ottawa is dodging responsibility by not standing behind a proposed pipeline project to the B.C. coast. Premier Danielle Smith’s office says the decision to build a pipeline lies solely with Prime Minister Mark Carney and the federal government. Her spokesperson Sam Blackett says anything short of decisive support would be a betrayal of the constitutional rights of Alberta’s citizens and call into question whether Canada is a functional democracy. It comes after federal Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson told the Senate on Thursday that if Smith wants the project to become reality, she needs to get the B.C. government and coastal First Nations on board. He said Alberta has work to do before it submits the proposal to the federal Major Projects...
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B.C. has tabled a new law that opens the door on closed meeting with FirstNations
By Wolfgang Depner The president of the group representing local governments in British Columbia welcomes proposed changes that would make it easier for First Nations and municipalities to meet behind closed doors. Cori Ramsay, president of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, says their group and First Nations requested the changes, saying they give nations “the same level of confidentiality” that other levels of governments receive. Government house leader Mike Farnworth says the proposed amendments “allow or require” local governments to hold closed meetings when discussing “culturally sensitive and confidential information” shared by First Nations, but it doesn’t change requirements to make final decisions in open meetings. Farnworth says local governments can only close meetings for limited reasons, which currently don’t include relations with First Nations. Ramsay acknowledges that a...
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Here are the B.C. ministries, provincial agencies and roles affected by job action
By The Canadian Press About 26,000 members of two unions representing British Columbia professionals and public service workers are participating in escalating job action as they push for pay increases in new contracts with the provincial government. The weeks-long strike action includes more than 1,000 members of the Professional Employees Association and close to 25,000 members of the B.C. General Employees’ Union. More than 20 provincial ministries, Crown corporations and agencies are affected. Here is a breakdown: BCGEU job action Ministries Citizens’ Services (including Service BC) Education and Child Care Energy and Climate Solutions Finance Housing and Municipal Affairs Indigenous Relations & Reconciliation Infrastructure Jobs and Economic Growth Mining and Critical Minerals Office of the Premier Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Post-Secondary Education and Future...
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Manitoba Opposition leader sorry for gun gesture in legislature
Manitoba’s Opposition Progressive Conservative leader is apologizing for making a gesture in question period that mimicked shooting himself in the head. Obby Khan says the action was in frustration during question period Wednesday, and called it childish and not justifiable. He says he apologizes without reservation. Education Minister Tracy Schmidt had been answering a question, when Khan turned to a colleague, pointed two fingers toward his head and pretended to pull a trigger. The governing NDP complained, and the Speaker said Khan’s gesture was egregious and offensive. Schmidt says she’s deeply disturbed by what happened, given the current political climate and because students were in the public gallery at the time. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 9, 2025....
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Nishnawbe Aski Nation leaders declare State of Emergency over flow of illegal drugs, violence and deaths
Nishnawbe Aski Nation leadership issued the following statement after OPP lifted a shelter-in-place advisory for Ginoogaming First Nation on Thursday . OPP assisting the Anishinabek Police Service (APS) responded Wednesday at about 2:15 a.m., to reports of shots fired in a residential area. One person was found dead and another injured a police media release issued Thursday. The NAN leadership statement: THUNDER BAY, ON: The Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) leadership have declared a public State of Emergency after a drug related shooting incident sparked a a community lock down in Ginoogaming First Nation. Tragically, and ironically, the incident comes in the midst of a forum convened by Nishnawbe Aski Nation, Nishnawbe Aski Police Services, and Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services to address the very crises that cause these situations, including gang infiltration,...
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Shelter-in-place order lifted, one person dead in northern Ontario First Nation: OPP
By Rianna Lim Provincial police say they’ve lifted a shelter-in-place order in a northern Ontario First Nation, after a two-day search for two suspects in an incident that left one person dead and another injured. Police issued the emergency alert early Wednesday morning for residents in the area of Ginoogaming First Nation, saying the two suspects were believed to be armed and dangerous. OPP said Thursday afternoon that they responded to a report of shots fired in the area of Echum Drive at around 2:15 a.m. Wednesday, and one person was found dead and another injured. All public and Catholic schools in Long Lac and Long Lake #58 First Nation, as well as the Long Lac campus of Confederation College, were closed Wednesday and Thursday as police searched for the...
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B.C. strike escalates to include about 26,000 public service workers, professionals
By Brenna Owen Two unions representing British Columbia professionals and public service workers escalated their weeks-long job action on Thursday to include about 26,000 staff across 14 ministries and provincial Crown corporations. The Professional Employees Association, whose members include engineers, foresters and geoscientists, said more than 1,000 staff from the health, mining, transportation, resource stewardship and attorney general ministries are on strike. The association had previously joined job action by the BC General Employees’ Union in its dispute with the province by picketing a number of government offices across B.C. The BCGEU also escalated its job action Thursday to include about 25,000 public service workers across 475 work sites. A statement from the union said 11 ministries and B.C. Crown corporations were “fully struck,” including the ministries of finance, citizens’...
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B.C. government says dissolving Vancouver park board will require referendum
British Columbia’s Housing Ministry says dissolving the Vancouver park board will require a referendum. The ministry says new legislation to amend the Vancouver Charter would give city council the authority to dissolve the park board after holding an “assent vote,” should a majority of Vancouverites vote to approve the plan. It says if a simple majority — 50 per cent plus one — votes to dissolve the board, Vancouver city council can pass a bylaw to dissolve the board, giving jurisdiction over designated city parks to council. The province says the legislation will also require a referendum and a unanimous council vote if the city wants to remove a permanent park designation, unless the lands are being transferred to First Nations. Vancouver city council under Mayor Ken Sim moved to...
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