Last all-Indigenous fire unit featured in Knowledge Network documentary
By Luke Faulks, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Matt Nelson knew he wanted to fight fires since he was in Grade 7. His teacher, now-Lil’wat Nation’s Chief Dean Nelson, was a firefighter before moving to teach at the Xet̓ólacw Community School in Mount Currie. “He planted that seed,” Nelson remembers. Now, Nelson features in Wildfire, a five-part documentary series from Knowledge Network set to premiere on April 29. The series’ final episode interviews him for his work as part of the last remaining all-Indigenous fire crew in B.C.—the Salish Fire Unit, based in Lil’wat First Nation. In 1988, The BC Wildfire Services (BCWS) started to partner with Indigenous communities around the province to build up local fire-fighting capacity and create employment opportunities. The Salish Unit in Mount Currie, founded in 1989,...
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‘We made it through the night’: New Secwépemc children’s book teaches about grief and loss
By Dionne Phillips, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, IndigiNews A new children’s book by author Stanley (T’ult) Daniels of Tsq̓éscen̓ First Nation provides a cultural context around grief. Tscwinúcw-k: The Stars of the Secwépemc opens with a young boy named Malakai playing with his Kyé7e. She passes away soon after, and the book then follows the journey of Malakai as he deals with the loss — using his cultural teachings to remember his Kyé7e, who now lives in the Sky World with the other ancestors. Through stories, Malakai’s mother (Setse7), helps him understand the teaching of Tscwinúcw-k — meaning “we survived the night” — which serves as a reminder that ancestors continue to be there, guiding the people with love. “So what Tscwinúcw-k is, is kind of like an artistic expression,...
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Sault-Algoma candidates address challenges of new riding
By Margaret Kirk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Sault Star As Canadians prepare for the upcoming federal election, a significant change in electoral geography is reshaping how citizens in Northern Ontario are represented in Ottawa. According to the final report of the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario in 2023, the Algoma–Manitoulin–Kapuskasing riding was erased, with surrounding districts absorbing the characteristically rural population. The change in riding boundaries happened because Northern Ontario grew by 2.8 per cent from 2011-2021, while the rest of Ontario grew by 11.2 per cent in the same period. The Sault Ste. Marie riding became Sault Ste. Marie–Algoma and now spans north to include Hornepayne, White River, Dubreuilville and Wawa. East of Sault Ste. Marie. It includes Missanabie Cree, Michipicoten, Batchewana, Garden River, Batchewana, Serpent River and...
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A Two-Spirit Journey is the ‘book to change the narrative’ in 2025
By Shari Narine, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter CBC’s competition Canada Reads recently celebrated a memoir published almost a decade ago. “I am grateful that they picked the book,” said Ma-Nee Chacaby, Ojibwe-Cree author of A Two-Spirit Journey. “I didn’t ever think it was ever going to go anywhere. I just wanted other First Nations to start writing their stories. That was my main thing. Maybe if I write, they’ll follow.” A Two-Spirit Journey was published in 2016 by the University of Manitoba Press. Chacaby, who is visually impaired, told her story to non-Indigenous close friend and professional writer Mary Louisa Plummer over Skype during the course of several months in 2013. Plummer typed it and then read the first draft to Chacaby, who rounded it out with additional material....
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Blueberry River Restoration Society’s chief executive officer talks organization’ ambitions
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Blueberry River Restoration Society is open for collaborative work, and is asking for proposals for impactful restoration projects. Angela D’Amato van den Hout is the CEO of Blueberry River Restoration Society (BRRS), and spoke of the organization’s mandate in an interview with Energeticcity.ca. According to its website, the society was born out of a 2021 Supreme Court decision, which ruled the province violated Blueberry River First Nations’ (BRFN) members’ Treaty 8 rights by failing to account for the impacts of cumulative development, including on fishing, hunting and cultural practices. A government-BRFN partnership was formed, and BRRS was founded in 2023 with a focus on providing funding for ecological restoration projects within BRFN territory. The website reads its...
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New rental building helps bring Squamish Nation members back home
By Abby Luciano, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, North Shore News A new rental building on Xwemelch’stn (Capilano Reserve) is giving Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) members who have lived away from the area the opportunity to return home. Nation members celebrated the grand opening of the Chenkw Em̓út building Tuesday. The three-storey, 95-unit building is for Squamish Nation members with priority to Elders, youth and families based on a multi-generational housing approach. “[It’s] a really exciting day for the community being able to celebrate this amazing housing project that’s been in the works for the last six years,” said Sarah Silva, a member of the board of directors for Hiy̓ám̓ Housing, a non-profit organization the Nation launched to address housing needs for members. Chenkw Em̓út, meaning “I am home,” is a...
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Carney follows Poilievre in pledging to speed up resource projects
By Anja Karadeglija Liberal Leader Mark Carney took his promise of making Canada an “energy superpower” to the heart of Canada’s oil industry Wednesday, becoming the second party leader in three days to promise to speed up the review process to greenlight major national energy projects. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre made a one-project, one-review promise at a campaign stop in northwest British Columbia on Monday. Both parties are trying to convince Canadians they can ditch Canada’s reputation as a place where big projects take far too long to get built. With punishing U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump still dominating much of the election conversation, both the Liberals and Conservatives are wooing Canadians with pitches to reduce Canada’s trade reliance on the U.S. by, among other things, building new pipelines...
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Carney, Poilievre taking their campaigns to the GTA today as campaigns hit half way mark
The Liberals and Conservatives will be campaigning in the Greater Toronto Area today. Liberal Leader Mark Carney is set to make an announcement in Brampton, Ont., in the morning and meet with supporters and volunteers in Hamilton, Ont., in the afternoon. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre will hold a press conference in Milton, Ont., in the morning and a rally in Woolwich, Ont., in the evening. As of 2021, the population of the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area was over seven million, representing almost 20 per cent of Canada’s population. A new Leger poll, which was conducted online and can’t be assigned a margin of error, suggests that 48 per cent of Ontarians will vote Liberal in the election, compared to 39 per cent who will vote Conservative and nine per...
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Ontario partners with First Nations for new Northern Ontario hydro project
By Abdul Matin Sarfraz Local Journalism Initiative Electricity demand continues to rise in Northern Ontario, the provincial government is partnering with two First Nations to explore two new hydroelectric generating stations. If approved, the Nine Mile Rapids and Grand Rapids generating station projects could produce a combined 430 mw of clean energy — enough to power approximately 430,000 homes, said Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce at a press conference on Wednesday. The projects would contribute to the province’s strategy to boost clean energy capacity while supporting economic growth in the north, he added. “By working together in the face of unjustified attacks from President Trump, Ontario will generate all the affordable electricity we need within our own borders, now and well into the future,” Lecce said, calling the...
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Brantford Police say counterfeit currency continues to circulate in city
BRANTFORD,ONT-The Brantford Police have issued an additional advisory to Brantford businesses and residents after reports continue to be received regarding counterfeit money circulating within Brantford. So far this year Brantford police said they have received 52 reports of counterfeit Canadian bills used at various businesses. Five people have been charged by BPS for using counterfeit bills in 2025. Most of the incidents have involved Canadian bills of $100.00 and $50.00. Similar serial numbers on the $100.00 bills appear to have been circulating across other jurisdictions in Canada. Common serial numbers on the $100.00 bill are, GRJ6710018, GRJ6710019, GRJ6710020, GRJ6710020, GRJ6710021, and GRJ6710022. The counterfeit bills seen in circulation have a holographic window strip on the bill with the word, “Prop Money.” Some of these bills have other obvious signs...
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Four-way battle for Nunavik’s riding in federal election
By Cedric Gallant, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunatsiaq News A four-way race is shaping up in the Abitibi–Baie-James–Nunavik–Eeyou riding in the April 28 federal election. Quebec’s largest riding — and the third-largest in Canada — includes the region of Abitibi, which is predominantly populated by non-Indigenous Québécois; the Cree region of Eeyou-Istchee; and the Inuit region of Nunavik. Incumbent Sylvie Bérubé is running again for the Bloc Québécois. First elected in 2019 and re-elected in 2021, she has committed to spending more time in Nunavik and working directly with Indigenous communities. In her time as MP, Bérubé visited Nunavik twice. During her first trip, in 2022, she visited Aupaluk for a day. Her second visit was a three-day stop in Kuujjuaq in January 2024, where she met with representatives from...
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Poilievre promises to ban bail, parole and house arrest for repeat serious offenders
By Anja Karadeglija Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre insisted Wednesday that his promised three-strikes law wouldn’t run afoul of the Constitution, after several justice experts said some of his crime policies are likely to get struck down by the courts. Poilievre was campaigning in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. where he repeated his promise that a government led by him would make those convicted three times of “serious” offences ineligible for bail, probation, parole or house arrest. Those offenders also would be sentenced to a minimum prison term of 10 years and could get a life sentence. They could not “be released until they have proven that they are no longer a danger to society,” he said. “Under my watch, the only way for repeat offenders to obtain their freedom will be...
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As Canada is threatened, it’s urgent to revisit Indigenous sovereignty and nationhood
By Frank Deer, Professor, Faculty of Education, University of Manitoba Early in his second term as president of the United States, Donald Trump began making explicit threats about Canada becoming the 51st American state. In the midst of his absurd and at times disrespectful rhetoric that’s also included a proposal to acquire Greenland and the Gaza Strip, some have argued Trump’s interest in annexing Canada is an imperialistic impulse. As a Kanienʼkehá꞉ka educator concerned with Indigenous language education, civic education and reconciliation, I believe it’s important to explore how Canadians should think about Indigenous nationhood with Canada’s sovereignty under threat. I also believe a U.S. annexation of Canada would be devastating for Indigenous Peoples. Re-asserting Canadian nationhood amid threats Trump has stated that Canada can be annexed through economic force...
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In the rush for Canada’s critical minerals, Indigenous rights and sovereignty are being ignored
By Jon Thompson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Ricochet A First Nation chief in northwestern Ontario says political rhetoric about running roughshod over Indigenous consultation to fast-track mining and other extraction projects is emboldening an abusive approach to resource engagement. Onigaming Chief Jeff Copenace says his community “fundamentally opposes” a proposed gold mine and warns that the development “will be opposed at any cost necessary including peaceful protest and direct action.” In a March 22 email, Golden Rapture Mining president Richard Rivet sent an email to Onigaming First Nation leaders, informing them that Ontario officials would soon deliver the company’s “enviro-friendly exploration plan” for its Phillips Township Gold Property.Onigaming Chief Jeff Copenace said a number of representatives from the junior mining company had reached out over the month regarding exploration and...
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Alberta school division pulls group Jordan’s Principle application, after changes to criteria Slugline: LJI-AB-JORDANS-PRINCPLE Source: Local Journalism Initiative Published: 09/04/2025 14:05 New item for followed topic: First Nations Category: Spare News Word count: 791 View this item in your account: https://cpnewspro.com/wire?item=urn%3Anewsml%3Alji-api.superdesk.pro%3A2025-04-07T16%3A29%3A56.491580%3A1426f320-11d4-402a-92a8-1444d2bdb75c By Pearl Lorentzen, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeside Leader Pearl Lorentzen Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Peace River School Division has around 30 per cent Indigenous students. Some may receive additional education support through individual Jordan’s Principle grants. However, in the fall of 2024 the division applied for a group grant to support 850 self-identified Indigenous students through a division-wide program. The grant process stalled, with rumblings of changes over the winter. On February 10, Indigenous Services Canada sent a 10-page document with clarifications on criteria. Administration looked at the criteria, says Jeff Thompson, PRSD superintendent. There were a few that would be very difficult for the division to meet, so within a few days of receiving the letter, the division pulled the application. “We’re disappointed for sure,” says Thompson, “because we were hopeful this would be a bit of a game changer for us.” If PRSD’s application had been successful, all self-identifying Indigenous students would have had extra supports. Now, the onus is on individual families to apply for Jordan’s Principle funding. Jordan’s Principal exists to fill gaps in services for First Nations and Inuit people under the age of majority, which may arise because of jurisdictional disputes between the federal and provincial governments. PRSD doesn’t know the number of families that have applied as individuals, says Kristin Dyck, PRSD communications coordinator. This is because the division isn’t involved in making these requests. “We do support families if they have specific educational needs that they are requesting through their individual (Jordan’s Principle) contracts,” adds Dyck. In Alberta, Jordan’s Principle applications for First Nation members are through First Nations Health Consortium (FNHC), which can be contacted through www.abfnhc.com or 1-844-588-8748. FNHC has staff to help with parents the free application. Inuit children receive support through the Inuit Child First Initiative. The Alberta Jordan’s Principle office of Indigenous Services Canada handle this and makes decisions about Jordan’s Principle applications. The number is 1-833-632-4453. Even without the extra money, PRSD is committed to providing quality education, says Thompson. He urges parents who think their child may need extra help to contact their school principal. The division can’t do the Jordan’s Principle application for the family, but may be able to help in other ways. Challenges PRSD hadn’t applied until this year because the application seemed “a monumental task,” says Thompson. However, this year the division had a new staff member who had been successful with a group application for another division. The February 10 announcement included criteria which may have existed before, says Thompson, but which hadn’t been communicated before the application process started and which hadn’t been required for successful applications in the past. “All reasonable criteria,” says Thompson, “but the shift from a looser interpretation of criteria to a much more stringent interpretation,” made the current application untenable for the division. Thompson mentions three criteria. The needs of each student in the application had to be confirmed by a professional such as a pediatrician, speech and language therapist. The division had to prove that it had used all of the money from other sources to try to address the need. The division also needed to have the treaty number of each student and signed permission from each parent for the application. The division has 3,000 students, says Thompson. The PRSD Jordan’s Principle application was for 850 self-identified students across the division, says Dyck. The division doesn’t have treaty numbers for students because its information on Indigenous status is based on self identification. Treaty numbers are important for the application because only registered (or eligible to be registered) First Nations and Inuit members are eligible, not self-identified or Métis students. The need to prove that all other sources of money have been exhausted makes sense on the surface, says Thompson, but on a technical level is basically impossible to prove for every student. The way the division read it was that “you’ve tapped out all of your resources and still haven’t met all their needs.” School divisions don’t make money, says Thompson. They are dependent on government grants. Usually, when a new grant comes along, the division jumps on it and applies. The goal of the PRSD application was to enhance the education for students, says Thompson. PRSD runs schools in Northern Alberta in and around Peace River. Thompson has been with the division since 2017 in various roles. During that time, he says, the school has had between 29 to 30 per cent self-identified Indigenous students. Red Earth Creek School has the highest percentage, with about 60 or 70 per cent Indigenous students. This school has around 100 students. The larger schools in Peace River and Grimshaw have lower percentages but more students. For example, Grimshaw Public School has about 500 students, of which 130 to 140 are Indigenous students. www.lakesideleader.com Regards, The Canadian Press Team Contact us at 1-800-268-8149 or help-aide@mycpnewspro.com Visit https://www.thecanadianpress.com/ for more services from Canada’s trusted news leader.
By Pearl Lorentzen, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeside Leader Peace River School Division says it has around 30 per cent Indigenous students. Some may receive additional education support through individual Jordan’s Principle grants. However, in the fall of 2024 the division applied for a group grant to support 850 self-identified Indigenous students through a division-wide program. The grant process stalled, with rumblings of changes over the winter. On February 10, Indigenous Services Canada sent a 10-page document with clarifications on criteria. Administration looked at the criteria, says Jeff Thompson, PRSD superintendent. There were a few that would be very difficult for the division to meet, so within a few days of receiving the letter, the division pulled the application. “We’re disappointed for sure,” says Thompson, “because we were hopeful this...
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SCAM ALERT: B.C. police warn of increase in scams targeting Indigenous businesses
PRINCE GEORGE B.C.-Mounties in Prince George, B.C., are warning about “a significant increase in high value” scams targeting Indigenous communities and businesses. They say fraudsters have swindled more than $3 million from North District communities over the past 15 months, and there is evidence to suggest such scams are happening across Canada. Police say the schemes are sophisticated and often involve scammers posing as victims, vendors, consultants, or contractors to gain access to business contacts and financial transaction records. The RCMP say it often includes creating fraudulent email accounts that closely resemble those of legitimate vendors or community organizations. They say the scammers then request or provide banking information updates, redirecting payments and asset transfers to accounts under their control. Police say they are “deeply concerned” about the financial and...
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University lifts ban on the singing of Newfoundland and Labrador’s official anthem
Newfoundland and Labrador’s Memorial University has lifted a ban on the singing of the “Ode to Newfoundland” at convocation ceremonies. The ban was imposed in 2022 as the university’s senate responded to complaints that the province’s official anthem omits Labrador, contains outdated language and does not reflect the “many communities” within the institution. At the time, then-university president Neil Bose said the decision was intended to “create safer and more welcoming spaces for all students.” The senate voted to reinstate the singing of the anthem late Tuesday after it was presented with a report from a committee that recommended the change following months of consultations. University president Jennifer Lokash issued a statement saying the song will be sung during convocation ceremonies scheduled for next month. She also issued an apology,...
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Poilievre promises to ban bail, parole and house arrest for repeat serious offenders
By Anja Karadeglija Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre insisted Wednesday that his promised three-strikes law wouldn’t run afoul of the Constitution, after several justice experts said some of his crime policies are likely to get struck down by the courts. Poilievre was campaigning in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. where he repeated his promise that a government led by him would make those convicted three times of “serious” offences ineligible for bail, probation, parole or house arrest. Those offenders also would be sentenced to a minimum prison term of 10 years and could get a life sentence. They could not “be released until they have proven that they are no longer a danger to society,” he said. “Under my watch, the only way for repeat offenders to obtain their freedom will be...
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Dry saloon keeps going amid challenges
By Sandi Krasowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Chronicle-Journal Howl at the Moon, Thunder Bay’s first dry saloon and late-night coffee bar, is celebrating its second anniversary by thanking all the organizations and patrons that supported the establishment that is vital for so many people. “We’re still here,” said Jody Loos, founder and owner of the dry bar. He said its success is because of organizations like Big Trout Lake First Nation, which has partnered with Loos by establishing a house tab at the coffee bar for its off-reserve members. Loos hopes the initiative will be inspirational for other First Nations to follow suit. Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, which is Ojibwa-Cree for Big Trout First Nation, developed the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug Kikenjigewen Onaakonikewin (KIDO) KI Family Law to take over child and family...
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Watchdog investigates after Saskatchewan teen was hit by RCMP vehicle
A Saskatchewan teenager is in hospital after he was struck down by an RCMP vehicle on a First Nation north of Regina. Mounties say it happened while police responded to a “firearms-related call” on the Kawacatoose First Nation, roughly 130 kilometres north of Saskatchewan’s capital city. Police say one of the responding officers was driving down a grid road when he hit the teen near a rural home on the First Nation. The officer was not hurt but called an ambulance for the 16-year-old, who was airlifted to a hospital in Regina before being transferred to Saskatoon. RCMP say the Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team will look into the collision and the boy’s injuries to determine if the officer should be charged. No other details are to be released until...
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