National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak Statement on G7 Summit
June 15, 2025 – Unceded Algonquin Territory, Ottawa) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak released the following statement today as the G7 Summit begins in Kananaskis, Alberta: “On behalf of the AFN, I must recognize, and draw attention to the fact, that this year’s G7 Summit is being held in Treaty No. 7 Territory, on the ancestral territory of the Blackfoot Confederacy, Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai First Nations, Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Îyârhe Stoney Nakoda First Nation,” said National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak. “Global leaders will be gathering on sacred land, and honouring that truth is critical for the Summit to proceed in a good way.” National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak noted, “Prime Minister Carney has stated that one of Canada’s objectives during this Summit...
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Mi’kmaw mourn loss of treaty scholar, activist Kevin Christmas
By Rosemary Godin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cape Breton Post The voice of a giant of activism and tradition al wisdom for his people has gone silent. Membertou’s Kevin Christmas died on May 28 after a seven month battle with cancer. Friends and colleagues say the impact of over four decades of his activism and treaty research will be felt for generations to come across the whole country. A treaty scholar, Indigenous advocate and environmental activist, Christmas was also a storyteller who shared knowledge rooted in treaties and sacred prophecies. He was brutally honest – but also amusing – whenever he gave speeches at events all across this country to educate Indigenous and non-indigenous about the betrayal of the Canadian government to its treaty responsibilities. His words were never boring...
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‘Say something’: Protesters gather as G7 leaders’ summit gets underway in Alberta
By Bill Graveland As world leaders gather at the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alta., Lesley Boyer has a message. The Calgary grandmother is angry that U.S. President Donald Trump keeps talking about Canada becoming his country’s 51st state. Sitting in a wheelchair at Calgary City Hall on Sunday, Boyer held up a sign with an expletive aimed at Trump. “I’ve been waving my sign around the cameras and hopefully he’ll see it … go away Trump. We don’t want you here,” she said. Boyer was among several hundred people — including labour, youth, Indigenous, political and environmental activists — protesting before most of the G7 leaders had touched down in the city. Trump arrived late Sunday at the Calgary airport before taking a helicopter to the summit site at Kananaskis...
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Prairie fire officials work to support evacuees, while some areas plan return home
By Jeremy Simes and Brittany Hobson The firefight on the Prairies wildfire front took a new turn Friday as officials in two provinces worked to support evacuees, while affected communities readied themselves to bring residents home. Earlier this week, Saskatchewan’s government announced emergency support payments would be given to people forced to flee. It came after the province’s ombudsman slammed the government’s wildfire response. Speaking at a news conference, Premier Scott Moe said Friday the government is working to distribute the $500 payouts to adult evacuees in a matter of “days, not weeks.” “We’re working on all of those fronts so that we don’t leave anyone out, but also that we don’t slow down the effort to get this into families’ hands as soon as possible,” Moe said. Sharon Pratchler,...
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NFN opens modernized water facility after 12-year journey
By David Briggs, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, BayToday.ca On June 12, Nipissing First Nation (NFN) unveiled major upgrades to the Garden Village Water Treatment Plant. Deputy Chief Brian Couchie said, “Today we celebrate more than a new building. The water treatment plant is a promise kept by our people that clean safe water will flow in every home, every day.” Couchie added, “Together we prove that when tradition and technology walk side by side, our Nation thrives.” About 40 people from the community came out for the official grand opening of the treatment plant, located at 196 Gerald Crescent, in Garden Village. The event began with a Water Ceremony led by Evelyn McLeod to honour the spirit of water. Afterwards, everyone was given a small brass-coloured cup, which was filled...
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‘Let the chips fall’: New B.C. party’s leader vows to go where others won’t
By Wolfgang Depner The interim leader of B.C.’s newest political party says it will raise issues other parties won’t dare to touch. Dallas Brodie said these included the effects of the “reconciliation industry,” electoral reform, and ending mass immigration, and she will “let the chips fall where they may” when it’s time to run for re-election. The new One BC party went public on Thursday, with Brodie announcing herself as interim leader and Tara Armstrong house leader as they unveiled plans to combat what Brodie called “the globalist assault” on B.C.’s history, culture and families. “Tara and I are taking a principled stance,” Brodie said in an interview on Friday. “We believe that there is room for the discussions that we are raising, and we will take our shots at...
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Alberta government to start charging residents for COVID-19 shots this fall
By Jack Farrell Alberta’s government announced Friday residents who are not immunocompromised or on social programs will soon have to pay to get the COVID-19 vaccine. In a late afternoon news release, the government said that since provinces took over responsibility for procuring the shots from federal authorities in April, it has wanted to cut down on waste and recoup costs. It said an estimated one million COVID-19 vaccine doses, or just over half of Alberta’s supply, were not used during the 2023-2024 respiratory virus season. It said $135 million worth of shots were wasted. “Now that Alberta’s government is responsible for procuring vaccines, it’s important to better determine how many vaccines are needed to support efforts to minimize waste and control costs,” the province said. “This new approach will...
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Ontario First Nation issues partial evacuation notice over high benzene levels
An Ontario First Nation that has been under a state of emergency for over a year due to high levels of a toxic chemical is recommending the evacuation of part of the community. Aamjiwnaang First Nation declared a state of emergency in April 2024 and issued a similar evacuation notice in October over elevated emissions of benzene. The latest development comes as a neighbouring styrene plant in Sarnia, Ont., is being decommissioned. It was shut down last April after a spike in cancer-causing benzene levels was picked up and the First Nation reported some residents had fallen ill. The plant owner says in a notice that some decommissioning work that began earlier this month has been completed and it appreciates the community’s patience. INEOS Styrolution has said it plans to...
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Six Nations production company and Laurier University explore plans for new hub
By Celeste Percy-Beauregard Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Hamilton Spectator A Six Nations production company and Laurier University are in talks to revitalize a storied building in downtown Brantford. RedDoor Collective and the school are coming together to “explore” a global Indigenous innovation centre and immersive shared reality cinemas (an experience that makes audience members feel like a part of what they’re watching, like an Imax movie) in downtown Brantford, according to a joint media release. “We envision a platform for Indigenous youth, creators, researchers and entrepreneurs, bringing together academics, industry leaders and community organizations to cocreate new models of success,” RedDoor Collective founder Gary Joseph said in the release. The idea includes a state-of-the-art sound stage the size of two basketball courts, and a cinema sharing “immersive” and “interactive”...
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Protesters converge at MPP’s Thunder Bay office
By Sandi Krasowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Chronicle-Journal MPP Kevin Holland’s James Street constituency office in Thunder Bay was the scene of a protest Thursday evening as almost 300 people turned out with placards urging the repeal of Bill 5. The bill, which the Ford government claims is in response to the U.S.-imposed tariffs that threaten the Canadian economy, opens avenues to expedite major infrastructure and resource extraction projects. This involves the replacement of the existing Ontario’s Endangered Species Act with the new Species Conservation Act, which some argue relaxes the existing protections. It also means the creation of other laws such as the Special Economic Zones Act, allowing any location in Ontario to be designated as a “special economic zone” by the province, which can exempt companies or...
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Carney’s task at G7 will be to keep the group alive as experts question the outcome
By Dylan Robertson As Prime Minister Mark Carney gets ready to host U.S. President Donald Trump and other leaders at the G7 summit in Alberta, analysts say Canada’s most important goal will be to keep the G7 from falling apart — even if that means not issuing a joint statement. “Keeping this informal international organization together will, I think, be a mark of success,” said Sen. Peter Boehm, a former diplomat who played a central role in Canada’s participation in the G7 for decades. “The challenge I think that we will be seeing at Kananaskis is whether we still have like-mindedness in the G7, and whether that can still project (unity), in terms of dealing with some of the big global challenges.” The G7 includes the United States, France, Germany,...
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In the news today: Carney to meet Trump this morning at G7 in Alberta
Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed… Carney to meet Trump this morning at G7 in Alberta Prime Minister Mark Carney will meet this morning with U.S. President Donald Trump at the G7 summit in Alberta. It’s Trump’s first visit to Canada since he started repeatedly saying the country should become an American state, leading Canadians to boo the American anthem at hockey games. Trump stormed out of the last G7 summit that Canada hosted, in 2018, and many will be watching this morning’s meeting, scheduled for 9 a.m. local time in Kananaskis, Alta. The meeting comes weeks into regular calls and text messages between Carney and Trump as they try to resolve an economic spat caused by Trump’s various...
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Anishinabek Nation chief says he briefed OPP on protests against fast-track bills
By Alessia Passafiume A regional chief for Anishinabek Nation says he briefed Ontario Provincial Police Thursday on what to expect when First Nations take to the streets to protest provincial and federal legislation aimed at fast-tracking major projects. Scott McLeod said he was invited by an Indigenous relations coordinator to brief officers at the OPP’s Orillia headquarters on why First Nations oppose the legislation and why they see the bills as a violation of treaties with the Crown. “These territories are not just waiting idly for you to come and dig up the resources there. These territories are educational institutes. They are grocery stores. They are pharmacies for our medicines,” McLeod said in an interview with The Canadian Press. “First Nations leaders in Ontario have consistently said that we are...
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US military is helping intercept missiles that Iran fired in retaliation at Israel, official says
By Jon Gambrell, Josef Federman And Julia Frankel, Lolita C. Baldor And Tara Copp DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The U.S. military is helping intercept missiles that Iran fired in retaliation at Israel, a U.S. official says. The U.S. has been moving assets nearer to Israel to assist in missile intercepts and to provide better protection of U.S. bases in the region. While the official did not say how the U.S. provided assistance, both U.S. Air Force fighter aircraft and destroyer-based missile defenses have intercepted missiles in previous attacks. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing operations. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Israel launched blistering attacks on the heart of Iran’s nuclear and military...
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Brantford and Six Nations Police arrest four in joint drug trafficking investigation
BRANTFORD/Ohsweken-Four Brantford residents are facing a series of drug related charges after a Six Nations and Brantford police crackdown in a fentanyl and cocaine trafficking investigation that spanned both communities. The Six Nations Police Drug Enforcement Unit and Brantford Police Service Drug and Firearm Enforcement unit wrapped up the illicit drug investigations Thursday, June 12th, 2025. Police said the investigation centred on the trafficking of fentanyl and cocaine at both Six Nations of the Grand River and the City of Brantford. The joint investigation saw Section 11 Controlled Drugs & Substances Act search warrants executed on a Colborne Street East residence in the City of Brantford with the assistance of the Brantford Police Service Emergency Response Team. Four people were arrested inside the residence without incident. As a result of...
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Manitoba communities prepare to return home after wildfires displaced thousands
Two First Nations organizations are teaming up to provide services for northern Manitoba wildfire evacuees, while some affected communities are getting set to return home. The Southern Chiefs’ Organization, which represents 32 First Nations in southern Manitoba, says it will provide culturally safe supports to hundreds who have fled to Brandon, Dauphin, Portage la Prairie and the Winkler and Morden area. Thousands from five northern First Nations have been forced out of their home communities over the last two weeks, with many of them staying in Winnipeg. The organization will oversee the operation of reception centres, distribute supplies and provide on-site safety and security at evacuation centres and hotels in collaboration with local municipalities and emergency services. Grand Chief Jerry Daniels said the organization is committed to compassionate, dignified and...
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Anishinabek Nation chief says he briefed OPP on protests against fast-track bills
By Alessia Passafiume A regional chief for Anishinabek Nation says he briefed Ontario Provincial Police yesterday on what to expect when First Nations take to the streets to protest provincial and federal legislation aimed at fast-tracking major projects. Scott McLeod says he was invited by an Indigenous relations coordinator to brief officers at the OPP’s Orillia headquarters on why First Nations oppose the legislation and why they see the bills as a violation of treaties with the Crown. McLeod says “shutting down the economy of Ontario is not off the table” and that if police want to “avoid another Dudley George,” they need to understand First Nations’ position. George was shot and killed during the Ipperwash crisis of 1995, when members of the Kettle and Stony Point First Nation and...
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‘The town will fail if this carries on’: Tofino’s short-term rental flip-flop
By Nora O’Malley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Ha-Shilth-Sa Tofino, B.C. – Indigenous business owner Brian Quick points to a For Sale sign across the street from his barbershop on Tofino’s Campbell Street. The 12,389 square-foot property with a mix of commercial space below and residential units above is listed at roughly $2.4 million. Quick sighs. “That’s the kind of property only people with generational wealth can afford. It’s hard busting into their world,” he says. He wants to see more Nuu-chah-nulth people own businesses in town, but as Ahousaht Tyee Ha’wilth Maquinna (Lewis George) says, “everybody has missed the boat now on purchasing property in Tofino”. Maquinna is one of the only Nuu-chah-nulth members in Tofino who owns a short-term rental. In 1994 he opened the House of Himwitsa Lodge,...
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First Nation school in Chilcotin celebrates first-ever graduation
By Andie Mollins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Williams Lake Tribune In the community of Tl’etinqox, just over an hour west of Williams Lake, five students are celebrating a particularly special graduation. “We’ve been excited about it for a while,” said Kris Hance about his school’s first ever graduation. At the age of 15, Hance is not only counted among the school’s first graduates – he is also his class’s youngest graduate and co-valedictorian. “We’ve spent hours talking about it, just talking about the technicalities of the graduation.” With a total student population today of about 60, Tl’etinqox school has traditionally taught students from Kindergarten to Grade 6, after which children had to leave their community to complete their schooling. Co-valedictorian Kris Hance is only 15 years old and will...
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How the militaries of Israel and Iran compare
By Christopher Bodeen TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Israeli strikes on Iran on Friday and Tehran’s vows of reprisals have brought the two Middle East adversaries closer to an all-out war, which also threatens to draw in the United States, at least to some degree. So how do the militaries of Iran and Israel stack up against each other? Iran boasts a large standing force but also relies on proxies and undercover operations that have been severely disabled in recent months by U.S. and Israeli actions. Israel, meanwhile, relies on both subterfuge and robust regular ground and air forces that are apparently unmatched in the region. Though roughly equal in the number of troops, the two militaries bring strikingly different tactics and firepower. Where does Iran stand? On paper, Iran would...
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