Demo shows use of drones by RCMP in rural, Indigenous communities
By Jessica Lee Local Journalism Initiative Reporter A five-year-old has taken off from a residence into a wooded area in Îyârhe (Stoney) Nakoda First Nation. This was the mock scenario Cochrane RCMP painted for a drone demonstration on Friday (June 14) during trials it was conducting in the First Nation earlier this month. From a meeting room at the Cochrane detachment, a remote drone pilot reached the site where the child was last seen in about two minutes and honed in on a bushy area where a white sedan and a person imitating the child could be seen on a big television screen. “In this scenario, we would have radioed a local RCMP member on the ground and advised that we have eyes on the individual and they would have...
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Trudeau announces two multimillion-dollar agreements with the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia
The Canadian Press 21/06/2024 13:23 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced a proposed $125-million agreement with a First Nation in Cape Breton to settle a dispute over reserve land sold in 1862. The prime minister made the announcement in Whycocomagh, N.S., where members of the We’koqma’q First Nation say an improper sale deprived them of the opportunity to benefit economically from the land. The 1,100 members of the band will be asked to vote on the proposed settlement, which has been many years in the making. As well, Trudeau announced $16 million in annual funding aimed at helping 12 of Nova Scotia’s 13 Mi’kmaq communities repair, replace and maintain education infrastructure. The money will be handed to the Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey, which brings together Indigenous chiefs, staff, parents and educators to...
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Statement by the Prime Minister on National Indigenous Peoples Day
June 21, 2024 Ottawa, Ontario The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on National Indigenous Peoples Day: “Today, on National Indigenous Peoples Day, we celebrate the rich histories, heritage, and resilience of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis across Canada. Celebrated on the first day of summer, this day is of great significance for Indigenous Peoples. It’s a day to celebrate the mosaic of traditions, languages, and cultures that have shaped and continue to shape Canada. Many Indigenous communities will hold ceremonies with cultural celebrations, vibrant displays of art, and traditional storytelling. “Despite past attempts by Canada to erase Indigenous cultures, traditions, and languages, Indigenous Peoples persevered. Today, we celebrate their achievements, their courage, and their unwavering resilience. “I spent the day in We’koqma’q, Nova Scotia, where we announced...
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How to protect yourself from the health effects of extreme heat
Did you know that when the outside air temperature is 23ºC, the temperature inside a vehicle can reach over 50ºC? Many places in Canada have a high number of extreme heat events or heat waves. Extreme heat can put your health at risk, causing illnesses like heat stroke and even death. It is important to take precautions to protect your health and the health of your family and loved ones. What are the signs and symptoms of heat illness? Heat exhaustion can cause skin rash, muscle cramps, dizziness or fainting, nausea or vomiting, heavy sweating, headaches, extreme thirst, dark urine and decreased urination. If you experience any of these symptoms during extreme heat, immediately move to a cool place and drink water preferably. Heat Stroke is manifested by...
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Prison, restitution ordered for ex-tribal leader convicted of defrauding Oglala Sioux Tribe
The Associated Press 21/06/2024 11:23 RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — A federal judge on Thursday sentenced a former tribal leader in South Dakota to serve nearly two years in prison and pay tens of thousands in restitution after a jury convicted him earlier this year of defrauding his tribe. Former Oglala Sioux Tribal President Julian Bear Runner, 39, of Batesland, was convicted in April of six counts of wire fraud, and larceny and embezzlement offenses. In 2022, a federal indictment alleged Bear Runner submitted vouchers when he was president in 2019 and 2020 for official trips to other states he didn’t take, and received about $80,000 in checks, which authorities said he cashed for his personal use, including gambling and hotel stays. U.S. District Judge Linda Reade sentenced Bear Runner...
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OPP arrest man for impaired driving
HALDIMAND COUNTY, ON – Haldimand Ontario Provinal Police (OPP) have arrested and charged a 29-year-old man with impaired driving after spotting a truck been driven erratically in Hagersville. OPP said on June 19, 2024, at about 10:55 p.m., the Haldimand OPP was on general patrol and a pick-up truck came to the attention of the officer on Main Street in Hagersville. A traffic stop was conducted and upon speaking with the driver, OPP said it became obvious they had consumed alcohol. The driver was placed under arrest, but OPP said immediately became resistant. The accused was subdued by officers and transported to the OPP detachment for testing. As a result of the investigation, Taiotorake King, of Ohsweken was charged with the following Criminal Code offences: Operation While Impaired Assault with Intent...
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AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak Celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Day
(June 21, 2024 – Unceded Algonquin Territory, Ottawa) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak is celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day today, which has been recognized annually since a 1996. In 1982, the National Indian Brotherhood (now the Assembly of First Nations) first suggested establishing National Aboriginal Solidarity Day as a day of recognition. In 1990, Quebec became the first province or territory to establish June 21 as a day to celebrate Indigenous culture. “National Indigenous Peoples Day is an important part of both National Indigenous History Month and the year as a whole,” said National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak. “It serves as a reminder to uplift our rich First Nations cultures, traditions, languages, and ceremonies. It also provides an opportunity to reflect on...
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MPs reflect on an eventful spring
By Mike Stimpson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter KENORA – Local Conservative MP Eric Melillo believes his party has done a fine job standing up for Canadians squeezed by inflation. “I think overall I’ve been proud of our advocacy as the Official Opposition advocating for trying to make life more affordable for Canadians,” he told Newswatch as the House of Commons neared closing for the summer. “Of course, that’s been a concern that we’ve had for quite some time is as the cost of living continues to soar, whether it’s groceries, housing, home heating – many essential things that are becoming more expensive for people. “So I’ve been very, very proud of our advocacy holding the government to account on that and advocating for some common sense solutions – as well...
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Grassy Narrows holds protest at Dryden mill
By Mike Stimpson, Journalism Initiative Reporter 20/06/2024 21:15 DRYDEN – On Thursday, Grassy Narrows First Nation members took their fight to the source of the mercury contamination that has affected them for more than 50 years. Chief Rudy Turtle joined Grassy Narrows residents and supporters in a protest in front of Dryden’s paper mill, where tonnes of mercury was discharged into the Wabigoon River in the 1960s and ’70s. The mill stopped releasing mercury decades ago, but the mercury hasn’t entirely gone away. Recent research has found that sulfates and organic matter released by the mill have been elevating levels of methylmercury, an especially dangerous form of mercury. “Something needs to be done,” Turtle told Dougall Media. The province needs to step in for the well-being of people in Grassy...
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Federal Court approves first Claims Process for First Nations Child and Family Services and Jordan’s Principle Settlement
Globenewswire 21/06/2024 TORONTO, June 21, 2024– The Federal Court approved the first Claims Process for the First Nations Child and Family Services and Jordan’s Principle Settlement (“the Settlement”), marking a significant milestone towards providing compensation to individuals included in the historic $23.34 billion Settlement Agreement. The first Claims Process focuses on two Classes—the Removed Child Class and Removed Child Family Class. These Classes include First Nations individuals who were removed from their homes as Children, on Reserve, or in the Yukon, and placed into care funded by Indigenous Services Canada between April 1, 1991, and March 31, 2022, as well as their eligible Caregiving Parents or Caregiving Grandparents. “The Court’s approval of the first Claims Process marks a pivotal step towards providing compensation for First Nations Children and their families,”...
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Salish Seas Regenerative Farm Society plans expansion
By Jordan Copp Coast Reporter’civic and Indigenous affairs reporter Salish Seas Regenerative Farm Society is expanding to a six-acre urban farm, with thanks to a grant secured earlier this year and a recent investment from Island Coastal Economic Trust (ICET). In May, the farm society received a $845,361 Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP) grant meant to help the society reach its goal of creating a six-acre “model urban farm utilizing organic compost and the principles of regenerative agriculture to restore local ecosystems and cultivate local healthy food on the Sunshine Coast.” Created by the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation (JEDI), the program supports projects that promote economic diversification, resilience, clean growth opportunities and infrastructure development. In June, it was announced the farm society also received a...
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‘We’re going to try:’ Manitoba outlines search plan for slain First Nations women
The Canadian Press 20/06/2024 18:10 About a dozen trained workers will begin searching this fall through mounds of material deposited at a Winnipeg-area landfill for the remains of two slain First Nations women, the Manitoba government announced Thursday. The province released a timeline for its plan to search the Prairie Green landfill for the remains of Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran after announcing last week that environmental regulators had approved the search. “When somebody goes missing, we go looking,” Premier Wab Kinew told reporters during a briefing. “We hope that it is successful. We cannot guarantee success, but we can guarantee that we’re going to try.” Kinew said the province has come up with a “robust, comprehensive and thorough search plan.” The government will lead the search and work with...
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As former chief sues Assembly of First Nations, minister says Ottawa won’t weigh in
The Canadian Press Published: 20/06/2024 17:30 The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations says Ottawa’s role is not to govern the internal accountability of the Assembly of First Nations, as its former chief launches a lawsuit against the advocacy group. Gary Anandasangaree: Minister of Crown-Indigenous relationssaid in an interview Thursday that the AFN is a trusted, “valued partner” for the federal government, and he wouldn’t weigh in on the legal case. RoseAnne Archibald, who was ousted from the post as national chief last July and was the first woman to lead the organization, is suing the Assembly of First Nations and its executive for defamation and breach of contract. In a statement of claim filed this month, Archibald alleged the Assembly of First Nations and its executive engaged in a “number...
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Minister wants B.C. to be model for aquaculture as it moves to containment
The Canadian Press 20/06/2024 16:52 Federal Fisheries Minister Diane Lebouthillier says the country’s “strict rules” on banning open-net salmon farming are necessary, since the goal is to make British Columbia “a model” in global aquaculture. During a separate funding announcement on salmon restoration in Vancouver, Lebouthillier noted that Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne would be in B.C. soon to meet with First Nations affected by the pending open-net farm ban. When asked if federal money is coming to support the transition away from open-net farming, she said there’s work to be done to help communities and the aquaculture industry to propel them towards the future. Lebouthillier announced the ban in Ottawa yesterday, saying aquaculture must move to land by 2029, giving communities and businesses five years from the original deadline to...
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Town prepares for National Indigenous Peoples Day
By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter 20/06/2024 21:44 The Town of Strathmore is gearing up to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, with an event scheduled to take place in Kinsmen Park on June 21. “We are pretty excited for it, we have a lot of dancers, some elders, (and) some vendors coming out as well,” said Astokomii Smith, Indigenous Liaison for the Town of Strathmore. “We have a little bit of a schedule from 2-4 p.m., we are going to having the opening ceremonies with the land acknowledgement and opening prayer, and a blessing provided by an elder.” Following the opening of the event, the town will raise the Treaty 7 flag, which has previously never been done at the Strathmore town hall. Throughout the day, attendees will be...
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Province invests in local, regional Indigenous transportation initiatives
By Austin Campbell Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The province is providing funding to help First Nation communities with transportation. On June 13, MPP Kevin Holland announced the Thunder Bay Friendship Centre, Marten Falls First Nation, and the Red Rock Indian Band are set to receive $225,000 in funding from the Ontario government to enhance transportation infrastructure. The funding is provided through the Indigenous Transportation Initiatives Fund (ITIF) to support economic growth, mobility and transportation safety in First Nations communities across Ontario. Speaking with Dougall Media on June 19, Holland outlined how this funding will be used by the groups involved – which will each receive around $75,000 – and how improvements in infrastructure stand to benefit vital quality-of-life services. He also touched on the importance of inclusivity, collaboration, and economic...
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Search for remains of slain women at Manitoba landfill to start in fall
The Canadian Press 20/06/2024 16:41 The search of a Winnipeg-area landfill for the remains of two slain First Nations women is scheduled to begin in late fall. The Manitoba government has released a timeline and other details from its plan to search the Prairie Green landfill. Premier Wab Kinew says the province is to lead the search and work with an oversight committee, which includes the victims’ families, an Indigenous elder and anthropology experts. Construction of a healing centre at the landfill is expected to be completed next month. The government announced last week that environmental regulators had given it the green light to search the landfill for the remains of Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran. The province’s former Progressive Conservative government refused a search, saying asbestos and other toxic...
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Six Nations Police Traffic Stop Results In Charges
OHSWEKEN, ON- A Six Nations woman is facing an impaired driving charge after police spotted a vehicle been driven “erratically” on Tuscarora Road. Six Nations Police said, officers on patrol activated their emergency lights and sirens and pulled over the vehicle Friday, June 14, 2024. Police approached the vehicle that had pulled over to the side of the roadway and found a woman, alone in the vehicle, they said was displaying signs of impairment. Police arrested and charged Holly Styres, 34, of Ohsweken, Ontario with the following criminal offences: – Impaired Operation – Alcohol per se Offence Styres was also issued a Provincial Offence Notice under the Liquor Licence Act had her drivers’ licence suspended for 90 days, and the vehicle was impounded for 7 days. The accused is scheduled...
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Six Nations man facing multiple driving charges after collision
OHSWEKEN, ON-A 22-year-old Six Nations man is facing a series of charges including dangerous driving and impaired driving after the Six Nations Police K9 Unit tracked a man from the scene of a single vehicle collision on Cayuga Road Saturday, June 15, 2024. Six Nations Police responded to a collision at about 8:30 a.m. Saturday (June 15) and found witnesses on scene who provided a description of the driver of the motor vehicle. The driver had fled the scene before police arrived and found a “severely damaged vehicle,” that had collided with guard rails along the S bend in the road. The Six Nations Police K9 Officer was called in and the service dog located a person matching the description provided to police. The man had injuries, police said, that...
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Liberals plan talks to launch school food program before end of next school year
The Canadian Press The government hopes to see kids eating meals under a universal, national school food program before the end of the next school year, but it will take time for organizations to scale up their operations, the families minister said Thursday. The Liberals set aside $1 billion over five years for the program, which they promised during the 2021 election campaign. The deals will be similar in nature to the child-care agreements the government signed with provinces, territories and Indigenous communities to lower the cost of daycare, Families Minister Jenna Sudds said in an interview Thursday. “We will negotiate these agreements, incorporating our vision and our principles into these agreements, and then it will be incumbent on the provinces to move forward,” she said. The school food program...
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