Tsleil-Waututh Nation youth artist picked for national Pink Shirt Day design
By Abby Luciano, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter A design crafted by a 13-year-old from the səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) will be featured across Canada as a powerful symbol of kindness and respect. Kadence Lánahmats George’s butterfly design was selected as the official artwork for this year’s national anti-bullying campaign, Pink Shirt Day Canada. The pink and purple kilila, butterfly in hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓, ties back into Indigenous values of respect, kindness, inclusivity and community, fitting into the campaign’s message. “I really like butterflies. In my mindset, butterflies are so pure of kindness, something about them touches me,” George said. Killia embody the spirit of Nəc̄əmat, where togetherness and collective strength are celebrated, she said. George first heard about the Pink Shirt Day design contest through the Tsleil-Waututh siʔáḿθət School’s art therapist. George then...
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A running list of Ontario election promises in campaign for snap Feb. 27 vote
-CP-A running list of election promises announced by the Ontario Progressive Conservatives, NDP, Liberals and Greens in the province’s snap election campaign. The vote is set for Feb. 27. Progressive Conservatives Feb. 23 on critical minerals: Spend $500 million over three years on a fund to incentivize projects and leverage more private capital in the critical minerals processing space. Feb. 22 on First Nations: Put an additional $70 million into the Aboriginal Participation Fund to help train workers so they can benefit directly from critical mineral development. Launch a new, $3-billion program to support First Nations equity participation in several sectors, billed as a tripling of an existing loan guarantee program. Feb. 20 on interprovincial trade: Remove all of Ontario’s remaining party-specific exemptions under the Canada Free Trade Agreement. Enable...
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B.C. RCMP investigates swastika graffiti on tribal building as hate crime
-CP-Mounties in Fort St. John, B.C., say they’re investigating graffiti including swastikas spray painted on the Treaty 8 Tribal Association building as a hate crime. Staff Sgt. Scott Watson says in a statement that police are in the process of obtaining video surveillance from surrounding businesses to assist with timelines and trying to identify suspects. Videos from local media show swastikas and profanities spray painted on the walls of the First Nation building in the city. Police say they received a report Sunday afternoon that the swastikas and a “derogatory message” were spray painted onto an exterior wall sometime in the overnight hours. The graffiti, which has since been painted over, was denounced this week by political leaders. B.C.’s Indigenous Relations Minister Christine Boyle said “hate crimes, racist remarks and...
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Randy Boissonnault’s former company ineligible for government contracts for 5 years
By The Canadian Press staff The company that was co-founded by former federal cabinet minister Randy Boissonnault is now barred from doing business with the federal government until 2030. Global Health Imports was suspended in November and has been deemed ineligible for contracts with the government. The company, which Boissonnault started before he was elected in 2021, was at the centre of a series of scandals that eventually forced the Edmonton MP to quit cabinet. This fall, the National Post revealed that the company described itself as wholly Indigenous-owned to apply for government contracts that were meant for Indigenous businesses. Boissonnault said he did not know that claim was made, but he also came under fire over his shifting claims to Indigenous identity. In November, Boissonnault stepped down from cabinet...
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First Nations oppose territorial claims in Heiltsuk constitution
By Andie Mollins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Williams Lake Tribune Three First Nations in B.C. are asking the Heiltsuk Nation to meet and resolve territorial matters before finalizing the adoption of their written constitution. In a Feb. 18 letter to the Heiltsuk Nation, the Nuxalk, Kitasoo Xai’xais and Wuikinuxv nations said they “strongly disagree” with the territorial claims made in the Haíɫzaqv Constitution, approved by Heiltsuk members in a referendum which concluded on Feb. 20. The letter, signed off by leadership of the three nations, explained they were compelled to unite in a request to the Heiltsuk to correct the “inaccurate and historically false statement” within their constitution which asserts territorial claims in regions the nations said are their own, undisputed traditional territories. The leaders stated they have held...
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Member of an Arizona tribe is arrested for allegedly starting a wildfire on reservation
PHOENIX (AP) — A member of the San Carlos Apache tribe was arrested Friday for allegedly starting a wildfire that destroyed 21 homes and forced hundreds of people on the southeastern Arizona reservation to evacuate, federal prosecutors said. Keanu Rudy Dude, 25, was charged with arson in the July 2024 fire that burned more than 3 square miles (7.8 square kilometers), according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona. He was arrested on an outstanding indictment issued by a federal grand jury in Phoenix. A lawyer for Dude did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press seeking comment. The fire damaged power lines — causing a temporary power outage — and took a week to fully contain, authorities said. A state of emergency was...
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Ford highlights promise to speed up Ring of Fire approvals at stop in Thunder Bay
-CP-Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford highlighted his promise to speed up project approvals in the mineral-rich Ring of Fire on Saturday as he visited northern Ontario on the last weekend of the provincial election campaign. Speaking in Thunder Bay, Ford pointed to the critical minerals mined in the Ring of Fire region as Ontario’s “ace in the hole” in the face of possible tariffs from the U.S., an issue he has put front and centre throughout the snap campaign. “To protect Ontario, to give us maximum leverage on the global stage, we have to get our critical minerals out of the ground, processed and shipped to the factory floors here in northern Ontario and across the province,” he said. Ford has said that a re-elected Progressive Conservative government would...
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Greenpeace says a pipeline company’s lawsuit threatens the organization’s future
By Jack Dura MANDAN, N.D. (AP) — A Texas pipeline company’s lawsuit accusing Greenpeace of defamation, disruptions and attacks during protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline goes to trial in North Dakota on Monday, in a case the environmental advocacy organization says threatens free speech rights and its very future. The lawsuit stems from the protests in 2016 and 2017 over the oil pipeline’s planned Missouri River crossing, upstream from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s reservation. The tribe has long argued that the pipeline threatens its water supply. Of the thousands of people who protested the project, hundreds were arrested. Energy Transfer and its subsidiary Dakota Access allege trespass, nuisance, defamation and other offenses by Netherlands-based Greenpeace International and its American branch, Greenpeace USA. The lawsuit also names the group’s...
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Off-road vehicles not safe for kids, Canadian Paediatric Society warns
By Nicole Ireland -CP-The Canadian Paediatric Society is calling for better regulation and safety measures to protect kids riding off-road vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles and side-by-sides. The society says children and adolescents make up about a third of off-road vehicle deaths. In a statement released today, it says federal, provincial and territorial governments should regulate the use of off-road vehicles the same way they do cars. The pediatric society says those regulations should require kids to be at least 16 years old to drive the vehicles and 12 years old to be a passenger. They should also make wearing government-certified helmets mandatory, as kids and teens not wearing one are five times more likely to suffer severe head or neck injuries. The society says off-road vehicles are specifically designed to...
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‘Rumors,’ ‘Universal Language’ among films up for $50,000 prize at TFCA Awards
By Alex Nino Gheciu -CP-Canada’s film community gathers tonight to learn which critical favourites have won two $50,000 prizes — one for best film and another for best documentary. The Toronto Film Critics Association is set to hand out the awards at a gala downtown. Political black comedy “Rumours,” absurdist dramedy “Universal Language” and sheep-herding drama “Shepherds” are competing for the Rogers Best Canadian Film Award. Meanwhile, music biography “Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story,” Ontario Place investigation “Your Tomorrow” and Indigenous rights film “Yintah” are up for the Rogers Best Canadian Documentary Award. The two runners-up in each category will receive $5,000. The majority of TFCA’s 2024 awards were announced in December. RaMell Ross’ Jim Crow-era historical drama “Nickel Boys” won three of the top prizes, including best...
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Mary Piercey-Lewis receives high honour from Governor General
By Kira Wronska Dorward, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Long-time music teacher Mary Piercey-Lewis has received some recognition for the work she’s done in the territory. She received the King Charles III Coronation Medal on Feb. 20 from Governor General Mary Simon for outstanding achievement in education. The ceremony happened at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. Piercey-Lewis said she first received a phone call from Simon’s office telling her about the honour. “I was shocked and excited,” she said. “The only thing I can imagine is because over the years we have performed for her a number of times. Over the past 20 years, I’ve just been working on developing curriculum in Nunavut schools and working with Elders and tradition bearers to ensure that tradition is kept and language is preserved.” Piercey-Lewis...
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Prolific offender having hearing after over whether his Charter rights were violated
By Keith Lacey, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Penticton Herald A court proceeding is underway at the Penticton Courthouse this week to determine if one of the South Okanagan’s most prolific offenders had his Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms violated during a police stop last April in Okanagan Falls. Andrew Robert Hardenstine pleaded not guilty to nine counts Tuesday morning before a voir dire — a trial within a trial to determine the admissibility of evidence- commenced in the B.C. Supreme Court of Justice before Justice V. Gottardi. Gottardi ordered a ban on publication of all evidence presented at the voir dire. Hardenstine is facing charges of illegally possessing weapons (a handgun and rifle), disarming a peace officer (taser) in the course of performing his or her duties, possessing a...
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‘We need to be strong’: Music producer Bob Ezrin boasts of Canadian pride after performing arts award
By Cassandra Szklarski Veteran music producer Bob Ezrin says he’s “beyond proud” to be among this year’s recipients of the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award, especially as a newly repatriated Canadian in the midst of renouncing his U.S. citizenship. The dual citizen said Thursday that he declared his intent to give up U.S. ties in January and is awaiting approval, which could take months. Ezrin said he spent much of the past year straddling the border but has moved permanently to Toronto, ending nearly four decades of U.S. residency, in large part over what he expected from a second Donald Trump presidency. He’s particularly concerned about threats to Canadian sovereignty and says he values distinctions like his Governor General’s award for lifetime artistic achievement — considered Canada’s highest honour for...
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Aatami talks clean energy and renaming bodies of water in keynote address
By Cedric Gallant, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunatsiaq News Makivvik Corp. president Pita Aatami spoke of Inuit empowerment Wednesday at the Aqsarniit Trade Show and Conference in Ottawa. “It sounds funny when [U.S. President Donald] Trump talks about renaming the Gulf of Mexico into the Gulf of America,” he said. But he pointed out that Nunavik Inuit are doing much the same thing by renaming lakes previously named by Europeans. This work is done by Nunavik Geomatics, a consulting firm that provides state-of-the-art mapping and spatial analysis services, one of the many companies he mentioned in his speech that are under the umbrella of Makivvik, the Inuit rights-holding organization in Nunavik. Aatami was giving a keynote speech at the conference, which is being held Monday to Thursday at Rogers Centre...
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Musk waves a chainsaw and charms conservatives talking up Trump’s cost-cutting efforts
By Adriana Gomez Licon OXON HILL, Md. (AP) — Billionaire Elon Musk appeared at a conservative gathering outside Washington on Thursday waving a chainsaw in the air, showing openness to auditing the Federal Reserve and accusing Democrats of “treason.” Musk, the Tesla CEO who has become perhaps President Donald Trump’s most influential adviser, spoke about his crusade to cut government spending and downsize the federal workforce with the administration’s Department of Government Efficiency. The entrepreneur was first announced earlier that day as a speaker, drawing huge cheers from activists gathered at the Conservative Political Action Conference. Before his appearance, he met with Argentine President Javier Milei, who has been frequently praised by Musk and popularized the power tool while campaigning in 2023 and proposing slashing public spending. After Musk appeared...
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Prince Graham lawyer calls for mistrial
By Jacqueline St. Pierre, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Manitoulin Expositor Editors note: This article originally reported the defense for Prince Graham seeking a mistrial for the, accused of the murder of a Toronto man in M’Chigeeng First Nation. We wish to clarify that the mistrial was declared on the same day as this news story was published in the weekly edition of The Manitoulin Expositor. The mistrial was ultimately declared after Graham dismissed his lawyer, leading to legal complications that prevented the trial from proceeding. The jury was discharged, and a new trial date will be set in Superior assignment court in Gore Bay. Further updates on the case will be provided as they become available. SUDBURY—The first-degree murder trial for Prince Almando Graham has taken a significant turn...
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B.C. Conservative MLA says drug crisis cost lives of four relatives
By Marcy Nicholson -CP-The House Leader of the Opposition B.C. Conservatives has described the “unsurmountable” price paid by her family in the province’s toxic drug crisis, which she said had claimed the lives of three of her cousins and a niece. A’aliya Warbus said in question period in the B.C. Legislature on Thursday that she had lost two of her brothers, a niece and a nephew, but later clarified to reporters that the male relatives were all her first cousins. She told the legislature that just last week she attended a memorial for one cousin who died from “a lethal dose of drugs” a year ago. “Not only did it take two of my brothers, but also my niece, who died alone in a tent, in one of the tent...
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What to know about Fort Knox’s gold depository
By Rebecca Reynolds LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — President Donald Trump says Elon Musk will be looking at Fort Knox, the legendary depository in Kentucky for American gold reserves, to make sure the gold is still there. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says there is an audit every year and that “all the gold is present and accounted for.” The United States Bullion Depository at Fort Knox has stored precious metal bullion reserves for the United States since 1937 and has become synonymous for secure and well protected. Along with protecting gold reserves, Fort Knox is currently also used as the Army’s human resources command center, and it hosts the Army’s largest annual training event each summer. “We’re going to open up the the doors. We’re going to inspect Fort Knox,” Trump...
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The Latest: Judge declines to halt Trump administration’s federal workers layoffs
-AP-A federal judge on Thursday refused to temporarily block the Trump administration’s mass layoff of federal workers while a lawsuit brought by five unions moves forward. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper found the unions must bring their claims under federal employment law rather than in district court. Earlier Thursday, the Senate voted to confirm Kash Patel as FBI director, a decision that places him atop the nation’s premier federal law enforcement agency, despite concerns from Democrats over his qualifications and the prospect that he would do President Donald Trump’s bidding. Here’s the latest: Musk shows openness to auditing Federal Reserve Musk suggested he was open to auditing the Federal Reserve and accused Democrats of “treason” as he drew cheers from activists gathered at the Conservative Political Action Conference outside Washington....
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Wikwemikong Police ink $112 million funding agreement
By Jacqueline St. Pierre, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter WIIKWEMKOONG—A new era of stability and security has arrived for the Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service (WTPS) with the signing of a landmark funding agreement. This historic deal, reached with Canada’s Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and the Solicitor General of Ontario, represents a $112 million investment over 10 years—an unprecedented commitment to First Nations policing. For the first time in history, WTPS can engage in long-term, strategic planning rather than operating under short-term, unstable agreements. This transformative funding secures critical resources, enhances officer capacity and strengthens public safety across the territory. “This agreement is a paradigm shift for public safety in our community,” said Ron Gignac, chief of police, WTPS. “For the first time, it allows us to plan both...
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