B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad faces criticism from several sides amid review
By Wolfgang Depner Dave Sharkey still remembers how he felt about the future of the Conservative Party of B.C. when he was part of the delegation that marched in the 2022 Aldergrove Christmas Light Up Parade. “There were only four of us,” Sharkey said. “Two of us were holding the banner, and the other two were handing out candy canes. But the reception was actually surprisingly positive, and it was a kind of experience that led me to believe that in terms of our political ambitions, we were on the right track.” Sharkey, a party member since 2017 and a former provincial candidate for the Libertarian Party, now sees Conservatives on the wrong track. His conclusion comes despite the B.C. Conservatives coming within a whisker of forming government in October...
Register
Kinew says cabinet minister who complained about sign language interpreter will stay
By Steve Lambert Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is standing by a cabinet minister who complained about sharing a stage with a sign language interpreter. Nahanni Fontaine has apologized for her remarks and will stay on as the minister responsible for services for people with disabilities, Kinew told reporters Friday. “I totally understand where people are coming from,” Kinew said, referring to criticism of Fontaine’s remarks. “At the same time, I think our minister has apologized and is putting in the work with the community, so it’s with the greatest of humility that I want to ask folks in the Deaf community to keep working with her.” Kinew did not specify what steps Fontaine is taking other than meeting with people in the community. The controversy erupted last week after Fontaine...
Register
‘Time is now’ for hydro connection to Nunavut: Inuit association president
By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News A proposed hydroelectric fibre link from Manitoba’s power grid to five communities and two mines in Nunavut’s Kivalliq region should be part of the national infrastructure strategy, according to an Inuit leader. But the federal government has been keeping the project on the back burner for at least four years, Kono Tattuinee, the president of the Kivalliq Inuit Association, told an audience at the Nunavut Arctic Security and Sovereignty Summit in Iqaluit on June 26. Tattuinee said that transitioning off 60-year-old diesel generators is a priority for the region. “We’ve done our best to work with different departments. We tried to get our foot in the door of the finance minister’s office, but we were half in and half out...
Register
Devon ‘Toasty Garlic Bread’ Felker elected chief of West Point FirstNation
By Eric Bowling, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, NWT News/North Devon Felker was as surprised as anyone to find out he was elected chief of West Point First Nation. At age 26, the emerging leader said news of his victory is still sinking in. “It blows my mind,” he said. “I’m still trying to process everything right now. I didn’t find out until 7 [p.m.] and I was showing my girlfriend a video game she wanted to play, so I didn’t really process any of it.” The significance dawned on him the following morning. “But then I woke up and saw all the posts. I can definitely feel the weight on my shoulders now,” he admitted. After polls closed on July 3, Felker prevailed with 25 votes out 45 votes cast...
Register
Rally opposes nuclear waste in Northwest
By Sandi Krasowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Chronicle-Journal Members of Grassy Narrows First Nation and Fort William First Nation led a group of protesters from neighbouring communities in a rally against the transportation and disposal of Canada’s nuclear waste in Northwestern Ontario. First Nation leaders, labour leaders, environmentalists and faith groups turned out at Waverley Park in Thunder Bay on Friday afternoon and spoke out about their concerns of what they call a ‘dangerous plan’ to bury nuclear waste near Indigenous lands and waterways. The group continued with a march to Marina Park’s Spirit Garden. Vince Ponka, the regional communications manager with the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO), said to date, both Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and the Township of Ignace have agreed to move into the current regulatory...
Register
First Nation seeking court ruling on Alberta ending coal mining moratorium
By Jack Farrell An Alberta First Nation is asking a judge to review the provincial government’s decision earlier this year to end its moratorium on coal mining. In an application for judicial review filed this week in the Court of King’s Bench in Calgary, Siksika Nation says Alberta failed in its duty to consult when in January it lifted its moratorium on new coal mining projects on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. The 2021 moratorium, which Alberta is being sued for implementing by a handful of coal companies seeking billions in damages, was issued in response to public outcry after the province lifted its long-standing coal mining policy the year before. The province announced in December that it had nearly finalized a new coal policy, based in part...
Register
Manitoba cabinet minister apologizes for complaints about sign-language interpreter
By Steve Lambert The Manitoba cabinet minister responsible for services for people with disabilities is apologizing for comments she made about a sign-language interpreter. Nahanni Fontaine hosted a celebration for Indigenous women graduates Thursday in Winnipeg, and had a sign-language interpreter on stage with her during her speech. Afterward, while preparing to speak to reporters, Fontaine told one of her staff that she was thrown off by the woman’s presence and that the woman should not have been on stage. The comments were captured and reported on by APTN, the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. The Opposition Progressive Conservatives called for Fontaine to apologize and said she should be removed as minister responsible for accessibility. Fontaine has issued a statement in which she apologizes and says she was worried about not...
Register
Fire safety game adapted into app
By Sandi Krasowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Chronicle-Journal Children and their families living in northern communities can be smarter and safer when it comes to fire safety, thanks to a new app being developed by a former firefighter. Shane Ferguson, a fire safety and firefighter training specialist with his company, Staying Alive Fire Safety, has developed an app to help Indigenous children and youths learn about fire safety practices that could save their lives and the lives of their families. The app is based on Ferguson’s original award-winning The Great Escape Game that he created in the late 1990s after pulling a child from under a bed in a burning home. The child later died from smoke inhalation. The game, which was accessed on a CD, was released in...
Register
Ontario First Nation slowed down traffic on Trans-Canada Highway over mining laws
By Liam Casey A northern Ontario First Nation has completed a four-day demonstration that slowed down traffic on the Trans-Canada Highway, as it protests fast-tracked federal and provincial legislation designed to speed up mining and development. Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg Chief Louis Kwissiwa says they demonstrated alongside Highway 17 to show their disapproval of the federal Bill C-5 and the provincial Bill 5. The federal legislation that passed recently is designed to speed up major projects deemed to be in the “national interest.” A provincial law goes further and gives cabinet the power to suspend provincial and municipal laws in so-called special economic zones in order to speed up projects such as mines. Both levels of government want to mine the mineral-rich Ring of Fire region but the new laws have sparked...
Register
Members of First Nation in northern Ontario to return home after wildfire evacuations
By Rianna Lim Residents of a First Nation in northern Ontario will start returning home Friday after a wildfire threatened the community early last month and forced more than 2,000 people to evacuate, officials said. Sandy Lake First Nation said in a social media post on Tuesday that repatriation will start Friday evening, with security and essential service providers going first to help prepare for the arrival of other residents. The provincial government said Thursday that firefighting crews no longer need pumps and hoses in areas where the fire was sufficiently suppressed, although they continue to put out hot spots in southern and eastern sections of the fire. The fire that threatened Sandy Lake First Nation and Deer Lake First Nation is more than 1,900 square kilometres in size and...
Register
Minister planning to table First Nations water bill despite provincial opposition
By Alessia Passafiume The federal minister of Indigenous services says her government plans to reintroduce legislation to ensure First Nations’ rights to clean drinking water — despite calls from Alberta and Ontario for it to scrap the bill altogether. Two provincial environment ministers sent a letter to their federal counterpart this week calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government to abandon legislation they see as undermining competitiveness and delaying project development. “Prime Minister Mark Carney has made a commitment to do things differently,” Alberta’s Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz and her Ontario counterpart Todd McCarthy wrote in a June 30 letter to federal Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin. “We are hopeful that this new federal government will move away from policies and legislation that undermine competitiveness, delay project development and disproportionately harm...
Register
First Nation seeking court ruling on Alberta ending coal mining moratorium
By Jack Farrell An Alberta First Nation is asking a judge to review the provincial government’s decision earlier this year to end its moratorium on coal mining. In an application for judicial review filed this week, Siksika Nation says Alberta failed in its duty to consult when in January it lifted its moratorium on new coal mining projects on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. Siksika Nation, 95 kilometres east of Calgary, says the effects of coal mining in the Rockies threaten Treaty rights and the land that supports its livelihood. It’s the second time Siksika Nation has challenged a United Conservative Party government’s coal mining decisions. When Alberta lifted its long-standing coal policy in 2020, Siksika challenged the move in court, but proceedings were discontinued the following year...
Register
Emergency Preparedness Grant supports Lakeshore generator purchase to help prevent flooding
By Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Essex Free Press Municipalities like Lakeshore are at the frontline of emergency response across the province, Lakeshore Mayor Tracey Bailey said, as she unveiled a new 50kw portable generator purchased with help from the provincial Emergency Preparedness Grant. The Ministry of Emergency Preparedness and Response provided $50,000 through the 2024-2025 Community Emergency Preparedness Grant for the generator. The grant forwarded to Lakeshore was part of a second-round of funding. The province will be looking at hosting a third-round of funding. “We are partners in ensuring residents are safe during dire situations,” Bailey added. The generator will prevent homes from flooding during an emergency by keeping pump stations running, or it can be used to heat or cool emergency evacuation stations. “These generators will...
Register
Minister planning to table First Nations water bill despite provincial opposition
By Alessia Passafiume The federal minister of Indigenous services says her government plans to reintroduce legislation to ensure First Nations’ rights to clean drinking water — despite calls from Alberta and Ontario for it to scrap the bill altogether. Environment ministers from Alberta and Ontario sent a letter to their federal counterpart calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government to abandon legislation they see as undermining competitiveness and delaying project development. One of the bills they singled out is C-61, legislation introduced in the last Parliament that sought to ensure First Nations have clean drinking water and are able to protect fresh water sources on their territories. That bill faced a lengthy committee process but was not passed into law before Parliament was prorogued. In an emailed statement, a spokesperson...
Register
Conflict Between MN-S and Suspended Directors
By Carol Baldwin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Wakaw Recorder A flurry of press releases and public statements has brought Métis Nation-Saskatchewan’s Provincial Métis Council front and centre following the May election and subsequent swearing in of the newly elected council. Sherry McLennan, Western Region 2, and Wendy Gervais, Western Region 3, were under suspension of duties when the Provincial Métis Council (PMC) dissolved ahead of the election. The Chief Electoral Officer allowed the two to run for re-election. “This is a human rights issue – period,” MN-S President, Glen McCallum, was quoted in a June 26th statement. “One of our staff was harassed in a very public forum, and our government prides itself on being able to provide a safe work environment, free of that kind of treatment by elected...
Register
Members of First Nation in northern Ontario to return home after wildfire evacuations
Residents of a First Nation in northern Ontario are set to begin returning home today after a wildfire threatened the community early last month and forced more than 2,000 people to evacuate. Sandy Lake First Nation says in a social media post that repatriation will start this evening, with security and essential service providers going first to help prepare for the arrival of other residents. The provincial government says firefighting crews no longer need pumps and hoses in areas where the fire was sufficiently suppressed, although they continue to put out hot spots in southern and eastern sections of the fire today. Sandy Lake First Nation says its residents were evacuated to seven locations across the province, and it could take up to two weeks to get everyone home. National...
Register
In Sheet’ká, Łingít fishers share herring harvests with a surprise influx of grey whales
By Amy Romer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, IndigiNews Growing up, Yanshkawoo (Harvey Kitka) never saw many grey whales in the waters of Sheet’ká Sound. The Łingít (Tlingít) Elder and subsistence yaaw (herring) fisherman recalled harvesting gáax’w (herring eggs) in his territories before “Alaska” became a “U.S.” state in 1959. It was a time when yaaw were plentiful and sightings of whales were rare — just a handful at most. “There was food everywhere,” mused Yanshkawoo, tracing a slow circle in the air with his hand — a gesture toward the abundance the ocean once held. He sat at a crowded café in Sheet’ká (Sitka), his voice calm but thoughtful. “They had no reason to come into the Sound back then.” But things changed in 2019, when fishers, researchers and community...
Register
Manitoba cabinet minister apologizes for complaints about sign-language interpreter
By Steve Lambert The Manitoba cabinet minister responsible for services for people with disabilities is apologizing for comments she made about a sign-language interpreter. Nahanni Fontaine hosted a celebration for Indigenous women graduates Thursday in Winnipeg, and had a sign-language interpreter on stage with her during her speech. Afterward, while preparing to speak to reporters, Fontaine told one of her staff that she was thrown off by the woman’s presence and that the woman should not have been on stage. The comments were captured and reported on by APTN, the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. The Opposition Progressive Conservatives called for Fontaine to apologize and said she should be removed as minister responsible for accessibility. Fontaine has issued a statement in which she apologizes and says she was worried about not...
Register
Justice minister wants answers on removal of Saskatchewan’s top Mountie
By Jeremy Simes Saskatchewan’s justice minister says he wants answers on why the RCMP’s commanding officer in the province was abruptly removed. A spokesperson for Tim McLeod’s office says the minister has requested Ottawa provide further information and rationale on the decision involving Rhonda Blackmore. The minister’s office says Blackmore’s dismissal was “surprising and disappointing.” Blackmore abruptly left the job in early June and was replaced by an interim commanding officer until a new one could be selected. Media reports have cited an email from Blackmore saying she was removed due to anonymous complaints against her. The same day she was relieved of her duties, she was hired as a national assistant commissioner of Indigenous and support services for the RCMP. This report by The Canadian Press was first published...
Register
First Nation seeking court ruling on Alberta ending coal mining moratorium
By Jack Farrell An Alberta First Nation is asking a judge to review the provincial government’s decision earlier this year to end its moratorium on coal mining. In an application for judicial review filed this week, Siksika Nation says Alberta failed in its duty to consult when in January it lifted its moratorium on new coal mining projects on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. Siksika Nation, 95 kilometres east of Calgary, says the effects of coal mining in the Rockies threaten Treaty rights and the land that supports its livelihood. It’s the second time Siksika Nation has challenged a United Conservative Party government’s coal mining decisions. When Alberta lifted its long-standing coal policy in 2020, Siksika challenged the move in court, but proceedings were discontinued the following year...
Register
