‘Challenging’ wildfire conditions in B.C. as hot and dry weather persists
The Canadian Press 19/07/2024 Over 250 wildfires are burning in British Columbia as much of the province continues to bake under a heat wave that is expected to last into next week. Cliff Chapman with the BC Wildfire Service said Thursday that the province appeared to be “on the precipice of a very challenging 72 hours” with hot and dry weather, dry lightning and strong winds in the forecast. Parts of B.C. are expected to see temperatures in the mid- to high 30s over the coming days, along with overnight lows in the mid-teens. The out-of-control Shetland Creek fire in the Interior has grown to about 50 square kilometres in size and has led to some evacuation orders and alerts. An evacuation order issued by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District covers...
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Federal government announces $89 million for conservation projects across Canada
The Canadian Press 18/07/2024 The federal government is spending $89 million to fund 10 greenhouse gas emission reduction projects as the government works toward the goal of conserving 30 per cent of the country’s land and water by 2030. Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault made the announcement in British Columbia on Thursday, where he said the “evidence of climate change is striking,” referencing extreme weather events including flooding, drought and “devastating” wildfire seasons. “With the goal of reversing biodiversity loss across the country, bit by bit, we’re getting there, protecting prime lands and waters that serve up some of the most important habitats for imperilled species.” He added that the projects are also aiding in the fight against climate change. Guilbeault told the conference in West Vancouver that about $50 million...
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OPP raid two Haldimand County cannabis shops, seize $200,000 in products and currency
HALDIMAND COUNTY, ON – Haldimand-Norfolk Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU), and the Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team (PJFCET), raided two Haldimad County cannabis shops seizing products and Canadian currency valued at $200,000. OPP executed Cannabis Act search warrants at an address on Main Street in Dunnville and a Cayuga Street address in Cayuga Wednesday July 17,2024 seizing a quantity of illegal cannabis, cannabis products, and Canadian currency. The estimated value of the seized property is approximately $200,000. As a result of the investigation, a 55-year-old from Hamilton has been charged with the following offences: Obtain or Offer to Obtain Cannabis by Any Method or Process Possessing Cannabis for the Purpose of Selling Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 Further, a 32-year-old and...
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Group says photos of reclusive tribe on Peru beach show logging concessions are ‘dangerously close’
This June 2024 photo provided by Survival International shows members of the Mashco Piro along the Las Piedras River in the Peruvian Amazon near the community of Monte Salvado, in Madre de Dios province, Peru. (Survival International via AP) BY STEVEN GRATTAN The Associated Press 18/07/2024 15:50 An advocacy group for Indigenous peoples has released photographs of a reclusive tribe’s members searching for food on a beach in the Peruvian Amazon, calling it evidence that logging concessions are “dangerously close” to the tribe’s territory. Survival International said the photos and video it posted this week show members of the Mashco Piro looking for plantains and cassava near the community of Monte Salvado, on the Las Piedras River in Madre de Dios province. Several logging companies hold timber concessions inside territory inhabited by...
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Métis Federation adds office space, touts revitalization of downtown Winnipeg
The Canadian Press 18/07/2024 13:58 The Manitoba Métis Federation is finalizing the purchase of two more office buildings and a parking lot in the heart of downtown Winnipeg. The buildings are near the major intersection of Portage Avenue and Main Street, where the federation bought a former Bank of Montreal building in 2020. Federation president David Chartrand says it’s part of a plan to revitalize downtown Winnipeg, which has seen office vacancy rates rise since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Chartrand would not reveal how much the federation is paying but says it’s less than the estimated $140 million it would cost to construct new buildings. He says the federation plans to bring 160 employees downtown from other areas, in addition to staff already downtown. Chartrand, who has been...
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RCMP to heighten presence in N.S. town after patrol car set alight late at night
The Canadian Press /07/2024 14:38 The Mounties say they are bringing in more officers to a southwestern Nova Scotia community where a patrol car was set on fire in a service station lot earlier this week. Investigators say police responded to the blaze in Meteghan, N.S., after receiving a call around 1:45 a.m. on Wednesday. Officers say that when they arrived, they found that the police car had been destroyed and two other non-police vehicles that were parked nearby were damaged by the fire. Sgt. Jeff LeBlanc, the detachment commander, said in an interview that RCMP think the fire was set intentionally and that it is linked to other recent violent incidents in the area. He said that over the past six months the RCMP have investigated shots fired at...
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”Tactical evacuations’ as B.C. Interior wildfire grows: minister
The Canadian Press 18/07/2024 12:51 British Columbia’s minister for emergency management says “tactical evacuations” have been carried out in the Thompson-Nicola area of the province’s Interior, where an out-of-control wildfire is threatening communities. Bowinn Ma told a news briefing in Kamloops that the Shetland Creek fire grew “quickly and considerably last night.” The Thompson-Nicola Regional District issued an evacuation order for 76 properties in the Venables Valley area north of Spences Bridge due to the fire. The order issued at 10 p.m. last night says residents are to report to the emergency services reception centre at the community hall in nearby Cache Creek. Cook’s Ferry Indian Band has also expanded an evacuation order related to the same fire to include additional reserves along the Thompson River south of Ashcroft. The...
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Tipi Village at Ponoka Stampede promotes Indigenous culture and unity
By Chevi Rabbit, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Tipi Village at Ponoka marked its third annual event with speeches from distinguished figures such as Premier Danielle Smith, Indigenous Relations Minister Rick Wilson, Ponoka Mayor Kevin Ferguson, and local leaders like Taylor Bull. Situated in Maskwacis traditional territory, the event aimed to spotlight the profound historical connections shared between Indigenous communities and Ponoka. Despite holding an MBA and a wealth of educational credentials, Suzanne Life-Yeomans attributes her community work more to traditional teachings than formal education. “It hasn’t influenced my community work as it was the traditional teachings that lead me to my community work,” she emphasizes. Although not Plains Cree and not native to the local community, Suzanne remains dedicated to honouring and advancing Indigenous history and understanding. “I like...
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Brant OPP warning public of romance scams, victim loses over $34,000
BRANT, ON -The Brant County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is urging the public to be cautious and vigilant after a victim suffered a signficiant financial loss in a romance scam. OPP said the victim met an individual online in April 2024 through a popular dating application. Police said after a few weeks of conversation, the individual gained the victim’s trust and convinced them to switch communication to a different platform, where they introduced the idea of investing in cryptocurrency. Trusting the individual, police said the victim made several transfers into a cryptocurrency account but has been unable to retrieve any of the funds. The scammer used multiple tactics to maintain the victim’s trust, including changing phone numbers, deactivating and reactivating social media profiles under different names, and requesting the victim...
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Kahnawake Grand Chief lauds council presence at AFN
By Marc Lalonde, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Newly elected Mohawk Council of Kahnawake Grand Chief Cody Diabo lauded his council’s presence at last week’s Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Annual General Assembly in downtown Montreal. “We definitely made our presence felt,” Diabo said. “We got a lot of good feedback from some of the community members who were there in other capacities. We really left our mark.” Over the two-day general assembly at Palais des Congres, Diabo got the opportunity to press federal leaders’ feet to the flames on different topics – not the least of which was the anniversary of July 11, 1990, which marked the day Kahnawake community members blocked access to Mercier Bridge in support of Kanehsatake, after the SQ raided that community over a golf course...
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Woman tied to two drug-related deaths granted bail
Pembroke – A woman with direct ties to two separate drug related deaths has been granted bail following a hearing last week and was ordered to reside with her surety until her next court appearance. However, a few days later, Kachina Sackaney was back in court when the person providing her surety revoked it. Ms. Sackaney, who was residing at 217 Vimy Boulevard in Renfrew, attended a bail hearing last Thursday, July 11 with Justice of the Peace Anne Colterman presiding. The hearing involved drug trafficking charges. Pembroke lawyer Tim McCann represented the federal Crown arguing against her release and Ms. Sackaney was represented by Ottawa lawyer Rob McGowan. Her hearing dealt with two charges including theft under $5,000 and a failure to comply with a probation order requiring her...
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Trudeau outlines details of $30B, 10-year fund for public transit
The Canadian Press Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says applications are now open for a national transit fund that will include money for existing transit systems so they can expand, improve and modernize. The $30-billion, 10-year Canada Public Transit Fund has been in the works for months and was in the recent federal budget. That money will be divided into three categories: baseline funding for existing systems, metro-region agreements for Canada’s biggest cities, and funding for specific things like rural communities, Indigenous communities and active transportation. The Liberals say this will complement the Housing Accelerator Fund by tying housing money to projects that are near public transit. The plan includes eliminating mandatory minimum parking requirements for new construction and allowing high-density housing projects near transit. The money isn’t set to flow...
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AFN head meets with Manitoba’s viceregal to seek independent inquiry into killings
The Canadian PressThe national chief of the Assembly of First Nations is urging Manitoba’s lieutenant-governor to establish an independent inquiry into the killings of four Indigenous women in the province. Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said she had a productive meeting with Lt.-Gov. Anita Neville on Wednesday. The meeting came days after the AFN passed a resolution seeking an inquiry to assess the police investigation and provincial response to the killings. Jeremy Skibicki was found guilty of first-degree murder last week in the deaths of Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, Rebecca Contois and an unidentified woman the Indigenous grassroots community refers to as Buffalo Woman. Woodhouse Nepinak said Wednesday’s meeting was just the beginning of a process that will also include a conversation with Manitoba’s premier, and she expects Neville to respond to...
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Wind power operations off Nantucket Island are suspended after turbine blade parts washed ashore
The Associated Press 17/07/2024 NANTUCKET, Mass. (AP) — The federal government has ordered an offshore wind developer off Nantucket Island, a popular summer tourist destination in Massachusetts, to suspend operations after parts of a damaged turbine blade washed up on the beaches. A spokesman for the federal Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement said Wednesday that operations at Vineyard Wind have been suspended until it can be determined whether the “blade failure” impacts other turbine blades on the development. As a result, power production on the lease area has been suspended and installation of new wind turbine generator construction is also on hold. Nantucket officials said all South Shore beaches have reopened on the island after the company said six truckloads of debris were collected. The company said that the...
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Sky Woman creation story told through contemporary dance
By Odette Auger, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Jim Adams’ “Sky Woman” performance with Porch View Dances is a fusion of contemporary dance and Indigenous teachings. It blends dance, storytelling, and an on-site creation of a turtle shell to transform performance into an art installation. Weaving in the creation story of Sky Woman, the piece addresses the damaged relationship between Indigenous peoples and the Earth, conveying a message of reconnection, responsibility and healing. As the story goes, Sky Woman fell through a hole in the sky. Birds caught her and brought her to rest on a turtle. The turtle’s shell becomes her home. Animals bring mud from the bottom of the ocean to add to the shell, which becomes the land we live on. Adams is a multi-disciplinary artist with roots...
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Rubaboo Arts Festival returns to Edmonton ‘to feed our spirits
By Jeremy Appel, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Rubaboo Arts Festival is returning to Edmonton for its 15th year from July 19 to 28, with something for everyone. Christine Sokaymoh Frederick, the festival’s artistic producer, told Alberta Native News that attendees “can expect a whole great big stew of lots of different kinds of offerings.” You Are Loved is the theme of this year’s festival, which Frederick said was inspired by a painting from local artist John “JCat” Cardinal. Frederick asked if she could use the painting as the event’s poster. When she asked Cardinal what the Cree syllabics at the bottom meant, Cardinal translated them as You are loved. “I immediately was smitten with this whole idea,” explained Frederick, whose family comes from Saddle Lake Cree Nation and Kikino...
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Nunavut throat singers to compete at Pan-Arctic Vision 2024 in Greenland
Ivaluarjuk Kathleen Merritt of Rankin Inlet and Charlotte Qamaniq of Iglulik may have a date with destiny in Nuuk, Greenland. Merritt said Qamaniq phoned her on Sunday morning, July 7, and asked her to team up throat-singing again and enter the Pan-Arctic Vision competition of the Alianait Arts Festival in Iqaluit. The festival ran from July 6-9 and was celebrating its 20th year. Merritt said to her and Qamaniq’s surprise, they won the competition and will now be travelling to Nuuk, Greenland, to compete in the Pan-Arctic Vision competition on Oct. 12. The event will feature 10 artists from 10 places in the Arctic, with this year’s slogan being song, community and independence. “Charlotte and I have known each other since 2008 and our very first performance was back then,”...
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AFN: Poilievre, Singh but Chief’s $47.8B child welfare reform takes the stage!
AFN, federal government confirm $47.8B child welfare reform settlement offer MONTREAL — The AFN’s finalized a deal with Ottawa last week to put $47.8 billion towards child-welfare reform. Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak got cheers as she made the announcement on the floor of the annual general assembly in Montreal. Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu stood beside chiefs and shed a few tears in a subsequent news conference as Woodhouse Nepinak said what a monumental agreement they had reached. The deal is worth more than double what was originally promised for long-term reform in a settlement agreement that resulted from a hard-fought human-rights complaint over underfunding of child-welfare services. Families who helped launched the initial court case stood with the minister and national chief as they shared the news. Ontario Regional Chief...
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Poilievre, Singh speak to Assembly of First Nation Chiefs
By Austin Evans Writer He was nervous. He stumbled over words. He wasn’t the bombastic Pierre Poilievre the country has come to know. Instead, the Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre giving his first ever live address to the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) was careful. The AFN began the third day of their Annual General Assembly (AGA) by inviting Poilievre to address the crowd and take questions. During his speech, the Conservative Party leader kept stumbling over his words and spoke in a stiff voice. His obvious nervousness may have been from facing a crowd whose members booed his December 2022 video message to the AFN. This was the first time Poilievre addressed the AFN directly. A crowd he has avoided appearing in person to since becoming party leader in...
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Chiefs pass resolution reversing course on forensic audit of AFN
The Assembly of First Nations passed an emergency resolution at its general assembly in Montreal Tuesday calling off a forensic audit that had been pushed by former national chief RoseAnne Archibald before she was ousted as national chief last year. The resolution said the audit of the AFN’s books was “not warranted and should not be undertaken” on the advice of accounting firm BDO which did a review. Archibald first called for the audit in 2022 as allegations of financial impropriety were levied at the AFN. At the annual general assembly that year chiefs voted in favour of a resolution to audit 10 years of AFN finances with special attention on salaries and contracts. After she was voted out in June 2023, Archibald said the audit should still go ahead....
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