Chiefs Of Ontario say Rickford made ‘threats of retribution’
CKENORA – A court document filed recently by the Chiefs of Ontario accuses the MPP for Kenora-Rainy River, who is the province’s Indigenous affairs minister, of making “threats of retribution.” A spokesperson for Greg Rickford responded to the allegations with a one-sentence statement. “As this matter is before the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment further,” the spokesperson stated in an email to Newswatch. The allegations against Rickford are in a statement of claim filed by the chiefs organization. The statement’s 45th paragraph alleges that Rickford “spoke in an angry tone and made threats of retribution” in a Dec. 11, 2023, phone call to Regional Chief Glen Hare. According to the statement, Rickford told Hare all collaboration between the chiefs and the provincial government “will stop, now that the...
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OPP assist Six Nations Police in death investigation after man found on side of road dies
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have been called in after Six Nations Police found a person along the side of Fourth Line Road with life threatening injuries. Six Nations Police said the person was found May 10th, 2024 at about 11:20 a.m. with life threatening injuries on Fourth Line Road near Mohawk Road. Police said the person was transported by Ornge air ambulance to hospital where the individual succumbed to their injuries, May 11th. A joint investigation into the death is underway. and the community can expect an increased police presence in the area. A post-mortem is scheduled at the Centre of Forensic Sciences for a later date. In addition assisting Six Nations police in the investigation is the West Region Emergency Response Team, in conjunction with the Office of...
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Six Nations Police Officer facing charges
A 30-year-old Six Nations Police Officer is facing an assault charge. The Six Nations Police Service said Monday, May 13, 2024, the service was made aware of an on-duty incident that occurred on April 10, 2024. As a result the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were contacted launched an independent investigation into the conduct of the officer. On May 10, 2024, members of the OPP, Professional Standards Bureau, arrested and charged, 30-year-old Constable Michael Johnson, with Assault Cause Bodily Harm. Johnson has been a member of the Six Nations Police Service for six-years. He has been suspended with pay since April 15, 2024. Johnson is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Brantford at a later date. Six Nations Police said there will be no further information released...
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Caledon man charged in collision
Six Nations Police have charged a 32-year-old Caledon man after a collision last Thursday night. Six Nations Police, fire, and EMS personnel all responded at about 8:20 p.m. to a two-vehicle collision on Second Line on Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation. Both vehicles were heavily damaged. Polkice said bystanders at the scene told police one of the drivers tried to flee on foot but was prevented from doing so by another bystander. Officers at the scene said they noticed the man had injuries from the collision and was exhibiting signs of impairment. Following treatment for minor injuries at a local hospital the accused was held in custody and charged with impaired operation; alcohol per se offence 80 plus; fail to stop at accident; dangerous driving; operation while...
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Clean Energy part of Community Awareness
By Austin Evans Writer Six Nations Community awareness month is off and running with displays, activites and barbecues! One of those displays included about 20 organizations involved with the energy sector and potential jobs within it, not to mention an electric car all gathered in the Community Centre to show what they have to offer. Vendors offered information on the energy sector, and employment services. Companies ranged from those dealing in green energy like Reserve Power, Indigenous Clean Energy, and the First Nations Power Authority. The FNPA is the only North American non-profit Indigenous owned and controlled organization involved in developing Indigneous owned power generation projects . Vendors had career options listed at their booth, including A6N, a joint venture between Aecon and Six Nations of the Grand River Development...
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Indigenous fraud summit in Winnipeg to discuss Inuit identity, federal legislation
A two-day summit in Winnipeg this week will hear from Indigenous leaders across the country on how they’re reacting to — and can come together to fix — what they call Indigenous identity fraud. Co-hosted by the Manitoba Métis Federation and the Chiefs of Ontario, the summit will also include Inuit leaders who have raised concerns about the topic in their respective jurisdictions. One of the topics up for discussion is Bill C-53, a federal piece of legislation that seeks to formally recognize Métis governments in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario. The bill is hotly contested by the Manitoba Métis Federation and the Chiefs of Ontario, who say the inclusion of Métis Nation of Ontario threatens their rights — and who question the validity of the organization altogether. Métis Nation of...
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More businesses identify as Indigenous to get Ottawa contracts
Canadian businesses now eligible for federal contracts awarded to Indigenous employers have skyrocketed to the tune of a 40% increase since the Trudeau government introduced the program. Over 800 new businesses registered for enrollment in the Indigenous Business Directory over the past year, a database which lets eligible companies participate in the federal government’s procurement strategy to bolster the Indigenous economy. The spike in enrollment has some community leaders fearing that the government’s overly broad criteria has left the door wide open for exploitation. The database which held only 1,900 businesses last year, now stands at 2,700 as of last month. The Trudeau government promised to have at least 5% of the total value of federal contracts awarded to Indigenou businesses in 2024. Called the Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business,...
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Six Nations Community Awareness: Boy, We’re having fun!
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Casino Rama funding has time limit
For 37 years First Nations in Ontario have been receiving funding from Casino Rama. Opened in 1996 on Rama First Nation it not only became the biggest employer of First Nations people but its profits were split up among Ontario’s 133 First Nations. Those profits over the years have brought millions to Indigenous communities. Dollars that helped fill the gap between what the federal government actually provides in funding for various government programs and what is actually needed in communities. Communities used the money to build their communities, provide more services build hospice centres as Aamjiwnaang First Nation near Sarnia did this past week. Six Nations was one of if not the biggest receiver of Casino Rama funding, a funding that is based on population and Six Nations is home...
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Weekly Cartoon
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UNDER THE NORTHERN SKY: In The Spirit Of The Traditional Hunt
By Xavier Kataquapit Turtle Island News Columnist It looks like the swallows are back and that is a sure sign of spring and warmer weather to come. A couple of weeks ago I heard the honking of Niska (Canada geese) as they paused to take a break on the field behind our house here in Kirkland Lake. They seemed to have moved on now and have arrived at their summer destinations on the shore of James Bay. My family and friends have been heading out to their traditional camps for the past week or so and they are having success in harvesting Niska. This is a time where my people enjoy being on the land and practising our traditional pursuits in the way that our ancestors have since the dawn...
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Trial sees video showing admitted serial killer with 2 of 4 victims played at trial
WINNIPEG MAN-In what may be one of the last documented moments in Marcedes Myran’s life, a video shows her walking in a Winnipeg parking lot next to her killer. Hours later, police believe she was slain. When officers collected the May 4, 2022, surveillance video during their investigation of Jeremy Skibicki, they didn’t know Myran’s name — only that she had been killed and her remains put in a garbage bin. Sgt. Paul Barber testified Monday that officers were tasked with going over more than 2,000 hours of video evidence while trying to track the whereabouts of Skibicki and his four victims in the days before the killings. “We went back to try and seize as much video surveillance as possible,” said Barber. Skibicki, 37, has pleaded not guilty to...
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Chiefs make changes to roster in quest to win another Mann Cup championship
By Sam Laskaris Writer Here’s a scary thought for opponents of the Six Nations Chiefs, the defending national Mann Cup champions. “I would say it’s going to be a deeper team this year,” Duane (Dewey) Jacobs, the Chiefs’ president, general manager and assistant coach said of the club on Monday, exactly a week before the local squad commences its 2024 regular season. The Chiefs will kick off their Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) campaign this coming Monday with a home contest against the Owen Sound North Stars. The opening faceoff at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena is scheduled for 8 p.m. After capturing the Ontario-based MSL title last summer, the Six Nations club travelled to British Columbia this past September to square off against the Western Lacrosse Association champion New Westminster Salmonbellies....
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Local hockey squad wins B championship at Brantford tourney
By Sam Laskaris Writer A Six Nations-based girls’ hockey squad had a slow start at a Brantford tournament. But the Grand River Spirit Under-11 club rebounded after losing its first three matches at the event and ended up winning the gold medal in its B championship. A total of eight teams were entered in the girls’ Under 11 category at the three-day Brantford Regional Spring Showdown, which concluded on Sunday. The Grand River side lost all of its round-robin matches at the tourney. The Spirit was downed by two different clubs from London, Ont., as well as a team from Cambridge. Following those setbacks, the Grand River club was relegated to the tournament’s B (consolation) playoff action. The Spirit beat a western New York team 3-1 in its semi-final round....
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Jamieson in running for National Lacrosse League’s best goalie award
By Sam Laskaris Writer Doug Jamieson would love to be declared a winner on Thursday. But what the Six Nations member would love even more than that is to have his professional lacrosse club, the Albany FireWolves, earn victories on both Friday and Saturday. Jamieson, who is in his seventh pro season, has been a key reason for the FireWolves’ success this National Lacrosse League (NLL) season. He registered a career high 11 wins this year while sporting a 10.12 goals-against average in regular season action. As a result, Jamieson is one of three finalists for the NLL’s goaltender of the year award. The winner will be announced on Thursday. The two other finalists are Nick Rose of the Toronto Rock and Chris Oliglieri of the San Diego Seals. “It’s...
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Rivermen leading Ontario Series Lacrosse standings after two latest victories
By Sam Laskaris Writer Hearing Six Nations Rivermen head coach Derek Graham talk one might think his charges have struggled early on in their 2024 season. The Rivermen, however, are sitting atop the standings in the six-team Ontario Series Lacrosse with a 4-1 record. Six Nations is on a three-game winning streak following a pair of victories this past week. For starters, the Rivermen beat the visiting Hamilton Bengals 11-9 in overtime on Friday in a contest held at the Six Nations Sports and Cultural Memorial Centre. Six Nations then thumped the visiting Ennismore James Gang 14-3 on Saturday. So, Graham must be pleased with the way things have been going for his team, right? “Not at all,” he said. “I think we have work on our situational play.” Graham,...
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Winnipeg murder trial expected to hear from neighbours of admitted serial killer
By The Canadian Press Three people who lived in the same apartment building where Jeremy Skibicki killed four women are expected to testify in a Winnipeg courtroom today. Skibicki told police he strangled or drowned the women in his home and then disposed of their bodies in garbage bins. He has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder for the slayings of Rebecca Contois, Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran and an unidentified woman Indigenous leaders have named Buffalo Woman. His lawyers have said he killed the four Indigenous women but is not criminally responsible due to mental illness. Crown prosecutors say the killings were racially motivated and Skibicki preyed on the vulnerable women at homeless shelters. A worker from one of the homeless shelters is also expected to speak later today during...
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Rankin hamlet council accepts Jordan’s Principle
By Darrell Greer Local Journalism Initiative 15/05/2024 Rankin Inlet Hamlet Council voted to approve the introduction of the Jordan’s Principle program into the community on Monday. Senior administrative officer Darren Flynn said once the hamlet gets its contract in place with Indigenous Services Canada, it will be rolling out the program as soon as possible. He said he is already working on recruiting the two positions of food security co-ordinators the program creates, as well as securing them a space to work from. “The total amount approved is $6.224 million, but on that, there’s overhead costs and wages, so the amount for food distribution will be somewhere in the neighbourhood of $5.8 million for the balance of 2024-25,” said Flynn. Jordan’s Principle allows for $500 per month support each for...
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UPDATED: Evacuation order issued in Doig River FirstNation
UPDATE (as of 9:30 p.m. May 13th) – Story has been updated to include new information about the fire. The Peace River Regional District has also issued an evacuation order and two alerts due to this fire. You can see the order and alerts by clicking here. ROSE PRAIRIE, B.C. — Doig River First Nation (DRFN) has issued an evacuation order for its reserve effective immediately due to the 50-hectare wildfire west of the area. A statement from the DRFN band manager Shona Nelson reads that the wildfire, first reported on May 12th, causes an “imminent threat to people and property,” and residents should evacuate immediately. The statement says residents should do the following before leaving: Shut off all gas and electrical appliances other than refrigerators and freezers. Close off...
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Federal ministers talk Arctic sovereignty in Iqaluit
By Kira Wronska Dorward The world has changed over the last two years. In the Arctic, it’s changing four times faster. Words to these effect were echoed by all three federal ministers at the media roundtable discussion for Arctic and northern security in Iqaluit on the morning of May 6. The federal trifecta, Defence Minister Bill Blair, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, and Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal had met with the three territorial premiers the previous day in Nunavut’s capital to discuss the new policies outlined in the federal government’s latest northern security document, Our North Strong and Free: A Renewed Vision for Canada’s Defence. Partnership to create infrastructure in support Canada’s northern peoples “We gave [the premiers] an update,” began Blair, “in a secure environment on Arctic security...
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