AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak Calls for National Action for MMIWG2S+ on Red Dress Day
May 5, 2024 – Unceded Algonquin Territory, Ottawa, Ontario) – Today, Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak joined First Nations Survivors, families, and communities across Turtle Island to observe Red Dress Day to honour Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals (MMIWG2S+). “Red Dress Day is a reminder of the urgent work needed to ensure safety, justice, and equity for First Nations women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals,” said National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak. “With the upcoming anniversary of the Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and the 231 Calls for Justice on June 3rd, I urge the Government of Canada to take meaningful steps to protect the lives and rights...
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Canada, Manitoba to develop Red Dress Alert for missing Indigenous women and girls
The Canadian Press WINNIPEG, MAN-Canada and Manitoba are partnering to launch an alert system that would inform the public when an Indigenous woman or girl goes missing, they announced Friday in Winnipeg, ahead of a national day to mark the crisis. The long-awaited Red Dress Alert system is a bid to prevent deaths and increase safe reunions with loved ones. Statistics Canada concluded in a report last year that the homicide rate for Indigenous women and girls was six times higher than the rate for their non-Indigenous counterparts. A national inquiry concluded five years ago that they are 12 times more likely to go missing or murdered. “In the lead-up to Red Dress Day, we keep those who have been stolen from their communities and this world in our thoughts,...
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Winnipeg judge rules trial of accused serial killer to start with jury
By Canadian Press A judge has decided the trial of a man accused of killing four women in Winnipeg will still be heard by a jury. Lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki had asked that his jury trial, which is set to begin Wednesday, be heard instead by a judge alone. The defence argued that two years of publicity surrounding the high-profile case may have biased the jurors. A U.S.-based psychologist who has studied jury bias told court this week that news coverage of the slayings of the four women has been consistent and emotional. Skibicki’s lawyers said they plan to argue he is not criminally responsible for the deaths because of a mental illness. Skibicki has pleaded not guilty to four counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Rebecca Contois,...
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Government of Canada Provides Funding for Virtual Health Hub
By Carol Baldwin Local Journalism Initiative Reporter OnTuesday April 23rd, Prime Minister Trudeau made a quick visit to Saskatchewan during which he highlighted the $21 million designated for the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) Virtual Health Hub which will be deployed from Whitecap Dakota First Nation. Whitecap Dakota First NationChief, Darcy Bear, President and CEO of SIIT, Riel Bellegarde, and Dr. Ivar Mendez, Professor of Neurosurgery and Director of the Virtual Care and Remote Presence Robotics Programs, along with other dignitaries were present at Wanuskewin for the media event. The development of the Virtual Health Hub has been ongoing for several years. Research conducted by Dr. Ivar Mendez and his team in the Virtual Care and Remote Presence Robotics Program at the University of Saskatchewan showed that pregnant women...
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Fire Bans Back in Effect
By Carol Baldwin Local Journalism Initiative A fire ban has been reinstated for the towns of Cudworth and Wakaw, Resort Village of Wakaw Lake, Wakaw Lake Regional Park, and the Rural Municipalities of Hoodoo #401 and Fish Creek #402. One Arrow First Nation has also instituted a ban on open fires. The bans came into effect on Friday, April 26thand includes small fire pits as well as the burning of brush piles, stubble, and the like. Barbecues, propane heaters, and propane fire rings are permissible, but caution is urged. Always have a fire extinguisher or a pail of water nearby in case of an emergency. Full fire bans are also in effect for the Rural Municipalities of Aberdeen #373, Duck Lake #463, and Prince Albert #461, as well as in the...
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Quebec court gives green light to Indigenous child-welfare class action suit
By Cedric Gallant Local Journalism Initiatve Reporter Quebec’s superior court has decided a class action lawsuit alleging discriminatory underfunding of Indigenous child welfare services in the province will go forward. The case’s proponents say the Canadian and Quebec governments are not abiding by their constitutional obligations to off-reserve Indigenous children and families. They also allege Canada is not ensuring adequate standards or funding for the provinces to take care of their Indigenous population. Sotos Class Actions filed the suit alongside two law firms, Kugler Kandestin LLP and Coupal Chauvelot s.a. in Montreal. Sotos announced Tuesday in a news release that the case had been certified. The lawsuit began with two petitioners, both of them having gone through the child welfare system in Nunavik. The release said Indigenous youth and their...
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Herbicides among Hydro One’s tools
By Carl Clutchey Local Journalism Initiative reporter As herbicide use in rural and forested areas remains a sore point with environmentalists, First Nation groups and some opposition MPPs, Hydro One continues to use chemicals as part of its efforts to control unwanted tree growth in transmission corridors. The utility says it does so in ways that minimize risk, though opponents to the practice maintain non-chemical methods are just as effective and safer for human health. “Herbicides are never used in proximity to open water courses, including rivers and creeks,” a Hydro One spokeswoman said this week in an email. Starting next week, the utility plans to include herbicide spraying as part of brush-control work along its transmission corridors in sections of Shabaqua, Conmee, Oliver Paipoonge and Finmark townships. Hydro One...
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Commemorating murdered and missing Indigenous women this Red Dress Day
By Mina Kerr-Lazenby Local Journalism Initiative Reporter It’s been 14 years since Canadian Métis artist Jaime Black hung red dresses in public spaces, raising awareness of the staggering number of Indigenous women missing and murdered across the country. The striking exhibition has since transformed into a full-fledged movement, with an annual event each year that provokes thought and honour from the public. Red Dress Day has ballooned in scale, but its message still remains as clear as it did that spring of 2010. “Red Dress Day is about raising awareness and recognition of violence against women, and honouring those who didn’t have a voice back then,” said səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) elected councillor Charlene Aleck. “It is an important day, but for First Nations communities it is especially significant because it...
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Smiles and laughter as a Nation rebuilds
By Matteo Cimellaro Local Journalism Intiative In Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw First Nation, where last summer fires in B.C. destroyed homes and buildings, elders are smiling and laughing again. That’s what stood out most for Kukpi7 (Chief) James Tomma following a ribbon-cutting ceremony for this community last week. The ceremony celebrated a new subdivision that will house community members who lost their homes in August in the Bush Creek East wildfire. Dancing Fawn II is the newest subdivision to spring up after the fire. It is one of four that will house community members until more permanent residences are built, what Tomma calls “forever builds.” Tomma intends to have everyone who lost their homes back in the community by mid-June. Tomma has promised Skwlāx that he will be the last...
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Winnipeg judge to rule if trial of accused serial killer to start with jury
The Canadian Press A Winnipeg judge is expected to decide today whether the trial of a man accused of killing four women will still be heard by a jury Lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have asked that his jury trial, which is set to begin Wednesday, be heard by a judge alone. The defence has argued that two years of publicity surrounding the high-profile case may have biased the jurors. A U.S.-based psychologist who has studied jury bias told court this week that news coverage of the slayings of the four women has been consistent and emotional. Skibicki’s lawyers said they plan to argue he is not criminally responsible for the deaths because of a mental illness. Skibicki has pleaded not guilty to four counts of first-degree murder in the deaths...
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Quesnel, B.C., censures mayor, saying his actions jeopardize Indigenous relations
By The Canadian Press Councillors in Quesnel, B.C., have voted unanimously to censure their mayor, saying his actions related to a book denying the harms of Canada’s residential school system jeopardize the city’s relationship with Indigenous communities. Coun. Scott Elliott made the motion, telling council that all the work that has been done to rebrand the city has been “demolished” by Mayor Ron Paull’s actions. A report to council says Paull “attempted to distribute” a copy of the book, titled “Grave Error: How the Media Misled Us (and the Truth about Residential Schools),” at a Cariboo Regional District board meeting where he was representing the city. Paull denied “distributing” the book and told Tuesday’s meeting that his work on advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples is a matter of public record....
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Woman charged with impaired driving
SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND-A local woman is facing an impaired driving charge after Six Nations Police spotted a vehicle driving slowly along Cayuga Road and crossing the centre line Tuesday, April 30th. Police said the vehicle was spotted at about 11:40 p.m. operating below the posted speed limit and crossing the centre line several times. Police conducted a traffic stop and said both driver and passenger admitted to consuming alcoholic beverages that evening.. The driver was arrested for Impaired Operation after a roadside Approved Screening Device Demand was performed. Police said the driver complied with the request. The driver of the vehicle, Susan Williams, 63, of Ohsweken was arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code offence: – Impaired Operation The accused was later released and is scheduled to...
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Ottawa will appoint commissioner to oversee treaties with Indigenous Peoples: Trudeau
The Canadian Press The federal government is planning to create a new agent of Parliament to oversee modern treaty implementation, which Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says will ensure Ottawa is held to account no matter who is in power. He announced the plan to appoint a commissioner for modern treaty implementation Tuesday in Gatineau, Que., at a second annual meeting of self-governing Indigenous governments. “This is a lasting commitment to be a better treaty partner,” he said. “To honour our agreements with Indigenous Peoples, we need to ensure that trust, transparency and accountability remain at the heart of our efforts to build renewed nation-to-nation, Inuit-Crown and government-to-government relationships.” The government is planning to wrap up consultations on the role by late June, table legislation sometime after that and budget $10.6...
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‘Thunderhead’ LGBTQ national monument breaks ground in Ottawa
The Canadian Press After a rainy night in Ottawa, the sun broke through Wednesday afternoon ahead of a ceremony to break ground for a national LGBTQ+ monument. That was no coincidence, Albert McLeod told a crowd gathered under a bridge near the Supreme Court of Canada and the Ottawa River, or the Kitchissippi, as it’s known to Algonquin Peoples. “Those thunderers came last night and cleared the way for us to be here today — to celebrate being human, and to share that courage and strength,” said McLeod, a two-spirit elder and member of the monument’s design team. The “Thunderhead” monument will mark historic discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community at the hands of the federal government, as well as societal injustices against the community. In Anishinaabe teachings, thunderheads are clouds...
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Two men have been charged after the Ministry of Finance and OPP seized tobacco products
BRANT AND HALDIMAND COUNTIES, ON – The Ministry of Finance (MOF), Haldimand OPP, and HSD/TIME, charged two men in connection with the seizure of what they are calling “contraband” tobacco products during a two-day initiative April 22 and 25, 2024, that resulted in a tax loss to Ontario and “His Majesty the King” they estimate at $2.9 million. OPP said they seized a total of 8,422,800 “unstamped contraband” cigarettes, equivalent to 842.3 cases, during two traffic stops . They said the tax loss to Ontario was estimated at $1,556,112.30, calculated at $0.18475 per cigarette and the tax loss to “His Majesty the King is estimated at $1,396,163.32, calculated at $0.16576 per cigarette.” The OPP said the total tax loss recovered from the seizure amounts to $2,952,275.63. Summary of results in...
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Report on RCMP, government responses to mass shooting inquiry offers no evaluation
By Michael MacDonald Canadian Press An independent committee has released its first report on how governments and the RCMP are responding to the inquiry into the 2020 mass shooting in Nova Scotia, but it does not offer any assessment of the progress made so far. The report released Wednesday from the Progress Monitoring Committee includes a thorough accounting of actions taken by the federal and Nova Scotia governments and the Mounties, but chairwoman Linda Lee Oland declined to say whether the committee was satisfied with those measures. Oland, a former judge with the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal, said the seven-month-old committee recently developed a rating system to track progress or lack thereof. But the system won’t be used until after the committee meets again with government and RCMP officials...
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B.C’s auditor general to review government’s response to 2021 Lytton wildfire
The Canadian Press British Columbia’s auditor general says his office is doing a review of the province’s response to the 2021 wildfire that devastated the community of Lytton, B.C. Michael Pickup says in a video statement that the report will focus on the B.C. government’s roles and responsibilities for disaster recovery, its support for Lytton, including funding, challenges that came with rebuilding and how the province can improve. On June 30, 2021, just one day after Lytton hit a Canadian temperature record of 49.6 C, a wildfire swept through the village, killing two people and levelling almost the entire community. Efforts to rebuild and return people to their homes have been slow, leading to protests from residents. Thousands of artifacts were discovered while digging up the area, which was the...
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NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh confirms his party will support the Liberals’ federal budget
The Canadian Press NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh on Wednesday ended any speculation his party would pull out of its deal with the minority Liberal government by finally agreeing to support the government’s budget. Singh said his party wanted time to digest the document, which was tabled April 16, but is ultimately voting in favour of it because of shared initiatives that it proposes. That includes creating a national school lunch program and providing free birth control and diabetes medicine for anyone with a health card. “These are things that would have never been in the budget if not for us,” Singh said. The Conservatives and Bloc Québécois have previously said they wouldn’t support the budget. The minority Liberals needed the support of at least one other party to get the...
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Ontario suspends chemical plant approval over benzene emissions
By Allison Jones The Canadian Press Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment has ordered a petrochemical facility in Sarnia to suspend its production operations after high benzene emissions, first flagged by a neighbouring First Nation. Aamjiwnaang First Nation, which is surrounded by industrial facilities and monitors air quality readings, recently said citizens fell ill and there were high emissions of the cancer-causing substance from Ineos Styrolution. The company said in a statement Tuesday that its own monitors didn’t detect any emissions outside prescribed limits, but that it temporarily shut down to perform maintenance and address a mechanical issue. But the ministry said Wednesday evening that “despite several previous provincial orders requiring the company to reduce benzene emissions, recent readings at this site continue to be above acceptable levels.” “Today, the decision...
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Brantford city’s Chief of Police is leaving
BRANTFORD, ONT- Brantford’s Chief of Police is moving on. Police Chief Rob Davis, the first Indigenous Chief of Police to serve the city, will be leaving the policing service June 21, 2024 which is also the 28th annual National Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a day celebrating Indigenous culture in Canada. Davis is Mohawk from the neighbouring community of Six Nations of the Grand River. The Brantford Police Services Board announced his departure date in a post today (Wed., May 1, 2024.) saying he has advised the board he is moving to other opportunities, He did not say what those opportunities are. He has already begun to transition his responsibilties to the Brantford Police Deputy Chief Jason Saunders. Saunders will serve as Interim Chief of Police. Police Chief Davis joined the force...
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