Pro hockey goalie retires to begin coaching career
Michael McNiven still aspires to become a regular in the National Hockey League (NHL). But the 27-year-old, who appeared in just one NHL contest with the Montreal Canadiens during his seven-year pro playing career, is hoping he’ll eventually advance to the world’s premier hockey circuit as a coach. That’s because McNiven, whose birth mother was Métis, recently decided to conclude his playing days so that he could commence his life as a hockey coach. McNiven has accepted an assistant coaching job with the Powell River Kings, a Junior A squad that competes in the British Columbia Hockey League. The River Kings’ head coach and general manager is Glenn Anderson, a former NHL player who won the Stanley Cup five times as a member of the Edmonton Oilers and once with...
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First Nations youth take part in sacred lance run
By Sam Laskaris Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Indigenous youth from across Saskatchewan will participate in this year’s Tony Cote Summer Games which begin on Aug. 10. But 10 athletes from the James Smith Cree Nation are expected to be rather tired before the Games even begin. That’s because they are participating in a 400-kilometre sacred tradition this week known as a lance run. They began their running journey on Aug. 5 in Saskatoon and are continuing on to Lac La Ronge Indian Band, where the Games, which run until Aug. 16, will be held. Since James Smith First Nation last hosted the Games in 2022, its community has the honour of naming runners to ‘clear a path’ to this year’s competition. In order to gain some experience for when they...
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Saskatchewan First Nation orders evacuation of community because of wildfire
The Canadian Press A Saskatchewan First Nation has issued an evacuation order for one of its communities because of a wildfire. Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation says in a statement that the Flanagan fire has forced the evacuation of Sandy Bay. The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency said the flames were within 20 kilometres of the community as of Tuesday morning. The blaze was estimated to be about 130 square kilometres in size and listed as not contained. The First Nation has more than 12,000 members across nine communities in northeastern Saskatchewan. Sandy Bay has a population of about 1,800 people. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 13, 2024. ...
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Tlu-piich Games 3×3 basketball hits the outdoor court at Maht Mahs
By Nora O’Malley Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Port Alberni, BC – Nuu-chah-nulth youth played their hearts out during the Aug. 12 Tlu-piich Games 3×3 basketball tournament at Tseshaht’s outdoor, NBA-size court. With 15 teams in the U13 division and nine teams in the U17, the summer hoops tourney brought together young players from all over Nuu-chah-nulth territory. Each game was 13 minutes long, split with a minute break. Players earned two points for sinking a three-point shot and one point for regular shots. Any fouls resulted in one point for the opposing team. “It’s been a while. It’s nice for the Tlu-piich Games to make a strong comeback. They kind of broke-up because everyone started having their own regional games,” said Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation Dwayne Martin, who posted up with...
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Documentary details wrestling tour of First Nations in northern Manitoba
By Sam Laskaris Local Journalism Initiative Reporter A documentary about a series of wrestling events in Indigenous communities throughout northern Manitoba is now being screened at various theatres across Canada. The film is titled The Death Tour. The wrestling trip, which starts in Winnipeg each year, lasts a couple of weeks. Its moniker was earned for the physical hardships and emotional tolls endured on the road. Wrestlers who for the most part are envisioning more lucrative careers battle through lengthy winter days, travelling from community to community, to provide a few hours of entertainment for adoring Indigenous fans. During the film tour participants at times travel through some harsh weather conditions. And once they arrive in a community, they spend additional hours setting up the venue where they will compete...
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Dakota Tipi claims ownership of The Forks, files lawsuit
By Dave Baxter Local Journalism Initiative A Manitoba First Nation is claiming it is the rightful owner of unceded land at The Forks in downtown Winnipeg, and demanding to be involved in development and decision-making and to “share in the profits” at the national historic site. On Friday, the Dakota Tipi First Nation (DTFN) a community located near the city of Portage la Prairie, filed a lawsuit in the Court of King’s Bench claiming their descendants were the original inhabitants of land at what is now The Forks in downtown Winnipeg, one of the city’s most well-known gathering spots and tourist attractions. The court filing claims DTFN community members are direct descendants of the Oceti S’Akowin Nation, which were the original inhabitants of the land located near the junction of...
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Fatality inquiry into RCMP shooting of Stoney Nakoda man yields no preventative advice
By Jessica Lee Local Journalism Initiative 13/08/2024 13:28 A public inquiry report released over seven years after a Mînî Thnî man was shot and killed by RCMP and one year after a formal provincial court inquiry was held made no recommendations to prevent similar deaths from happening in the future. Ralph Stephens, who was 27 at the time of his death, was fatally shot by an RCMP Emergency Response Team (ERT) officer Jan. 7, 2017, on a rural property in Mînî Thnî. RCMP, the agency’s Major Crimes Unit and ERT members arrived at the residence to arrest Stephens, his brother John Stephens, and Deangelo Powderface, as suspects in the killing of Lorenzo “Billy” Bearspaw. Bearspaw had been reported missing two days after he was last seen leaving a New Year’s...
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Mental health pilot extended until next June in Alberta schools
By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Extra funding announced today recognizes the complexity and regional diversity of mental health needs in Alberta’s schools, Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said. The top-up of the Mental Health in Schools Pilot adds $6.7 million to a round of funding set to end in December. Affected are programs in 59 rural and urban school authorities. “The main purpose here is that we recognize that mental health is a top priority for many students and that we need to do as much as we can to help support students’ mental health,” Nicolaides said in a Local Journalism Initiative interview for rural Alberta publications. “So we are really happy to be in a position to provide some new investment to keep these programs operating a little...
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‘These are not your lands to give away’: Chief Black on Ontario’s Mining Act
Six regional First Nations have filed a case with the Ontario Superior Court to challenge the province’s Mining Act as an unconstitutional violation of their treaty and Charter equality rights. A news conference was held at Queen’s Park on Monday morning to publicly announce the case and address questions from the media. Apitipi Anicinapek Nation is pursuing this case with Aroland First Nation, Attawapiskat First Nation, Fort Albany First Nation, Ginoogaming First Nation, and Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug. Representatives from the six First Nations were joined at the conference by Kate Kempton, senior legal counsel at Woodward and Company, who will be representing them in this case. “The Mining Act in Ontario is racist (and) colonialist in many ways and it has to fall in those ways,” she said. Kempton cited a...
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‘Good solid lineup’ set with 4-day Aqpik Jam opening in Kuujjuaq
By Cedric Gallant Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Nunatsiaq News Expect a youthful, Nunavik-focused lineup when the 28th edition of Aqpik Jam opens Tuesday in Kuujjuaq, organizers say. The free four-day music festival runs until Friday and will feature more than 20 groups and performers. “We have less bands from the south this year and more from Nunavik,” technical director Liam Callaghan said, in an interview next to the stage set up at the Kuujjuaq Arena on Akianut Street, near Kativik Ilisarniliriniq. “This is a good, solid lineup of young, up-and-coming artists.” Watching as the lighting grid was being hoisted to the ceiling, he added: “We always get a nice lighting setup.” Usually, the equipment is flown north for the event, but Callaghan said, “I am hoping that we can actually purchase...
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Hundreds allowed to return home to Village of Slocan, B.C., after wildfire
The Canadian Press Several hundred residents of the Village of Slocan and the surrounding area of British Columbia’s Kootenay region are allowed to return home as officials downgrade an evacuation order prompted by a complex of wildfires. The Regional District of Central Kootenay had issued the order on July 28 covering 208 properties in the village and more than 300 in the surrounding area. Residents have been told to stay ready to leave on short notice and the village is on a boil water advisory as two wildfires continue to burn out of control nearby. Slocan Mayor Jessica Lunn says in an update posted to social media that people travelling through wildfire affected areas should “exercise extreme caution” due to hazards such as fallen trees. The BC Wildfire Service says...
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Canadians should be prepared for more wildfires and hurricanes: Environment Canada
The Canadian Press Human-caused climate change is making heat waves much more likely, the federal government says, bringing extreme weather from fires to storms. That’s according to Environment and Climate Change Canada’s rapid extreme weather event attribution system, which compares today’s climate to a pre-industrial one. Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said there will be more wildfires from British Columbia to Manitoba this month, with climate change fuelling them. “It is not unusual for Western Canada to see high levels of fire activity this time of year,” he said at a press conference on Monday. “However, forecasting anticipates that activity will be above average in parts of the West to well above-average in areas in B.C. and Alberta.” Fire activity in September is also expected to be above normal....
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OPP continue to investigate assault of pedestrian found on Sixth Line Road
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are continuing to investigate an alleged assault after a pedestrian, with serious injuries, was found lying on a road near Caledonia . Haldimand County Ontario Provincial Police and Haldimand County Paramedic Services responded after receiving a 911 call from a driver passing by Sunday, Aug., 11, around 5:45 a.m. . The driver spotted the injured pedestrian on Sixth Line just outside the town of Caledonia. Sixth Line between Argyle Street South and Oneida Road was closed by OPP during the investigation. OPP said the victim was taken to a trauma centre for treatment. “Officers have determined that an assault occurred, and the circumstances are still under investigation,” police said in a media release. “If you have any relevant information or were travelling along 6th Line between 5...
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Canadian Armed Forces called to Mount Currie after grenade dropped at police station
Local Journalism Initiative 10/08/2024 The Canadian army rushed to Mount Currie earlier this month to deal with a suspicious device handed into Stl’atl’imx Tribal Police’s station. Pemberton Fire Rescue and RCMP also attended the scene. Public Affairs Officer for 19 Wing Comox, Lieutenant Keil Kodama, confirmed to Pique the device was identified as a smoke grenade. “The Explosives Ordinance Disposal (EOD) team from 19 Wing Comox responded to the Unexploded Explosive Ordinance (UXO) Monday, July 14,” he said in an email. “After retrieval, the EOD team confirmed the UXO was to be a smoke grenade, and it was safely disposed.” Kodama reminded members of the public not to touch anything believed to be an explosive or military pyrotechnic. “Notify your local police or 19 Wing – Comox and arrangements will...
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Suspect charged with forcible confinement, attempted murder
By K. Darbyson Local Journalism Intiative Reporter Algoma police have arrested and charged one person with attempted murder following an alleged incident of intimate partner violence in Sagamok First Nation. This past Sunday, around 1:30 a.m., Manitoulin OPP officers responded to a call over a domestic disturbance on Archie’s Road. Police uncovered one person with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, who was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Following an investigation, police arrested and charged a 28-year-old from Sables-Spanish Rivers Township with attempted murder. The name of the accused is not being released publicly to protect the identity of the victim, according to police. The accused is being held in custody as of Friday and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Espanola at a later...
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Visiting family thankful for local community’s help in locating stolen regalia
By K. Darbyson Local Journalism Initiative A family from Whitefish Bay First Nation received a helping hand from some locals after their pow wow regalia was stolen as they were passing through Sault Ste. Marie. Although some of the stolen items remain unaccounted for, Rhonda White is tremendously thankful for all the people who stepped up to help her family recover most of what was taken. “I’m grateful for what we were able to recover,” Rhonda said on Thursday, having just returned home after spending several days searching for these items in the Sault. “There are no words.” Rhonda stopped at the Sault’s Quality Inn on Monday alongside her sister Mandy and mother Caroline, with the trio returning home from a pow wow that had just taken place in Wikwemikong...
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‘There’s no confidence in this leadership’: Mississauga First Nation members question distribution of RHT funds
By K Darybson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter With Robinson Huron Treaty settlement payments set to roll out in the coming weeks, some Mississauga First Nation beneficiaries are crying foul. Several MFN members have told The Sault Star their band council is mishandling this distribution process, which, to them, severely lacks transparency, accountability and an adherence to the community’s laws. These feelings bubbled to the surface after the MFN administration recently passed a band council resolution that entitles each member to $125,000 from the community’s total RHT settlement (roughly $370 million). The rest of that settlement, around 50 per cent of the total according to Chief Brent Niganobe, will be put aside for a community trust to invest in future projects. To MFN elder Joan Morningstar, divvying up of the settlement...
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Coastal Marine Strategy responds to some of Islands Trust’s concerns
Local Journalism Initiative The newly released B.C. coastal marine strategy is meant to guide decision-making that supports biodiversity, productivity, resiliency and the prosperity, health and well-being of coastal communities for the next 20 years. The strategy was co-developed by the province and multiple coastal First Nations, including Snuneymuxw First Nation, whose traditional territory includes Gabriola Island. The strategy outlines actions that the province will take to steward marine resources “by striking a balance between taking and giving,” according to the province. The strategy focuses on the near shore areas and activities that fall under the B.C. government’s responsibility and notes that actions and activities will be implemented in collaboration and co-operation with other governments. The four themes of the strategy – healthy coastal marine ecosystems, resilience to climate change, thriving...
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‘So late in the game’ — Feds spend $12.5 M to study the tragedies of cancer downstream of oil sands
By Matteo Cimellaro Local Journalism Initiative Following years of advocacy and struggle, Indigenous nations downstream of the oilsands have received funding to understand the diseases they argue are a direct cause of the fossil fuel industry. On Wednesday, flanked by Indigenous leaders from the region, Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault announced funding for a community-led study into the health impacts of the oilsands. There is a sense of payoff and joy within the community’s following years of advocacy at the federal-provincial level to receive the funding for the community-led health study. Chief Allan Adam, who has become a familiar face in Ottawa over the past years, has himself had family members pass away from rare cancers. He is not alone in Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN) with that family history. For...
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City declares its newest deputy fire chief
By Dave Tarini Local Journalism Initiative THUNDER BAY — Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue is promoting within for the role of deputy chief. According to a release from the City, acting deputy fire chief Dave Tarini will take on the role on a permanent basis, effective immediately. Tarini has been with the service since 2003, working his way through the ranks of the suppression division to being promoted as Captain, according to a release from the city. Most recently he was assigned to the role of acting Deputy Fire Chief. He’s excited about his new and permanent role, which includes overseeing a few different departments within the service. Tarini will be responsible for supporting the effective and efficient direction and management of Thunder Bay Fire Rescue’s services. “I’ll be looking...
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