Six Nations Fire department upgrades equipment
The Six Nations Fire Department will soon have its own oxygen tank refill station. Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) approved funding reallocations at its General Finance meeting on March 17 to allow the fire department to purchase an SCBA (self contained breathing apparatus) refill station. The Community Committee recommended SNEC approve the request to reallocate $48,310 from the 2024-2025 Minor Capital budget in addition to the fire department’s $11,686 budget for equipment purchases to purchase the SCBA refill machine at a cost of $60,000. An SCBA provides a continuous supply of clean air to fire fighters, enabling them to safely perform their duties in hazardous environments....
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York University professors seek court order to stop program suspensions
-CP Four senators at York University and a member of its academic planning and research committee are asking for a judicial review of the institution’s decision to suspend admissions to several undergraduate programs. The university has said it is temporarily suspending new admissions to 18 degree programs in the fall of 2025, including Indigenous studies, gender and women’s studies and environmental biology programs. Members of the university’s senate and academic planning and research committee have filed an application in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, asking it to order York University to rescind its suspension decisions and to follow a collegial process before suspending admissions to the academic programs. The applicants are arguing that York University’s senate has jurisdiction over academic matters and suspending admissions to programs requires the senate’s...
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Rebels to host six-team tournament
By Sam Laskaris Writer The Six Nations Rebels have already staged about 10 practices and a pair of intra-squad games as they gear up for their 2025 season. But Blue Hill, the new head coach of the local Junior B lacrosse squad, has the date of Apr. 5 circled on his calendar. That’s the date the Rebels will stage a six-team tournament at Six Nations. All of the tournament participants will play three games each that day. And those contests will help Hill and his coaching staff get a better indication of what the club’s roster will look like when it begins regular season play next month. “It will help us trying to see where their competitiveness is, their IQ and their work level,” Hill said. “It’s just a whole...
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SPORTS BRIEFS: Six Nations men play at NLL and NHL
By Sam Laskaris Writer Longboat contributing to Black Bears’ offence Six Nations member Travis Longboat is fitting in nicely with his new National Lacrosse League (NLL) squad in the nation’s capital. Longboat, who started the season with the Albany FireWolves, was acquired by the Ottawa Black Bears in a trade on Mar. 10. Besides Longboat, the Black Bears also received the FireWolves’ first-round and fourth-round picks in the 2026 NLL Entry Draft. In return the Albany club received Johnathan Peshko from the Ottawa roster. Longboat has made his mark in all three of the games that he has suited up for thus far with the Black Bears. For starters, he scored once and added two assists in Ottawa’s 18-8 home loss against the Rochester Knighthawks on Mar. 15. That game...
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Alberta putting $19M toward municipal flood and drought prevention
-CP-Alberta’s government is putting $19 million toward municipal flood and drought prevention projects as part of its new budget. Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz says eight municipalities as well as two Indigenous communities are to receive the grant funding. She says the money will help build a new berm along the Bow River at Siksika First Nation and a retaining wall to protect the Slave Lake Airport. Calgary is also to receive funding to improve a storm water ditch that connects the city to the nearby hamlet of Langdon. St. Albert Mayor Cathy Heron says the city is getting $2.8 million to address erosion around a nearby creek. Schulz says the province received more applications than it was able to fund this year, but additional grants would be available in future...
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Whitlow scored overtime winner as club headed to championship
By Sam Laskaris Writer Thanks to some late-game and overtime heroics from Wes Whitlow, the Six Nations has advanced to the Arena Lacrosse League’s championship weekend. For starters Whitlow scored a game-tying goal with just over two minutes remaining in regulation time on Sunday, in the team’s s quarter-final playoff match versus the visiting Peterborough Timbermen. Whitlow then scored the OT winner as the Six Nations club edged Peterborough 13-12 in a match held at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena (ILA). With the victory the team advances to a semi-final contest this Saturday against the Brampton Express at Six Nations....
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‘Healing is possible’: Iqaluit councillor returns following alcohol-use treatment
By Jeff Pelletier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunatsiaq News Iqaluit Coun. Sam Tilley says he is healed and more motivated than ever to serve the community following his return from treatment for alcohol use. Tilley made his return to city council Tuesday night after taking part in a two-month program in British Columbia. “I speak to you today not just as a councillor, but as a person who has faced struggle, stood at a crossroads and made the choice to fight for my future,” Tilley said in a statement to councillors. He described the past few months as “deeply personal” and “transformative,” as he has worked to address his addictions, trauma and mental health issues. “By acknowledging and treating these struggles, I gained an understanding of resilience, compassion, and strength...
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Controversy After Naskapi Hunters Harvest Endangered Caribou
By Patrick Quinn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Nation After the Cree Nation Government condemned the unauthorized hunting of caribou in the Nichicun and Lac Catalogne areas of Eeyou Istchee by members of the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach, Quebec’s Ministry of the Environment announced it has opened an investigation into the incident. The province’s wildlife protection agency has requested action to document the alleged activities and “offence files could be filed for judicial consequences.” Although several sources confirmed that Naskapi hunters killed 200 caribou in mid-February, it’s unknown how many were from the endangered woodland Caniapiscau and Témiscamie herds as they’re known to mix with migratory caribou. “At this time of year, it is likely that the animals are a mixture of the two ecotypes,” said Martin-Hugues St-Laurent, professor of...
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Construction of Ancient Forest interpretive centre to begin this summer
By Abigail Popple, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Rocky Mountain Goat Longstanding plans for the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation’s interpretive centre at the Ancient Forest/Chun T’oh Whudujut Provincial Park are coming to fruition. The First Nation released a request for proposals on March 7th inviting small businesses and local contractors interested in helping build the centre. The over 4,000 square foot space will be powered with solar energy generators and include accommodations for staff, as well as accommodations that can be rented to tourists. The First Nation also plans to have a local gift shop at the building, according to project coordinator Sultanur Ashikin. “The idea is we will hire or we will encourage our local small businesses [and] community members to participate in a program where we will be...
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Parents of slain Manitoba woman hope search for remains in landfill can start soon
By Brittany Hobson The parents of a slain Manitoba woman say they hope the search for their daughter’s remains can begin soon. Albert and Theresa Shingoose say they’re pleased that police have identified their daughter, Ashlee Shingoose, and have determined that her remains are likely in the Brady Road landfill in Winnipeg. She was previously unidentified as one of four victims of serial killer Jeremy Skibicki, who was sentenced to life in prison last year. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew and Winnipeg police say the landfill will be searched. Albert Shingoose says a landfill is not a burial ground and people are not garbage. He says a successful search would bring his daughter home. “It was good to hear where my daughter is now. Now we all got to work hard...
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Timeline of 4 women slain in Winnipeg, search of landfill for remains
WINNIPEG-CP-Winnipeg police announced Wednesday the identity of the fourth victim of serial killer Jeremy Skibicki. They say the remains of Ashlee Shingoose are likely in a landfill in Winnipeg. Here is a timeline of the case: March 15, 2022 — Police say an unidentified woman is killed on or around this date. May 1, 2022 — Morgan Harris, a member of Long Plain First Nation living in Winnipeg, is last seen in the area of Main Street and Henry Avenue north of the city’s downtown. Police say the 39-year-old was killed on or around this date. May 4, 2022 — Police say Marcedes Myran, 26, also of Long Plain First Nation and living in Winnipeg, is killed on or around this date. May 14 or 15, 2022 — Police say...
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‘This was his very last painting’: Late Innu Nation artist Patrick Nuke’s work displayed at Confederation Building
By Anasophie Vallee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Telegram The last piece of artwork that the late Innu artist Patrick Nuke ever created will have a permanent home in the halls of Newfoundland and Labrador’s centre of government. The Innu Nation commissioned Nuke to create a piece representative of the Innu way of life, a project he completed shortly before he passed away on March 11, 2023. “He passed away maybe a month or two after,” explained Jodie Ashini, the cultural guardian for the Innu Nation. “This was his very last painting.” Just over two years later, on March 25, 2025, his vision was showcased at Confederation Building, part of a larger collaboration between the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and Indigenous governments and organizations throughout the province. Nuke’s painting...
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Nuclear waste plan safe, proponent reiterates
By Carl Clutchey, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Chronicle-Journal The prospect of loads of spent nuclear-fuel rods being hauled by transport trucks or rail cars through rural Northwestern Ontario to a future remote underground storage site remains a touchy topic, despite the project proponent’s latest assurances. In unveiling its 2024 annual report this week, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) said “years of technical study” has shown that “used (nuclear) fuel can be safely transported to the (storage) site” just west of Ignace. But some citizen-based environment groups that remain opposed to the plan begged to differ on Tuesday, calling the NWMO’s claim “grossly irresponsible.” Wendy O’Connor, a member of the Thunder Bay-based We The Nuclear Free North, said “concerned groups and individuals” are not reassured . . . given...
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First Nations moving forward with infrastructure for child and family services
By Pearl Lorentzen, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeside Leader Three ‘back lakes’ First Nations are moving forward with the infrastructure stage of protecting children under a child and family law created by the First Nations. On April 11, 2023, Loon River First Nation, Lubicon Lake Band, and Peerless Trout First Nation (PTFN) signed an agreement with the governments of Canada and Alberta for these three nations to protect children under their own laws. These are three of the First Nations within the Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council (KTC). On May 12, 2023, KTC Child and Family Services (KTCCFS) started protecting children under that law, which is called Awas’ak Wiyasiwewin Child Law. This included re-branding KTCCFS as Awas’ak Family Services and setting up temporary offices on and off-reserve. Part of...
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Inuit iglu true symbol of the North, says Rankin Inlet resident
By Darrell Greer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Kivalliq News It was a pleasant day for Mike Shouldice recently, when he and his wife, Monica, visited the large iglu (qaggiq) in Rankin Inlet, sponsored by the Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre. Shouldice said the qaggiq was at least 20-feet wide and fun to visit. He said it was large enough to hold a family group and hosted various activities for people to enjoy. “They had drum dancers, people throat-singing and all sorts of things going on in there,” said Shouldice. “They also had lots of food, such as stew, tea and bannock. It was great. We sat there and yakked with everybody. “As you know, they’ve built those here before but, these days, you do see them less and less.” Shouldice said...
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Nunavut candidates prepare for spring federal election
By Kira Wronska Dorward, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News With the federal election set for April 28, who’s running in Nunavut? Right now, there are only two confirmed candidates as of Wednesday.Current Nunavut MP Lori Idlout announced on March 24 that she had officially launched her re-election campaign “with a clear commitment to keep standing up and advocating for Nunavummiut,” she wrote in a release. Idlout is pledging to keep working on her goals of long-term sustainable funding for Inuit families, reforming Nutrition North to lower food costs, and getting more homes built. Earlier this month, both Idlout and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh were in Iqaluit where they announced the party’s plan for Arctic sovereignty and building up Nunavut’s infrastructure.”Our plan includes better schools, more reliable power, and improved...
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Powwow celebrates Stone Pipe Days at Lethbridge Polytechnic
By Alexandra Noad, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lethbridge Herald Lethbridge Polytechnic is hosting their annual Stone Pipe Days, which commemorates the day the institution received its Blackfoot name. In 2017 Peter Moccasin, Kainai Kaahsinnooik (Grandparent) gifted the then-Lethbridge College with the Blackfoot name Ohkotoki’aahkkoiyiiniimaan, which translates to “stone pipe,” along with a stone pipe which is used in Blackfoot culture in sacred ceremonies and offerings. Jordan Head, Indigenous cultural advisor for Lethbridge Polytechnic, says the collaboration between the Nisitapi (Blackfoot) people and the polytechnic is important because their culture was not recognized until the 94 calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was released in 2015. “In the past the culture of Nisitapi was not really recognized until the last 10 years because of the TRC,” said...
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New animal shelter design will be ‘basic’
By Roger Varley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Uxbridge Cosmos Council was provided an update Monday on the progress being made to construct the long-awaited new animal shelter for Uxbridge and Scugog. Mike McCullough, who was hired as the project manager for the new shelter, told council that drawings for the building have been completed and an architect hired to develop the project. McCullough said it had been decided “to keep it as basic as we could.” To that end, the new building will be constructed with insulate concrete forms to provide efficient insulation. McCullough said a brick-and-mortar building would cost as much as $10 million. In a separate report, clerk Debbie Leroux said ICF building materials will generate cost savings related to heating and cooling. McCullough went into detail...
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Pediatric care in Alberta underfunded and putting kids at risk: medical association
By Matthew Scace -CP-Alberta doctors are warning of “catastrophic” consequences for children’s physical and mental health if the province doesn’t boost funding for pediatric care. The Alberta Medical Association says nearly half of pediatricians are considering retirement and that a quarter of them are thinking of leaving Alberta or reducing patient care responsibilities. It blames the situation on several factors, including low pay and intense workloads for doctors caring for children. Dr. Sam Wong, president of the pediatrics section for the association, says recent flu seasons have become more distressing for children and patients because of wait times verging on 12 hours. “There is always the risk that a child will decompensate in the emergency waiting room and actually have an outcome that is catastrophic because they were not able...
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Study finds mismatch between job seekers and jobs
By Pearl Lorentzen, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeside Leader Part of a series of articles on regional studies done by an advocacy group representing municipalities and First Nations in the Lesser Slave Lake region. A workforce study of the Lesser Slave Lake region found that there are many people looking for work and many people looking for employees, but the job skills don’t line up with the jobs being offered. “We have a significant mismatch …,” says Jennifer Churchill, Alberta North Central Alliance (ANCA) executive director. “We do have a labour shortage,” but also a lot of people looking for work. The study was done by Ballad Group for ANCA, which is an advocacy group representing five municipalities and five First Nations in Northern Alberta. These are the Town of...
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