Squamish Nation program helps women learn the trades
By Abby Luciano, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, North Shore News A Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) program is helping Indigenous women get opportunities in the trades industry. The Nexw7áỷstwaỷ Training and Trades Centre offers a range of programs like the Women in Trades program, allowing students to explore different trades that interest them. “There’s been such an under-representation of women in the skilled trades. We feel that it’s a great opportunity to give them a safe space to learn and to meet with industry partners and to explore what that looks like,” said Milissa Lewis, director of employment and future skills at Squamish Nation. The program, running since 2017 gives students the opportunity to try trades like carpentry, plumbing, electrical, painting and floor installation over a six-week period. The program is...
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Indigenous chiefs go to Alberta legislature, pressure province to nip separatism push
By Jack Farrell and Lisa Johnson More than a dozen First Nations chiefs and even more band councillors and elders were at Alberta’s legislature Monday, calling on Premier Danielle Smith’s government to stomp out the push for the province to quit Canada. “Our rights are being minimized,” Confederacy of Treaty 8 First Nations Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi told reporters. “Our people are being minimized at every level.” The comments came after First Nations chiefs across the province unanimously called on members of the legislature to hold a non-confidence vote against the government in part for how it has handled the budding separatist movement. Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi tabled a motion to hold such a vote Monday, but it was promptly shut down by Smith’s majority United Conservative Party government....
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Six Nations Police Restore Order After Gun-Related Disturbance
By Alex Murray Writer SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND RIVER-Six Nations Police (SNP) were on the scene at Chiefswood and Second Line on Six Nations territory On the morning of March 9 for an active investigation. SNP was able to restore order calmly and quickly, however. SNP received reports of gunshots in the area of Chiefswood and Second Line at about 11:30 a.m. Monday ( March 9). SNP officers arrived on the scene shortly after. According to SNP Detective Sergeant Rob Monteforte, police identified an adult male with a hunting rifle who was on his property but outdoors. Based on the investigation, Monteforte says, SNP had grounds to charge the man. SNP says the man appeared to be intoxicated. SNP sent out a notice to the community about the increased...
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Medicine on the Move – Cree Health Board holds joint exercise with Canadian Red Cross for Mobile Health Unit
By Patrick Quinn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Nation The Cree Health Board and the Canadian Red Cross held a milestone winter exercise in Chisasibi February 18 to demonstrate how the Nâtimâchâukimikw Mobile Health Unit (MHU) can improve medical response in northern communities. The exercise included the Canadian Rangers, Waswanipi’s public safety team and first responders from Chisasibi, where the initiative first originated in 2018. Chief Daisy House emphasized that working together helps ensure that Cree cultural perspectives are integrated into regional healthcare solutions. The MHU builds competency in winterized infrastructure, equipment and clinical setups that can respond to medical emergencies in extreme subarctic conditions. A newly acquired tent can withstand temperatures below -60°C and winds up to 120 mph. “We were testing all that equipment while also providing training...
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A multimillion-dollar pitch for shale gas without fracking
By John Chilibeck, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Daily Gleaner A new proposal is on the table to tap into New Brunswick’s vast natural gas reserves, without using the controversial method that’s been off-putting to many people – fracking. It’s a plan that could eventually unlock hundreds of millions in wealth, make the province less dependent on handouts from Ottawa, enrich First Nations and create jobs. But it would also likely displease people concerned about burning more greenhouse gases and dangerously warming the planet. The pitch is from veteran oil and gas executive Jim Livingstone, who owns RC Energy in Alberta and says he has developed a cleaner method of drilling than fracking. Hydraulic fracturing, which uses vast quantities of water and chemicals to break up deep, tight shale beds...
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Scrap And Start Over – Cree leaders criticize ‘ridiculous’ Quebec constitution process
By Patrick Quinn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Nation The Cree Nation has joined other First Nations leaders, civil liberties groups and legal experts in condemning legislation that would establish a Quebec constitution. On February 12, Cree leadership appeared before the Parliamentary Committee in Quebec City to express grave concerns regarding the proposed document’s failure to recognize Indigenous rights. The Quebec Constitution Act, known as Bill 1, has drawn intense criticism since even before it was tabled in October for the governing Coalition Avenir Québec’s failure to consult the public before releasing a draft. Legal experts warn it would centralize power, weaken judicial oversight and infringe on individual freedoms. Indigenous leaders denounce the legislation as assimilationist and colonialist, only mentioning “ancestral and treaty rights” in a brief preamble. The document...
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Poetic Dreams – La Plume et la Tortue shares power of Indigenous legends
By Patrick Quinn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Nation As a symbol of creation and wisdom, the turtle is a natural character to introduce young audiences to First Nations cultures. In La Plume et la Tortue (The Feather and the Turtle), Montreal’s Orchestre Métropolitain (OM) accompanies selected stories from a collection published by Wendake-based Indigenous publisher Éditions Hannenorak. Wolastoqey director Dave Jenniss, who served as artistic director of francophone Indigenous theatre company Ondinnok from 2017 until recently, was asked to develop the family show two years ago. The central tale revolves around a clever turtle who takes a magical eagle feather, which grants both the power and responsibility to pass down stories. “The project is drawing inspiration from this collection to create accessible poetic stories around the themes of courage,...
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Toronto Film Critics Association aims to bring members back after mass resignations over Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers’ edited speech
By Alex Nino Gheciu The Toronto Film Critics Association says it will make changes to its awards process in an effort to bring back members who resigned en masse over the editing of a speech by actor Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers at its gala. In a statement Monday, acting president Pat Mullen apologized to Tailfeathers after her recorded acceptance speech was edited to remove remarks that expressed support for Palestine. Last week, Tailfeathers returned her TFCA Award for best supporting actor in “Sweet Angel Baby,” noting she felt the trophy was tainted due to what she referred to as “censorship” of her words. So far, the controversy has prompted at least a dozen members of the critics group to resign, with several criticizing the organization for attempting to silence the Canadian actor....
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Inuit association promises to build eight new marine monitoring stations, nine additional houses
By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News The Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) is promising new infrastructure and housing developments using existing funding. The organization is committing to build marine monitoring stations, known as nauttiqsuqtiit centres, in Kimmirut, Kinngait, Iglulik, Pangnirtung, Qikiqtarjuaq, Sanikiluaq, Sanirajak and Iqaluit. QIA is receiving $270 million for the facilities from the federal government, Pew Charitable Trust and the Aajuraq Conservation Fund Society as part of the SINAA Agreement, a conservation finance model. The announcement was made at the QIA board meeting in Iqaluit on March 4. Resolute Bay and Arctic Bay already have nauttiqsuqtiit centres. Construction is ongoing for stations in Clyde River and Grise Fiord, while another facility is due to break ground in Pond Inlet in the near future. “There are...
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RCMP in N.S. continue cannabis crackdown with more searches at First Nations stores
Nova Scotia RCMP have continued their crackdown on unlicensed cannabis stores, with most of the targeted sites having Indigenous ties. The Mounties say they inspected five operations last week, four of which were on First Nations territory. They include searches in the communities of Eskasoni, Waycobah, Potlotek and Paq’tnkek. Another store was searched near Digby, N.S. where the Indigenous-owned Peace and Friendship Trading Post has seen several raids in recent months. The RCMP says some of the cannabis seized resembled candy which “increases the risk that children could accidentally consume the cannabis.” Police say they issued six summary offence tickets and seized cannabis and hash as part of inspections that took place last Tuesday. They say they issued notices to three people to appear in court at a later date...
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Peaceful protest held for murdered Indigenous woman
By Alexandra Noad, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lethbridge Herald A young Indigenous woman, who was murdered in September of 2024, was described by her father as a firecracker who also very empathetic with a big heart. Charmayne Briggs Scout says she remembers the day she found out her sister Ginnean Briggs Scout was killed as if it was yesterday. On the evening of Sept. 19, 2024 Charmayne received a call from her father, James Briggs, saying the police needed to speak with her. Once she got to her dad’s home the police broke the news that her sister had died. Charmayne says it took a minute to process what she was told. “It took a couple of seconds for it to kick in, to realize what (the police officer) told...
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Portion of N.S. legislature closed to public after week of protests over grant cuts
A floor of the Nova Scotia legislature is closed to the public following a week of rallies and demonstrations over grant cuts. Speaker of the House Danielle Barkhouse said public access would be temporarily closed to the second floor of Province House in downtown Halifax. The gallery of the legislature and the main floor remain open to the public. “As most people know, the emotions are high here in the House,” she told reporters Friday. There have been protests outside the legislature throughout the week over $130 million in cuts to funding for Indigenous and African Nova Scotian projects and arts, tourism and culture programs. “I changed the specifics to this floor because I want to make sure that we have a safe environment for all MLAs here at Province...
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Portion of N.S. legislature closed to public after week of protests, demonstrations
A floor of the Nova Scotia legislature is now closed to the public following a week of rallies and demonstrations over grant cuts. Speaker of the House Danielle Barkhouse said Friday public access would be temporarily closed to the second floor of Province House in downtown Halifax. The gallery of the legislature and the main floor remain open to the public. Barkhouse says the public restriction is needed to ensure a safe environment for the members of the legislative assembly. There have been protests outside the legislature throughout the week over $130 million in cuts to funding for arts, tourism and culture programs, as well as money set aside for Indigenous and African Nova Scotian projects. Barkhouse did not say when the second floor would reopen to the public. The...
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‘Wine tonight?:’ Statistics Canada data shows liquor store sales down another year
By Fakiha Baig Having alcohol in the home felt like an eternal struggle for Andrea Pain. “I always (had) that dialogue with myself about, ‘Am I going to have a glass of wine tonight?” the Burlington, Ont., resident said in a phone interview. “‘No, maybe I shouldn’t, but I really want one.’ And I would keep going back and forth.” Then, last year, an idea she had drained her mental turmoil. “In the last year, one of the most important changes I made was not drinking at home,” said the 63-year-old, who is also the executive director of Moderation Management, a U.S.-based non-profit company that helps people moderate their drinking. “I reserve my drinking choices for when I go out. My own in-store liquor purchases have gone down significantly.” And...
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Treasury Board not tracking impact of public service job cuts on equity groups
By Catherine Morrison Advocates are raising concerns about how job cuts will affect public servants in equity groups — something the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat says it’s not tracking. The federal government has committed to cutting the number of public service jobs by about 40,000 from a 2023-24 peak of 368,000 as it looks to find savings. Departments and agencies across the public service have started notifying staff of coming job cuts. Barb Couperus, a spokesperson for the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat — which oversees government operations — said the office does not collect information centrally on the impact of workforce adjustment on employment equity designated groups. Equity groups include women, Indigenous people, people with disabilities and members of visible minorities. Couperus said heads of departments are responsible...
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Where things stand after another weekend of war
By Cara Anna Iran has named a son of its late supreme leader as his successor. U.S. President Donald Trump already had expressed disdain for Mojtaba Khamenei, calling him “unacceptable.” The Islamic Republic’s war strategy now has a new commander, and the powerful paramilitary Revolutionary Guard has pledged allegiance. Oil prices shot above $100 a barrel. Both sides in the war struck new targets over the weekend, including civilian ones. Bahrain accused Iran of hitting one of the desalination plants that are crucial for drinking water in Gulf countries. Israel struck oil depots in Tehran, sending up thick smoke and causing environmental alerts. The U.S. announced another soldier’s death. Saudi Arabia announced the first deaths there. Anger grew in Arab countries over Iran’s launching of hundreds of missiles and drones...
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Brant County approves master plan for Nith trails
By Kimberly De Jong, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Brant Beacon Brant County Council approved the North of the Nith Trails and Open Spaces Master Plan during its regular meeting on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. The North of the Nith Trails and Open Spaces Master Plan was designed to establish a sensible, long-term vision that guides the development of a connected, sustainable, and accessible trail network across the North of the Nith over the next 20 years. The North of the Nith is a roughly 344-acre area of land owned by the County of Brant and the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA), and is located along the north side of the Nith River near Paris and is largely forested with diverse natural features such as wetlands, floodplains and the Nith River,...
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Gathering of knowledge keepers at U of M brings ‘generations together’
By Maggie Macintosh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Winnipeg Free Press The University of Manitoba is hosting a record number of visitors, ranging from schoolchildren to seniors, at its 20th annual gathering of knowledge keepers. A sacred fire was lit on the Fort Garry campus shortly before sunrise Thursday to mark the occasion. “This gathering is to bring many generations together so that we can spend time with one another and learn from each other,” said Vanessa Lillie, director of cultural integration, Indigenous, at U of M. More than 700 people have registered for the 2026 Elders and Traditional Peoples Gathering. There are representatives from all over the province, as well as Ontario, B.C. and as far as the U.K. Lillie described the energy on campus as joyous as the two-day...
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Poilievre has “serious” reservations about Carney’s suggested fiscal watchdog
By Catherine Morrison Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said he has “serious” reservations about Prime Minister Mark Carney’s suggestion for a new parliamentary budget officer and is calling for the latest interim watchdog to get the job. He suggested that he has been told the name of the appointee, but did not disclose it in a letter to Carney he made public on social media Thursday. Interim PBO Jason Jacques was appointed to a six-month term in September that ended Monday. With no budget officer installed, the office itself can’t publish any reports or accept new work requests from parliamentarians. It will continue to work on existing requests while waiting for a new officer to be named. Poilievre said he only heard of Carney’s suggested appointment on Sunday and that the...
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Manitoba’s first supervised consumption site to open in a few weeks, minister says
By Steve Lambert Manitoba’s first supervised drug consumption site could be open within a few weeks, even as some nearby residents continue to oppose the idea. The NDP government said Thursday it is setting up a temporary mobile structure at the site in central Winnipeg, while work continues on an existing building and getting federal approval for a permanent operation. “For two and a half years, we’ve been trying to set up a site,” Bernadette Smith, the minister for addictions, told reporters. “This is the fastest way we can get one set up, so we’re going to be moving with our partners to set one up as quickly as possible.” The province has opted to use a federal provision that allows provinces to run temporary sites, officially called urgent public...
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