Housing for families fleeing intimate partner violence ready for occupants
By Talar Stockton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Yukon News The Yukon Housing Corporation has bought 3 buildings in Whistle Bend to help provide affordable housing to Yukoners, per a press release. Six of those units will be overseen by the Council of Yukon First Nations to provide transitional housing for Indigenous women leaving emergency or temporary housing. “This second-stage transitional housing apartment will help us house six families that are currently residing in our Family Preservation Wellness Centre,” said Shadelle Chambers, CYFN’s executive director of family preservation services. Chambers said CYFN opened its Family Preservation and Wellness Centre in Whistle Bend earlier this year, and called the centre a double-edged sword. “We’re really happy to be able to fill the building, and have a lot of families and children accessing...
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Activists rally in Calgary during G7 summit to protest India PM Modi
By Bill Graveland More than 100 Sikhs waved blue and yellow Khalistan flags and held up posters Monday condemning Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of his visit to the G7 leaders’ summit. One poster depicted the Indian leader handcuffed in a prison jumpsuit, and another showed him locked up behind bars with the message: “I killed Nijjar, a Canadian citizen.” Modi was expected to arrive in Calgary later Monday. The G7 is being held west of the city in a wilderness retreat in Kananaskis. There has been outrage since Prime Minister Mark Carney invited Modi as a guest at the G7 gathering. Bakshish Singh Sandhu, co-founder of the advocacy group Sikhs for Justice, said Modi’s appearance in Canada is also an opportunity to shine a light on what he...
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Indigenous leaders tell Senate major projects bill moving too fast, call for consults
By Alessia Passafiume The president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami says “Canada’s weakness” is publicly saying reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples is of top priority then acting like it isn’t when it introduces legislation like the major projects bill. The legislation is being widely criticized by Indigenous leaders and community members across the country for a lack of consultation and a tight timeline in which the government wants to pass the bill. Bill C-5 would give the federal cabinet the ability to set aside various statutes to push forward approvals for a small number of major industrial products, such as mines, pipelines and ports. ITK President Natan Obed, speaking to the Senate on Monday, said the way Canada operates is by positioning itself as a champion for the rights of Indigenous Peoples,...
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Fast-moving brush fire on Hawaii’s Maui island evacuates about 50 people. No structures have burned
By Audrey Mcavoy, Kathy Mccormack And Mark Thiessen HONOLULU (AP) — A fast-moving Hawaii brush fire fueled by fierce winds forced the evacuation of about 50 Maui residents on the opposite side of the same island where a devastating blaze killed over 100 people two years ago. The fire started Sunday in a sparsely populated area with land set aside for Native Hawaiians. Here’s what we know about the fire so far: Fire size now estimated at 330 acres The Kahikinui was initially estimated at 500 acres (202 hectares), but aerial surveys overnight put the estimate at about 330 acres (134 hectares), Maui’s fire department said. The fire is 85% contained. The remote, challenging terrain made it difficult to estimate the fire’s size, the department said in a statement. A...
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Winnipeg School Division honours Indigenous graduates in the city and beyond
By Brittany Hobson Parker Ledoux never imagined spending the last month of her Grade 12 school year cooped up in a Winnipeg hotel room far from her home. But when an out-of-control wildfire encroached on Creighton, Sask., at the end of last month and forced its some 1,200 people to flee, that’s exactly what happened. With graduation celebrations supposed to take place next week and community members still displaced, Ledoux is not sure what the quintessential teenage experience will look like for her and her classmates. The Winnipeg School Division recognized the uncertainty high school evacuees may be facing and opened up its own ceremony honouring Indigenous graduates to students forced out of their homes by the wildfires. “I am so grateful to be here today,” said Ledoux, a Red...
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128-year-old shipwreck on Vancouver Island charred by fire
By Nono Shen A shipwreck that has been part of Vancouver Island’s history for more than a century is a charred skeleton after a fire earlier this month. Photographer Geoff Johnson said he went to look after hearing of the fire at the wreck that has been sitting on Big Beach in Ucluelet for almost 130 years. “It was really dramatic,” recalled Johnson in an interview, adding that the wooden wreckage seemed to be “more corpse-like now than it was before.” Ucluelet fire Chief Rick Geddes said crews attended the fire in the early morning of June 10 and the cause of the blaze is being investigated. The shipwreck suffered “significant damage” from the fire, although it’s still very much intact, Geddes said. “It’s not uncommon for us to get...
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‘Purgatory:’ Fed officials left in limbo as tariffs complicate this week’s rate decision
By Christopher Rugaber WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy is mostly in good shape but that isn’t saving Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell from a spell of angst. As the Fed considers its next moves during a two-day meeting this week, most economic data looks solid: Inflation has been steadily fading, while the unemployment rate is still a historically low 4.2%. Yet President Donald Trump’s widespread tariffs may push inflation higher in the coming months, while also possibly slowing growth. With the outlook uncertain, Fed policymakers are expected to keep their key interest rate unchanged on Wednesday at about 4.4%. Officials will also release a set of quarterly economic projections that are expected to show inflation will accelerate later this year, while unemployment my also tick up a bit. The...
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Conservatives vote with Carney government to rush Bill C-5
By Natasha Bulowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer The federal Conservatives voted with the Liberals on a special order to push a massive piece of legislation on major project approvals through the House of Commons before the week’s end. The proposed legislation would grant the federal government broad powers including the option to override laws related to projects deemed “in the national interest.” Three hundred and five Conservative and Liberal MPs voted in favour of the government’s time allocation motion to limit debate on the bill, while 30 Bloc Québécois, Green and NDP MPs and lone Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith voted against it. The federal government is determined to get Bill C-5 — dubbed the One Canadian Economy Act — through the House of Commons before MPs leave...
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Yellowknife South Asian group wants to ‘change minds and bridge gaps’
By Aastha Sethi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cabin Radio “Asking for people to be rounded up – we’re not the U.S. We’re still Canada, right?” That’s a question a newly formed Yellowknife non-profit posed during its first meeting on Saturday, where members spoke with residents about solutions to address racism against South Asians in the city. The Association of South Asians in Yellowknife, or ASAYK, was launched in May in response to a rise in online hate toward members of the community. On Saturday, locals gathered at the Yellowknife Visitor Centre to learn more about the association and hear concerns from those in attendance. The organization recently condemned an anonymous post made on a Yellowknife “rant and rave” Facebook group. That became part of the conversation at last weekend’s meeting....
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National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak Statement on G7 Summit
June 15, 2025 – Unceded Algonquin Territory, Ottawa) – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak released the following statement today as the G7 Summit begins in Kananaskis, Alberta: “On behalf of the AFN, I must recognize, and draw attention to the fact, that this year’s G7 Summit is being held in Treaty No. 7 Territory, on the ancestral territory of the Blackfoot Confederacy, Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai First Nations, Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Îyârhe Stoney Nakoda First Nation,” said National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak. “Global leaders will be gathering on sacred land, and honouring that truth is critical for the Summit to proceed in a good way.” National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak noted, “Prime Minister Carney has stated that one of Canada’s objectives during this Summit...
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Mi’kmaw mourn loss of treaty scholar, activist Kevin Christmas
By Rosemary Godin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cape Breton Post The voice of a giant of activism and tradition al wisdom for his people has gone silent. Membertou’s Kevin Christmas died on May 28 after a seven month battle with cancer. Friends and colleagues say the impact of over four decades of his activism and treaty research will be felt for generations to come across the whole country. A treaty scholar, Indigenous advocate and environmental activist, Christmas was also a storyteller who shared knowledge rooted in treaties and sacred prophecies. He was brutally honest – but also amusing – whenever he gave speeches at events all across this country to educate Indigenous and non-indigenous about the betrayal of the Canadian government to its treaty responsibilities. His words were never boring...
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‘Say something’: Protesters gather as G7 leaders’ summit gets underway in Alberta
By Bill Graveland As world leaders gather at the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alta., Lesley Boyer has a message. The Calgary grandmother is angry that U.S. President Donald Trump keeps talking about Canada becoming his country’s 51st state. Sitting in a wheelchair at Calgary City Hall on Sunday, Boyer held up a sign with an expletive aimed at Trump. “I’ve been waving my sign around the cameras and hopefully he’ll see it … go away Trump. We don’t want you here,” she said. Boyer was among several hundred people — including labour, youth, Indigenous, political and environmental activists — protesting before most of the G7 leaders had touched down in the city. Trump arrived late Sunday at the Calgary airport before taking a helicopter to the summit site at Kananaskis...
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Prairie fire officials work to support evacuees, while some areas plan return home
By Jeremy Simes and Brittany Hobson The firefight on the Prairies wildfire front took a new turn Friday as officials in two provinces worked to support evacuees, while affected communities readied themselves to bring residents home. Earlier this week, Saskatchewan’s government announced emergency support payments would be given to people forced to flee. It came after the province’s ombudsman slammed the government’s wildfire response. Speaking at a news conference, Premier Scott Moe said Friday the government is working to distribute the $500 payouts to adult evacuees in a matter of “days, not weeks.” “We’re working on all of those fronts so that we don’t leave anyone out, but also that we don’t slow down the effort to get this into families’ hands as soon as possible,” Moe said. Sharon Pratchler,...
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NFN opens modernized water facility after 12-year journey
By David Briggs, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, BayToday.ca On June 12, Nipissing First Nation (NFN) unveiled major upgrades to the Garden Village Water Treatment Plant. Deputy Chief Brian Couchie said, “Today we celebrate more than a new building. The water treatment plant is a promise kept by our people that clean safe water will flow in every home, every day.” Couchie added, “Together we prove that when tradition and technology walk side by side, our Nation thrives.” About 40 people from the community came out for the official grand opening of the treatment plant, located at 196 Gerald Crescent, in Garden Village. The event began with a Water Ceremony led by Evelyn McLeod to honour the spirit of water. Afterwards, everyone was given a small brass-coloured cup, which was filled...
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‘Let the chips fall’: New B.C. party’s leader vows to go where others won’t
By Wolfgang Depner The interim leader of B.C.’s newest political party says it will raise issues other parties won’t dare to touch. Dallas Brodie said these included the effects of the “reconciliation industry,” electoral reform, and ending mass immigration, and she will “let the chips fall where they may” when it’s time to run for re-election. The new One BC party went public on Thursday, with Brodie announcing herself as interim leader and Tara Armstrong house leader as they unveiled plans to combat what Brodie called “the globalist assault” on B.C.’s history, culture and families. “Tara and I are taking a principled stance,” Brodie said in an interview on Friday. “We believe that there is room for the discussions that we are raising, and we will take our shots at...
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Alberta government to start charging residents for COVID-19 shots this fall
By Jack Farrell Alberta’s government announced Friday residents who are not immunocompromised or on social programs will soon have to pay to get the COVID-19 vaccine. In a late afternoon news release, the government said that since provinces took over responsibility for procuring the shots from federal authorities in April, it has wanted to cut down on waste and recoup costs. It said an estimated one million COVID-19 vaccine doses, or just over half of Alberta’s supply, were not used during the 2023-2024 respiratory virus season. It said $135 million worth of shots were wasted. “Now that Alberta’s government is responsible for procuring vaccines, it’s important to better determine how many vaccines are needed to support efforts to minimize waste and control costs,” the province said. “This new approach will...
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Ontario First Nation issues partial evacuation notice over high benzene levels
An Ontario First Nation that has been under a state of emergency for over a year due to high levels of a toxic chemical is recommending the evacuation of part of the community. Aamjiwnaang First Nation declared a state of emergency in April 2024 and issued a similar evacuation notice in October over elevated emissions of benzene. The latest development comes as a neighbouring styrene plant in Sarnia, Ont., is being decommissioned. It was shut down last April after a spike in cancer-causing benzene levels was picked up and the First Nation reported some residents had fallen ill. The plant owner says in a notice that some decommissioning work that began earlier this month has been completed and it appreciates the community’s patience. INEOS Styrolution has said it plans to...
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Six Nations production company and Laurier University explore plans for new hub
By Celeste Percy-Beauregard Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Hamilton Spectator A Six Nations production company and Laurier University are in talks to revitalize a storied building in downtown Brantford. RedDoor Collective and the school are coming together to “explore” a global Indigenous innovation centre and immersive shared reality cinemas (an experience that makes audience members feel like a part of what they’re watching, like an Imax movie) in downtown Brantford, according to a joint media release. “We envision a platform for Indigenous youth, creators, researchers and entrepreneurs, bringing together academics, industry leaders and community organizations to cocreate new models of success,” RedDoor Collective founder Gary Joseph said in the release. The idea includes a state-of-the-art sound stage the size of two basketball courts, and a cinema sharing “immersive” and “interactive”...
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Protesters converge at MPP’s Thunder Bay office
By Sandi Krasowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Chronicle-Journal MPP Kevin Holland’s James Street constituency office in Thunder Bay was the scene of a protest Thursday evening as almost 300 people turned out with placards urging the repeal of Bill 5. The bill, which the Ford government claims is in response to the U.S.-imposed tariffs that threaten the Canadian economy, opens avenues to expedite major infrastructure and resource extraction projects. This involves the replacement of the existing Ontario’s Endangered Species Act with the new Species Conservation Act, which some argue relaxes the existing protections. It also means the creation of other laws such as the Special Economic Zones Act, allowing any location in Ontario to be designated as a “special economic zone” by the province, which can exempt companies or...
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Carney’s task at G7 will be to keep the group alive as experts question the outcome
By Dylan Robertson As Prime Minister Mark Carney gets ready to host U.S. President Donald Trump and other leaders at the G7 summit in Alberta, analysts say Canada’s most important goal will be to keep the G7 from falling apart — even if that means not issuing a joint statement. “Keeping this informal international organization together will, I think, be a mark of success,” said Sen. Peter Boehm, a former diplomat who played a central role in Canada’s participation in the G7 for decades. “The challenge I think that we will be seeing at Kananaskis is whether we still have like-mindedness in the G7, and whether that can still project (unity), in terms of dealing with some of the big global challenges.” The G7 includes the United States, France, Germany,...
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