B.C. First Nations fear protests and conflict over fast-track legislation
By Darryl Greer First Nations leaders in British Columbia say proposed legislation to fast-track resource projects will likely lead to protests and litigation should the provincial government push the law through. Robert Phillips with the First Nations Summit says the B.C. government’s proposed legislation, known as Bill 15, to approve infrastructure projects more quickly was done unilaterally, causing frustration and upset among First Nations leadership. He says there will be conflict, litigation and protests if the B.C. NDP fails to “kill the bill” without engaging with First Nations on potential amendments. Phillips and other First Nations representatives and municipal leaders spoke at a joint news conference to outline opposition to the legislation, which Premier David Eby says is needed to combat the threat of tariffs imposed by the United States...
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Manitoba Tory loses critic duties but will remain in caucus after ethics probe
By Steve Lambert A Manitoba Progressive Conservative has been stripped of his critic duties in the wake of a report from the province’s ethics commissioner. Jeff Wharton is one of three Tories who were found by the ethics commissioner this week to have violated the conflict of interest law in pushing for a silica sand mine. The report says Wharton, former premier Heather Stefanson and former deputy premier Cliff Cullen tried to get approval for the project after the Tories lost the 2023 election but before the incoming NDP government was sworn in. Wharton has apologized and said he accepts the report’s findings, which include thousands of dollars in fines. Progressive Conservative Leader Obby Khan says Wharton will remain in caucus but has been removed as critic for business, mining,...
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Prison time for woman guilty of child porn, bestiality
By Bob Mackin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Prince George Citizen A woman who admitted making and sharing pornography featuring her young child and using a cat in a sex act was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in jail by a Provincial Court judge in Prince George on Thursday, May 15. “It disturbs us all when we hear such acts of violence perpetrated by a mother against her child,” said Judge David Simpkin. The woman, whose name is banned from publication in order to protect the young victim, had pleaded guilty in November 2023 to four offences between January 2021 and May 2022: making child pornography, distributing child pornography, sexual interference of a person under 16 years of age and bestiality with a cat. The Crown had asked Simpkin for a total...
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First Nations leaders pledge ‘confrontation on the ground’ over Ontario mining bill
By Liam Casey Several First Nations travelled from the far reaches of northern Ontario to Queen’s Park in Toronto on Thursday to have their voices heard on a proposed law that seeks to significantly speed up mining approvals in their traditional lands, only to come away exasperated with Premier Doug Ford’s government. Several dozen First Nations leaders and supporters sang and beat a large drum before entering a committee hearing for Bill 5, an omnibus bill introduced by the province as its solution to build mines faster. With words failing, several First Nations leaders pledged to take the fight to the land should the province stay its course. “There will be confrontation on the ground,” said Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler of Nishnawbe Aski Nation after voicing concerns at a committee...
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Caledon, Mississaugas host Council-to-Council discussion
By Riley Murphy, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Caledon Citizen On May 14, the Town of Caledon and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) came together for a council-to-council discussion at the historic and newly renovated Council House in Hagersville. The gathering helped to reaffirm their commitment to reconciliation, mutual respect, and their goal of working together closely. During the gathering, Elder Darin Wybenga held a treaty education session, which was an important step in strengthening relationships between the councils and promoting a better understanding between the Town and Indigenous communities. In Mayor Groves’ presentation on friendship, she presented a wood board in friendship and with respect to Ogimaa-Kwe (Chief) Claire Sault of the MCFN. “The board was crafted by a local artisan, using wood from a fallen black...
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Indigenous Amazon tribe says New York Times story led to its members being smeared as porn addicts
By Andrew Dalton LOS ANGELES (AP) — An Indigenous tribe from the Brazilian Amazon has sued The New York Times, saying the newspaper’s reporting on the tribe’s first exposure to the internet led to its members being widely portrayed as technology-addled and addicted to pornography. The Marubo Tribe of the Javari Valley, a sovereign community of about 2,000 people in the rainforest, filed the defamation lawsuit seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in damages this week in a court in Los Angeles. It also names TMZ and Yahoo as defendants, alleging that their stories amplified and sensationalized the Times’ reporting and smeared the tribe in the process. The suit says the Times’ June 2024 story by reporter Jack Nicas on how the group was handling the introduction of satellite service...
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Trump hosts top crypto investors as some industry leaders fear he’s putting personal profits first
By Will Weissert And Alan Suderman WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump rewarded top investors in one of his cryptocurrency projects with a swanky dinner on Thursday night, an event that showed the ascendance of an emerging financial industry — and also the president’s willingness to mix public office with personal profit. Some 220 of the biggest investors in the $TRUMP meme coin were invited to Trump’s luxury golf club in Northern Virginia, where they dined on filet mignon and halibut. According to participants’ posts on social media, Trump spoke for about half an hour before dancing to the song “YMCA.” Despite the White House insisting that Trump would be attending the event “in his personal time,” he stood behind a lectern with the presidential seal as he touted an...
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Emergency reserves, high prices, rationing. How did Japan’s rice crisis get this far?
By Mari Yamaguchi TOKYO (AP) — Rice is essential to Japanese culture, tradition and politics. People take pride in the oval-shaped sticky Japonica grain, which is still a staple even though total consumption has fallen over the decades. But since last summer, prices have soared as supplies have fallen short of demand. The government has long paid farmers to cut back on rice acreage, and change to other crops to keep rice prices relatively high. To cope with shortfalls this year, the government has released rice reserves. But the grain has been slow to reach supermarket shelves. Anger over that was part of the reason the agriculture minister quit this week. Consumers are frustrated and wondering where’s the rice? Why did the farm minister resign? Agriculture Minister Taku Eto resigned...
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Ottawa has to allow home prices to fall to make housing more affordable, experts say
By Craig Lord Housing experts are pushing back against a federal cabinet minister’s recent claim that home prices don’t need to go down in order to restore housing affordability. Gregor Robertson, the former mayor of Vancouver who was elected to the House of Commons in April, sparked the debate after he was sworn in as housing minister earlier this, when a reporter asked him whether he thinks home prices need to fall. “No, I think that we need to deliver more supply, make sure the market is stable. It’s a huge part of our economy,” he said. Robertson added that Canada lacks affordable housing and championed Ottawa’s efforts to build out the supply of homes priced below market rates. Mike Moffatt, founding director of the Missing Middle Institute, had a...
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Coalition urges Carney to drop nuclear from energy plan
By Abdul Matin Sarfraz / Local Journalism Initiative/ Canada’s National Observer A coalition of First Nations, physicians and environmental organizations is ramping up pressure on Prime Minister Mark Carney to drop nuclear energy from his “energy superpower” strategy, warning it comes with high costs, long delays and long-term risks. In an open letter, dozens of organizations urge the federal government to halt funding for nuclear development and instead prioritize renewables, energy efficiency and storage. The letter warns that new nuclear projects are likely to increase electricity costs while delaying meaningful climate action. “We are concerned that you may be unduly influenced by the nuclear and fossil industry lobbies,” reads the letter. During the federal election campaign, Carney pledged to make Canada “the world’s leading energy superpower,” focusing on clean and...
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Fort Simpson is getting a new health centre. Where should it go?
By Claire McFarlane, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cabin Radio A new regional health centre is set to be built in Fort Simpson. The question is now how the centre’s location should be decided. Which plot of land should be used for the project has been a topic of discussion at recent council meetings in the Northwest Territories village. Last week, councillors expressed concern and frustration over the handling of the process so far, describing a lack of communication between the mayor and some council members. Councillor Troy Bellefontaine said he had seen emails showing GNWT staff contacting the village on December 10 last year about a meeting to discuss potential locations for the new health centre. A meeting was eventually scheduled for February 10, Bellefontaine said, but only Mayor Les...
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Tribes say the U.S. misappropriated funds to pay for Native American boarding schools
By Graham Lee Brewer Two tribal nations filed a lawsuit Thursday saying that the federal government used the trust fund money of tribes to pay for boarding schools where generations of Native children were systematically abused. In the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the Wichita Tribe and the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California said that by the U.S. government’s own admission, the schools were funded using money raised by forcing tribal nations into treaties to cede their lands. That money was to be held in trust for the collective benefit of tribes. “The United States Government, the trustee over Native children’s education and these funds, has never accounted for the funds that it took, or detailed how, or even whether, those...
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Youthful candidate seeks Eskasoni Council seat
By Rosemary Godin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cape Breton Post He just turned 21 years old in March. But Cole Stevens has goals to improve the future for his family and community. Last month he took a first step by accepting the nomination for a place on the Eskasoni First Nation band council. The election is May 26 and Stevens is running against 67 other people for one of 12 council positions. Despite his youth, Stevens is not a new name to the community of just over 4,700 people. He has been a sports star in the fields of baseball, hockey and golf, receiving awards and accolades since he was about 13 years old. He looks forward to competing again in the 2025 Mi’kmaq Summer Games to be hosted by...
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The race to adapt ancient wild rice practices in a changing environment
By Sonal Gupta, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer Traditionally, wild rice — or manoomin — is harvested by paddling into shallow waters and gently knocking the ripe grains into the canoe using cedar sticks. It’s a time-honoured practice central to Anishinaabe culture and ceremonies. “This wild rice is part of our migration story,” said Jyles Copenace, cultural coordinator for Kenora Chiefs Advisory Youth and Family Wellness Camp. “It ties us to where we ended up in northwestern Ontario and to the Great Lakes.” Historically, manoomin thrived in the shallow waters of lakes and rivers. But hydroelectric production, invasive cattails and climate change have made traditional harvesting difficult. “[Wild rice] used to last a month, but now, because of climate change, the rice becomes brittle and must be harvested...
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Vancouver Island land returned to Lyackson First Nation and Cowichan Tribes
A stretch of culturally significant land in the Cowichan Valley has been returned to the Lyackson First Nation and Cowichan Tribes communities. The British Columbia government says the return of the Vancouver Island lands historically used by First Nations for gathering and harvesting represents a reconciliation landmark. The Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation says in a news release the 312-hectare land parcel is worth about $8.6 million. Lyackson Hereditary Chief Shana Thomas says in the release that the land is a former village site and the community has been fighting for its re-establishment over four generations. The government had purchased the land from Mosaic Forest Management, and Thomas says the return would not have been possible without the company being a “willing seller.” The incremental treaty agreement on the...
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‘I put a lot of hard work into what I own’: Vandals smash windshield of Fort St. John man’s Indigenous-inspired vehicle
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A local Indigenous resident is appreciative of the positive messages he’s received from the community after his car was vandalized earlier this month. Dan Prince has owned his Dodge Challenger since 2021 and it has a black exterior adorned with First Nations decals. He said his front windshield was smashed on Monday, May 12th. Since that time, an outpouring of support for Prince’s wheels has surfaced, including one resident who paid for the damage to be repaired. Prince admits he “wasn’t a car guy” before purchasing the vehicle. While Prince says he had eagle art on his previous car, this art is more Indigenous-based. “Originally, it was actually originally to be white [decals] to go on [the]...
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Ontario insists it will consult with First Nations on controversial mining bill
By Liam Casey Ontario is insisting it will consult with First Nations over a proposed bill that would suspend provincial and municipal laws in areas it designates as so-called special economic zones. But many First Nations across the province are livid with the government over the proposed law, known as Bill 5, which is being studied at committee on Thursday. The province says it intends to declare the Ring of Fire in northern Ontario as one such zone. Energy and Mining Minister Stephen Lecce says the province is rewriting the law’s preamble to clarify and reinforce the province’s constitutional duty to consult with Indigenous people. New Democrat deputy Leader Sol Mamakwa says the province has failed in its duty to consult. Mamakwa tabled a motion to add one day of...
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‘Now is the time for action,’ says Kashechewan chief
By Marissa Lentz-McGrath, Local Journalism Initiative, TimminsToday.com With states of emergencies called due to serious flooding risks, First Nations leaders are urging upper levels of government to respond. Mushkegowuk Council is calling on Prime Minister-elect Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford to visit flood-threatened communities in Northern Ontario, as rising waters force full-scale evacuations in both Kashechewan and Fort Albany First Nations. Kashechewan Chief Hosea Wesley said his community gas endured near-annual evacuations during spring breakup. The federal government has promised to relocate the community to a safer location upstream, but those plans remain stalled. “It is unacceptable that the lives of our people continue to be put at risk every spring,” wrote Wesley in a statement Friday (May 2). “We have enough studies, we have enough promises, now...
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‘Unleashing Change’: Hard work pays off for pageant winner
By Marissa Lentz-McGrath, Local Journalism Initiative, TimminsToday.com COCHRANE – For Sydney Echum, pageants have never just been about the sash and crown, they’ve been a way to speak up and champion causes close to her heart. The 16-year-old from Moose Factory, now living in Cochrane, was crowned Teen Regional Canada 2025 at a competition held at Collège Boréal in Sudbury over the weekend. “It felt so good,” Echum told TimminsToday. “Like all the work that I’ve done paid off. I competed last year and I got third runner-up, and I knew that I wanted to go back right away. So putting in that hard work really made it feel worth it.” Echum is no stranger to the spotlight. She was crowned Miss Chimo 2024. The pageants, she said, have helped...
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B.C. municipalities join First Nations in criticism of tariff bills
By Wolfgang Depner Municipal leaders from across British Columbia have joined First Nations to ask the provincial government to withdraw or delay proposed legislation to fast-track major projects in response to U.S. tariffs. But the president of the Union of B.C. Municipalities says there’s no sign the government is changing course, after Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma fronted an online meeting last Friday with more than 120 local officials. Union president Trish Mandewo says members want the bill delayed until proper consultation can take place or “cancelled altogether.” That echoes the concerns of First Nations leaders who met Premier David Eby last Thursday and said they were deeply disappointed by the government’s refusal to withdraw the proposed legislation, which they described as unilateralism. Mandewo says local officials’ response to their own...
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