Re-elected Foothills MP John Barlow says ‘trust’ fuels his mission in Ottawa
By Somya Lohia, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Shootin’ the Breeze Conservative MP John Barlow is returning to Ottawa with a renewed mandate after his decisive victory in the Foothills riding during the recent federal election. Winning over 73 per cent of the vote, Barlow said his re-election reflects the trust constituents place in him to represent their interests in Parliament. “People have trust in me,” Barlow told Shootin’ the Breeze. “The residents of Foothills trust that I speak on their behalf when I’m in the House of Commons.” He believes that staying in tune with local voices is important even when it means breaking with party lines. “I don’t always vote along the party lines. I vote with how I believe the people of Foothills would want me to vote,”...
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National chief says First Nations growing frustrated with ‘fast-track’ approach
By Alessia Passafiume The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations says she doesn’t blame First Nations leaders who are voicing frustration with governments promising to fast-track development in their territories in the name of national unity. Some chiefs are even citing the Indigenous rights protest movement Idle No More that took hold under former prime minister Stephen Harper’s government as it looked to ramp up resource development. National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak says that when First Nations are not at the table making decisions from the start, “it causes the Canadian government more problems later.” In the throne speech read yesterday by King Charles, the federal government vowed to eliminate all federal barriers to internal trade and labour mobility by Canada Day. It also promised to reconfigure approval...
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South Dakota tribe declares state of emergency over crime
By Sarah Raza SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — The Rosebud Sioux Tribe in South Dakota has declared a public safety state of emergency on its reservation, asking for more law enforcement resources from the federal government. It’s the tribe’s third emergency declaration in six years as members contend with methamphetamine and other illicit drug use, trafficking and gun violence on the Rosebud Indian Reservation. The tribe previously declared states of emergency in 2019 and 2024. Kathleen Wooden Knife, president of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, wrote in the declaration on Tuesday that the emergency is due to “pervasive law and order and public health issues … creating threats to public safety, the health and welfare of the general public.” The declaration asked for increased patrol and investigative support from federal agencies,...
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Doug Ford blinks on Bill 5, under fire from FirstNations
By Sonal Gupta, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer First Nations leaders and youth activists gathered at Queen’s Park on Monday to denounce Ontario’s controversial Bill 5,. “This will not be the end of our fight,” said Alvin Fiddler, Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation. “The fight will only just be a start, will only begin.” Introduced by Premier Doug Ford’s government, the bill aims to fast-track development by stripping away key safeguards — but for First Nations communities, it is a direct threat to Indigenous sovereignty, environmental security and generational justice. “Nowhere in Bill 5 is the rights of Indigenous peoples to free, prior and informed consent mentioned — not even once,” said Shane Moffatt, Ontario Nature’s conservation campaigns and advocacy manager. “There is the potential for...
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B.C.’s fast-tracking bill heads for final vote, facing criticism to the end
By Wolfgang Depner Controversial legislation to fast-track infrastructure projects in British Columbia goes to a final vote in the legislature on Wednesday night, after attracting condemnation from First Nations leaders and environment and business groups. Speaker Raj Chouhan is expected to cast the deciding vote in favour of the government’s Bill 15. The bill responding to American tariff threats promises to speed up public and private infrastructure projects, including mines, but has faced opposition from critics who say it lacked proper consultation with First Nations and others and represents government overreach. The British Columbia Chamber of Commerce is among the latest critics, calling on Premier David Eby to delay the bill until after the spring sitting of the legislature that ends Thursday. It says in a letter Tuesday that while...
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National chief says First Nations frustrated by ‘fast-track’ approach to development
By Alessia Passafiume The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations says she doesn’t blame First Nations leaders who are voicing frustration with governments promising to fast-track development in their territories in the name of national unity. “I don’t blame them. They’re frustrated and they’re being disrespected,” National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said Wednesday morning. “If we’re not at the table making these decisions right off the bat, this is what happens and it causes the Canadian government more problems later.” In the throne speech delivered Tuesday in Ottawa by King Charles, the federal government vowed to eliminate all federal barriers to internal trade and labour mobility by Canada Day. It also promised to reconfigure approval processes for infrastructure projects to fast-track projects of “national significance.” The day before...
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Manitoba premier declares state of emergency over wildfires, says military aid coming
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew ordered a provincewide state of emergency Wednesday as his province struggles with a series of crippling wildfires, mainly in the remote north. At a late afternoon news conference, Kinew said he spoke to Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has agreed to send in the military. He said they are working with the Forces to immediately deploy evacuation flights. Fires have forced 17,000 people across several communities and First Nations to flee, Kinew said, in what he believes is Manitoba’s largest such exodus in living memory. Evacuees are to seek shelter in Winnipeg, he added. “Pray for Flin Flon, pray for Pimicikamak, pray for Mathias Colomb, pray for Cross Lake, pray for everybody in Manitoba who’s out of their homes right now,” he said. The evacuations include...
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Bill fast-tracking infrastructure projects passes as Speaker Raj Chouhan breaks tie
By Wolfgang Depner A controversial bill in British Columbia responding to American tariffs has passed with Speaker Raj Chouhan casting the deciding vote Wednesday evening. Bill 15 fast-tracks public and private infrastructure projects, and Chouhan’s vote means that the bill has passed third and final reading by a 47-to-46 vote. All New Democrats voted for the legislation, while all 41 Conservatives, both B.C. Greens and the three Independents opposed it. The passage of Bill 15 comes after it has faced weeks of criticism from Indigenous groups, municipal officials, environmentalists and some business leaders, who say the legislation gives cabinet too much power when it comes to designating provincially significant projects. Critics say the bill also undermines environmental standards and constitutional obligations to consult First Nations. Premier David Eby’s government says...
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In a world on fire, making the case for burning more
By Matt Simmons, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Narwhal A cold spring rain spatters the deck outside a small coffee shop in Smithers, B.C., as Kevin Kriese explains why he believes people need to change how they think about wildfire. A former assistant deputy minister with the provincial government and recently retired chair of the B.C. Forest Practices Board, Kriese is now a senior wildfire analyst with the POLIS wildfire resilience project. He’s tall and athletic (an avid skier) and a passionate advocate for land-based solutions to ecological challenges. He speaks with the confidence of someone who has spent his entire career navigating seemingly intractable problems — but admits getting people on board with the idea of living with more fire on the land is no easy task. “Fires do...
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Three high-profile development projects that would immediately benefit from Ford’s controversial Bill 5
By Abdul Matin Sarfraz / Canada’s National Observer / Local Journalism Initiative, Canada’s National Observer Pressure is mounting on the Ford government to withdraw its controversial Bill 5, as First Nations, environmental advocates, legal experts and opposition parties warn it threatens biodiversity, weakens environmental oversight and undermines Indigenous consultation. Premier Doug Ford says the act is needed to protect Ontario’s economy from US tariffs, but critics argue the government is using trade threats as a pretext to push through legislation that would grant it sweeping, unchecked powers to fast-track development and mining projects with little scrutiny. At the heart of the bill is a provision that allows the provincial cabinet to create “special economic zones,” where selected projects and developers — labelled “trusted proponents” — could be exempt from normal...
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Six Nations Elected Council cancels famed runner Tom Longboat annual run after family pulls out
SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND, OHSWEKEN, ON – Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) has cancelled the 26th Annual Tom Longboat Run scheduled for Wednesday, June 4, 2025, after the Longboat family issued a statement saying it could not support the SNEC sponsored event as a result of what the Six Nations “elected band council’s cannabis industry has inflicted upon the people, children and future generations of Six Nations.” The Longboat family issued the formal withdrawal Tuesday May 27 from the run. SNEC cancelled the event, a press release said “out of respect for the family’s position and statement. This decision has been made with careful consideration, and appreciation is extended to the community for its understanding.” The statement, issued by Darrien Bomberry, Public Relations Coordinator, also said “efforts are being...
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Province announces nearly $7 million wildfire program commitment in Strathmore
By John Watson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Strathmore Times The Province of Alberta is committing nearly $7 million to the creation of six new Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) teams which aim to protect communities from wildfires. Responding to increased wildfire activity within Alberta, the province is actioning with the intent to safeguard communities and strengthen the way emergencies are responded to. Announcing the financial commitment and the program, Mike Ellis, minister of public safety and emergency services, introduced it during a presentation held in Strathmore, May 23. “Wildland Urban Interface teams are structural firefighters who have specialized training and equipment to respond to wildfires that threaten to enter a community or wherever developed areas meet wildland areas,” said Ellis. The six new Wildland Interface teams will be based out of...
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Cannabis Grow-Op petition demands Six Nations Cannabis Commission shuts down massive operation
By Lynda Powless and Tara Lindemann Writers The signs are bold, almost shouting “Shut this down!” The signs, along with flags, are lining a driveway into a massive controversial cannabis grow-up, licensed by the Six Nations Elected Council’s (SNEC) cannabis commission. They are demanding the operation on Fourth Line be shut down. The signs come on the heels of a petition that is circulating in Six Nations demanding the controversial cannabis operation just outside Ohsweken village limits be shut down. The huge greenhouse operation is one of three under construction on the territory.. The petition lists odour and air quality concerns along with questioning the environmental impact of cannabis operations. The petition, is asking the Six Nations Cannabis Commission (SNCC) to “revoke the license” they approved allowing the “Massive Grow-Op,”...
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Project PANDA takes out non-Indigenous criminal network operating out of Six Nations
By Lynda Powless Editor SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND RIVER, ON – Six Nations Police have seized over $6.29 million in contraband tobacco and drugs from a manufacturing facility being operated by “members of a non-Indigenous criminal network,” generating profits that weren’t invested or utilized by the community. Police seized over 25,000 kg (or 25 metric tonnes) of contraband tobacco, with an estimated street value of more than $6.29 million in May. The seizure also included over $3 million in illegal cannabis and 15 firearms after shutting down what they called a “criminal network” producing and manufacturing contraband tobacco on Six Nations of the Grand River Territory in May. The four month long investigation began after the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau’s (OCEB) launched Project PANDA in...
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Six Nations Fire Department displays their life saving skills
Not even rain can stop the fun of Six Nations Community Awareness. Six Nations Fire department thrilled community members with a display of firefighting techniques and of course a barbecue! (Photo by Jim C. Powless)...
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Can you smell it yet…
It looks like Six Nations Elected Council’s (SNEC) decision to license cannabis sales and growth has raised its controversial head…again. Only this time it’s about the sudden introduction into the community of massive cannabis grow-ops with no notification to the community. In fact, in one neighbourhood it came in the shape of a farmer plowing a field one day to suddenly having as many as 100 greenhouses go up behind their homes to grow cannabis. One day it was a field. Today it’s a massive grow-op and a neighbourhood appears to be left on its own to deal the intrusion of the SNEC created blunder. A blunder not only the neighbourhood is questioning but the community is asking how the grow-up was allowed to go up without any community consultation....
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UNDER THE NORTHERN SKY: The Road To Recovery
by Xavier Kataquapit www.underthenorthernsky.com As a First Nation person I have been terrorized by alcohol and drug addiction all my life. I grew up with this reality and continue to witness the effects of addictions today. From the time I was a child I realized how terrible life was because of alcohol and drugs. I vowed to never head in that direction however, as soon as I went into my teen years I joined the party. Lucky for me, my cousin, who had gone to treatment, studied as a drug and alcohol First Nation counsellor, returned to my community and started up an Alcoholic Anonymous healing group. I joined that group and began to figure things out. Thanks to that help, support from others on the road to recovery and...
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Arrows looking to make a splash during their 2025 season
By Sam Laskaris Writer The Six Nations Arrows have some lofty expectations for their 2025 campaign. And despite a bit of a blip on Sunday night, the local Junior A lacrosse squad has shown some early indications it might just be able to reach its goals. The ultimate goal for the Arrows will be to win the Minto Cup, the Canadian Junior A title. One of the Arrows’ Ontario Junior Lacrosse League (OJLL) rivals, the St. Catharines Athletics, will host this year’s national tournament from Aug. 16-23. As hosts, the Athletics receive an automatic entry into the Canadian tourney. In order for the Arrows to also compete they would have to win the OJLL championship or be league finalists if the St. Catharines club wins the 11-team Ontario circuit. “This...
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Six Nations Ironmen join Northern Premier Hockey League
By Sam Laskaris Writer The Six Nations Ironmen are no longer just a tournament team. For the past five years the local men’s squad has primarily been put together to compete in the Fred Sasakamoose Chief Thunderstick National Hockey Championship. This event, annually held in Saskatoon, is the national tourney for Indigenous adult hockey squads. But it was announced last Wednesday that the Ironmen have joined the rebranded Northern Premier Hockey League (NPHL). Starting with the 2025-26 season, which is expected to begin this October, the Ironmen will compete in the NPHL’s Metropolitan Division. The division will also include the Alvinston Killer Bees, Strathroy Jets, Tilbury Bluebirds, and Woodstock Lakers. Clubs will play a 20-game regular season schedule, consisting of 10 home games and 10 away matches. The Metropolitan Division...
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