Former tribal leader sentenced for taking bribes in North Dakota
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)- A former government official of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation has been sentenced to five years in prison for accepting bribes and kickbacks from a construction contractor at Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota. Randall Phelan, 58, of Mandaree, was an elected representative of the governing body of the Three Affiliated Tribes from 2013 to 2020. Investigators said Phelan solicited and accepted bribes totaling more than $645,000 and helped the contractor’s business by awarding contracts, fabricating bids and managing fraudulent invoices. He was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty in October to conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, honest services wire fraud and bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds. He had faced a maximum of 20 years in prison. Co-conspirator Delvin Reeves, who...
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New MNA district map is a `hostile takeover’ of territory, argues Grande Cache Mountain Metis
By Shari Narine Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Metis Nation of Alberta (MNA) is proposing to deal with internal and breakaway dissenters by delivering a blow to their autonomy through the creation of new districts on a rejigged Metis Nation map, alleges new court documents filed May 10 in Alberta Court of King’s Bench in Edmonton. On May 27, MNA members will be asked to vote on the new map and new bylaws that are meant to firm up the Otipemisiwak Metis Government Constitution, which was ratified last November. However, when that vote on the constitution was held, neither the map nor new bylaws were available for viewing. An ongoing legal action by the Grande Cache Metis Local #1994 calls for a stop to the MNA’s May 27 special meeting,...
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New series hits close to home for creator Jennifer Podemski
By Crystal St.Pierre Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Little Bird, a six-part limited dramatic series, will air on APTN Lumi starting May 26. Set within the Sixties Scoop era, Little Bird tells the story of one family’s trauma, resilience and discovery of Indigenous culture. The first episode introduces a loving family with four happy children living on the Long Pine Reserve in Saskatchewan. Viewers soon learn, however, there is an unspoken fear that the family lives with daily. They have “practiced” what they should each do if strangers come around their home. The kids have hiding places in and around the house, and must stay completely silent when strangers are near, no matter what they hear or see. As the show progresses, the focus turns to one of the Little Bird...
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Metis self government agreement concerns FN leaders
By Darlene Wroe Local Journalism Initiative Reporter TEMAGAMI – Teme-Augama Anishnabai and Temagami First Nation leaders have joined their voices with other Ontario chiefs calling upon the federal government not to implement the Metis Government Recognition and Self-Government Agreement. In a May 11 press release, they state that they have “numerous concerns related to the flawed research and an opaque process that led to the eventual 2017 recognition of six new ‘historic Metis’ communities in the Province of Ontario.” However, Metis Nation of Ontario president Margaret Froh expressed the view that the existence of Metis people in the region is a fact of history, and the self-government agreement is about governance and protection of its citizens, children, and communities and does not impact First Nations. Teme-Augama Anishnabai Chief Leanna Farr said...
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Criminal cases for killing eagles decline as wind turbine dangers grow
By Matthew Brown And Camille Fassett THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ROLLING HILLS, Wyo. (AP)- Criminal cases brought by U.S. wildlife officials for killing or injuring protected eagles dropped sharply in recent years, even as officials ramped up issuing permits that will allow wind energy companies to kill thousands of eagles without legal consequence. The falloff in enforcement of eagle protection laws accelerated in the Trump administration and has continued under President Joe Biden, according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service data obtained by The Associated Press. It comes amid growing concern that a proliferation of wind turbines to feed the demand for renewable energy is jeopardizing golden eagle populations. Dozens of permits approved or pending would allow roughly 6,000 eagles to be killed in coming decades, government documents show. More than half...
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Native American former student sues Oklahoma school for removing feather at graduation
TULSA, Okla. (AP)- A Native American former student is suing an Oklahoma school district for the removal of an eagle feather from her graduation cap prior to her high school graduation ceremony. The lawsuit filed Monday in Tulsa County District Court against Broken Arrow Public Schools and two employees by Lena’ Black alleges intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence and violations to her state and federal constitutional rights to free speech and freedom of religion. District spokesperson Tara Thompson said Wednesday that the suburban Tulsa school had not been served with the lawsuit and declined comment on the action, but said all students are allowed to add items to their graduation regalia. “Not only do we make exceptions for the Native American tribes, we also allow other religious and ethnic...
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Six Nations Community Awareness fun continues
Six Nations annual community awareness weeks are underway. Across the community various band department services opened their doors to provide information to the community on what they have available (along with a number of local organizations from Six Nations Polytechnic to the SN Grand River Development Corporation are opening their doors to explain what they do and how they do it. From firefighting to ambulance services to health services and others activities. The fun continues this week leading right into Six Nations biggest event of the year the annual Bread and Cheese celebration at the Six Nations arena on Victoria Day....
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Six Nations looking at ground water study in hopes of joining $8 billion clean drinking water settlement
Six Nations still doesn’t know if it qualifies to join a a major clean drinking water class-action suit that saw an $8 billion settlement last year. But Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) hopes joining the provincially funded Ambient Groundwater Geochemistry Program will give them a leg up in joining the suit. SNEC decided at its finance meeting Monday ( May 15, 2023) to launch the investigation into the study of Six Nations groundwater contamination hoping it will help Six Nations make a case to join the drinking water class action suit. It could also find out the level of contaminants in the water and how widespread the water contamination problem is. SNEC approved the environmental task force to look into joining the provincially funded Ambient Groundwater Geochemistry Program will also...
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Six Nations Cannabis Commission says its gaining trust
The Six Nations Cannabis Commission (SNCC) says it is making strides in repairing trust in the community, but it’s still having issues securing a bank account. Kathy Mair, SNCC chair gave Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) a quarterly update on the commission at its General Finance Committee meeting on May 15. She focused on the challenge of securing a bank account, getting more information out to the community, investing in the community, bringing cannabis industry leaders together, as well as creating a testing facility on Six Nations. “Lots of banks have said, ‘OK, move up the echelon’ and then say, ‘sorry we can’t help you.’ Two credit unions are very interested and we met with the vice president of regional sales we’re meeting next week with him. We’re hoping this...
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Six Nations land rights intervention in hands of judge
By Lisa Iesse Writer TORONTO- Who gets to intervene in Six Nations multi-billion-dollar land rights case is now in the hands of Justice Jasmine T. Akbaral after the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) challenged whether Six Nations Haldimand Deed is an actual treaty. MCFN lawyer Nuri G. Frame told the court Friday (May 12th) the case has important implications to MCFN. “It is essential and foundational to my client’s worldview, to their cosmology, to their understanding of their place in the world. To their understanding of their future generations’ place in their world. Southern and southwest Ontario is their traditional territory.” Frame told the court MCFN were the sole possessors of the land, which was why the Crown entered into so many treaties with them for lands in...
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Six Nations Election Code under review
By Lynda Powless Editor Six Nations is just six months away from a band council election but possible changes to its election code are only beginning to surface. A Six Nations Election Code committee has been reviewing the 2019 Six Nations Election Code for almost seven months since late 2022. The committee, that has recently begun reaching out to the community, was mandated to not only review the election code but ensure revisions to the code are made by October a month before the coming November election . The eight member committee, includings two previous candidates for Six Nations Elected Council, began circulating questions that could become amendments to the 2019 election code recently. A number of the questions appear to focus on whether voters can reside on or off...
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The Feather Report – Spring Serenade
Photos by Carl Pascoe & Rachel A. Powless Native Territories Avian Research Project Big Dreams Small Wonders By Carl Pascoe Feather Reporter Warming weather invites you to go outside, offering opportunities to appreciate the annual spring serenade of bird songs surrounding you. It has the power to expand your awareness far beyond the thoughts and mental clutter constantly overwhelming us. The simple act of closing your eyes and hearing the constantly changing sounds saturating the air can closely connect you to the natural world. Many songbirds sing starting before sunrise so if you are early to awaken you can be treated to what we call the “Dawn Song” filling the air. Others may sing at any time during breeding season. You can recognize someone close to you by the sound...
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Band election code under review, did you know?
After what seems like four very, very long years Six Nations will be facing a band council election in just six months ending the longest band council term in its history. Whether or not the new four year term and voting for the entire council at-large continues may be up to the community. A committee of local people has been studying the current election code for the past almost seven months; And that should come as a surprise. Especially since there have been no community meetings, either in person or zoom and no community mail outs and unless you spotted a facebook page, that one has to know is there since no one has been promoting it, or if you are one of the few who were emailed a survey,...
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New artwork in Brantford features Six Nations artist
Brantford, ON –The next time you are shopping at the Brantford Farmers’ Market you can’t help but notice things are a little more colourful. A brightly colourful mural by Six Nations artist Kyle Joedike adorns a wall at the city’s marketplace. Joedike’s piece depicts historic Haudenosaunee agricultural practices and their understanding of the plant world. He brings the Haudenosaunee teaching of the Three Sisters plants , corn, beans, and squash to life showing their reliance on each other as they grow side by side in the mural. The mural also includes s the strawberry or “heart berry” and an abstract imagery depicting maple trees. Joedike, a Cayuga, turtle clan, member says he wanted to add dimension to the piece that would include Haudenosaunee teaching in a piece that would intertwine...
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Thompson taking break from Premier Lacrosse League this year
By Sam Laskaris Writer There will be a new scoring champion in the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) this year. That’s because Lyle Thompson announced on Monday that he is taking a break from the PLL, an American-based professional field lacrosse circuit. Thompson is a member of Onondaga Nation in the state of New York but is currently living in Ohsweken. Thompson led the eight-team PLL in scoring in 2022, racking up 44 points (26 goals and 18 assists) in just nine games. The announcement he would not play in the league this season was made via the Instagram account of his PLL squad, Cannons Lacrosse Club. “I’ve dedicated the past 15 years of my life to playing lacrosse year-round,” Thompson said in his statement. “I am grateful that my love...
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First Nations teen selected Ontario Hockey League’s humanitarian of the year
By Sam Laskaris, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Dalyn Wakely, a 19-year-old forward with the North Bay Battalion, has won the Ontario Hockey League’s (OHL) humanitarian of the year award called the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy. Wakely, a member of the Curve Lake First Nation in Ontario, initiated a program to help feed North Bay’s homeless and low-income populations. Each Tuesday, beginning the past November and continuing until the end of the regular season in March, Wakely headed to The Gathering Place, a community kitchen that serves people in need. Through his Wake’s Sakes initiative, he would bring along two different teammates to help prepare and serve meals. Wake’s Sakes also staged donation drives with bins set up at the Battalion’s home rink, the North Bay Memorial Gardens. Throughout the season...
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Sam Laskaris – BEHIND THE ACTION –Local Lacrosse
By Sam Laskaris Writer Six Nations fans looking for a lacrosse fix have never had to venture very far. And that will continue to be the case this spring and summer. There’s no shortage of local squads, at the junior and senior levels, who have either started or about to commence their 2023 schedules. And early indications are several of those clubs will have winning campaigns. And no doubt a few of them will also be vying and possibly capturing their league championships. And who knows? Local squads could also go on to capture some Canadian titles this year as well. The community’s highest-calibre club, the Six Nations Chiefs who compete in Major Series Lacrosse, will kick off their regular season this coming Monday, May 22. The Chiefs will host...
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New national Indigenous hockey tournament might be launched in 2024
By Sam Laskaris Writer If the next few months go according to plan for Stephane Friday and Abigail Linklater, a new national Indigenous hockey tournament could begin in 2024. Friday and his partner Linklater, who are also the co-founders of the Hockey Indigenous website, are hoping they can launch what would be a third national tournament for Indigenous players. Currently, Indigenous athletes aged 13-17 are eligible to compete in the National Aboriginal Hockey Championship (NAHC). This annual tournament, which wrapped up in Winnipeg this past Saturday, celebrated its 20th anniversary. Meanwhile, those over 20 can participate in the Fred Sasakamoose Chief Thunderstick National Hockey Championship, which is held each year in Saskatoon. The 2023 tourney starts this Thursday and runs until Sunday. “We’ve had this idea for about two years...
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Toilet paper reference to Whitecloud an insult to Indigenous people
By Dave Baxter, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Geraldine Shingoose still remembers the jokes and the ridicule she would often face as a child because of her traditional Indigenous name, and that is why she felt sadness and anger after a high-profile sports broadcaster recently ridiculed the last name of a First Nations athlete from Manitoba playing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. “I was called goose, people just called me goose, and they thought it was funny, but when you’re just a young kid it really hurts,’’ Shingoose said. “Even back then I knew they were making fun of my name but they were also making fun of my culture, so they are making you feel ashamed about who you are.’’ On Monday evening, after the Vegas Golden Knights defeated the...
