Scientists map recovery for endangered orcas off British Columbia’s coast
By Brenna Owen A new report from a group of more than 30 experts says a population of endangered killer whales off the coast of British Columbia and Washington state is showing no sign of recovery under the current conditions. There is an “urgent need for more robust actions” to save the southern resident killer whales from extinction, says the report released by the David Suzuki Foundation and Raincoast Conservation Foundation on Monday. Despite measures adopted by Canada and the United States since 2019, the report says the whales face a “high probability of extinction” if conditions don’t change. Lance Barrett-Lennard, cetacean scientist with the Raincoast foundation, says there is “no convincing reason” to believe the whales, which are genetically distinct from other orcas, will recover without stronger measures. A...
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Province announces $20 million to support those affected by wildfires
By Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Prince Albert Daily Herald At a press conference in Prince Albert on Monday the Government of Saskatchewan announced a commitment of $20 million to support communities and individuals affected by this year’s devastating wildfires. Through the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA), a dedicated Recovery Task Team (RTT) has been established to lead the province’s wildfire recovery efforts. “Assisting recovery efforts for communities impacted by this year’s wildfires remains a top priority for our government. The SPSA’s recovery task team has been meeting with communities that were devastated by the wildfires in order to determine priorities with the recovery effort,” Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod said. “Those discussions have revolved around the initial phase of supporting communities through the development of...
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Reversal on online voting for Kanesatake Elections
By Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Eastern Door The officer tasked with managing the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake (MCK) election has decided to cancel plans to offer voters an online voting option, citing changes in the landscape and the need to shore up faith in the election. “I’ve changed my position, and I think it’s the right decision,” said Graeme Drew, the chief electoral officer, who has been a strong advocate for the inclusion of an online voting option. The Custom Electoral Code that outlines the rules of Kanesatake elections makes no mention of online voting in its text, nor any alternative forms of casting a ballot. Only mail-in ballots and in-person ballots are referred to in the code. However, Drew had expressed his belief that because the...
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Ontario ‘unleashes’ climate catastrophe as scientists warn Paris Agreement ‘no longer attainable’ Slugline: LJI-ON-ontario-climate-paris-goals
By Anushka Yadav, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Pointer Brampton resident David Laing was jolted awake at 2 a.m. on November 10, 2024, by an eerie roar tearing through his neighbourhood. “As I’m lying there awake, thinking, I’ve never heard wind so strong before, my phone goes off and it’s a tornado warning saying, you need to seek immediate shelter,” Laing recalls. “This is Brampton? In November? This is not natural. This is not normal.” Laing has been environmentally conscious for most of his life, but that night marked a turning point. A creeping fear set in — not just about one storm, but about the broader trajectory of Ontario and the planet. That fear is absent from the Progressive Conservative (PC) government’s latest budget, Bill 24 , ironically titled...
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Seven homes destroyed by fire on Manitoba First Nation, community’s leadership says
A wildfire in northern Manitoba has destroyed seven homes in a day the chief and council of the local First Nation are calling “horrendous.” Officials of Tataskweyak Cree Nation say in a Facebook post that a fire that ignited northwest of the community on Friday was fanned by strong winds, and that approximately 175 residents have been evacuated east to Gillam, Man. Tataskweyak was evacuated earlier in the fire season and had lifted the order in mid-June, but then had to push back the date when people could return due to problems with its water system. It’s not the only Manitoba community facing another evacuation — 600 residents of Lynn Lake have also been ordered out of their community for the second time this year due to wildfires after town...
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Wildfire burning near Lytton, B.C, grows to 245 hectares
The only blaze of note identified by the BC Wildfire Service continued to grow Sunday. The Izman Creek wildfire near Lytton was burning 245 hectares as of Sunday, and the danger remains, as this latest blaze comes just over four years after a wildfire destroyed much of Lytton. Lytton is located in the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, which has an evacuation alert in effect for some properties under its jurisdiction due to the Izman Creek wildfire. The regional district also lifted an evacuation alert Friday that had been in effect for properties threatened by the Mount Scatchard wildfire, west of the town of Chase, B.C. An evacuation order from the Neskonlith Indian Band for about 40 properties was downgraded to an alert last week for the Mount Scatchard blaze. There were...
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Treaty 8 association to create ‘Our Story, Our Wall’ mural on wall targeted by racist graffiti
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The association representing First Nations communities in northeast B.C. is finalizing plans to create a mural on a wall that was targeted by racist vandalism. The Treaty 8 Tribal Association posted to Facebook on June 30th announcing the artwork, entitled ‘Our Mural, Our Story,’ will be painted on its office’s south wall. The wall was the target of swastikas and bigoted messages in February, with mayor Lilia Hansen and provincial Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Christine Boyle offering messages denouncing hate and racism. Treaty 8 executive director Marlene Roy told Energeticcity.ca at the time that “people stay silent” in the face of hatred because racism is “so accepted.” However, Roy said on July 3rd community organizations...
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Indigenous explainers: What is a smudging ceremony?
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — It is a typical mid-week summer evening in Fort St. John’s downtown core as a group of women file into the Fort St. John Friendship Society to learn and embrace healing in an Indigenous way.. Energeticcity.ca is attending the event as part of a series of articles to celebrate First Nations’ communities, look at traditional practices and appreciate Indigenous culture and history. Smudging is a ceremonial tradition of burning medicinal plants in an effort to cleanse oneself of negative energies in an effort to bring those participating closer to the creator. The workshop was held at the Friendship Society on Thursday, June 26th with 16 participants, and was hosted by Brandi Kennedy of the Friendship Centre and...
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Judge reserves decision after three days of Moccasin Flats hearings
By Bob Mackin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Prince George Citizen A BC Supreme Court judge reserved decision Friday, July 4 in City of Prince George’s third bid to clear a homeless camp out of Moccasin Flats. After not succeeding in 2021 and 2022, the city is seeking an injunction to regain control of the land and refuse anyone the right to camp on the city-owned property if they refuse to apply to or receive an offer from BC Housing for suitable housing with daytime activities. Justice Bruce Elwood heard arguments for much of the previous two days from lawyers for the campers. They said the city has insufficient suitable or accessible housing available for their seven clients and should not have made the court application until it did. The city...
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Archeological dig on Lil’wat territory uncovers ancient histories and reframes research relationships
By Luke Faulks, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Pique Newsmagazine Near the Bailey Bridge, about 10 minutes up the road from Mount Currie, archeologists and Lil’wat Nation community members are reshaping what collaborative research can look like. For nearly two decades, Douglas College anthropology instructor Bill Angelbeck has worked alongside the Nation to investigate ancient village sites, often focusing on winter homes known as s7ístken (pronounced “ishkin”)—underground dwellings or “pit houses” traditionally used during winter. Angelbeck and a team of students and volunteer archeologists have just completed a three-week dig as part of a multi-year project that’s working to use archeology and oral history in tandem to create a unified narrative for the Nation. “We called it ‘interweaving narratives,’” Angelbeck explained to Pique. “I see science as producing narratives just with...
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‘I’m not going anywhere’: provincial Indigenous affairs minister rejects calls to resign
By Matt Prokopchuk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TBnewswatch.com TORONTO — Ontario’s Indigenous affairs minister says he has no plans to hand over his cabinet portfolios. “I’m not going anywhere,” Greg Rickford said in an interview with Dougall Media after a community event the Kenora-Rainy River MPP held in Ignace on Thursday. Aside from the Indigenous affairs position, Rickford is also Ontario’s Minister of First Nations Economic Reconciliation, and the one responsible for Ring of Fire economic and community partnerships. “I love working with First Nations leadership, I love helping to build bridges between First Nations communities and municipalities,” Rickford continued. “I think what you’ve seen is First Nations leadership come out and be very supportive of the work our government’s doing and very supportive of the work that I’m doing.”...
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Minister planning to table First Nations water bill despite provincial opposition
By Alessia Passafiume The federal minister of Indigenous services says her government plans to reintroduce legislation to ensure First Nations’ rights to clean drinking water — despite calls from Alberta and Ontario for it to scrap the bill altogether. Two provincial environment ministers sent a letter to their federal counterpart this week calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government to abandon legislation they see as undermining competitiveness and delaying project development. “Prime Minister Mark Carney has made a commitment to do things differently,” Alberta’s Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz and her Ontario counterpart Todd McCarthy wrote in a June 30 letter to federal Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin. “We are hopeful that this new federal government will move away from policies and legislation that undermine competitiveness, delay project development and disproportionately harm...
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Iqaluit songwriter’s entry wins 2025 Qilaut contest
By Arty Sarkisian, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunatsiaq News Iqaluit performer Tooma Laisa has won the 2025 Qilaut Inuktut songwriting contest for her song Attananngittumi. Iqaluit’s Kristy Kanayuk was awarded second place for Iqqaumavit Ivvi Inuusinganit and Leetia Kalluk from Arctic Bay placed third with Nattirasugiaq, the Department of Culture and Heritage announced this week. The contest, in its 10th year, celebrates Nunavut’s Inuktut music scene and aims to promote use of the language, a department news release said. The themes this year were Piruqsatillunga and Inuit Sanasimajangit, which translate as “when I was growing up” and “Inuit creations.” Thirty-one submissions were judged on their originality, creativity, melody and lyrics. The top three winners receive $5,000, $2,500 and $1,500, respectively, and the seven other entries each receive $500. The other...
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Nunavut’s former top cop retires from RCMP, joins GN
By Jeff Pelletier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunatsiaq News Andrew Blackadar has retired as Nunavut RCMP’s commanding officer to take a new job with the territorial government. Blackadar, 58, says he’s proud of the work the RCMP did to improve relations with communities across the territory during his three-year tenure. He started as head of Nunavut RCMP in July 2022 and his final day was June 4, marking an end to his 35-year policing career. “It was time to retire,” Blackadar said in an interview. Leading the service’s Nunavut division is “probably one of the most challenging positions in the RCMP,” he said, pointing first to the territory’s vastness. Another challenge is addressing its “cultural sensitivities.” Blackadar, who retires with the rank of chief superintendent, said he was proud to...
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Banff students’ G7 song reaches global audience, Carney sends signed letter
By Leah Pelletier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Rocky Mountain Outlook BANFF – An original song created by Banff Elementary School (BES) students and dedicated to G7 Summit leaders has caught the eye of Prime Minister Mark Carney. Written and produced alongside Banff’s poet laureate, Heather Jean Jordan, A Single Seed brings together the voices of more than 300 students as they share their hopes and concerns for the future. Following the June 15 -17 summit held in Kananaskis Country, BES received an unexpected letter from the prime minister’s office. “ It was funny, the administrative assistant who received it kind of jokingly said to the principal and staff, ‘Oh, are you guys expecting anything from the prime minister’s office?’ …. and then they opened it up and [were] quite surprised,” said...
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Stranded man plucked off cliff amid B.C. wildfire lands in jail
By Nono Shen There’s been an unusual addition to a wildfire fight in steep terrain burning near Hope, B.C. RCMP say their officers arrived to help other first responders on Thursday as the fire burned on the side of a mountain when they heard a man yelling for help. Once the fire was contained in the area, police say search and rescue crews found a 27-year-old man stranded on the face of a cliff. The man was taken out by a helicopter long line and wasn’t hurt, but it turns out there were several warrants out for his arrest and he was taken into custody. The BC Wildfire Service says in an update on Friday that the fire was discovered Wednesday near the popular Serpent’s Back hiking trail and is...
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B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad faces criticism from several sides amid review
By Wolfgang Depner Dave Sharkey still remembers how he felt about the future of the Conservative Party of B.C. when he was part of the delegation that marched in the 2022 Aldergrove Christmas Light Up Parade. “There were only four of us,” Sharkey said. “Two of us were holding the banner, and the other two were handing out candy canes. But the reception was actually surprisingly positive, and it was a kind of experience that led me to believe that in terms of our political ambitions, we were on the right track.” Sharkey, a party member since 2017 and a former provincial candidate for the Libertarian Party, now sees Conservatives on the wrong track. His conclusion comes despite the B.C. Conservatives coming within a whisker of forming government in October...
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Kinew says cabinet minister who complained about sign language interpreter will stay
By Steve Lambert Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is standing by a cabinet minister who complained about sharing a stage with a sign language interpreter. Nahanni Fontaine has apologized for her remarks and will stay on as the minister responsible for services for people with disabilities, Kinew told reporters Friday. “I totally understand where people are coming from,” Kinew said, referring to criticism of Fontaine’s remarks. “At the same time, I think our minister has apologized and is putting in the work with the community, so it’s with the greatest of humility that I want to ask folks in the Deaf community to keep working with her.” Kinew did not specify what steps Fontaine is taking other than meeting with people in the community. The controversy erupted last week after Fontaine...
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‘Time is now’ for hydro connection to Nunavut: Inuit association president
By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News A proposed hydroelectric fibre link from Manitoba’s power grid to five communities and two mines in Nunavut’s Kivalliq region should be part of the national infrastructure strategy, according to an Inuit leader. But the federal government has been keeping the project on the back burner for at least four years, Kono Tattuinee, the president of the Kivalliq Inuit Association, told an audience at the Nunavut Arctic Security and Sovereignty Summit in Iqaluit on June 26. Tattuinee said that transitioning off 60-year-old diesel generators is a priority for the region. “We’ve done our best to work with different departments. We tried to get our foot in the door of the finance minister’s office, but we were half in and half out...
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Devon ‘Toasty Garlic Bread’ Felker elected chief of West Point FirstNation
By Eric Bowling, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, NWT News/North Devon Felker was as surprised as anyone to find out he was elected chief of West Point First Nation. At age 26, the emerging leader said news of his victory is still sinking in. “It blows my mind,” he said. “I’m still trying to process everything right now. I didn’t find out until 7 [p.m.] and I was showing my girlfriend a video game she wanted to play, so I didn’t really process any of it.” The significance dawned on him the following morning. “But then I woke up and saw all the posts. I can definitely feel the weight on my shoulders now,” he admitted. After polls closed on July 3, Felker prevailed with 25 votes out 45 votes cast...
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