Turtle Island News marking 25 years of helping you help Mother Earth with our annual tree give-aways!
For 25 years Turtle Island News has been handing out free trees to the community and we will be doing it again this Friday, April 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or until they run out! Publisher Lynda Powless and salesman Darren Doxtater are ready to hand out cedars, white pines, apple and maple trees, blueberry and blackberry bushes. So come over to Turtle Island News to help us celebrate 25 years of helping Mother Earth!!!...
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“On Native land” anthem lyrics nothing new for some First Nations people
Jason Bird chuckles when he talks about the fuss that singer Jully Black has raised by changing a line in Canada’s national anthem to “on native land.” The professor of governance at the First Nations University of Canada says he and his friends used to sing the opening lines to O Canada that way all the time when he was in school. Black’s version of the song at the NBA all-star game has raised plenty of dissonance on social media. But Bird says he doesn’t find changing a syllable of the national anthem to be that big a deal. He says he’d rather Canadians were talking about real economic and political reconciliation. Still, he acknowledges it might be a way to open a dialogue, and have a laugh or two...
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Column: Sam Laskaris – BEHIND THE ACTION
By Sam Laskaris Writer While growing up Mekwan Tulpin participated in her share of sports. She represented her school on various basketball, volleyball, rugby, badminton and competitive cheerleading teams. Heck, she even played tackle football on a high school boys’ squad. But it’s lacrosse – a sport she only took up when she was 21 – where Tulpin has really been making her mark. And now Tulpin, who is 32 and has lived in Ohsweken for the past 13 years, will have an opportunity to further educate plenty of others on the sport that she is most passionate about now. It was announced this past week that Tulpin has been selected as one of the Lead Ambassadors for the Women’s Box Lacrosse Global Network (WBLGN). The newly created WBLGN is...
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EXPLAINER: What you need to know about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
By Joyce Jonathan Crone Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Violence against Indigenous women and girls is on the rise. Indigenous women and girls in Canada are 16 times more likely than non-Indigenous women to be targeted and killed, and 12 times more likely to be murdered or go missing. A Canadian Women’s Foundation report states that in 2020, one in five women killed in Canada were Indigenous. Indigenous leaders and advocates in Winnipeg are saying the missing women and girls crisis is at a national state of emergency. Families of lost women face an uphill battle to find their loved ones. On June 21, 2022, human remains were found at the Brady landfill in Winnipeg. Protesters have been blocking access to the waste management facility and have called on all levels...
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Column: Sam Laskaris – BEHIND THE ACTION
By Sam Laskaris A lifelong passion for sports has paid off for Kevin Sandy. The Six Nations member received the news last week that he is being inducted into the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame. Sandy is certainly a worthy inductee. In fact, it was difficult to pinpoint just one hall of fame category to recognize Sandy’s accomplishments. As a result, he was inducted via the athlete AND coach AND builder categories. That’s a trifecta. Not too shabby for the 58-year-old who never envisioned himself becoming any sort of Hall of Famer one day. Growing up Sandy played for various Six Nations youth box and field lacrosse teams. His hardware collection included winning gold, silver and bronze medals at national championships. In later years he had some success...
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Six Nations Original Traders Energy sues former CEO allege stole millions
SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND-Two Six Nations business owners have launched a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against the former CEO of their company and his wife, who they claim stole from them to launch their own chain of gas stations, accused the non-Indigenous couple of engaging in “disgraceful misconduct,” and say they were negligent, stole from the business and it’s left the company’s finances in dire straits. Scott and Miles Hill, brothers and co-founders of Original Traders Energy (OTE), which has its headquarters at Six Nations of the Grand River allege in a statement of claim filed at the Superior Court of Justice in Toronto, that a non-Indigenous couple who worked for their company conspired with others to build the Gen7 brand using stolen funds from OTE. The 44-page statement of claim...
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Ontarians mark Truth and Reconciliation Day in events across province
Events featuring Indigenous traditions are being held across Ontario as communities mark the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. In Toronto, a gathering at the city’s downtown Nathan Phillips Square began with a sunrise ceremony followed by Indigenous musical performances and speakers who addressed the crowd. A sunrise ceremony was also held in Niagara Falls, Ont., where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was among those who participated, he later spoke with residential school survivors and gave a speech at an event marking the day. Later today, Premier Doug Ford is set to attend the unveiling of a garden at Queen’s Park that the province says is meant to recognize the continuing treaty relationship between the Crown and Indigenous Peoples. Ford wrote in a statement that Ontarians will take the time today...
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Six Nations wins Ontario Fire fighters competition
By Lynda Powless Editor Suited up in full gear from helmets to boots firefighters from Indigenous communities tested their skills in an Ontario wide competition Saturday that saw Six Nations emerge, wet and tired, but victorious. The Ontario Native Firefighters Society (ONAS) held their annual Firefighters Competition Saturday topping a three-day visit to Six Nations that included training at the Six Nations Firefighters Training Centre. But on Saturday it was all about a 33-year-old competition based on firefighting skills that tested their strength and endurance. The teams included both seasoned veterans to first time rookies representing First Nation Fire departments from Chippewa, Shawinigan, Grassy Narrows and of course Six Nations. ONAS president Melvin McLeod said the competition focuses on timed evolutions using firefighting skills needed to man hoses to buckets...
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Three Fires Homecoming Pow Wow returns to Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation
By Bree Duwyn Writer MISSISSAUGAS OF CREDIT FIRST NATION -The Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) 34th Annual Three Fires Homecoming Pow Wow has returned bringing with it both a fun-filled weekend and message of keeping events green. After COVID-19 put a halt to many events, the MCFN pow wow welcomed visitors to the traditional gathering and homecoming this past weekend (Aug. 20-21) for the first time since 2019. On Saturday, nestled behind MCFN’s administration buildings, pow wow attendees walked through the entrance and into a bustling event, filled with vendor tables and food trucks. Following the sound of drums and dancing feet, visitors walked down to the Grove, where the grand entry and numerous dances were taking place amidst the trees. Bob Goulais of the Nipissing First Nation,...
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Champion of Champions Pow Wow – Winners and Appreciation
Winners & Appreciation By Charlene Bomberry The Grand River “Champion of Champions” Powwow Committee would like to share our gratitude and appreciation for this 2022 powwow. Thank you to Glen Styres Racing and Ohsweken Speedway for agree ing to work with us and preparing their venue as our new location. Thank you to everyone involved, from our committee, and most of all, our volunteers. We are so grateful to our Six Nations Community for the continued support and dedication in hosting such a large event, which brings in record numbers to our community. Grand River “Champion of Champions” Powwow first began in 1980 on the shores of the Grand River at Chiefswood Park. For over 40 years we had called Chiefswood Park our home. We are so grateful to Chiefswood...
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Six Nations Bread and Cheese was back
Bread and Cheese back in all its in-person glory By Bree Duwyn Writer Six Nation’s annual Bread and Cheese Day came back in full swing this year with the community returning to an in-person celebration on Monday May 23. A sunshine filled day helped attendance that snaked its way around the arena to the street after droves of community members trailed alongside the celebratory parade to the arena to collect a hunk of bread and cheese and mark a 156 year old tradition that began in the 1860s when Queen Victoria . Queen Victoria had gifted the Haudenosaunee, originally with blankets, for their allyship during the War of 1812 that led to the creation of Canada. That gift changed to bread and cheese when her parliament bemoaned the expense. At...
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Six Nations marked Red Dress Day with a candlelight vigil
Six Nations Red Dress Day remembers those lost to violence By Lynda Powless Editor The Red Dresses hung from trees and posts blowing softly in the wind as words of loss and love echoed through Veterans’ Park in Ohsweken Friday, May 6. One after another 15 Six Nations families bravely stepped forward, wiping tears from their eyes to tell their stories of loss as Six Nations Ganokwasra held a Candlelight Vigil marking the National Day of Action and Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and LGBTQ2S+ and at Six Nations the list includes men and boys lost to violence. Chasity Martin the acting “Love Starts With Us” coordinator at Ganohkwasra said it was a day meant to honour families that have lost a loved one to violence and...
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Archbishop of Canterbury has apologized for residential schools
By Victoria Gray Writer The Archbishop of Canterbury has apologized for residential schools and says he will ensure any residential school-related records held by the Anglican Church in England are released, following calls from survivors and they’re counting on him to come through. Roberta Hill, a survivor who attended the Mohawk Institute Residential School from 1957 until 1961 and suffered abuse says its his apologies are useless without action. “You’re saying, you’re sorry. He’s offering an apology, he’s saying, ‘I’m sorry.’ What are you sorry for? Are you sorry for all the damage you caused? All the hurt and pain you caused? So those are issues they have to deal with as church people. That’s up to them, how they deal with it, but just to say. ‘I’m sorry?’ There’s...
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Turtle Island News annual Earth Day tree give-away
THE TREES HAVE ARRIVED!!!!! Turtle Island News publisher Lynda Powless and St Williams Nursery’s Gerry Birnstiel, Shipping Manager show off the pines and white cedars that will be among the trees given away Earth Day, Friday April 22 at Turtle Island News from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Don’t forget to drop by!...
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Six Nations Bread and Cheese is back for 2022
By Victoria Gray Writer This year’s Bread and Cheese Day will return in all its pre-pandemic glory, mostly. Katie Montour, Six Nations Elected Council’s (SNEC) communications officer told councillors the event will stock masks and hand sanitizer for community members, but it will be up to each individual to decide what they want to do, s he told SNEC at its April 13 meeting. “We’re taking a harm reduction approach,” she said. “It’s up to individuals, if they feel safe or not (wear a mask). They’ll have to conduct their own personal risk assessment and choose to wear mask. It’s really up to the individual’s discretion.” This year’s festival will return to its normal date, on Victoria Day, which falls on May 23 at the Six Nations Sports and Memorial...
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UNDER THE NORTHERN SKY: Winter Ice Road Built By Experts
By Xavier Kataquapit www.underthenorthernsky.com Winter ice roads have been a big part of life on the James Bay coast for decades. The road has existed in one form or another since the 50s and 60s when the American and Canadian military sent men and material north to the Hudson Bay coast to build the Mid Canada Radar Stations for the Cold War effort. Since those early years, the seasonal ice road has been maintained as it was the only means to transport heavy material over land from the rail head in Moosonee to places north like Attawapiskat, Fort Albany and Kashechewan. My dad Marius Kataquapit was always an adventurous spirit and as a young man, he took part in the workforce that travelled up and down those first ice roads....
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MEET THE CHIEF: Garden River Chief Andy Rickard and council work to keep community COVID-19 safe
By Victoria Gray Writer Garden River First Nation took an aggressive position to protect the community from COVID-19 and continue to have strict guidelines and it kept them COVID-19 free for most of the pandemic. The Ojibway First Nation has about 3,100 members of whom 1,250 live on the reserve. The community has managed to have come through the worst of the fourth wave of the pandemic with 20 cases of the virus in the community and no deaths. Like other communities in Ontario the Algoma Health Unit was too overwhelmed to give them a proper count of COVD-19 cases in the community. Part of the problem was not having a testing facility on-reserve, forcing people into Sault St. Marie. Chief Andy Rickard said the surrounding area of Sault St....
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UNDER THE NORTHERN SKY: Let’s Lobby For Safer Roads
By Xavier Kataquapit www.underthenorthernsky.com This has been a very difficult winter. The combination of the pandemic along with very cold temperatures hovering around -30 most of the time has made life a challenge for all of us in northern Ontario. On top of that we have had a very snowy winter so far and there are 10 foot snowbanks out side my front drive. As northerners we love our four seasons, the tranquility of life in the far north and the benefit of living close to wilderness areas with many lakes and rivers that provide recreational and sporting opportunities. However, most hearty northerners still yearn for warmer temperatures and less dangerous road conditions. Highway 11 from North Bay heading north than west to Thunder Bay is notorious in the winter...
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MEET THE CHIEF: Garden River First Nation Chief Andy Rickford, community working to combat COVID and identifying unmarked graves
By Victoria Gray Writer Garden River First Nation took an aggressive position to protect the community from COVID-19 and continue to have strict guidelines and it kept them COVID-19 free for most of the pandemic. The Ojibway First Nation has about 3,100 members of whom 1,250 live on the reserve. The community has managed to have come through the worst of the fourth wave of the pandemic with 20 cases of the virus in the community and no deaths. Like other communities in Ontario the Algoma Health Unit was too overwhelmed to give them a proper count of COVD-19 cases in the community. Part of the problem was not having a testing facility on-reserve forcing people into Sault St. Marie. Chief Andy Rickford said the surrounding area of Sault St....
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MEET THE CHIEF: Kettle and Stoney Point Chief Jason Henry working to protect community from COVID-19 while moving forward
By Victoria Gray Writer Kettle and Stony Point First Nation was the first reserve to publicly announce a member had tested positive for COVID-19 in March 2020. “There was a lot of fear, everywhere. It was the uncertainty,” Chief Jason Henry said. The reserve sits on the shores of Lake Huron, just 40 kilometres from Sarnia and the United States boarder. The reserve has 1,000 members living on the reserve and about 2,500 members total. The community experienced 164 cases of the virus throughout the last 22 months and currently have 21 active cases. Henry and his council’s goal throughout was not to lose any community members to the virus, but he says they were preparing to announce the deaths of two elders as soon as Lambton Public Health gives...
