Ontario Premier Doug Ford announces new cabinet with familiar names, few changes
By Liam Casey and Allison Jones Ontario Premier Doug Ford named a new cabinet Wednesday with many familiar faces, though he has shuffled his housing, education and environment ministers. Paul Calandra is moving from housing to become the education minister, taking over from Jill Dunlop, who has moved to emergency preparedness. Todd McCarthy is taking on the role of environment minister, a higher-profile role than his previous job as minister of public and business service delivery. Sylvia Jones remains deputy premier and health minister, while Peter Bethlenfalvy continues as finance minister and Vic Fedeli continues as minister of economic development, job creation and trade. Rob Flack, previously the agriculture minister, is taking the housing portfolio. Greg Rickford remains as minister of Indigenous affairs, but also takes on the newly created...
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Energy sector CEOs call on Ottawa to use emergency powers to speed up key projects
By Lauren Krugel A group of energy sector chief executives is calling on the leaders of the four federal political parties to declare a Canadian energy crisis and use emergency powers to help speed the development of key projects in the “national interest.” In an open letter to the political leaders published Wednesday, the CEOs of 10 of the largest oil and natural gas companies and the four largest pipeline companies outlined their plan to strengthen Canadian economic sovereignty. The executives called for a simplification of regulation and a commitment to firm six-month deadlines for project approvals. They also want an elimination of the federal government’s cap on emissions, the repeal of the federal carbon levy on large emitters and loan guarantees to help Indigenous co-investment opportunities. “We are at...
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Tories, NDP won’t say how they’re vetting Indigenous candidates
By Alessia Passafiume -CP-The federal Conservatives and NDP won’t say how or if they’re vetting the their candidates’ claims to Indigenous identity — even though both parties went after a Liberal MP last year over his shifting statements about his background. MP Randy Boissonnault — who served as employment minister in Justin Trudeau’s cabinet — quit the post late last year after weeks of questions about his claims of Indigenous identity and his business dealings. Both Conservative and NDP MPs called for his resignation and raised concerns about the Liberal party’s statements about his identity over the years — although Boissonnault has since said his adoptive great-grandmother was Métis. In an email, Conservative party director of communications Sarah Fisher says the party does not comment on its vetting practices and...
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It’s pothole season at Six Nations
By Lynda Powless Editor Potholes abound this spring on Six Nations’ roads and crews are working to rectify the situation. Six Nations Councillor Dayle Bomberry, chair of the Built Environment, Climate Adaptation and Membership Committee gave Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) an update on the committee and said they’d be speaking with Director of Public Works Mike Montour shortly to gain insight into the department’s plan to mitigate the poor road situation. “I know a lot of people are going on about potholes occurring. We’ve had a warm spell, the ground has thawed out, there was lots of snow, and the frost is coming out pushing the edges and concrete pavement up. A little patience, the roads guys are out there repairing the holes,” he said. Bomberry also asked that...
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Six Nations Elected Council’s Cannabis Commission struggling
By Lynda Powless Editor Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) has invested over $9 million of the community’s own source revenues trying to create an independent cannabis commission that still struggles to reach financial independence. SNEC was told at its March 11th council meeting an inability to maintain staff and board members is hindering the Six Nations Cannabis Commission (SNCC) ability to gain its financial independence from SNEC. At the same time SNCC is facing rising safety concerns. The SNEC founded the SNCC in 2019. The plan was SNCC would develop a licensing and regulatory process and act as a legal cannabis regulator licensing local cannabis owned businesses and producers. SNCC was incorporated as an independent entity but is still funded by SNEC. SNEC Councillor Cynthia Jamieson, co-chair of the Lands and...
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Six Nations Fair working on growth for 2025
The Six Nations Fair Board is working toward making 2025’s event one of the biggest since the pandemic. Councillor Dean Hill, chair of the Community Committee gave Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) an update on the committee at the General Council meeting on March 11 and said the fair board gave a presentation outlining their needs and how they plan to expand the fair. “Last year, I thought there was a huge improvement with the petting zoo and exotic animals,” he said. Although Hill didn’t say what additions may come, or how much SNEC was asked to donate to the fair, he said more information will come to council soon and the fair board will present to full council. He said the board is working hard to build good relationships...
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Six Nations Elected Chief outlines her diary
Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) recognized a number of local youths in a variety of different ways including an awards banquet held at the Gathering Place recently. Elected Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill, in an update to SNEC said she spent February giving speeches and attending presentations. During the March 11th General Council meeting, she highlighted three youth initiatives including the Community Treasures. Hill served as the master of ceremonies at the awards banquet on February 8 at the Gathering Place. The awards recognized 25 high school students from various high schools who have achieved grade averages between 81.33 per cent and 97.76 per cent. Turtle Island News requested a copy of the list of award winners, but it was not received by press time. The Ruby Sears Award was presented to...
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Measles cases being reported by more Ontario Health Units
While there have been no confirmed cases of measles breaking out at Six Nations, surrounding communities continue to see their numbers rise. Almost a dozen Ontario health units are now reporting cases of measles. Grand Erie Public Health (GEPH) and Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) reported the majority of cases. The two heath units declared an outbreak in January. Six Nations Public Health officials have not responded to Turtle Island News request for local information. Symptoms of measles appear seven to 21 days after exposure. They include high fever, runny nose and cough, red, watery eyes and a distinctive rash that begins on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. Almost a year ago a child died from measles in Hamilton. In the last four and a half months, 31...
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Bus service coming to Six Nations and Mississaugas of Credit First Nation
OHSWEKEN, ON – Metrolinx GoBus services will soon be available at Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and Six Nations. The service starts April 5, 2025, the expanded GO bus service will operate three trips daily seven days a week to and from the Brantford Bus Terminal. The route includes access to McMaster University, the Lakeshore West GO train service from the bus terminal at Aldershot GO Station. Bus schedules and service details will be available on Wednesday March 19, 2025, on the Go Transit website, www.gotransit.com. SNGR and MCFN Stops Include: Sour Springs Road @ Mohawk Road Sour Springs Road @ Chiefswood Road Six Nations Sports & Cultural Memorial Centre 50 Generations Drive (Oneida Business Park) New Credit Variety & Gas Bar The service is the first bus service...
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Local man facing impaired driving charge
SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND-An Ohsweken man is facing impaired driving charges after a passing motorist reported a motor vehicle collision to Six Nations Police (SNP) last month. Six Nations Police responded to a single motor collision on Third Line Saturday, February 22, 2025, at about 11:46 p.m.. Police and Six Nations Fire and Emergency Medical Services were all on scene. SNP said witnesses at the scene told police two individuals were seen inside the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was still on scene, but the passenger had been picked up by a passing vehicle and left the scene prior to police arrival. SNP said signs of impairment were observed on the individual remaining. SNP arrested and charged Steven VanEvery-Hill, 29, of Ohsweken, ON with the following criminal offences:...
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Where did they go and what did we get?
It is always interesting to hear Six Nations Elected Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill read off a list of places she has been at the start of council meetings. From Ottawa to across the country her travel itinerary seems to be growing, but not how Six Nations is benefiting. In the past Elected Chiefs have gone out of their way to not only tell the community whom they spoke to, but why they went , the results and what the plan is for the future sparking a debate among councillors. Oh, and they did in open meetings! A feat hard to do these days since this council hides in closed meetings at the drop of a hat to discuss community business. Surprisingly, when some travel is discussed, in the short open sessions,...
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Today in history
March 17 In 2020, Ontario Premier Doug Ford declared a state of emergency over COVID-19, ordering the closure of bars, restaurants, theatres and libraries. Alberta and British Columbia made similar declarations, while the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs declared a state of emergency for 62 First Nations, closing reserve borders to non-essential travel. March 18 In 2019, the country’s top bureaucrat announced he would retire as clerk of the Privy Council. Michael Wernick said in a statement there was no path for a “relationship of mutual trust” if the Conservatives or N-D-P form the next government. Former justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould accused Wernick of pressuring her to help Quebec-based engineering giant S-N-C-Lavalin avoid a criminal prosecution. March 19 In 1885, the Northwest Rebellion began when a provisional government led by Louis...
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UNDER THE NORTHERN SKY: Our Health Care Professionals Are Precious
by Xavier Kataquapit I grew up on the James Bay coast and from an young age I learned early on that we were more or less on our own when it came to medical emergencies. We had limited health care on the James Bay coast as was the case with most remote Indigenous communities across Canada. Most have never had a full time on site doctor and if any serious health matter arose, people had to be airlifted from Attawapiskat to Moosonee, Timmins or Kingston on emergency flights. The health care system has been striving to deal with cutbacks, all kinds of shortages in doctors and nurses and health care practitioners for years and it is getting worse rather than better as time goes on. I learned a lot of...
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Local girls’ Under-9 team registers six lopsided victories at Little NHL en route to championship
By Sam Laskaris Writer A Six Nations girls’ hockey squad steamrolled over all of its opponents at last week’s Little NHL tournament. The Grand River Spirit Under-9 squad took top honours in its category at the tournament, which concluded last Thursday. The Little NHL, the largest Indigenous youth hockey tournament in Ontario, featured a record 270 clubs this year. Most of the games were held in Markham but rinks in nearby communities were also utilized. The Spirit won all six of its tournament matches. How dominant was the local club? Well, it scored a whopping 71 goals in its half dozen matches. And backstopped by goaltender Aubree Vyse, the Grand River squad did not allow a single goal throughout the entire tournament. That’s right. Vyse registered six consecutive shutouts, including...
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Record-breaking Little NHL tournament included eight Six Nations clubs advancing to finals
By Sam Laskaris Writer Plenty of memories were made, both on and off the ice at this year’s Little NHL tournament, which concluded this past Thursday. The five-day event, which was primarily held at rinks in Markham, attracted a record 270 clubs from across the province. The Little NHL, which celebrated its 51st year, has become the largest Indigenous youth hockey tournament in Ontario. More than 20 Six Nations squads were among the participants this year. And several of those clubs enjoyed plenty of success. Four local clubs ended up winning their age groupings. And four other Six Nations teams advanced to their championship finals. The previous record of 245 competing squads had been established at the 2024 Little NHL, which was also held mostly at Markham facilities. Chico Ralf,...
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Carney announces plans to boost Canada’s military footprint in the Arctic
By Kyle Duggan -CP-Prime Minister Mark Carney said Tuesday that Ottawa will expand the Canadian Armed Forces’ presence in the Arctic and turn to Australia’s over-the-horizon radar tech to monitor threats from adversaries such as China and Russia. Carney also pledged $253 million in new funding for Indigenous reconciliation initiatives in the North. They include $94 million to upgrade power plants in Nunavut, $20 million for a hydroelectricity project to help move northerners off diesel, and $66 million to build and repair homes across Nunavut. “The announcements today will strengthen Arctic security, they’ll bolster our partnerships with our closest allies, they’ll build the North’s economic potential and advance reconciliation,” Carney said during a short stopover in Iqaluit on the return leg of his first official trip abroad. “Canada is, and...
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Poilievre says his goal will be to greenlight Ring of Fire permits within six months
By David Baxter Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says that he will “set a goal” to greenlight all federal Ring of Fire permits, a major northwestern Ontario critical mineral deposit, within six months. Poilievre says that a Conservative government would also commit $1 billion over three years to build a road network to link the potential mining site to Ontario’s highway network and First Nations communities in the area. The Ring of Fire is about 500 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, and contains critical minerals like nickel, copper, platinum and cobalt potentially worth tens of billions of dollars. Ontario Premier Doug Ford promised to speed up provincial approvals for Ring of Fire projects during the recent provincial election. The terms of reference were finalized in January between 15 First Nations in...
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Doig River First Nation applies to add five parcels of land to reserve
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A First Nation has applied to add five portions of land to its reserve, three of which are related to K’ih tsaa? dze Tribal Park. The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) regional board meeting agenda on March 6th included a letter from Anne Seymour, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) lands and economic development project manager, about the application. It was notifying PRRD that Doig River First Nation (DRFN) had submitted a request for five parcels of land be “set apart as a reserve.” Three of the five parcels are related to K’ih tsaa? dze Tribal Park, located 40 kilometres northeast of Fort st. John. The others are located in Mygosh and Broomfield Creek. DRFN had public engagements regarding their...
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Carney announces $6-billion military radar installation during Iqaluit stop
By Kira Wronska Dorward, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News Newly sworn-in Prime Minister Mark Carney landed in Iqaluit on March 18 while en route from Europe. In Nunavut’s capital — his first stop in Canada outside of Ottawa — Carney announced a new $6-billion Arctic military radar system to be built jointly with the Australian government. The prime minister described the planned military installation as “the most advanced and efficient radar system… [that] will enable Canada to detect and respond to both air and maritime threats over our Arctic faster and from farther away.” “The world is changing,” he said. “Our adversaries are increasingly emboldened. International institutions and norms that have kept Canada secure are now being called into question. The United States’ priorities, once closely aligned with our...
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