In the wake of Pickton’s death, advocates fight to save remaining 14,000 exhibits of evidence
By Alexandra Mehl Local Journalism Initiative On May 31, the notorious serial killer who preyed on the vulnerable women of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES), Robert Pickton, took his last breath. Convicted of six counts of second-degree murder, he received the maximum sentence under Canadian law. Pickton murdered Sereena Abotsway, Mona Wilson, Andrea Joesbury, Marnie Frey, Georgina Papin, and Brenda Wolfe. But the names of his victims were many more than these six. Pickton was charged with 26 counts of murder, while 20 were stayed. But he boasted to an undercover cop that he murdered many more women than that, confessing to taking the lives of 49 females. The DNA of 33 women were found on his farm. According to a Canadian Encyclopedia article, at least 65 women disappeared from the...
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Wet’suwet’en pipeline experience to come to life for Montreal audiences
By Marc Lalonde Local Journalism Initiative Reporter 13/06/2024 A powerful documentary that followed the Wet’suwet’en protest against a natural-gas pipeline through their traditional, unceded territory will headline the First Peoples Festival of Montreal in a little over a month. The film, called Yintah, examines the outcry and subsequent battle over the pipeline’s construction through vast swaths of British Columbia forest and the Wet’suwet’en protest and occupation of the land. Spanning more than a decade, the film follows Howilhkat Freda Huson and Sleydo’ Molly Wickham as their nation reoccupies and protects their ancestral lands from several of the largest fossil fuel companies. ‘Yintah’ is the story of the Indigenous right to sovereignty over Indigenous territories. Huson, Wickham, and the Dinï ze’ and Tsakë ze’ peoples are part of a centuries-long fight to...
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A year after Bass situation, Pride Toronto says relationship with Jays remains strong
The Canadian Press 13/06/2024 A year after a most unusual lead-up to the Toronto Blue Jays’ annual Pride weekend, the executive director of Pride Toronto says the organization’s connection with the team is as solid as ever. “The relationship that we have with the Jays and Jays Care (Foundation), it’s even stronger this year,” said Kojo Modeste. “They’ve supported our community connect program. “I think that the work that they do — not just during the Pride Month — but the work that they do throughout the year, in terms of really ensuring that the 2SLGBTQ+ community is represented, that the training happens, I think this for me is what’s really important.” The team’s fifth annual Pride Night is set for Friday against the Cleveland Guardians. The event features a...
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The University of Cambridge returns 39 traditional artifacts to Uganda in a major act of restitution
The Associated Press 12/06/2024 KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — The University of Cambridge has repatriated more than three dozen traditional artifacts to Uganda in a major act of restitution welcomed by the local officials who sought them. Some of the objects were shown exclusively to AP journalists on Wednesday. The British university returned the 39 items, which range from tribal regalia to delicate pottery, to the East African country on Saturday. The items remain the property of the collection of the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology at Cambridge, which is loaning them to Uganda for an initial period of three years, said Mark Elliott, the museum’s senior curator in anthropology. Elliott described it as “very much a museum-to-museum collaboration” that stems from years of talks about the possibility of returning objects...
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Ribbon Skirts helps keep Indigenous culture alive, thriving
By Emily Plihal Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Ribbon skirts are a centuries-old Indigenous tradition, and their importance is rightfully solidifying their symbol of identity, resilience and survival. The federal government passed a bill to make Jan. 4 an official National Ribbon Skirt Day, a day that was officially celebrated for the first time in 2023. Ribbon Skirt designer from Edmonton’s Acahkos Designs, Rhonda Johnson, says wearing the skirt is a time-honoured tradition recognized by all Indigenous groups, Metis women, girls and members of the LGBTQ2s. “It is one way towards reclamation of our culture and spirit that was stripped away from our people,” says Johnson. “Ribbon skirts were created once the Europeans brought their goods for trade, such as beads, blankets, fabrics, and of course the ribbons.” Ribbon skirts are...
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Abram Benedict selected as new Ontario Regional Chief
Abram Benedict from Akwesasne is the new Ontario Regional Chief. He was elected Wednesday, June 12 at the Six Nations of the Grand River where the Chiefs of Ontario are holding their annual assembly. (Photo by Austin Evans) By Sam Laskaris Writer Akwesasne’s Abram Benedict is the new Ontario Regional Chief. Benedict beat out four other candidates, including the incumbent Glen Hare, in an election which was held Wednesday morning in Six Nations. The election was the highlight of the second day of the Chiefs of Ontario’s annual general assembly being held locally. The three-day event, which concludes Thursday, is being held at the Six Nations Sports and Cultural Memorial Centre. Benedict had spent the past 18 years serving as a councillor and then Grand Chief of the Mohawk Council...
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Chiefs of Ontario drop in on Six Nations
New Chief to be elected as Chiefs of Ontario meet at Six Nations By Sam Laskaris Writer Six Nations chief Sherri-Lyn Hill provided the opening territorial remarks at the Chiefs of Ontario annual general assembly which kicked off Tuesday morningat Six Nations of the Grand River. The three-day event is being held at the Six Nations Sports and Cultural Memorial Centre. “It is my honour to welcome the Elders, youth, chiefs, leadership and guests here today,” Hill said. “In addition, it is my honour to recognize the Six Nations veterans.” Representatives from all parts of the province have converged in Six Nations this week. “It is so good to see our brothers and sisters from other nations gathered here with us in beautiful Six Nations territory along the Grand River,”...
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Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs accuse Chiefs Of Ontario of “disrespect” says process rooted in “assimiliation”
By Lynda Powless Editor SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND RIVER- The Chiefs of Ontario (COO) may be descending on Six Nations of the Grand River today ( Monday, June 9, 2023) but it will be without the support or approval of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chief’s Council (HCCC), the traditional governing body of Six Nations. The Chiefs of Ontario, (COO), with the support of the Six Nations Elected Band Council, plans to open its annual general meeting at the Six Nations arena Tuesday, but the HCCC didn’t learn of the move until receiving a letter, dated May 31st, last week accusing the COO of “disrespecting” the Confederacy. The HCCC sent out a notice Friday ( June 7) warning the COO they will neither support or endorse their event telling the COO...
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Sault delivers opening welcome at national organization’s 40th anniversary celebrations
By Sam Laskaris Writer Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation chief Claire Sault was among those who helped a national Indigenous organization celebrate a milestone anniversary. Sault provided the opening welcome at the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) 40th anniversary celebrations this past week. A pre-event opening night reception was staged on May 27. That was followed by a two-day business forum, including various panels and interactive networking sessions on May 28-29. These events were held at The Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto. It should be noted that on the last day of the anniversary celebrations it was announced that the CCAB was changing its name. Its new moniker is the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB). “CCAB has made consistent progress and fantastic inroads for Indigenous business...
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MPP makes history at Queens Park
Some Six Natins Elected Council members were on hand when MPP Sol Mamakwa made history at Queen’s Park by speaking Anishininiimowin (Oji-Cree). Six Nations officials were there to show their support. Mamakwa, an NDP MPP for the riding of Kiiwetinoong, is the only First Nations MP in the legislature and on May 28th he asked Premier Ford when the 76 long-term care beds his riding was promised would come, in Anishininiimowin. It was the first time a language other than English and French was spoken in the legislature. “It was very moving watching that,” Elected Chief Sherri Lyn Hill said. “When he first saw us he just hugged me. He thought only people from his own riding and community would come. He thanked Six Nations for being there to support...
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Two First Nations bring court application to review $510M lawyer bill for treaty work
Two First Nations have launched a court application against lawyers who helped bring forward a $10-billion settlement with Canada and Ontario, saying the $510 million they’re set to be paid is too much. “I do want to say we’re very grateful for the results that were achieved by lawyers, and we believe that the lawyers should be well-awarded for their services,” said Atikameksheng Anishnawbek Chief Craig Nootchtai. “But we do not agree that a ($510-million) legal fee is fair and reasonable.” The Robinson Huron Treaty settlement, reached last year, sought to remedy unpaid treaty annuities for 21 First Nations. The First Nations said the $4-per-person annuity had not increased since 1874, which breached the treaty because resource extraction projects have used their land for generations, generating profits that far exceeded...
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Kayanase greenhouses are packed and ready for spring planting
By Austin Evans Writer Residents came out to Kayanase from 2 to 6 pm on May 30 to participate in a property-wide scavenger hunt. As they patrolled the turtle garden, greenhouse, and orchard, they learned about all the new services being offered at Kayanase. Kayanase opened their greenhouse for the season at the beginning of May, and already there were an assortment of new features for people to check out as they completed the scavenger hunt. We’re working on building our ecotourism department, said Kayanase operations manager Dan Werner. As you go out to the property, you’ll see the winterized yurts. And we have a pavilion with an outdoor kitchen. We’re building the foundations of providing ecotourism programming. At the moment, we’re building the facility. We’ll be hopefully hiring staff...
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OMSK emerges victorious in seven school tournament
By Austin Evans Writer Oliver M. Smith-Kawenni:io Elementary took first place with a 4-1 victory against I. L. Thomas Odadrihonyanita Elementary during Wednesday’s junior lacrosse tournament. Following the previous week’s primary and intermediate tournaments, seven schools across Six Nations sent students in Grades 4, 5, and 6 to compete in the junior league tournament from 9 am to 3 pm on June 5. This single tournament took as long as the last two combined, partly due to a rain break but mostly thanks to the number of players that came out. “It’s because we have more teams in the junior division,” said event organizer and Kawenni:io teacher Alex Henry. “There are seven schools on the reserve and the juniors were the only ones that could provide all seven teams. With...
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Six Nations Elected Council fails again…
The Chiefs of Ontario opened their controversial meeting at Six Nations in front of an unusually small crowd. A meager 46 out of 133 First Nations in Ontario were on hand at the surprise meeting taking place this week in the arena where along with the parade of chiefs, elders and flags who made their way into the small area curtained off for the meeting a handful of people were on hand to watch. But it all went off without a hitch. A hitch meaning no mention of the squabble between the provincial organization and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council (HCCC) who only learned of the meeting a few days before the arrival. The COO knows Six Nations is an actively politically split community with two governing bodies. The organization...
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Six Nations Polytech gets $75,000 in student transportation aid
Six Nations Polytechnic is getting $75,000 in funding from the Ontario government ot help students get to school. The Ontario government is providing the $75,000.00 to help moe than 200 students with transportation to Six Nations Polytech. The funds will help students with daily inter campus transportation between the school’s Six Nations and Brantford campuses. It will provide for daily inter-campus transportation, stipends for academic placements and gas vouchers. “Having access to safe and reliable transportation is crucial for connecting people to schools, jobs, housing and other opportunities,” Brantford-Brant MPP Will Bouma. sad in announcing the funds. “Our government will continue to provide funding that meets the individual needs of Indigenous communities and organizations across Ontario for generations to come. The funding comes through the Indigenous Transportation Initiatives Fund (ITIF)...
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Local relative provides details of Tom Longboat’s life during keynote address
By Sam Laskaris Writer It was only when she herself expressed an interest in participating in Six Nations’ annual Tom Longboat Run more than a couple of decades ago that Cindy Martin found out she was related to the famed runner. The 51-year-old Martin, who lives in Oshweken, is Longboat’s great great great niece. She was in Calgary this past Friday to deliver a live virtual keynote titled Storytelling Series: Celebrating Indigenous Sport Heroes with Cindy Martin. The event was part of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame commitment to highlight the contributions of Indigenous hall of famers during June, which is National Indigenous History Month. “Growing up we know our family, from our grandparents to our cousins, to our aunts and uncles,” Martin said. “But I didn’t know that I...
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Indigenous administrator to be inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame
By Sam Laskaris Writer A longtime Indigenous sports administrator is among those who will be inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame this year. Hall officials announced on Wednesday morning that Alex Nelson, a member of the Musgamaqw-Dzawada’enuxw First Nation in British Columbia, will be one of the 2024 inductees. Nelson will enter the hall via the Builder category. Induction ceremonies are scheduled for Oct. 23 in Gatineau, Que. “I am really honoured to be a part of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame 2024 (class),” Nelson said. “And I just wanted to say that it is a complete, complete honour and a wonderful surprise.” Dr. Guylaine Demers from Quebec, who has been instrumental in advocating for gender equity in sport around the world, is also being inducted into the hall...
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Sports Briefs: Attack drop two
By Sam Laskaris Writer Attack drop first two games If the first two games of its season are any indication, the Grand River Attack will need to provide a bit more firepower to challenge some of the league’s best squads. The Attack opened its Women’s Major Series Lacrosse (WMSL) season this past Saturday. And the local squad dropped both of its matches. For starters it was downed 5-3 by the Mimico Mountaineers. The Attack was then beaten 7-1 by the Whitby Rush, the defending WMSL champions. Both Whitby and Mimico are expected to be among the top clubs in the 10-team WMSL this season. All league entrants were in action this past Saturday. And all of the league matches were held at McKinney Arena in Whitby. The WMSL will resume...
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Haudenosaunee Chiefs tell Chiefs of Ontario they do not support their presence at Six Nations
The Haudenosaunee flag was removed from the Chiefs of Ontario annual meeting at Six Nations today and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs delivered a message to the assembly that they have shown “disrespect” to the the HCCC. The COO did not approach the HCCC before coming to Six Nations of the Grand River. MORE TO COME...
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