Jody Wilson Raybould says she’s in discussions over Parliament Hill office space
OTTAWA-The Speaker of the House of Commons says he will evict Jody Wilson-Raybould from her current office space if she does not leave on her own. House Speaker Anthony Rota told the CBC today that if she does not vacate, someone from his office would enforce the rules _ but the timeline is flexible. Wilson-Raybould, who is now an Independent MP, says she has been working with the House administration to resolve the issue involving her space on Parliament Hill where she was placed as a cabinet minister in 2018. She says she understood she would stay in her offices when she was sworn in as an MP earlier this month and had an Algonquin elder bless the space. But Wilson-Raybould says she found out two days later she would...
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Indigenous hockey player buoyed by support after sharing experience with racism
WAYCOBAH, N.S. _ An Indigenous hockey player from Nova Scotia who shared his experience of racism on the ice says he’s been inspired to stick with the sport after an outpouring of support from professionals and peers. Logan Prosper of Waycobah First Nation said he was taunted with racist comments from opposing players and parents during a game in Cheticamp, N.S., last week. Prosper said he was hurt and angry after a player told him “all you natives look like turds in your helmets” during the game. Since sharing his experience, the 16-year-old said he’s received hundreds of messages from players telling him to stick with the sport, including former NHL player Cody McCormick. Players across Canada and some in the U.S. have rallied behind Prosper...
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Thousands gather for change climate protests in Madrid
Thousands of demonstrators are gathering in Madrid as the Spanish city hosts climate negotiations by the UN. They are calling for more ambitious climate change policy.r more ambitious climate change policy. OTTAWA—Canada’s environment minister is raising concern with United Nations after hearing that an Indigenous-led protest was shut down Wednesday by security at the global climate change conference in Madrid. In a post on social media, Perry Bellegarde, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), said his organization is “aware that a group of Indigenous youth (including many from Canada) have arbitrarily been detained for a peaceful protest” at the conference. An AFN official witnessed the protest and told the Toronto Star that security detained the demonstrators in a “courtyard” before removing their access badges. The official said the...
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Liberal MPs won’t empower themselves to turf Trudeau, control caucus membership
By Joan Bryden THE CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA- Liberal backbenchers declined Wednesday to give themselves the power to turf their leader, Justin Trudeau. They also passed up the chance to control who gets expelled from, or re-admitted to, the ranks of the governing party’s caucus. The decisions were made at the first formal meeting of the Liberal caucus since the Oct. 21 election, amid some quiet grumbling about the prime minister’s failure to adequately consult with Liberal MPs since his government was reduced to a minority. Some pundits have predicted Liberal backbenchers will use the minority situation to flex their muscles and demand more input into decision-making. However their refusal to empower themselves suggests most are content, at least for now, to let Trudeau and his inner circle continue calling the...
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Nova Scotia hockey officials form task force to combat racism, discrimination
HALIFAX _ Nova Scotia’s governing body for amateur hockey has assembled a task force to deal with discrimination in the sport after an Indigenous player said he was subjected to racist taunts during a recent game in Cape Breton. The executive director of Hockey Nova Scotia, Amy Walsh, says the team will include a human rights lawyer and representatives from the Indigenous, African Nova Scotian and LGBTQ communities. “At Hockey Nova Scotia, we believe that the rink should be a welcoming place for everyone. We believe that racism and discrimination have no place in our game,” Walsh said in a statement Wednesday. The move comes after 16-year-old Logan Prosper came forward this week to say he was the target of racial slurs during a game in Cheticamp,...
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Anonymous Appeals Committee Calls Election Concerns ‘Irrelevant’
By Justin Lethbridge Writer A second appeal of the 58th General Election has been denied by the Appeals Committee. In an email sent to appellant Alaina VanEvery, the committee said that her concerns were ‘irrelevant’ and said they will not be pursuing a recall of the election or dismissal of Chief Electoral Polling Officer (CEPO) Steve Williams. “This is unacceptable,” VanEvery told Turtle Island News, “ and insufficient. To me if you’re deeming my appeals irrelevant, not my appeals but my concerns are irrelevant, that tells me something. That either you didn’t read it, you didn’t comprehend it or you think that you’re in a position where you control this process and nobody is allowed to question you.” VanEvery questioned the letter. “To me that is offensive as a community...
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Woodlands Celebrating the Art of Cornhusk
By Justin Lethbridge Writer Two Haudenosaunee artists and the ancient art form of corn husk are being displayed and honoured at the Woodland Cultural Centre. The exhibit was officially opened at Woodland on Saturday, December 7th with featured artists Elizabeth Doxtator and Frazer Sundowner on hand. Speaking about the exhibit, Curator at the Woodland Cultural Centre Patricia Deadman said that corn husk is one of the most important and ancient materials used by the Haudenosaunee. “This exhibition really acknowledges and celebrates the corn husk as a real and vital raw material for artistic expression…It’s important to recognize the contribution corn husk has had to Canadians and more importantly Indigenous art history in the context of our material culture, functionality, purpose, sustainability and values.” Elizabeth Doxtator is a well known artist...
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Royal Chapel of the Mohawks was filled with Christmas music for the annual service
By Justin Lethbridge Writer Her Majesty’s Royal Chapel of the Mohawks was all decorated for the holidays and filled with visitors and music for their annual Christmas Service. Despite having been rescheduled due to inclement weather, the Mohawk Chapel was packed for the rescheduled service on Sunday, December 8th. The traditional Christian service featured the Nine Lessons and Carols. The afternoon service was presided over by the Royal Chaplain for Mohawk Chapel, Reverend Roslyn Elm and featured music by the Counterpoint Trio. In addition St. Paul’s Mohawk Choir did a rendition of Joy to the World sung in Mohawk while Michael Montour did a traditional opening and closing in both English and Mohawk. Mohawk Chapel’s Committee Chair Barry Hill told Turtle Island News that the service is held early so as...
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OMSK Mistletoe Market teaching Students Budgeting, Shopping
By Justin Lethbridge Writer The Mistletoe Market at Oliver M. Smith Kawenni:io provided students a chance to shop for their family while learning important lessons about how presents get under the tree Christmas morning. The market ran from December 4th to the 6th with all the students at the school getting a chance to pick out gifts for their family with money they’ve earned. Vice-Principal Wanda Davis told Turtle Island News that she got the idea from a teacher at another school who runs a holiday market and agreed to supply the items for OMSK to do their own. She said that it’s been a great learning experience for the students. “Students are doing chores at home to earn money to shop at our market. They shouldn’t be asking their...
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The monsters we create
If ever there was a reason to remove the Six Nations Electoral officer’s “anonymous Six Nations Election Appeals Committee” the arrogance shown in denying Alaina VanEvery’s election appeal is certainly grounds. VanEvery went through a very detailed and thoughtful appeal process outlining her concerns over the recent Six Nations Election process and potential conflicts of interest. Whether anyone agreed with her concerns or not the “anonymous” appeals committee had an obligation as a public office holder to respond in a respectful manner. They didn’t. One would think as protectors of democracy they would guide their behaviour and actions with the highest integrity and base that on merit without any discrimination or bias They certainly should not be flippant. Begging the question does this committee have Code of Conduct Rules? Rules...
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Weekly Cartoon
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SAO Retires Finance, director gives notice: Six Nations Elected Council committees being dropped, new ones created
Six Nations Elected Council’s orientation process is continuing amid the sudden retirement of the SAO and notice served by the Director of Finance. SAO Dayle Bomberry’s retirement took effect last Friday after more than a decade of service. Turtle Island News has also learned the Director of Finance has served notice. In addition the orientation appears to have switched gears to a restructuring of the council. While much of the new Elected Council are holdovers from the last council committees are being dropped and new ones added. An orientation process normally has departments explaining what they do and what they are doing and is held in open sessions. This council closed the doors. This orientation was broken up into two segments, an Internal Department portion and an External Organization portion....
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AFN Calls on Quebec Chief to Withdraw Indian Day School Appeal
By Donna Duric Writer The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) has called on a Quebec Chief to withdraw his appeal to the Indian Day School settlement. A court challenge issued on Oct. 31 by Paul-Émile Ottawa, Chief of the Atikamekw Council of Manawan, has halted the day school settlement process, resulting in the AFN passing a unanimous resolution last week calling on Chief Ottawa to withdraw his appeal. On Dec. 5, a resolution was moved by lead plaintiff Margaret Swan at the Assembly of First Nations Special Chiefs Assembly calling on Chief Ottawa to withdraw his appeals. Ottawa’s lawyer, David Schulze (Partner, Dionne Schulze, S.E.N.C.) filed the appeal on Oct. 31. “There is also an earlier appeal that remains outstanding,” Gowling, the law firm representing survivors, told Turtle Island News...
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Election code appeals, injunctions cannabis packed SNEC council chamber
Six Nations Elected Council chambers were packed Tuesday night when a local woman presented her case on appeals to the Six Nations Election code. An appeals committee has rejected appeals of Brenda Johnson and Alaina VanEvery (see story page 2) who called for a reset of the election. In addition, Joleen Johnson was scheduled to speak on SNEC injunctions against local people. (Photo by Justin Lethbridge)...
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Steelhawks win thanks to Munro
By Josh Giles Sports Writer HAMILTON – It was a back and forth battle for most of the game when the Dundas McCoys visited the Hamilton Steelhawks on Friday night. With the first period starting with five goals alone. Three of them for Dundas and the other couple for Hamilton. But that didn’t stop Hamilton. 50 seconds into the second period, saw Stephen Thorne score his first of three goals on the night. Assisted by David Ling and Six Nations player Cam Sault, they officially tied up the game. And that wasn’t the only action that was seen in the second. With the game tied up, a goal was called by the players but not the referees. The Steelhawks celebrated like they just broke the tie game to put them...
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Six Nations domination
By Josh Giles Sports Reporter SIX NATIONS – It was wins all around for Six Nations hockey this weekend. Seeing win after win pile up for nearly every team that played on Saturday and Sunday including two back to back dominating wins for the Atom Rep team, and the Peewee Rep team. The Atom Rep team won their first game of the weekend on Saturday against the Delhi Rockets 5-2 and then again on Sunday when they played the Paris Wolfpack and won 6-2. The Atom team has been very successful this season already winning their tenth game on the year. And coach Travis Anderson told Turtle Island News that the key to them playing so well is, “We come in and have them ready for each game. We get...
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Halifax Thunderbirds win first game in team history
By Josh Giles Sports Reporter HALIFAX-Saturday was a big day for the Halifax Thunderbirds and Six Nations lacrosse players alike. The Thunderbirds played their first game of the season at home and came away with their first win in team history, all while doing it in commanding fashion. Winning 12-4, it was an impressive performance for Halifax, but more importantly for team goalie Warren Hill who went 40/44 allowing another expansion team, the New York Riptide to score very little. Hill doesn’t want all the credit to go to him but to his team, as he told Turtle Island News, “The defense really helped me out so I could have a successful game.” But this isn’t just a win for the Thunderbirds, it’s a win for Six Nations Lacrosse. The...
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St. John’s volleyball comes back strong against Assumption
By Josh Giles Sports Writer BRANTFORD – Watching St. John’s College Senior Volleyball team play at home against Assumption College School was a game full of competition. It had everything you were looking for in an entertaining game, and more. The first set saw St. John’s take an early lead and bring it to match point. Only for Assumption to come back from a hole and score serve after serve. Unfortunately for the Lions their rally fell short giving the match to St. John’s with a score of 25-21. In the second set Assumption came back with a vengeance and won it 25-20. The third set was a little different with the same result. Both teams went back and forth nearly matching each other until Assumption pulled away late and...
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Labrador Indigenous leaders condemn racism on provincial airline flight
ST. JOHN’S, N.L. _ Indigenous leaders in Labrador are condemning an incident on a provincial flight Monday when passengers accused two men of making racist remarks. PAL Airlines says it has banned two passengers from future flights for making what the company calls “hurtful and derogatory remarks” towards people on board a flight from Happy Valley-Goose Bay to St. John’s. Former Labrador MP Peter Penashue posted about the incident on Twitter, saying the two men called an Inuk man a racial slur and mocked an Innu woman for speaking her language. The airline responded the next day, saying it is “deeply troubled” by the remarks and committing to a welcoming environment for all customers, especially Indigenous communities in Labrador. Johannes Lampe, president of the Nunatsiavut Inuit...
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Fraser River slide has ‘huge’ impact on community: Interior First Nation
WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. _ High on the Chilcotin plateau in British Columbia’s Interior, the chief of a local First Nation says the traditional diet of its members is threatened by a landslide more than 150 kilometre away. Tl’etinqox Chief Joe Alphonse, who also represents five other local nations as tribal chairman of the Tsilhqot’in National Government, says Fraser River tributaries once teeming with salmon have shown paltry returns since the Big Bar landslide was discovered in June. “On a good year, you can run across the river on the backs of sockeye, that’s how thick our rivers are. And bright, bright, bright almost fluorescent orange colour, it’s an awesome sight,” he said. Alphonse estimated up to 170,000 sockeye returned to local tributaries this year where the annual...
