BC court rules against logging company in Haida Gwaii dispute
By Sonal Gupta, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer The BC Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit from Teal Cedar Products, a forestry company, which claimed it lost millions of dollars due to new timber rules in Haida Gwaii, a remote archipelago off the West Coast. The company argued that the new regulations unfairly devalued their forest tenures. The rule changes included reducing the amount of timber that could be harvested and implementing conservation measures. Teal, which owned forest licenses affected by the regulations, claimed these changes amounted to “constructive expropriation,” meaning the government’s actions took away the value of their property rights, without formally seizing the property. Chris Tollefson, a University of Victoria law professor and public interest lawyer who represented the Haida Gwaii Management Council at the...
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Eby says Indigenous teen shouldn’t have died’ as B.C. government is grilled over care
By Ashley Joannou A teenager who was found blocks from her group home on a cold January night this year “shouldn’t have died” British Columbia Premier David Eby said, adding that her death represented a “failure.” The 18-year-old Indigenous youth’s family members were in the B.C. legislature’s gallery on Wednesday, watching as Eby’s government was grilled over the treatment of children and youth in care. Eby told the legislature there were legal constraints that prevented him speaking about specific cases. “It doesn’t constrain me from saying to this family that this was a precious child (and) she shouldn’t have died. Any time that a child dies in care, it is a failure, and we need to learn all we can to prevent the deaths of any other children in care,”...
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B.C. government grilled after January death of Indigenous teen in care
By Ashley Joannou British Columbia Premier David Eby says a youth in government care “shouldn’t have died” earlier this year and that her death represents a “failure.” The province’s Opposition Conservative Party used much of its time during Wednesday’s question period to grill the government on its treatment of children in care, while family members of the 18-year-old who died in January watched from the gallery. The Indigenous teen, who The Canadian Press has chosen not to name, died while in the care of Usma Nuu-chah-nulth Family and Child Services, an agency of the Ministry of Children and Family Development, after she was found unresponsive near her group home in Port Alberni, B.C. The Opposition says the teen was found on a night when temperatures dropped to -7 C and...
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Manitoba woman sentenced to 10 years for fatally stabbing community role model
-CP-A Manitoba judge has sentenced a woman to 10 years in prison in the stabbing death of her ex-boyfriend, whose killing left a “significant” impact on family, friends and the First Nation they lived on. Sheryl Leanne Thompson was initially charged with second-degree murder in the death of her former partner Lance Moosetail in 2022 but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter. The two had been in a relationship for approximately two and a half years and lived together in Moosetail’s home on the Pine Creek First Nation, northwest of Winnipeg. At the time of the attack, Thompson was under the influence of alcohol and cocaine. Court heard from Moosetail’s children, mother, colleagues and community members about the impact the 51-year-old First Nations safety officer had on those...
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Ousted Greater Victoria school trustees take B.C. to court over firing
By Brenna Owen Nine Greater Victoria school trustees fired by the British Columbia government earlier this year have filed a court petition to get their jobs back. Education Minister Lisa Beare dismissed the entire elected board of School District No. 61 in January over its refusal to allow police officers in schools, except in certain circumstances, a decision Beare says she remains confident in. The district previously had a police liaison program, but the ousted board resolved to end it in May 2023, basing the decision on reports that some students and teachers — particularly those who are Indigenous or people of colour — did not feel safe with officers in schools. Their petition filed with the B.C. Supreme Court asks a judge to throw out the order that dismissed...
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‘It’s classist. It’s racist’: Ontario’s overdose death capital braces for more loss
By Jon Thompson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Ricochet Juanita Lawson fidgeted with two scraps of paper as she wound down a meeting with Thunder Bay media on Monday. The interviews marked the official end of her consumption and treatment program, as well as the closure of the only safe supply site in northern Ontario. The NorWest Community Health Centres CEO didn’t refer to her notes, which consisted only of two anonymous client testimonies. One read, “Safe supply + Path 525 have harmoniously saved my life in so many ways. When they inevitably will no longer be available to us, it’s going to be a very short matter of time until the clients (past clients at that point) will start dying. I will quite likely be one of them.” Thunder Bay...
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Mother-Daughter duo transform house into vibrant mural
By Wendy Thienes, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Shaunavon Standard Trea Jensen and Bronwyn Schuster are both accomplished artists. This mother daughter duo combined their talents and collaborated on a large-scale project, transforming the exterior of Trea’s house into an eye-catching series of colourful murals on the corner of Redcoat Trail and Poplar Avenue in Eastend, Saskatchewan. “We initially moved to Eastend in 2007. Bronwyn was just 15 at the time and she wanted to paint a mural on the house then. It’s a good thing we didn’t at that time; we’ve had a couple of bad hailstorms since that damaged the exterior of the house.” Bronwyn eventually moved to Vancouver where she had the opportunity to do a full-size mural and a couple of smaller ones. She moved to...
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Parents, community leaders rally for an investigation into SD 27
By Andie Mollins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Williams Lake Tribune Families and community leaders are rallying in Williams Lake, calling on the minister of education and childcare to respond to concerns of racism and bullying in School District 27 (SD 27). Members of Esk’etemc First Nation and representatives from the Concerned Parents and Caregivers of Williams Lake (CPWL) peacefully marched to the school district’s doorstep on Tuesday, April 1, requesting the Minister of Education and Child Care (MECC) Lisa Beare respond to their request to meet face-to-face and hear their stories. “Our request for that meeting has gone unanswered,” said Esk’etemc Kukpi7 (chief) Fred Robbins. “Every day that goes by, we hear more and more stories of children and youth, not just from our Nation of Esk’etemc, but throughout...
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Green Party co-leader meets with Yukoners ahead of April 28 election
By Talar Stockton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Yukon News The Green Party co-leader visited Whitehorse on March 31 to implore Yukoners to vote green. Jonathan Pedneault, one of the co-leaders of the party (the other being Elizabeth May), hosted a meet-and-greet at L’Association Franco-Yukonnaise with local Green Party candidate Gabrielle Dupont. Attendees were able to ask questions of both politicians. Polls such as 338Canada show the riding of the Yukon as being a race between the Liberals and Conservatives, with the Greens polling at around five per cent of the vote. Pedneault said pollsters aren’t on the ground, and said they have a history of underestimating Green candidates. “What I do know and see is that in this community, you have everything, all the ingredients for this community to want...
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Ousted Greater Victoria school trustees take B.C. to court over firing
By Brenna Owen Nine Greater Victoria school trustees fired by the British Columbia government earlier this year have filed a court petition to get their jobs back. Education Minister Lisa Beare announced the dismissal of the entire elected board of School District No. 61 in January over the trustees’ refusal to allow police officers in schools, except in certain circumstances. The ban had been in place since the end of May 2023 as the board said students and teachers — particularly those who are Indigenous or people of colour — did not feel safe with officers in schools. Their petition filed with the B.C. Supreme Court asks a judge to throw out the order that dismissed them and installed a lone trustee to oversee the district until municipal elections in...
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Haldimand OPP investigating theft of two snow machines
HALDIMAND COUNTY, ON – Haldimand County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are investigating a break in at a Caledonia business that saw two snow machines stolen Monday March 31, 2025. Haldimand OPP received a report of the break-in at an Industrial Drive business at about 9:20 a.m., March 31. The OPP said unknown individuals in a pick-up truck went to the property at about 1:05 a.m entering by damaging a locked gate that allowed the vehicle to drive past the gate. Inside a trailer containing two snow machines was hitched to the truck and driven away. The stolen trailer is described to be a 2022 white coloured IMPACT trailer with Ontario licence plate D90619. The first stolen snow machine is described as a 2023 SKIDOO Renegade with Ontario licence plate 6AW154. The...
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The Latest: Trump set to announce new tariffs in what he calls ‘Liberation Day’
-The Associated Press-After weeks of White House hype and public anxiety, President Donald Trump is set to announce a barrage of self-described “reciprocal” tariffs on friend and foe alike. The new tariffs — coming on what Trump has called “Liberation Day” — is a bid to boost U.S. manufacturing and punish other countries for what he has said are years of unfair trade practices. But by most economists’ assessments, the risky move threatens to plunge the economy into a downturn and mangle decades-old alliances. Here’s the latest: Conservative-backed candidate’s concession in Wisconsin stands out in this political era Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel quickly conceded Tuesday as the first news outlets began calling the race. As angry yells broke out at his watch party, Schimel doubled down. “No,” he...
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Tribal council investing in business, toward economic sovereignty
By Pearl Lorentzen, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeside Leader A tribal council in Northern Alberta is using business investments to help support economic reconciliation and sovereignty for the First Nations it represents. Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council (KTC) consists of five First Nations in northern Alberta, in the area north of Lesser Slave Lake. They are Loon River First Nation, Lubicon Lake Band, Peerless Trout First Nation, Whitefish Lake First Nation (#459) and Woodland Cree First Nation. Trevor Thera is KTC’s director of business development and industry relations and president and CEO of KTC Investments Corp. Thera has a background in economic development, specifically helping First Nations groups invest in economic development to generate wealth for the nations. Wealth generation is important for First Nations, he says, because “it’s...
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Haldimand OPP investigating theft of stolen vehicle
HALDIMAND COUNTY, ON -The Haldimand County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are investigating after a vehicle was stolen from an Argyle Stree, Caledonia address, March 30, 2025 at about 7:30 a.m.. OPP said the vehicle was stolen from the Argyle Street parking lot at about 1 a.m. by unknown individuals. The stolen vehicle is described to be a 2006 grey coloured Chevrolet Trailblazer with Ontario licence plate CWRS 705. If you have information about this investigation, please contact the Haldimand County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous you can leave an online tip at www.helpsolvecrime.com or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) where you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2000. ...
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Brantford commits $1 million to new Woodland Cultural Centre
By Kimberly De Jong, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Brant Beacon BRANTFORD-City of Brantford Council voted in favour of investing an annual contribution of $250,000 over the next four years to the Woodland Cultural Centre’s Dwadę’nyota’ Dwaga:’shǫ:’ǫh “We Celebrate our Stories” capital campaign during its regular Council meeting on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. With the work to restore the former Mohawk Institute Residential School, which was supported by the roughly $25 million raised through the “Save the Evidence” campaign, nearly complete and with a grand opening date set for Tuesday, September 30, 2025, fundraising efforts are now underway to build a new Woodland Cultural Centre (WCC) to go along with it. During the meeting, Heather George, Executive Director of the WCC, presented councillors with some information about the organization itself, the...
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Additional funding avialable to Six Nations organizations
SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND- The Six Nations of the Grand River Economic Development Trust (SNEDT) has an additional $457,944.53 in funding available for community organizations applying for 2025 funding. The SNEDT announced the additional funding Monday April 1, 2025 . SNEDT said the new funding is a result of what it called the annual distributions of “surplus profits” from the Six Nations Grand River Development Corporation (SNGRDC). The funding is available to general applicants only. Information on how to apply is available at www.sixnationsedt.ca . The final application deadline is April 25, 2025, at 4:00pm. Applicant presentations will be made to SNGRDC’s Board of Directors’ EDT Committee on June 14, 2025, in the SNGRDC Boardroom (2498 Chiefswood Road). Since 2016, the EDT has invested over $24 million into the...
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Almost three decades of success in Baker Lake
By Darrell Greer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Kivalliq News Peter’s Expediting Ltd., based in Baker Lake, has been contracted to provide a number of services for Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. in connection with the Meadowbank processing centre and Amaruq gold mine. The company currently provides bus service for weekly crew changes to the local mine site. Its fleet of passenger vans and bus allows it to transport groups of up to 34 passengers for crew changes or community tours. Meadowbank achieved commercial production in March 2010, going on to produce its three millionth ounce of gold in 2018 before ceasing operations in 2019. The support infrastructure and mill facilities at the original site are still being used for supporting the satellite mine at Amaruq. Unless more gold is discovered, Meadowbank...
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Baker Lake set for new $6.35-million daycare
By Darrell Greer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Kivalliq News The news out of Baker Lake put a smile on many a face when it was announced recently that Baker Lake Daycare secured $6.35 million to construct a new daycare for the community. The previous facility was destroyed by fire in 2021. The funding comes from numerous sources, with the Kivalliq Inuit Association (KIA) kicking in a $2.48-million contribution agreement and the Government of Nunavut’s (GN) Early Learning and Child Care program providing an additional $3.46 million. Funding help will also be provided by both Peter’s Expediting Ltd. and Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. Amounts of funding aid from those two sources had not been announced as of press time. The new daycare will accommodate up to 56 children and is expected...
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Feds double loan pool for First Nations infrastructure buy-in
By Sonal Gupta, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer Canada is doubling down on Indigenous-led projects, increasing funding for a federal program that helps finance infrastructure projects like roads, water systems, and stakes in major resource projects. The federal government is boosting its support for the Canada Indigenous Loan Guarantee Corporation to $10 billion. The expansion means First Nations can now get increased funding for infrastructure, transportation and trade initiatives, in addition to energy and natural resource projects. The loan guarantee program is expected to help improve basic municipal services in First Nations communities, such as clean water, sewage treatment, roads, health facilities, and public schools — services other municipalities have had for decades. “First Nations have really gone without for so long that there’s going to be a...
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Man beats up co-worker during New Year’s Eve fireworks show
By Bob Mackin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Prince George Citizen A BC Supreme Court judge in Quesnel reserved sentence for a man who severely injured a younger co-worker at a New Year’s Eve party at their employer’s house. Darcy Larry Edward Penner pleaded guilty Tuesday, April 1 to aggravated assault before Justice Marguerite Church. Church heard an agreed statement of facts that said Penner, who was 37 at the time, punched a 17-year-old in the head around the time that partygoers were enjoying fireworks to ring in 2024. Penner knocked the victim to the ground and repeatedly punched him in the face while he lay on the ground. The victim was bloodied and his jaw broken. The victim admitted that he gave Penner the finger around 11 p.m. and that...
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