Lumbee Tribe poised to gain federal recognition through Defense bill
By Graham Lee Brewer After decades of political maneuvering through Congress and government agencies, the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina may finally achieve federal recognition through the National Defense Authorization Act the House plans to vote on this week. If the legislation passes, the Senate could vote on final passage as soon as next week. The Lumbee’s efforts to gain federal recognition — which would come with federal funding, access to resources like the Indian Health Service and the ability to take land into trust — have been controversial for many years both in Indian Country and in Washington. But their cause has been championed by President Donald Trump, who promised on the campaign trail last year to acknowledge the Lumbee as a tribal nation. The issue of federal recognition...
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$1.3M salmon restoration effort in Nootka Sound could mend decades of heavy logging
By Nora O’Malley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Ha-Shilth-Sa Nootka Sound, BC – Optimism for the future of Chinook salmon is swimming up Muchalat River near the town of Gold River, B.C. in Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nations (MMFN) territory. Kent O’Neill, president of the Nootka Sound Watershed Society (NSWS), says he observed hundreds of fish using a newly restored gravel spawning pad at the outflow area of Muchalat Lake this fall. “It’s really encouraging for the first year. They’re figuring it out. It just takes a few generations, and they’ll figure out that this is one of the best spots in the whole system to spawn and they’ll all start showing up,” said O’Neill. Navigating a storm of challenges from historical logging practices that destroyed stream banks to droughty summers, Chinook salmon...
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Federal ministers claim Liberal caucus is united on pipeline agreement despite public disagreements
By Natasha Bulowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer Three Liberal ministers are maintaining the Liberal caucus is united, despite the recent resignation of former cabinet minister Steven Guilbeault and discontent among BC Liberal MPs whose constituents balk at the idea of a pipeline to BC’s coast. At a chaotic press conference this morning, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson and Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature Julie Dabrusin were pressed repeatedly on the caucus divisions caused by the Alberta-Ottawa agreement to work towards building a new pipeline. Dabrusin and Hodgson maintained there is no division and the caucus is united. “The caucus is supportive of the entire MOU,” Hodgson said. This all comes on the heels of Guilbeault resigning from his cabinet post over the...
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Conservatives, Liberals accuse each other of games as MPs debate pipeline motion
By Sarah Ritchie Liberal government and Official Opposition MPs accused one another of playing political games Tuesday as the House of Commons debated a Conservative motion aimed at pinning down the Liberals on whether they support building a pipeline to the B.C. coast. The motion, which was put forward by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, states that MPs support construction of a pipeline to carry Alberta bitumen to the coast, along with an “appropriate amendment” to the legislation that bans most oil tankers from the area off the northern coast of British Columbia. The motion is a more pointed version of the memorandum of understanding Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney signed last month. That deal, however, speaks of amending the tanker ban “if necessary” and cites environmental...
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Afro-Indigenous mom’s case against VACFSS has ‘cleared the way for other parents,’ says expert
By Brielle Morgan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, IndigiNews Justine sits in her kitchen, cradling her new baby girl, while her 14-year-old camps out in a room down the hall. Another daughter bounces up the stairs after coming home from school and scoops up Denaro, their yappy chihuahua. Nine years ago, this family was torn apart after workers from the Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society (VACFSS) decided it wasn’t in the girls’ best interests to live with their mom. Justine didn’t think so. The single mother — whom IndigiNews is identifying by a pseudonym to protect her children’s privacy — alleged she was discriminated against, filing a complaint with the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal against VACFSS. “In my heart, I knew I did nothing wrong,” Justine, an intergenerational survivor...
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Lumbee Tribe poised to gain federal recognition through Defense bill
By Graham Lee Brewer After decades of political maneuvering through Congress and government agencies, the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina may finally achieve federal recognition through the National Defense Authorization Act the House plans to vote on this week. If the legislation passes, the Senate could vote on final passage as soon as next week. The Lumbee’s efforts to gain federal recognition — which would come with federal funding, access to resources like the Indian Health Service and the ability to take land into trust — have been controversial for many years both in Indian Country and in Washington. But their cause has been championed by President Donald Trump, who promised on the campaign trail last year to acknowledge the Lumbee as a tribal nation. The issue of federal recognition...
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Conservatives, Liberals accuse each other of playing games as MPs debate pipeline
By Sarah Ritchie Government and Official Opposition MPs accused one another of playing political games Tuesday as the House of Commons debated a Conservative motion aimed at pinning down the Liberals on whether they support building a pipeline to the B.C. coast. The motion, put forward by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, says MPs support construction of a pipeline to carry Alberta bitumen to the coast, along with an “appropriate amendment” to the legislation that bans most oil tankers from the area off the northern coast of British Columbia. The motion is a more pointed version of the memorandum of understanding Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney signed last month. That deal, however, speaks of amending the tanker ban “if necessary” and cites environmental actions Alberta has to...
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Sipekne’katik First Nation bans N.S. premier, ministers in cannabis spat
A Nova Scotia First Nation says it has banned the province’s premier and two of his senior ministers from band lands. The Sipekne’katik First Nation says Premier Tim Houston, Attorney General Scott Armstrong, and Leah Martin, the minister responsible for leading negotiations on Aboriginal and treaty rights, aren’t welcome, branding them “‘undesirables” in a statement Tuesday. It’s the latest salvo since the community and other First Nations in the province criticized the provincial government last week for directing police to crack down on illegal cannabis. The directive from Armstrong has sparked criticism that the government may be interfering with law enforcement to target First Nations communities. The Mi’kmaq community near Shubenacadie says Tuesday that a signed band council resolution declares that the Nova Scotia government has no jurisdiction on reserve...
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More consultation, possible delay offered by Manitoba government on consumption site
By Steve Lambert The Manitoba government promised more consultation Tuesday with inner-city residents and business owners upset about a planned supervised drug consumption site. Premier Wab Kinew also said the government is open to delaying the site’s opening beyond January — the timeline initially proposed. “Just over the weekend, we heard from community (members) who are saying ‘We need more time,’” Kinew told reporters. “Given the fact we’re extending the consultations, I think we’re realistically also willing to delay opening maybe by a few weeks, hopefully. That would be enough time to address the desire for people to weigh in and also for us to respond to what we hear.” The NDP government initially planned the province’s first-ever supervised consumption site for 200 Disraeli Freeway — an area east of...
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‘We can become more self sufficient’: Paul Quassa on why he works for Baffinland
By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News Former Nunavut premier Paul Quassa says he helped negotiate the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement to give the next generation of Inuit more prosperity, and he’s working for Baffinland Iron Mines for the same reason. Quassa became a senior advisor to the CEO of the company in 2021. It’s his role to inform five Baffin Island communities about the Mary River iron mine’s operations and to field any concerns in Inuktitut. “Baffinland was the best place to work for me because I believed in it — that this is one way for a vision that we had when we were negotiating the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement as to how we can become more self-sufficient, and certainly, mining is one of the...
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Port Moody unanimously scraps major retrofit, triggering calls to revisit city’s climate commitments
By Patrick Penner, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Tri-Cities Dispatch Pricey civic-building retrofits are sowing doubt in some Port Moody councillors as to whether the city can realistically reach its climate goals. During budget deliberations on Dec. 2, council voted unanimously to remove a major greenhouse-gas-reduction project from the 2026 capital plan, despite staff warning the project was needed to hit the city’s ambitious target of reducing civic building emissions by 80 percent by 2030. Council largely agreed the Climate Action Plan (CAP) needs to be revisited. “All other levels of government are reevaluating their targets – the federal government, the provincial government – and I believe that we should be doing the same,” said Coun. Kyla Knowles. “We’ve done this to ourselves as a council, we’ve given ourselves these targets...
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Half of Canadians support a new pipeline between Alberta and B.C.: poll
By Catherine Morrison Half of Canadians are in favour of building a new bitumen pipeline between Alberta and B.C., while fewer than one in five outright oppose it, a new poll suggests. The Leger poll, which was conducted online and can’t be assigned a margin of error, suggests support is particularly strong in Alberta and among men, older Canadians and Conservative voters. Prime Minister Mark Carney signed a memorandum of understanding last month with the Alberta government that sets out an agreement to work toward the approval of a pipeline project. The Leger poll asked 1,548 Canadians between Dec. 5 and Dec. 7 if they personally support or oppose the idea of a privately financed bitumen pipeline from Alberta to the B.C. coast. The pipeline is intended to expand Canada’s...
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Winter Count exhibit highlights Indigenous art to counter settler narrative
By Patrick Quinn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Windspeaker.com The National Gallery of Canada’s newest exhibition explores perspectives of the winter season across diverse cultures and artistic expressions. Comprising more than 160 works spanning two centuries, Winter Count: Embracing the Cold marks the first major collaborative project between the gallery’s Canadian, European and Indigenous curatorial departments. “Winter will never stop being our first common language,” wrote director Jean-François Bélisle in the exhibition catalogue. “A tongue of resilience, imagination and kinship. Winter Count reflects the Gallery’s desire to weave together multiple art histories around a theme that has been extremely impactful in Canada.” The exhibition is named for the tradition among many Plains peoples to record the passing of each year with the painting of its most significant event onto buffalo hide....
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More known about 2 people who perished in trailer inferno
By Carl Clutchey, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Chronicle-Journal Grieving is set to continue this morning in Fort William First Nation as provincial investigators continue to probe Saturday’s early-morning trailer fire believed to have claimed the lives of two young men. A statement posted to the community’s website on Monday offered “sincerest condolences” to the victims’ “families and loved ones.” “No words can ease the pain of such a devastating loss, but please know that you are surrounded by the strength, love and prayers from Fort William First Nation,” the statement said. The two men who died are believed to be Michael Johnstone Junior and Shay Boucher. Police have not confirmed the identities. In an online post on Sunday, Fort William First Nation Chief Michele Solomon said her community was...
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Canada’s best fish recovery happens with Indigenous partners — but they’re rare: audit
By Sonal Gupta, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer Indigenous-federal partnerships are producing some of the strongest signs of fish stock recovery in Canada, but such collaborations are rare, shows a new fishery audit. The audit highlighted a major gap — also seen in another recent study — about how Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) draws on Indigenous knowledge: Nearly 87 per cent of its scientific documents included no meaningful Indigenous input. Only nine per cent involved Indigenous Peoples in the process and about three per cent showed Indigenous knowledge helped shape the research and put their knowledge on equal footing with Western science. For Russ Jones, hereditary chief of the Haida Eagle moiety, his community’s herring rebuilding plan is proof of what long-term Indigenous leadership and co-governance can...
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First Nation chooses herring recovery over income
By Sonal Gupta, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer A First Nation on BC’s central coast has voted to keep its 2026 spawn-on-kelp herring fishery closed, sacrificing income and tradition in hopes of rebuilding a fragile keystone species. In spawn-on-kelp harvesting, herring lay eggs on kelp and submerged hemlock branches, then harvesters collect the eggs but leave the fish alive. For many Heiltsuk harvesters, the vote to maintain the fishery closure means setting aside a seasonal paycheque that families depend on, said William Housty, director of the Heiltsuk integrated resource management department in Bella Bella, BC. Roe on kelp can sell for more than $300 per kilogram. “It shows how important conservation is and that people are willing to give up their part of their annual economy for the...
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Trio of battery storage sites possible for Chatham-Kent
By Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Chatham Voice Three new battery storage developments could be coming to Chatham-Kent, if Ontario’s Independent Electricity Operator (IESO) gives them the go-ahead. At the Dec. 1 meeting, municipal council endorsed the trio of projects, that, if constructed, would generate more than $90 million for C-K over 20 years as part of community support agreements. Aypa Power Canada is looking at building the Queen’s Line Reliability Project Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on Queen’s Line near Dillon Road, as well as the Bloomfield Reliability Project, adjacent to the Bloomfield Business Park south of Chatham. The Sandhill BESS project would be located east of Wallaceburg on Baseline Road. However, it’s still early. Each company has to submit their proposals to the IESO. If approved, rigorous...
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Brantford police are giving tickets for good deeds this December
By Celeste Percy-Beauregard, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Hamilton Spectator This December, you could get a ticket from Brantford Police Service whether you’re naughty or nice. For the first time, the service will be issuing “positive tickets” to “co-operative, safety-minded, and courteous community members” to create awareness and support for Lansdowne Children’s Centre, BPS spokesperson Robin Matthews-Osmond said. The centre helps kids with physical, communication and/or developmental needs in Brantford, Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk counties, Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. “During traffic stops, RIDE programs, and community events, officers may issue a Positive Ticket, a simple thank-you for being a safe, responsible, and caring member of our community,” BPS posted to Facebook on Monday. The ticket has information about how to donate...
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Support for development projects comes in
By Sandi Krasowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Chronicle-Journal The Government of Canada has spent nearly $5 million into 10 Northern Ontario Indigenous economic development projects through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario’s Northern Ontario Development Program. MP Patty Hajdu, minister of jobs and families and minister responsible for FedNor, was met by northern First Nation chiefs and leaders for the announcement at the Nokiiwin Tribal Council, Friday afternoon. The Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, commonly referred to as FedNor, has transformed over the last five years to be focused on Indigenous economic prosperity and equity, Hajdu said, adding that FedNor works within Indigenous communities so that Indigenous leaders and organizations know that FedNor applies to them too. “You’re not limited to working with Indigenous Services...
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Inuvialuit kayak, other items from Vatican unveiled at Museum of History
By Alessia Passafiume An Inuvialuit kayak more than a century old was unveiled Tuesday at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que., along with a handful of other priceless Inuit items returned to Canada from the Vatican collection on Saturday. The kayak, elegantly hand-built from driftwood, sealskin and sinew, was one of the artifacts earmarked for repatriation by Inuit representatives who were given a private showing of the Vatican’s holdings in the Amina Mundi exhibit during a trip to Rome in 2022. Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami President Natan Obed was part of that delegation, which visited Rome to accept Pope Francis’s apology for the Catholic Church’s role in Canada’s residential school system. Obed said the late pope told him in conversation that “if items were taken forcibly or without consent,”...
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