B.C. wildfire crews battle blaze in ancient forest park with 1,000-year-old trees
The Canadian Press British Columbia’s wildfire service says crews are battling a 10-hectare blaze in a park that protects a portion of what the province calls the “only inland temperate rainforest in the world,” with trees 1,000 years old. The Ancient Forest or Chun T’oh Whudujut Park is about 115 kilometres east of Prince George in the traditional territory of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation. It’s currently closed as the BC Wildfire Service says it’s responding to multiple incidents in the park, with the largest fire spanning 10 hectares. The service says in a statement on social media that initial attack crews are at the scene and a helipad and water relay system have been established. But it says the park’s terrain, and ecological and cultural values have challenged suppression...
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P.E.I. First Nations, Ottawa establish national park reserve on sacred Mi’kmaq land
The Canadian Press The government of Canada and Prince Edward Island’s Mi’kmaq First Nations announced an agreement on Thursday to turn a pristine chain of islands with sacred cultural significance into a national park reserve. Lennox Island First Nation Chief Darlene Bernard said she’s thrilled about the agreement, which will ensure the protection of the 50-kilometre strip of islands off P.E.I.’s northwest coast called Pituamkek, which means, “at the long sand dune.” “We have a strong cultural, traditional connection to that land. And the land is going to be protected and allow for our people to always have that land there for future generations to come,” Bernard said of the islands, where Mi’kmaq have hunted, fished and harvested for at least 4,000 years. The land is also home to a...
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Canada to apologize after labelling Dakota and Lakota as refugees
The Canadian Press 15/07/2024 Canada’s Crown-Indigenous Relations minister is scheduled to deliver an apology today to nine First Nations in Manitoba and Saskatchewan following decades of Canada labelling the Dakota and Lakota as refugees. Gary Anandasangaree’s apology, which will be delivered at a ceremony at Whitecap Dakota Nation south of Saskatoon, is being called “historic” by officials. By being referred to as refugees, the Dakota and Lakota were not included in treaty negotiations, as Canada viewed them as being American despite their strong presence north of the Canada-U.S. border. They’ve historically had a more fraught relationship with Canada, including having smaller reserves and fewer economic supports than other Indigenous groups. Whitecap Dakota Nation signed a self-government agreement with Canada in 2023, which officially recognized them as Aboriginal Peoples under the...
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First Nation challenges nuclear waste decision in federal court
By Natasha Bulowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter A First Nation concerned about approval of a nuclear waste disposal facility near the Ottawa River was before federal court this week to challenge the decision. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission greenlit the project on Jan. 9 and less than one month later, Kebaowek First Nation filed for a judicial review. Kebaowek’s legal challenge is centred on the United Nations Declaration Act (UNDA), which enshrined the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) into Canadian law. The declaration specifically references the need for free, prior and informed consent when hazardous waste will be stored in a nation’s territory. Kebaowek argued in court that Canadian Nuclear Laboratories — the private consortium responsible for managing the Chalk River nuclear site — did...
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Poilievre pitches firebrand conservatism to First Nation leaders. Will they be convinced?
By Matteo Cimellaro Local Journalism Initiative Reporter If Pierre Poilievre wants to become the prime minister, then he still needs to educate himself about First Nation Peoples, says a former Chief. The rebuke by Judy Wilson, a former Kukpi7 (Chief) from unceded Secwepemcúl’ecw territory, of Poilievre’s first in-person speech to the Assembly of First Nations was par for the course as he pitched his firebrand “common-sense” conservatism. “This is my first meeting in person, but I hope it is the first of many,” Poilievre said to a room of over 300 First Nation leaders, positioning himself as prime minister-in-waiting. The speech did not veer from Poilievres’s slogan-ready promises to axe the tax, build homes, stop crime, and fix the budget, but instead reframed them with a First Nation lens —...
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FWFN chief declares state of emergency due to drug epidemic
FORT WILLIAM FIRST NATION — A state of emergency was declared by Chief Michele Solomon at Fort William First Nation on Friday because of the ongoing drug crisis that is negatively affecting the community. Council passed a motion on July 8 to make the declaration. The declaration will remain in force until the crisis is stabilized to a level that is satisfactory to the chief and council, a release said. Chief Solomon spoke with the media after a Facebook live video on the declaration. “This comes as a result of escalating situations in our community, escalating violence, escalating people coming into our community who really shouldn’t be here. And certainly the escalation of opiate-related deaths of our people, our members.” Solomon indicated the declaration was sent to Indigenous Services Canada....
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B.C. wildfire crews battle blaze in ancient forest park with 1,000-year-old trees
The Canadian Press British Columbia’s wildfire service says crews are battling a 10-hectare blaze in a park that protects a portion of what the province calls the “only inland temperate rainforest in the world,” with trees 1,000 years old. The Ancient Forest or Chun T’oh Whudujut Park is about 115 kilometres east of Prince George in the traditional territory of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation. It’s currently closed due to the wildfire, with the wildfire service saying it’s responding to multiple incidents in the park, with the largest fire spanning 10 hectares. The service says in a statement on social media that initial attack crews are at the scene and a helipad and water relay system have been established. But it says the park’s terrain, ecological and cultural values have...
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Grassy Narrows launches legal action on Mining Act
By Mike Stimpson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter GRASSY NARROWS – The way Chief Rudy Turtle sees it, his First Nation had to take action against Ontario’s practice of granting mineral claims without consulting First Nations. Legal action was necessary “because they haven’t been listening to us at all,” he said, referring to the provincial government. “We keep telling them that they’re not consulting properly.” Grassy Narrows (Asubpeeschoseewagong) First Nation filed a legal application Friday asking the Superior Court of Justice to declare Ontario’s Mining Act unconstitutional. The application also seeks a court declaration that the province “has a duty to consult, accommodate and obtain free, prior and informed consent” from the First Nation before issuing mining claims. If successful, the action could force Ontario to rescind thousands of mining claims...
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Bonspille demands action on illegal dumping in Kanesatake
By Miriam Lafontaine, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Mohawk Council of Kanesatake (MCK) grand chief Victor Bonspille called out the federal government while at the annual gathering for the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) in Montreal this Wednesday, saying it’s unacceptable his calls for action on illegal dumping in the community have gone ignored. Kanehsata’kehró:non and a coalition of Oka residents alike have been vocal against the seemingly endless flow of dump trucks that come into the community daily to dispose of waste from outside construction sites. Without any provincial oversight, many fear the truckloads contain contaminated waste. “You’re ignoring my emails, my letters, and my text messages to your cell phone number. I want to know why you’re not listening to my voice and my community’s voice,” Bonspille asked Gary...
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LL Cool J relearned ‘how to rap’ on his first album in 11 years, ‘The FORCE.’ Here’s how
The Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — The Grammy award winning rapper-actor- author LL COOL J will release his first new album in 11 years, “The FORCE” in September — 40 years into his hip-hop career. Not that he hasn’t been making music in that time. “I’ve always tinkered around in the studio here and there,” he told The Associated Press over Zoom. But over the last two or so years, inspiration really struck. He started working with a producer and pursuing music-making more seriously. Then he hit a roadblock. “I just felt like the tracks that this producer was giving me were better than the songs that I was writing,” he said. Then the late Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest came to him in a dream. “He...
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Kahnawake votes for change
By Marcus Bankuti Local Journalism Initiative Reporter KAHNAWAKE-The Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) has a new grand chief after a decisive win for Cody Diabo, who garnered nearly twice as many votes as incumbent Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer, who came last in the three-way race. “I mean speechless, which is new for me,” said Diabo on election night when asked for his initial reaction. “The community put a lot of effort and pushed forward to this, and it speaks volumes.” Diabo, a Council chief last term who ran for grand chief on a platform of transparency, improved services, and taking a hard line with external governments, will work with six incumbents and five fresh faces on Council. “We’re going to be a team,” said Diabo. “We’re going to work forward together. We’re...
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B.C. seeking outside firefighting help as heat triggers eruption of wildfire activity Slugline: Wildfires-BC
The Canadian Press 11/07/2024 British Columbia’s emergency management minister says the province is proactively working to secure extra firefighters to deal with what she called the “potential for a drastically accelerated wildfire situation.” Bowinn Ma told a briefing on Thursday that B.C. was seeking out-of-province help from six unit crews representing about 180 specialized wildfire fighters. Ma said about 500 of the province’s full complement of 2,000 firefighters were currently deployed, but the province was seeking outside help early as the situation worsened due to a heat wave and ongoing dry conditions. “We do want to be prepared, and so by being proactive in our request for additional resources, we can ensure that the lag that it often takes for additional resources to come in from out of province doesn’t...
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MCFD spent nearly $300K to promote program that many Youth in need can’t access
By Amy Romer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter A provincial program meant to provide income, housing and health support to Youth aging out of government “care” spent nearly $300,000 on promotional merchandise — meanwhile, many young people are being rejected from its services. The Ministry of Child and Family Development (MCFD) ordered 15,000 “toolkits” as part of their 2022/2023 budget — including tote bags, socks, toques, lip-balm and information pamphlets. These packages are meant to raise awareness about its Strengthening Abilities and Journeys of Empowerment (SAJE) program. According to the MCFD, the purchase was a response to feedback from a series of engagements carried out in 2022. An emailed statement from MCFD said the materials would be distributed to ministry offices and community organizations, including Covenant House, to be shared with...
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Hundreds evacuate northern Alberta First Nation due to nearby wildfire
The Canadian Press Nearly a thousand residents have evacuated a northern Alberta First Nation due to an out-of-control wildfire. A provincial alert says a blaze is burning about 8.5 kilometres north of Highway 58, which is adjacent to Little Red River Cree Nation. The government says 981 residents of the First Nation left Wednesday evening to find shelter in the settlement of John D’Or Prairie and hotels in other northern towns. The wildfire, which is burning across 41,000 hectares, isn’t threatening to reach the community. An evacuation order issued Wednesday remains in effect for the 700 residents of Garden River, a community about 30 kilometres northwest of the same wildfire affecting Little Red River Cree Nation. The government says Garden River was not in immediate danger but there were concerns...
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Spiritual healing part of addictions recovery
By Alexandra Noad Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Editor’s note: This is the second part of a three-part series looking at the southern Alberta opioid crisis through an Indigenous lens The last Canadian residential school closed in 1996. These schools were just one of the many attempts by the Canadian government to assimilate Indigenous peoples. Because of these attempts, Many Indigenous people feel lost without an identity. Rachel Bush was adopted by a white family when she was a baby. It wasn’t until she was an adult and reconnected with her biological mother, that she realized she was Indigenous. When Bush was a teenager she found herself in some vulnerable situations, but was able to pull herself out when she had her daughter. “I’ve seen people I was close to in...
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Inter-generational trauma plays role in Indigenous addictions problems
By Alexandra Noad, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Editor’s note: This is the first of a three-part series that looks at the opioid crisis in southern Alberta through an Indigenous lens. In April 2023 the Blood Tribe declared a State of Emergency due to opioids. According to Alberta’s Opioid Response Surveillance Report: First Nations People in Alberta, published in June 2021, First Nations people represented 22 per cent of all opioid poisoning deaths in the first six months of 2020. Which was an increase from 14 per cent in 2016. While many may have the perception drug abuse only happens in city limits, the Blood Tribe’s declaration of a State of Emergency would prove otherwise. Leslie Wells, Blood Tribe’s opioid response coordinator, says the opioid response started back in 2014. She...
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B.C. waters now home to Canada’s largest marine protected area
The Canadian Press First Nations along British Columbia’s coast have announced with the Canadian government the designation of the country’s largest marine protected area. A statement from Fisheries and Oceans Canada says the ecologically unique ocean area is located about 150 kilometres off the west coast of Vancouver Island. It says the area spanning more than 133,000 square kilometres covers “extraordinary seafloor features,” including more than 47 underwater mountains, known as seamounts, and all of the confirmed hydrothermal vents in Canada. The department says the deep-sea vents are “biological hotpots” that support rare and unique species that are both “remarkable and culturally important.” The new designation makes it the largest marine protected area to be recognized under Canada’s Oceans Act in partnership with the Council of the Haida Nation, Nuu-chah-nulth...
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Poilievre delivers first speech to AFN, leaders confront him about Harper’s legacy
Federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre receives applause during his speech to the Assembly of First Nations, Thursday, July 11, 2024 in Montreal.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz The Canadian Press 11/07/2024 16:03 First Nations chiefs have heard enough promises and “performative reconciliation,” Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Thursday, adding they deserve a partnership based on honest conversations. It was the first time Poilievre addressed the Assembly of First Nations, an organization representing more than 600 First Nations that had a tense relationship with the Conservatives when former prime minister Stephen Harper was in power. In 2018, former Conservative leader Andrew Scheer was booed at an AFN assembly when he was unable to explain how his policies would differ from Harper’s. AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak has said she wants to turn...
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Man who caused ‘profound and long lasting harm’ by defrauding Indigenous Youth granted full parole
By Meral Jamal, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter 11/07/2024 16:09 A man who notoriously forged social worker credentials and defrauded Indigenous Youth under his “care” in the Okanagan has been granted full parole. The Parole Board of Canada approved the next step in the conditional release of Robert Riley Saunders following the completion of his six-month day parole which was granted last October. According to Global News, he’s set to be fully paroled by mid-July. After being found guilty of misappropriating more than $460,000, Saunders was handed a five-year prison sentence in 2022. The Parole Board’s June 26 decision notes that in order to ensure no further harm, Saunders is not allowed to have direct or indirect contact with any child in the care of the Ministry of Children and Family...
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Assembly of First Nations, Ottawa confirm $47.8-billion deal on child welfare reform
The Canadian Press 11/07/2024 13:11 The AFN’s national chief confirmed today that the organization finalized a deal with Ottawa late Wednesday night to put $47.8 billion towards child-welfare reform. Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak got cheers as she made the announcement on the floor of the annual general assembly in Montreal on Thursday. At a later press conference, she underlined the emotions that underpin the agreement, which seeks to redress decades of discrimination. “There has been so much pain and hurt and harm caused by this racist child-welfare policy in every one of our First Nations communities and our families,” she said. The assembly is set to ratify the agreement, which would fund reforms over a 10-year period, at a special assembly in September. After receiving criticism over the closed-door negotiations in...
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