CP NewsAlert: Manitoba First Nation reports 150 anomalies at residential school site
The Canadian Press Published: 03/07/2024 17:30 A First Nation community in northern Manitoba says ground-penetrating radar has found 150 anomalies at the site of a former residential school, along with 59 unmarked graves at a nearby cemetery. Chief David Monias of the Pimicikamak Cree Nation says it is shocking, and says more work is needed to determine whether some of the anomalies may be unmarked burial sites. The St. Joseph’s Residential School, managed by the Roman Catholic Church, operated in the community from 1912 to 1969, and housed children from across northern Manitoba. Monias says researchers earlier documented 85 deaths of children at the school. Documents at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation say the school at times suffered outbreaks linked to overcrowding, including a spread of tuberculosis in...
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Garden River citizens each receiving $110,000 in Robinson Huron payout
By K Darbyson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter 03/07/2024 17:25 Garden River First Nation approved initial payout in its Robinson Huron Treaty settlement, providing a minimum of $110,000 to each registered citizen. This payout includes all citizens registered with Indigenous Services Canada as of Sept. 9, 2023, with totals roughly 3,300 people according to local Robinson Huron Treaty coordinator Robert Peace. While this doesn’t account for the community’s overall settlement of approximately $610 million, more settlement money will be headed to Garden River down the line, with $200 million being allocated to a legacy trust. An additional $40-50 million is expected from the community’s “war chest fund” that was reduced from 10 per cent to five per cent of the $10-billion annuities settlement earlier this year. “This settlement is a significant...
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Six Nations Police investigating sudden death
Six Nations Police and Ontario Provincial Police are on the scene of a “sudden death” investigation on Mississauga Road between Highway 6 and Ojibway Road. The investigation is located on Six Nations territory. Six Nations Police Chief Darren Montour said no details are being released at this time....
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Collision leads to impaired charge
OHSWEKEN, ON- Six Nations Police (SNP) have arrested and charged an Ohsweken man with Impaired Operation following a single vehicle collision on Seneca Road Sunday, June 30. SNP said on Sunday, June 30th, at about 3:00 AM, members of the Six Nations were “made aware of a single vehicle collision on Seneca Road.” SNP said when officers arrived on scene, they observed a lone male sleeping in the driver’s seat of the vehicle. Officers were unsuccessful in their attempts to wake the man and were unable to enter the vehicle to check on the driver’s health and safety. As a result officers made the decision to break a window to extract the man. As a result of the investigation, police have arrested and charged Rodger Miller, 44, of Ohsweken, ON with:...
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Six Nations man facing charges after vehicle fails to stop for emergency vehicle
OHSWEKEN, ON- A 32-year-old Ohsweken man is facing multiple charges after failing to slow down and move over for an emergency vehicle conducting a traffic stop. Six Nations Police said on Friday, June 28, 2024, at about 12:50 p.m. a Six Nations Police officer was conducting an unrelated traffic stop on Mohawk Road, when the officer spotted a pickup truck approaching at a high rate of speed. SNP said the driver proceeded by the officer without moving over or slowing down. The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop of the vehicle. Once stopped, police said the driver of the vehicle used aggressive driving maneuvers and was confrontational towards the officer. Officers arrested the individual without incident. As a result of the investigation, police have arrested and charged Jonathan Fraser,...
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Clearing the land: who approved work at Chiefswood National Historic Site
Clearing the land: no one will own up to who approved work at Chiefswood National Historic Site By Lynda Powless and Austin Evans, Writers A naturalization site on Chiefswood National Historic Site (CNHS) has been leveled, and it may have happened without Six Nation Elected Council (SNEC) approval. Last Wednesday (June 26), the last remaining trees on the front yard of CNHS were bull dozed down and removed and the tall grass cleared, creating a muddy field view from the house to Highway 54. Some of the plants on the property were removed and moved down the street to Kayanase. Any remaining plants were ground up and the grounds cleared of waste. A plaque designating the site as a National Historic Site sits on the grounds. As a National Historic...
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Gane’ Yohs Community Health Centre remains closed ISC says it is assessing
By Austin Evans Writer Two months after Gane’ Yohs Community Health Centre was closed down, SNEC and Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) are still deciding how to proceed. Gane’ Yohs has been closed since April 23 after mold was discovered inside the building. Most of the services provided at Gane’ Yohs have been temporarily relocated to the White Pine Wellness Centre, however the dental clinic remains closed for the time being. This closure has not affected the Ohsweken Pharmasave or Six Nations Mental Health which share or adjoin the same building. ISC media relations spokesperson Ryan Tyndall said that they have repeatedly met with SNEC to discuss this issue, with their most recent meeting on June 25 including Canada’s Minister of Indigenous Services Patty Hajdu. The discussions have focused on adding...
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Six Nations Elected Council looking at illegal dumping of “contaminated” soil
Six Nations’ Built Environment and Climate Adaptation Committee is trying to tackle the community’s illegal dumping problem, but they can’t do it alone. Dayle Bomberry, chair of the committee gave Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) an update on the committee’s progress at the General Council meeting on June 25 and said they’ve been putting pressure on the province to crack down on illegal dumping and increase penalties. “This is one of reasons we’re asking the provincial permit people to look at laws and legislations with little more penalizing and stricter enforcement with testing places it can be taken to get cleaned up,” he said. “Bring this all together and take the way stronger, look at other solutions.” SNEC councillors have tried to deal with the issue of illegal soil dumping...
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Six Nations Elected Council members to attend concert
Six Nations Councillor Helen Miller wants to turn an invite to concert into a money maker for Kawenni:io/Gaweni:yo’s building. Six Nations Elected Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill told council at its June 25th meeting they had been invited to attend a a benefit concert to support the Heather Winterstein Foundation and Elected Chief Sherri Lyn Hill asked councillors if they want to attend. This concert, dedicated to supporting the Heather Winterstein Foundation is on July 8, at the Meridian Center in St. Catharines. Hill said the concert is sold out, but there may be tickets still available for those communities who were invited. While no councillors volunteered to go, Councillor Helen Miller suggested SNEC look into inviting the lead performer, Jelly Roll, to come to Six Nations to host a benefit concert...
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Six Nations Firefighters Association donates to Ganohkwasra
The Six Nations Firefighters’ Association is stepping out from behind the Mother’s Day fundraising dinner to donate to Ganohkwasra. The Six Nations Firefighters’ Association donated $1,200 raised through the dinner organized and cooked by the firefighters. Six Nations’ Ganohkwasra provides shelter, counselling, and support for women, men, youth, children, seeking safety from violence. The association released a statement honouring Ganohkwasra. “Their dedication and support mean a great deal to us and will significantly help in providing essential services to families.” The donation was made Friday by left to right Captain Martin MacNaughton, Sandi Montour of Ganohkwasra, Brody Thomas, Braiden Shaw and Derek Foam. (Supplied Photo)...
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Six Nations Fire services signs onto Mutual Aid agreement
The Six Nations Fire Services can now coordinate large scale mutual aid responses within the region. Six Nations Elected Council passed a motion to renew Six Nations Fire Services Mutual Aid agreement with Brantford, County of Brant, Haldimand-Norfolk County and Hamilton at its General Council meeting on June 25. Acting Fire Chief Michael Seth told SNEC the agreement is only used when Six Nations or another close fire service requires assistance to handle an emergency. Previously under the Ontario Mutual Aid agreement non-municipal participants were not able to coordinate mutual aid situations, a category which Six Nations falls under. The province has since updated its legislation which allows non-municipal participants to coordinate the program. “Now the province is allowing coordinators regionally, in the past that wasn’t a possibility,” he said....
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Six Nations Elected Council wants community name off federal electoral district name
Six Nations will not support having its name added to the federal electoral district. Six Nations Elected Council unanimously opposed having the federal electoral district name changed to Brantford-Brant South-Six Nations at its General Council meeting on June 25 due to concerns of what the change could mean in the future. Councillor Melba Thomas was concerned the name change may impact the future of Six Nations land claims. “We can still vote. Why would we want our names connected to Brantford in that respect? I don’t understand. There may be repercussions in future with our land claims,” she said. Christopher Mahon, Six Nations political advisor told SNEC every 10 years the federal government reevaluates its electoral districts across Canada to make sure they are representative of current populations. “The process...
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Chiefswood Park…SNEC just dug up the site….why?
Oops! It looks like, once again, Elected Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill’s “council.l” for want of a better word…goofed. By that we mean a member of her council, with or without her knowledge, made the decision to clear the lands on a National Historic Site here at Six Nations… Chiefswood, the home of poetess Pauline Johnson, without consulting the community or for that matter other council members. Why, or how that could happen without anyone’s knowledge is just as astounding as any member of council thinking they could act without permission from the entire council. Now we know there was no approval for the work that went through any open council session. No council motion approved and no information sent out to the community about why the grounds were disturbed. Grounds, by...
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Six Nations own Brandon Montour $50 million man is moving on!
By Sam Laskaris Writer Six Nations’ hockey hero is on the move. Exactly one week after winning the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers, local hockey product Brandon Montour inked a contract with the Seattle Kraken. Montour, a 30-year-old defenceman, signed a seven-year deal with the Kraken worth $50 million (U.S.). Montour was an unrestricted free agent and was thus eligible to sign with any National Hockey League squad of his choosing. Seattle general manager Ron Francis was rather pleased the Kraken was able to land Montour, who was one of the most appealing free agents available this off-season. “Brandon is a proven winner,” Francis said. “We are thrilled to have him joining our organization. We’re looking forward to him making his Kraken debut in front of the best fans...
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Indigenous players drafted by NHL squads
By Sam Laskaris Writer An Indigenous player has won the Stanley Cup in each of the past two years. And there’s a chance that trend might continue in the coming season. That’s because four Indigenous players were selected in the 2024 National Hockey League’s Entry Draft, held this past Friday and Saturday in Las Vegas. Vegas Golden Knights’ defenceman Zach Whitecloud hoisted the Stanley Cup last year. And Six Nations member Brandon Montour and his Florida Panthers’ teammates captured the Cup this year. As for this year’s draft, Cayden Lindstrom, a member of Driftpile Cree Nation in Alberta, was selected in the first round, fourth over-all, by the Columbus Blue Jackets. Lindstrom spent the past two seasons with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League (WHL). The second...
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Former NAIG president to be inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame
One of the pioneers of the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) is part of the 2024 class for Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. Alex Nelson, a member of Musgamaqw-Dzawada’enuxw First Nation in British Columbia, will enter the hall via the Builder category. Induction ceremonies will be held on Oct. 23 in Gatineau, Que.Nelson, who is now 77 and lives in Victoria, was the first chairperson for the NAIG, which were first held in 1990 in Edmonton. He served three terms as the NAIG president. And he was also the executive director of the 1997 Games, which were staged in Victoria, where he has lived for the past 50 years. Nelson also served as the Team BC chef de mission at the NAIG twice. “I thank the Creator for this nomination,”...
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Six Nations members included in list of Indigenous coaching grant recipients
By Sam Laskaris Writer More than 50 individuals, including a half dozen who were bench bosses for Six Nations teams, are among the latest recipients of the Indigenous Hockey Coaching Grant. Hydro One and the Coaches Association of Ontario (CAO) have once again joined forces to provide the funding for the grants. This marked the second year of the funding program. A total of 51 recipients from across the province were recently announced as 2024 grant recipients. They received up to a maximum of $1,500 each in funding this year to help cover their expenses for things including equipment, travel and training. This year’s grant recipients are from 34 different Indigenous communities throughout the province. The grants help to promote inclusivity in sports. And they also help to break diversity...
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Final board meeting for rural Manitoba school division results in more chaos, dysfunction
By Dave Baxter Local Journalism Initiative reporter The final board meeting of the school year saw a continuation of the chaos and dysfunction that has embroiled one rural Manitoba school division since a trustee presentation earlier this year set off alarm bells, and prompted the province to step in with a full governance review. During the Dauphin-based Mountain View School Division (MVSD) board meeting last Monday, a resolution was brought forward by trustee John Taylor, and seconded by trustee Paul Coffey to make changes to the agenda that would allow deputy education minister Brian O’Leary to address the board at the meeting and take questions from trustees, regarding an ongoing provincial review of the board. But it took almost 15 minutes to get the four votes needed from the division’s...
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Tapping into a legacy
By Darrell Greer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Kivalliq Inuit Association (KIA) is taking its show on the road to take the next step in loosening the purse strings to the regional Inuit association’s $116-million Legacy Fund. The Legacy Fund is an account that was set up from revenue the KIA receives from resource extractions that would go towards programming throughout the Kivalliq region. The fund receives royalties from Agnico Eagle Mines (AEM), as well as monetary boosts from Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., Ukkusiksalik National Park near Naujaat, any dividends Sakku Investments may have and a certain fund amount from any penalties AEM may incur from not meeting its Inuit employment targets. KIA chief operating officer Gabe Karlik said the bylaw governing the fund has to be adjusted and, in order...
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