Man dead, police officer injured in shooting on Saskatchewan FirstNation
The Canadian Press 09/09/2024 04:15 A man is dead and a police officer is in hospital after a shooting in central Saskatchewan Sunday morning. Shellbrook RCMP say officers were called out to a reported assault at Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation, located about 65 kilometres northwest of Prince Albert. Mounties say when they arrived and approached a residence, they had a confrontation with an adult male, which led officers to seek cover and the man fled inside the home with children in it. The scene was secured, and during the police response, police say a firearm was discharged and the adult male was injured. Officers initiated life-saving efforts until paramedics arrived, but the resident of the First Nation was later pronounced dead at the scene. A police officer was treated for non-life-threatening...
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Justin Trudeau may be in for an earful as he meets with caucus in B.C.
The Canadian Press 09/09/2024 04:00 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau may be bracing for an earful from his caucus when Liberal MPs gather in Nanaimo, B.C. today to plot their strategy for the coming election year. It will be the first time he faces them as a group since MPs departed Ottawa in the spring. Still stinging from a devastating byelection loss earlier this summer, the caucus is now also reeling from news that their national campaign director has resigned and the party can no longer count on the NDP to stave off an early election. “They should be giving the prime minister a rough ride,” said strategist Ginny Roth, who served as director of communications for Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s leadership campaign. She’s skeptical they will, though. “This is a...
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A remote tribe is reeling from widespread illness and cancer. What role did the US government play?
The Associated Press 09/09/2024 03:46 OWYHEE, Nev. (AP) — The family placed flowers by a pair of weathered cowboy boots, as people quietly gathered for the memorial of the soft-spoken tribal chairman who mentored teens in the boxing ring and teased his grandkids on tractor rides. Left unsaid, and what troubled Marvin Cota’s family deep down, was that his story ended like so many others on the remote Duck Valley Indian Reservation. He was healthy for decades. They found the cancer too late. In the area, toxins are embedded in the soil and petroleum is in the groundwater — but no one can say for sure what has caused such widespread illness. Until recently, a now-razed U.S. maintenance building where fuel and herbicides were stored — and where Cota worked...
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Human remains believed to be hundreds of years old found on shores of Minnesota lake
The Associated Press 05/09/2024 People gathering wild rice from Minnesota’s third-largest lake have stumbled across human skeletal remains that are believed to be several hundred years old. Authorities suspect erosion caused the remains of at least three people to surface on the shores of Leech Lake, where they were discovered Saturday. Covering more than 100,000 acres (40,470 hectares), the lake is located mainly within the Leech Lake Indian Reservation in the north-central part of the state. Several tribes have called the area home, most recently the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, and remains periodically are found in the area, said the tribe’s police chief, Ken Washington. “They’ll just arise like that just through natural erosion of the water coming up on shorelines,” he said. Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk said...
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Telecom sector poised to shed assets amid slower growth and more competition
The Canadian Press 08/09/2024 06:00 When Bell Canada announced in June it was selling Northwestel Inc. to a consortium of northern Indigenous communities, the telecom giant hailed the $1-billion deal as a milestone in advancing Indigenous self-determination. Bell said Northwestel, which provides phone, internet and television services in Canada’s north, would benefit from commitments by its new owner, known as Sixty North Unity, to double fibre internet speeds and expand high-speed availability. But the deal also signalled a shift for Bell’s owner, BCE Inc., which appeared focused on “unlocking value from its business and monetizing standalone assets,” said CIBC analyst Stephanie Price in a recent research note. That is to say, it was time to sell off parts of the company it no longer made sense to keep. As Canada’s...
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Premier says Manitoba grand chief to lie in state at provincial legislature
The Canadian Press 07/09/2024 16:57 Grand Chief Cathy Merrick of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs will lie in state at the provincial legislature following her sudden death. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew made the announcement during a news conference Saturday morning where the province’s Indigenous leaders paid tribute to the late leader. Merrick was outside the Winnipeg Law Courts building on Friday talking to reporters about two court cases when she said she felt dizzy and fell to the ground. Fire and paramedic crews arrived, performed chest compressions and carried Merrick away on a stretcher to an ambulance, but she did not survive. Kinew says the decision to have Merrick lie in state at the legislature was made in consultation with her family as well as the leadership of Pimicikamak Cree...
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Feds giving $100k to NOTL Museum for enhanced history education
By Richard Wright Local Journalism Initiative Reporter As the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum treads along the path of its $10-million expansion plans, the federal government has pledged $100,000 to aid in its growth. Niagara MPs Vance Badeway and Chris Bittle, for Niagara Centre and St. Catharines, respectivley, made the announcement Sept. 3 on the front yard of the historical repository, with museum staff and board members, municipal officers and members of the public in attendance. This is part of the federal government’s plan to allot $1.3 million total to regional organizations through its Tourism Growth Program. The money will be used to create the new exhibits, says curator Sarah Kaufman, with an added goal of enhancing Indigenous and Black history education in the region so, “we can better tell these under-told stories...
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Chiefs tie Mann Cup series with Saturday victory against visiting Shamrocks
Six Nations Chiefs and their fans celebrate a goal during the team’s 10-4 victory at Game 2 of the Mann Cup series By Sam Laskaris Writer The Six Nations Chiefs were looking for a rebound game on Saturday having lost the Mann Cup series opener one night earlier. And the Chiefs certainly delivered, registering a convincing 10-4 triumph over the visiting Victoria Shamrocks in a match staged at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena (ILA). Six Nations’ goaltender Warren Hill was spectacular between the pipes for his side and was rightfully selected as the team’s player of the game. With the win the national Senior A men’s lacrosse best-of-seven championship series is now deadlocked at 1-1. Victoria had eked out a 9-8 victory on Friday. Game 3 is set for Monday at...
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Chiefs tie Mann Cup series with Saturday victory against visiting Shamrocks
By Sam Laskaris Writer The Six Nations Chiefs were looking for a rebound game on Saturday having lost the Mann Cup series opener one night earlier. And the Chiefs certainly delivered, registering a convincing 10-4 triumph over the visiting Victoria Shamrocks in a match staged at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena (ILA). Six Nations’ goaltender Warren Hill was spectacular between the pipes for his side and was rightfully selected as the team’s player of the game. With the win the national Senior A men’s lacrosse best-of-seven championship series is now deadlocked at 1-1. Victoria had eked out a 9-8 victory on Friday. Game 3 is set for Monday at the ILA, beginning at 8 p.m. Chiefs’ assistant captain Randy Staats said his club’s performance on Saturday was decidedly different than the...
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Statement from Ministers Vandal, Anandasangaree, and Hajdu on the passing of Grand Chief Cathy Merrick
OTTAWA, ON, Sept. 6, 2024 – Today, Ministers Vandal, Anandasangaree, and Hajdu issued the following statement: “We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Cathy Merrick Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC). Grand Chief Merrick was a trailblazing leader, as the first female Chief of the AMC, and a cherished member of the Pimicikamak Cree Nation. On behalf of the Government of Canada, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, community of Grand Chief Merrick, and all Manitobans. Grand Chief Merrick dedicated her life to advancing the rights and well-being of First Nations, working tirelessly to preserve the cultural heritage, language, and traditions, and to ensure the justice, safety and security of Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people. The Grand Chief was a strong...
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Manitoba Grand Chief Cathy Merrick dies after collapsing outside courthouse
The Canadian Press 06/09/2024 21:10 Tributes poured in Friday for Grand Chief Cathy Merrick of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, who died after collapsing outside the Winnipeg Law Courts building. Merrick, the first woman elected to the role, was talking to reporters about two court cases when she said she felt dizzy and fell to the ground. Fire and paramedic crews arrived, performed chest compressions and carried Merrick away on a stretcher to an ambulance, which sped off with its siren on. The assembly posted a statement to its website late Friday afternoon, calling Merrick “a trailblazing leader,” as well as someone whose “courage, vision and leadership will forever inspire us.” “She approached her work with joy, compassion, thoughtfulness and a spirituality that was grounded in the belief that we...
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Chiefs edged by Shamrocks in opening contest of national Mann Cup championship series
By Sam Laskaris Writer Six Nations Chiefs’ head coach John Tavares summed up the contest rather nicely. “They showed up,” he said. “They had a great game. They brought a lot of energy. They capitalized on all of their opportunities.” The problem is, however, that Tavares was talking about the visiting Victoria Shamrocks and not his own squad. The Shamrocks edged the Six Nations club 9-8 on Friday night in the opening game of the best-of-seven Mann Cup series being held at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena. The two teams are right back at it on Saturday. The opening faceoff for Game 2 is scheduled for 7 p.m. The Chiefs, the defending Mann Cup champions, found themselves in a hole early on in Friday’s outing. Victoria built a 3-1 lead midway...
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Ahousaht deals with toll of recent deaths, as safety concerns persist
By Nora O’Malley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter and Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa Ahousaht, BC – Ahousaht is drawing on support for its members in the wake of a tragic Labour Day weekend that left two unexpected deaths in the First Nation’s village – and an arrest resulting from a police investigation. The First Nation has since declared a state of emergency for its village of Maaqtusiis on Flores Island, located northwest of Tofino, with a 9 p.m. curfew and “24-hour cultural support and counselling services,” according to a message from Ahousaht Chief Councillor n̓aasʔałuk (John Rampanen). The deaths are unrelated. One was a “medical” incident, said the elected chief, while the other attracted a heavy police presence in the community. On Aug. 31 RCMP were called to a residence on Robinson...
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Emergency alert: RCMP in northeastern New Brunswick arrest ‘armed and dangerous’ man
The Canadian Press 06/09/2024 14:58 The RCMP in northeastern New Brunswick say a suspect wanted for a fatal shooting was arrested Friday, a day after the Mounties issued an emergency alert saying residents should lock their doors because the man was armed and had “dangerous intent.” A social media post from the Mounties on Friday afternoon did not provide details about where the suspect man was arrested. But earlier in the day, residents in and around the Esgenoopetitj First Nation — also known as Burnt Church — were told they could resume regular activities because investigators had determined the crime was an isolated incident. The suspect was identified as 47-year-old Keith Martin. At the time, police said he was last seen on Diggle Point Road, which is at the southern...
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Controversy plagues Mann Cup opening tonight as Shamrocks pick-up players ruled ineligible
By Cleve Dheensaw Times Colonist writer Just when you think lacrosse has turned a corner — a flashy pro box league that plays in NHL rinks and the inclusion of field-sixes in the 2028 Olympics — the old lacrosse of amateur disorganization again rears its head. The Mann Cup, the annual showcase for Senior A supremacy in Canada between the champions of the Western Lacrosse Association and Ontario-based Major Series Lacrosse, should be a highlight of the year. But it has become roiled in controversy before the start of Game 1 tonight between the WLA champion Victoria Shamrocks and MSL champion Six Nations Chiefs at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena on the Six Nations of the Grand River Reserve in Hagersville, Ont., where all games in the best-of-seven series will be...
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Police video reveals new details in shooting death of 15-year-old Alberta boy
By Canadian Press Video from police cruisers has revealed new details about a shooting by officers that resulted in the death of a 15-year-old boy south of Edmonton. “The officer’s in-car video system captured both audio and video of the interaction,” said the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team, which released a description of the video Thursday. The boy died early Friday in Wetaskiwin, Alta., after first calling police for help, saying he was being threatened. The police watchdog said a single officer located the boy, since identified as Hoss Lightning of Samson Cree Nation. “The youth and the officer spoke about the situation and the youth handed over a machete and knife,” the watchdog said in a release. It said the officer decided the teen was at risk and tried...
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‘Back to school’ means big changes for teens from the North
By Mike Stimpson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter 05/09/2024 17:04 WUNNUMIN LAKE – Wednesday was back-to-school day for the young learners at John George Martin Memorial School, where about 150 children and youth are enrolled in kindergarten to Grade 10. “I was surprised,” said Tommy Sainnawap, the school’s education director. “Every classroom was packed. They were all looking forward to going back to school.” This year’s student rolls include more than 30 in the ninth and 10th grades, he said. After Grade 10, those students will have to leave the Oji-Cree community if they want to get high school diplomas. Grade 10 is the end of the line in on the Wunnumin Lake First Nation reserve, so students finish secondary schooling in Sioux Lookout, Thunder Bay or another urban setting. It’s...
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Blue River, Simpcw First Nation to have 12-hour power outage in October
By Abigail Popple Local Journalism Initiative Reporter BC Hydro customers in the North Thompson region – which stretches from Heffley to Valemount – will be subjected to a power outage on October 6th from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., according to Hydro Community Relations representative Susan Edgell. While Valemount will be unaffected, as it can be powered by an independent power producer, other communities along the North Thompson transmission line such as Blue River and Simpcw First Nation will have to endure the 12-hour outage. About 14,000 customers rely on this transmission line, and these customers will be contacted by Hydro to inform them of the outage, Edgell said. According to Edgell, the outage is necessary for critical work to be done on Hydro infrastructure. This includes repairing or replacing...
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Mohawk professor receives prestigious accolade from Royal Society of Canada
By Sam Laskaris Local Journalism Initiative Reporter An Indigenous professor at Thompson Rivers University has been recognized for his lengthy scholarship achievements. It was announced on Sept. 3 that Dr. Rod McCormick is one of 104 new Fellows who will be honoured this year by the Royal Society of Canada (RSC). RSC Fellows are recognized by their peers for their outstanding scholarly, scientific and artistic achievements. Being recognized as an RSC Fellow is the highest honour one can achieve in the Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences and Science. McCormick is a member of Kahnawake Mohawk Territory in Quebec. The RSC had its first meeting in 1882. McCormick, however, has made a bit of history for Thompson Rivers University, which is located in Kamloops, B.C. “This is the first fellow at...
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Watchdog calls for B.C. to boost oversight of old-growth forest on Quadra Island
The Canadian Press British Columbia’s independent forest-practices watchdog says there’s a risk that a coastal island won’t have enough old-growth trees in the future due to inadequate monitoring of harvesting. The Forest Practices Board says it began looking into old-growth forests on Quadra Island about 250 kilometres northwest of Vancouver after receiving a complaint from an environmental group. The board says it looked into the situation and found licensees “did not comply with some aspect of forestry legislation” and more government oversight is needed “to identify and conserve old forests.” Board chair Keith Atkinson says in a release that the review found “no one is responsible for monitoring or ensuring that Quadra Island’s old forests are conserved, or that enough mature forests are protected from logging.” The review concludes that...
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