High density housing proposed in Ucluelet, using first-of-its-kind methods
By Nora O’Malley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Ha-Shilth-Sa Ucluelet, BC – Cradled in Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ – Ucluelet First Nation (UFN) traditional territory on Vancouver Island, Olsen Bay, or C’iiłukᵂis meaning “soft beach”, is the site of a 24.8-acre high-density residential development proposed by Australian businessman Josh Hunt, CEO of ERIF Sustainable Solutions. Traditionally described as the “shallow soft bottomed bay reaching close to the road”, the site at 221 Minato Road in Ucluelet was partially cleared about five years ago by its former owners for a seasonal RV and campground. At full buildout, ERIF’s housing proposal labelled ‘Serenity Landing’ would encompass one quarter of the small town’s current population of 2,066. To achieve this density, ERIF has asked permission to “clear most of the remaining trees on the site (excluding dedicated...
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Gun suspect arrested in Regina after four found dead on Saskatchewan First Nation
-CP-REGINA,SASK-Police have arrested a man accused of pointing a gun at people on a First Nation in southern Saskatchewan a few hours after four people were found dead in a home on another reserve. RCMP say Keagan Panipekeesick was arrested early this morning in Regina. Officers were searching for the 29-year-old after they received reports Tuesday about a man pointing a gun at people on Zagime Anishinabek, formerly known as the Sakimay First Nation. Earlier in the day, police found the bodies of the four people in a home on the Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation, about 95 kilometres away. RCMP had said the deaths were suspicious but provided few other details. They said it wasn’t known if the gun pointing at Zagime was connected to the deaths at Carry...
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Poilievre would impose life sentences for trafficking more than 40 mg of fentanyl
By David Baxter and Sarah Ritchie -CP-A Conservative government would bring in mandatory life sentences for those convicted of trafficking, producing or exporting more than 40 mg of fentanyl, Pierre Poilievre said Wednesday. “Let’s call fentanyl trafficking what it is: mass murder,” the Conservative leader told a news conference in Vancouver. He compared selling the drug to “spraying bullets into a crowd.” The Conservatives also want traffickers caught with between 20 mg and 40 mg of the drug to be sentenced to a mandatory 15 years in prison. To do that, Poilievre said he would repeal changes made to the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act in 2022 that ended some mandatory minimum sentences and allowed for conditional sentences or diversion programs for simple possession convictions. The...
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Calling Lake study recommends local RCMP detachment
By Pearl Lorentzen Local Journalism Initiative Reporter A Calling Lake RCMP study found that the community wants a full-time detachment, but researchers believe it will be an uphill battle in the current Alberta political environment. “Residents were overwhelmingly in favour of establishing an RCMP detachment in Calling Lake,” said an Alberta Indigenous and Municipal Police Transition Study Grant completed on behalf of the M.D. of Opportunity. “Most folks are really set on an RCMP detachment,” Ailene Burke, from Alberta Council, told the M.D. of Opportunity council on January 22 in Calling Lake. Council passed a motion to accept the report and forward it to the Government of Alberta. “Should we not have a letter with our position?” asked Councillor Cheri Courtorielle (Calling Lake). The M.D. wants to pursue an RCMP...
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‘Turned my stomach’: Sign targets Indigenous Peoples in Glenwood, NL, ignites outrage
By Anasophie Vallee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter A sign in Glenwood, NL, that targets Indigenous people is drawing outrage. The sign declares, “Attention: This is not Qalipu land or MicMac land. This land belongs to the public the people to use and enjoy public land.” Randi Whelan said they felt physically nauseous after seeing the sign. Whelan is settler-Mi’kmaq — their father is Irish, and their mother is French Mi’kmaq. They are a direct descendant of Benoit First Nation. Seeing the image reminded them immediately of the signs posted when the Indian Act was passed. They added that the initial shock expressed by residents on social media surrounding the sign was also angering. “To be shocked by it is to deny the fact that it still exists and that this...
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Invictus Games 2025 medals designed by Indigenous artists unveiled in Vancouver
Organizers of the 2025 Invictus Games, kicking off in Vancouver, unveiled the medals that will be awarded to athletes over the nine days of competition. The charity says in a news release that the 462 medals were designed by four First Nations artists and will be presented at 167 ceremonies throughout the event. The Opening Ceremony of the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, presented by ATCO and Boeing, the Games medals celebrate achievement, resilience, determination and the unconquered Invictus Spirit through the healing power of sport. The medals, supported by Teck, will be awarded throughout the nine days of life-changing sport events to wounded, injured and sick service members and Veterans from 23 Nations. The medals The medals draw upon the unique elements of the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025’s...
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Councillor raises alarm over impacts of Trumps border issues
Six Nations councillors are voicing concerns over the impact heightened U.S. border security and Donald Trump’s changing policies could have on Indigenous people. Councillor Helen Miller raised the alarm suggesting Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) host an in-depth information session about the Jay Treaty Border Alliance and discuss the future of cross-border relations for First Nations. Miller told SNEC at its Jan. 28 General Council meet she wasn’t certain new councillors were aware of the Jay Treaty and border issues. “I think it’s time we do that just to fill everybody in,” she said. “I know some councillors are not that familiar with it. I think everybody needs to know.” She suggested inviting former Elected Chief Ava Hill, who has been involved in the treaty alliance for several years, to...
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Parents want funding for daycare centre
A group of Six Nations parents want a local for-profit daycare to receive public funding to continue its services. Bailey Anderson and three other parents who send their children to Little Treasures Daycare on Fourth Line, told Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) at its Jan. 28th general council meeting the daycare is entitled to funding through the Canada-wide Early Learning and Childcare Agreement (CWELCA). “This agreement concludes that depriving Indigenous for-profit childcare providers of the opportunity to participate in the Canada-wide Early Learning and Childcare Agreement not only undermines the goals of equity and accessibility, but also perpetuates existing challenges faced by Indigenous families,” Anderson said. Elected Chief Sherri Lyn Hill said the presentation was brought to council because the parents didn’t want to speak to administrative staff. She also...
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Six Nations Elected Council approves Jordan’s Principle funding
Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) approved a funding amendment from Indigenous Services Canada for Jordan’s Principle. SNEC approved three additional funding amendments for the 2024-2025 fiscal year from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) for SNEC’s Jordan’s Principle Department at the General Finance meeting on February 3 for more than $10 million. ISC provides SNEC with annual funding for Six Nations based on a formula that uses nominal roll (number of people enrolled in school on reserve) and adjusts the population by about 60 per cent. SNEC agreed to a five-year comprehensive funding agreement with and funding this funding amendment for Jordan’s Principle Service Coordination for $10,818,400. SIX NATIONS HOUSING Six Nations Housing HAS tapped into funding to renovate homes in critical need. Dale Sault, property manager with Six Nations Housing brought...
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Structure integrity hindering fire investigation
By Joshua Santos, Writer Investigators face a significant challenge as they examine what sparked a mammoth fire at a popular First Nations restaurant recently. Professionals with the Office of the Fire Marshal say they can’t enter the Burger Barn on Fourth Line after a fire ravaged the building compromising the roof. “It was determined that the fire caused significant structural damage to the building,” said Sean Driscoll, spokesperson for the Office of the Fire Marshal to Turtle Island News. “For the safety’s sake of the investigators, no one will be entering the building while we wait for heavy equipment to arrive to provide the structural integrity necessary to safely enter the building in order to continue with the fire investigation.” The building, reminiscent of a large red farm barn, appeared...
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Residency eviction notice creating controversy
By Lynda Powless Editor A storm of controversy has erupted over the legitimacy of a letter claiming to be evicting a man from the Six Nations of Grand River territory. The letter, being circulated, is signed by Elected Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill, but is not on Six Nations Elected Council letter head raising questions of its legitimacy. At the same time a similar letter, sent to Six Nations Police, does appear on Six Nations letter head. The letter itself is addressed to John Michael Blackburn claiming the man does not appear on Six Nations band membership lists yet is residing at Six Nations. The letter came as a result of a complaint from a Six Nations community member. However, the online controversy also includes support comments from neighbours saying the man...
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Iroquois Caucus: Access to clean water top of list
By Joshua Santos, Writer Clean water and housing shortages topped the list of needs for elected leaders from across Ontario and Quebec at a recent meeting of the Iroquois Caucus. Six Nations of the Grand River joined five Haudenosaunee communities at a meeting of the Iroquois Caucus in the Mohawk Territory of Akwesasne from Jan. 15 to 17. The gathering focused on expanding the caucus’ mandate and strengthening its advocacy efforts. “A key focus is Canada’s failure to recognize water as a human right, which continues to impact the health and infrastructure of our communities,” said Akwesasne Grand Chief Leonard Lazore. The Iroquois Caucus represents the Haudenosaunee communities of Kahnawa:ke, Kanehsata:ke, Akwesasne, Tyendinaga, Six Nations of the Grand River, and Oneida Nation of the Thames. The caucus was created to...
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Brant Local health unit warns of measles exposure in area
By Joshua Santos, Writer Health officials are warning of a growing measles outbreak near Six Nations with 12 confirmed cases and concerns about further spread. Measles is highly contagious,” Shawn Falcao, communications supervisor for Grand Erie Public Health told Turtle Island News. “Symptoms can include red rash, fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and fatigue. Measles spreads easily through the air. It is passed in droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or breathes. It can survive in the air for up to two hours. Grand Erie Public Health is investigating a second confirmed case of measles. The recent case involves a child from Haldimand-Norfolk who is currently recovering from home, according to a Six Nations of the Grand River news release on Jan. 29. Six Nations urges the community...
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When culture clashes hit
The newbies at Six Nations band administration and the new council members themselves may still be finding their way to what their job actually is but while they search it’s treading on the community’s right to know what decisions are being made by Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) on their behalf Add to it the emergence of a large new employee workforce throughout the newly launched administration and you have it all taking its toll. At one point Six Nations Elected council members pushed for Six Nations people to be hired. Now over 200 of the over 900-member workforce are not from Six Nations. And let’s face it, if they are not First Nation people, the clash of culture is rearing its ugly head. Culture clashes can create toxic workplaces....
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Weekly Cartoon
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Today in History
Feb 2 In 2016, NDP candidate Melanie Mark became the first indigenous woman elected to the British Columbia legislature after winning a byelection in the party stronghold of Vancouver-Mount Pleasant In 2022, eighteen months after it dropped a name that was offensive to Indigenous Americans, Washington’s NFL team announced it would now be called the Commanders. Feb 3 In 2021, Louise Bernice Halfe, who has won accolades for weaving Cree language and teachings into her works, was named Canada’s new parliamentary poet laureate. Halfe, who is also known by the Cree name Sky Dancer, is the ninth poet named to the post and the first to come from an Indigenous community. In 2020, four B.C. First Nations lost their court challenge of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion. The Federal Court...
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Xavier Kataquapil: UNDER THE NORTHERN SKY: Eighty Nine Seconds And Counting
By Xavier Kataquapit My father Marius Kataquapit, a hunter, trapper and traditional person from the remote Attawapiskat First Nation could understand the English language but seldom spoke it yet every night he tuned into the late night CBC news and he encouraged me to also. He was curious about everything and he believed it was important to have an awareness of what was going on in the world even though the news was often filled with war and tragic events. He made me aware that other outside forces had control of our lives. Recently, I tuned into the internet broadcast for the Doomsday Clock which is maintained and provided by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Their recent announcement on January 28 on their YouTube channel was to move the...
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Diabo sends letters to Trump, Trudeau
By Marc Lalonde, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase Mohawk Council of Kahnawake Grand Chief Cody Diabo sent official letters to both United States President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this week asserting Kahnawake’s independence from both countries. “It was an idea I got when Trump was elected last November,” Diabo said, and a lack of a good relationship with Canada’s federal government prompted the letter to Trudeau. “We have no interest in aligning ourselves with a government that has committed genocide upon us throughout history.” He called the community’s relationship with the federal government “non-existent.” Diabo added that the letter to Trudeau was sent in response to his call for First Nations communities to support the Canadian government’s efforts to lobby against Trump’s economic threats. “We are...
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Tavares-coached Bandits sitting atop National Lacrosse League standings
By Sam Laskaris Writer A key member of the Six Nations Chiefs’ organization is also enjoying plenty of success in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) this season. John Tavares, the head coach of the two-time defending national Mann Cup champion Chiefs, is also the head coach of the NLL’s Buffalo Bandits. The Bandits are also two-time defending league champs. And early indications are they just might have what it takes to win a third consecutive title this spring. While some squads have reached the midway point of their NLL regular season schedule, the Bandits remain the only undefeated squad in the 14-team league. Buffalo improved its record to a perfect 6-0 on Saturday when it downed the visiting Albany FireWolves 16-10. The Bandits do have two of the top offensive...
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SPORTS BRIEFS: Montour leads Kraken …Stealth gearing up
By Sam Laskaris Writer Montour leads Kraken defenceman in scoring An off-season free agent signing is paying dividends for the National Hockey League’s Seattle Kraken. Fresh off his Stanley Cup championship with the Florida Panthers this past June, the Kraken inked Six Nations member to a lucrative seven-year deal this past July. He left the Panthers to ink a contract worth $50 million (U.S.) with the Seattle franchise. At the time there were some rumblings that Montour was perhaps keen to stay relatively close to his First Nation. Rumours had him potentially signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs before the deal with the Kraken was confirmed. Montour, a 30-year-old defenceman, has provided plenty of leadership on the Seattle blueline this season. And he’s also club’s top scoring blueliner. Montour has...
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