Sentencing delayed for woman who stabbed Prince George shelter worker
By Bob Mackin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Prince George Citizen A Provincial Court judge postponed sentencing of a woman after she pleaded guilty July 29 to assault with a weapon and breaching a probation order by having a knife. Shenoa Rose Thomas, 22, was arrested after stabbing a man at the front desk of the Mark’s Place Shelter before 5 p.m. on New Year’s Day. Thomas, who was also charged with assault causing bodily harm, remains in custody. Court heard that Thomas had been asked by the man working at the front desk, a refugee from Nigeria, to leave because she had broken the rules by smoking in her room. Thomas left, but returned a few hours later with a knife that she concealed. She proceeded to stab the man...
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Ontario First Nation asks for halt to Ring of Fire mining development
By Allison Jones An Ontario First Nation that has worked toward road access to the mineral-rich Ring of Fire on its traditional territory is now asking the courts to prevent the provincial and federal governments from mineral development in the region. Marten Falls First Nation, located about 400 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, has filed a statement of claim asking for interim and permanent injunctions preventing Ontario and Canada from funding or participating in mining-related activities in the Ring of Fire. The claim centres on a series of massive projects between the 1930s and 1950s that the First Nation says diverted river systems on their territory using dams and artificial channels to benefit residents and industry in the southern part of the province and harmed their way of life. The...
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Hiring continues for Waasigan Transmission line project
By Carl Clutchey, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Chronicle-Journal Job opportunities continue to pop up at the ongoing Waasigan Transmission line construction project. The project’s contractor, Edmonton-based Valard, is currently recruiting a material yard groundsperson. The deadline for applications is Aug. 15, a project bulletin says. The required work is to start in Rosslyn and “transition” to Sapawey. Applicants must have a G2 driver’s licence. The Waasigan project is a partnership between Hydro One and nine area Indigenous communities, including Fort William First Nation (FWFN). An earlier FWFN bulletin said that during parts of July “there will be a push to increase the number of workers on site through a bulk hiring event.” More than 300 people have so far been hired to build the Waasigan power line between Shuniah...
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Carney calls on Métis groups to help change Canada’s ‘economic trajectory’
By Alessia Passafiume Prime Minister Mark Carney called on Métis leaders Thursday to help transform the economy in response to an increasingly unsteady trade relationship with the United States under President Donald Trump. “We have the opportunity to work together on transformative projects that can help change the economic trajectory of our country to the benefit of all,” Carney said to Métis leaders from Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan and the N.W.T. who gathered in Ottawa for the meeting. “As we build a new Canada, we’re going to build it in partnership with Indigenous Peoples, and that’s why we’re here today.” The meeting was called to discuss the Carney government’s major projects legislation, which allows cabinet to quickly grant federal approvals for big industrial projects it deems to be in the national...
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Special court hearing in Winnipeg set for family of serial killer victim
By Brittany Hobson Family of a First Nations woman who died at the hands of a Winnipeg serial killer will have the chance to give victim impact statements in court a year after his conviction. Manitoba Court of King’s Bench says it has agreed to a special hearing on Aug. 15, so victim and community impact statements can be submitted about Ashlee Shingoose. Shingoose was one of four First Nations women killed by Jeremy Skibicki in 2022. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison but, at the time of his trial, Shingoose had yet to be identified and was referred to in court only as Buffalo Woman. Police announced earlier this year that new information after the trial led them to identify the unknown victim...
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NB Power seeks to fast-track controversial multimillion-dollar gas plant
By John Chilibeck, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Daily Gleaner NB Power has asked New Brunswick’s regulator to waive a key requirement before building a controversial new multimillion-dollar gas-diesel plant. The leader of the small opposition Green party, which is against any new fossil fuel plants, is slamming the move, arguing that the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board should not give up its important oversight role. Normally, any of the public utility’s capital projects that cost $50 million or more are subject to a rigorous review by the independent board. It is responsible for making sure ratepayers are getting good value from NB Power, which has a virtual monopoly on selling electricity in the province. NB Power wants to build the gas plant quickly because of rapidly increasing demand...
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Why National Defence’s Indigenous procurement goal remains out of reach
By Sonal Gupta, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer The Department of National Defence is far behind its Indigenous procurement target — a result industry insiders say has little to do with a lack of Indigenous suppliers and more with systemic barriers ingrained within the procurement system itself. The department manages billions of dollars in contracts, but reported Indigenous procurement at just 2.5 per cent for the 2023-24 fiscal year, falling far short of the government’s five per cent target due to complex certification requirements, lengthy security clearances and demanding bid processes, Indigenous leaders and procurement experts said. “Indigenous businesses are ready, willing, and able to supply defence projects — which are often located on or near their territories,” said Shannin Metatawabin, CEO of National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association...
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MCK signs trade deal with the Tsuut’ina Nation
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase In the presence of an international delegation, the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) signed an historic free trade agreement with the Tsuut’ina Nation in Alberta. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlined a five-year bilateral pact that reinforces the inherent rights of both nations to trade freely with one another regardless of any trade restrictions imposed by Canada or the U.S. MCK Grand Chief Cody Diabo says the agreement represents an important first step in reviving the pre-colonial trade networks that existed among First Nations across Turtle Island. “European records will probably say the contrary because that’s the way they like to keep us dependent on them,” Diabo said. MCK Chief Paul Rice signed the MOU on behalf of MCK on July 26,...
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OPP seize $55 million in illegal cannabis in Haldimand County
OPP have seize over $55 million in illegal cannabis plants. (OPP Photo) SIMCOE, ON – An Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Cannabis Act (CA) investigation in Haldimand County has seen 16 people arrested and $55 million in illegal cannabis seized. Members from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team (PJFCET), along with the OPP Emergency Response Team, OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau and the Community Street Crime Units from Central and West Region, executed a CA warrant at a large greenhouse area in rural location on Highway 3 in Haldimand County July 16, 2025 . OPP found inside the large greenhouse area more than 107,000 illegal cannabis plants in different stages of growth and an extimated 950 pounds of dried illegal cannabis bud. The combined value of...
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Hearing for Alberta separation referendum question to be held in court
By Jack Farrell A special court proceeding on a proposed Alberta separation referendum question is scheduled to get underway today in Edmonton. Alberta’s chief electoral officer, Gordon McClure, referred the proposed question to the court last week, asking a judge to determine whether it violates the Constitution, including treaty rights. The question asks Albertans: “Do you agree that the Province of Alberta shall become a sovereign country and cease to be a province in Canada?” Premier Danielle Smith and Justice Minister Mickey Amery have criticized the referral to the courts, saying the question should be approved and only face judicial scrutiny if it receives a majority vote. It’s not clear how the hearing will unfold, and McClure’s office says it can’t comment further because the matter is before the courts....
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Medical community heartbroken after fatal plane crash on Navajo Nation
By Josh Funk And Susan Montoya Bryan ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Federal investigators on Wednesday were trying to piece together what caused a medical transport plane to crash on the Navajo Nation in northern Arizona, killing the four people on board and leaving the medical community in neighboring New Mexico heartbroken. The two pilots, flight nurse and paramedic who were onboard were based out of Albuquerque and had worked with hospitals throughout the area. While authorities had yet to release their names, colleagues and friends shared condolences and prayers on social media. Many shared details about the crew’s dedication to patients and the incredible void left by the tragedy. The crew was on its way to pick up a patient from the federal Indian Health Service hospital in Chinle when...
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Premier Ford warns Trump could reopen CUSMA trade pact in the fall
By Kyle Duggan Ontario Premier Doug Ford is warning that U.S. President Donald Trump could choose to suddenly “pull the carpet out from underneath us” by opening up the trade agreement his administration negotiated with Canada during his first term. He said Ottawa needs to prepare for that to happen this fall. Ford made the comments after the country’s premiers and Prime Minister Mark Carney met in private for the first time since Trump escalated his trade war by hitting Canada with a baseline 35 per cent tariff last week. The new tariff, which took effect on Friday after the two countries failed to hit an Aug. 1 deadline to secure a new trade agreement, applies only to goods not covered by the Canada-United States-Mexico agreement on free trade, better...
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Community identifies 23-year-old as man shot dead by police in Ontario court
Wapekeka First Nation:A First Nation community in northwestern Ontario has identified the man who was shot dead by provincial police in a courtroom last week. Wapekeka First Nation says the community is mourning the death of 23-year-old Tyresse Kenny Padro Cree Roundsky, who died on July 31. Shibogama First Nations Council, which counts the First Nation as a member, confirmed that he was shot in a temporary courtroom housed at a youth centre. Wapekeka First Nation says he will be missed by his family, friends and primary caregiver. The Special Investigations Unit is investigating the shooting, which they say happened after a police officer was approached by a man with a knife at the fly-in courtroom in the middle of the day. Investigators say the man and the officer had...
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Yukon First Nation to oppose all new mining claims on its territory during planning
By Chuck Chiang A Yukon First Nation says it will oppose any new mining claims on its traditional territory as it begins a regional land-use planning process with the territory’s government. The First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun says in a post on Facebook that it is issuing a notice to the mining industry that it will oppose any claim “through all available legal and political avenues.” The Nation says any such claim staked during the land-use planning process are “unwelcome” and “unlawful,” citing past court decisions that it says “strongly discourages staking claims in the areas” undergoing such a process. It says the Nation has adopted its own policy on mining that will govern the industry on its traditional territory while the planning process in pending. The notice comes...
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Carney to meet with three Métis groups on major projects bill today
By Alessia Passafiume Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to meet today with three provincial Métis groups to discuss his government’s major projects legislation. The legislation allows cabinet to quickly grant federal approvals for big industrial projects that are deemed to be in the national interest by sidestepping environmental protections and other legislation. Carney is expected to be joined by the Métis Nation of Alberta, the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan and the Métis Nation of Ontario. The Manitoba Métis Federation, which represents Red River Métis, declined an invitation to take part in the meeting Wednesday, saying that inviting the Métis Nation of Ontario undermines the integrity of the gathering and puts the government’s plans for major projects at risk. The Manitoba Métis Federation says the Métis Nation of Ontario has...
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Takeaways from AP’s report on Alaska Natives’ response to oil and mining proposals
By Peter Smith FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — President Donald Trump’s administration and its allies have pushed aggressively for drilling, mining and logging in Alaska. This has intensified long-standing debate over extraction projects in the nation’s largest state, particularly within Alaska Native communities. Some view such projects as key to jobs and economic development. Others see them posing environmental risks as they’ve already faced severe fishing restrictions on the state’s longest rivers due to a collapse in the salmon population. Scientists are unsure of the causes of the salmon collapse — which possibly include warming waters and commercial fishing — but opponents of extraction say its possible impacts could be similar in terms of endangering subsistence traditions and food sources. They say this risks, in turn, damaging their sacred connections to...
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Meet the N.W.T.’s semi-finalists in 2025’s Pow Wow Pitch
By Aastha Sethi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cabin Radio The Northwest Territories’ Cassandra Blondin Burt, Corrine Bullock and Jamie Wetrade-Stevenson are semi-finalists in the 2025 Pow Wow Pitch. The annual competition celebrates Indigenous entrepreneurs from across the country while offering funding, mentorship and a national platform to showcase talent. Wetrade-Stevenson, a Tłı̨chǫ photographer from Behchokǫ̀, is one of 13 entrepreneurs selected in this year’s creative category. She has been living in Yellowknife for just over five years and began working in the field professionally in 2018. “It definitely feels a bit surreal and it just definitely feels super, super special,” she told Cabin Radio. “Something that inspires me to keep going is having representation, because when I was growing up I didn’t see a lot of myself in other people...
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First Nation disappointed as B.C. court rejects challenge to Mount Polley dam level
By Darryl Greer The B.C. Supreme Court has dismissed a First Nation’s bid to stop the level of a tailings dam being increased at the Mount Polley mine site, which suffered a catastrophic dam collapse that spilled millions of litres of waste and water 11 years ago. The Xatsull First Nation claimed the province’s approval of the plan to raise the level of the dam in B.C.’s Interior by four metres was improper and done without “meaningful” consultation with the nation. But Justice Michael Tammen ruled Wednesday that the provincial government’s consultation with the Xatsull was proper. “I view the consultation here as deep and, importantly, the process employed by the province provided Xatsull with ample opportunity to present their perspective,” Tammen said. The First Nation said in a statement...
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New long-term care facility designs to be submitted for approval within a month
By Matt Prokopchuk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TBnewswatch.com SIOUX LOOKOUT — Officials with the Meno Ya Win Health Centre say they intend to submit preliminary design documents for a new long-term care facility to the province on or before September 1. The hospital in Sioux Lookout received a $2.5 million planning grant from the province in late 2024; that money went “to complete the required planning, design and tender-ready submissions for the project,” Michelle Beaulne, Meno Ya Win’s director of corporate services said in an email to Newswatch, adding that will include working drawings. “We intend to undertake all of the detailed planning aspects necessary to enable the completion of the preliminary plan for the project to subsequently be reviewed to make the decision to proceed to the construction stage,”...
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Book recounts how First Nation had to work through trauma to realize a bright future
By Shari Narine, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Windspeaker.com Our Warrior Spirit is writer Les Couchi’s way of paying tribute to the Elders of Nipissing First Nation. The book came about when discussions were occurring in 2024 on how a $10 billion settlement of the Robinson Huron Treaty annuities litigation would be distributed among 21 First Nations in northeastern Ontario. A portion of the money received by Nipissing would go into a fund for the community to use and another portion was to be paid directly to individuals. “A lot of the younger people were asking for an equal share and I thought, they really don’t know what it was really like,” said Couchi, who suggested that the individual portion be calculated on a yearly basis and be distributed according to...
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