Six Nations Election code committee expands its mandate
SIx Nations Elected Council (SNEC) heard a plea from its current 2023 Election Code Committee saying they wanted to continue on despite the election code work completion. Committee chair Audrey Hill said they wanted to expand their role to cover the Integrity Commission. Hill told council while their work was complete they felt three people, including herself and member Sharon Martin, should continue to stay on and take over the implementation of an Integrity Commission. After each election the Chief Electoral Polling Officer (CEPO), as part of the duties of the office, organizes and oversees appointments to an Integrity Commission for the term of the council elected. The commission is only called on when a complaint against a council member is launched. The volunteer election code committee’s work ended a...
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Six Nations students making strides in education
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) calls itself an advocacy organization for member nations, but Six Nations is wary of how it handles funds meant for communities. Elected Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill asked for volunteers to accompany her to the AFN’s Special Chiefs Assembly in Ottawa next month. AFN will host elections for national chief at the meeting from Dec.5 to 7 in Ottawa, Hill is working to create a document with information about candidates for councillors to give attendees guidance, but councillor Cynthia Jamieson asked why Six Nations sends representatives if it is critical of the organization’s efficacy and asked if SNEC had a position on its affiliation. “It seems like all they do is gather the chiefs and sort of say, ‘OK, I’m the National Chief and here’s all...
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New SN council making drinking water settlement priority
The massive billion dollar First Nations drinking water settlement is one of the 59th Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) first priorities. Councillor Hazel Johnson brought up the issue at the Special Council meeting on November 7 and asked if the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) could advocate for Six Nations. Rod Whitlow, Environment officer announced Six Nations will not be added to the list of approved communities to access the $8 billion settlement from the Canadian government on September 26, and now the newly elected council will need to decide if they work toward having the community added, or launching a new class action lawsuit. Nathan Wright, CEO said Six Nations doesn’t totally fit the parameters of the class action lawsuit because about 70 per cent of the reserve relies...
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SNEC told squatters on Glebe Lands get eviction notices
Six Nations served eviction notices to squatters on the Glebe Lands. As one of his last acts as Elected Chief, Mark Hill, councillor Greg Frazer, Six Nations Police, Trevor Bomberry Executive Director of Nation Building, media and SNEC’s communications team converged on the site to serve 1- to 12 eviction notices to people who has set up temporary homes on the Glebe Lands, which stretch from Glenwood Drive, behind Pauline Johnson Collegiate Vocational School to the Grand River. “As you know there have been allegations of human trafficking, drug and alcohol abuse, there have been a couple fires, trailers actually caught fire, there was an explosion in one. There’s been various criminality allegations,” he said. Frazer gave a verbal report to SNEC on November 7 at the 59th council’s first...
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Six Nations Elected Council charges granting firefighters’ right to unionize breaches SNEC’s “sovereignty”
By Lisa Iesse Writer SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND – In their final written submission to Canada’s Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), Six Nations’s Elected Band Council (SNEC) called on the Canadian Constitution to deny Six Nations firefighters the right to unionize. The CIRB is an independent federal tribunal who supports the firefighters rights to unionize. SNEC claims by upholding the firefighters’ labour code rights, the board would violate SNEC’s claimed right to sovereignty in place of the federal and provincial crowns. In June, Six Nations Firefighters and Captain applied and was approved by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) union to join. However, they are facing another battle. Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) continues to challenge their right to unionize on reserve. If victorious, the firefighters and captains would...
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Six Nations gets new Fire Chief after Russell Taylor fired
SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND – Six Nations Fire & Emergency Services (SNFES) department has a new leader but a bid to unionize is still going ahead. Turtle Island News has learned the controversial former Fire Chief Ashley Russell-Taylor has been fired and Six Nations newly minted Deputy Fire Chief Micheal Seth has taken the helm as Six Nations Fire Chief. While there has been no formal announcement Turtle Island News learned the former fire chief was dismissed just as a new band council was taking hold. Deputy Fire Chief Seth took over his position last week after having just returned home from serving at a number of fire services across the country. Seth has worked at Thorold Fire & Emergency Services, Brant County Fire & Emergency Services, and most...
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The AFN…time to fix or let it go?
A sort of newbie elected council is in place at Six Nations just as the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is about to launch its elections for a new National Chief. Grinning from ear to ear Six Nations new Elected Chief announced she would be attending but not without questions from her council on who Six Nations will be supporting and her first lesson in consulting with them and a reminder, the only voice she has is theirs. But back to the AFN elections, a time of not just electing a national leader but trying to save an organization almost torn apart in a fight with its previous leader. The December 6 Special Chiefs Assembly in Ottawa has six potential contenders for the job. A job that became vacant after...
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Six Nations development arm says latest project will bring $37 million to community over 22 years
SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND – Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation (SNGRDC) latest battery storage project promises to bring $1.7 M annually and is on its way to become the country’s largest. Known as the Hagersville Battery Project, the storage facility will be built on about 15 acres of land at the Hagersville Business Park, on what was once a WWII training site. The facility is scheduled to open in May 2025. SNGRDC CEO and presdent Matt Jamieson, recently hosted both an in person session later posted on line. The session was held at SNGRDC Chiefswood Road office. The battery storage facility will house what Jamieson described as a “field full of battery packs” branched together. The battery storage system harnesses energy from different power sources including...
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TTC bus and streetcar wraps celebrate Indigenous athletes in collaboration with Toronto Raptors
TORONTO- Indigenous athletes are now being featured on eight TTC buses and street cars on various routes throughout the city. TTC and Toronto Raptors are joining together to launch the new initiative that began Nov. 13th. Eight TTC buses and five streetcars are covered with wraps celebrating the contributions of eight Indigenous athletes. In a press release, the TTC said the collaboration with the Toronto Raptors is meant to enhance public awareness of Indigenous athletes in Canadian history. According to the press release the athletes are also being featured on posters in TTC stations and onboard vehicles. “The TTC is proud to partner with the Toronto Raptors in telling the national story of Indigenous athletes and their contributions to sport. Giving prominence to Indigenous athletes and educating the public with...
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Sam Laskaris – BEHIND THE ACTION – Tom Longboat
By Sam Laskaris Writer He died almost 75 years ago. But Tom Longboat continues to put Six Nations on the map. That’s because it was announced on Monday that the National Basketball Association’s Toronto Raptors and the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) have joined forces for a campaign that will celebrate the contributions of Indigenous athletes not only in Canada but on international levels as well. Various TTC buses and streetcars will be specially wrapped and feature the images of eight Indigenous athletes, including Longboat. Longboat was the legendary Onondaga distance runner from Six Nations. He was the first Indigenous runner to win the Boston Marathon, capturing top honours in the famed race in 1907. Longboat died in 1949. But now, all these years later, those who don’t know about Longboat’s...
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Six Nations SPORTS BRIEFS
By Sam Laskaris Writer Anderson starring with Falcons Six Nations’ Brenden Anderson is making an impact with his latest hockey club. Anderson, a 20-year-old forward in his final season of junior eligibility, is currently toiling with the St. Catharines Falcons. The Falcons compete in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, considered a Junior B circuit. Anderson is averaging more than one point per game with the St. Catharines squad. He’s racked up 11 points (five goals and six assists) in his first 10 matches with the club. Anderson was an instant hit with the Falcons. In his first game with the squad he had a four-point night (one goal and three assists) in St. Catharine’s 10-3 win against the Pelham Panthers on Oct. 13. Anderson has had two other multiple-point...
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B.C. lacrosse coach captures National Indigenous Coaching Award
By Sam Laskaris, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Windspeaker.com Savanna Smith is proud of the fact she has won a National Indigenous Coaching Award. Smith, who has Blackfoot ancestry and lives in Surrey, B.C., is this year’s female recipient of the award. She also likes the fact the 2023 male recipient, Tyndall Fontaine, a member of Sagkeeng First Nation in Manitoba, is, like herself, a lacrosse coach. “It was really cool that two people who are lacrosse coaches ended up getting this award,’’ said Smith, who is involved in numerous initiatives in her home province. Winners of the National Indigenous Coaching Award are annually selected by reps from the Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC), the governing body of Indigenous athletics in Canada. Both Smith and Fontaine were presented with their awards during...
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Six Nations Police block Fourth Line looking for man who pointed a firearm
SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND RIVER- Six Nations Police have blocked Fourth Line at Chiefswood Road this morning ( Nov., 15, 2023) at 8 a.m. after a man armed with a firearm pointed the firearm at a person walking near the Chiefwood Road and Fourth Line intersection at Veterans’ Park in Ohsweken. No shots have been fired. No injuries reported. Police blocked the roadway and are searching for the man along Fourth Line towards Seneca Road. Please avoid the area. ...
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Halloween hit and what a ghostly, ghastly event!
Welcome to Halloween Six Nations style!...
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Six Nations man charged in gunfire exchange with police
By Lynda Powless Editor A 40-year-old Six Nations man is facing a series of charges after being involved in a standoff and gunfire exchange with police last week. Six Nations Police were called at about 11:30 p.m. to a Chiefswood Road address Oct., 31st, Halloween night, after receiving complaints that a man had been seen walking along Chiefswood Road, between Fifth and Sixth Line roads, armed with a firearm and threatening he was “cop hunting.” Turtle Island News has learned that the man walked along Chiefswood Road, past the newspaper and stopped at Grand River Enterprises, that had a nightshift working, where he engaged in a short conversation with a security guard. Sources said he told the security guard “he was cop hunting.” He asked if they saw any cops...
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Six Nations Elected Council questions why it isn’t getting enough ISC funding
Six Nations continued to question why the community doesn’t receive its fair share from Indigenous Services Canada. Six Nations is the largest community in Canada by population and the second largest in size, but doesn’t receive adequate funds from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) for its minor capital budget allocations. Mike Montour presented the Public Works 2023-2024 minor capital budget from ISC at Six Nations Elected Council’s (SNEC) General Finance meeting on October 16. He said ISC caps Six Nations allocation at about 60 per cent of its population. “I know we’ve been harping on [ISC] for a few years,” he said. “This has remained pretty stagnant for the last five years. It’s at the same level, even though costs have risen and needs have risen, we need to have more....
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Six Nations Elected Council new chief, and new faces
SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND – Shortly after becoming the third woman to hold the office of Six Nations Elected Chief, Sherri-Lyn Hill said “transparency” is first up on her agenda. The 2023 election results were announced at the Six Nations Community Hall on Saturday (Nov 5). Approximately 100 community members attended the in-person announcement of the newly elected chief and councillors who now form the 59th Six Nations Elected Council. Turtle Island News posted a livestream of the event on social media. Elected Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill gathered with her grandkids and family in one corner of the hall as she awaited news of the results. At about 6:30 pm the results came in, Chief Electoral Polling Officer (CEP0) Dorothy Patterson announced Elected Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill won with 606 votes....
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Six Nations students making strides in education
Six Nations students are making gradual strides in their education. Claudine VanEvery-Albert, the Six Nations Grand Erie District School Board (GEDSB) Trustee introduced the 2022-2023 school year Education Agreement Report at Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC)’s last General Council meeting of the 58th council on October 24 to show how well Six Nations students are fairing and what the board is doing to help them transition from federal schools and thrive. “Now the agreement is between GEDSB and ISC (Indigenous Services Canada) however because the children who attend under this agreement are Six Nations students we feel that it’s always important to make the presentation to Six Nations council,” she said. Kevin Graham, superintendent of education presented the report and said the report is based on the last school year...
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Bullying affecting lives of Six Nations people
Bullying is having a detrimental effect on the lives’ of Six Nations community members. Jennifer MtPleasant the Six Nations Anti-Bullying Task Force lead and Sara Curley Smith, epidemiologist, presented the results of the task force’s community survey at a recent Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC)’s last General Council meeting of the 58th Elected Council on October 24 and said a large percentage of respondents feel the impacts of bullying in their everyday lives and it’s getting worse. “We also wanted to know what the impacts of bullying are. Over 50 per cent of respondents felt impacts across many different areas including emotional wellbeing, mental health, physical health, relationships, self esteem and sense of safety,” Curley Smith said. Almost 300 people of all ages took part in the survey, Curley Smith...
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