Canada pushing to include Indigenous rights in United Nations plastics treaty
By Nick Murray Canada is pushing to bring language recognizing the rights of Indigenous peoples back into a United Nations plastics pollution treaty. Delegates from more than 170 countries are in Geneva to resume negotiations on a treaty that was supposed to be finalized last year. Countries are at odds on how far the legally binding agreement should go, with many nations opposing caps on plastic production. Following negotiations in South Korea in November, which ended without an agreement, the draft version of the treaty removed references to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Canada, with the backing of 45 other countries, presented a proposal Tuesday to put UNDRIP language back in to the treaty. Scientists estimate the world disposes of more than 350 million tonnes of...
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Provincial divisions on display as Carney convenes premiers to talk tariffs
By David Baxter and Kyle Duggan Ontario and Saskatchewan remained at odds over Canada’s response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s escalating trade war Wednesday as the premiers prepared to meet with the prime minister to talk trade. Prime Minister Mark Carney was holding virtual meetings in private with his cabinet and the premiers Wednesday afternoon, less than a week after Trump ramped up his trade assault on Canada with a baseline 35 per cent tariff. The new tariff applies only to goods not covered by the Canada-United States-Mexico agreement on free trade, better known as CUSMA. The latest levy took effect on Friday after the two countries failed to hit an Aug. 1 deadline to secure a new trade agreement. Before meeting with Carney, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he...
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New elders facility off to great start in Rankin Inlet, mayor says
By Darrell Greer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Kivalliq News Rankin Inlet Mayor Harry Towtongie says it was a wonderful day when the new Elders long-term care facility was announced for his community. The 24-bed facility — 22 permanent beds and two temporary-care beds — opened in May, with the first Elders beginning to arrive on May 26. Towtongie said hamlet council had been driving their MLAs to push the government to bring the facility to Rankin Inlet for at least 10 years before it finally happened. He said now that it’s here, it’s been a real boost to the community. “Now the Elders facility is finally here and the community is very happy about it,” said Towtongie. “The only complaint I’ve been hearing about the facility — and it’s a...
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Detection dogs to search former residential school site near Chapleau
By Marissa Lentz-McGrath, Local Journalism Initiative, TimminsToday.com CHAPLEAU – Members of three First Nations are working together to investigate the grounds of the former St. John’s Residential School. From Aug. 1 to 3, historic human remains detection dogs (HHRDD) will comb through heavily overgrown areas near the site slightly southeast of Chapleau. The search is part of an ongoing initiative led by survivors and supported by Chapleau Cree First Nation, Chapleau Ojibwe First Nation, and Brunswick House First Nation. “We’re mostly led by the survivors group, which we call the survivors working circle,” said Deanna Dixon, residential school initiative lead for Chapleau Cree First Nation. “It also includes intergenerational survivors, but we’re also led by our communities and our respective chief and councils as well.” Dixon said work began with...
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Low-income renters press governments for ways to cool apartments in heat waves
By Michael Tutton Sandra Walsh was struggling to breathe in her apartment when temperatures across Nova Scotia soared in July, but the woman on social assistance says her pleas for a government-funded air conditioner have been ignored. “With the high humidity, it effects my breathing and I have to gasp for air,” says the 46-year-old woman, recently diagnosed with a progressive lung disease. “Even taking frequent, cold showers isn’t really helping.” The resident of New Glasgow, N.S., is among many low-income Canadians with health conditions struggling to get government help to stay cool. She wants to buy a $300 air conditioner, but that would leave her with little money for food or medications. As of Wednesday, Walsh said it had been more than two months since she asked her income...
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Mattagami First Nation opens new $1.2M wellness centre
By Marissa Lentz-McGrath, Local Journalism Initiative, TimminsToday.com MATTAGAMI – A new modern wellness centre in Mattagami First Nation is nicer than some of the gyms Chief Jennifer Constant has been to in bigger cities. In 2024, a $1.2 million facility opened in the community near Gogama, off Highway 144. Months earlier, the community had received confirmation that they’d received over $611,000 from Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), which was publicly announced on July 23. “Because there was so much interest in the space, we allowed people to start utilizing it and hired people on so we were able to cover the costs until the funds fully came through,” said Constant. The wellness centre is attached to the Odamino Centre, which also houses the rink. With a footprint of 2,550...
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AI-powered Inuktitut program is ‘within reach’
By Arty Sarkisian, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunatsiaq News To follow proper “net-iquette,” check your fishing nets regularly to make sure the fish are safe from birds and the net doesn’t rot in the water. “It protects your livelihood, maintains fish quality and shows courtesy to fellow fishers and environment,” says Ataatatsiaq — an AI-generated, grey-haired grandpa who speaks in Inuktitut. The video, titled Net-iquette: Pro Tips from Ataatatsiaq, was posted online a week ago by Kirt Ejesiak, founder of AingAI Indigenous Language Labs. The video is also available in English. For now, the grandpa’s voice is provided by a human interpreter — but that could soon be done solely using artificial intelligence, Ejesiak said in an interview. “We’re not there yet, but we really believe it’s within reach now,”...
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Manitoba Métis Federation turns down Carney’s invitation to talk major projects
By Alessia Passafiume The Manitoba Métis Federation is turning down Prime Minister Mark Carney’s invitation to discuss his government’s controversial major projects legislation, saying it won’t attend the meeting alongside another Métis group it says has no reason to exist. The federation, which represents Red River Métis, says Carney’s decision to include the Métis Nation of Ontario in Thursday’s meeting undermines the integrity of the gathering and puts the government’s plans for major projects at risk. Federation president David Chartrand says Ottawa is also propping up the Métis National Council by including it in the meeting, despite the fact that it has only two provincial members left due to conflicts related to the Métis Nation of Ontario. Carney promised meetings with First Nations, Inuit and Métis after Indigenous leaders said...
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Brantford Man facing Impaired Driving Charge
BRANTFORD, ONT-A 45-year-old Brantford man is facing impaired driving charges after Brantford Police Service (BPS) officers received a call alerting police to a possible impaired driver. BPS said officers were dispatched to the McMurray Street and Brant Avenue area after recieving the call at about 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, August 5, 2025l from a concerned citizen who saw a driver swerving and driving erratically. The caller provided a description of the vehicle along with the license plate to police who were then able to quickly locate the vehicle. A traffic stop was conducted on Brant Avenue near Bedford Street. Speaking with the driver, officers observed signs of impairment. The accused was transported to provide samples of breath as required by law. Samples provided were three times the legal limit. As a...
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RDN updates Community Works Fund policy to clarify allocation rules
By Claudia Culley, Local Journalism Initiative, Gabriola Sounder The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) board has made changes to its Community Works Fund (CWF) policy, which set out guidelines for the district’s allocation of CWF and an implementation process that adheres with the CWF agreement. The CWF agreement was made on July 25, 2024 between the RDN and Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) to allow the UBCM to receive and distribute funds from the federal Canada Community-Building Fund, previously known as the Gas Tax Fund, to the RDN. The funding is to be spent on projects that focus on improving local infrastructure and supporting community development. CWF funding the RDN receives goes towards electoral areas inclusive of First Nations. Member municipalities in the RDN receive their own share of...
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Kivalliq chamber president sees opportunity in liquid natural gas
By Darrell Greer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Kivalliq News Rankin Inlet is preparing to host two major events: the Kivalliq Energy Forum on Sept. 19-21 and the Northern Perspectives Trade Show from Feb 7-9. Kivalliq Chamber of Conference president Tara Tootoo Fotheringham said this year’s events have some exciting presenters. And, she said, there’s a lot of interest across Canada in tapping into the Kivalliq region’s natural resources, such as liquid natural gas. “We’ve actually been able to acquire the First Peoples (Energy) LNG Group to be a keynote speaker and sponsor of the event,” said Fotheringham. “They’re a pretty exciting group, where they’re presenting an actual share model to First Nations and Inuit to be a part of their whole company structure. “The percentages haven’t been completely decided, but...
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RDN increases annual funding for Nanaimo Marine Rescue Society
By Claudia Culley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder The Regional District of Nanaimo Board approved an increase of funding for the Nanaimo Marine Rescue Society (NMRS), which oversees the governance and management of the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCMSAR) Station 27. This non-profit volunteer-run organization provides 24/7 first responder emergency services to the mid-Island boating community in the Nanaimo region, serving First Nations communities, the general public and the marine industry. They train to maintain and improve their marine skills, like first aid, to respond to water emergencies. The RDN agreed to increase the NMRS’s annual funding from $22,500 to $33,000 for the next five years, which represents 22 per cent of the organizations operating costs. The society raises the rest...
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Carney meeting with cabinet, premiers to discuss latest U.S. tariffs
By David Baxter and Kyle Duggan Prime Minister Mark Carney is holding virtual meetings with his cabinet and the premiers today, less than a week after U.S. President Donald Trump hit Canada with a baseline 35 per cent tariff. This latest trade war escalation applies only to goods not covered by the Canada-United States-Mexico agreement on free trade, better known as CUSMA. The latest levy took effect on Friday after the two countries failed to hit an Aug. 1 deadline to secure a new trade agreement. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Wednesday he had a “good conversation” with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Tuesday that was “positive.” He also said he was frustrated by the impacts of high U.S. tariffs on his province’s economy. Ford warned Trump’s “decision to...
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Haudenosaunee taking on climate in annual meeting Haudenosaunee Climate Action Conference
Seed singer teaches conference attendees how to sing while working in corn field (Photo by Jim C. Powless) By Lynda Powless Editor Sitting outside of the Sour Springs Longhouse a group of women are teaching how to make jams and preserves. Across the yard others are learning about planting, pottery and even fish skin tanning. In nearby fields a Seed Singer is teaching the importance of Haudenosaunee connecting with the seeds and plants Meanwhile inside the longhouse Haudenosaunee are talking about the effect colonialism has had on the earth and on the Haudenosaunee connection to it. The third annual Haudenosaunee Climate Action Gathering was held for the first at Six Nations of the Grand River and the first time on the Canadian side of the international border. The weekend event,...
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First Nation Youth hold protest walk from Timmins to Queen’s Park
By Xavier Kataquapit Writer Photos by Xavier Kataquapit First Nation youth are continuing the push to make themselves heard with the actions of Mahmo Inninuwuk Wiibuseegostamok, a James Bay Cree phrase that means ‘Uniting the People to Stand Together’. The group has started a protest walk to travel from Timmins to Queen’s Park in the city of Toronto to bring awareness and attention to their dissatisfaction of Ontario’s Bill 5 and Canada’s Bill C5. “This protest is a call to the provincial and federal government to repeal Bill 5 and Bill C-5 as it has destroyed indigenous and government relations and trust,” said Tristan Ashishkeesh, one of the lead founders of the movement. He is the former Executive Director of the Ojibway and Cree Cultural Centre in Timmins. After having...
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Supreme Court won’t hear case of Ontario man who fatally shot Six Nations’ man
The case of an Ontario man found guilty of manslaughter in the fatal shooting of an Indigenous man has come to a close after Canada’s top court declined to hear it. The Supreme Court of Canada has rejected a leave to appeal request from Peter Khill, who shot and killed Jonathan Styres after finding the man breaking into his truck in the early morning hours of Feb. 4, 2016. As is its standard practice, the high court did not give reasons for its decision to not hear the case. Khill was charged with second-degree murder and pleaded not guilty, testifying that he acted in self-defence and in accordance with his military training. In 2022, a jury found him not guilty of second-degree murder but guilty of the lesser offence of...
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Six Nations Development Trust marks 20 years of funding projects
The Six Nations Community Development Trust (SNCDT) is marking two decades of funding community projects. The SNCDT has funded over $21.4 million in community projects since it began, Kevin Martin, chair of the trust said during a presentation at the Six Nations Elected Council’s (SNEC) General Finance meeting on July 21. The update, delivered by Martin and Melanie Bomberry, trust coordinator, outlined the trust’s origins, operations, and financial impact over the last two decades. The trust was established in 2003, with the formal agreement signed in 2004, to manage and grow long-term assets derived from casino revenue agreements. It was intended to ensure sustainable benefits for the Six Nations community through investment returns. “Our mission is to help create, reinforce and sustain conditions to improve the quality of life for...
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Manitoba wildfire evacuees visit Six Nations
By Lynda Powless Editor Six Nations held out a welcoming hand last Tuesday to Manitoba First Nations people forced from their homes as a result of wildfires. Three bus-loads of evacuees from the Pukatawagan First Nation and Sandy Bay in Manitoba have been living in hotel rooms in Niagara Falls for more than two months after Manitoba declared a State of Emergency. They were helicoptered out of their community as wildfires began raging in northern and eastern Manitoba in late May. In a gesture of good will and to “uplift them” Six Nations Elected Council, (SNEC) invited them to visit Six Nations Tuesday July 9th. A variety of activities entertainment and a lunch were available at the Six Nations community hall. Elected Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill welcomed the group saying she...
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Six Nations’ fiber optic projects are on track
Six Nations’ fiber optic projects are on track for completion by the end of 2025. Jeff Thomas from First Nations Cable gave an update on the long-awaited project at Six Nations Elected Council’s General Council meeting on July 22. “I can see big changes happening,” Thomas said. “The data is there, the connectivity is there, and all the stuff that we brought forth is happening. So, we’re quite pleased with the direction it is heading.” Troy Cider, manager of Solo Cable, the contractor installing the fiber lines, said the team has about 40 kilometres of fiber left to install. “We are down to about 40 kilometres left,” he said, adding, “That sounds like a lot. It really isn’t that much because of what the entire project encompassed.” Crews have pulled...
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Six Nations Polytechnic to engage in new funding application
Six Nations Polytechnic will have formal support from Elected Council to participate in Indigenous Services Canada’s new funding application process for education. Matt Ferlin, director of advancement at Six Nations Polytechnic (SNP), requested a letter of support on July 22 at the Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) General Council meeting as part of a funding application to Indigenous Services Canada (ISC). Ferlin said ISC replaced its usual funding application model with a survey and asked education organizations to submit their needs and as well as a letter of support from their elected council. “This has led us to today’s meeting,” Ferlin said. “To place that formal request from the Council in support of that ask.” SNEC passed a motion agreeing to provide the letter following questions from Councillors about timelines,...
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