‘Traffic garden,’ greenhouse, charging station among plans for Hydro One grant money
By Sandi Krasowski Local Journalism Initiative Reporter This week, 35 Indigenous communities, charities and municipalities, including four in the Thunder Bay region, received $25,000 in funding from the Hydro One Energizing Life Community Fund. The funding aims to support initiatives that promote physical, emotional and psychological safety and well-being. EcoSuperior was among the four regional recipients, which also included the Children’s Centre Foundation Thunder Bay, Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation and Wunnumin Lake First Nation. “Whenever we receive funding support, it’s, it’s very important to EcoSuperior because we are not-for-profit without core funding,” said Ashley Priem, the centre’s co-executive director. The funds will be directed toward the creation and installation of what Priem calls Thunder Bay’s first traffic garden. “It’s like a playground in a space that’s designed to provide...
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Wawa receiving half a million to finance infrastructure projects
By Kyle Darbyson Local Journalism Initiative The province is providing nearly $553,000 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to finance three infrastructure improvement projects in the Wawa area. This money will go towards upgrading the Wawa Municipal Airport ($246,000) and the Michipicoten Golf Club ($108,848), while the remaining funds are being set aside to develop a new business/cultural space for Michipicoten First Nation ($198,000). Minister of Indigenous Affairs and Northern Development Greg Rickford, who is also the chair of NOHFC’s board of directors, visited Wawa Thursday afternoon to make this announcement at the local airport. Here, town officials will use this $246,000 to build a new accessible washroom, upgrade the lobby (with more comfortable seating, flip-ups tables and electrical outlets) and purchase an outdoor sand shelter to better...
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Six Nations Police arrest impaired driver after vehicle hits ditch
SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND RIVER-A 36-year-old Ohsweken man is facing charges after a vehicle hit a ditch on Second Line Road and the driver fled the scene. Six Nations Police Service (SNPS) were called to the scene of Thursday, May 30 at about 3:10 p.m. after witnesses said a vehicle had hit the ditch on Second Line Road and the driver fled the scene after being confrontational with bystanders. Witnesses told police the man became confrontational and fled on foot after being denied help to leave the scene from those standing by. Witnesses provided police with a description of the male driver. SNPS said police located a man who matched the description on a nearby property but upon approaching the man, police said he refused to comply with police...
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Sulphur dioxide levels off the charts in Ontario’s Chemical Valley
By Natasha Bulowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter In the aftermath of a crackdown on benzene pollution plaguing Chemical Valley, environmental watchdogs say another chemical that causes choking, coughing and burning eyes and throats is still abundant. Sulphur dioxide levels in the region, which is home to 67 petrochemical plants near Sarnia, have also been exceedingly high. Levels regularly exceed federal air quality standards despite new regulations passed by Ontario in 2022 aimed at reducing emissions by 90 per cent in the Sarnia area. Sulphur dioxide is a toxic compound released in the refining of hydrogen sulphide, otherwise known as “sour gas,” recognized for its pungent rotten-egg smell. Much of the sour gas refined in the Chemical Valley comes from Alberta crude. It is released when plants flare and while processing...
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Protestors ‘feel abandoned’ by leadership in Marten Falls
By Austin Campbell Local Journalism Initiative Reporter 31/05/2024 09:59 Some members of this regional, fly-in First Nation are demanding change. A group of Marten Falls First Nations members have staged a peaceful protest outside of their Band Office by setting up an encampment, posting signs, and nailing a board across the Band Office door. The focus of the protest, as noted by organizer Patricia Achneepineskum, is to instigate a discussion about jobs in the community, an alleged lack of leadership presence – particularly at the Band Office – and the supposed neglect of Marten Falls’ youth centre. “We started because we felt like we weren’t being recognized – what was happening in our community. We felt abandoned by our own leadership and we had a lot of questions and concerns...
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Feds to investigate chemicals in oilsands tailings
By Natasha Bulowski Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The federa government will assess the toxicity of a harmful compound in oilsands tailings after the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and environmental groups requested a review. Naphthenic acids (NAs) accumulate in oilsands tailing ponds — which currently hold at least 1.4 trillion litres of wastewater — and have been found to harm fish and amphibians; there are still research gaps on how it affects human health. Large tailings leaks from Imperial Oil’s Kearl tar sands facility spurred renewed calls for health studies, regulations and environmental reform. “The cancerous effects of naphthenic acids have long been known to scientists, industry, governments and sadly to our community of Fort Chipewyan,” said ACFN Chief Allan Adam in a release on May 30. “Fort Chipewyan is the...
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Assembly Lines: routing Fort Mac evacuations, preparing for post secondary education, filling cancer doctor shortage, telling two economic tales
By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter 31/05/2024 07:48 IN-AND-OUTS FOR FORT MAC ROADS TAKE TOO LONG—NDP The province should put its pedal to the metal to create more escape routes and reduce evacuation pinch-points at the oilsands capital of Alberta, the NDP said May 16. Lorne Dach, the NDP’s transportation and economic corridors critic, hinted that the province had unnecessarily abandoned one set of improvements for others, even though the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo in northeastern Alberta had endorsed a new highway dubbed East Clearwater. The highway would have paralleled Highway 63, the major in-and-out, north-south route for Fort McMurray. It would have dropped south from near Fort MacKay to Anzac, on its way past connecting with the city on its east side. At the time of the...
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Task force lambasted for holding firm on breast cancer screening advice
The Canadian Press Several cancer experts, surgeons and radiologists swiftly condemned a national task force’s draft decision not to lower the recommended routine breast cancer screening age to 40 on Thursday. The criticisms were echoed by federal Health Minister Mark Holland, who said he was “concerned” and “disappointed” in the task force’s findings and wanted leading experts to review the guidelines. He also called for the public consultation period to be extended. The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care, which provides guidance for primary health-care providers, said it is maintaining current advice that routine breast cancer screening start at age 50 and end after age 74. Although they refrained from lowering the age for routine screening, the task force did suggest women age 40 to 49 be eligible for...
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Low snowpack means another “challenging year” for Columbia system
By Rachael Lesosky Local Journalism Initiative On May 15, residents from across the province attended an online meeting to learn about BC Hydro’s Columbia and Duncan operations. Various members of BC Hydro shared information about this year’s snowpack, preliminary forecasted inflows, and the expected reservoir summer levels. The meeting was held in addition to the annual operations update meeting coming up in June. “There’s less snow. It looks like another challenging year,” opened Dag Sharman, Community Relations Manager in the Southern Interior. “It could be similar to last summer but it’s too early to know for certain… [Drought conditions] impact not only how we manage water levels, but also how we plan to meet energy demands and regulatory requirements. Unfortunately, we can’t influence the amount of snow and rain that...
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B.C. unveils 240-language racism helpline as survey suggests systemic problems
The Canadian Press British Columbia has launched a new helpline for people who witness or experience a racist incident, with support available in more than 240 languages. The province said in a news release that helpline callers would receive support and guidance, which could include referrals to local community support services, such as counselling or help with reporting to police. But it’s also part of an effort to collect more data about racism in the province, that includes a provincewide demographic survey about systemic racism. The helpline and the results of the survey into barriers experienced by Indigenous and racialized people in the public service, schools and health care were separately announced on Thursday. The Ministry of Citizens’ Services said the data from the survey and “other sources” indicate there...
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Task force lambasted for holding firm on breast cancer screening advice
The Canadian Press Several cancer experts, surgeons and radiologists swiftly condemned a national task force’s draft decision not to lower the recommended routine breast cancer screening age to 40 on Thursday. The criticisms were echoed by federal Health Minister Mark Holland, who said he was “concerned” and “disappointed” in the task force’s findings and wanted leading experts to review the guidelines. He also called for the public consultation period to be extended. The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care, which provides guidance for primary health-care providers, said it is maintaining current advice that routine breast cancer screening start at age 50 and end after age 74. Although they refrained from lowering the age for routine screening, the task force did suggest women age 40 to 49 be eligible for...
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Mountie transferred from Bella Bella, B.C., after complaints about Facebook posts
The Canadian Press 30/05/2024 12:08 The leadership of a First Nation on British Columbia’s central coast says an RCMP officer has been transferred after the community called for his removal from Bella Bella over social media comments he made before joining the Mounties. A statement posted by the Heiltsuk Tribal Council on Wednesday says RCMP told the nation that the transfer process for the constable was complete and he would be leaving the community this weekend. In an earlier letter to the local RCMP detachment, Heiltsuk Chief Marilyn Slett said the officer had posted “racist text and images” on a personal Facebook account under a different name. Slett’s letter included images of a social media post showing a man dressed in a colonial-style uniform in front of a Union Jack...
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Grassy Narrows chief wants to be regional chief
By Mike Stimpson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter GRASSY NARROWS – The chief of a First Nation in Northwestern Ontario has come forward as a candidate for Ontario Regional Chief. Rudy Turtle, in his fourth year as chief of Grassy Narrows (Asubpeeschoseewagong), is one of several candidates for the top spot in the Chiefs of Ontario. “Some chiefs have asked me to run and I said yes, I’ll do it,” he said in an interview from his Ojibwe community northeast of Kenora. Turtle said the current regional chief, Glen Hare, has done an inadequate job in advocacy. Hare was invited to speak at a Land Defence Alliance rally last September in Queen’s Park and “failed to show up,” Turtle said. There were other occasions when the regional chief didn’t show his support,...
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KRG looking at amendments to update the Kativik Act
By Cedric Gallant Local Journalism Initiative 30/05/2024 07:40 Kativik Regional Government wants a review of the Kativik Act and plans to submit a list of proposed amendments to the Quebec government later this year. The Kativik Act was signed in 1978 to establish a governing body for Nunavik under the James Bay Northern Quebec Agreement. Many of KRG’s responsibilities come from that act. “Some of its sections are totally outdated, and absolutely not in line with the reality of 2024,” Johanne Fortin, KRG’s legal and socio-judicial department director, said during a presentation to the regional council on Wednesday. At this week’s council meeting in Kuaraapik, she outlined possible amendments that could be proposed to the government of Quebec by the end of the year. Fortin said Quebec’s municipal affairs and...
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Remains identified, questions linger in Dawson Creek, B.C., where four went missing
The Canadian Press 29/05/2024 20:10 When Renee Didier disappeared from Dawson Creek in northern British Columbia nearly six months ago, it was sudden and unexpected, her uncle said. Nine months before Didier disappeared, her cousin, Darylyn Supernant, had vanished from the community too. Now, with the discovery of Didier’s body, her family is full of questions about what happened to the 40-year-old mother of two, said the two women’s uncle, Walter Mineault. “It’s pretty tough when you’re still hurting,” Mineault said. “The pain is still there and you got all that love and memories of your child and to find out they’re gone just puts more of the reality onto the situation.” Police announced Monday that the BC Coroners Service had identified remains discovered along the Kiskatinaw River on May...
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TFN community health manager added to wrongful termination lawsuit
By Kyle Darbyson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter 28/05/2024 09:28 Thessalon First Nation’s community health manager is being added as a defendant to a wrongful termination lawsuit brought against the band. In an amended statement of claim, Mary Jane Wardell accuses Wendy Pekalski of accessing her medical information without permission on Dec. 20, 2023, roughly a month after Wardell was removed from her position as TFN’s director of operations. Wardell claims that members of TFN’s newly elected chief and council directed Pekalski to access her private medical information, bolstering her broader argument that the band’s leadership spearheaded a “co-ordinated attack” to discredit her reputation in the community. On top of the $850,000 in damages Wardell initially sought for her wrongful termination, she is seeking an additional $200,000 for the “tortious invasion”...
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Local initiative aims to reduce drug use in Alberta
By Justin Sibbet Local Journalism Initiative Reporter 29/05/2024 17:57 As “tranqs”, fentanyl and other drugs continue to end lives in the Lethbridge area, some residents are fighting back. Alvin Mills is certainly no stranger to the battle with narcotics, but he says the fight has evolved into a problem beyond that of his worst nightmares. “Anyone who is doing (“tranqs”), they’re actually playing Russian Roulette, taking chances on doing the drugs,” said Mills. To bring visibility to this often shadow-lurking enemy, Mills hosted a community get-together at Galt Gardens on Wednesday. “The purpose of the event is to shed more awareness on the opioid crisis that has hit us here in southern Alberta,” said Mills. The event included live music and food for those who may have not been able...
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Radical Stitch showcases the art of contemporary Indigenous beadwork
By Crystal St.Pierre Local Journalism Initiative Reporter 29/05/2024 22:12 The National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa opened its doors May 17 for the Radical Stitch exhibit. It features 101 beadworks by 44 First Nations, Inuit and Métis artists. The exhibit, which runs until Sept. 30, focuses on beadwork that connects viewers with the past by showcasing artwork of the present, from wearable art to portraiture and more. It’s one of the largest shows of contemporary beadwork with artists from Canada and the United States. Radical Stitch “includes some of the best of the best beadwork artists in Turtle Island,” said co-curator Michelle LaVallee, director of Indigenous Ways and Curatorial Initiatives at the National Gallery of Canada. “It was really important for us to raise the profile of beadwork to show...
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Boy, 13 reported missing in Wetaskiwin
Local Journalism Initiative 29/05/2024 16:36 Wetaskiwin RCMP are trying to locate a boy, 13 reported missing in the city. Beau Threefingers of Wetaskiwin was last seen on May 24 leaving his residence and has not returned home since police said in a media release. He was described as a member of the First Nations community, five feet five, weighing about 120 lbs with medium-length brown hair and brown eyes, the release said. Police and family are concerned about his well-being and safety. If anyone has any information on Beau Threefinger’s whereabouts, they are asked to contact the Wetaskiwin RCMP at 780-312-7200 or the local police....
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Six Nations Police have two in custody after shots fired
By Austin Evans Writer SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND RIVER- Six Nations Police have arrested two after reports of a shots being fired on Bateman Line in Six Nations. Police responded to an early morning call Tuesday (May 28) after a receingin a report of shots being fired on Seneca Road. The incident began at about 7:05 am Tuesday. Six Nations Police Service responded to a Seneca Road house on Bateman Line between First Line Road and Indian Line Road. Six Nations Police said officers arrived on scene and took two suspects into custody. No injuries were reported as a result of shots being fired. Six Nations Police said there was no danger to the public. They also stated that residents should expect police presence on Seneca Road between Second...
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