Blog 2 - The Turtle Island News
Breaking News

Six Nations Elected Council working to build relationship with politicians and academics SNEC told

Six Nations is working toward building relationships with local and federal politicians as well as academic leaders to have community issues front and centre for those making decisions inside and outside of the Haldimand Tract. Elected Chief Mark Hill and political advisor Christopher Mahon gave an update on meetings with politicians at the Six Nations Elected Council’s (SNEC) Political Liaison Committee meeting on September 11 and said they are expecting visitors. Mahon said the federal Minister of Indigenous Services Patty Hajdu planned to visit Six Nations on Tuesday, September 12, but they haven’t worked out all of the details. Mahon said an itinerary would reach SNEC councillors late Monday in preparation for the Tuesday visit. It will include stops at various locations on Six Nations as well as lunch with...

This content is for Yearly Subscription, Yearly Subscription - Corporate, Print Subscription Only, and Canada Print and Online members only.
Register
Already a member? Log in here

Six Nations getting into aggregate industry

Six Nations is digging into the aggregate industry and coming up with cash. The Six Nations Consultation and Accommodation Process Team (CAP TEAM) held an online public consultation through Facebook Live on September 6 to start the public consultation process. Peter Graham, consultation supervisor for the CAP Team explained that an old quarry in Haggersville will once again see crushed rock (aggregates) removed from the land. “The property in question is just southwest of Haggersville. There was a previously existing quarry at this site that hasn’t been in operation for a decade or two, now the successor company which is to open the quarry, because it is considered a new quarry by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry there is a duty to consult on it,” he said. Graham...

This content is for Yearly Subscription, Yearly Subscription - Corporate, Print Subscription Only, and Canada Print and Online members only.
Register
Already a member? Log in here

Six Nations Election coming

Six Nations is gearing up for an election, at least as close as we get to one here. The band elections will be held in early November and candidates now have two weeks to declare. It’s been a long four years since we have had an election. Since then the current council has itself undergone change and likely some faces won’t be returning. Firstly the council lost a member when former councillor Wendy Johnson quit to take a job with Kimberly Murray. Murray is the special interlocutor charged with co-ordinating the government’s response to the unmarked graves identified at a number of former residential school sites. The two women met when Murray worked for Six Nations’ Survivors Secretariate and Johnson was a Six Nations council member. The current council has...

This content is for Yearly Subscription, Yearly Subscription - Corporate, Print Subscription Only, and Canada Print and Online members only.
Register
Already a member? Log in here

Letters: Helen Miller On Tackling Six Nations Housing Crisis

Tackling Six Nations Housing Crisis – Aug. 30, 2023 In introducing the tiny homes initiative Matt Jamieson, CEO, Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation said: “Community members here face multiple obstacles in owning their own home on the territory.” This is so true. Six Nations of the Grand River Elected Council (SNGREC) should be doing whatever we can to help people get a house. Unfortunately, over the years housing has turned from a social need into a business with stringent criteria and restrictive policies that prohibit people from getting a house rather than helping them. So far this year 37 people have been turned down at housing, for various reasons. Luckily, if people can jump through SNH’s hoops, they have a chance to redeem themselves and qualify for...

This content is for Yearly Subscription, Yearly Subscription - Corporate, Print Subscription Only, and Canada Print and Online members only.
Register
Already a member? Log in here

Six Nations band election coming in November

Six Nations may be heading to the election polls in two weeks to bring in a new band council. Turtle Island News has learned the Chief Electorial Polling Officer (CEPO) met in a closed door session with Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) Monday to announce election dates. In addition the Six Nations Election Code committee presented the results of a vote taken at the SNEC annual general assembly two weeks ago confirming there will be 12 councillors elected for a four year term. Election Code committee chair Audrey Hill said the they had talked to over 400 people during the committee’s deliberations before putting the questions they developed to the community. The CEPO will hold nominations September 23, just two weeks away and Oct 6 will be the first poll....

This content is for Yearly Subscription, Yearly Subscription - Corporate, Print Subscription Only, and Canada Print and Online members only.
Register
Already a member? Log in here

Six Nations building more housing units

Six Nations is building more dedicated housing for community members to slash the housing waitlist with sustainable, suitable and affordable homes. Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) approved the creation of another 16 units for Social Services (with an option to expand by eight units in the future) for an Alternative Care Program at its General Finance meeting on August 23. The units will be part of a partnership with Six Nations Housing who were approved to build a 28-unit elders complex with care. The new Social Services building will be a two-storey building with units of different sizes catering to older adults who are faced with caring for family members, both adults and youth. Arlyss Skye, director of Social Services said older adults living in the elder complex would not...

This content is for Yearly Subscription, Yearly Subscription - Corporate, Print Subscription Only, and Canada Print and Online members only.
Register
Already a member? Log in here

Late Six Nations softball player to be inducted posthumously into national hall of fame

By Sam Laskaris Writer A former Six Nations softball star has landed in Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. It was announced last week that the late Phyllis Bomberry is one of 11 individuals that comprise the 2023 induction class for the national hall. An induction ceremony will be held Oct. 19 in Gatineau, Que. The event will also be livestreamed. Bomberry, who died in 2019, will be inducted posthumously via the Athlete category. “From the courts to the fields, from the ice to the octagon, the Class of 2023 is a testament to the relentless pursuit of greatness,” said Cheryl Bernard, who is the president and CEO of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. About 225 individuals had been nominated by the public to be inductees this year. Those selected were...

This content is for Yearly Subscription, Yearly Subscription - Corporate, Print Subscription Only, and Canada Print and Online members only.
Register
Already a member? Log in here

Stallions register pair of victories despite being short-staffed

By Sam Laskaris Writer Not many showed up. But that didn’t seem to matter for the Six Nations Stallions, who managed to win their first two contests of the Ontario Senior Men’s Field Lacrosse League (OSMFLL) this past Saturday. Just 11 Stallions players were available for duty for the contests, which were held at Norton Park in Burlington. The Six Nations squad registered a convincing victory, 14-3, over the United Lacrosse Club from Kitchener-Waterloo, in its opening match. The Stallions then eked out a 13-12 win over the Orangeville Generals just a few hours later. “I thought we did well, considering we only had one substitute,” said Wes Whitlow, the Stallions’ player who sits atop the OSMFLL scoring race after racking up 13 points in the two outings. Whitlow compiled...

This content is for Yearly Subscription, Yearly Subscription - Corporate, Print Subscription Only, and Canada Print and Online members only.
Register
Already a member? Log in here

Chiefs on verge of capturing Mann Cup in British Columbia

By Sam Laskaris Writer They started the way they intended to finish. The Six Nations Chiefs took a commanding lead in their Mann Cup championship series. It began with the Chiefs eked out an 8-7 victory over the host New Westminster Salmonbellies on Monday night. With that triumph Six Nations is now enjoying a 3-0 lead in their best-of-seven series, which will determine national Senior A lacrosse bragging rights for the year. The Chiefs were hoping to sweep the series as Game 4 Tuesday. The Salmonbellies are hosting all of the matches in the national series at the Queen’s Park Arena. For the Chiefs its would be their seventh Mann Cup title this year. The franchise last captured the prestigious national trophy in 2016. “We’re in a good spot,” said...

This content is for Yearly Subscription, Yearly Subscription - Corporate, Print Subscription Only, and Canada Print and Online members only.
Register
Already a member? Log in here

What’s at stake for the Assembly of First Nations in the upcoming election?

OTTAWA- The next leader of the Assembly of First Nations will be tasked with unifying hundreds of chiefs at a time when reconciliation appears to be less of a priority in Canada, says an Indigenous policy expert. Hayden King, executive director of Indigenous-led think tank Yellowhead Institute, says the assembly’s influence has been vaulted under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government, but its internal politics have been an issue in recent years. Chiefs are expected to choose a new national chief in December, after RoseAnne Archibald was removed from the job amid allegations that she created a toxic work environment. Archibald continues to deny those allegations. The next permanent leader will need to restore some of the organization’s credibility and engage with the federal government in a way that reprioritizes First...

This content is for Print Subscription Only members only.
Register
Already a member? Log in here

Ohsweken man facing Dangerous Driving charges

SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND RIVER- A 39-year-old Ohsweken man is facing  charges including Dangerous Driving after  a vehicle was involved in a single-vehicle collision after Six Nations Police received  a number of  complaints over erratic driving. The charges came after Six Nations Police and Six Nations Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to a single vehicle collision on Second Line Road  Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at about 8:45 AM. Police had received multiple complaints that the vehicle had been involved in a fail to remain accident just moments before, was driving in the wrong lane and had passed a school bus with the lights activated. Police said callers were able to provide a description of the vehicle and the driver. Six Nations Police said once on scene they were...

This content is for Print Subscription Only members only.
Register
Already a member? Log in here

Many can breathe “sigh of relief” as B.C.’s wildfire risk lowers, minister says

The end is near for British Columbia’s fire season, but the provincial emergency management minister says the “sleeping giant” in the season of natural disasters is drought. Bowinn Ma’s comments came as she announced disaster financial assistance is available for local governments and First Nations areas that have been burned by the province’s largest fire season on record. Ma says mid-September traditionally marks the end of the peak wildfire season and the province is “in the home stretch” but must remain prepared. Adding to the record season where an estimated 2.2 million hectares of land has been burned, the minister says drought conditions this year are unlike any other the province has ever seen. After a peak last month when an estimated 30,000 people were ordered out of their homes...

This content is for Print Subscription Only members only.
Register
Already a member? Log in here

Six Nations asks why can’t they have an immersion school

Infrastructure Canada says no to funding for Six Nations language school but won’t say why By Lisa Iesse Writer SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND – They said no…again. The Kawenni:io/Gaweni:y (KG) immersion school has been trying to build a school for over 37 years and recently had applied to a federal program for funding. Now after being turned down a second time by Infrastructure Canada for funds they want to know why. The school had applied to Canada’s Green and inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program for just under $30 million to build their school. It was part of their push to build what could become Six Nations only fully environmentally friendly immersion school. And they had every reason to expect approval of their application. It was their second application and one...

This content is for Yearly Subscription, Yearly Subscription - Corporate, Print Subscription Only, and Canada Print and Online members only.
Register
Already a member? Log in here

Six Nations biggest “Walk the Tract” sponsor a union while SNEC fighting local firefighters right to unionize

By Lynda Powless Editor Six Nations Elected Council’s (SNEC) biggest “Walk the Tract” event sponsor is one of the country’s biggest unions. The event, supported by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) comes as SNEC is in the middle of a Canada Industrial Relations Board hearing challenging Six Nations firefighters right to form a union. The Six Nations Firefighters and captains and SNEC concluded the hearing two weeks ago. SNEC argued it was “sovereign” and had the right to deny the firefighters and captains the right to join or form a union. OPSEU is the trade union representing 180,000 Ontario public sector employees. OPSEU is also a $50,000 platinum level sponsor of SNEC’s Walk the Tract event. OPSEU did not respond to Turtle Island News requests for comment on the...

This content is for Yearly Subscription, Yearly Subscription - Corporate, Print Subscription Only, and Canada Print and Online members only.
Register
Already a member? Log in here

Six Nations investigating why septic systems are failing

Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) says it will investigate complaints from communtiy members over faiing septic systems. Several community members are having serious issues with their septic systems, councillor Michelle Bomberry told SNEC at its Aug., 22 meeting. She said it has been a problem as long as she has been a councillor and now eight individuals have come forward complaining of serious issues with their septic systems including sewage flooding their properties. “I had a community member come forward about septic issues in regards to [Six Nations Housing Department] recommended 10-12 years ago a specific system to be done in the community. Then members installed them and they’ve got sewage on their front lawn, back lawn and it was suggested to them to put in big raised beds. Those...

This content is for Yearly Subscription, Yearly Subscription - Corporate, Print Subscription Only, and Canada Print and Online members only.
Register
Already a member? Log in here

Six Nations holds Drug Overdose Awareness event

By Lisa Iesse Writer SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND – Six Nations community members held up candles remembering victims of drug overdoses during a Drug Overdose Awareness event at Veterans Park Thursday (August 31) The park was filled with booths and entertainment as over a hundred people strolled from booth to booth and heard from leaders and speakers or gathered on lawn chairs and picnic tables to hear the inviting, soulful music of Jace Martin. “Today we gather not just in remembrance but in unity and hope,” Eve Kahama, Six Nations Health Services integrated drug strategy coordinator told the crowd. “Today is a reminder of the countless lives lost to overdoses and the devastating impact it has in our community.” “Today is an opportunity for us to reflect, to educate,...

This content is for Yearly Subscription, Yearly Subscription - Corporate, Print Subscription Only, and Canada Print and Online members only.
Register
Already a member? Log in here

Council says not approving audit without run through

The Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) 2022-2023 audit is complete, but hasn’t been made public yet. Up until SNEC’s General Finance meeting on August 23, councillors hadn’t seen the audit, performed by KPMG. Councillor Helen Miller had previously asked about the audit’s status and Wayne Staats, the finance manager, told her when she asked, it wasn’t ready, but had recently been finished. “So, at the last agenda prep review last Wednesday ( Aug 16) the final audit draft was not prepared, thus was not put on the agenda. The subsequent final audit is ready for presentation and I did share info with Darrin [Jamieson, CEO],” Staats said. Representatives from KPMG were present and ready to give an in-camera presentation to SNEC about the audit. Miller protested saying she wanted time...

This content is for Yearly Subscription, Yearly Subscription - Corporate, Print Subscription Only, and Canada Print and Online members only.
Register
Already a member? Log in here

SNEC trying to streamline Hydro meetings

Six Nations is looking into new ways to approve hydro modifications on the reserve. Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) and Hydro One Networks Inc. plan to discuss moving to a model where one person in the community would approve new assets added to the territory by Hydro One at the General Council meeting on August 22. Chris Grol, Indigenous Relations Coordinator for Hydro One presented a plan for SNEC to approve to upgrade a community member’s property with 100 amp service. In order to do that Hydro One would need to add a transformer to an existing hydro pole and add a new 35 foot wooden hydro pole on the customers side of the road. He said Hydro one would add a line from the transformer pole to the new...

This content is for Yearly Subscription, Yearly Subscription - Corporate, Print Subscription Only, and Canada Print and Online members only.
Register
Already a member? Log in here

Six Nations is home to birds almost extinct in Ontario

By Lisa Iesse Writer SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND- Six Nations may hold the living secrets behind the survival of birds almost extinct in the rest of the province. These winged beauties are more often heard than seen within a diverse ecosystem teaming with life. Six Nations Wildlife and Stewardship manager Lauren Jones told Turtle Island News, ultimately, she hopes lessons learned from these winged creatures can guide conservation action. “The challenges that wildlife faces today are just astronomical in terms of habitat loss, in terms of the fragmentation that happens with their habitat, the continued impact of invasive species and humans,” she said. ‘If you look down on a map and you compare Six Nations in comparison to everything around it, it’s a wonderful, beautiful, lush green spot, ”Jones...

This content is for Yearly Subscription, Yearly Subscription - Corporate, Print Subscription Only, and Canada Print and Online members only.
Register
Already a member? Log in here
error: Content is protected !!