Nuclear waste proposal sent to independent review panel
By Mike Stimpson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, SNnewswatch.com IGNACE — Having decided the proposal to store nuclear waste northwest of Ignace needs further review, the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) has referred the project to an independent review panel. That’s good news for people who don’t want to see the deep geological repository built, We the Nuclear Free North’s Charles Faust said Tuesday. “This is a good development for us,” he told Newswatch. “This is a win.” The IAAC is “a shell of what it used to be, but it’s still all we have to review projects,” he said. The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) wants to construct a deep-underground facility for the long-term storage of used nuclear fuel at a site just south of Highway 11 and 43...
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Ottawa floats new rule to keep vessels one kilometre from southern resident orcas
By Wolfgang Depner Vessels will have to steer one kilometre clear of endangered southern resident orcas under newly proposed federal regulations that are being applauded by commercial whale watchers. Erin Gless, executive director of the Pacific Whale Watch Association that represents 28 companies in Canada and the United States, says the organization “strongly supports” the proposed changes. The move would increase minimum distances from the whales from the current 200 metres. But Gless says that would make no difference to the association’s 0perators, which have not actively viewed southern residents from any distance in B.C. waters since 2019. The approach distance for other killer whales would remain at 200 metres. The Washington-state based Center for Whale Research says its census put the population of southern residents at 74, as of...
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‘Mainstream Canadians need to listen,’ to the truth behind Indigenous food sovereignty, says Indigenous farmer
By Ina Pace, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Squamish Chief Indigenous agriculture documentary Tea Creek screened at Squamish’s Totem Hall, revealing the cracks in a lesser-known oppressive system, according to its protagonist. Truth and reconciliation are merely words without action, redundant even, if they are not believed. When federal law usurps what existed before it, truths can get buried and ultimately misinformed, according to farmer Dzap’l Gye’a̱win Skiik Jacob Beaton. These include truths about the workings of everyday business; your shopping at the grocery store, for example. Indigenous food sovereignty (Indigenous people having control over their own food sources) is one of these buried truths, he said. Beaton is the co-owner of farm turned Indigenous agricultural training institute Tea Creek, which he founded in 2020 with his family. Tea Creek...
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B.C. mulls changes to weaken DRIPA, shares secret document with First Nations leaders
By Alessia Passafiume Following two recent court decisions siding with First Nations under British Columbia’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, Premier David Eby is considering amendments that would weaken the legislation. First Nations leaders have called on Eby to leave the bill alone. The bill, known as DRIPA, requires B.C. to take “all measures” to align the rights of Indigenous Peoples with existing provincial legislation. Amendments proposed in a confidential letter sent to some First Nations leaders in B.C. on Monday say the government is looking to amend the bill to promise “ongoing processes” to align select legislation with DRIPA. The provincial Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, or DRIPA, was passed in 2019. It’s based on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of...
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Sarnia council demands Dennis apologies after rant over Indigenous mural
By Petrolia Lambton Independent Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Sarnia City councillors did their best to make amends for divisive and disrespectful comments directed to Indigenous people by Councillor Bill Dennis. But the damage is done and the council does not have the tools to go father than demanding an apology, say several members of council. March 18, a mural by Indigenous artist Kennday Osborne was unveiled at city hall. It is part of Sarnia’s actions under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. It’s federal legislation which sets a national standard for reconciliation, and according to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities “fundamentally shifts how (municipalities) engage with Indigenous people, manage land use and deliver services.” The mural highlights the relationship between Sarnia-Lambton and The Council of...
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First Nation engineer named new president of national mining organization
By Sam Laskaris, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Windspeaker.com Kaella-Marie Earle, a member of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island, has been named president of the Canadian Aboriginal Minerals Association (CAMA), a group founded in 1992 but one that had been on hiatus since the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020. Hans Matthews, a member of Wahnapitae First Nation in northern Ontario, founded CAMA and served as its only previous president. He stepped back from his position for personal reasons roughly the same time the pandemic was happening. “Last year, with the national landscape changing regarding major projects and the increase in mining development in Canada, Hans actually got people from across the country reaching out to him,” to relaunch the organization, Earle said. “They felt that they needed the kind of...
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Ontario Ombudsman’s final act: A new Indigenous plan to confront systemic failures
By Jon Thompson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Ricochet In the final two weeks of Paul Dubé’s decade-long tenure as Ontario’s ombudsman, he delivered its first Indigenous Services Plan — a promise to improve cultural competency and transform how complaints create systemic change. Those he consulted to write the plan are cautiously optimistic. “When we have the privilege to occupy these positions for however long we have them, we have a moral duty, we have a moral imperative to address some of these issues,” Dubé said of the five-year “herculean” process. “And as I look over the landscape of Ontario, I saw no more pressing issue than to contribute to reconciliation and get things moving, in whatever way we can.” His plan proposes “proactive ombudsmanship,” a commitment to take complaints and...
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Canadian sport system ‘broken, unsustainable,’ federal commission finds
By Donna Spencer Canadian sport needs an overhaul. That’s the conclusion of the Future of Sport in Canada Commission’s final report released Tuesday. “The work must begin now,” said Lise Maisonneuve, a former chief justice of the Ontario court of justice, who headed the commission. “Our review has revealed the Canadian sport system is broken, fragmented and in its present form, unsustainable. “In many settings, and for far too many people, it has caused and continues to cause real lasting harm.” The commission’s mandate was to make the Canadian sport system better and safer. “As we discovered in our work, these two matters are deeply interconnected,” Maisonneuve said. Announced in December 2023 by former federal sports minister Carla Qualtrough, the commission was among various federal government remedies in response to...
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‘Muzzling the process’: Ontario didn’t contribute to Ring of Fire assessment
By Fatima Syed and Carl Meyer Ontario has not been involved in the federal government’s regional assessment of the Ring of Fire, withholding scientific data and funding needed to understand the impact of mining development, even as the province ushers it through. The province is absent in the regional assessment working group’s interim report, released Feb. 23. In multiple instances, the group, made up of representatives from 15 First Nations and the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, makes clear Ontario has yet to sign on. There is still an “opportunity for collaboration with the province of Ontario in the regional assessment,” the group wrote in the report. The group said it’s preparing what “specific information” it will need to request from the province. Ontario’s absence is notable as the Doug...
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ATCO investing $10 million in company building Nunavut port-and-road project
ATCO Ltd. is taking on a 40 per cent ownership stake in an Inuit-led road-and-port project in Nunavut. The Calgary-based company says it will provide about $10 million in a staged investment to West Kitikmeot Resources Corp. WKR is developing the Grays Bay Road and Port Project, which has been referred to the newly established federal major projects office. The office was set up last year to speed infrastructure developments deemed to be in the national interest. The WKR project includes a new deepwater port on the Northwest Passage, a 230-kilometre all-season road connecting to the Northwest Territories boundary and a more than 1,800-metre airstrip. The companies say the Grays Bay Road and Port project could have military and civilian uses, and would help create the first overland connection between...
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Canada’s migratory caribou are under threat. Will we act before it’s too late?
By Benjamin Larue, Allen Niptanatiak and Amanda Dumond Delegates are gathering in Campo Grande, Brazil, for the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) on the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals. The meeting aims to address growing threats to migratory animals — from birds and whales to large land mammals. The outcome could matter for caribou — one of Canada’s most recognizable wildlife species, immortalized on the country’s 25-cent quarters. Canada has not ratified the convention, but COP15 still matters here: it sets global norms and shines an international spotlight on a crisis unfolding in Canada’s North. Every year, migratory tundra caribou travel hundreds — sometimes thousands — of kilometres across the Arctic and subarctic. These journeys are the longest known terrestrial migrations on Earth. As...
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B.C. mulls changes to weaken DRIPA, shares secret document with First Nations leaders
By Alessia Passafiume British Columbia Premier David Eby’s government is considering amendments that would weaken a landmark reconciliation law that says the province will take “all measures” to align the rights of Indigenous Peoples with existing provincial legislation.. Amendments to the law proposed in a confidential letter sent to some First Nations leaders in the province Monday and shared with The Canadian Press say the government is to provide for “ongoing processes” toward aligning select legislation with the provincial Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. The provincial Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, or DRIPA, was passed in 2019. It’s based on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which requires free, prior and informed consent from Indigenous Peoples on matters affecting their...
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Gov. Gen. Mary Simon honours former judge, sex worker champion with Order of Canada
By Nick Murray and Alessia Passafiume Former Chief of Chippewas of the Thames First Nation Joe Miskokomon joined a Supreme Court justice, a medical pioneer, two broadcasters and a champion for sex workers were all invested into the Order of Canada during a ceremony at Rideau Hall on Thursday. Gov. Gen. Mary Simon said it was a privilege to honour these individuals as their names join a long list of distinguished Canadians who have helped the country “move together toward reconciliation, truth and inclusion.” “You push boundaries and inspire us to reach higher, and through acts of generosity that support people in need, you remind us of the power of compassion,” Simon said during her speech at Thursday’s investiture ceremony. Assembly of First Nations National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak and the...
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Inuk musician, Susan Aglukark to be honoured at Six Nations
By Sam Laskaris A local artistic group is honouring Inuk singer/songwriter Susan Aglukark on Wednesday. The Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance (IPAA), whose head office is based in Six Nations, is staging a luncheon ceremony at Yogi’s Barn in Ohsweken. The event is scheduled to commence at noon and run until 3 p.m. About 100 people have been invited to the event, including Six Nations Elected Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill. Aglukark was born in Manitoba city of Churchill. But she grew up in the Inuit hamlet of Arviat, in in what is now known as the territory of Nunavut. In 1995, Aglukark captured a pair of trophies at the JUNO Awards, annually held to recognize Canada’s top musicians. She was named as the best new solo artist and also took top honours...
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ROPE Squad seeks public’s help in locating federal offender
Kingston, ON – The Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (R.O.P.E.) Squad is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a federal offender wanted on a Canada Wide Warrant as a result of a breach of their Statutory Release. Wesley Hall is described as an Caucasian male, 44, 5’6″(168 cm), 140 lbs (64 kg), with brown hair and hazel eyes. He has several tattoos; Right Side of Neck- ‘JASMINE’ Neck – Flaming Eyeball Left Forearm – Skull, Mickey Mouse with Knife and Severed Head Left Upper Arm- ‘WES’, Clown, Chinese Symbol Right Forearm-‘JAZZY’ Upper Torso Back – ‘WESLEY’ Hall is serving a 2-year sentence for; Possession of Weapons for Dangerous Purpose Utter Threats to Cause Death Theft Under $5000 (x3) Public Mischief Fail to Comply with Order – At Large (X2) The offender is...
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Some evacuees returning for spring hunt as water repairs continue
By Marissa Lentz-McGrath, Local Journalism Initiative, TimminsToday.com KASHECHEWAN – With the spring hunt coming up, some people are returning to a Far North community that’s been evacuated for months, though the majority of members remain displaced, says leadership. Kashechewan First Nation’s executive director Tyson Wesley said about 150 people are travelling back from five host communities — Niagara Falls, Kingston, Timmins, Cochrane and Kapuskasing — as part of preparations for the spring hunting season. The community of about 2,000 people was evacuated in January after its water supply and sewage systems failed, and the spread of cryptosporidium. The target timeline is to return all evacuees to the community within approximately 10 weeks. “I think the cryptosporidium has definitely run its course among our people,” he said. “We haven’t really had...
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Here’s what to know as the scope of damage from Hawaii’s floods becomes clearer
By Audrey Mcavoy And Gene Johnson HONOLULU (AP) — The worst flooding to hit Hawaii in two decades swept homes off their foundations, floated cars out of driveways and left floors, walls and counters covered in thick, reddish volcanic mud. Crews continued to assess the destruction Monday, but authorities said hundreds of homes had been damaged, along with some schools and a hospital. No deaths have been reported, but more than 230 people had to be rescued. Rain continued to the southeastern part of the state and a section of the Big Island was under a flash flood warning. Here’s what to know as residents begin to clean up. This was Hawaii’s worst flooding since 2004 Gov. Josh Green said the cost of the storm could top $1 billion, including...
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Provincial government approves funding to plan new Paddle Prairie School
By Jeremy Appel, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Alberta Native News Northland School Division is in the early stages of replacing the more than 50-year-old Paddle Prairie School after the provincial government approved funding for its planning stage. Division board chair Tanya Fayant told Alberta Native News that a new Paddle Prairie School has “been a priority for Northland for a number of years.” The Peace River-based public school board’s 2025-2028 capital plan identifies a replacement Paddle Prairie School as its number one capital priority. According to the plan, enrollment at the K-12 school on Paddle Prairie Metis Settlement increased from 114 students in 2019 to 126 students in 2023, representing a 10.5 per cent increase, although enrollment is expected to remain stable over the next decade. Northland superintendent Cal Johnson...
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How B.C.’s ‘Defective’ Land titles Are Spooking Banks and Freezing Richmond’s Industrial Heartland
By John Wirth, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Alberta Native News A Landmark August 2025 B.C. Supreme Court ruling (Cowichan Tribes v. Canada) declared Aboriginal title over 1,800 acres of Richmond’s industrial heartland. The Legal Shift: For the first time, the court ruled that Indigenous title and private “fee simple” property coexist. However, Aboriginal title is the “senior interest,” effectively “burdening” existing deeds. The Economic Fallout: Banks are freezing credit. With “clear title” no longer guaranteed, a $35-million loan for a major industrial hub has already been pulled, rendering prime land “unmarketable.” The Historical Context: The crisis traces back to 1859 and the “dishonourable” land-flipping schemes of Colonel Richard Moody, who sold unceded territory he was tasked to protect. The Bottom Line: This isn’t a “takeover” of homes; it’s a reckoning...
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Auditor general says RCMP’s staff shortage got worse in recent years
By Kyle Duggan Royal Canadian Mounted Police staff shortages worsened after officials bet wrong on their recruitment needs and let rookie officers choose the locations of their first assignments, says the auditor general. In a new report tabled in Parliament on Monday, Auditor General Karen Hogan said the force set targets that fell far short of its own needs, then failed to recruit as many officers as planned despite a flood of applicants. The audit found the federal police force was short about 3,400 officers in fall 2025. Hogan also said a flexible posting policy introduced to boost recruitment produced uneven staffing levels across the country and worsened shortages in the North, the Prairies and some Atlantic provinces. “Without fundamental changes, the RCMP will not be able to hire enough...
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