Possible remains found in search for slain women at Winnipeg-area landfill
By Brittany Hobson WINNIPEG,MAN.-CP-Potential human remains were discovered Wednesday at a landfill north of Winnipeg where search teams have been working to find two slain First Nations women. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said he spent time with the families of Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran at the Prairie Green landfill when the discovery was made. He later struggled to find words to describe the news. “I don’t think any of us are ever going to forget today,” Kinew told reporters. “I think all of us who were there — family, searchers, people from government such as myself — are still in the state of is this really happening.” Police have said they believe the remains of Harris and Myran — victims of a serial killer — ended up at the...
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Minister to apologize for relocations of Inuit decades ago
By Alessia Passafiume Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree will apologize on behalf of the federal government Thursday for its role in the Dundas Harbour relocations between 1934 and 1948. The relocations were part of Canada’s strategy to maintain a national security presence in the Arctic. More than 50 people were removed by the federal government from their ancestral homes, leaving impacts on Inuit communities that linger to this day. Isaac Shooyook, born in 1939 in Arctic Bay, is expected to be present to hear Anandasangaree deliver the apology at a ceremony Thursday afternoon in the hamlet where he was born, along with survivors’ descendants. Speaking in Inuktitut, Shooyook said while he is happy the minister is coming to apologize, he’s saddened many people who were affected have since died and...
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America First? Not when it comes to stock markets worldwide this year
By Stan Choe NEW YORK (AP) — When it comes to stock markets around the world, this year has clearly not been “America First.” The U.S. stock market has risen in 2025 and isn’t far from its all-time high set last week. But it’s climbed less than stock indexes in Mexico City, Paris and Hong Kong. The difference in performance has been so stark than an index of stocks from 22 of 23 developed economies around the world, excluding the United States, has trounced the S&P 500: a 7.5% rise through Monday versus 1.7% for Wall Street’s benchmark. The split in performance has many causes, and if it continues, it would mark a sharp reversal following years of U.S. exceptionalism. The U.S. stock market has been the clear winner for...
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Gene Hackman, prolific Oscar-winning actor, found dead at home at 95 years old
By Hillel Italie Gene Hackman, the prolific Oscar-winning actor whose studied portraits ranged from reluctant heroes to conniving villains and made him one of the industry’s most respected and honored performers, has been found dead along with his wife at their home. He was 95. Hackman was a frequent and versatile presence on screen from the 1960s until his retirement. His dozens of films included the Academy Award favorites “The French Connection” and “Unforgiven,” a breakout performance in “Bonnie and Clyde,” a classic bit of farce in “Young Frankenstein,” a turn as the comic book villain Lex Luthor in “Superman” and the title character in Wes Anderson’s 2001 “The Royal Tenenbaums.” He seemed capable of any kind of role — whether an uptight buffoon in “Birdcage,” a college coach finding...
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Trump cuts financial lifeline for Venezuela’s government by ending permit to export oil to US
By Regina Garcia Cano CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — A permit issued by the United States government allowing energy giant Chevron Corp. to pump and export Venezuelan oil will be terminated this week, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday, ending what became a financial lifeline for the South American country. Trump’s announcement in his Truth Social network accused the government of President Nicolás Maduro of not meeting democratic conditions for last year’s July presidential election as well as of not moving fast enough to transport back to Venezuela immigrants set for deportation. “We are hereby reversing the concessions that Crooked Joe Biden gave to Nicolás Maduro, of Venezuela, on the oil transaction agreement,” Trump wrote. Trump post did not specifically mention California-based Chevron nor the permit, formally known as a general license,...
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Wabasca RCMP responded to 252 reports of spousal abuse in 2024
By Pearl Lorentzen Local Journalism Initiative Reporter In 2024, the Wabasca RCMP detachment’s most frequent ‘common police activity’ was responding to spousal abuse. In 2024, the Wabasca RCMP responded to 252 reported cases of spousal abuse. For the Athabasca RCMP, the number of reported cases was 93. For the Athabasca, RCMP this was the third highest common police activity, below suspicious person/vehicle/property (408) and false or abandoned 911 calls (99). These and the following statistics are from the Wabasca and Athabasca RCMP third quarter (October to December) reports in the M.D. of Opportunity February 12 Council agenda package. The statistics are divided into several sections including, Criminal Code, drugs, and common police activities. Spousal abuse takes many different forms, so within the criminal charges it can show up in different...
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Man facing charges after three vehicle collision
OHSWEKEN,ONT- Six Nations Police (SNP) have charged a local man after a three-vehicle collision on Chiefswood Road last month. SNP and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) all responded to a three-vehicle collision Tuesday, January 28th, 2025, at approximately 6:05 a.m. on Chiefswood Road. Police said Wednesday (Feb. 26, 2023) they found three vehicles at the scene, all with heavy damages, blocking the roadway. EMS assessed all drivers at the scene and one driver was transported to a local area hospital with minor injuries. SNP said officers spoke with the driver’s involved and learned a truck was travelling northbound on Chiefswood Road when it collided with two other vehicles. During the investigation police learned the driver of the truck was prohibited from operating a motor vehicle. Police said no signs of impairment...
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Chiefs granted intervenor status in border-crossing lobster case
By Andrew Bates, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Telegraph-Journal An Indigenous nation has been granted intervenor status in a case involving a U.S.-based lobster fisher accused of illegally fishing in Passamaquoddy Bay. Erik D. Francis, 55, of Perry, Maine, faces charges under the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act alleging that he illegally fished from a foreign vessel in New Brunswick waters. According to court documents, he was stopped on Nov. 15, 2022, off the coast of Deer Island by fisheries officials, who seized 36 lobster traps owned by Francis. Francis, who is self-represented, has claimed Indigenous fishing rights as a part of the Peskotomuhkati (Passamaquoddy) Nation, which has two communities in Maine including Sipayik (Pleasant Point), where Francis lives, and the community known as Skutik in Charlotte County. The Peskotomuhkati people, which...
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Trio of King Charles III Coronation Medals awarded in Tofino
By Nora O’Malley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Ha-Shilth-Sa Tofino, BC – Joe Martin, Levi Martin and Dr. Ricardo Manmohan were awarded King Charles III Coronation Medals on Feb. 21 in front of an intimate gathering of friends and family at the newly renovated Clayoquot Sound Community Theatre in Tofino. Courtenay-Alberni NDP MP Gord Johns presented the honour on behalf of the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada. Johns was tasked with nominating 20 individuals from his riding for the Kings Charles II Coronation Medal, an award that recognizes outstanding individuals who have made a difference in their community. “It wasn’t easy to pull all these individuals together at the same time,” said Johns. “They are extremely busy individuals that are constantly giving everything they’ve got, and when I...
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Chiefs in Ontario vote in favour of federal child welfare reform deal
By Alessia Passafiume -CP-First Nations chiefs in Ontario voted overwhelmingly Wednesday in favour of a child welfare reform deal with the federal government. The Ontario-specific deal to allow First Nations to take control of child welfare was supported by 76 chiefs in assembly, with four objections and three abstentions. As the vote concluded, Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict said the decision will allow First Nations to end discrimination in their communities and offer better support to families. “We can’t wait for a national agreement. It’s too important in our communities,” he told the chiefs gathered in Toronto. “Yes, there’s a lot of work to do, but I believe today is a very momentous moment. Not only are we stopping discrimination in our communities — in your communities — we’re advancing...
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A Safer Future – Cree Nation and Ontario fire departments launch unique fire prevention program
By Patrick Quinn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Cree Nation partnered with Ontario fire departments on January 31 to launch a Fire Prevention Officer (FPO) Mentorship Program in Orillia, Ontario. With 10 FPOs from Cree communities working for a month in conjunction with 11 fire departments across Ontario, the program is the first of its kind in Canada. “Fire prevention is so vital for our communities, especially with the unique challenges we face,” stated Cree Grand Chief Mandy Gull-Masty. “This mentorship program will give our Fire Prevention Officers the knowledge and support needed to better protect our communities and build a safer future for all in Eeyou Istchee.” The Cree Nation faces similar high fire risks as do other First Nations, including overcrowded housing and socioeconomic inequities. A 2021 report...
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Francis Verreault-Paul picked by Assembly of First Nations as Quebec-Labrador chief
-CP-Francis Verreault-Paul has been elected the new regional chief of the Assembly of First Nations for Quebec and Labrador. Verreault-Paul, 37, from the Innu community of Mashteuiatsh in Quebec’s Lac-St-Jean region, takes over from Ghislain Picard, who stepped down after 33 years in the role and 11 terms as chief. “I commit to be a unifying voice, to listen, to act and to carry our claims forward with conviction,” Verreault-Paul, who before the vote served as chief of staff at the assembly, said in a news release on Wednesday. After a vote Tuesday in Lac-Beauport, Que., north of Quebec City, Verreault-Paul beat three other candidates: Constant Awashish, grand chief of the Atikamekw Nation council; Cathy Martin, council member of the Listuguj Mi’kmaq government; and Monik Kistabish, chief of the Abitibiwinni...
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Discrepancies over funding: Survivors Secretariat warns of closure
By Joshua Santos Writer A financial dispute between the federal government and the Survivors’ Secretariat has placed the future of critical residential school investigations at risk. The organization is warning that it can be forced to fold by the end of March. Ottawa claims the Secretariat still has $4.2 million in unspent funds while the organization insists that money has already been allocated, leaving it without resources to continue its work. “They are denying us funding because they say we have a surplus,” said Laura Arndt, secretariat lead. “Canada knows we do not have a surplus. We have been essentially begging them for funding since June. The hardest part is Canada is not being honest about our financial resources, and they are using that to say they are not funding...
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Canada takes on fentanyl but Indigenous communities left behind
By Joshua Santos Writer Canada is ramping up its fight against fentanyl, with new border security measures and the creation of a fentanyl czar, but in Indigenous communities, where the crisis is hitting hardest, the resources to fight back are still out of reach. The Ontario Chiefs of Police said fentanyl, a drug linked to organized crime, saw an increase in police seizures and overdose-linked deaths. It saids the uptick, coupled with supply issues of other drugs, may have contributed to an increase in overdoses across Ontario and Canada. “It’s bad all over the place but more so in Indigenous communities because of less resources and manpower for law enforcement,” said Six Nations Police Chief Darren Montour. “It boils down to funding.” Montour said the police’s drug enforcement unit has...
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Woman facing impaired charge after vehicle found in ditch
OHSWEKEN- A Six Nations woman is facing multiple charges after police found a vehicle in the ditch on Second Line. Six Nations Police said an anonymous caller contacted police Friday, Jan.3 at about 7 a.m. saying a vehicle was in the ditch on Second Line. Six Nations Police responded to the scene where they said they found a vehicle that appeared to have been backed into the ditch. Police spoke with the lone female driver and noticed signs of impairment. The woman was arrested and transported to another local police service to conduct a breath test. As a result of the investigation, police have arrested and charged Myka Burning, 44, of Ohsweken, with the following criminal offences: Impaired Operation Alcohol per se Offence “80 plus” Operation while Prohibited Burning is...
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No Ontario Election 2025 polling station at Six Nations
By Joshua Santos and Lynda Powless Writers If Six Nations voters want to cast a ballot in tomorrow’s ( Feb. 27) Ontario Elections, they will have to leave Six Nations to do it. Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) told Elections Ontario officials, in a closed meeting, that no voting station was to be opened at Six Nations. Election Ontario sources said the reason behind the decision was a protest that occurred the last time a poll was held at Six Nations. Instead, if Six Nations band members want to cast a ballot, they will have to go to an official polling station on Feb. 27th at Burtch Baptist Church, 352 Cockshutt Rd. in Brantford. Polls will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at which point staff will count...
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SNEC hopes new office space will bring staff back to office
Six Nations band staff will now have access to two new office spaces. Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) hopes making the new offices available will help get staff, who have worked from home since 2020, or those sharing desks, back into the office. Councillor Audrey Powless-Bomberry introduced a motion to continue paying for two units at the Oneida Business Park for SNEC and the Education Committee’s staff person. Councillor Bomberry introduced the motion at SNEC’s open General Finance meeting earllier this month but withdrew it when the motion didn’t receive support. “I think we think we should hold on to them. Any councillor could have office space to work or if they want to have a focus group they could take them there and for meetings. We think it just...
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Ohsweken man facing charges after vehicle fails to stop for stop sign
OHSWEKEN-An Ohsweken man is facing a series of charges after Six Nations Police spotted a vehicle drive through a stop sign last month. Six Nations Police were on general patrol, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025 at about 7:15 a.m. when they saw a motor vehicle fail to stop for the posted stop sign at Fourth Line Road and Onondaga Road. Police conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle and spoke to the lone male driver. Police said while speaking to the driver signs of impairment were observed. The man was arrested and taken to the Six Nations detachment to provide a sample of his breath. The man refused to provide a sample and as a result of the investigation police arrested and charged the man. Charged Matthew Turner, 33, of Ohsweken,...
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RCMP Black Hawks to Patrol International Borders
By Joshua Santos Writer Black Hawk helicopters may roar through the skies as law enforcement agencies increase patrols at both the Canadian and American borders but not over Six Nations. Royal Canaidan Mout Police (RCMP) said the helicopters aren’t patrolling over Six Nations but it was included in an alert the agency sent to all communities within a certain distance of the international borders. The office of the Six Nations Elected Chief was one of several communities notified that there will be increased international border patrols on both land and air. “A Black Hawk helicopter with the RCMP logo will be utilized for air patrols,” said Caitlin Court, communications coordinator for Six Nations in a news release. “If you see this helicopter, it does not mean a specific threat or...
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What’s public and what isn’t … is a public matter
Six Nations current elected council’s decision to move into closed sessions on issues affecting the local community hit a new level this past week. The Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) decided to discuss the community’s ability to vote in elections behind closed doors. Now, whether you vote or not, or support the issue of voting. the issue isn’t putting a ballot in a box. The question is why? Why would a discussion on whether an election or vote would be held at Six Nations go behind closed doors. In the past the holding of voting polls, for provincial elections in particular, has come under fire with protesters showing up at the single voting station wherever it may be on Six Nations. But the discussion of whether to hold one at...
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