Search of Winnipeg landfill for serial killer victim could start in December: Kinew
By Brittany Hobson A search of a Winnipeg landfill for the remains of a victim of convicted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki could begin in December. Premier Wab Kinew says the province is in the process of hiring staff to search the city-run Brady Road landfill for the remains of Ashlee Shingoose. “We’ve been really conscientious about the Shingoose family … we (have) made a lot of progress in terms of strengthening that relationship. So, now we’re moving ahead to the next steps, which involve hiring the searchers,” he told reporters Monday. “We’re moving ahead with a target of searching that zone of highest interest.” The province began a “test phase” of a search at the landfill in August. It included excavating an area to determine what the search process would...
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Historic Saskatchewan town of Duck Lake sees pushback over corporate renaming plan
The Saskatchewan town of Duck Lake is older than the province and situated near a historic battle site. It got its name from the birds that migrate through the area. But now, the town’s mayor says its name could be up for grabs to the highest bidder – to the tune of at least $10 million. Jason Anderson said he’s received an earful from residents angry about the plan that would see Duck Lake named after a company. “Pretty much the entire town’s ready to lynch me right now,” he said in an interview. “I can’t say most people are for this, but most people aren’t thinking about what this could actually mean for us.” The town northwest of Saskatoon was settled by French-speaking Métis people in the 1860s and...
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First Nation calls B.C. Premier Eby’s comments ‘deliberately inflammatory’
By Nono Shen The Quw’utsun Nation says public comments by British Columbia Premier David Eby and other politicians about its groundbreaking Aboriginal title case in Richmond, B.C., are “at best, misleading, and at worst, deliberately inflammatory,” adding that the ruling does not “erase” public property. A statement issued Monday by the nation, whose members include the Cowichan Tribes, also calls the B.C. government and the City of Richmond’s recent messaging “negative and erroneous,” saying it was stirring up “unnecessary fears” among private landowners. The Aug. 7 B.C. Supreme Court ruling says the tribes have Aboriginal title over a portion of land on the Fraser River, that Crown and city titles on the land are defective and invalid, and the granting of private titles by the government unjustifiably infringed on Cowichan...
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Chicago’s children are getting caught in the chaos of immigration crackdowns
By Claire Galofaro CHICAGO (AP) — The 2-year-old boy was so frightened, he stuttered. “Mommy, mommy, mommy,” he repeated, clinging to her. His mother, Molly Kucich, had been grocery shopping when her husband called, panicking. She heard “immigration raid.” Then: “tear gas.” She abandoned her grocery cart and drove as fast as she could to her toddler and his 14-month-old brother, who, on that warm October Friday, were among the hundreds of Chicago children caught suddenly in the turmoil of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. Parents, teachers and caregivers have been grappling ever since with how to explain to childrenwhat they’d seen: how much to tell them so they know enough to stay safe, but not too much to rob them of their childhood. A toddler shouldn’t know what a...
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Lil’wat Nation breaks ground on long-awaited Function Junction development
By Luke Faulks, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Pique Newsmagazine After more than a decade of planning and negotiation, Lil’wat leaders and about 50 community members gathered on a crisp October morning to bless the land and break ground on the Nation’s long-awaited Function Junction development—a mixed-use project that will bring Lil’wat economic and cultural presence back to Whistler’s southern gateway. “Today is a big day for us,” said Lil’wat councillor Qaqawam Christopher Wells, who led the opening ceremony, drum circle and prayers. “It’s been a long time in the making—since 2010 this has been in the planning. “Take care of this beautiful space,” he added. “Take care of this beautiful area.” The Tseqwtsúqum̓ (pronounced “Chek-choo-koom”) development site, reclaimed by the Nation through the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Legacy...
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Manitoba hiring landfill search workers, probe could begin in December: premier
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says the search of a Winnipeg landfill for the remains of a woman killed by Jeremy Skibicki could begin in December. Kinew says the province is in the process of hiring staff to search at the city-run Brady Road landfill for the remains of Ashlee Shingoose. The woman, originally from St. Theresa Point Anisininew Nation in northern Manitoba, was one of four First Nations women killed by Skibicki in 2022. A preliminary search began at the Brady Road landfill in August, using excavators and ground-penetrating radar tests to narrow down the search area. A search of another landfill for the remains of Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran, who were also killed by Skibicki, wrapped up last summer after their bodies were found. Skibicki was convicted of...
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Port of Churchill owners reviewing policy that put Northern Indigenous businesses last
By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News Arctic Gateway Group, the company that owns Manitoba’s Port of Churchill, says it’s reviewing a policy that put Northern Indigenous Businesses last in its Request for Proposal evaluation criteria. The under review policy in question listed preferences for Indigenous businesses to work with the port, where growing investment is opening Hudson’s Bay and the Northwest Passage as an increasingly important trade route. Indigenous business from Churchill, Manitoba were listed first in preference, non-Indigenous business in Churchill second, 29 Manitoba First Nations along with Indigenous suppliers from 10 municipalities third, and non-Indigenous suppliers from those First Nations and Municipalities fourth. Northern Indigenous businesses were listed fifth, with the preferences list labelled using the letters A to E. The policy does not...
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First Nation calls B.C. Premier Eby’s comments ‘deliberately inflammatory
By Nono Shen The Quw’utsun Nation says public comments by British Columbia Premier David Eby and other politicians about its groundbreaking Aboriginal title case in Richmond, B.C., are “at best, misleading, and at worst, deliberately inflammatory,” adding that the ruling does not “erase” public property. A statement from the nation, whose members include the Cowichan Tribes, also calls the B.C. government and the City of Richmond’s recent messaging “negative and erroneous,” and it was stirring up “unnecessary fears” among private landowners. The Aug. 7 B.C. Supreme Court ruling says the tribes have Aboriginal title over a portion of land on the Fraser River, that Crown and city titles on the land are defective and invalid, and the granting of private titles by the government unjustifiably infringed on Cowichan title. Eby...
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Historic Saskatchewan town Duck Lake sees pushback over corporate renaming plan
A historic Saskatchewan town is facing blowback from its residents over a plan that could see the town renamed after a company. Duck Lake, northeast of Saskatoon, approved selling the naming rights in a narrow vote at a town council meeting last week. Mayor Jason Anderson says companies can submit their bids to the town, which won’t accept anything less than $10 million. He says the plan could result in the town being named after a brand, but residents will have the final say in a plebiscite should a company come forward. Denis Poirier, Duck Lake’s former mayor, says many are angry with the idea, arguing it would erase the town’s identity, Duck Lake was settled by French-speaking Métis people and is located near the site of the first battle...
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Inuit association wants the next Nunavut government to make Inuktut the primary language
By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI), Nunavut’s largest Inuit organization, released a list on Oct. 21 detailing its most pressing issues for candidates running for MLA in the territorial election, and language is right at the top. Inuktut education, Inuit employment, housing, infrastructure, food security, the Inuit Child First Initiative, health equity, mental wellness, suicide prevention and addressing drug-related harm were the main priorities NTI wants to see candidates focus on. “We want to see a government that advances Inuktut education, ensures homes are food secure and our communities are safe, and creates opportunities for Inuit to thrive today and in the future,” NTI President Jeremy Tunraluk said on October 21. NTI said it wants to work with the next government to...
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Uncontacted Indigenous groups could vanish within a decade without stronger protections, experts say
By Steven Grattan BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — From the depths of Brazil’s Amazon to Indonesia’s rainforests, some of the world’s most isolated peoples are being squeezed by roads, miners and drug traffickers — a crisis unfolding far from public view or effective state protection. A new report by Survival International, a London-based Indigenous rights organization, attempts one of the broadest tallies yet, identifying at least 196 uncontacted Indigenous groups in 10 countries, primarily in the South American nations sharing the Amazon rainforest. Released Sunday, the report estimates that nearly 65% face threats from logging, about 40% from mining and around 20% from agribusiness. “These are what I would call silent genocides — there are no TV crews, no journalists. But they are happening, and they’re happening now,” said Fiona Watson,...
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Audit finds federal department couldn’t account for 132 Indigenous artworks valued at $14.4 million
By Alessia Passafiume The federal government has lost track of more than 130 Indigenous artworks and risks losing the trust of Indigenous artists if it doesn’t take better care of its collection, an internal audit found last year. The report, dated November 2024, was posted earlier this month on the Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada website. It tracked the operations of the department’s Indigenous Art Centre from April 2019 to August 2024. The audit noted the Indigenous Art Centre’s collection — first established by the federal government in 1965 to protect, preserve and promote Indigenous art — consists of more than 5,000 artworks from First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists. The collection is valued at roughly $14.4 million. The audit does not say how much the mislaid artworks are...
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Throne speech focuses on ‘strong, safe and secure’ Saskatchewan
By Nicole Taylor, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The World-Spectator The provincial government of Saskatchewan opened its legislative session with an agenda targeting economic growth, community safety, affordability and infrastructure. The Throne Speech acknowledged global economic pressures, including the shifting trade relationships and tariffs imposed by the United States and China, and Saskatchewan’s capacity to respond due to its natural resources, diversified export markets and growing labour force. The government recognized that Saskatchewan currently leads Canada in several labour and investment indicators, including employment among women, youth and Indigenous people, as well as private capital investment, which grew 17.3 percent last year to $14.7 billion and is projected to reach $16.2 billion in 2025. The Throne Speech discussed the resource base beyond oil, potash and uranium; such as aluminium, cobalt, copper,...
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James Cree Nation Chief ffended by mandatory federal branding on Orange Shirt Day funding
By Alessia Passafiume The chief of James Smith Cree Nation says he’s offended by Ottawa’s requirement that promotional materials for Orange Shirt Day events funded by the federal government carry government branding. Kirby Constant told The Canadian Press the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is meant to honour survivors of residential schools and day schools — and those who never made it home — and to mark the legacy of those institutions in First Nations communities today. James Smith Cree Nation received roughly $6,700 from the federal Canadian Heritage department to hold events in the community for Orange Shirt Day on Sept. 30. The community’s events included a memorial walk, a sweat ceremony, a feast and a beading class. Some of that money was also spent on honorariums for...
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Chief says he was behind legal threat that got boats banned on Clear Lake
By Connor McDowell, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Brandon Sun CLEAR LAKE — The chief of a western Manitoba First Nation is taking responsibility for the boat ban at Clear Lake, saying he threatened Parks Canada with legal action if motorboats were allowed back this year. Chief Dwayne Sonny Blackbird of Keeseekoowenin Ojibway First Nation told the Sun Friday that he called an official at Riding Mountain National Park last spring and threatened to take action if boats were reintroduced. The action came from his deep interest in the health of the lake, he said. “It’s supposed to be protected for future generations,” Blackbird said. “And it doesn’t look like that. That’s why I’m here.” The boat ban came shortly after his phone call, he said. Parks Canada announced the boat...
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Alberta’s latest pipeline push dredges up ghosts of projects past
By Lauren Krugel Few are as acquainted with Canada’s graveyard of defunct oil pipelines as Alex Pourbaix, a former executive at the company behind the Keystone XL and Energy East proposals. “You can see the scars on my back,” he quipped at a news conference earlier this month, twisting his body at the lectern for emphasis. Pourbaix was on hand as the Alberta government announced plans to propose a new West Coast bitumen pipeline to the freshly created federal Major Projects Office, which aims to speed along projects deemed in the national interest. The former chief operating officer at TransCanada Corp. — now known as TC Energy — and CEO of oilsands giant Cenovus Energy Inc. is co-chairing a panel tasked with developing Alberta’s pipeline application. Industry players and the...
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Trump administration posts notice that no federal food aid will go out Nov. 1
By Adriana Gomez Licon The U.S. Department of Agriculture has posted a notice on its website saying federal food aid will not go out Nov. 1, raising the stakes for families nationwide as the government shutdown drags on. The new notice comes after the Trump administration said it would not tap roughly $5 billion in contingency funds to keep benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly referred to as SNAP, flowing into November. That program helps about 1 in 8 Americans buy groceries. “Bottom line, the well has run dry,” the USDA notice says. “At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 01. We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats.” The shutdown, which began Oct. 1, is now the second-longest on record. While the Republican...
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What to know about uncontacted Indigenous peoples and efforts to protect them
By Steven Grattan BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — From the depths of Brazil’s Amazon to Indonesia’s rainforests, some of the world’s most isolated peoples are being squeezed by roads, miners and drug traffickers — a crisis unfolding far from public view or effective state protection. A new report by Survival International, a London-based Indigenous rights organization, attempts one of the broadest tallies yet, identifying at least 196 uncontacted Indigenous groups in 10 countries, primarily in the South American nations sharing the Amazon rainforest. Released Sunday, the report estimates that nearly 65% face threats from logging, about 40% from mining and around 20% from agribusiness. “These are what I would call silent genocides — there are no TV crews, no journalists. But they are happening, and they’re happening now,” said Fiona Watson,...
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‘It’s a lot of fun’: Nunavut residents head to polls for election day
By Fakiha Baig It’s election day in Nunavut. Residents across 22 constituencies are to head to the polls to elect their next member of the legislative assembly. The territory has a consensus style of government rather than the more common multi-party system so candidates run as independents. The candidate who receives the most votes in a constituency becomes the MLA. After the election, the MLAs will select the Speaker, premier and ministers in a secret ballot election. Premier P.J. Akeeagok, who represented the Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu riding, announced in July he isn’t seeking re-election and plans to spend more time with his family. MLA and Health Minister John Main, who is running again in the Arviat North-Whale Cove riding, says several issues are at stake. “Health care is a big one,” he...
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Trump ends trade talks with Canada over tariffs ad that Ontario premier now says he’ll phase out
By Will Weissert And Seung Min Kim WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump announced he’s ending “all trade negotiations” with Canada because of a television ad sponsored by one of its provinces that used the words of former President Ronald Reagan to criticize U.S. tariffs — prompting the province’s leader to later pull the ad. The post on Trump’s social media site came Thursday night ratcheted up tensions with the U.S.’s northern neighbor after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he plans to double his country’s exports to countries outside the U.S. because of the threat posed by Trump’s tariffs. White House officials said Trump’s reaction was a culmination of the administration’s long, pent-up frustration about Canada’s strategy in trade talks. Later Friday, Ontario premier Doug Ford, whose province had...
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