Guilbeault seeking ways to end benzene exposure from Sarnia styrene plant
By Mia Rabson THE CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA- Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault is looking for options to protect a southern Ontario First Nation from repeated exposure to benzene from a nearby chemical plant, as the plant issues a new warning about air pollution. Leaders from Aamjiwnaang First Nation and international environment advocates wrote to Guilbeault on Thursday asking him to take immediate steps to ensure the Ineos Styrolution plant in Sarnia remains closed until the First Nation deems it safe to reopen. The plant began a shutdown on April 20, two days after a provincial compliance order demanded Ineos take steps to fix the benzene pollution problem. In an interview, Guilbeault said he met with the First Nation leaders in Ottawa on Wednesday and wants to help. “I am worried it’s...
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Frustrated with Brazil’s Lula, Indigenous peoples march to demand land recognition
BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — Thousands of Indigenous people marched on Thursday in Brazil’s capital, calling on the government to officially recognize lands they have lived on for centuries and to protect territories from criminal activities such as illegal mining. With posters bearing messages like “The future is Indigenous,” they walked towards Three Powers Square, where Congress, the Supreme Court and the Planalto presidential palace are located in Brasilia. A group of Indigenous leaders entered the palace to talk to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, while others shouted toward the building: “Our rights are not negotiable.” Last week, he backed down from the creation of four Indigenous territories, citing opposition from state governors. In addition to calls for more land recognition, some tribes protested a proposed 950-kilometer (590 miles) rail...
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B.C.’s Joffre Lakes Park to have partial closure, allowing for conservation, tourism
PEMBERTON, BRITISH COLUMBIA- An agreement between the B.C.government and the First Nations that manage Joffre Lakes Provincial Park will see the popular tourist spot closed for part of the year to protect its “natural and cultural values.” The announcement comes after a disagreement over the park’s public use led the Lilwat and N’Quatqua First Nations to shut down access to the park for about a month last year. Environment Minister George Heyman said Thursday that the decision to close the park for short stretches comes after consultation with the two nations and talks with other locals about “heavy visitor use.” “What we want to do around the province is collaborate with First Nations around management of parks where they’re interested, around ensuring that we have a good sense of how...
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B.C.’s Joffre Lakes Park to have partial closure, allowing for conservation, tourism
The Canadian Press An agreement between the B.C. government and the First Nations that manage Joffre Lakes Provincial Park will see the popular tourist spot closed for part of the year to protect its “natural and cultural values.” The announcement comes after a disagreement over the park’s public use led the Lilwat and N’Quatqua First Nations to shut down access to the park for about a month last year. Environment Minister George Heyman said Thursday that the decision to close the park for short stretches comes after consultation with the two nations and talks with other locals about “heavy visitor use.” “What we want to do around the province is collaborate with First Nations around management of parks where they’re interested, around ensuring that we have a good sense of...
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Documentary about Cree Elder `The Star Guy’ to premiere at Toronto film festival
By Sam Laskaris Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Lisa Jackson had an electrifying moment seven years ago, and that moment led to her latest work, a film titled Wilfred Buck. Wilfred Buck will have its North American premiere at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival in Toronto, to be screened at the TIFF Lightbox on April 26 at 8 p.m. The 92-minute film will also be shown on April 27 at 2:15 p.m. at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto. The documentary is about Buck, an Elder from Opaskwayak Cree Nation in Manitoba, who is an expert on star knowledge and ceremony. The film, adapted from Buck’s memoir, includes stories of his early life of displacement, addiction and racism to his becoming the foremost authority on Indigenous astronomy in the world. Jackson, a...
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Brantford Police warn pickpockets are targeting seniors shopping alone
Brantford Police released photos of two more pickpocket suspects after seniors were targeted in grocery store parking lots. (Courtesy: Brantford Police Service) BRANTFORD- Brantford city police have released new photos of men believed involved in pickpocketting of seniors as they grocery shop and are asking the public for assistance in trying to track down the men. It’s the second set of photos released after city police investigators received four separate calls complainingg of pickpockets targeting seniors between April 11 and April 15. Police said the suspects all appeared to be working together targeting elderly people who were shopping alone. The men would walk to the grocery store parking lots and target seniors grocery shopping. Police said one suspect would act as a distraction while the other would steal the victim’s...
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Leclaire taking wait and see approach on budget allocation
By Marc Lalonde Local Journalism Initiative Reporter A recent federal budget allocation will mean a financial shot in the arm for Indigenous Financial Institutions (IFI) and entrepreneurship from coast to coast. This allocation shows the government is serious about Indigenous prosperity, the CEO of the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) said. The federal government earmarked $350 million to be allocated to NACCA and its member IFIs when it released the 2024 federal budget in Ottawa last week. That funding will play a pivotal role in supporting Indigenous self-determination and economic empowerment, NACCA said, but locally, Tewatohnhi’saktha Business Services Director Darryl Leclaire is taking a wait-and-see approach. “It’s a substantial increase, and obviously we support the ability to support Indigenous entrepreneurship and provide financing to those entrepreneurs, but we don’t...
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Former SNC Lavalin executive sentenced to prison term in bridge bribery case
A former SNC-Lavalin executive has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison in connection with a bribery scheme for a bridge repair contract in Montreal, the RCMP say. Normand Morin, once a high-ranking vice-president at the engineering firm, received the sentence Tuesday after his conviction for corruption and fraud last month. A police investigation revealed that SNC-Lavalin executives paid bribes of roughly $2.3 million in order to secure a $128-million contract to repair the Jacques Cartier Bridge deck in the early 2000s. In 2017, Michel Fournier, former CEO of the Federal Bridge Corp., admitted to receiving the bribes through Swiss bank accounts between 1997 and 2004. Fournier, who served as chief of staff to Jean Chretien when he was Opposition leader in the early 1990s, was sentenced to...
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Deputy Prime Minister says new Indigenous loan guarantee program is `a really big deal’
By Sam Laskaris Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto. Freeland, who is also the minister of Finance, took part in the “Ministerial Panel On Indigenous Loan Guarantees And Economic Growth” on that final day, April 23. Freeland touted the $5 billion Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program, which she announced April 16 as part of the 2024 federal budget. The program provides affordable capital for Indigenous equity participation in natural resource and energy projects. Freeland said the concept of the program had been in the works for several years. “It’s a really big deal,” she told the Indigenous leaders, businesspeople and government representatives gathered. “I think this is one...
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Indigenous group detains 12 alleged gold miners in Amazon and hands them over to Brazilian police
By Mauricio Savarese THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SAO PAULO (AP)-An Indigenous group in Brazil said Wednesday its members detained 12 people for allegedly mining illegally in the Amazon and handed them over to police. The non-profit Urihi Associac?o Yanomami said in a statement that the incident took place Tuesday in the northern state of Roraima, which borders Venezuela. The organization said its move was aimed at avoiding the risk of water contamination by mercury in mining. Brazil’s Indigenous Peoples Ministry confirmed that a dozen alleged miners, including 10 men and two women, were in police custody. The Yanomami group filmed some of its members carrying bows and shotguns as they took the alleged miners to police. The detainees did not make comments in the video. The Associated Press could not find...
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Manitoba First Nation sues governments over chronic flooding, wants protection
The Canadian Press A Manitoba First Nation that has suffered from chronic flooding is suing three levels of government for failing to provide adequate protection over decades. Peguis First Nation filed a statement of claim Wednesday that alleges the federal and Manitoba governments failed to protect the community from frequent flooding that damaged homes and forced evacuations. “Over the course of its history on the reserve land, Peguis has been flooded repeatedly and severely due to natural and man-made causes without the plaintiff receiving any or any meaningful protection, remediation or compensation,” the document says. The lawsuit also alleges two nearby municipalities diverted water from their areas to improve drainage, but in a way that added to flooding on the reserve’s land. The lawsuit contains allegations that have not been...
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Fire bans announced in B.C. and Alberta as more than 170 wildfires burn
KAMLOOPS, B.C.- Tactical evacuations have started in northeastern British Columbia as wildfires tear through the area. An update from the B.C. Wildfire Service Wednesday night said efforts are focused on protecting public life and safety in the Peace River Regional District and the District of Chetywnd, which are both within the Prince George Fire Centre. The service said the fire covering approximately 50 hectares also forced the closure of Highway 97. This year’s wildfire season is off to an early start, with more than 170 blazes burning in British Columbia and Alberta, and both provinces issuing fire bans. On Wednesday, the BC Wildfire Service announced a five-month open fire ban, from May 3 to Oct. 11, covering a swath of the province’s Interior. The ban on Category 3 fires in...
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Federal ministers visit Sunshine Coast to detail $4 billion in reconciliation commitments
By Jordan Copp Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Over $4 billion of this year’s federal budget will go towards advancing Indigenous reconciliation. shishalh Nation lhe hiwus yalxwemult (Chief Lenora Joe) and hihewus (councillors) were joined by Terry Beech, Minister of Citizen Affairs, Mark Holland, Minister of Health and Patrick Weiler, MP for West Vancouver, Sunshine Coast, Sea to Sky Country on April 23 at the tems swiya Museum to highlight measures of this year’s budget that will have a significant impact for Indigenous communities. Weiler remarked how important it was to be in Sechelt for the announcement. “shishalh Nation has long been a leader, becoming the first self-governing nation in Canada and across Turtle Island, and really being a leader on measures on moving forward reconciliation.” “Indigenous people face health outcomes...
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First Nations say they must not be left out of UN plastic treaty talks
OTTAWA-First Nations have one message for delegates gathered in Ottawa this week to negotiate a global plastic waste agreement: don’t leave us out. Aamjiwnaang First Nation councillor Janelle Nahmabin lives in an area nicknamed “Chemical Valley.” The First Nation, near Sarnia, Ont., neighbours a chemical plant that researchers say is emitting high levels of cancer-causing benzene. Nahmabin says its leadership wants to work collaboratively with governments to create a healthier future for all. She says like everyone else, Indigenous Peoples have a right to a healthy environment, and negotiations should include the duty to prevent exposure to hazardous substances. Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault said Tuesday the treaty, which would seek to end plastic waste by 2040, will not be ambitious enough if it doesn’t include some limits on plastic production....
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Turtle Island News Earth Day tree give-away!
Turtle Island News annual Earth Day Tree give-away brings people from Six Nations to Toronto to get their tree Turtle Island News annual Earth Day Tree give-away brings people from Six Nations to Toronto to get their tree By Lisa Iesse Writer SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND – Turtle Island News’ annual Earth Day Tree Giveaway brought over 300 people out to grab a tree and help out Mother Earth this year! Trees practically flew out of the parking lot within a few hours, but there was no shortage of tree huggers who swooped in throughout the morning and afternoon. Cedars, White Pines, Blackberry bushes, Cherry trees, Blueberry, Raspberry bushes, Plum trees, Apple trees, and Sugar Maple Bush Trees filled the front porch and spilled out into the parking lot...
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Six Nations Elected Council going behind closed doors “to better serve” Six Nations
By Lynda Powless Editor Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) is going behind closed doors. SNEC announced in a press release Friday, April 19th, that it is now closing its doors to its Political Liaison meetings. The current move is the first time in over three decades of Turtle Island News covering SNEC that the band council has completely closed its political liaison meeting to the public. The statement says the closure or “in camera” meetings are part of a move to “streamline” its meetings. In the past SNEC Political Liaison meetings were open with closed sessions following the open meeting. Community members will no longer be able to sit in the audience at the meetings or watch on line. That leaves only two of council’s meetings open to the public,...
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Six Nations Police call in OPP and forensic experts in discovery of body
Six Nations Police have called in the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Criminal Investigation Branch after the body of a man was found on Second Line Road near Chiefswood Road April 12th at about 5:15 p.m. The OPP Forensic Identifications Services (FIS) Unit, Office of the Chief Coroner and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service are assisting. Police have not commented on why the additional services were called in. However, they have said they believe there is no risk to public safety. Police said there will continue to be an increased police presence in the area just off Chiefswood Road. Investigators are seeking the public’s help and have asked anyone with information or dashcam video from the area that could assist in the ongoing investigation to contact Six Nations Police at 519-445-2811....
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Arson, vandalism and theft hitting Six Nations dog kennels
By Lisa Iesse Writer SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND – Facing disturbing incidents of ongoing vandalism, and unprecedented service need, Six Nations’ animal wellness program keeps going beyond to help dogs and cats in need of protection and care. Since last summer, numerous incidents of vandalism and theft have haunted the program’s kennel site, located near the transfer station on Fourth Line. The most recent attack, on April 6th, saw an attempted arson that threatened the lives of four dogs who were inside. “It’s ongoing malicious and escalating vandalism,” Smith recently told Six Nations elected councillors at a public meeting. And the damage is not just affecting the program financially, said Smith, “it’s taking a huge toll on everyone’s mental health.” Smith said she doesn’t know why it’s happening but the...
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First Nation leaders call to dissolve Thunder Bay Police
First Nation leaders are renewing calls to dissolve the Thunder Bay police as the force’s former leadership faces charges in a widening misconduct probe. Nishnawbe Aski Nation, several chiefs of northern Ontario First Nations and several families with loved ones who died in the city say Thunder Bay police can no longer conduct credible investigations. Several reports since 2018 have documented systemic racism in the Thunder Bay police force and outlined how investigations into the sudden deaths of Indigenous people have been tainted by racist attitudes and stereotyping. Thirteen of those investigations were so poorly handled they had to be reinvestigated. The Ontario Provincial Police announced criminal charges this month against the former Thunder Bay police chief and another high-ranking member. Current Thunder Bay police Chief Darcy Fleury vowed last...
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