U.S. outdoor group in rough water as B.C. camping application upsets First Nations
By Nono Shen A U.S.-based outdoor group has been paddling in British Columbia’s coastal waters for almost 30 years, running sea-kayaking courses and camping along the coast. But an application by the non-profit National Outdoor Leadership School to renew and expand its licence in B.C. has run into choppy waters as residents and First Nations groups object, some citing concern about Canadian sovereignty. BC Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Terry Teegee said in a statement that it was “unthinkable” to consider “leasing” Crown lands to U.S.-based organizations at a time when Canada was asserting sovereignty amid American political threats. “Leasing our lands to foreign companies for commercial gain — without our free, prior, and informed consent — cannot be justified,” said Teegee in the statement issued by the First...
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CAQ member booted from cabinet quits party, says she has lost faith in leader Legault
A member of the Coalition Avenir Québec recently booted from cabinet has resigned from the party and says she no longer has faith in Premier François Legault. Maïté Blanchette Vézina says she will sit as an Independent and says Legault should reconsider his future as leader of the CAQ, adding that his policies have neglected Quebec’s regions. Her departure is the latest controversy to hit Legault and his party, both of which are deeply unpopular with electors one year away from the provincial election. Blanchette Vézina was elected in 2022 in the riding of Rimouski and was the natural resources and forestry minister until eight days ago. She had struggled steering a bill to protect the forestry industry but which triggered blockades from Indigenous people who said the legislation threatened...
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No tsunami threat to B.C. after 7.8-magnitude quake off Russia
-BC-Authorities say there is no tsunami risk to British Columbia’s coast after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula in the same area hit in July by one of the biggest quakes ever recorded. The risk to B.C. had been under assessment after the quake struck around 11:58 a.m., Pacific time. The National Tsunami Warning Center says while a tsunami advisory is in effect for the Aleutian Islands and Amchitka Pass off Alaska’s coast, no other areas of the Pacific coast of B.C. or the United States face a threat. It says that while there is a risk of a tsunami close to the source of the quake, it is too early to say if Hawaii is threatened. The quake struck off the east coast of Kamchatka, at a...
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B.C. Conservative Sturko is ‘deeply concerned’ about fake membership allegations
By Wolfgang Depner A Conservative MLA says she is “deeply concerned” about allegations of improper membership sign ups that were forwarded to her and others by the party’s executive, ahead of final voting on John Rustad’s leadership. Elenore Sturko says she won’t comment further on the review and Rustad’s leadership until she has had a chance to talk to her colleagues about a report that alleges “some concerning memberships” that were signed up as part of the leadership review with final results to be announced Monday. A statement from a party representative says that an internal audit identified and “promptly cancelled” what it believes were “manufactured memberships,” saying that it is “unfortunately, all too common in leadership races and reviews for most parties.” The Canadian Press has seen screenshots of...
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Brantford Police warn public phone scammers identifying as police
BRANTFORD, ONT- The Brantford Police Service (BPS) has issued a warning to area residents about a sophisticated phone scam that sees scammers claiming to be from the BPS. The BPS issued the warning after receiving over 100 calls in one day from area residents. Police said people received multiple missed calls that appeared to originate from the Brantford Police Service’s non-emergency number, some of which came up in their display information as the ‘Brantford Police Service.’ People who answered the call said the caller identified themselves as a police detective who told the homeowners they were a suspect in a fraud investigation. “These calls are fraudulent and are not originating from the Brantford Police Service,” police said in a media release. “This appears to be an instance of caller ID...
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Grief and Resilience in Island Lake After Tragic Floatplane Crash
By Steven Sukkau, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Winnipeg Sun The hum of floatplanes has long been heard during autumn in Island Lake. Families head out on the water to reach traplines and hunting grounds, preparing for the long winter. But this season, the familiar sound carries a weight of sorrow. On September 13, a floatplane carrying five people crashed near Makepeace Lake, about 40 kilometres south of St. Theresa Point First Nation. Four passengers, two men, ages 53 and 49, and two women, both 50, all from St. Theresa Point, were killed. The 20-year-old pilot survived with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. News of the tragedy rippled quickly through the Island Lake communities, where nearly every family has a connection to those lost. For many, the plane was not just a...
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Arctic security to be hot topic during trade show
By Darrell Greer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Kivalliq News The theme of the 2025 Kivalliq Trade Show in Rankin Inlet from Sept. 22 to 24 is ‘Kivalliq and the Changing North,’ and one of the most popular panels expected at the event is Arctic Sovereignty and Security, Kivalliq Trade Show Society president Robert Connelly said he expects the panel to be jam-packed. Scheduled to participate in the Arctic Sovereignty and Security panel are representatives of the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security. They will provide information about what the federal government and the navy are doing to protect Canadian interests in the North. Connelly said Nunavut Tunngavik President Jeremy Tunraluk is also going to speak to Inuit organizations on the viewpoints...
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Trade show presentation to focus on building homes, workforce Slugline: 250917-kiv-nubuildinghomes Source: Local Journalism Initiative Published: 17/09/2025 15:19 New item for followed topic: Innu OR inuit Category: Spare News Word count: 453 View this item in your account: https://cpnewspro.com/wire?item=urn%3Anewsml%3Alji-api.superdesk.pro%3A2025-09-17T15%3A15%3A12.230631%3A0893c886-a1f7-4b6d-bbc8-62c8bc759e05 By Darrell Greer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Kivalliq News One of the presentations people are looking forward to during the upcoming Kivalliq Trade Show in Rankin Inlet from Sept. 22 to 24 focuses on Sakku Innovative Building Solutions. Based in Arviat, Sakku Innovative Building Solutions is the first factory of its kind. It oversees the design, manufacture, supply, and erection of prefabricated and modular buildings. Kivalliq Trade Show Society president Robert Connelly said the factory being built in Arviat is in year four of construction and will create 40 jobs for Inuit. He said the jobs will include general labourers, carpenters, carpenters’ helpers and other trades. “They’re going to be presenting and talking about not just where they’re at with the project — the fact that they’re working on some things that I find really innovative and interesting,” said Connelly. “Because Sakku Investments is one of the partners in the project, they’ve insisted that the housing manufacturing facility act as a training facility. “So, it’s not just about building houses, it’s to provide tradespeople, not necessarily with a full-time, long-term job — although there will be those — it’s to be focused on allowing them to get their apprenticeship hours, which is a real challenge for anybody coming out of trade school. You need to partner with a red seal and get your hours in. “Sakku has really insisted on using this facility and they’re partnering with Nunavut Arctic College and other partners to make sure that the project is used as a training facility, as well, to allow Inuit apprentices to get their hours. “So, they’ve developed this comprehensive training plan that’s way beyond the scope of the facility itself. It’s about how we build capacity in the trades for Nunavummiut.” Connelly said the presentation won’t just examine housing in the future, it’s also about the present. Even though the facility is not fully operational in Arviat yet, he said once it is fully up and running, the capacity will increase to address part of the housing crisis in Nunavut. “There will still be a housing need all over Nunavut, but this enhances some of the work being done in housing. I find it fascinating and I’m looking forward to their presentation and hearing the update. “The long-term objective for Nunavut as a whole is to continue to build capacity in the territory. In the short-term and mid-term, obviously, we’ll continue to depend on a variety of building methods and approaches to meet our needs. We all understand how significant the housing needs are in Nunavut. “I think long-term the objective continues to be — and the message that comes out of Nunavut 3000 and the housing corp. — to eventually work towards building a model for housing development that’s focused on Nunavummiut building for Nunavummiut.” Regards, The Canadian Press Team Contact us at 1-800-268-8149 or help-aide@mycpnewspro.com Visit https://www.thecanadianpress.com/ for more services from Canada’s trusted news leader.
By Darrell Greer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Kivalliq News One of the presentations people are looking forward to during the upcoming Kivalliq Trade Show in Rankin Inlet from Sept. 22 to 24 focuses on Sakku Innovative Building Solutions. Based in Arviat, Sakku Innovative Building Solutions is the first factory of its kind. It oversees the design, manufacture, supply, and erection of prefabricated and modular buildings. Kivalliq Trade Show Society president Robert Connelly said the factory being built in Arviat is in year four of construction and will create 40 jobs for Inuit. He said the jobs will include general labourers, carpenters, carpenters’ helpers and other trades. “They’re going to be presenting and talking about not just where they’re at with the project — the fact that they’re working on some...
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New grocery store, motel and diner coming to Pikangikum FirstNation
By Matt Prokopchuk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TBnewswatch.com PIKANGIKUM — Ground was recently broken in Pikangikum on a pair of projects that aim to bring more services to the remote First Nation. Signage posted around the community, located about 500 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay, shows what the two developments will look like. One is slated to be a grocery and general store, with the other being a motel and diner. A media release issued by the developers said the grocery store will be a 19,500 square foot modular unit and will include a pharmacy, general and hardware store, laundromat and prep kitchen. The motel and diner building will feature “multiple four-plex and tri-plex units, reception area and commercial kitchen.” The release listed Pikangikum First Nation, Bison Modular, ESB Construction...
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AFN urges federal government to increase efforts at implementing UNDA
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak is urging the federal government to “improve its efforts” at enacting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDA). “We are concerned with the government’s planned reduction in spending towards First Nations’ priorities, including support for First Nations to meaningfully participate in implementing the UN Declaration,” Nepinak said last week. Chief Nepinak remarks followed the release of the fourth annual progress report on implementing UNDA by the Department of Justice Canada on August 21. According to David MacDonald, a professor at the University of Guelph, UNDA, passed in 2021, mandates all federal laws comply with the 2007 UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). “So...
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“A candle at your window” remembering Mary Two-Axe Earley
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase Of her earliest memories, Brenda Gedeon recalls sitting in the windowsill of Mary Two-Axe Earley’s home, watching the ships snake down the St. Lawrence Seaway. Gedeon was introduced to the woman who would one day become her mother-in-law through her politically active parents, growing up in awe of the civil rights activist from Kahnawake. “They would sit in her kitchen, mom and dad, Mary, maybe a friend or two or family, and have a conversation,” Gedeon said. Despite her house being a gathering place for Indigenous women across Kahnawake and beyond, in her own words, Two-Axe Earley would always have to be a guest in that home. In 1938, after marrying Edward Earley — an American engineer and namesake of Gedeon’s late...
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CRTC launches hearing on Canadian content obligations for music streamers
By Anja Karadeglija The federal broadcast regulator begins a hearing today to look at which Canadian content obligations should apply to music streamers like Spotify. Streaming services argue their current efforts to promote Canadian culture — and the royalties they pay — are good enough. Radio broadcasters, meanwhile, say their sector is in serious decline and they want the CRTC to take a lighter regulatory touch for traditional players. Both sides are set to make their arguments during five days of hearings in Gatineau, Que., between now and Sept. 29. The hearings are part of a series of CRTC proceedings to implement the Online Streaming Act, legislation that updated broadcasting laws to capture online platforms. The federal government is under heavy pressure from the United States to scrap the legislation....
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Indigenous backlash pushes Carney to launch Indigenous Advisory Council alongside the Major Projects Office
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase After facing backlash from First Nations across Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the establishment of the Indigenous Advisory Council (IAC) to oversee the newly founded Major Projects Office (MPO). The IAC is composed of 11 representatives from First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities who will guide the MPO when it begins to implement its upcoming nation-building projects. But Peter Graefe, a political science professor with McMaster University, says it remains to be seen what powers this new committee will hold, or if this is an attempt to sidestep meaningful consultation. “A big question will be: do they really get to play a role in shaping decision-making, or is this just a form of whitewashing, trying to gain consent without really doing...
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Federal freshwater agency stares down budget cuts
By Natasha Bulowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer A brand new agency tasked with protecting Canada’s freshwater is likely on the chopping block as part of an array of budget cuts promised by Prime Minister Mark Carney that span most departments and agencies. Texts from Environment and Climate Change Minister Julie Dabrusin’s staff suggested “there is nowhere else to cut” while deliberating how to meet Carney’s order to cut spending 15 per cent over three years, the National Post reported on Aug. 26. The Canada Water Agency, tasked with protecting and managing Canada’s freshwater and brokering international agreements, launched in October 2024. Less than a year into its mandate, it could be facing spending cuts that experts and some opposition MPs warn could not come at a worse...
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Self-government and getting rid of the Indian Act has become an even more timely discussion, says author
By Shari Narine, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Windspeaker.com It’s a “perfect storm,” says Bob Joseph about the timing of the release of his recent book. 21 Things You Need to Know About Indigenous Self-Government: A Conversation About Dismantling the Indian Act coincides with the push by the new federal government to implement its first major piece of legislation, the One Canadian Economy Act, since being elected. Joseph, a member of the Gwawaenuk Nation in B.C., and an initiated member of the Hamatsa Society, a deeply spiritual ceremonial group of the Kwakwaka’wakw, lists the first “thing” about self-government as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which sets the standard for their treatment. That standard includes the 16th point in his book: the right to free, prior and...
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Partnership Launches Indigenous Pathways to Entrepreneurship in Northern Manitoba
By Steven Sukkau, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Winnipeg Sun Indigenous entrepreneurs in northern Manitoba will soon have expanded access to mentorship, training, and funding through a new partnership between the Indigenous Prosperity Foundation (IPF) and Community Futures North Central Development (CFNCD). The two organizations announced Friday the launch of the Indigenous Pathways to Entrepreneurship Program, a first-of-its-kind collaboration that will bring tailored business supports directly into Indigenous communities across the region. “This partnership is about advancing prosperity by ensuring Indigenous entrepreneurs have access to mentorship, funding, and training rooted in Indigenous ways of doing business,” said Relay Tangie, Interim Executive Director of IPF. “Together with CFNCD, we are building pathways to opportunity, innovation, and community wealth.” Programs to Build Skills and Opportunity The initiative includes three cornerstone programs: Skill Development...
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Carney argues his government still has fiscal anchors after PBO raises concerns
By Craig Lord and Catherine Morrison Prime Minister Mark Carney insisted Wednesday his government does have fiscal anchors after the interim parliamentary budget officer raised concerns about government transparency. Jason Jacques told a House of Commons committee on Tuesday that he wasn’t sure if the federal government still has its fiscal anchors, which he said causes the people that he works with “a considerable degree of concern at this point.” During a heated question period exchange with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre on Wednesday, Carney said the government does indeed have fiscal anchors that are guiding the budgeting process. “We are going to spend less so the country can invest more. We are going to balance the operational budget in three years. We’re going to have a declining level of debt,”...
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Judge dismisses Indigenous Amazon tribe’s lawsuit against The New York Times and TMZ
By Itzel Luna LOS ANGELES (AP) — A California judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by an Indigenous tribe in the Brazilian Amazon against The New York Times and TMZ that claimed the newspaper’s reporting on the tribe’s first exposure to the internet led to its members being widely portrayed as technology-addled and addicted to pornography. The suit was filed in May by the Marubo Tribe of the Javari Valley, a sovereign community of about 2,000 people in the Amazon rainforest. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Tiana J. Murillo on Tuesday sided with the Times, whose lawyers argued in a hearing Monday that its coverage last year was fair and protected by free speech. TMZ argued that its coverage, which followed the Times’ initial reporting, addressed ongoing public controversies...
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Progressive groups rally ‘common front’ to march, challenge elements of Carney agenda
By Jordan Omstead Canada-wide protests are planned this weekend, a coalition of progressive civil society groups say, in what organizers call an emerging “common front” to elements of the new Liberal government’s agenda. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s support for new fossil fuel projects, expected public service cuts, expanded military support and new border measures are some of the concerns motivating Saturday’s co-ordinated day of action, organizers of the Draw The Line protests say. “It became very clear to many organizations and many movements that we needed to ramp up for a fight in the coming months, and so we’ve tried to design Draw The Line to meet that moment here,” said Amara Possian, the Canada team lead at 350.org, an international climate group. The protests are part of a global...
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Lichen, logging, land rights: Complex forces play out in fate of ancient B.C. forest
By Brenna Owen A shaggy, cool-green lichen hangs from the trunk of a tree in a forest on northeastern Vancouver Island, growing on the bark like coral on a rocky sea floor. Lichenologist Trevor Goward has named it oldgrowth specklebelly, and while the slow-growing lichen is a species at risk in its own right, he says it is also an indicator of forests that are “the oldest of the old.” “It’s what it tells us about the forest that we walk through,” Goward says, comparing ancient forests to libraries and museums. “They are the continuity from the past.” Old-growth advocate Joshua Wright photographed oldgrowth specklebelly this summer in a forest about 400 kilometres northwest of Victoria. The forest is “strikingly beautiful,” he says, with towering yellow cedars growing for hundreds...
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