‘We should have been notified,’ says FWFN chief of spill in the Kam River
By Clint Fleury, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TBnewswatch.com THUNDER BAY – After a concerned citizen sounded the alarm on social media about a hazardous spill in the Kaministiquia River, Fort William First Nation’s chief is asking why members of the public were not informed. Jamie Zaroski told Newswatch on Thursday that while he was boating on the Kam River on Saturday, Aug. 23, he noticed an “orangey tan colour” substance near Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper, where the mill discharges (its) sewage.” “I proceeded upstream; it’s everywhere. The whole water was an orange-tan colour, and I kept going, and it kept going. It’s right to Lake Superior, six miles up the Mission River. I mean, we’re talking a river that’s 400 to 500 feet wide, 30 feet deep past the...
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Politics left at the border as Niagara-on-the-Lake welcomes ‘our U.S. neighbours’
By Paige Seburn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Lake Report It’s been a summer marked by tension for Canada and the United States, as tariff disputes and talk of Canada becoming the 51st state show few signs of fading. While that’s made some Canadians reluctant to head south of the border, it hasn’t stopped flocks of Americans from crossing north, a few making Niagara-on-the-Lake a key stop. Sometimes, the strain bubbles over in emotion: some American visitors to NOTL have gotten sentimental, locals say, even apologizing or hugging volunteers and employees when thanked for coming. But local tourism representatives say they don’t engage in politics — they simply offer a warm welcome, says Vlad Haltigin, co-lead for the Niagara-on-the-Lake Ambassadors. Many Americans who come up to the ambassadors on the...
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Six Nations Police seek public’s help in search for wanted individual
Rodney LaForme OHSWEKEN, ONT. – Six Nations Police is appealing to the public to help locate a wanted individual. Rodney Laforme, 42, of Ohsweken, Ont., is wanted for multiple sexual-related offences. To protect the identify of the victims, no further information will be released at this time. The Criminal Investigations Unit is actively conducting an ongoing investigation and would appreciate assistance with determining Laforme’s whereabouts. Anyone with additional information is urged to call Six Nations Police at 519-445-2811. If they wish to remain anonymous, they can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or submit an online tip at crimestoppersbb.com. They may be eligible to receive a cash reward up to $2,000....
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Food hubs planned across Treaty 3 territory to combat food insecurity
By Matt Prokopchuk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TBnewswatch.com KENORA — The investment corporation of Grand Council Treaty 3 is planning to establish four hubs throughout the territory where community members can access food, with a focus on traditional ingredients. The Treaty 3 Investment Group recently received $250,000 from the province’s Indigenous economic development fund towards what a government announcement called “a large-scale food distribution centre.” Maria Montoya, the Indigenous-led investment group’s strategy and innovation analyst, said the project aims to set the hubs up with one each in the territory’s general north, south, east and west areas. “Something that we have heard so much in (community) meetings that we had with different communities was that this work cannot wait any longer,” Montoya said. “We have seen all the changes that...
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Uncertainty reigns in Kanesatake nearly one month after cancelled election
By Maura Forrest Tensions are flaring in the Mohawk community of Kanesatake nearly one month after an election was abruptly called off, leaving disagreement and uncertainty over who is in charge and how to organize another vote. The cancellation has sparked anger, confusion and accusations of a power grab in an already deeply divided community west of Montreal, which was at the centre of the 1990 Oka Crisis. Now, it seems likely the courts will have to decide who has the authority to hold a new election. “It’s do or die as usual,” said Serge Simon, one of the incumbent council chiefs. “We always seem to be on the edge of that precipice.” On Tuesday, the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake filed a statement of claim asking the Federal Court to...
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Survey reveals widespread scepticism towards Residential School evidence, amid growing denialism movements
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter A new survey by the Angus Reid Institute found that almost two-thirds of Canadians held reservations about the 2021 findings from Kamloops Indian Residential School, a figure raising eyebrows among scholars. Jon Roe, a research associate at the Angus Reid Institute, said the survey was part of a series designed to gauge Canadians’ understanding of Indigenous issues, starting with the One Canadian Economy Act. “We wanted to maybe broaden the scope a bit, just to take a look at all the contemporary issues that we’re seeing from Canadians,” Roe said. According to the survey, 63 percent of Canadians say they need more evidence before accepting that the “soil anomalies” uncovered at Kamloops Indian Residential School represent unmarked graves, while 46 percent said it...
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MCK approves emergency payment for students relying on Jordan Principle funding
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase The Mohawk Council of Kahnawake has approved an emergency payment of more than $325,000 to cover the cost of tuition for students living with disabilities in the community ahead of the new school year. The decision was made in response to significant delays in the implementation of Jordan’s Principle funding provided by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) over recent months. MCK Chief Jeffrey Diabo said the payment is intended to ensure that these students can still access the specialized educational services they need in the interim. “We are seeing the emotional toll this uncertainty is taking on our students,” Diabo said. “The anxiety, the fear of losing their school environment, and the disruption to their routines are deeply affecting their mental health.” In...
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Talks resume between land defenders and the provincial government over Bill 97
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase Amid rising tensions between forestry workers and land defenders across the forests of Northern Quebec, the provincial government and the Atikamekw Nation have returned to the negotiating table, in hopes of preventing a wider conflict from breaking out. Andre Pikutelekan, a spokesperson with the land defense alliance MAMO First Nation, said the situation on the ground remains stable despite increasing hostility. “Morale is good within the group,” Pikutelekan said. “Overall, things are going well, despite this surge of racism among forestry workers’ supporters.” This latest flare up has broken out over bill 97, which aims to modernize Quebec’s forestry regime, though critics have argued it favours resource extraction at the expense of environmental conservation and treaty rights. According to Peter Graefe, a...
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Canada’s top court won’t hear appeal in land dispute at Ontario’s Sauble Beach
The Supreme Court of Canada has declined to hear an appeal of a lower-court ruling that upheld a First Nation’s ownership of a stretch of land at a popular Ontario beach after a lengthy dispute. Canada’s top court has dismissed the appeal request from landowners and the province after a stretch of land along Sauble Beach was returned to Saugeen First Nation in 2023. This dismissal comes nearly two months after members of Saugeen First Nation changed the iconic “Welcome to Sauble Beach” sign that greeted beach visitors. The temporary “Welcome to Saugeen Beach” sign was erected to reflect the First Nation’s ownership of the land, with the town’s mayor expressing disappointment that he wasn’t alerted of the change. The Ontario Court of Appeal upheld last December the decision that...
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Wildfire evacuation alert issued for N.W.T. community
By Jordan Omstead Evacuation preparations are underway in a First Nation community in Northwest Territories as a wildfire burns nearby. The territory’s No. 1 priority fire grew four kilometres from Tuesday night into Wednesday morning and now burns about eight kilometres southwest of Whatì, officials said Thursday “I think we are ready for a possible evacuation, and it looks like it’s going to happen,” said Sherbaz Muhammad, the community government’s senior administrative officer, in an interview Thursday morning. “We’ve been hoping, wishing that we’ll stay, but I think it’s not just the smoke. It looks like the fire is so close.” The air quality in the region was considered a very high health risk as of Thursday morning, prompting widespread warnings from Environment Canada. In Whatì, officials say sprinklers are...
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AFN chief says next week’s gathering will set stage for major projects talks
By Alessia Passafiume The Assembly of First Nations’ annual general meeting next week in Winnipeg will set the stage — and the tone — for engaging with governments on major infrastructure projects. National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak says politicians will be paying close attention to the resolutions chiefs pass related to the federal major projects legislation, which has seen strong opposition from some First Nations leaders and community members who fear it won’t respect their rights. The annual general assembly that kicks off Wednesday will be the first time the AFN is handed a formal mandate to respond to governments on behalf of First Nations.. Provinces have enacted similar legislation to fast-track major projects in an effort to shore up the Canadian economy in the wake of U.S. President Donald...
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Survey reveals widespread scepticism towards Residential School evidence, amid growing denialism movements
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase A new survey by the Angus Reid Institute found that almost two-thirds of Canadians held reservations about the 2021 findings from Kamloops Indian Residential School, a figure raising eyebrows among scholars. Jon Roe, a research associate at the Angus Reid Institute, said the survey was part of a series designed to gauge Canadians’ understanding of Indigenous issues, starting with the One Canadian Economy Act. “We wanted to maybe broaden the scope a bit, just to take a look at all the contemporary issues that we’re seeing from Canadians,” Roe said. According to the survey, 63 percent of Canadians say they need more evidence before accepting that the “soil anomalies” uncovered at Kamloops Indian Residential School represent unmarked graves, while 46 percent said...
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Latest Angus Reid survey sheds new light on the One Canadian Economy Act
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase While most Canadians are staying up to date on the One Canadian Economy Act, many lack a clear grasp of the principles at stake, according to data released by the Angus Reid Institute last week. Research associate Jon Roe said the Angus Reid Institute surveyed 2,508 people to gauge public opinion regarding Section 35 of the Constitution Act and United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). “We wanted to see where Canadians stood on these issues, especially as we’re looking through Mark Carney’s government,” Roe said. The results come as legislatures across the country move to scale back Indigenous and environmental consultations amid economic uncertainty from U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump. “He’s kind of the elephant in the...
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‘This is an epidemic’: NAN holds walk for overdose awareness
By Mike Stimpson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Thunder Bay Source THUNDER BAY — Anna Betty Achneepineskum came to Wednesday’s International Overdose Awareness Day commemoration carrying a framed photo of Dave Beardy. The Nishnawbe Aski Nation deputy grand chief explained that an overdose claimed the life of her son-in-law Beardy, from Muskrat Lake Dam First Nation, six years ago. “My daughter is here, and his daughter is here,” Achneepineskum said near Shelter House on George Street, where NAN had concluded its International Overdose Awareness Walk. “And I know there’s other family members here who have lost loved ones as well,” she said. “So this is an epidemic all across this country. And we need to do more.” International Overdose Awareness Day is Aug. 31, but NAN held its walk on Wednesday,...
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Prophet River First Nation to host star goaltender at iSPARC floor hockey jamboree
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca PROPHET RIVER, B.C. — A northeast B.C. First Nation will host a National Hockey League (NHL) legend in mid-September. Prophet River First Nation (PRFN) announced plans for the Vancouver Canucks Floor Hockey Jamboree, powered by the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council (iSPARC). In promoting the event on Facebook, PRFN promises attendees to “get ready for a great time” with lunch to be provided. The event will be highlighted by a visit from the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks mascot, Fin, and former star goaltender for the club, Kirk McLean. McLean had 245 career wins in the NHL and was the starting goaltender for the team during their thrilling 1994 Stanley Cup playoff run, where they lost in seven games to the New...
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Canada’s biggest Arctic research entity is 10 years ‘young’
By Arty Sarkisian, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunatsiaq News One of North America’s leading Arctic research entities just turned 10 years old. Or 10 years “young,” as one of its scientists says. “We’re still growing as an organization,” said David Hik, chief scientist and vice-president of research at Polar Knowledge Canada. The federal agency was created in 2015 to advance Canada’s knowledge of the Arctic. It was tasked with creating and managing the country’s biggest northern scientific research hub, the Canadian High Arctic Research Station, or CHARS, in Cambridge Bay. The station was officially completed in 2019, after several years of construction and a North of North-like competition between Cambridge Bay, Pond Inlet and Resolute Bay to be the host community. Cambridge Bay won out over the two other contenders...
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Manitoba First Nation, municipality get new tools to fight a common enemy: wildfires
By Sonal Gupta, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer The increasing threat of wildfires in southeastern Manitoba is driving Indigenous and rural communities to build stronger firefighting capabilities, using new federal funding to prepare for harsher fire seasons ahead. The Rural Municipality of Piney and Buffalo Point First Nation sit near the US border amid jack pine forests that, combined with climate change and growing human settlement, face increasing wildfire danger. “We love to live within the forest,” said Martin Van Osch, Piney’s chief administrative officer and chair of its protective services committee. But that comes with mounting risks. “What we’re seeing, along with climate change, is a change in our forest age and the amount of burnable fuel that’s out on the landscape.” To address evolving challenges, Piney,...
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Mental health support for Îyârhe Nakoda students gets boost
By Leah Pelletier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Rocky Mountain Outlook ÎYÂRHE NAKODA — Îyârhe Nakoda students will have more mental health support available heading into the school year. Part of a $4.6 million grant announced by the provincial government, 27 First Nations across Alberta will receive funding for learning and mental health resources for students throughout the 2025-26 school year. “We recognize that strong mental health and learning supports are crucial to helping students build resilience, succeed in school and form healthy relationships,” said Garett Koehler, press secretary for the Ministry of Education and Childcare in an email. Support eligible for funding by the grant can include anything from occupational and physical therapy, the hiring of wellness coaches or family school liaison workers or for programs promoting mental health and...
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Another power company eyeing Northwestern Ontario city for solar farm
By Matt Prokopchuk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TBnewswatch.com DRYDEN — City officials in Dryden have more than one suitor who wants to build a solar plant within city limits. Representatives from Alectra Energy Solutions made their pitch to Dryden city council at its Aug. 25 meeting to use a plot of land north of the city centre to build a proposed 15-megawatt project that would be connected to the province’s energy grid. In response to a question by Coun. Catherine Kiewning at the meeting, Kevin Whyte, the government relations and development lead for Alectra, said it would be near, but on a different plot of land, to where another proposed solar and battery storage project by Atura Power might go. That company is also seeking council’s support for its proposed...
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‘It has taken away some hope’: Yukon sees 16 drug-related deaths in 2025 so far
By Talar Stockton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Yukon News The Yukon coroner’s service has investigated 16 substance-related deaths this year so far, according to Yukon chief coroner Heather Jones. Jones told the News on Aug. 26 that 15 of those deaths are from toxic, illicit drugs whereas one of the deaths is an overdose of a non-illicit drug, but still a substance-related death. This comes after there were a total of 16 deaths over the entire course of 2024. “We’ve got 16 with four more months to go,” she said. “It’s telling me that we are, unless things are going to change really quickly in the next few months, we’re still right in the midst of this substance use health emergency.” “To be honest, from last year to this year,...
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