How can Fort Simpson better prepare for future evacuations?
By Claire McFarlane, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cabin Radio As Fort Simpson residents settle back home following a wildfire, some are starting to think about what could be done differently should they face another evacuation. Issues being raised include access to essentials if people remain in town, a plan for pets that can’t be evacuated, and how residents should be notified of an evacuation. Tyler Pilling, the Northwest Territories village’s director of protective services, said many aspects of the village’s 20-day evacuation went relatively smoothly, in part because residents had enough time to pack up and leave. “It probably would have been very hectic if we only had a few hours, like some places have been given,” said Pilling, “but the 24 or so hours we had before things really...
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A Pathway to Home – Chisasibi housing research project addresses local realities
By Patrick Quinn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Nation A recent workshop in Chisasibi gathered input for an initiative exploring “Community-Led Pathways for Affordable and Resilient Housing.” The three-year project is a collaboration between the Cree Nation of Chisasibi, the Chisasibi Eeyou Resource and Research Institute (CERRI), Concordia University, and the Volt-Age Living Lab. By combining technical solutions with community engagement and energy-planning expertise, the project addresses issues of overcrowding, aging infrastructure, high energy costs, and the impacts of harsh weather. The collaborative approach is designed to reflect the community’s unique needs, values and priorities. “The housing situation in Chisasibi is a big problem,” said Brody Sam, a 17-year-old trainee at CERRI. “The biggest issues are mould, overcrowding and having to make additions to current housing. I’ve sometimes seen three...
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Steelworkers Humanity Fund donates $20,000 for wildfire relief in Northwestern Ontario
TORONTO, July 24, 2026 — The Steelworkers Humanity Fund (SHF) is donating $20,000 to support people and communities evacuated by recent wildfires in northwestern Ontario, as well as future wildfire relief efforts across Canada. This year’s wildfire season has forced more than a dozen communities to evacuate in recent days, including 10 First Nationscommunities across northern Ontario. Close to 2,500 people have evacuated to Thunder Bay and other host communities where the United Steelworkers union (USW) represents members affected by the wildfires, in sectors including sawmills and mining. At the initiative of USW local unions in the region, the SHF will divide its support between two initiatives. The Northwestern Ontario Wildfire Community Support Fund was established through a partnership between the United Way of Thunder Bay and the Thunder Bay...
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Critics accuse Ottawa of ignoring human rights as it signs trade deal with Ecuador
By Catherine Morrison Critics are accusing Ottawa of prioritizing trade over human rights by signing a free trade deal with Ecuador. International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu and Ecuador’s minister of production, foreign trade and investment Luis Alberto Jaramillo took part in a signing event in Ottawa on Friday. A Global Affairs Canada news release issued Friday said the event marks an “important milestone in Canada’s efforts to diversify trade and create new opportunities for Canadian businesses.” “It also reflects Canada and Ecuador’s shared commitment to strengthening their trade and investment relationship and bringing the agreement into force as soon as possible,” said the release. Several Canadian organizations and civil society leaders have warned that a Canada-Ecuador free trade deal will threaten the environment and worsen a human rights crisis in...
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Petition urging Alberta separation vote successful with 223K verified signatures
By Jack Farrell Elections Alberta announced Friday that a citizen-led petition looking to force a vote on Alberta quitting Canada is successful. The agency said it verified nearly 223,000 signatures out of almost 280,000 valid names counted. It needed almost 178,000 signatures to be successful. Despite the result, the petition is largely moot. It was quashed in court in May, although the ruling is being appealed by those behind the petition campaign as well as Premier Danielle Smith’s government. Smith has cited the separatist petition and a competing pro-Canada petition as the reason why she has put a separation question on the province’s Oct. 19 referendum The question asks Albertans if they want to remain in Canada or hold a second, binding referendum on leaving the country. The premier has...
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‘Too big to rig’: Alberta separation petition succeeds with 223K verified signatures
By Jack Farrell and Lisa Johnson A citizen-led petition seeking to force a vote on Alberta quitting Canada is officially successful. Elections Alberta announced Friday it verified nearly 223,000 signatures out of almost 280,000 valid names counted. The petition needed almost 178,000 signatures to be successful. Despite the result, the document is largely moot. It was quashed in court in May, although the ruling is being appealed by those behind the petition campaign as well as by Premier Danielle Smith’s government. Smith has cited the separatist petition and a competing pro-Canada petition that got a little more than 400,000 verified signatures as the reason why she has put a separation question on the province’s Oct. 19 referendum. The question asks Albertans if they want to remain in Canada or hold...
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‘Too big to rig’: Alberta separation petition succeeds with 223K verified signatures
By Jack Farrell and Lisa Johnson A citizen-led petition seeking to force a vote on Alberta quitting Canada is officially successful. Elections Alberta announced Friday it verified nearly 223,000 signatures out of almost 280,000 valid names counted. The petition needed almost 178,000 signatures to be successful. Despite the result, the document is largely moot. It was quashed in court in May, although the ruling is being appealed by those behind the petition campaign as well as by Premier Danielle Smith’s government. Smith has cited the separatist petition and a competing pro-Canada petition that got a little more than 400,000 verified signatures as the reason why she has put a separation question on the province’s Oct. 19 referendum. The question asks Albertans if they want to remain in Canada or hold...
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Whitesand, Whitewater Lake feeling loss from wildfires
By Mike Stimpson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, SN newswatch.com THUNDER BAY — Whitesand Chief Lawrence Wanakamik says he’s disappointed by the province’s response to this month’s dramatic flare-up in wildfires. “Whitesand First Nation remains deeply disappointed by the province’s response before, during, and after the July 13 wildfire evacuation,” Wanakamik said this week in a news conference with other Indigenous leaders. His First Nation 220 kilometres north of Thunder Bay evacuated on July 13-14 as a forest fire raged nearby. He told Newswatch last week more than 470 members left their homes in the Whitesand reserve and neighbouring Armstrong, and many of them left hours before an evacuation order was issued. At Tuesday’s news conference with Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek (Gull Bay) Chief Wilfred...
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‘Too big to rig’: Alberta separation petition succeeds with 223K verified signatures
By Jack Farrell and Lisa Johnson A citizen-led petition seeking to force a vote on Alberta quitting Canada is officially successful. Elections Alberta announced Friday it verified nearly 223,000 signatures out of almost 280,000 valid names counted. The petition needed almost 178,000 signatures to be successful. Despite the result, the document is largely moot. It was quashed in court in May, although the ruling is being appealed by those behind the petition campaign as well as by Premier Danielle Smith’s government. Smith has cited the separatist petition and a competing pro-Canada petition that got a little more than 400,000 verified signatures as the reason why she has put a separation question on the province’s Oct. 19 referendum. The question asks Albertans if they want to remain in Canada or hold...
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‘Create change:’ Why these Indigenous entrepreneurs are leaning into AI
By Brittany Hobson Shani Gwin’s foray into the world of artificial intelligence began with a problem. The Métis entrepreneur from Edmonton previously worked in government communications and found herself one of the only Indigenous people on her team. She was often tasked with reviewing Indigenous content for misinformation. She noticed that Indigenous people frequently have to battle online hate speech and inform others on First Nation, Inuit and Métis history. It prompted Gwin to create a technology company called wasikan kisewatisiwin, which means “kind electricity” in Cree. It has developed an AI tool that can detect inaccurate representations of Indigenous Peoples in written content. “A lot of our history online is from a colonized perspective. It’s not validated by us,” Gwin said in a recent interview. “I see this as...
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Communities unite to bring missing northern Sask. men home
By Nicole Goldsworthy, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, SaskToday.ca, SASKTODAY.ca BEAR RIVER — Three men reported missing during a planned foraging trip near Jayjay Lake were found safe Friday after a large-scale, two-day search involving RCMP, emergency agencies and community volunteers. Early Friday morning, July 24, an RCMP aircraft located Roderick Bird, 49, Emil Ratt, 67, and Ricky McKenzie, 48, in a remote muskeg area near Jayjay Lake, according to Saskatchewan RCMP. A Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency helicopter airlifted the three men to safety, where they were assessed by EMS. Police said they are not believed to have suffered any serious injuries. The three men were reported missing after failing to return from a planned foraging trip. They were last reported to be near Highway 165, about 10 kilometres north of...
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La Ronge Regional Fire Department lifts fire ban
By Nicole Goldsworthy, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, SaskToday.ca, SASKTODAY.ca LA RONGE — Residents in La Ronge, Air Ronge and several Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB) communities can have fires as of July 25. The La Ronge Regional Fire Department announced that the fire ban, originally issued on July 14, has been rescinded effective immediately for the town of La Ronge, the northern village of Air Ronge and LLRIB reserves 156 and 156B. The department said recent rainfall, combined with lower temperatures and higher humidity, has reduced the area’s fire hazard rating to a low level. Additional precipitation is also forecast in the coming days. “We would like to thank you for your co-operation,” the department said in its announcement. The Lac La Ronge Indian Band Emergency Management Office also...
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Confidence on the Catwalk: Métis Model’s journey with Western Canada Fashion Week
By Chevi Rabbit, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Alberta Native News For more than two decades, Western Canada Fashion Week (WCFW) has been one of Canada’s premier fashion events, showcasing the work of emerging and established designers while launching the careers of runway models, photographers and creative professionals. Founded in Edmonton by Sandra Fernandez, WCFW has earned a reputation for celebrating diversity, nurturing new talent and creating opportunities for Canadian fashion to flourish on a national stage. Among its most recognizable success stories is Métis model Lauren Bellrose, whose journey from a shy young woman with little confidence to one of Western Canada Fashion Week’s senior top runway models is a story of perseverance, mentorship and believing in yourself. Bellrose is recognized by Western Canada Fashion Week as one of its...
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Chiefs demand public inquiry and removal of MNR leadership
By Maya Ekman, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, NWOnewswatch.com THUNDER BAY – The chiefs of First Nations directly impacted by the wildfire situation are calling for a public inquiry and the “immediate removal” of the people leading the province’s response. After multiple First Nations self-evacuated, their chiefs say that they were repeatedly told by the Ministry of Natural Resources that they were not in any danger until the threat was imminent and had reached their community. They want Chris Cuthbertson, the MNR’s director for aviation, forest fire and emergency services, as well as the assistant deputy minister on that file removed from those roles. “We want to counter some of the narrative that Ontario is promoting out there, that they are in regular contact with our leadership. They are not,” said...
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Collins chief says they were told ‘not to worry’ about fire
By Maya Ekman, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, NWOnewswatch.com THUNDER BAY — “We do not understand how MNR failed to protect our community,” said Chief Helen Paavola of Namaygoosisagagun First Nation, also known as Collins. At a press conference held by Nishnawbe Aski Nation on Tuesday, Paavola shared that she was flown to her community the day before to see the damage done by the wildfire that reached her community last week. “I visited our homelands yesterday and during a community meeting this morning, I confirmed that there’s nothing left but just ashes,” she said. Minister of Natural Resources Mike Harris said at a press conference in Thunder Bay last week that the fire that destroyed the community had started that day. However, the fire was first reported on May 31....
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Brazil uses forensic science to trace gold’s origin and tackle illegal mining in the Amazon
By Gabriela Sá Pessoa BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — Brazil is using forensic science to tackle illegal gold mining in the Amazon, a top threat to the rainforest, Indigenous groups and other communities there that has accelerated deforestation and driven mercury contamination to dangerous levels. The work takes place at the National Institute of Criminalistics in Brasilia, the country’s capital, where federal police have set up a “gold lab” that collects and analyses samples from across the country. The objective is to determine if a newly acquired sample — gold seized in a police raid, for example — comes from a protected area, meaning it has been illegally mined. It’s called “gold fingerprinting” — tracing the origin of gold samples with high precision. Tracing gold is like looking at a person’s...
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Ministry of Natural Resources: no new wildfires in Ontario in 24 hours
There are 177 active wildfires still burning in Ontario, but the Ministry of Natural Resources has reported no new blaze in the last 24 hours. Still, more than 1,800 people have been forced from their homes as the province grapples with what early estimates suggest is its most devastating wildfire season on record. Indigenous communities have borne the brunt of the fires, with First Nations making up 12 of the 13 evacuated communities. Hundreds of people fleeing the fires are staying in Thunder Bay, Ont., though others are taking refuge further south in Toronto and Niagara Falls. Indigenous leaders have called for a public inquiry into the Ontario government’s wildfire response, saying some communities were essentially left to fend for themselves, but Premier Doug Ford disagreed this week with the...
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Chiefs say government has had no communication with First Nations
By Maya Ekman, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, NWOnewswatch.com THUNDER BAY – First Nations leaders are calling for a public inquiry into the Ford government’s handling of the current wildfire situation in the Northwest. “I always say collaboration, cooperation and communication. We’re all working together,” Ford said in Thunder Bay Saturday but the leaders of Nishnawbe Aski Nation, Chiefs of Ontario and seven First Nations say they haven’t heard from any minister of his government. “What he is saying is not true. He’s creating a narrative so that he can basically lie to Canadians, and lie to the people of Ontario,” said Chief Wilfred King of Gull Bay First Nation at a press conference on Tuesday. King said that not one of the chiefs present had been contacted by either the...
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NDP leader Marit Stiles says Ontarians are being lied to
By Maya Ekman, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, NWOnewswatch.com THUNDER BAY – From funding to equipment to communication, Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles accuses Premier Doug Ford’s government of lying to Ontarians, calling their management of the wildfire crisis “outrageous and reprehensible.” Stiles and Thunder Bay—Superior North MPP Lise Vaugeois were the only representatives of any provincial party at the press conference held Tuesday by Nishnawbe Aski Nation, where they called for a public inquiry into the provincial government’s handling of this year’s fire season. Stiles and Vaugeois said that while wildfires are inevitable, there have been numerous suggestions from experts on how to better respond to emergencies that have gone ignored. Between 2019 and 2022, three different reports from wildland firefighters, the auditor general and NAN were given to the...
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Bodies of young brothers, 10 and 13, recovered from Manitoba lake
The body of a 13-year-old boy has been recovered from a Manitoba lake a day after his 10-year-old brother’s body was found near the shore. Aaron Au Ramirez and his younger brother Maximo Au Ramirez disappeared into Nutimik Lake in Whiteshell Provincial Park on Saturday. Maximo’s body was recovered Wednesday evening, after a boat on the water discovered him near Sturgeon Falls Trail. RCMP say Aaron’s body was found Thursday evening. Their parents said earlier in the day in a statement shared by RCMP that they were in “unimaginable pain.” Haidee Ramirez and Roger Au thanked the countless volunteers and search organizations that combed the water and shorelines or provided them with “hugs, prayers and hope.” “What we’ve gone through is not humanly possible to understand. We’re surviving only because...
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