AFN regional chiefs to represent First Nations at meeting with Carney, premiers
By Alessia Passafiume Assembly of First Nations regional chiefs will join premiers and Prime Minister Mark Carney for a rare meeting in late October — the first such meeting between chiefs and first ministers in decades. A source shared details of a Wednesday planning meeting held by the Assembly of First Nations on the condition they not be named because they were not authorized to discuss it. The premiers, Carney and First Nations representatives are set to meet in Ottawa on Oct. 26, just as tensions are rising over the federal and provincial governments’ major projects agenda. National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak has invited premiers and Carney to a daylong ceremony ahead of the October meeting. She told The Canadian Press last week that First Nations leaders want to bring...
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Five takeaways from final debate of Quebec election campaign
After being greeted by a raucous crowd of supporters and protesters, the leaders of Quebec’s five major political parties dove into their third and final debate of the election campaign, hosted by Radio-Canada on Wednesday evening. Here are five takeaways from a debate featuring Coalition Avenir Québec Leader Christine Fréchette, Quebec Liberal Leader Charles Milliard, Québec solidaire co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal, Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon and Quebec Conservative Leader Éric Duhaime. There was a one-hour wait for sparring on sovereignty and a referendum. The leaders discussed five major themes during Wednesday’s debate. But voters watching at home had to wait until the second hour to hear one of the evening’s most animated exchanges — during a segment about the future of Quebec. The PQ leader and Québec solidaire’s co-spokesperson...
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Trump’s push to acquire Greenland almost broke NATO. The winner of it all may be … Greenland
By David Keyton BERLIN (AP) — In the end, it was all kisses and laughter as President Donald Trump hailed his “fantastic” relationship with Denmark and Greenland after signing a new security deal that America’s European allies hope will close one of the most dangerous chapters in transatlantic relations. Trump’s territorial ambitions over Greenland almost broke the NATO military alliance and shattered trust with one of America’s oldest and closest partners. The new defense agreement puts an end to the standoff. But was it worth the cost? While the new defense agreement is a bit broader, the United States already had extensive military access under an existing 1951 deal and all the gains laid out in the agreement signed on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday could,...
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Thousands march in Toronto for Grassy Narrows, seeking justice for mercury poisoning
By Kathryn Mannie The smell of burning tobacco and the sounds of banging drums hung in the air in Toronto’s downtown core as thousands of supporters of the Grassy Narrows First Nation marched to Queen’s Park on Wednesday. Members of Grassy Narrows, alongside labour unions, environmental groups, and faith-based organizations, took to the streets to call for justice for the Ojibwe community in northwestern Ontario, which has for decades suffered from the aftershocks of thousands of kilograms of mercury being dumped in their river system in the 1960s and 1970s. Grassy Narrows Chief Sherry Ackabee said the First Nation has lost untold members to the effects of mercury poisoning. “Everybody’s lost somebody,” she said. “I myself have a child who was born with one functioning kidney … And my other...
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Don’t fear a referendum, PQ leader says in final debate of election campaign
From left, Québec Solidaire co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal, Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, Coalition Avenir Québec Leader Christine Fréchette, Quebec Conservative Leader Éric Duhaime and Quebec Liberal Leader Charles Milliard participate in a leaders debate in Montreal on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. Quebec votes in a provincial election on Oct. 5, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov By Morgan Lowrie Parti Québecois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon urged Quebecers not to be afraid of a referendum, as the five main party leaders clashed Wednesday on sovereignty, finances and the cost of living in the third and final leaders’ debate of the provincial election campaign. The moderator, Radio-Canada journalist Patrice Roy, asked the Parti Québécois leader whether he would rethink a promise to hold a sovereignty vote in the next four years if...
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From surviving to thriving: Kokum’s House builds a recovery path in Cold Lake
By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Alberta Native News In Cold Lake, Alberta, a 10-bed recovery facility is helping people move beyond treatment and begin rebuilding their lives through employment, cultural connection, peer support and stable housing. Kokum’s House Recovery was founded by Zane Thain, who serves as the organization’s founder, program manager and recovery coach. What began as an effort to establish an emergency wet program eventually evolved into a post-treatment recovery facility. Today, Thain describes Kokum’s House as a place where people can move from what he calls “surviving mode” into “thriving mode.” “When we first started Kokum’s House, it was supposed to be an emergency wet program, but then the John Howard Society took over that need in the community,” Thain said. “So we turned it into a...
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Saddle Lake Cree Nation invokes Treaty 6 to establish safe haven for gender-affirming care
By Chevi Rabbit, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Alberta Native News Saddle Lake Cree Nation is asserting its Treaty 6 and inherent jurisdiction over health care by establishing a safe haven for gender-affirming care on its reserve lands and territories – a move Dr. James Makokis says could have implications far beyond transgender health. The announcement came in response to Alberta legislation restricting gender-affirming medical care for transgender and gender-diverse youth. The initiative was announced on Sept. 9, 2026, exactly 150 years after Treaty 6 was agreed to at Fort Pitt. For Makokis, a family physician and member of Saddle Lake Cree Nation, the timing was significant. “We knew immediately when these laws were announced in February of 2024 that they were a violation of not only our peace and friendship...
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Reclaiming Timber: How One Métis Carver Built a 43-Foot York Boat from Memory and Heritage
By John Wirth, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Alberta Native News – When the decade began with forced isolation, master artisan Patrick Calihou took the solitude of a quieted world to undertake a massive historic recreation: a 43-foot “York” river boat built right in the center of Fort Langley National Historic Site. Patrick shared his perspective during an interview. Spanning stem to stern, the vessel represents the absolute maximum scale of historic fur-trade rivercraft, built with a flat bottom designed to glide across the shallow sandbars of the mighty Stó:lō (Fraser) River. A collaborative effort sponsored by Fort Langley National Historic Site that brought together Parks Canada and Calihou, on behalf of the Métis Nation. The finished vessel now resides at the fort as a permanent landmark. But bringing it to...
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Photo Gallery: Ashes pave road to recovery after B.C. wildfires
The wildfire season in B.C. has burned far less area than usual, just 1,350 square kilometres, only about a quarter of the 20-year average. But it has been one of the most devastating seasons on record for property destruction, with more than 500 homes or other structures destroyed or damaged. Now that wildfire activity has died down as summer weather gives way to fall, residents are faced with the prospect of rebuilding and recovering from the devastation of losing the roof over their heads. About 150 structures were lost to the Bald Range fire, including 110 in Faulder and Meadow Valley, and 40 in the nearby Okanagan lakeside community of Summerland. On the northern shores of Okanagan Lake, the Bradley Complex of fires near Vernon brought ruin right to the...
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Carney pledges $82 million for ocean monitoring initiative at UN
By Kelly Geraldine Malone Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged $82 million over five years to bolster ocean monitoring as he continued his support for international collaboration at the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday. “Canada is an ocean nation,” Carney said. Carney’s emerging role as a key global champion of alliances and multilateralism has made him a frequent target of U.S. President Donald Trump. Earlier Wednesday, the president claimed on social media that Canada is “destroying itself” by allowing millions of people into the country “essentially unchecked and unvetted.” Trump provided no evidence for these claims but called it a “Liberal takeover that will end very badly.” Carney and Trump did not meet when they both attended the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly this week. It was...
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Brantford Police Warning About Phone Upgrade Scam
BRANTFORD, ONT- The Brantford Police Service (BPS) issued a warning, Sept., 23, 2026, to residents over a scam involving fraudsters posing as cellphone providers. The BPS said victims are being offered a phone upgrade and later provided with false return instructions, shipping labels, or QR codes. The new device is then redirected to the fraudster, while the victim remains responsible for the phone and related costs. Protect Yourself Do not order or return a device based on instructions from an unsolicited caller, text, or email. Verify all offers and return instructions directly with your provider. Review your account for unauthorized orders or changes. If you provided personal information, monitor your financial accounts and credit activity. Report Fraud Emergency: Call 9-1-1 Non-Emergency: Brantford Police Service, 519-756-0113 Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: 1-888-495-8501 Anyone...
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Plans for annual Truth and Reconciliation Walk in Peace River proceeding
By Emily Plihal, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, South Peace News Peace River Aboriginal Interagency Committee is welcoming the public to participate in a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Walk and Run starting at Riverfront Park on Sept. 27. One of the event organizers, Judy Ducharme, says the registration and package pick-up will begin at 11:30 a.m., with the event commencing at 1 p.m. “This event is important for several reasons; however, supporting the NDTR’s mandate is priority,” says Ducharme. “This day is a step forward in the path to truth and reconciliation. Hosting the event provides opportunity to raise funds to support additional events held locally.” According to the Government of Canada website, The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was established in response to Call to Action 80...
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Haudenosaunne Confederacy warns SNEC to “cease and desist”
Haudenosaunne Confederacy warns SNEC to “cease and desist” any support of Birkett Lane development By Lynda Powless Editor Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) were warned during a presentation of their audit last Tuesday (Sept 15) to “cease and desist “ development plans along Birkett Lane in Brantford. Holding a notice sent to the City of Brantford, Six Nations Band Administration, and the SPA2 Landowners Group developing the Birkett land area called for them to “cease and desist all activities, site preparations and development operations related to the lands at Birkett Lane. He told the meeting the Haudenosaunne Confederacy Chiefs Council (HCCC) had declared a formal moratorium on all development across the entire Haldimand Tract on April 20, 2021. He said that moratorium “remains in full effect today.” He said any...
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Six Nations Community audit meeting crowd questions audit, housing and more
By Lynda Powless Editor Six Nations own source funding and a huge Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Agreement reforming First Nations Child and Family services is helping keep the band out of the black. Six Nations Elected Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill said the band received $182 million in government funding from a Canadian Human Rights (CHR) ruling affecting all First Nations in Canada. In March, of 2026, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal approved a landmark $8.5 billion Ontario Final Agreement to reform First Nations child and family services. It was part of a massive multi-year move to deal with discrimination in the on-reserve child welfare system. Elected Chief Hill told about 40 people and an online audience that despite the community suffering from “catastrophic flooding in Ohsweken that came to a great...
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Councillor told to declare conflict
Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) is moving to update its Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) signing authorities following recent changes within the administration and finance departments. SNEC passed a resolution to remove signing authority for Terry Farmer, identified in the resolution as an executive assistant, effective immediately during the September 21 General Finance meeting. The resolution states that signing authorities on Council’s RBC business must be updated following recent senior staff changes. Councillor Alaina VanEvery moved the resolution, which was seconded by Councillor Audrey Powless-Bomberry. During discussion, Councillor VanEvery requested a correction to Farmer’s name in the resolution. Before the item was considered, Councillor Hazel Johnson was told to declare a conflict of interest. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Debra Jonathan explained Councillor Hazel Johnson’s conflict related to the proposed change in...
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A Rainbow of Colours hits Moment for Life annual Colour Run
Photo Essay by Jim C Powless...
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Editorial: Secrets are never a good idea!
Shhh…it’s a secret! Six Nations Elected Council had a $182 million windfall! Well, sort of. A huge settlement that came from a Canadian Human Rights (CHR) ruling that affected all Ontario First Nations. What it all translates into is an $8.5 billion nine-year agreement signed by the Chiefs of Ontario, Nishawbe-Aski Nation and Canada and is aimed at overhauling First Nations Child and Family Services. It was part of a massive multi-year move to deal with discrimination in the on-reserve child welfare system. Fortunately, the dollars are outside of the band’s normal funding channels and are specific in their spending. Especially since the Elected Chief told the community in the same breath SNEC has already spent $72 million of the windfall. What she didn’t say was on what? Not really...
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Today in History
Sept 20 In 2020, the Toronto International Film Festival named the winner of this year’s People’s Choice award. The honour went to “Nomadland,’’ a recession-era road trip drama starring Frances McDormand that tells the story of a woman travelling the American West alone in her van. Filmmaker Michelle Latimer had a double win for her documentary “Inconvenient Indian.” The adaptation of Thomas King’s non-fiction book picked up the People’s Choice Documentary Award, as well an Amplify Voices Award. Latimer said she planned to divide the $10,000 cash prize between five emerging Indigenous artists. Sept 22 In 1877, Chief Crowfoot signed an important treaty with the government of Canada. Crowfoot, feeling threatened by the deluge of unruly American traders in the area, put his mark on “Treaty Number Seven” which gave...
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AFN invites premiers, Carney to ceremony ahead of October meeting
By Alessia Passafiume The Assembly of First Nations has invited premiers and Prime Minister Mark Carney to a daylong ceremony ahead of their October meeting. The premiers, Carney and First Nations representatives are set to meet in Ottawa on Oct. 26 — the first such gathering in decades — just as tensions are rising over the federal and provincial governments’ major projects agenda. National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said First Nations leaders want to bring their own cultural practices to that meeting and she hopes all premiers accept the invitation. “We’re taught as First Nations people that ceremony and prayers change things,” Woodhouse Nepinak told The Canadian Press. “One of the most important things for our people is to remember that we’re not just here as humans, but there’s Creator...
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Six Nations Chiefs capture fourth straight national Mann Cup championship
By Sam Laskaris Writer While the Six Nations Chiefs were celebrating their latest Mann Cup victory last Tuesday a debate had already began whether this was the best club assembled in franchise history. The Senior A lacrosse club, which was founded in 1993, captured its 10th Mann Cup title, including a program record of four in a row, with a convincing 10-2 triumph last Tuesday against the visiting Coquitlam Adanacs from British Columbia. With that victory the Chiefs swept their best-of-seven series versus the Adanacs in the minimum four matches. The Six Nations squad hosted all of the games in the national final at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena. “You chase this every single summer,” Chiefs’ assistant captain Brendan Bomberry said of the Canadian championship. “And it never gets old. You’re...
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