Can B.C.’s southern resident orcas be taken off the path to extinction?
The Canadian Press 25/07/2024 04:00 The southern resident killer whale known as Tahlequah captured global sympathy in 2018 when she pushed the body of her dead calf for more than two weeks in waters off British Columbia’s south coast. Some scientists and advocates called the scene a display of public grief. But the impact of the loss went beyond Tahlequah. It was a significant blow to the entire population that numbers just 74 individuals. Recent research suggests a baseline rate of population loss of roughly one per cent per year — based on modelling and 40 years of observations — putting the whales on a path toward a “period of accelerating decline that presages extinction.” Even that rate of loss is “optimistic,” the research says. The study lends urgency to...
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Getting the Michel Band back together
By Scott Hayes, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter There is a vibrant move afoot to re-establish the Michel Callihoo Nation. Everyone who believes that they are descendants or have a connection to Michel Band #472 are invited to attend a membership drive event at the Hinton Community Centre on Monday (July 29). “We’re trying to do a deeper dive into who the descendants are,” said Michel Callihoo Nation Society director Kim Beaudin. “Some people might not even know they actually are descendants of Michel. They probably know they’re connected somehow to Indigenous people, but they might not know if they are actually directly connected to Michel Callihoo or the Michel Band itself before it was enfranchised in 1958, so completely wiped right out in 1958.” Before Treaty 6 was signed in...
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New Banff art installation channels flow of glacial history
By Jessica Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter It may be new to Bear Street, but the Town of Banff’s latest addition to its public art collection tells a story that predates human history, capturing the timeless beauty and power of glacial processes that shape the rugged Rocky Mountains. For inspiration, Métis artist Tiffany Shaw went straight to the source. “I look forward to amplifying conversations that identify past, present and future responses that the surrounding landscape is speaking to for the town of Banff,” said Shaw, who visited the Athabasca Glacier and several other sites to research place, the natural ecosystem and the character of the Rockies. The mountain tour left the artist with more than a mental and spiritual impression, but a physical one, too. While visiting the UNESCO...
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Cathy Merrick re-elected for second term as leader of Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
The Canadian Press First Nations chiefs in Manitoba have voted to keep Cathy Merrick as the leader of the organization that represents the majority of First Nations in the province. Merrick, who was first elected grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs in 2022, secured another term in a landslide win during the advocacy group’s annual general assembly. She won on the first ballot with 35 of the 54 votes submitted. Merrick was being challenged by George Kemp, a lawyer and the former chief of Berens River First Nation, and Darrell N. Shorting, who is from Little Saskatchewan First Nation. Merrick made history two years ago by becoming the first woman to lead the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs in its 35-year history. Since taking office, she has stood by...
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‘We won’t stop’ Stanley Morris Peters Jr missing 37 years
By Roisin Cullen, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter In the early hours of Nov. 8, 1987, Stanley Morris Peters Jr. went missing. Then 34 years old, Peters was believed to be hitchhiking back to D’Arcy at the time near the railroad tracks. It wasn’t until 1992 that Peters’ loved ones found out what happened him, when Pemberton RCMP launched a full-scale investigation into the case after receiving a tip. His parents were told by RCMP officers he was hit by a car in Mount Currie, hurled 15 metres through the air, and buried in a shallow grave. Where, they couldn’t say. His three daughters have spent their entire adult lives looking for their late father’s remains. In May of this year, the sisters received an anonymous tip related to their dad’s...
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B.C. First Nation gets $147M from Ottawa for lost water rights 131 years ago
The Canadian Press The federal government has reached a $147-million settlement with a First Nation in British Columbia over a dispute about water rights that dates back to the late 1800s. Members of the Esk’etemc First Nation in the Cariboo region began hand digging an irrigation ditch to their reserve with picks and shovels in the 1890s, but the government forced them to stop just a kilometre from their goal to access water for their reserve. In 1925, the water rights from the nearby Vert Lake were taken from the nation and granted to settlers of the area and the Esk’etemc didn’t get water to its reserve #6. The nation filed a claim against the federal government with the Specific Claims Tribunal more than 20 years ago over the loss...
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Wildfires Force Full Evacuations Of Chipewyan Prairie And Little Red River FirstNations
By Jeremy Appel, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter (ANNews) – Wildfires in northern Alberta have led to the evacuation of two First Nations representing a combined population near 5,600 over the past two weeks. Members of the Little Red River Cree Nation, located 578 km northeast of Grande Prairie, who live in John D’or Prairie and Fox Lake were ordered to evacuate on July 20, with police officers going door-to-door and wrapping ribbons around the homes that have successfully been evacuated. Members who live in Garden River were ordered to evacuate on July 10. There are almost 5,200 members of Little Red River (LLRCN) who live on reserve. These evacuations were caused by the Semo Lake Complex, which consists of six wildfires, the largest of which is 96,181 hectares, burning out...
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Transcript: Biden’s speech explaining why he withdrew from the 2024 presidential rac
The Associated Press 24/07/2024 22:22 WASHINGTON (AP) — Transcript of President Joe Biden’s address to the nation on July 24, 2024: My fellow Americans, I’m speaking to you tonight from behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office. In this sacred space, I’m surrounded by portraits of extraordinary American presidents. Thomas Jefferson wrote the immortal words that guide this nation. George Washington, who showed us presidents are not kings. Abraham Lincoln, who implored us to reject malice. Franklin Roosevelt, who inspired us to reject fear. I revere this office, but I love my country more. It’s been the honor of my life to serve as your president. But in the defense of democracy, which is at stake, I think it’s more important than any title. I draw strength and I...
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Judge’s ruling temporarily allows for unlicensed Native Hawaiian midwifery
The Associated Press 24/07/2024 HONOLULU (AP) — A Hawaii judge has temporarily blocked the state from enforcing a law requiring the licensing of practitioners and teachers of traditional Native Hawaiian midwifery while a lawsuit seeking to overturn the statute wends its way through the courts. Lawmakers enacted the midwife licensure law, which asserted that the “improper practice of midwifery poses a significant risk of harm to the mother or newborn, and may result in death,” in 2019. Violations are punishable by up to a year in jail, plus thousands of dollars in criminal and civil fines. The measure requires anyone who provides “assessment, monitoring, and care” during pregnancy, labor, childbirth and the postpartum period to be licensed. A group of women sued, arguing that a wide range of people, including...
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RHT Litigation Fund files court application to challenge lawyer fees review
By Kyle Darbyson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Robinson Huron Treaty Litigation Fund (RHTLF) has filed a court application in response to two chiefs who are opposing compensation funds being set aside for the lawyers who helped them secure a historic $10-billion settlement. On June 10, chiefs Craig Nootchtai (Atikameksheng Anishnawbek) and Karen Bell (Garden River First Nation) announced they are pursuing a judicial review over the $510 million that was earmarked for the legal team in this case, arguing that such an amount is not “fair or reasonable.” “Money spent to pay legal fees is money that cannot be distributed to beneficiaries of the Robinson-Huron Treaty,” an Atikameksheng Anishnawbek official stated in a corresponding news release. According to a Monday news release from the RHTLF, this action from Nootchtai...
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Brandon Montour shares his Stanley Cup win with hometown Six Nations of the Grand
Six Nations own NHLer Brandon Montour holds the Stanley Cup high as he makes his way in a parade in his honour through Ohsweken, on the Six Nations of the Grand River. (Photo by Jim C. Powless) By Lynda Powless Editor SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND RIVER- Brandon is home…and he brought the Stanley Cup with him. The rains may have kept thousand of expected off reserve visitors from hitting Six Nations streets today ( Wednesday July 24) but when the sun came out local residents had lined the streets to welcome home one of their own NHL hero Brandon Montour who brought the Stanley Cup along with him. Montour’s Florida Panthers’ took the championship beating the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 in Game 7 on June 24 in Florida. Part of...
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Halfway River First Nation and Province launch landscape planning pilot
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter FORT ST. JOHN, B.C — The provincial government and Halfway River First Nation (HRFN) have announced a partnership to balance the Treaty 8 First Nation’s land and industrial interests. According to a press release on July 22nd, HRFN and the province will move forward on a landscape planning pilot to protect Treaty 8’s rights and support restoration and sustainable development in northeastern B.C. The province also announced an agreement with HRFN to award the nation a petroleum and gas tenure. HRFN Chief Darlene Hunter says the agreement will ensure that oil and gas development is sustainable and managed with the values of her Nation in mind. “We look forward to our continued collaboration with industry and government on development activities within Halfway River...
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Reg Niganobe seeking office as Liberal MPP
By Kyle Darbyson local Journalism Initiative Reporter The former chief of Mississauga First Nation and the Anishinabek Nation is hoping to become the Ontario Liberal Party nominee for the Algoma-Manitoulin riding. Reg Niganobe made this announcement last Friday through his personal Facebook page, revealing that he decided to seek this nomination after “much thought, consideration, and conversation with family, friends, colleagues, mentors and other trusted leaders.” “For those who have supported me in the past, I seek your continued support and confidence,” Niganobe wrote. “As I seek the nomination bid and complete the required paperwork and processes, I will update everyone on the outcome of my application later. Thank you all for your time, and wish me luck!” Niganobe is no stranger to campaigning for public office, first becoming a...
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Jordan’s Principle controversy in Naujaat
By Darrell Greer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Naujaat hamlet council’s decision to turn down $6.8 million allotted to the community by Jordan’s Principle – a program aimed at ensuring all First Nations and Inuit children in Canada have access to the health and educational supports they need – is viewed as a huge mistake in some corners. Tagak Curley, a former Nunavut MLA and a founding father of Nunavut, said he thinks it’s terrible that Naujaat has still not signed on for the Jordan’s Principle initiative, which provides children up to the age of 18 with food, baby formula, diapers and other essential items. A food voucher proposal to support 710 children in Naujaat had been approved last December before Naujaat hamlet council decided it could no longer take on...
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Brandon Montour brings Stanley Cup home today!
By Austin Evans Writer Today’s the day: Brandon Montour is bringing the Stanley Cup to Six Nations! The celebrations will start at 1 pm at Ohsweken Speedway, with the parade carrying Montour and the Stanley Cup to the Six Nations Sports and Culture Memorial Arena. Before and during the event, roads will be closed from 5th Line to the intersection of 4th Line and Chiefswood Road, and to Lawrence Jonathan Lane. A lane will be open for emergency services. Upon arrival at the arena, Montour will be awarded the Six Nations Honourary Ronateríhonte (Leader) Award. Darryl Smart from Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) Communications said this is a new award and that Montour will be its first recipient. Montour has just completed his tenth year in the NHL and his...
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IDLA marks Jay Treaty Border Crossing “Fight for the Line” anniversary
Photos by January Rogers NIAGARA FALLS – Soaring temperatures and spurts of rain didn’t stop Haudenosaunee from practicing Indigenous rights to free passage across the invisible US-Canada border. The annual Jay Treaty celebration Saturday ( July 20th) marks the hard work of generations of Indian Defence League of America (IDLA) supporters who have been drawing attention to and protecting Indigenous border crossing rights with the march since 1927. The event sees Indigenous people walk across the international Rainbow Bridge from one country to the other to mark invisible barriers created when both Canada and the U.S. formed a border with the imposition of the Jay Treaty in 1794. The move, without Indigenous involvement, resulted in dividing not just Indigenous territories but families from each other. For the Haudenosaunee and Ongwehonwe...
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Six Nations Elected council allocates ISC funds
Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) approved a motion from the Built Environment and Climate Adaptation Committee to allocate funding from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) to SNEC departments at the July General Finance meeting of more than $1.2 million. ISC provides SNEC with annual funding for Six Nations assets and education based on a formula that uses nominal roll (number of people enrolled in school on reserve) and adjusts the population by about 60 per cent. Departments were asked to put their priorities forward after the federal school’s were allocated $96,367 for school maintenance, to address the priorities of the schools’ principals and to replace equipment. SNEC’s department’s were given the remainder for priorities that were not discussed. Administration received just over $100,000; Public Works was allocated a little more than...
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Funding the root of problems in First Nation policing, clean water and claims
By Austin Evans Writer First Nations Policing, clean water and specific claims continue to top the agendas and discussions at the Assembly of First Nations’ (AFN) Annual General Assemblies. Policing During the plenary on First Nations Policing on July 10, the Indigenous Police Chiefs of Ontario (IPCO) described the two legal cases they filed against the federal government last year. IPCO went to court to force Canada to change the terms and conditions that prevented First Nations police services from having specialized units and also launched a human rights complaint for decades of underfunding. James Killeen, police chief of UCCM Anishnaabe Police, said the complaint led to the federal government threatening to withhold funding. “I can tell you that my entire time in municipal services, I never felt threatened that...
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Indigenous Police funding shortages hitting Six Nations
By Austin Evans Writer Six Nations’ Chief of Police says they only have enough funding to hire two-thirds of the officers they need to police the most populated First Nation in Canada. That shortage coupled with officer injuries or illness is forcing Police Chief Darren Montour, a strong advocate of Indigenous Policing, to bring in the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) to fill the vacuum. In an interview with Turtle Island News, upon returning from the Assembly of First Nations, he said First Nation policing is getting hit nationwide and no one feels it more than the Six Nations’ police force members. “Most of them have grown up here on the territory itself, so they have an invested interest coming into the job. But that weighs on them mentally, like they...
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Group says photos of reclusive tribe on Peru beach show logging concessions are ‘dangerously close’
The Associated Press An advocacy group for Indigenous peoples has released photographs of a reclusive tribe’s members searching for food on a beach in the Peruvian Amazon, calling it evidence that logging concessions are “dangerously close” to the tribe’s territory. Survival International said the photos and video it posted this week show members of the Mashco Piro looking for plantains and cassava near the community of Monte Salvado, on the Las Piedras River in Madre de Dios province. Several logging companies hold timber concessions inside territory inhabited by the tribe, according to Survival International, which has long sought to protect what it says is the largest “uncontacted” tribe in the world. The proximity raises fears of conflict between logging workers and tribal members, as well as the possibility that loggers...
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