Members from Six Nations and other communities discussed what the upcoming National Indigenous Peoples Day means to them
National Indigenous Peoples Day, formerly National Aboriginal Day, is a national holiday recognizing and celebrating the history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities in Canada. It was created in 1996 due to recommendations from the Assembly of First Nations, the Sacred Assembly, and the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. Between playing for a number of Ontario-wide junior hockey teams and providing snowboarding lessons, Tie Jacobs has frequently met off-reserve people who are ignorant on Indigenous issues, and at times had never met an Indigenous person before. To to him, National Indigenous Peoples Day is a time to be proud of his culture and teach it to those who are curious. “I usually try to surround myself with people who are curious and expand their knowledge...
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Did you know?
Did you know? Traditionally worn by First Nations and Métis peoples, ribbon skirts (like the one on Little Miss SIx Nations) are a meaningful symbol of identity, resilience, and survival for Indigenous women, girls and gender-diverse people, and represents a direct connection to Mother Earth. There are three groups of Indigenous Peoples in Canada? They are First Nations, Inuit and Métis. In Ontario, there are 13 distinct groups of First Nation peoples, each with their own languages, customs, and territories. These Nations are the Algonquin, Mississauga, Ojibway, Cree, Odawa, Pottowatomi, Delaware, and the Haudenosaunee (Mohawk, Onondaga, Onoyota’a:ka, Cayuga, Tuscarora, and Seneca). Is National Indigenous Peoples Day a stat holiday in Ontario? While this day is recognized as a statutory holiday in the Northwest Territories and Yukon, it is not yet...
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Reconciliation and celebration: syíyaya Days fast approaches
June 21, National Indigenous Peoples Day kicks off syíyaya Days, 11 days of events celebrating Indigenous culture, histories and ways of knowing. It’s a partnership between the syíyaya Reconciliation Movement, shíshálh Nation and the District of Sechelt. This is the third year of the celebration. “We named it syíyaya days, which means family days because it’s time to start walking together and planning events that we can all enjoy. It’s in the true spirit of reconciliation,” ʔakista xaxanak Garry Feschuk, hereditary chief and former elected chief of the shíshálh Nation, and co-chair of the syíyaya Reconciliation Movement, explained at the celebration’s inception in 2022. The syíyaya Days celebrations begin on June 21, with music and a potluck by the Canadian Métis Nation, held at the Seaside Centre from 11 a.m....
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Explore the Importance of Tradition
What traditions do your family or community take part in? Who taught you these traditions? And why are they important to you? Traditions are vital to many cultures. Among some Indigenous communities, traditions are passed from one generation to the next through community and family members. For example, learning how to weave may be passed down from a great-grandparent, to a grandparent, to a parent, to a child. Each part of the process is important. For example, sourcing and gathering materials to weave conveys specific knowledge about the land, plants and animals. Weavers share stories while they work, and these can include lessons or other cultural information. Even the movement of a person’s hands — or the patterns, images and colours woven into the finished object (e.g., a basket, hat...
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Why walking a Reconciliation journey is important for the NWMO
The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) has been committed to Reconciliation since our establishment in 2002. This year marks a significant milestone in the organization’s history as we prepare to select a site for a deep geological repository for Canada’s used nuclear fuel. Importantly, 2024 is also the five-year anniversary of the NWMO’s Reconciliation Policy (2019). This governing document was blessed through a Traditional Sunrise Ceremony, which included members of the NWMO’s Executive Committee, our Board of Directors and the Council of Elders and Youth (an independent advisory body), as well as a number of special guests. In line with our commitment to Reconciliation, the NWMO has been clear that we will only proceed with selecting a site for a repository in an area with informed and willing hosts, with...
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First Nation baby eel quota could get big boost, a huge loss for commercial ops
By John Chilibeck Local Journalism Initiative Reporter 19/06/2024 Ottawa is considering the idea of giving half of the annual quota for lucrative baby eels in the Maritimes to First Nations, a massive change that would shake up the industry. A Wolastoqey chief welcomed the news, but an industry representative called it “shocking,” arbitrary and unfair. If the proposal goes ahead, it will not include any taxpayer-funded compensation for the industry. In a June 10 letter obtained by Brunswick News, Jacinta Berthier, a regional director with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, or DFO, told commercial harvesters in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia that her federal department is “considering redistribution of quota to increase First Nations participation in the elver fishery and support fishing in pursuit of a moderate livelihood.” Elver...
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HCC Chiefs make public statement … Six Nations Elected Council issues COO apology behind “electronic closed door”
After HCC Chiefs appear in public Six Nations Elected Council apologizes to COO behind “electronic closed door” for “activity” By Austin Evans Writer Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) may have apologized to the Chiefs of Ontario( COO) for an “activity” that took place during the assembly last week, but they went behind an electronic closed door to do it. Elected Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill and her council gathered at the Six Nations arena June 12th at about 8 a.m. to apologize for what she called an “activity” that happened at the assembly. The “”activity” was a statement by the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs (HCCC) read by a Royanni announcing they did not support or endorse the event after being snubbed by the organizers. The HCCC was not approached by Chiefs of Ontario...
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Chiefs of Ontario: History made with first Mohawk Regional Chief
By Austin Evans Writer Abram Benedict makes history as the first Mohawk Chief to become Ontario Regional Chief in the 50 years the role has existed. Abram Benedict held the role of Grand Chief of the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne for nine years. His election to Regional Chief on June 12 comes just two weeks before his current term will end. He campaigned against four other candidates: former NDP candidate and two term Grand Chief of Grassy Narrows Rudy Turtle, 21-year Grand Chief of Batchewana First Nation Dean Sayers, previous Regional Chief and former Grand Chief of M’Chigeeng First Nation Glen Hare, and entrepreneur and Lake Huron Grand Chief Travis Boissoneau. After four rounds of voting, Benedict narrowly beat Sayers with a final vote of 50-48. “It feels surreal,” said...
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MPP saddened by horrific, traumatic testimonies of former priest, scoutmaster’s victims
By Katie Nicholls Local Journalism Initiative Reporter KIIWETINOONG — Horrific and traumatic were the words used by NDP MPP Sol Mamakwa to describe a meeting he sat in on with some of the victims who detailed historic sexual abuse from Ralph Rowe, a former Anglican priest and scoutmaster. The meeting included representatives of the Anglican Church of Canada. In the 1970s and 1980s, Rowe worked in First Nations across Northwestern Ontario and Manitoba. Authorities believe he abused up to 500 children. With the blessing of the victims who attended the meetings in Toronto, Mamakwa released a statement this week condemning the actions of the involved individuals, especially those of Rowe, who was convicted of numerous charges throughout the last 30 years for the abuse. “The impact of one man has...
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COO: Economic development update
By Sam Laskaris Writer It was supposed to be an economic development update. But Grand Chief Joel Abram, who is from the Oneida Nation of the Thames in southwestern Ontario, also provided possible glimpses into the future this past Thursday. Abram provided the economic development report at the Chiefs of Ontario (COO) annual general assembly, a three-day event which concluded this past Thursday in Six Nations. Abram delivered his report on the concluding day of the event, which was held at the Six Nations Sports and Cultural Memorial Centre. One of the items addressed in Abram’s report was supply chain and procurement. “We really need a lot of help and encouragement,” Abram said to the audience, which included a majority of the chiefs from the 133 First Nations in the...
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‘Dismantled’ human smuggling group tied to dead migrants in St. Lawrence River: RCMP
By Canadian Press A human smuggling ring recently dismantled by members of the RCMP was connected to the deaths of eight migrants who drowned in the St. Lawrence River while trying to cross illegally into the United States last year. Members of two families — four people from India and four of Romanian descent — died in March 2023 while trying to make the crossing in Akwesasne, a First Nations territory that straddles Quebec, Ontario and New York state. Their bodies were pulled from the water on March 30 and 31. On June 6, Police announced they had arrested four people, including the alleged ringleader, and issued warrants for four others. They were all part of a “large-scale human smuggling ring that funnelled illegal migrants” into the United States, RCMP...
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Six Nations Economic Development Trust to evaluate applications
By Austin Evans Writer Having received a total of $410,801 in funding requests, the EDT will hold a public meeting to evaluate applications this Saturday. The Economic Development Trust (EDT) is the Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation (SNGRDC)’s model for investing its surplus profits into the Six Nations community. This model of distribution was made following their 2011 community engagement study, “We Gather Our Voices,” and since 2016 has invested $18 million into the Six Nations community. The EDT received 11 applications requesting a total of $410,801 this year. Out of the shortlisted applications, two are for organizations with regular employees and eight are for volunteer groups or organizations that do not have regular employees. Organizations were shortlisted for providing complete applications that were within the scope...
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Six Nations holds Pride in the Park
By Austin Evans Writer A wave of rainbow flags fluttered down Chiefswood Road as part of Six Nations Pride in the Park. Participants marched from the Pharmasave on Chiefswood Road to Veterans Park at 4:30 pm June 13, where Six Nations Wellbeing Department and Six Nations Social Services hosted their Pride in the Park event from 4 to 8 that evening. This is the first year these organizations have held an event like this, as previous years had events conducted by Six Nations Pride Outreach. Jamie Dereniowski, Mental Wellness Educator and one of the organizers of this year’s event, stated that the Wellbeing Department and Social Services were late in getting in contact with Pride Outreach this year but would involve them much more in future years now that communication...
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A COO misstep, closed meetings…shadow new council
The Chiefs of Ontario (COO) session is over but the missteps linger on. Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) had a chance to put the community’s best foot forward yet for some unknown reason they stumbled. While we shouldn’t be surprised, since Elected Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill has chosen to go behind closed doors at the drop of a hat, the community is learning less and less about what this new council is doing. And they aren’t doing a lot. In the past five months since taking office this council has been showing the community it is a ship without a captain. And it isn’t entirely Elected Chief Sherry-Lyn Hill’s fault. While a veteran councillor she wasn’t one who stood out at council. In fact she rarely spoke and didn’t show up...
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Weekly Cartoon
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Six Nations members to lead Haudenosaunee entry at world women’s lacrosse tournament
By Sam Laskaris Writer There will be plenty of Six Nations representation when history is made in the New York city of Utica this September. The Haudenosaunee Nationals will be one of 10 squads that will participate in the inaugural world women’s box lacrosse tournament, which runs Sept. 20-29 in Utica. The Haudenosaunee squad announced its final 26-player roster this past week. The list included 12 Six Nations members as well as one longtime resident of the community. Also, Six Nations’ Jason Johnson will serve as the head coach of the club while Jeff Powless, also a Six Nations member, is handling the team’s general manager duties. Fawn Porter, one of the local players who is expected to be a leader for the Haudenosaunee side, was not caught off guard...
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Rivermen leading league standings following two more victories
By Sam Laskaris Writer The Six Nations Rivermen continue to tinker with their roster. But one thing is remaining constant. The local Senior B lacrosse club continues to rack up victories. The Rivermen now find themselves on a nine-game winning streak after registering two more wins this past weekend. For starters, the Six Nations club downed the visiting Owen Sound North Stars 13-7 this past Saturday. That match was held at the Six Nations Sports and Cultural Memorial Centre. And then on Sunday a shortstaffed Rivermen club pulled out a 9-7 triumph over the host Ennismore James Gang. That tilt was at the Robert E. Young Recreation Complex in Ennismore. The Rivermen only had 14 runners and two goalies show up for the contest in Ennismore. “Some of the guys...
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Sports Briefly: Mann Cup , Arrows and more
By Sam Laskaris Writer First-place battle A game that was supposed to feature a pair of undefeated Major Series Lacrosse teams was postponed on Monday night. The defending national Mann Cup champions hit the road that night to square off against the Oakville Rock. But that match, at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre in Oakville, was suspended early on and then postponed after an Oakville Rock player sustained a serious injury. A date for the rescheduled contest was not readily available. Both the Chiefs and Rock entered the game sporting perfect 3-0 records. Six Nations was hoping to improve its record on Tuesday night as it hosted the Brampton Excelsiors. That match, at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena, was held after The Turtle Island News’ press deadline. The Chiefs will continue...
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Tom Longboat descendant, Kristian Jamieson, running in his footsteps at marathons
By Austin Evans Writer Tom Longboat descendant Kristian Jamieson is on his way to the Chicago and Boston marathons after achieving the fastest time in the Niagara Ultra marathon in 10 years. Jamieson was one of 123 entrants who participated in Niagara Ultra’s marathon on June 15. He and the other runners lined up at Kinsmen Scout Hall at 7 am to undergo the 42.2-kilometre race. Jamieson not only outpaced the rest of this year’s runners, finishing 12 minutes ahead of second place, but nearly every runner since the marathon was introduced in 2008. His time of 2 hours 52 minutes and 55 seconds is the fastest finish in 10 years and the fourth-fastest time ever according to a representative from Niagara Ultra. Because of this performance, Jamieson has qualified...
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US acknowledges Northwest dams have devastated the region’s Native tribes
The Associated Press SEATTLE (AP) — The U.S. government on Tuesday acknowledged, for the first time, the harmful role it has played over the past century in building and operating dams in the Pacific Northwest — dams that devastated Native American tribes by inundating their villages and decimating salmon runs while bringing electricity, irrigation and jobs to nearby communities. In a new report, the Biden administration said those cultural, spiritual and economic detriments continue to pain the tribes, which consider salmon part of their cultural and spiritual identity, as well as a crucial food source. The government downplayed or accepted the well-known risk to the fish in its drive for industrial development, converting the wealth of the tribes into the wealth of non-Native people, according to the report. “The government...
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