Oneida Nation of Thames band councillor facing fraud charges involving day-school survivor settlement money
ONEIDA NATION OF THE THAMES-An Oneida Nation of the Thames band councillor has been suspended after being charged with fraud. Ursula Doxtator, 54, is facing criminal charges after being accused of defrauding a survivor of Canada’s day school system out of settlement money, according to court documents. Middlesex OPP arrested Ursula Doxtator, 54, on Nov. 24, two months after launching an investigation into a fraud complaint, and charged her with fraud valued at more than $5,000 and trying to use a forged document. Two days after the charges against Doxtator were made public, Oneida Chief Todd Cornelius released a letter saying a council member was charged in a criminal case unrelated to their official duties and had been suspended in accordance with council’s code of ethics and conduct. ...
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Former Manitoba cabinet minister accused by colleagues of trying to rush mine project
WINNIPEG- A former Manitoba Progressive Conservative cabinet minister is denying accusations by two former colleagues that he tried to rush approval of a proposed mining project. Jeff Wharton says he was simply gathering information about the planned Sio Silica mine after the Tories lost the Oct. 3 election, in order to pass it on to the incoming NDP government. Two Tory ministers who were defeated in the election, Kevin Klein and Rochelle Squires, say Wharton called them and, in separate conversations, asked them to get the project approved before the NDP government was to be sworn-in. Klein and Squires both say they refused for a few reasons, including a long-standing constitutional practice called the caretaker convention, which forbids outgoing governments from making most major decisions. In the end, no licence...
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What you need to know about Bill C 53 and the recognition of Metis self government
OTTAWA -The committee process for a testy piece of legislation that would recognize Metis governments in three provinces has been extended until at least February. House of Commons committee hearings about Bill C-53 have seen 65 witnesses testify and 274 briefs submitted that argue vigorously either for or against the legislation. Members of Parliament are now arguing over the finer points of the bill during meetings devoted to clause-by-clause deliberation, seven of them so far, featuring hours of debate. Some First Nations groups are opposed to the bill, which would recognize Metis governments in Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan, urging MPs to vote against it because they say it could erode their own rights. But Metis Nation of Ontario president Margaret Froh says Metis people have been fighting for their rights...
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Advocates Win Injunction Blocking BC’s Drug Decriminalization Rollbacks
By Michelle Gamage Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Legislation limiting where people can use drugs under the province’s decriminalization pilot project has been put on hold after the Supreme Court of British Columbia ruled the updates could cause irreparable harms. The legal challenge was launched by the non-profit Harm Reduction Nurses Association in early November. The lawsuit alleges B.C.’s Bill 34, the Restricting Public Consumption of Illegal Substances Act, violates sections of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The lawsuit alleges the legislation violates people’s right to equality, life, liberty and security and protection from cruel and unusual treatment, said Caitlin Shane, staff lawyer with Pivot Legal Society and counsel for the Harm Reduction Nurses Association. The court didn’t rule the law violates those Charter rights. But Chief Justice Christopher...
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It’s a Boy!
Six Nations’ first baby of 2024 Six Nations First Baby of the New Year is a baby boy! Mom Jenna Bomberry and dad Evan Staats welcomed Six Nations newest citizen at 2:14 a.m. January 2, 2024, at McMaster University Medical Centre in Hamilton. The family tells us he didn’t have a name by press time since mom was so sure it was going to be a girl, but we will bring you more on Jenn and Evan’s baby boy as soon as we get it. Watch for information at www.theturtleislandnews.com and in next week’s print edition of Turtle Island News....
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Six Nations Police Chief Darren Montour sits down with Turtle Island News
Six Nations Police Chief: Year-end review, he says force is changing as population grows By Lisa Iesse Writer SIX NATIONS- Six Nations continues to trailblaze in the field of policing with community-centred approaches, despite being stretched to resource limits. Between 2021-22 alone, many specialised roles were created as partnerships with community groups and organisations flourished. New developments are seeing technology directed towards strengthening person-driven approaches. Turtle Island News recently spoke with Six Nations Police Chief Darren Montour about how the force is branching out and growing to respond to the current issues affecting the community. Between 2021-22, new dynamic roles including a social navigator role, along with a community services assistant, and a First Nations mental health liaison person were created. Montour explained they all work together and serve as...
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Six Nations man named to Order of Canada
OTTAWA – Six Nations Indigenous knowledge keeper, Richard Wayne Hill Sr., has joined the list of appointments to the Order of Canada announced by Govern General. Richard “Rick” Hill is from the Beaver Clan of the Tuscarora Nation of Haudenosaunee on Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. He received an honorary appointment for his work in Indigenous art history and culture. He joined Willie Adams, the first Inuit senator and Willie Littlechild, a Cree Chief to the list of appointments to the Order of Canada. Richard “Rick” Hill, a historian who has worked to establish partnerships between Six Nations Polytechnic and universities and colleges. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in recognition of his efforts to restore and preserve indigenous culture by University of Guelph in...
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Six Nations Elected Council orders review of Iroquois Lodge policies and process after Turtle Island News reveals allegations of sexual abuse and questionable care
By Lynda Powless Editor Six Nations Elected Band Council will be conducting a “thorough review” of all existing policies, clinical processes and procedures at the Iroquois Lodge after a Turtle Island News article detailed issues found by a Ministry of Long-Term Care inspection including allegations a patient had been sexually assaulted. In November. 2023, a Turtle Island News exclusive article detailed an Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care report that surfaced with allegations not only of a staff member sexually abusing a resident at the Iroquois Lodge and Nursing Home (ILNH) but Six Nations Police were never notified. The report also says the lodge had failed to provide proper care to at least two other residents resulting in infectious wounds and hospitalization in one case. Turtle Island News had reached out...
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2023 in Review: What 2023 brought us
January Six Nations Elected Council launches lawsuit demanding more time to field Indian Day School compensation January 3 OPP seeking public’s help in fatal hit and run A Six Nations woman walking between Mohawk Road and Villa Nova Road along Indian Line was struck and killed in a tragic early morning hit and run. January 8 Six Nations mourns passing of longest serving Elected Chief Bill (William) Montour who passed away at the age of 81 years old. After serving two years as a councillor in 1976,, the former ironworker, Elected Chief Montour served 12 years as the leader of the Six Nations band council from 1986 to 1998. January 10 Six Nations to renew Imperial Oil pipeline agreement to cross territory promises over $2 million to the Science Education...
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Haldimand County OPP issue warning after extortion attempt
HALDIMAND COUNTY, ON – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Haldimand County Detachment is warning the public to be careful when sharing images and videos over the internet after a Haldimand County resident was threatened with extortion Dec 23rd. OPP said they were contacted December 23, 2023, by a Haldimand County resident who was reporting an extortion attempt by an individual the person met on line. OPP said the resident met an unknown individual online and both began to correspond online including the resident sharing explicit photos with the unknown individual. OPP said the victim was then contacted by the same person who had downloaded the photos and demanded money, or threatened they would share the photographs with the victim’s contacts on social media. The victim did not forward any funds...
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A learning year for SNEC
It’s a new year. And we have put together a wish list for this year after a year of controversy, a bit of chaos, and of course, who can forget the year end rush to get something done. Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) found itself facing a number of issues over 2023 from homeless living at the Glebe lands to SNEC missing the date to file claims to appeal the Drinking Water Settlement rejection it received and then quickly shifting to the idea of well, we will launch our own. Then there was the massive job over the four years of the previous council term to change the way SNEC does business. The then CEO Darren Jamieson now on a leave after heading up a complete re-organization of the band...
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Weekly Cartoon
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Ogwadeni:deo ~ Taking Care of Our Own (OGD) Christmas event Meet and Greet Santa, cookie decorating and crafts
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Six Nations forward eager to continue hockey season with Iowa-based Bearcats
By Sam Laskaris Writer Rycol Davis is itching to get back to Iowa. The 22-year-old Six Nations member is in his sophomore season with the Iowa-based McKendree University Bearcats men’s hockey squad. Davis, who had returned home for the Christmas holidays, was expected to arrive back in Iowa today, Jan. 3. The Bearcats’ first practice following the break is scheduled for tomorrow. Davis had somewhat of a slow start to his 2023-24 campaign. He registered just five points in his first 13 contests. But then he averaged a point per outing, one goal and five assists, in his last half dozen matches. “I’m having fun again,” Davis said. “I wasn’t before. But now I’m starting to come into my own again.” Davis said one of the reasons for his increased...
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Powless named assistant captain for Iowa-based university field lacrosse club
By Sam Laskaris Writer Dougie Powless is one of the newcomers on his university lacrosse team. But Powless, a Six Nations member, will be counted on for some leadership during his first season with the Iowa-based Clarke University Pride. That’s because Powless was recently named as one of the assistant captains for the Pride, a field lacrosse squad that competes in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Clarke is expected to be one of five clubs that take part in the NAIA’s Heart of America Athletic Conference during the 2024 spring schedule. The conference featured six squads a year ago. Powless had spent the past two seasons starring at Herkimer College, a New York-based junior college. Powless, who is 22, is majoring in History at Clarke. He has two...
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RiverWolves remain perfect in Arena Lacrosse League action by edging Snipers
By Sam Laskaris Writer The Paris RiverWolves eked out a victory in a battle of local Arena Lacrosse League entrants this past Saturday at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena (ILA). The RiverWolves edged the Six Nations Snipers 14-13 in what was the final game of 2023 for both squads. With the victory the RiverWolves boosted their record to a perfect 3-0. The result also left the Snipers still seeking their first win of the season as they saw their mark fall to 0-3. Meanwhile, the Ohsweken Bears improved their record to 2-1 this past Saturday by thumping the Brampton Express 17-5. That tilt was also staged at the ILA, before the RiverWolves/Snipers battle. The RiverWolves, Snipers and Bears all play their home games out of the Six Nations-based ILA. Jamie Dubrick,...
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Two men arrested after stunt driving incident rams vehicles, forces cars off road
In this video Six Nations Police can be seen arresting two men involved in a stunt driving incident Dec. 29 that ended outside the Dixieland Restaurant on Chiefswood Road., Dec. 19, 2023. By Lynda Powless Editor OHSWEKEN, SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND RIVER- Two Six Nations men are facing a series of charges after leading police on a chase from Third Line to Chiefswood Road before being arrested outside the Dixieland Restaurant in the afternoon of Friday Dec., 29, 2023. Police had received complaints from community members of vehicles being rammed, erratic driving and property damage on Third Line Road before a vehicle drive at a marked police cruiser . Six Nations Police were parked on Third Line Road when at about 1:30 p.m. they spotted a vehicle being driven...
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Six Nations man facing a series of charges including having firearms in a vehicle.
SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND RIVER-A 27-year-old Six Nations man is facing a series of charges including having firearms in a vehicle police found parked in the middle of Third Line Road with the occupants asleep inside Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. Police said while on patrol at about 3:10 a.m., they spotted a vehicle in the middle of the road that was still running with a male driver and female passenger both found asleep in the vehicle. Police woke both people up and ordered the driver to shut off the vehicle that was slowly moving forward. Police said they issued demands for the driver to put the vehicle in park and the driver complied and gave the keys to police. Police said the driver was displaying signs of impairment and...
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Metis player proud to hit the ice as part of new women’s pro hockey league
By Sam Laskaris Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Though her club was unable to register a victory, elite hockey player Jocelyne Larocque, was thrilled to be on the ice as part of a pro squad. Larocque made history in 2014, becoming the first Indigenous player to suit up for the Canadian Olympic women’s team, which captured the gold medal at the Sochi Games in Russia. Larocque, who is Metis and 35, plays defence, and is now a member of the Toronto squad in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). The six-team league held its first ever match on Jan. 1 at Toronto’s Mattamy Athletic Centre, the facility that is the old Maple Leaf Gardens. Larocque and her Toronto teammates were blanked 4-0 by the visiting New York team in the New...
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Six Nations Elected Council orders review of Iroquois Lodge policies and process after Turtle Island News reveals allegations of sexual abuse and questionable care
By Lynda Powless Editor Six Nations Elected Band Council will be conducting a “thorough review” of all existing policies, clinical processes and procedures at the Iroquois Lodge,” after a Turtle Island News article detailed issues found by a Ministry of Long-Term Care inspection including allegations a patient had been sexually assaulted. In November. 2023, a Turtle Island News exclusive article detailed an Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care report that surfaced with allegations not only of a staff member sexually abusing a resident at the Iroquois Lodge and Nursing Home (ILNH) but Six Nations Police were never notified. The report also says the lodge had failed to provide proper care to at least two other residents resulting in infectious wounds and hospitalization in one case. Turtle Island News had reached out...
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