Inuit village in Quebec’s Far North facing ‘severe’ water distribution challenges
By Morgan Lowrie Officials in Quebec’s Nunavik region are raising the alarm over water shortages in the Inuit community of Puvirnituq, where a frozen pipe and persistent blizzards have left residents without consistent water deliveries for nearly two months. The Kativik Regional Government says the village’s five-kilometre-long water pipeline froze during a blizzard in mid-March and has yet to thaw. As a result, the town of roughly 2,100 people has been forced to bring in water by truck in extreme weather on icy, snowy roads. Hossein Shafeghati, the Kativik Regional Government’s director of municipal public works, says persistent bad weather has left the trucks struggling through slush and snowdrifts to make deliveries. “In the past three weeks – and this might be a little bit of an exaggeration – my...
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Missing child in northern Alberta likely fell asleep in field, RCMP says
By Matthew Scace It took the efforts of 200 local volunteers, a helicopter, drones and ATVs to track down a missing two-year-old boy in the pitch-black night of Alberta’s Peace Country. And in the end, it’s likely the toddler had simply dozed off after wandering out into a field. “I’m guessing the kid just fell asleep,” RCMP Const. Lucas Lehman said Tuesday. A sweeping night-long search was triggered Sunday night when RCMP in Fairview, Alta., were called by the toddler’s family after they had searched the property for him. The child had likely left the home without either parent knowing, Lehman said, and the couple likely believed their child was with the other parent. The call prompted a search for the missing boy, bringing out more than 200 volunteers in...
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Connecticut Sun exploring all options, including sale of franchise according to team president
By Doug Feinberg The Connecticut Sun are looking at all options for the franchise’s future, including a potential sale, team president Jen Rizzotti said Tuesday. The team is owned by the Mohegan Tribe, which runs the casino where the team has played since 2003. The Tribe bought the franchise for $10 million and relocated it from Orlando that year. The Connecticut franchise was the first in the league to be run by a non-NBA owner and also became the first to turn a profit. Rizzotti, who took over in her current role four years ago, said that Mohegan’s decision was the move of “responsible business owners” and that “it’s more about being consistent about how they’re evaluating all of their businesses, the Connecticut Sun being one of them.” The news...
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Suspended Justice: Mystery of drowned fishermen reinvestigated in Tyendinaga
By Michelle Dorey Forestell, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Kingstonist.com In 2015, two young men went out to spearfish on the Bay of Quinte. On their return, they planned to teach a younger nephew the Mohawk way of preparing the fish. Instead, they disappeared. Matthew Fairman was 26 and Tyler Maracle just 21 when they drowned under mysterious circumstances. On May 5, 2025, the Toronto Police Service agreed to reinvestigate the 2015 drowning deaths of the two fishermen from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, a decision reached thanks to a two-year investigation by Kenneth Jackson, a journalist from Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) Ottawa, and a pair of families who refused to give up on their young men. Jackson has over 20 years of experience in the journalism industry, and his work covers...
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Ohsweken woman facing dangerous driving charges
OHSWEKEN-A 38-year-old woman sustained major injuries and is facing a number of charges including dangerous driving after a vehicle was seen performing stunts in the village of Ohsweken. Six Nations Police, (SNP), while on patrol, Wednesday, April 8th, 2025, at about 1:45 AM, in the village of Ohsweken spotted a vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed on Chiefswood Road. SNP began following the vehicle activating their emergency lights to perform a traffic stop. Before being able to stop the vehicle police said it was seen performing stunts at the intersection of Chiefswood Road and Fourth Line. Police said the vehicle failed to stop evading police until an officer was able to perform a de-escalation tactic to stop the vehicle. During the attempt to stop the vehicle police said the cruiser...
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Alberta separation a threat to First Nation sovereignty, say local chiefs
By Pearl Lorentzen, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeside Leader “Before Alberta was Alberta in 1905, we signed treaties in 1899,” says Loon River First Nation Chief Ivan Sawan. The treaties are nation-to-nation agreements between First Nations and the Crown and Canada, he adds. “We never ceded or surrendered our land,” says Sawan. Sawan was responding to the Government of Alberta’s proposed Bill 54, part of which makes citizen referendums easier. It’s expected – according to many reports – to result in a referendum on Alberta separating from Canada. Loon River is in Treaty 8 territory, as are the other First Nations within the region covered by the Lakeside Leader. This treaty includes portions of Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories. The southern border in Alberta is the Athabasca...
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5 companies selected in ‘milestone’ moment for NWMO
By Mike Stimpson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Thunder Bay Source IGNACE — The selection of five major companies for design and planning work is a big step towards building a huge underground facility for spent reactor fuel in Northwestern Ontario, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s Craig MacBride said Monday. The organization wants to build a deep geological repository, or DGR, for long-term disposal of radioactive waste from Canada’s nuclear power plants. On Monday it announced that five firms have been chosen for essential design, engineering and planning work over the next three years: WSP Canada Inc., Peter Kiewit Sons ULC, Hatch Ltd., Thyssen Mining Construction of Canada and Kinectrics Inc. “This is a very exciting milestone for the Nuclear Waste Management Organization and for the deep geological repository that will...
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Pikangikum water woes decades-old, chief says
By Mike Stimpson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Thunder Bay Source PIKANGIKUM — Water issues in Pikangikum First Nation are the same now as 39 years ago, Chief Paddy Peters said Monday. “I was elected into office (for) my first term as chief when I was 30 years old,” he said in an interview via Zoom. “And what we’re going through right now … those (issues) were on the table when I began as chief, when I was 30 years old. “Today I’m 69 years old. I was re-elected into office in January of this new year, and the same issues are still on the table. “And, you know, I thought everything would be all worked out (by now). “I was out of office for over 10 years. I was re-elected...
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Wildfires raging in northwestern Ontario trigger evacuation alerts
By Jordan Omstead Fast-moving wildfires in northwestern Ontario are triggering evacuation alerts as the region endures another day of sweltering heat. Officials say an out-of-control fire burning near the border with Manitoba has more than doubled in size since Tuesday to around 23,000 hectares. Provincial police say they are assisting with the evacuation of a First Nation located northeast of the fire. Residents and cottagers along several lakes near the border, including Malachi and Mantario, have also been strongly encouraged to evacuate. The fire started Monday near the community of Ingolf, Ont., where people were told to evacuate that same day. Another fire burning near the northern edge of Quetico Provincial Park has prompted officials to alert people in the area to prepare to evacuate on short notice. The first...
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Nicole Robertson’s Journey into Truth Telling
By Laura Mushumanski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Alberta Native News When Nicole Robertson was an iskwesis, a little girl, she knew what her calling was, “I always wanted to write,” she shared. “I knew at a very young age that writing was my path, my journey into truth telling, justice, and providing a platform all First Nations peoples to tell their stories—in our Indigenous ways and natural laws of knowing.” Robertson, founder of Muskwa Productions has been working in communications, creating space and platforms for Indigenous stories based on kinship values in everything she does, starting with her humility into understanding that, “[everyone’s] voice is just as important as my own.” As Robertson reflects over a 24-year career, she notes that, “I am community made, not self-made” – because without...
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Liberals planning for a fall economic statement but no budget just yet
-CP-Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne says the Liberal government will not table a budget when Parliament returns in the coming weeks but will instead put forward a fall economic statement. Champagne hasn’t offered a clearer timeline for the introduction of the government’s latest fiscal plans and has not explained the delay. The finance minister says the government will present a ways-and-means motion when Parliament returns in the coming weeks to introduce the tax cut the Liberals promised during the recent election. “What we have today is a middle-class tax cut. That’s step one. Step two, you’re going to have a throne speech where we will outline the Canadian government’s priorities, and there will be a fall economic statement to follow,” he told reporters after cabinet met. The Liberals sought to underscore...
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Nicole Robertson’s Journey into Truth Telling
By Laura Mushumanski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Alberta Native News When Nicole Robertson was an iskwesis, a little girl, she knew what her calling was, “I always wanted to write,” she shared. “I knew at a very young age that writing was my path, my journey into truth telling, justice, and providing a platform all First Nations peoples to tell their stories—in our Indigenous ways and natural laws of knowing.” Robertson, founder of Muskwa Productions has been working in communications, creating space and platforms for Indigenous stories based on kinship values in everything she does, starting with her humility into understanding that, “[everyone’s] voice is just as important as my own.” As Robertson reflects over a 24-year career, she notes that, “I am community made, not self-made” – because without...
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Historic first: Three Indigenous ministers join Canada’s cabinet
By Sonal Gupta, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer Canada’s new federal cabinet under Prime Minister Mark Carney is making history with the appointment of three Indigenous ministers, and taking a big step forward for reconciliation and Indigenous governance. Carney’s cabinet includes Rebecca Chartrand, who is new to federal politics as minister of northern and Arctic affairs. Mandy Gull-Masty, former Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees, is now minister of Indigenous services. Buckley Belanger, a Métis politician, is secretary of state for rural development. “This is unprecedented,” said David Newhouse, professor of Indigenous studies at Trent University. “Not just in numbers but in expertise. These are people with deep knowledge of the communities they serve.” The cabinet has 28 ministers and 10 secretaries of state, more...
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Six Nations Police raid illegal tobacco operation
Six Nations Police raid massive tobacco operation operated by “non Indigenous criminal network” By Lynda Powless Editor Six Nations Police are continuing an investigation into a massive tobacco operation they said was being run by a “non-Indigenous criminal network who do not reside at Six Nations”. Six Nations Police Chief Darren Montour said police are going through documents and interviewing foreign workers from the operation with the aid of a Spanish interpreter. “It’s a slow process because they don’t speak English.” He said details are not yet available, but the tobacco being produced was bound for the Toronto area market. No estimate on the value of the tobacco was available. Sixteen workers were found on site during the raid, Police Chief Montour described as an “exploitation of our rights. Of...
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SNGRDC Celebrates 10th Annual Community Barbecue – “People love community awareness events”
By Tara Lindemann Writer Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation (SNGRDC) celebrated its 10th anniversary by hosting a free barbecue to live music on May 8 at Chiefswood Park. About 300 people rolled through, some to take advantage of their lunch hour, others to simply enjoy some family time at the bouncy castle, or stroll through the historic grounds. This year’s raffle proceeds, together with volunteer entry offerings, are being donated to the Youth Lodge. “People love community awareness events,” said Communications and Public Relations Officer, Katie Montour. “Calling it our 10th anniversary is an excuse to make it special, but really, we do this every year.” Montour said the official anniversary was on May 1, where staff enjoyed a catered breakfast, and then cakes were delivered to...
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Children’s Mental Health Week – event full of smiles
By Tara Lindemann Writer Veterans Park in Ohsweken was filled with life as dozens of families visited the Children’s Mental Health “Holistic Connections” event on May 8. Shrieks of delight burst over the din of conversations between dozens of families and community partners. Information booths offered interactive games with children and youth, giving caregivers an opportunity to learn more about options through Six Nations Social Services, Child and Family Services and partners. The event was so popular the hot dogs ran out in the first hour. Snacks, however, were plentiful, and children ran through the park freely, playing hide-and-seek around the cenotaph. “This is what mental health should look like,” said mother Andrea Skye. “How fitting they held an event about holistic healing for children at this particular park. “I...
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MCFN Acting Chief calls Alberta’s Bill 54 “an Indian problem”
By Tara Lindemann Writer Alberta premier Danielle Smith’s recently introduced Bill 54, could lower the voter threshold and allow for more citizen-led referendums opening the door for separatism. The widely criticized bill has been called “destabilizing,” and while Smith has claimed the Bill will not affect existing Treaties, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) Acting Chief Larry Sault said he stands in solidarity with First Nations in Alberta opposing the bill. He told Turtle Island News the matter “is an Indian problem. “Our treaties are pre-Confederation treaties and post-confederation treaties,” he said. “To understand what’s happening, you need to look at what has already happened. “On a federal level, if you look at the early beginnings of Canada, before Canada was, the first Indian Affairs Minister and the first prime...
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Jordan Principle changes hampering family support
Sweeping changes to Jordan’s Principle funding are severely hampering support for children and families in need. Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) discussed recent changes to Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) Jordan’s Principle Funding at the General Finance Committee meeting on May 5 when Councillor Dean Hill said SNEC should hear discussions regarding the funding changes that had occurred at the Committee Committee. Director of Wellbeing Deb Johnson, highlighted the administrative backlog, funding restrictions, and delayed approvals stemming from federal restructuring of Jordan’s Principle – a program originally created to ensure equitable access to health and social services for First Nations children. Johnson warned that since receiving notices last November from IISC, the community has lost the ability to provide immediate emergency assistance. “It’s also a requirement now that any applications going...
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Grisly wildlife dumping discovered on Fifth Line
By Tara Lindemann Writer Many drivers passed by what, upon a distracted glance, would look like just another illegal dump site. One field west of the tracks, however, at the treeline on the south side of Fifth Line, surrounded by faded, partially empty take-away food containers, cloaked beneath thousands upon thousands of plump flies, was a grisly tableau of decomposing wildlife. The soupy mess included carcasses of several coyotes, turkeys; at least one hawk and an eagle; sawed deer hooves and skins, and rotting ducks spilled out from a tipped pail. There was fecal evidence that other animals – raccoons and coyotes – had since visited and feasted on the maggot-filled scene. “It’s abhorrent that anyone would be this cruel, this disrespectful,” said Six Nations of the Grand River Councillor,...
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Haudenosaunee Two-Spirit Artist Wins $20,000 Toronto Arts Foundation Indigenous Artist Award
By Joshua Santos Writer A celebrated Indigenous artist has claimed this year’s Toronto Arts Foundation Indigenous Artist Award and a $20,000 cash prize at a ceremony in Tkaronto sparking intrigue across the cultural landscape. works Wolf Bomberry, known artistically as Wolf⁷a:z from the Gayogohó:nǫʼ (Cayuga) Nation of Six Nations, was honoured at the Mayor’s Arts Lunch for their remarkable 17-year career. Mastering public mural installations, carvings, jewelry fabrication, epoxy resin, and welding, Bomberry has reshaped Tkaronto’s cultural narrative. “I feel very lucky that I am alive to make it this far,” said Bomberry. “I had a rough life. A lot of times it could have been a shortened journey but I keep making it.” Their work, deeply rooted in Cayuga heritage, transforms urban spaces into vibrant expressions of Haudenosaunee stories....
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