Wikwemikong Tribal, UCCM Police forces each taking steps to protect mental health of their serving officers
By Jacqueline St. Pierre, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Manitoulin Expositor MANITOULIN—They are protectors. They are peacekeepers. But above all, they are relatives—carrying the weight of community and crisis on their backs, often with no backup and nowhere to turn. A new report released last week lays bare a grim reality that’s long simmered under the surface of First Nations policing in Ontario. Officers working under the Ontario First NationsPolicing Agreement (OFNPA) are struggling—not from a lack of heart, but from the unrelenting strain of working alone, underfunded, and unsupported in the very communities they serve. Seventy-four percent of officers surveyed say they’ve experienced mental health issues while on the job. Over a quarter reported their mental health as “poor or very poor” in the past six months. The report,...
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Manitoba ethics commissioner faults former premier for pushing mining project
By Steve Lambert Former Manitoba premier Heather Stefanson and two of her Progressive Conservative cabinet ministers violated the province’s conflict-of-interest law and should be fined, the province’s ethics commissioner ruled Wednesday. In a 100-page report, ethics commissioner Jeffrey Schnoor said Stefanson, then-deputy premier Cliff Cullen and then-economic development minister Jeff Wharton acted improperly by pushing for the approval of a silica sand mining project after the Tories lost the Oct. 3, 2023, election to the NDP. Despite the election loss, the three Tories tried to get the Sio Silica project approved before the new NDP government, led by Wab Kinew, was to be sworn in, Schnoor wrote. Their actions violated the Conflict of Interest Act and contravened the caretaker convention — a long-standing parliamentary principle that forbids outgoing governments from...
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Six Nations marks 159th annual Bread and Cheese Day
Six Nations celebrates community at 159th Bread and Cheese event...
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Six Nations marks 159th annual Bread and Cheese Day with fun and family time!
By Tara Lindemann Writer Families had clustered along 4th Line west of Chiefswood Road long ahead of the parade that would lead them into the revelry that comes with Bread and Cheese Day marketed annually on Victoria Day, May 19. “One of the least known secrets on the Rez is that you line up as close to the fairgrounds as early as possible,” said resident Kim Porter. “You’re closest to the bread and cheese but miss the arterial clogging. “And sunburn.” Springtime chill made the sun bearable to the jubilant crowds. “It’s all about gathering, coming together with friends and family that we haven’t seen in a while,” said Brittany Maracle. “It’s an excuse to get kids together and just have fun.” Volunteers began cutting mountains of bread and laying...
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Archeologists find prehistoric artifacts at future skating rink site near Montreal
By Morgan Lowrie Last fall, as archeologist Yves Chrétien was supervising a team digging at the site of a future hockey rink northeast of Montreal, a mini excavator unearthed pieces of cut stone. Formed under an ancient sea, the stones bore marks made by Indigenous people somewhere between 6,150 and 8,200 years ago. The discovery, found below the site of a former Shell distribution centre and 18th and 19th century farms, could help shed light on the region’s little-known prehistoric period. In a recent interview, Chrétien said the stones discovered at the future rink in Sorel-Tracy, Que., were excavated from an ancient marine sediment — the stratified layers of which allowed him to calculate the approximate period they came from. “Right away, I understood that something was happening that wasn’t...
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SNEC aware of community cannabis concerns Elected Chief says
By Lynda Powless Editor Six Nations Elected Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill says community concerns over a growing cannabis market may be heard in coming meetings. The Elected Chief said SNEC is aware of community comments on the number of greenhouses being constructed to house cannabis operations. In a short update, she read that “council hears the concerns and are concerned for the continued safety of all.” She confirmed the controversial Fourth Line operation was issued a license through SNEC’s cannabis commission. She said SNEC will now hold “structured meetings” with the cannabis committee in the future. “We want you to know that Council hears the concerns being brought forward,” she said. She told the community a license was issued through the Six Nations Cannabis Commission (SNCC) to grow cannabis on Fourth...
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Brantford General Hospital says it is improving Indigenous Health Care
The Brantford General Hospital says it is making strides to improve Indigenous healthcare. Committee members presented updates and upcoming plans during the Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) General Council meeting on May 13. Councillor Greg Frazer said the Brantford General Hospital (BGH) is making changes to make Indigenous patients and families feel more confident in their model of care. Frazer said he and Elected Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill attended a regional health symposium hosted by the Wellbeing Department on May 13 at the Woodland Cultural Centre. The event brought together various healthcare professionals and services across the region, with a focus on improving healthcare for Indigenous people. Frazer commended efforts to enhance culturally relevant healthcare services, praising Michelle Bomberry, Manager of Indigenous Health Services at BGH and former SNEC councillor, for...
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Six Nations Community Awareness underway
By Tara Lindemann Writer From Iroquois Lodge to Kayanase’s Green houses Six Nations annual Community Awarenes weeks are in full swing. The threat of rain was no match for the Six Nations community on May 13at the White Pines Wellness Centre who hosted an open house as part of Community Awareness Month. In the first hour, half of 300 hotdogs and 300 hamburgers had been grilled and served up to visitors. “I think I’m part burger now,” said Bree Hill, who was visiting with family for the week. “No regrets.” The Six Nations Department of Well-Being hosted the event complete with treats, a raffle, and 17 information booths promoting interactive engagement regarding programs and services offered through the department. “All teams are important to me within the Department of Well-Being...
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A casino? Now?
Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) is now lurching between two major controversies it has turned loose on the community. And it’s coming in the form of a potential casino being built here and the growing cannabis fields abounding from one end of the community to the other. Both of which are SNEC born. SNEC created a cannabis bylaw to allow the production of cannabis here. And it created a Six Nations Gaming Commission (SNGC) in 1996 to over-see, what it originally thought would only be pull tickets, draws and minor gaming items. So why would the SNGC suddenly think otherwise? That it, the SNGC, would be able to build a casino. The SNGC doesn’t even have control over the local bingo hall that is both over seen by, and fueling...
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Today in History
May 26 In 1919, actor Jay Silverheels was born Harold J. Smith on the Six Nations Reserve near Brantford, Ont. Silverheels, who was also a star boxer and lacrosse player, gained fame as “The Lone Ranger’s” sidekick “Tonto” on television and in movies during the 1950s. He died on March 5, 1980. In 2001, Eric Fairclough was acclaimed leader of the Yukon NDP, becoming the first aboriginal person to head a major political party in Canada. In 2004, Labrador Inuit voted overwhelmingly to accept a historic land claim that would create a region of self-government on 15,800 square kilometres of northern Labrador, to be called Nunatsiavut. The agreement granted Inuit jurisdiction over areas ranging from natural resources, social services, justice, education and health. May 27 In 2019, Former Liberal cabinet...
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Weekly Cartoon
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UNDER THE NORTHERN SKY : Mother Earth On Our Side
By Xavier Kataquapit www.underthenorthernsky.com In a world that is so upside down these days we really need to count on our leadership and Elders to stand up for us, for mother earth and to make sure that there is a world in place for future generations. When I first started out writing and faced with interviewing government representatives like Members of Parliament and Members of Provincial Parliament, local, regional, provincial and national Chiefs, council members, Mayors, bureaucrats and business corporate executives I was intimidated. I recall my partner and mentor Mike an experienced journalist enlightening me that all these people were just ordinary folk like everyone else. As he commented “they all go to the toilet just like every human being”. I thought this was so funny but also it...
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Rivermen post victory over visiting Bengals
By Sam Laskaris Writer The decision-making process when it comes to roster moves is getting harder and harder for the Six Nations Rivermen. The brass of the local Senior B lacrosse squad continues to tinker with its lineup in the early portions of its 2025 campaign. Though several players were making their first appearance for the Six Nations squad on Sunday, the Rivermen managed to register an impressive 12-7 victory over the visiting Hamilton Bengals at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena (ILA). With the W, the Rivermen are now sporting a 3-1 record in their six-team Ontario Series Lacrosse circuit. In order to insert some players into the lineup for the first time this season, the Rivermen were forced to sit some other key individuals. “It’s a nice problem to have,”...
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Ironmen eliminated following OT loss at The Freddy
By Sam Laskaris Writer The Six Nations Ironmen had plenty of successes early on at their national tournament this year. But members of the local men’s hockey squad are certainly not happy with the way things ended for them. The Ironmen were one of 40 squads that competed in the men’s division at the Fred Sasakamoose Chief Thunderstick National Hockey Championship in Saskatoon. The tourney, named in honour of the Indigenous trailblazing hockey player who suited up for 11 games with the Chicago Blackhawks during the 1953-54 season, is often simply called The Freddy. The Six Nations team won all four of its round-robin matches at the four-day tournament, which wrapped up on Sunday. But the Ironmen were eliminated from further play when they were downed 2-1 in overtime by...
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UN warns of ‘ongoing tragedy’ as Indigenous groups in Colombia face extinction
By Manuel Rueda BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — The United Nations human rights office in Colombia warned Tuesday that five Indigenous groups in a storied mountain range face “physical and cultural” extinction, a critical threat that stems from armed groups fighting over their territory and insufficient state protection. Scott Campbell, Colombia’s representative for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said in a statement that the risk of physical and cultural extinction of Indigenous People of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is “an ongoing tragedy that we can and must prevent.” Campbell urged the Colombian government to protect the Kogui, Wiwa, Kankuamo, Arhuaco, and Ette Naka Indigenous groups, whose combined population is approximately 54,700 people. Campbell’s statement followed a visit to the Sierra Nevada region, where U.N. officials spoke with...
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‘Zero confidence’ in province over landfill issue near Dresden
By Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Chatham Voice The people leading the fight against the York1/Whitestone Fields mega-dump doubt the provincial government is going to help them. That’s according to Stefan Premdas, executive director of Dresden Citizens Against Reckless Environmental Disposal (C.A.R.E.D.). Premdas said he has “zero confidence” elected officials will intervene to halt Bill 5, that will allow developers to fast-track Irish School Road project by bypassing an environmental assessment. Premdas’ comments come on the heels of an eventful week that saw members of Dresden CARED and Walpole Island First Nation travel to Queen’s Park May 13 to voice their concerns. But while they were able to meet with all three opposition leaders, as well as Independent MPP Bobbi Ann Brady, Premier Doug Ford and Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Steve...
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Ottawa claims child welfare talks stalled over AFN’s ‘unreasonable’ requests
By Alessia Passafiume The federal government has told the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal that negotiations with the Assembly of First Nations on reforming the child welfare system are stalled and the AFN’s requests are “unreasonable.” In a May 15 filing to the tribunal, Ottawa said it has made “intensive and meaningful efforts” to reform the system since 2016, when the tribunal concluded that the federal government had discriminated against First Nations children by underfunding the on-reserve child welfare system. But Ottawa told the tribunal those negotiations with the AFN are “no longer working” and there is no “practical utility” to continuing consultations. “Canada has met its obligations under the Tribunal’s consultation orders, which do not require that Canada consult indefinitely or until the complainants obtain the variable outcomes they seek,”...
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P.E.I. First Nation says fisheries officers seized 300 Indigenous lobster traps
A First Nation in Prince Edward Island says it plans to take the Canadian government to court after alleging federal fisheries officers seized 300 lobster traps belonging to Indigenous fishers. Darlene Bernard, chief of Lennox Island First Nation, said the seizures from Malpeque Bay on Sunday were shocking because her community has exercised its treaty right to manage the lobster fishery since 2022 without issue. Lennox Island’s 15 fishers set out 1,500 traps when the federally regulated lobster fishing season began in late April, the same number as the past few seasons. “So I was really surprised that traps were hauled in, and I will say, to be clear, that this was an illegal action on the side of DFO against our First Nation. We’re prepared to defend that, and...
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Here’s what you need to know about King Charles and Queen Camilla’s visit to Ottawa
By Sarah Ritchie King Charles will drop the puck at a road hockey game and visit an Ottawa farmers market next week during his first visit to Canada since his coronation. People in Ottawa will get multiple chances for a glimpse of the King and Queen during their short trip to the city. Prime Minister Mark Carney and his government have invited the King to formally open the new session of Parliament on Tuesday as Canada’s head of state. This will be the third time a monarch has presided over Canada’s throne speech, after Queen Elizabeth did so in 1957 and during her Silver Jubilee in 1977. The visit is being presented as a symbol of Canada’s close ties to the monarchy at a time when the U.S. president has...
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Six Nations Elected Council approves “Interim” voluntary protocols for soil dumping
By Tara Lindemann Writer SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND RIVER-Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) has released its “Interim Voluntary Compliance Protocol on Bulk Excess Soil Import and Dumping” as it updates its waste management bylaw to deal with incoming bulk excess soil that may contain contaminants, liquid and solid waste, invasive species and/or pathogens. Last month, SNEC discussed issues surrounding illegal dumping, including facing criminal consequences for doing so. According to a May 15 press release, the goal of the interim protocol is to protect, “our environment (including) streams, wetlands, ecosystems, fish, and wildlife; our roads and infrastructure (including bridges, culverts, and drainage systems, and our health (including) soil pathogens, food we grow, and water we drink.” Community members planning to import or transport excess soil are required to contact...
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