A bitter fight between two tribes over sacred land where one built a casino
The Associated Press Published: 24/09/2024 13:42 WETUMPKA, Ala. (AP) — At the height of Muscogee power, thousands of people filled the tribe’s sprawling territory on the lush banks of the Coosa River in present-day Alabama. Oce Vpofv, or Hickory Ground, was a town, a ceremonial site, burial ground, and the last tribal capital before the Muscogee people were forcibly removed from the Southeast to Oklahoma on the Trail of Tears. Today in its place, the Wind Creek Casino and Hotel rises 20 stories above the winding river. The development is at the center of a long-simmering dispute between two tribal nations. The Muscogee Nation are descendants of people who called the land home and Alabama’s Poarch Band of Creek Indians is a separate tribal nation that shares ancestry with the...
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Arson investigation underway after teepee fire at Alberta RCMP detachment
The Canadian Press 24/09/2024 14:38 An arson investigation is underway after flames tore through a commemorative teepee that was a gift to an Alberta RCMP detachment from a local First Nation. Mounties say members of the public alerted Lac La Biche RCMP to the fire, which was quickly doused by officers and local fire crews on Monday night. Police say Beaver Lake Cree Nation gifted the teepee in 2021 to symbolize reconciliation between RCMP and Indigenous Peoples. The structure was hand-painted by Beaver Lake members and included the handprints of students from a local school. RCMP say evidence has been secured at the scene and an investigation is ongoing. Mounties are asking people to come forward if they have any information about the fire. This report by The Canadian Press...
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Oakville to commemorate National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with events and activities
By Shazia Nazir, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Oakville will join the rest of Canada on Sep 30 to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. This day serves as an opportunity to remember the survivors of residential schools and honour the Indigenous children who never made it home. Various events and activities are planned across the town, allowing residents to reflect on the history of these schools and celebrate Indigenous culture. “As we approach the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, I urge all residents to take the time to reflect on the lasting impacts of the residential school system on Indigenous peoples,” said Mayor Rob Burton. “This day serves as a reminder of the trauma and oppression faced by generations and the...
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Boyfriend of a Navajo woman is sentenced to life in prison in her killing
The Associated Press 23/09/2024 21:44 PHOENIX (AP) — After family members of a slain Navajo woman described their grief in a federal courtroom, the judge on Monday sentenced her boyfriend to life imprisonment for first-degree murder in a case that became emblematic of what officials call an epidemic of missing and slain Indigenous women. Five years after Jaime Yazzie was killed, her relatives and friends cheered as they streamed out of the downtown Phoenix courthouse after U.S. District Court Judge Douglas L. Rayas handed down the sentence for Tre C. James. Yazzie was 32 and the mother of three sons when she went missing in the summer of 2019 from her community of Pinon on the Navajo Nation. Despite a high-profile search, her remains were not found until November 2021...
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Public education parental support organization disappears after 70 years
By Maggie Macintosh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The advocacy organization that has been supporting parent councils and lobbying the provincial government on caregiver concerns over the last 70 years has gone dark. The Manitoba Association of Parent Councils lost its charitable status on Sept. 7, according to records from the Canada Revenue Agency that show MAPC has failed to file up-to-date information. MAPC’s website was taken down ahead of back-to-school season. Its last-known office has been vacated and social media pages are inactive. Executive director Brenda Brazeau, the sole employee, did not respond to requests for comment on the status of the organization she’s overseen since 2019. “The board of directors has chosen not to proceed with funding from the province (Manitoba Education) and to seek outside funding,” Brazeau wrote...
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Onigaming chief resigns from Treaty 3 panel
By Mike Stimpson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Thunder Bay Source ONIGAMING – The chief of Ojibways of Onigaming has resigned from Grand Council Treaty #3’s environment committee and his reasons relate to the regional organization’s ties to Canada’s nuclear power industry. GCT3 has been receiving money from the Nuclear Waste Management Organization, which is considering a site in Treaty 3 territory for a proposed nuclear waste repository. “I can no longer in good conscience be a part of this process,” Jeffrey Copenace said Monday in a Facebook post. “I worry Grand Council Treaty #3 has chosen to accept money from NWMO that will open the door to nuclear waste being buried near our lakes, rivers and waterways,” he said. An underground nuclear waste repository would pose great risk to people...
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Huu-ay-aht First Nation seeks Dark-Sky Preserve designation for Bamfield
By Nora O’Malley Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Bamfield, BC – Standing in the home of his ancestors at Kiixin (pronounced kee-hin), Huu-ay-aht’s ancient summer village site, knowledge keeper Qiic Qiica spoke about connection. “That’s one of the most beautiful things about being Indigenous is our connectedness. We are not above or below anything in the world. We are a part of it,” said Qiic Qiica, a cultural interpreter for Kiix̣in Tours. “We are deeply connected to everything around us. Not just the land or the ocean, but it’s also the cosmos. Our people were so connected to the cosmos, it’s only with our modern technology and conveniences that we have become disconnected,” continued Qiic Qiica as he led a group of scientists, Indigenous leaders, tourism delegates, economic development partners, journalists...
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RCMP officers face firing for ‘atrocious’ racist behaviour, harassment, documents say
The Canadian Press 20/09/2024 19:33 Three RCMP members from a Metro Vancouver detachment could be fired over alleged “atrocious,” “racist” and “horrible” behaviour detailed by a fellow officer, including text chats that bragged about “Tasering unarmed black people,” court documents say. A schedule from the RCMP shows Constables Philip Dick, Ian Solven and Mersad Mesbah are slated to appear next February for code of conduct hearings over allegations including discrimination, harassment and discrediting the police force. None of the allegations have been proven. In court filings to obtain a search warrant, an officer in the RCMP’s Professional Standards Unit in Coquitlam, B.C., says another member in the detachment trained by Dick complained about being harassed by the accused officers. Among the key complaints, according to the filings, is that officers...
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Missing six-year-old boy in Manitoba found dead: RCMP
The Canadian Press 23/09/2024 00:56 A six-year-old boy from northeastern Manitoba who had been missing since last Wednesday has been found dead. Shamattawa RCMP say Johnson Redhead was found dead in a marshy area around 7:45 p.m. Sunday. RCMP say Redhead’s body was found about 3.5 kilometres from his school on the remote First Nation. Police have said he was at school Wednesday morning but didn’t make it to class after a breakfast program. In addition to the RCMP, search and rescue teams from Winnipeg travelled to Shamattawa to look for Redhead. The Canadian Rangers had also been participating in the search. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 23, 2024. ...
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James Smith Cree Nation in design phase of new wellness centre
By Nicole Goldsworthy, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter JAMES SMITH CREE NATION —Band members are providing their suggestions to the design plans of a new community wellness centre on James Smith First Nation. The centre was discussed at a general assembly meeting on Sept. 18, with construction expected to be complete in 2027. “The Wellness Centre has been in the works since the announcement,” said Chief of James Smith, Kirby Constant. The Prime Minister of Canada announced funding for a new wellness centre and wellness programming in November 2022. The Government of Canada has committed $42.5 million towards James Smith First Nation from the tragedy that took place on Sept. 4, 2022, when band member Myles Sanderson took the lives of 11 people in James Smith and Weldon and injured 17...
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Missing 6-year-old girl missing near Burns Lake, B.C., since Thursday found safe
The Canadian Press 23/09/2024 01:09 A 6-year-old girl who had been missing from her community in north-central British Columbia since Thursday has been found safe. Resources from across the province were enlisted in the search to find the child who lives in a small community not far from Burns Lake. The girl, who is on the autism spectrum and non-verbal, was found on Sunday night around 6 p.m. A video posted to Facebook show a woman appearing to embrace the child, who was covered in several layers of clothing and blankets Police say she was in a forested area that had already been searched between her home and the First Nation band office. They say searchers believe she was likely moving around during the time she was missing, so she...
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Search groups look for six-year-old boy missing from Manitoba First Nation
The Canadian Press Search groups continue to look for a six-year-old boy who was last seen Wednesday on a remote First Nation in northeastern Manitoba. Police say Johnson Redhead was at school on Shamattawa First Nation that morning but did not make it to class after attending a breakfast program. RCMP say officers and community members have been combing through wooded areas, trails, roads and sheds looking for the boy. They have been searching on foot and with all-terrain four-wheelers and other vehicles. The Canadian Rangers are also aiding in the search. RCMP say officers also obtained video footage from the school in an attempt to determine which direction they boy may have left the school or the circumstances around him leaving the property. This report by The Canadian Press...
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Manitoba to encourage renewable energy while acknowledging fossil fuel use
The Canadian Press Manitoba’s government says it will encourage the development of renewable energy in the province while acknowledging fossil fuels aren’t going away any time soon. Premier Wab Kinew says his government will provide loan guarantees to help First Nations build up to 600 megawatts of new wind-powered electricity generation. He says there will also be continued incentives to buy zero-emission vehicles. Kinew says his New Democrat government will ensure growth of the charging network for those vehicles. The plan also includes moves to increase energy efficiency in buildings and encourage homebuilders to install devices such as heat pumps in new construction. Kinew says nearly three-quarters of Manitoba’s energy use is from fossil fuels and those energy sources will remain important. But he says the government will bring in...
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Next phase of benzene removal at INEOS to start in October
By Melissa Roushorne, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter e next phase of the removal process of benzene from the INEOS Styrolution plant is set to begin shortly and with that a community meeting took place Wednesday to discuss measures and concerns within the community. “We wanted to communicate the plan B of the plan that INEOS had provided to the Aamjiwnaang First Nation,” says Chief of Aamjiwnaang First Nation Janelle Nahmabin. “I feel like we’re doing a great job on our end communicating with the members of our community. We are anticipating as a precaution, we will be doing a partial evacuation in our community…We’ve had high levels of benzene in the past and being aware about anticipated higher levels. Not drastic, but enough for our 27th threshold.” When benzene levels...
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Red Rock Indian Band getting $1.9M for new facility
By Mike Stimpson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter LAKE HELEN – Chief Allan Odawa Jr. said Thursday the idea behind the future Lake Helen Wellbeing and Cultural Centre is “bringing culture back to our people” and he’s happy the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation is helping to make it happen. Odawa was speaking minutes after Northern Development Minister Greg Rickford announced the NOHFC is ponying up $1.88 million for the facility, which will include an accessible gymnasium, community kitchen and space for training and business incubator activity. “The NOHFC investments we are recognizing today underscore our government’s commitment to reconciliation and meaningful partnership with northern and First Nations communities,” Rickford said in a news conference at the Chalet Lodge. “By supporting these crucial projects – from cultural centres to essential infrastructure...
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‘Explaining to scientists why art is important’: Nunatsiavut artist-in-residency program connects Indigenous artists with important themes
By Anasophie Vallee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter “For me, the highlight is seeing individuals be able to do something new with their art and validate themselves as artists,” said Jessica Winters, an Inuit artist from Makkovik, N.L. Winters is the co-lead, alongside Melanie Zurba, for the arts collective with the Sustainable Nunatsiavut Futures (SNF) project. Science can be foreign The residency program offers Indigenous artists the opportunity to get funding to create work that highlights a particular theme, such as food security, ice safety, Inuit self-determination, informed management solutions, and climate change. In using these themes to inspire their work, artists can help communicate important research and information through their art, explained Winters. “Science can be so foreign, and research and stuff – it’s jargony and complex and methodical,” she...
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Dangerous offender who left Alberta woman in vegetative state denied parole
The Canadian Press The Parole Board of Canada says a man who assaulted a young pregnant woman and left her for dead remains too dangerous to be released into the community. Albert Muckle, who is now 44, pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual assault and attempted murder in the 2005 attack on the Banff, Alta., hotel worker. Court heard that Muckle beat her unconscious and stole $20. He later returned and sexually assaulted her before attempting to strangle her with her purse strap. He was declared a dangerous offender and handed an indefinite sentence. The woman remains in a persistent vegetative state, unable to speak or move. At his parole hearing in B.C., Muckle refused to talk about the attack. “I’m not comfortable talking about it. I’m really not,” he told...
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Clean water for First Nations needed before next elections, House committee hears
By Matteo Cimellaro Local Journalism Initiative A remote northern Ontario First Nation now has a water treatment plant, but is still unable to lift its boil water advisory of almost three decades. MP Charlie Angus, who represents Neskantaga First Nation, 436 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, told a federal committee the community’s pipes are rotting. “I was trying to figure out again, how is it possible that we could build a water treatment plant in the community without clean water, and we still don’t have it?” Angus asked. “And they said it was the same as if you put a new engine into a rotting Ford that’s out by the side of the highway to tell people to drive.” Angus asked what it will take to ensure adequate funding for...
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Thousands march in Toronto to demand justice for Grassy Narrows
By Matteo Cimellaro Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Chrissy Isaacs’s grandson knows the water is sick. He freaks out when he sees someone drinking from the tap. All he has known are big blue water jugs. That’s why Isaac gets emotional today. She’s from Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishinabek (Grassy Narrows First Nation), near the Manitoba and Ontario border, about 500 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay. She has been fighting for environmental justice in her community since she was a youth. Today, she is a grandmother, “I’m still here fighting, you know, and it shouldn’t be that way.” For more than 50 years, Isaac’s community has faced a methylmercury poisoning crisis that has affected five generations of community members. On average, people here live only into their 50s or 60s, which is at...
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“Certainly deserves to be seen,”: CBU opens Kina’masultinej exhibition featuring Mi’kmaq beaders
By Meghan Dewar is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter Cape Breton University’s Art Gallery recently celebrated the opening of their Kina’masultinej exhibition, which features the works of four Mi’kmaq beaders from Eskasoni and Membertou. Beader Jocelyn Marshall of Membertou was delighted to be approached by co-curators Tara Johnson and Greg Davies and asked to include her work. “Tara, the co-curator, has seen some of my work previous. I thought it was a really great opportunity to showcase the work that I wanted to show in its own light, because the majority of my work is custom orders. It was a really great opportunity for me to share some knowledge of our culture, of our art,” Marshall shared. “It’s the 50th anniversary of CBU so our work will be displayed from...
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