Six Nations’ heart goes out to children left behind
SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND – Family and friends are raising their voices and rallying behind the children of a beloved Six Nations woman who lost her life to violence. On Friday (August 11) Jocelyn Greene died in Hamilton General Hospital after suffering life-threatening injuries from a violent incident family and friends describe as a case of domestic abuse. Greene was 27 years old. Her partner Dalton Hill-Doxtator, 28, has been remanded in custody. He is facing charges including Dangerous Driving Causing Death, and Impaired Operation Causing Death in relation to the August 4 incident which put Greene in hospital. Ironically Greene’s death comes in the wake of the Six Nations Elected Council hearing from its anti-bullying task force that the community suffers from “epidemic proportions” of bullying In the...
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Feds blamed AFN for delays, slow progress on First Nations policing bill: document
By Alessia Passafiume and Stephanie Taylor THE CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA-Federal officials worried long-promised legislation declaring First Nations policing an essential service was being delayed by Assembly of First Nations hesitations about the bill, newly released internal documents show. Records obtained by The Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act also appear to show that one of the sticking points for both the advocacy organization and Ottawa is whether to recognize policing as an area of First Nations jurisdiction, something the government has done when it comes to child-welfare services. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised his government would bring forward a new First Nations policing law in 2020 after years of calls from Indigenous leaders. The federal government committed to co-develop the law with the Assembly of First Nations, which...
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Six Nations Elected Council to start lobbying
Six Nations is renewing the call to keep the excise tax being, invest not just in Six Nations but other Haudenosaunee communities, while working with surrounding municipalities. Elected Chief Mark Hill says he is working on different strategies for closing the infrastructure and funding gaps in the community, but he doesn’t want to give them all away. Some of those plans were discussed at the Political Liaison Committee meeting on August 14, but he said he couldn’t give his strategies away because voicing them publicly wouldn’t be smart. “I don’t want to get too much into it, it’s not much of a strategy if everyone knows about it,” he said. Hill and Councillor Greg Frazer attended a meeting with Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New Democratic Party last week and...
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Six Nations to rally against Bill C-53
Six Nations is hoping to have as much representation as possible to rally against Bill C-53 in Ottawa next month. Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) passed a resolution during its Political Liaison meeting (Aug., 14) for all available councillors and Elected Chief Mark Hill to attend a Chiefs of Ontario (COO) rally against Bill C-53 . The COO is looking for as much support as possible to mount an objection to the Metis Nation self-government agreement. Councillor Hazel Johnson suggested taking a bus and filling it with community members, but Hill said SNEC had to make sure it could fill a bus and they would revisit the idea of community transportation at a later date. “It would be a good idea if council could invite one community member each so...
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Meta is playing with fire!
Climate change! It couldn’t be more apparent. Wildlife fires spreading across the north and west are a clear sign to the doubting Thomas’ among us that Climate Change is here and it’s real. Minister of Indigenous Services Patty Hajdu reminded Canadians the raging fires affect First Nations deeply. Without services to begin with to fight any emergency First Nations are beginning from behind. She announced Tuesday tens of millions of dollars have been allocated for First Nations in the North West Territories where indigenous people don’t know when they will be able to go back home or what they will find. Meanwhile in B.C. a fast-moving fire has forced the evacuation of thousands and homes have been destroyed. All at a time when up to the minute news couldn’t be...
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Ontario chiefs call for housing minister to resign, add to calls for Greenbelt probe
TORONTO-First Nations leaders from across Ontario are calling for Housing Minister Steve Clark’s resignation or his removal from cabinet over his handling of changes to protected Greenbelt land. The Chiefs of Ontario, a group representing 133 First Nations, says it was “extremely’’ concerned by the issues raised by the province’s auditor general in a damning report last week. The report found the government’s plan to open Greenbelt lands for housing favoured certain developers who had access to the minister’s chief of staff in a process that disregarded or ignored possible environmental, agricultural and financial risks and impacts. Premier Doug Ford has said no one received preferential treatment, and that the government would accept all of the auditor’s recommendations to change the process, except for one suggesting he reconsider the removal...
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“Pretendians” posing as elders to receive benefits
“Pretendians” know no age limit. The federal government i searching to find a way to verify an elder’s Indigenous background after finding non-Indigenous people are posing as Indigenous to receive benefits. The benefits are designed to lift marginalized communities to higher standards. Instead some people, not of Indigenous backgrounds. often referred to as a “pretendian” are applying. To help combat the problem Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) approved a method for verifying community elders when it comes to its Child Welfare Working Group. The group is currently analysing and critiquing Canada’s Child and Family Services Act. SNEC passed the verification process at its Political Liaison Committee meeting on August 14. Arliss Skye, director of Six Nations Social Services said the government is searching for a way to verify an elder’s...
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Six Nations Police seeking help in finding local man
Six Nations Police are looking for a 26-year-old local man last seen two weeks ago. The man, identified as Jared, was last seen by a family member and is known to frequent the Land Back Lane site at Caledonia. Police believe he is travelling in a red Chrysler 300 possibly bearing license plate number #BXLH850.A photo of a similar vehicle’s shown here. He is described as: -North American Native Male -Approx., 5’11” tall -Approx., 170 lbs, medium build -Brown Shaved Hair -Wears Glasses Clothing description unknown. Anyone with information or contact with him is asked to contact Six Nations Police at 519-445-2811 or submit a tip to Crimestoppers at 1 (800) 222-TIPS (8477). Or submit your tip online at www.crimestoppersbb.com...
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Six Nations Tomahawks crowned Senior Series Lacrosse champions
By Sam Laskaris Writer Jay Smith had already proven he was capable of coaching the Six Nations Tomahawks to a provincial championship. And he’s done just that again. Smith had been the bench boss for the Tomahawks, the local Senior C men’s lacrosse squad, when they captured their provincial championship during their inaugural season in 2019. Smith and the Six Nations club parted ways after that title. But he was brought back into the Tomahawks’ organization for the 2023 campaign. Smith led his charges to the Senior Series Lacrosse (SSL) title on Sunday. The Tomahawks defeated the Wellington Aces 7-2 in the championship final held at the Brampton Memorial Arena. “I was given a job at the beginning of the year and that was to build a team and win...
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Chiefs on verge of winning league title and advancing to Mann Cup series
By Sam Laskaris Writer One more W. That’s all the Six Nations Chiefs now need in order to capture the 2023 Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) title. The Chiefs are in full control of their best-of-seven MSL championship final series after a dominant 13-5 victory in Game 3 on Monday over the visiting Peterborough Lakers at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena. Six Nations now holds a commanding 3-0 lead in the series. The Chiefs can wrap up the series, and also end a Lakers’ dynasty, by winning Game 4, which will be held on Wednesday at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. The opening faceoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. The Chiefs actually trailed 5-3 around the five-minute mark of the second period. But the Six Nations squad then netted 10 consecutive goals while...
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Reclaiming surfing as a traditional native women’s sport
By Alexandra Mehl, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Tofino, BC – As the sun beamed onto Esowista beach, youth of the Mu?aa, Rising Tide Surf team gathered around Lacy Kaheaku, a native to Hawai?i, to learn how to carve traditional wooden surfboards and the Indigenous roots of the sport. “Women did a lot of the surfing in native Hawaiian culture,’’ said Kaheaku, adding that royalty, alongside warriors, would also surf. “But majority of the leisurely surfing was done by women.’’ Since ancient times, Pacific islanders have surfed. The pastime is believed to have originated in Polynesia, where cave paintings from the 12th century illustrate people riding the waves. During seafaring journeys the activity reached Hawaii, long before contact with European explorers and the process of colonization began. Despite these Indigenous roots,...
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Rivermen have lofty expectations for national Presidents Cup tournament
By Sam Laskaris Writer They’re in it to win it. That’s the thinking of Marko Celic, the general manager of the Six Nations Rivermen, who are preparing this week to once again participate in the Presidents Cup, the national Senior B lacrosse tournament. The seven-team event, which will be held in Oakville, begins this Sunday, Aug. 27, and continues until Sept. 2. All matches will be held at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre, which despite its moniker is actually in Oakville. “The goal is to win it,” Celic said of the national tournament, which is frequently simply called The Prezzy. “Whenever you go to the Presidents Cup, the goal is to win it. A coach once said if you have a chance to win a trophy, you go for the...
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Six Nations hosting Indigenous provincial fastball championships
By Sam Laskaris Writer A total of 33 squads will be looking for provincial bragging rights in Six Nations this weekend. The 2023 All Ontario Native Fastball Tournament begins on Friday and continues until Sunday. Five divisions will be contested at the tourney. They include the women’s and men’s categories. There will also be an Under 18 men’s grouping. Plus, a women’s masters division for those 35 and over and a men’s masters category for players aged 40 and up. The Ohsweken Redmen, who are participating in the men’s division, are co-hosting the tournament with the Sour Springs Fastball, a women’s masters squad. All matches will be staged at the Ohsweken Ball Diamonds and the Caledonia Diamond. “I think this is the fifth time we have hosted this,” said Darrell...
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Muscowpetung Saulteaux Nation settles century old grievance with Ottawa
By Alessia Passafiume THE CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA- Muscowpetung Saulteaux Nation in Saskatchewan has settled a specific claim with the federal government over nearly 20,000 acres of land. The Nation of 1,600 north of Regina and the federal government announced this week the settlement of a claim for Canada’s “breach of statutory and fiduciary duties” relating to nearly 18,352 acres of reserve lands in 1909. The specific claim was settled 33 years after the Nation submitted its case to Canada. The settlement agreement provides total compensation of $150 million and includes the potential to add the lost acres back to the reserve. “Now we have an opportunity to bring prosperity to our people and homelands, we invest in ourselves so the future generations will grow up proud to be from Muscowpetung,”...
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UNDER THE NORTHERN SKY: Traditional Land Based Teachings For Wabun Youth
By Xavier Kataquapit www.underthenorthernsky.com Land based living and learning was the main focus of the Wabun Youth Gathering held at the School Of Indigenous Learning in Neebing, Ontario. Pictured are Wabun Youth (from L-R) Kylea Naveau, Leeon Prince and Nakiyah Naveau. (Photo provided by Mattagami FN) Indigenous youth from the Wabun Tribal Council territory came together for a land based event at the 16th Annual Wabun Senior Youth Gathering. The event was held in western Ontario in Neebing, Ontario at the School Of Indigenous Learning (SOIL), a land based traditional facility. The week long event from August 15 to 17 was held for youth between the ages of 14 to 18. The event was organized by the Wabun Tribal Council Health Department with the support of the tribal council’s...
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Former Quebec NDP MP Romeo Saganash charged with sexual assault in Winnipeg
OTTAWA-Winnipeg police say former New Democrat MP Romeo Saganash has been charged with sexual assault. Police say they arrested Saganash on June 27 in relation to an allegation from May 1 in Winnipeg and the matter is now before the courts. Saganash represented the northern Quebec riding of Abitibi-Baie-James-Nunavik-Eeyou from 2011 to 2019, serving as the Indigenous affairs critic. He has not responded to a request for comment The Canadian Press sent by email on Friday, but APTN, which first broke the news, reports he confirmed the sexual-assault charge to them. The federal NDP has not responded to a request for comment. Saganash had been one of the residential school survivors working with a national advisory committee for missing children and unmarked burials set up by the federal government and...
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Ontario chiefs call for housing minister to resign, add to calls for Greenbelt probe
TORONTO-First Nations leaders from across Ontario are calling for Housing Minister Steve Clark’s resignation or his removal from cabinet over his handling of changes to protected Greenbelt land. The Chiefs of Ontario, a group representing 133 First Nations, says it was “extremely” concerned by the issues raised by the province’s auditor general in a damning report last week. The report found the government’s plan to open Greenbelt lands for housing favoured certain developers who had access to the minister’s chief of staff in a process that disregarded or ignored possible environmental, agricultural and financial risks and impacts. Premier Doug Ford has said no one received preferential treatment, and that the government would accept all of the auditor’s recommendations to change the process, except for one suggesting he reconsider the removal...
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THEY ARE THE ONTARIO CHAMPIONS!
Six Nations U91 team won the Ontario A Championship at the provincials last week bringing a crowd of locals out to welcome the young champions home in style. Six Nations Fire and police led a long parade through the community to the Six Nations arena in a community welcome to the champions. (Photo by Jim C. Powless)...
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Six Nations Firefighters in labour dispute with band council
Six Nations Firefighters in labour fight with Six Nations Elected Council over right to bargain collectively By Lisa Iesse Writer Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) is facing off with its firefighters in a labour hearing that could see the first unionization of local “band “ employees. The hearing before Canada’s Industrial Relations Board began last week and is continuing his week. At the heart of the argument is a bid by Six Nations Fire Fighters and Fire Captains to uphold their rights under the federal labour code. If successful they could join the ranks of local federal employees including nurses, some health employees and teachers, all members of unions and working at Six Nations. A win would mean they can begin to bargain collectively with their employer (the Six Nations...
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