Xavier Kataquapil: UNDER THE NORTHERN SKY: Eighty Nine Seconds And Counting
By Xavier Kataquapit My father Marius Kataquapit, a hunter, trapper and traditional person from the remote Attawapiskat First Nation could understand the English language but seldom spoke it yet every night he tuned into the late night CBC news and he encouraged me to also. He was curious about everything and he believed it was important to have an awareness of what was going on in the world even though the news was often filled with war and tragic events. He made me aware that other outside forces had control of our lives. Recently, I tuned into the internet broadcast for the Doomsday Clock which is maintained and provided by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Their recent announcement on January 28 on their YouTube channel was to move the...
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Diabo sends letters to Trump, Trudeau
By Marc Lalonde, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase Mohawk Council of Kahnawake Grand Chief Cody Diabo sent official letters to both United States President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this week asserting Kahnawake’s independence from both countries. “It was an idea I got when Trump was elected last November,” Diabo said, and a lack of a good relationship with Canada’s federal government prompted the letter to Trudeau. “We have no interest in aligning ourselves with a government that has committed genocide upon us throughout history.” He called the community’s relationship with the federal government “non-existent.” Diabo added that the letter to Trudeau was sent in response to his call for First Nations communities to support the Canadian government’s efforts to lobby against Trump’s economic threats. “We are...
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Tavares-coached Bandits sitting atop National Lacrosse League standings
By Sam Laskaris Writer A key member of the Six Nations Chiefs’ organization is also enjoying plenty of success in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) this season. John Tavares, the head coach of the two-time defending national Mann Cup champion Chiefs, is also the head coach of the NLL’s Buffalo Bandits. The Bandits are also two-time defending league champs. And early indications are they just might have what it takes to win a third consecutive title this spring. While some squads have reached the midway point of their NLL regular season schedule, the Bandits remain the only undefeated squad in the 14-team league. Buffalo improved its record to a perfect 6-0 on Saturday when it downed the visiting Albany FireWolves 16-10. The Bandits do have two of the top offensive...
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SPORTS BRIEFS: Montour leads Kraken …Stealth gearing up
By Sam Laskaris Writer Montour leads Kraken defenceman in scoring An off-season free agent signing is paying dividends for the National Hockey League’s Seattle Kraken. Fresh off his Stanley Cup championship with the Florida Panthers this past June, the Kraken inked Six Nations member to a lucrative seven-year deal this past July. He left the Panthers to ink a contract worth $50 million (U.S.) with the Seattle franchise. At the time there were some rumblings that Montour was perhaps keen to stay relatively close to his First Nation. Rumours had him potentially signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs before the deal with the Kraken was confirmed. Montour, a 30-year-old defenceman, has provided plenty of leadership on the Seattle blueline this season. And he’s also club’s top scoring blueliner. Montour has...
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‘I was blessed’: Carey Price on banner career cut short by injury
By Joshua Clipperton Carey Price’s blank facial expression told most of the story. The Montreal Canadiens had just fallen in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup final. Their season was over. The Tampa Bay Lightning were celebrating a second consecutive title down the hall. It was July 7, 2021, and Price was hurting — both emotionally and physically — as the star goaltender dissected his team’s trying season and magical playoff run amid the COVID-19 pandemic on a video conference call with reporters. He didn’t know it at the time, but there would be just five more games in his professional career. “To come so close and not win, it’s pretty heart-wrenching,” Price said in a recent interview. “Results aside, the experience was something I’ll cherish forever.” The Anahim Lake,...
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Streaking RiverWolves on five-game winning streak
By Sam Laskaris Writer The Paris RiverWolves are now considered one of the contenders to win the Arena Lacrosse League championship this season. The 2024-25 campaign certainly did not start off on a positive note for the RiverWolves, one of three clubs in the eight-team ALL that play their home contests out of the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena (ILA) in Six Nations. The RiverWolves struggled early on as they lost their first three matches of the season. But the squad is now one of the ALL’s hottest ones now as it is on a five-game winning streak. The RiverWolves overcame a two-goal deficit (12-10) heading into their latest game on Sunday and had a massive fourth quarter to down the visiting Toronto Monarchs 17-15. The only ALL club that is on...
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Local health unit warns of measles exposure near Six Nations
By Joshua Santos Writer Health officials are warning of a measles outbreak near Six Nations with 21 confirmed cases and concerns it could spread . “Measles is highly contagious,” said Shawn Falcao, communications supervisor for Grand Erie Public Health said. “Symptoms can include red rash, fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and fatigue.” Measles spreads easily through the air. It is passed in droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes. It can survive in the air for up to two hours. The health unit has detected measles in five adults and 16 children in its catchment area in the Grand Erie region, which includes Haldimand County, Norfolk County, Brantford, and County of Brant. Grand Erie Public Health states the recent cases are in adults whose ‘infections are linked...
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Ohsweken man charged after police find prohibited weapon in vehicle
SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND RIVER-A 23-year-old man is facing a series of charges after Six Nations Police discovered a prohibited weapon in a vehicle. Six Nations Police were on patrol conducting a traffic stop on Jan. 10 at about 9:10 p.m. when officers observed a vehicle nearly failing to stop at a posted stop sign at the intersection of Third Line Road and Tuscarora Road. Police followed the vehicle and noticed the driver was unable to maintain the lane. Officers conducted a traffic stop and spoke with an impaired man with signs of impairment. They found a prohibited weapon and seized it for public safety. As a result of an investigation, police have arrested and charged Carmie Skye, 23, of Ohsweken with impaired operation, blood alcohol level of 80...
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B.C. fast-tracking 18 mining and energy projects in face of U.S. tariff threat
By Marcy Nicholson The British Columbia government has released a list of 18 critical mineral and energy projects worth roughly $20 billion that it says it’s working to accelerate in the face of ongoing tariff threats from the United States. The list contains mining projects that have received pushback from some B.C. and Alaskan First Nations groups, including Eskay Creek, Highland Valley and Red Chris mines. The government says the “initial list” is made up of projects that already have developed business cases but still need some type of permit or approval from government. In addition to four mines, there are three energy security projects, and eleven BC Hydro clean energy ventures that mostly involve wind power. The Office of the Premier says in a statement that the projects will...
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Federal, Manitoba governments commit nearly $80 million for northern railway, port
-CP-The federal and Manitoba governments are putting more than $79 million into a railway and a port in the province’s north. The money is to be used to finish work on the Hudson Bay Railway and to continue redevelopment of the Port of Churchill. The federal government committed $43 million to completing the restoration of the rail line, while the province has allocated $36.4 million to go toward restoring and replacing old infrastructure at the port. The rail line was shut down in 2017 by its then-owners, U.S.-based OmniTrax, after flooding washed out large sections of the tracks. Arctic Gateway Group, a consortium of northern and First Nation communities, took over ownership of the railway and the port in 2018 and relaunched service. Premier Wab Kinew says the project is...
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B.C. human rights commissioner wants study of police in schools after board’s firing
By Marcy Nicholson When the British Columbia government fired the Greater Victoria school board last week, it effectively made police liaison programs mandatory in schools while failing to provide a factual basis for the decision, the B.C. Human Rights commissioner said in a letter. Kasari Govender said in the letter to Education Minister Lisa Beare and Public Safety Minister Gary Begg that failure to fund research into the matter is contrary to the government’s human rights obligations “and undermines its stated values to combat racism.” The letter dated Monday came after Beare fired the entire elected board of School District No. 61 last Thursday over its refusal to allow police in schools except in emergencies. Neither Beare nor Begg were immediately available for comment. “The decision to fire SD61 board...
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From Norfolk to Newmarket: Officials warn of exposures across Ontario as measles outbreak spreads
By J.P. Antonacci, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Hamilton Spectator A measles outbreak in Norfolk County has hit 21 confirmed cases, with the latest patients possibly exposing people as far away as Newmarket. Grand Erie Public Health said Monday the new cases are in adults whose infections are “linked to a previous exposure.” The pair are recovering at home while health officials are busy “following up with known contacts who may have been exposed to the measles virus through these individuals,” health unit spokesperson Shawn Falcao said in a media release. The health unit said exposure to the highly contagious airborne virus was possible at the family practice office at the Roulston’s Pharmacy on Donly Drive in Simcoe on the evening of Jan. 28, and the Shopper’s Drug Mart on...
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Nenan Dane explores possibilities on child welfare rights at Treaty 8
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — First Nations in northeast B.C. explored options to develop their family services during a workshop late last week. First Nations’ family services group Nenan Dane Dane Zaa Deh Zona Family Services Society brought Treaty 8 communities together for a meeting about child welfare jurisdiction on Friday, January 31st. ‘Reasserting Jurisdiction for Treaty 8’ took place at Treaty 8 offices in Fort St. John, with delegates from Halfway River First Nation, Doig River First Nation and Saulteau First Nation in attendance. At issue was the principle of implementing their own family services with respect to implementing their own child and family services concerning the well-being of Indigenous children, youth and families residing in Treaty 8. Bart Knudsgaard –...
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New wrongful conviction review body could see hundreds of applications
By Anja Karadeglija -CP-A new independent commission tasked by the federal government with reviewing miscarriages of justice could discover that more people than expected are serving prison sentences for crimes they didn’t commit. Other countries that launched similar commissions have found that “the degree of wrongful convictions certainly was much more significant than they knew,” said Sen. Kim Pate, a prominent advocate for the wrongfully convicted. “I suspect we will see much the same.” Former justice minister David Lametti introduced the legislation to set up the Miscarriage of Justice Review Commission. His successor, Justice Minister Arif Virani, is now in the process of implementing that legislation. The commission won’t be able to overturn a conviction but will have the power to order a new trial or appeal. Lametti said we...
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B.C.’s smallest First Nation has big plans for a ‘stewardship’ economy
By Rochelle Baker, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer The West Coast’s smallest First Nation is taking great strides toward the creation of an innovative stewardship economy that puts sustainability and conservation first. The Kwiakah First Nation, led by munmuntle, Chief Steven Dick, consists of 19 members mostly based on Vancouver Island. The community is launching a “return home” by transforming a former open-net salmon farm into a floating, solar-powered scientific hub anchored in their traditional territory along B.C.’s wild central coast. The Kwiakah Centre of Excellence will be the base for a dedicated research station, an experimental kelp farm, the nation’s regenerative forestry operations and its territorial Indigenous guardian, or Forest Keepers, program, said Frank Voelker, the nation’s band manager and economic development officer. The centre marks the...
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B.C. human rights commissioner wants study of police in schools after board’s firing
By Marcy Nicholson -CP-When the British Columbia government fired the Greater Victoria school board last week, it effectively made police liaison programs mandatory in schools while failing to provide a factual basis for the decision, the B.C. Human Rights commissioner said in a letter. Kasari Govender said in the letter to Education Minister Lisa Beare and Public Safety Minister Gary Begg that failure to fund research into the matter is contrary to the government’s human rights obligations “and undermines its stated values to combat racism.” The letter dated Monday came after Beare fired the entire elected board of School District No. 61 last Thursday over its refusal to allow police in schools except in emergencies. Neither Beare nor Begg were immediately available for comment. “The decision to fire SD61 board...
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Federal, Manitoba governments commit nearly $80 million for northern railway,
-CP-The federal and Manitoba governments are putting more than $79 million into a railway and a port in the province’s north. The money is to be used to finish work on the Hudson Bay Railway and to continue redevelopment of the Port of Churchill. The federal government committed $43 million to completing the restoration of the rail line, while the province has allocated $36.4 million to go toward restoring and replacing old infrastructure at the port. The rail line was shut down in 2017 by its then-owners, U.S.-based OmniTrax, after flooding washed out large sections of the tracks. Arctic Gateway Group, a consortium of northern and First Nation communities, took over ownership of the railway and the port in 2018 and relaunched service. Premier Wab Kinew says the project is...
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B.C. human rights commissioner wants study of police in schools after board’s firing
By Marcy Nicholson -CP-When the British Columbia government fired the Greater Victoria school board last week, it effectively made police liaison programs mandatory in schools while failing to provide a factual basis for the decision, the B.C. Human Rights commissioner said. Kasari Govender said in the letter to Education Minister Lisa Beare and Public Safety Minister Gary Begg that failure to fund research into the matter is contrary to the government’s human rights obligations “and undermines its stated values to combat racism.” The letter dated Monday came after Beare fired the entire elected board of School District No. 61 last Thursday over its refusal to allow police in schools except in emergencies. “The decision to fire SD61 board members — and effectively make (School Police Liaison Officer) programs mandatory across...
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Four found dead in home on First Nation in southern Saskatchewan
-CP-Four people have been found dead in a home on a First Nation in southern Saskatchewan, RCMP said Tuesday. Officers with the File Hills Police Service found the bodies after they were called in the morning to the home on the Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation, east of Regina. An initial investigation determined the deaths to be suspicious, Mounties said, but they didn’t provide details about a possible suspect. Four hours later, RCMP said they received reports about a man pointing a gun at people on Zagime Anishinabek, formerly known as the Sakimay First Nation, roughly 95 kilometres away. They identified that suspect as Keagan Panipekeesick, 29, who is described as having blue eyes, brown hair and a tattoo of tears on his upper right arm. RCMP say it’s not...
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From Norfolk to Newmarket: Officials warn of exposures across Ontario as measles outbreak spreads
By J.P. Antonacci, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Hamilton Spectator A measles outbreak in Norfolk County has hit 21 confirmed cases, with the latest patients possibly exposing people as far away as Newmarket. Grand Erie Public Health said Monday the new cases are in adults whose infections are “linked to a previous exposure.” The pair are recovering at home while health officials are busy “following up with known contacts who may have been exposed to the measles virus through these individuals,” health unit spokesperson Shawn Falcao said in a media release. The health unit said exposure to the highly contagious airborne virus was possible at the family practice office at the Roulston’s Pharmacy on Donly Drive in Simcoe on the evening of Jan. 28, and the Shopper’s Drug Mart on...
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