Arrows’ defender commits to the University of Denver
By Sam Laskaris Writer A teenager who honed his lacrosse skills in Six Nations has committed to further his athletic and academic careers south of the border. Taylor Harding, a defender with the Six Nations Arrows, has accepted a scholarship offer from the University of Denver Pioneers. But before heading to the NCAA Division 1 program, Harding, who is 17, has one more year of high school to finish. He’ll commence his Grade 12 studies at Holy Trinity Catholic High School in Simcoe this September. Then he’ll begin his university career, starting with the 2026-27 year, where he will play for the Pioneers’ field lacrosse team. Harding had gone on a recruiting visit to the Denver school this past spring. “I liked most things about them,” said Harding, who has...
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Rivermen facing playoff elimination
By Sam Laskaris Writer The Six Nations Rivermen cannot afford to lose another game this coming week if they wish to advance to this year’s national Presidents Cup tournament. A Rivermen goal all season long has been to qualify for the Canadian Senior B lacrosse tournament, which will be hosted by the Brooklin Merchants in Whitby next month. The chances of that happening, however, grew slimmer this past weekend for the Six Nations squad. That’s because the Rivermen lost their first two playoff matches against the Hamilton Bengals. For starters, the visiting Bengals downed Six Nations 10-6 in a match held on Saturday at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena (ILA). Hamilton then took control of its best-of-five Ontario Series Lacrosse (OSL) semi-final series by eking out a 9-8 overtime home victory...
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Police, MPs meet behind closed doors to discuss bail reform in St. Thomas
By Joe Konecny, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Aylmer Express Local police chiefs had a closed-door meeting to discuss bail reform with two Conservative Members of Parliament who sit on Canada’s House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights in St. Thomas on July 24. The “Round Table on Crime and Justice”, organized by St. Thomas Police Chief Marc Roskamp and held at that station, included Deputy Chief Steve Bogart; Aylmer’s Police Chief Kyle Johnstone and Deputy Chief Chris Johnson; and MPs Andrew Lawton (Elgin–St. Thomas–London South) and Larry Brock (Brantford-Brant South-Six Nations). Journalists were not permitted to attend the round table session, but were allowed a 20-minute interview afterwards. MP Lawton said the police leaders at the meeting linked current bail policies to repeat offending and expressed concern...
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N.S. Mi’kmaq chiefs call on Ottawa to address income assistance disparity on reserves
By Lyndsay Armstrong Mi’kmaq leaders from Nova Scotia are calling on Ottawa to urgently address an income assistance disparity they say is keeping some families on reserve in deep poverty. Ta’n Etli-tpi’tmk, which represents 12 of the 13 Mi’kmaq First Nations in Nova Scotia, says Canada must raise on-reserve income assistance rates to match provincial levels. The group says there is a gap of more than $25 million a year between what First Nations people on reserve receive from Ottawa and what they would get from Nova Scotia if they lived off reserve. “This is not about a handout, this is about enabling people to basically start to lift themselves out of deep poverty,” James Michael, a lead negotiator with Ta’n Etli-tpi’tmk, said in an interview Tuesday. Michael said the...
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‘Canada will win’ race to bring LNG to Asian markets, B.C. Premier David Eby says
-CP-British Columbia Premier David Eby says Canadian values will help the country “win this race” to deliver liquefied natural gas to Asian markets, even as U.S. President Donald Trump sets his sights on developing the industry in Alaska. Eby told a news conference on Tuesday that Canada is a reliable partner, which can deliver the fuel to Asia in a direct, affordable way, while Trump has been “insulting and demeaning” towards other countries and insists his only concern is America. The premier’s remarks came as his government announced a $200-million agreement with the Haisla Nation to support infrastructure for the Cedar LNG project, a floating liquefied natural gas terminal that will be located near Kitimat on B.C.’s northern coast. He says the funding will help the nation build infrastructure, including...
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‘Largest Canadian-owned fishing vessel’ christened in Iqaluit
By Jeff Pelletier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunatsiaq News It took a dozen swings for Baffin Fisheries chairperson Kelly Kilabuk to break a champagne bottle on the hull of the Inuksuk II. But when the glass shattered, the journey was finally over. The Nunavut-owned fishery company could set sail into its next era. “I can remember many, many years ago, we said, ‘One day we’re going to build this vessel, we’re going to sail it into Iqaluit and we’re going to smash the champagne bottle against the hull,’” CEO Chris Flanagan said in an interview. “It’s going to deliver a lot of returns for many years, so I’m thrilled.” Inuksuk II, Baffin Fisheries’ newest vessel, was christened during a ceremony at the Iqaluit deepsea port Tuesday attended by at least...
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“Skater” celebrates local change-makers
By Kimberly De Jong, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Brant Beacon Several residents gathered on the grounds of the Bell Homestead in July for Brant Theatre Workshops’ performance of “Skater.” “Skater” is a teenage girl living by her own rules. With a self-destructive attitude and hidden past that she guards close to her heart, the young girl finds herself in hot water when she throws a rock through the window of the local police station. While mourning her family, Skater falls asleep at their grave site and is discovered by an officer she calls “Battle Axe Kate.” Skater is taken into custody and sentenced by a judge to live in a group home known as “Sue’s Place,” a nod to Brantford’s Why Not City Missions’ Charlie’s Place. It’s there she meets...
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Alerts issued as out-of-control wildfire burns near Lytton, B.C.
By Chuck Chiang and Ashley Joannou British Columbia’s minister of forests says there were reports of ash falling from the sky last night in Lytton as fire crews battle a wildfire near the community that was devastated by a separate blaze in 2021. The Thompson-Nicola Regional District says residents of at least five properties south of Lytton in the Fraser Canyon have been warned to prepare for evacuation because of a wildfire that is out of control. The Lytton First Nation and the Skuppah First Nation are threatened by the same fire that is about 1.5 square-kilometres in size. Minister Ravi Parmar says it is a “challenging time (with) a lot of uncertainty” for the people of Lytton, which was mostly destroyed by a fire during the heat dome in...
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N.S. Mi’kmaq chiefs call on Ottawa to address income assistance disparity on reserves
-CP-Mi’kmaq leaders from Nova Scotia are calling on Ottawa to urgently address the income assistance disparity they say is keeping some families on reserve in deep poverty. Ta’n Etli-tpi’tmk, which represents 12 of the 13 Mi’kmaq First Nations in Nova Scotia, says Canada must raise on-reserve income assistance rates to provincial levels. The group says there is a gap of more than $25 million a year between what First Nations people on reserve receive from Ottawa and what they would receive from Nova Scotia if they lived off reserve. Sen. Paul Prosper, who is a Mi’kmaq lawyer from Nova Scotia, says First Nations in the province are asking for basic human and legal rights, and poverty-reducing support that’s comparable to what others access off reserve. James Michael, a lead negotiator...
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With little digging going on, minister looks to restore mining
By John Chilibeck, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Daily Gleaner John Herron has been shopping around a colourful map to anyone who will look. Produced by the Geological Survey Branch of New Brunswick’s Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development, it shows the seven main areas of the eastern province where critical minerals and valuable metals are found. Circled on the map are the gold deposits in the northwest and southwest, manganese in the Woodstock area, indium in Mount Pleasant, potash near Sussex, tungsten north of Fredericton, and lead, copper, zinc and silver near Bathurst. And those are just the highlights. The Liberal cabinet minister boasts this relatively small province has 21 of the 34 minerals Ottawa deems critical, even if most of them remain untouched and out of production....
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Nova Scotia, Ottawa announce four designated areas for offshore wind projects
By Keith Doucette Four areas off Nova Scotia’s coast have been designated for offshore wind development, as the province looks to become a key player in supplying Canada’s future energy needs. The announcement Tuesday followed public consultations on five offshore areas that had been proposed by the provincial and federal governments in March. French Bank, Middle Bank and Sable Island Bank, all located south of Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore, and Sydney Bight, northeast of Cape Breton, have been chosen, comprising a total area of 12,549 square kilometres. Kim Doane, executive director of energy resource development with Nova Scotia’s Energy Department, said the fifth area under study — Western/Emerald Bank — was dropped for now because of its fish conservation zones and use by the military. She said the area also...
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Katy Perry, Justin Trudeau dine together in Montreal restaurant Le Violon
-CP-Justin Trudeau and pop star Katy Perry have sent tongues wagging after the two dropped by a Montreal restaurant for a meal this week. A communications consultant for Le Violon confirmed Tuesday that the former prime minister and “Teenage Dream” singer spent about two hours at the fine-dining spot Monday evening, after photos of the meetup published by a gossip site sparked online speculation of a budding romance. Samantha Jin said the pair kept to themselves and that neither the staff nor other patrons approached them for a photo. “We kind of got the vibe that they were a little more chill,” she said. Jin added that there was no indication of romance in the air, noting: “No visual signs of PDA or anything.” A report about the dinner first...
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Tofino’s new parking lot for Ahousaht members draws ire for being too far from the dock
By Nora O’Malley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Ha-Shilth-Sa Tofino, BC – Elder Qaamina Hunter used to visit Tofino two or three times a week, but those visits have spanned out, he says, due to parking woes. Hunter lives in the offshore Ahousaht First Nations community of Maaqtusiis on Flores Island, located 30-minutes by boat from Tofino’s First Street Dock. “It’s no fun now going through Tofino,” said Hunter. “I wish we didn’t have to get divided by mamałn̓i (white person) choices. Some are talking about pulling membership out of Co-op and just going straight to Port Alberni or Nanaimo. We’ve had a little bit of a heartache in our life.” Like many offshore residents from Ahousaht, Hesquiaht and the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations, Hunter says he leaves his truck anywhere in...
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Out-of-control wildfire near Lytton, B.C., triggers evacuation alerts
By Chuck Chiang An out-of-control wildfire in the British Columbia Interior has triggered evacuation alerts for a number of properties near Lytton. The Thompson-Nicola Regional District says at least five properties in the Spencer Road South area have been given the warning to prepare for evacuation on short notice. The Lytton First Nation has also issued a similar alert for an area west and south of Lytton due to the nearby Cantilever Bar wildfire which has grown to 1.5 square kilometres. The BC Wildfire Service says the fire was discovered Monday and is suspected to be human-caused. The service says there are about 60 active wildfires across the province, with out-of-control blazes reported in the Fraser Canyon, the Rockies near Jasper National Park and the northeastern corner of B.C. A...
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‘A great day for us’: arena and recreation complex gets $9M funding boost
By Matt Prokopchuk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TBnewswatch.com WAUZHUSHK ONIGUM — Community leaders are celebrating a significant funding boost from the province that will pave the way for a new arena and recreation complex. On Monday, Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford and Ontario’s Minister of Sport Neil Lumsden were in Wauzhushk Onigum, just outside of Kenora, to announce over $9 million for the 60,000 square-foot facility. Wauzhushk Onigum Chief Chris Skead told Newswatch in an interview that site preparation work will start this year, with construction slated to begin in spring 2026. Skead said the community has been without an indoor rink for decades, and the new facility will fill a gap in what services the First Nation can offer. “I felt that we had quite a loss,” he said....
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Advocates question fairness as federal government backs away from pharmacare program
By Sarah Ritchie Reproductive health advocates say the federal government’s failure to commit to funding pharmacare in all provinces and territories is leaving people with a lot of uncertainty, and could create inequality across the country. “It’s really disappointing, honestly,” said Liz Thompson, advocacy lead for Cover Contraception. “It seems like they don’t really know what they’re going to do.” The first phase of the Pharmacare Act, which was passed last fall by the Liberals and the NDP, calls for the federal government to fund the cost of contraceptives and diabetes medications for patients. It also calls on the government to study the best way to create a universal pharmacare program to cover all medications. The Trudeau government signed deals with B.C., P.E.I., Yukon and Manitoba to cover the cost...
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Wet weather proves no damper on West Mo Days 2025
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca MOBERLY LAKE, B.C. — Despite some wet conditions which hampered its beginning, West Moberly First Nations’ (WMFN) annual Indigenous culture event went off without delay this weekend. West Mo Days celebrated its 37th annual event, showcasing different aspects of Indigenous culture during the last weekend of July. After months of preparation, WMFN events coordinator Daniel Desjarlais told Energeticcity.ca he was exhausted after all the work to put on the event. “I’m tired but ready to go,” said Desjarlais. “It’s not as good [a crowd] as we might normally have, but there’s actually still quite a few people here. I threw up as [many] tents as I could to fight the rain and laid tarps everywhere.” To the north of the West Mo...
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Lil’wat development in Whistler secures funding through First Nations Bank of Canada
By Luke Faulks, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Pique Newsmagazine On July 28, the First Nations Bank of Canada (FNBC) announced it will provide financing for Lil’wat’s Tseqwtsúqum̓ development in Whistler’s Function Junction, marking the single largest investment made to date under its Indigenous Land Development Program. FNBC did not disclose the precise figure going towards the Nation’s development. The funding package, delivered in partnership with the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB), will support Lil’wat Business Group’s (LBG) mixed-use, Indigenous-led, 5.3-acre development, which promises new commercial space and workforce housing at the entrance to Whistler’s industrial core. “We are proud to support the Lil’wat Business Group and the Tseqwtsúqum̓ project, which will not only contribute to the economic resilience of the Lil’wat Nation but also create a lasting impact on the broader...
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Fort Nelson First Nation contestant secures third runner up and cultural knowledge award in Miss Indigenous Canada bid
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca BRANTFORD, ONT. — She came close, but a member of Fort Nelson First Nation (FNFN) ultimately fell short in her bid to be crowned Miss Indigenous Canada (MIC). Taylor Behn-Tsakoza was among 19 contestants vying for the crown, ultimately finishing third runner up in the competition on July 26th in Ontario hosted by the Six Nations of the Grand River reserve. The crown went to Gena Boubard of Manitoba’s Sagkeeng First Nation. According to a press release from the event, each of the top five contestants received cash prizes. Behn-Tsakoza however took home the competition’s cultural knowledge award, later posting to social media acknowledging she was “so proud” being able to take part in the event. “I want to extend the biggest,...
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Beauval surrounded by fires but Mayor feels more confident
By Michael Oleksyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Prince Albert Daily Herald The Northern Village of Beauval is surrounded by the Muskeg Fire and other fires but Mayor Rick Laliberte said the community feels safe in spite of the challenging situation. Laliberte said the Muskeg Fire has made its way all around the community, but it’s the area east of the community that’s the biggest concern. “It’s slowly been creeping towards us from what originally was the Dore Fire and then it moved right to La Plonge,” Laliberte explained. “That whole fire front is coming towards Beauval and the La Plonge reserve at English River.” He said the Trail Fire that is affecting Jans Bay, Cole Bay and Canoe Lake is also a concern. “They’ve got it well contained from burning...
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