Trump-backed US Senate candidate faces scrutiny for derogatory comments about Native Americans
The Associated Press 09/2024 BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Tribal leaders in Montana urged Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy to apologize over remarks he made to supporters about Native Americans being “drunk at 8 a.m.” and throwing beer cans at him on the Crow Reservation Audio recordings of Sheehy’s derogatory comments were obtained and published by Char-Koosta News, the official publication of the Flathead Indian Reservation. Sheehy is backed by former President Donald Trump as he challenges three-term incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Tester in one of the most closely-watched congressional races in the nation. A Republican victory could help swing control of the closely divided Senate. Sheehy is heard commenting in one of the recordings that his ranching partner is a member of the Crow Tribe with whom Sheehy ropes...
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Veteran BC United legislator Mike Bernier to run as independent in fall election
The Canadian Press 04/09/2024 Veteran British Columbia legislator Mike Bernier will run in the fall provincial election as an independent instead of joining several former BC United candidates in running under the B.C. Conservatives banner. Bernier said Wednesday he did not want to “bend” his morals and values by running with the provincial Conservatives, describing some of the party’s candidates as holding views that are “anti-women’s rights, anti-climate change” and “anti-First Nations.” His decision comes after B.C.’s political landscape underwent a seismic shift last week, when BC United Leader Kevin Falcon shut down the Official Opposition’s campaign while throwing support behind the Conservatives led by John Rustad. The parties have pooled candidates, with some BC United contenders joining the Conservatives, others withdrawing from the election and others, like Bernier, running...
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The NDP-Liberal deal is done. What happens now?
The Canadian Press 04/09/2024 The NDP has pulled out of a confidence and supply agreement with the Liberals. What happens now? In March 2022, the Liberals and NDP penned a deal that would keep the minority government led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in power until June 2025 and move ahead on some mutually agreeable policies. It was called a confidence and supply agreement. What happens now? The end of the deal does not necessarily mean an election will take place before next year. It does mean the NDP will now vote on Liberal legislation on a case-by-case basis. The first big test could come this fall if the government tables an economic update in Parliament. If the Liberals survive, another decisive moment will be the vote on the next...
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‘The deal is done:’ NDP Leader pulls out of supply and confidence deal with Liberals
The Canadian Press 04/09/2024 NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has “ripped up” the supply and confidence deal with the Liberals that helped keep the minority government in power. “The deal is done,” Singh tweeted, early Wednesday afternoon. In a video posted Wednesday afternoon, Singh said he notified Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of the decision. “Canadians are fighting a battle. A battle for the future of the middle class. Justin Trudeau has proven again and again he will always cave to corporate greed,” Singh said in the video directly addressing Canadians. “The Liberals have let people down. They don’t deserve another chance from Canadians.” Trudeau said Wednesday he’s focused on affordability, housing and the impacts of climate change, not politics. “I really hope the NDP stays focused on how we can deliver...
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A remote Indigenous tribe kills two loggers encroaching on their land in Peru
The Associated Press Published: 04/09/2024 14:57 BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Two loggers have been killed by bow and arrow after allegedly encroaching the land of the uncontacted Mashco Piro Indigenous tribe deep in Peru’s Amazon, according to a rights group. The group, known as FENAMAD, defends the rights of Peru’s Indigenous peoples. It says tensions between loggers and Indigenous tribes are on the rise and more government protective action is needed. Two other loggers in the attack were missing and another was injured, FENAMAD said, and rescue efforts were underway. The rights group, which represents 39 Indigenous communities in the Cusco and Madre de Dios regions in southeastern Peru, said the incident took place on Aug. 29 in the Pariamanu river basin while loggers were expanding their passageways into the...
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Manitoba to look at GPS options at landfills following slayings of 4 Indigenous women
The Canadian Press Published: 04/09/2024 16:34 The Manitoba government is looking at ways to increase monitoring and surveillance of garbage trucks and landfills following the slayings of four Indigenous women whose remains were dumped in trash bins. Premier Wab Kinew and Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine said Wednesday the government is accepting proposals from service providers with expertise in waste management and technology that could be used to track the trucks’ loads. Serial killer Jeremy Skibicki was convicted of first-degree murder in the 2022 deaths of the four women in Winnipeg. Police believe the remains of Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran are at a privately run landfill, north of Winnipeg, but had declined to search it, citing concerns for toxic materials. A First Nations-led committee, which included the women’s family members,...
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Trump-backed US Senate candidate faces scrutiny for derogatory comments about Native Americans
The Associated Press 04/09/2024 15:28 BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Tribal leaders in Montana urged Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy to apologize over remarks he made to supporters about Native Americans being “drunk at 8 a.m.” and throwing beer cans at him on the Crow Reservation Audio recordings of Sheehy’s racial comments were obtained and published by Char-Koosta News, the official publication of the Flathead Indian Reservation. Sheehy, who is backed by former President Donald Trump, is challenging three-term incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Tester in one of the most closely-watched congressional races in the nation. A Republican victory could help decide control of the closely divided Senate. A Sheehy campaign spokesperson did not dispute the authenticity of the recordings, which the tribal newspaper said came from fundraising events held in...
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Six Nations Water Festival means fun in the sun
Teiethinonhwerea:ton ne Ohne:kanos water festival By Austin Evans, Writer Photos by: Austin Evans Racers, researchers, and health advisors came together to celebrate water at the Teiethinonhwerea:ton ne Ohne:kanos water festival. Six Nations Wellbeing invited the community to join in canoe and kayak races at the first ever Six Nations Water Festival. Senior health promoter Nicole Bilodeau organized the event as a way to celebrate everything related to water. “We wanted to invite people from throughout the community to come and celebrate water,” she said. “We have lots of games for kids. We had a writing contest for kids as well to share about why water is important to them. We wanted to celebrate life on the water, doing paddle races for youth and for adults. Just every aspect of water...
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Six Nations Elected Council working out system kinks
Six Nations continues to work out the kinks of its Council Committee system. Six Nations Elected Council passed a motion from the Unity Building and External Government Relations Committee to restore the Consultation and Accommodation Process (CAP) Team to its own council committee at the General Council meeting on August 27. “A lot of the CAP Team’s processes are coming straight to PL (Political Liaison),” Councillor Dean Hill said. “A lot of the times we can get more detail from council committees.” Before the current council was elected in November the CAP Team would present its activities, priorities and its needs in regard to political advocacy at the Political Liaison meetings on a monthly basis. After the election the SNEC moved to the committee system in March 2024. At the...
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Community member wants band meeting on public building mould
A Six Nations member is calling for a community meeting regarding the recent serious mould issues in band buildings. Councillor Helen Miller told Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) a community member wants SNEC to host a community meeting regarding the number of buildings that have recently experienced mold issues at the General Council meeting on August 27. “Alex Jamieson wants to have a community meeting on mould, you know what happened with housing, Gane Yohs, the crisis hub… I guess to discuss what can be done about the mold and the safety of the people,” she said. The Gane Yohs building, located at 1769 Chiefswood Road was closed on April 23, 2024 due to a mould issue, which CEO Nathan Wright said is “throughout the walls in the dental clinic,...
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Six Nations resident released on conditions after charged with child pornography
SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND RIVER- A Six Nations resident facing child pornography charges has been released with conditions. The 58-year-old is facing child pornography charges after Six Nations Police, with the assistance of OPP Digital Forensic Technicians, launched a child pornography investigation here earlier this week. The conditions include: Notifying SNPS in writing of any change of address within 72 hrs. Reside with surety each and every night Not communicate with any witnesses in any manner Not attend any school on Six Nations. Not communicate with children under the age of 18 unless in company of an adult who is over 21 and aware of the charges against the Accused and approved in advance by surety. Does not posses any weapons as defined by Criminal Code. Must surrender all firearms...
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Vote on $47.8B First Nations child welfare deal delayed due to chiefs’ concerns
The Canadian Press The Assembly of First Nations has postponed a special assembly for chiefs to vote on a landmark child welfare reform deal with Canada due to concerns about the process and a late translation of the document to French. The Assembly was scheduled to be held in September in Winnipeg, but it will not happen now until October or November, the AFN said. “While many chiefs have told me they are eager to support the draft agreement next month, the AFN executive committee has agreed to provide more time for other chiefs to review the draft agreement,” National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak wrote in a letter. “In the meantime, I am looking forward to meeting with more chiefs over the coming weeks to discuss the agreement, listen to...
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Hydro pole on private property needs SNEC approval to move
Despite Six Nations engaging with high ranking officials at Hydro One, community members continue to have issues that aren’t addressed. Councillor Helen Miller told Six Nations Elected Council that a community member can’t get a hydro pole removed from his property despite it posing a safety issue, Six Nations Elected Council was told at its Aug., 27th meeting. MIller says the Sour Springs Road address has had the pole there for many years, but it’s near a swampy area and that has caused it to degrade over time and the property owner is concerned it will fall over on his home and cause damages. The property owner wants the pole removed and to have a new pole installed on the road allowance. The property owner told Miller Hydro One’s Manager...
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Six Nations Elected Council questioning new system
Six Nations councillors are having a hard time understanding or making use of the committee system. Some Six Nations Elected Councillors (SNEC) questioned the equity of the division of labour amongst the committees, believing there is more on their plate than others at the General Council meeting on August 27. After the November 2024 election SNEC moved to the committee system in March. At the time Elected Chief Sherri Lyn Hill said committees were to meet once a month to discuss routes to political advocacy for departments, projects and community members. Councillor Melba Thomas said the current system has too many members sitting on committees like systems administration and not enough on others like education. “We appear to be unbalanced in the portfolio system. Some committees have two people, which...
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Health funding cut, SNEC pushing for increase
Six Nations Wellbeing Committee is putting pressure on Indigenous Services Canada to reverse its decision to reduce funding for the Health Transformation Project. Six Nations Elected Council passed several recommendations from the Wellbeing Committee at its General Council meeting on August 27, including advocating to extend the Health Transformation Project funding for two years. The extension is necessary because Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) reduced the funding allocated to Health Transformation by 50 per cent. “It’s a shared funding between the Ministry of Health Ontario and ISC and we’re requesting to get an increase back to the way it was. In addition we need more funds for research and staffing as well,” Councillor Greg Frazer said. The Canadian government has been working to transfer health services to First Nations for many...
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Drone to film Grand River for water quality issues
Andri Kramarenko will film drone footage of the Grand River for a masters project. Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) passed a motion to allow the master’s student at the University of Waterloo to film b-roll with a drone along the Grand River for a class project involving water quality issues at the General Council meeting on August 27. “I want to ask permissions,” he said “I want to make sure I’m doing it in the correct way,” he said. Kramarenko, who admitted he hasn’t started the class yet, but is preparing and wanted to get permission before pitching the idea to his professor. He moved to Ontario from Ukraine a year-and-a-half ago and he’s now at Waterloo studying integrated water management. As part of that course the class will visit...
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Time to rethink the move
Six Nations Elected Council is struggling with its inherited new system of administration. And no one can’t blame them. The names of the departments alone are enough to make one raise an eyebrow never mind figure out what they mean. Add to that the massive addition of new staff and a CEO who inherited a system that no one seems to have ever wanted but seemed to accept since it gave the on leave or former CEO something to do Add to trying to figure out what department does what and who they are the part-time councillors are struggling with the system no one seems to be assured they really understood when they voted it in. Even the staff are still settling in. The new system required the current councillors...
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Third annual Overdose Awareness Day warns fentanyl risk
By Austin Evans Writer The third annual Overdose Awareness Day event showed the support open to Six Nations residents struggling with addiction. Lethal opioid overdoses have become more and more common since 2020. In Ontario deaths increased from 1,554 in 2019 to 2,461 in 2020. Each year from 2021 to 2023 had more deaths from opioid overdoses than 2020. Eve Kahama, manager of the Harm Reduction Action Outreach Program explained the increased presence of fentanyl in other drugs has made overdosing much more common. “It’s pretty high here, but the same thing is echoed everywhere,” she said. “Especially with the toxic drug crisis that we have now, people are seeing fentanyl in their crystal meth, people are seeing fentanyl in their opioids. It makes the risk of overdose quite bad.”...
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Outing a pretendian: How four Métis scholars redefined Indigenous identity policy
By Chelsea Gabel Bobby (Robert) Henry, Caroline Tait and Janet K. Smylie Addressing the pretendian issue in Canada is deeply personal, for us, because we are the academics who uncovered and exposed Carrie Bourassa’s Indigenous identity fraud. We are four Red River Métis scholars who hold Métis citizenship with our familial connections to the Prairies. We are Indigenous health researchers, and our relationship began 20 years ago through the Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research. In 2018, we discovered that Bourassa had fabricated her Métis identity, a deception dating back to her graduate studies at the University of Regina. An anonymous email from a former student exposed inconsistencies in her claims of Métis, Anishinaabe and Tlingit ancestry. Confronting Bourassa led us to investigate further, resulting in a detailed review of...
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