CP NewsAlert: Mountie injured in crash with suspect after mass stabbing in Manitoba
RCMP say an officer was responding to a mass stabbing on the Hollow River First Nation in Manitoba, when her cruiser crashed with a stolen vehicle driven by the suspect in the attack. Supt. Rob Lasson says the male suspect died at the scene of the crash and the officer was taken to hospital with critical injuries but is expected to recover. An 18-year-old girl was killed in the stabbings and several others were injured....
Register
Accused in jailhouse killing of serial killer Robert Pickton to plead guilty: Crown
The man accused of killing convicted serial killer Robert Pickton in a jailhouse attack intends to plead guilty, the Crown says. Martin Charest is charged with first-degree murder in Pickton’s killing in May 2024 and the Port-Cartier federal penitentiary. Charest allegedly broke a broom handle and shoved it into the face of Pickton, who died in hospital of his injuries days later at the age of 74. A spokeswoman for the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions says during an appearance Wednesday, Charest signalled his intention to plead guilty through his lawyer, but was difficult to hear from behind Plexiglas at a maximum-security prison. The case was postponed until Sept. 25 for Charest to register his guilty plea. Pickton, one of Canada’s most notorious serial killers, was convicted in 2007...
Register
B.C. to contest lawsuit by U.S.-based tribes over consultation rights in Canada
By Chuck Chiang British Columbia’s premier says his government will be fighting a lawsuit by an Aboriginal group based in the United States, saying B.C.’s obligations are to Indigenous people in Canada. David Eby was responding to litigation brought by the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation in Washington state, which says it is being unfairly excluded from B.C.’s consultation with First Nations. In a statement posted online, the Colville Tribes say the group filed suit against B.C. after the province adopted a policy of notifying the group about decisions instead of consulting them. The Colville Tribes say they are part of the Sinixt people and should be treated as an “Aboriginal people of Canada” who were “driven out” of their ancestral lands in B.C. due to Canadian colonialization. The...
Register
Chiefs vote down major projects resolutions, say AFN shouldn’t negotiate for them
By Brittany Hobson First Nations chiefs voted down a resolution at their national assembly on Thursday that opponents said would have amounted to an endorsement of the federal government’s major projects legislation. The resolution would have called on Ottawa to include First Nations infrastructure ventures in its push to fast-track major projects. It also would have allowed the Assembly of First Nations to intervene in lawsuits against the legislation. The resolution failed to obtain the required 60 per cent support at the Assembly of First Nations annual general meeting in Winnipeg. The legislation allows the federal government to fast-track major projects it considers to be in the national interest. Prime Minister Mark Carney insists the bill will not sidestep consultations. First Nations say they were not properly consulted when the...
Register
First Nations educational training service to launch online mental health app for trial run
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A northeast B.C. Indigenous education service will launch an online application dedicated to mental health for a trial run this week as it prepares for a broader launch. Medicine Wheel Training Services, a firm specializing in First Nations education and mental health initiatives, will launch the application later this week, according to its facilitator Bruce McKay. Formerly the Indigenous relations coordinator at Northern Lights College, McKay has also taught in the Yukon and at Calgary’s Bow Valley College. “What I’ve really tried to do with [Medicine Wheel] is to offer opportunities for people in how to decolonize their teaching practices and classrooms,” said McKay. “Most importantly, how to use a medicine wheel journal that focuses on strength-based...
Register
Saving lives on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside with Indigenous teachings
By Nora O’Malley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Ha-Shilth-Sa Vancouver, BC – It’s a $10 taxi ride from Vancouver’s Fairmont Waterfront to East Hastings and Main – the epicenter of Canada’s drug poisoning crisis that is disproportionally impacting Indigenous People. At the Aboriginal Front Door Society, kitty corner from historic Carnegie Community Centre and the heart of Downtown Eastside (DTES), hope floats as smoke from a traditional smudging lingers in the room and a team of volunteer outreach workers rallied for a weekly brown bag lunch distribution. Every Wednesday, over 350 souls living on the DTES receive a bologna sandwich, granola bar, fruit cup and juice box. “Food brings us together. It’s part of our teaching,” said James Harry, executive director of the All Nations Outreach Society and a proud Haisla...
Register
Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation Elder Garry Sault passes
MISSISSAUGAS OF THE CREDIT FIRST NATION – The Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) announced today (Sept/. 4, 2025) that well known MCFN Elder Garry Sault passed away September 2, 2025. “It is with profound sadness that the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation announces the passing of beloved Elder Garry Sault, who departed peacefully on the morning of September 2, 2025,” the statement said. The statement said “Elder Sault was a distinguished Anishinaabe Elder and Knowledge Keeper, a U.S. Navy veteran, and a revered storyteller whose wisdom, warmth, and dedication inspired generations across and beyond the MCFN community.” It spoke of how his deep commitment to cultural education and treaty knowledge made him an “invaluable guide in understanding our shared histories.” Elder Sault was a keeper of treaty...
Register
Five northern Ontario First Nations file human rights complaints over ongoing states of emergency
By Jon Thompson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Ricochet A month after Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation declared a state of emergency over lacking health services, its leaders say Ontario’s failure to respond has left them no choice but to take legal action.Chief and council for the fly-in First Nation of 1,500 people declared a state of emergency on July 31, demanding equitable paramedicine resources and Emergency Medical Services, following the poisoning deaths of two local 14-year-olds. The girls were admitted to the nursing station in the morning but medivac wasn’t able to fly them the 600 kilometres south to Thunder Bay until that evening. Their families said doctors told them the deaths could have been prevented with timely care. KI councillor Jacob Ostaman says Ontario has since taken no action, whatsoever....
Register
Chiefs vote down pitch to include First Nations infrastructure in major projects push
By Brittany Hobson First Nations chiefs today voted down a resolution that would have called on Ottawa to include First Nations infrastructure ventures in its national push to fast-track major projects. The resolution, which also would have allowed the Assembly of First Nations to intervene in lawsuits against the federal government’s major projects legislation, failed to obtain the required 60 per cent support at the Assembly of First Nations annual general meeting in Winnipeg. Regina Crowchild of Tsuut’ina First Nation says she voted against the resolution because there’s no guarantee Canada will follow through on its commitment to consult affected communities when it decides which projects to approve. Other chiefs from Alberta say the resolution would have amounted to an endorsement of the federal major projects legislation and could have...
Register
Quebec’s proposed Constitution sparks tensions with Kahnawake, other First Nations
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) Grand Chief Cody Diabo warned Quebec Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette against overstepping his bounds while discussing the proposed Quebec constitution last Wednesday. “They can do whatever law they want for their own citizens,” Diabo said, adding “as long as … First Nations are exempt from whatever you’re trying to do.” The Coalition Avenir du Quebec (CAQ) is preparing to table said constitution in the National Assembly this fall, hoping to pass it before the next provincial election in October 2026. Brian Tanguay, political science professor at the University of Wilfrid Laurier, said the idea of a provincial constitution dates back to the early 2000s following the second sovereignty referendum. “The idea seems to have been resurrected by...
Register
Smoketember Is Rolling In. Here’s How to Protect Yourself
By Michelle Gamage, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Tyee Wildfire smoke will continue to coat the southern half of the province over the next couple of days. By this evening, smoke is forecast to blanket Fort St. John, Prince George, Quesnel, Squamish and Williams Lake, creating an air quality health index of 10-plus — on a scale that goes only from one (low risk) to 10 (very high risk), according to the federal government. And that’s with the caveat that the air quality health index sometimes underreports health risks caused by smoky air. Wildfire smoke is harmful for everyone. Seniors, young children and infants, people who are pregnant, people with pre-existing health conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease and diabetes, and people with respiratory infections like COVID-19...
Register
Two dead, including suspect, in mass stabbing on Manitoba First Nation
By Steve Lambert HOLLOW WATER FIRST NATION, WINNIPEG-Two people, including a suspect, are dead after a mass stabbing on a First Nation in Manitoba. RCMP said at least six people were in hospital after the attack Thursday morning on the Hollow Water First Nation, about 200 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg. Health officials said two victims were airlifted to Winnipeg, while others were taken by ground ambulance. RCMP described the attack as a “senseless act of violence.” They said there’s was no longer a risk to public safety, but officers were to remain in the community as well as on a highway to the south near Black River First Nation. A code orange, which means a sudden influx of patients, had been declared at the largest hospital in Winnipeg, although it...
Register
Inuit entrepreneurs learn to believe in themselves
By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News Nunavummiut who are just beginning their entrepreneurial journey will get paid to develop self-confidence and become business-minded this September through Small Economy Works. The online training program’s Nunavut chapter is set for Sept. 22-Dec. 12. Participants learn marketing, how to write grant applications and how to turn their passion projects into profit. The information comes from founders of businesses who have done it all before. Perks include a payment of $700 every second week, program-specific travel and up to three micro-credentials from the University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies. The Inspire Nunavut program has instructed 250 Nunavummiut in 21 communities since 2015, according to Small Economy Works. Annie Oyakyoak, 23, from Cambridge Bay, enrolled in Inspire Nunavut’s 12-week entrepreneurial...
Register
Manitoba premier says proposed supervised consumption site will be changed
By Steve Lambert The Manitoba government is changing the planned location of its first supervised consumption site after facing stiff opposition from area residents. The province, in partnership with the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre, submitted a licensing request with Health Canada last November for a site at 200 Disraeli Freeway, in the core area of Winnipeg. The idea quickly ran into opposition from many local residents, who said the location is too close to schools, a child-care centre and some homes. Premier Wab Kinew said Wednesday the province will look for a new address. “We will be bringing a new location forward for people to consider,” Kinew told reporters. “Basically, what we’re going to do is just draw a 250-metre radius around the potential sites that are under consideration...
Register
Health warnings as minister says shroud of wildfire smoke set to worsen in B.C.
By Chuck Chiang British Columbians are being told to prepare themselves for the worsening of a dense shroud of wildfire smoke that has descended over the province, with health experts saying the dangerous impacts of the pollution might not be immediately apparent. Forests Minister Ravi Parmar told a briefing on Wednesday that the smoke would be a “major factor” in the next 24 to 72 hours, with more arriving in the central and southern Interior in the evening or on Thursday, and reaching the Fraser Valley by Friday. “We should expect wildfire smoke to come south in the days ahead,” Parmar said, adding that the smoke was coming from fires in B.C., Yukon and the Northwest Territories, as well as from the United States. After a summer of relatively clear...
Register
B.C.’s late-season wildfires a serious issue, minister says, as smoke descends
By Brenna Owen Drought, heat and lightning have spurred late-season wildfire activity in British Columbia, with the forests minister saying the risk of new starts and growth remains a “serious issue” and there is no relief in the short-term forecast. Ravi Parmar said the heat is expected to persist through the weekend, with temperatures reaching 10 C above seasonal in some areas. There is no significant rain in the forecast for the coming days, and another bout of lightning strikes is expected along B.C.’s coast later this week, he said. “I cannot stress enough how vigilant people need to be at this time,” the minister told a wildfire-related news briefing on Wednesday. There are about 150 active wildfires across B.C., with close to 60 classified as burning out of control....
Register
Former Dene national chief calls for Sahtu leaders to take action on marred Canol Trail
By Eric Bowling, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, NWT News/North Norman Yak’eula has had it with the Americans’ garbage. Having recently completed his annual hike through the Canol Heritage Trail in July, the former Dene national chief is calling on current Sahtu leaders to take charge of the cleanup, which has been repeatedly delayed. “There’s really nobody there to pay any interest to the trail, other than the Canol Youth Leadership hike we have every year,” Yak’eula told NNSL Media. “We’ve been doing that for 20 years. “I would like to see the land claim presidents take a very active interest in sitting the federal and territorial governments across the table and negotiate an operational type of budget for the Canol Heritage Trail and and create a park.” Used as a...
Register
Dene Nation says it wasn’t consulted on new funding for EAs
By Claire McFarlane, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cabin Radio The Dene Nation said it was “neither consulted nor informed” of the GNWT’s intention to put up to $14 million toward educational assistants previously funded by the federal government through Jordan’s Principle. That territorial funding, described by the GNWT as a temporary measure, was announced last week. In a news release published on Wednesday, the Dene Nation said the territory’s statement – which said Indigenous governments were “united with the GNWT in calling for action” – was misleading. The Dene Nation called for a collaborative approach to addressing education and for Indigenous Services Canada, which administers Jordan’s Principle, to work directly with Indigenous governments to develop more sustainable funding for Indigenous students’ educational supports. It also called for transparency in how...
Register
Swatting incidents hit residence and school, Haldimand OPP warn of false emergency calls
IHALDIMAND COUNTY, ON – A Jarvis home and Hagersville Secondary School have both been hit in the past two days by two incidents of Emergency Call Fraud, also known as “swatting”, in Haldimand County during the past two days. The Haldimand detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a residence on Haldimand Road 53 near Jarvis on September 2, 2025, at about 8:10 p.m. to a report of a bomb threat. Haldimand OPP received a similar call of a bomb threate at about 1:35 p.m., Wednesday Aug., 3 pushing a Hagersville school into a lockdown. Haldiand OPp said in both incidents, 9-1-1 calls were made to report emergencies, which required police and other emergency resources to attend only to find upon arrival the information provided by the caller...
Register
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew tells Assembly of First Nations in Manitoba they will talk to First Nations first
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew tells Assembly of First Nations in Manitoba the province will talk to First Nations before shovels go in the ground...
Register
