Six Nations Elected Council to host seniors’ Christmas dinner next month
Six Nations Elected Council has approved more than $31,000 to host a dedicated seniors’ Christmas dinner next month. Debra Jonathan, Chief Operations Officer said the decision came as a response to community concerns about access to holiday hampers and the isolation many Elders face during the winter season. She presented the plan at the November 17 Six Nations Elected Council’s (SNEC) General Finance meeting and outlined plans for a full sit-down celebration. The event is scheduled for Monday, December 15 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mont Hill Golf and Country Club. Jonathan told council the initiative is a coordinated effort among SNEC programs after feedback showed seniors struggled last year with applying for Christmas baskets, arranging pickup, storing frozen turkeys and preparing large meals. She said community members...
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Six Nations Elected Council upgrades fire fleet
Six Nations Elected Council has approved three fire services purchases, clearing the way for new radios, lighting and vehicle branding as part of a broader upgrade to the community’s fire fleet. The more than $225,000 purchase approvals were made at Six Nations Elected Council’s (SNEC) November 17 General Finance meeting, where Councillors passed a series of motions tied to funding that was reallocated earlier this year. The purchases draw from reserve funds previously redirected by SNEC, an allocation of $1,026,737.12 that was set aside for Fire and Emergency Services. The motion said Fire Services submitted a list of priority projects to be funded from that reserve, focused on equipping their new vehicles and modernizing safety systems. Councillors moved through the three items consecutively, approving each unanimously. SNEC approved the purchase...
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Raising harm reduction awareness one bowl of soup at a time
By Carly McHugh Writer Despite a chilly start to the day, the warm sunshine greeted community members who stopped by the Six Nations Department of Well-Being’s harm reduction outreach soup share. The outreach team took advantage of the lunchtime rush at Iroquois Village Plaza on Nov. 19, handing out hearty, homemade corn soup and spreading the word about National Addictions Awareness Week, which ran from Nov. 16 to 22. The initiative began about five years ago, but back then, it ran sporadically, whenever someone had the availability to supervise the booth. However, more recently, the team has grown, and the four staff members who participate have been trying more to get out into the community. In recent weeks, they have also seen an increasing number of visitors. “It’s just reaching...
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Six Nations to continue Indigenous Led early learning
Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) has approved a two-year lease extension that will allow the Indigenous-Led EarlyON program to continue operating out of 120 Colborne Street, Suite 105, in Harmony Place. The decision was made during the General Finance meeting on November 17, chaired by Councillor Dayle Bomberry. The EarlyON program, funded through the City of Brantford, relies on the Colborne Street location as a service hub. The approved extension will secure the space from December 1, 2025, to November 30, 2027, ensuring program stability while Council continues to navigate long-term planning for family and early-years services. Councillors reviewed cost projections, including rent, taxes, and utilities, before passing the motion. Under the agreement, the first term that runs from December 1, 2025, to November 30, 2026 will cost $42,024, plus...
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Educators attend Indigenous land-based learning camp in Akwesasne
By Sam Laskaris Writer Whenever he gets a chance Joel Gamache loves to hype up the advantages of STEM learning. Gamache is the senior manager of national Indigenous youth in STEM programs for Actua, the country’s largest learning organization for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. For the fourth straight year Gamache and his Actua colleagues held a four-day Indigenous land-based learning camp. The August camp, held in Akwesasne, Ont., was aimed at both Indigenous and non-Indigenous educators. A camp goal is to have camp participants incorporate portions of what they learned at the sessions into their own school curriculums. Gamache, a former educator himself who now enjoys instructing teachers about land-based learning, said the majority of the participants at the Akwesasne camp were non-Indigenous. “But we do have Indigenous educators...
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Commentary: Deciding who gets to be “Indian”
Don’t you just love it when people tell you not only who you are, but who our people will be? Last week Canada’s Senate passed amendments to a bill that is aimed at making it easier to transfer First Nations status between generations. Bill S-2 was to eliminate gender inequities in the Indian Act, inequities Canada created, not Indigenous communities. The effect of Bill S-2 is some 6,000 people are expected to become eligible for First Nations status at the outset. What they did was eliminate a section of their own legislation that became known as the “second generation cutoff.” That move stole entire generations of Indigenous people from their culture, their history, their people. The second-generation cutoff wasn’t just limiting status to a second generation it was aimed at...
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Today in History
Nov 24 In 1807, Joseph Brant (1742-1807), Chief of the Six Nations Indians, died at Burlington, Ont. He fought on the British side in the War of American independence and later led his tribe to Ontario’s Grand River Valley. He was a Christian and translated Anglican services and scripture into Mohawk. In 1999, Reform MP Jack Ramsay was found guilty of attempting to rape a native 14-year-old girl at the Pelican Narrows police station where he was an RCMP corporal in command 30 years earlier. In 2005, a $5 billion deal for First Nations was announced at a meeting of first ministers and aboriginal leaders in Kelowna, B.C. In 2017, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized on behalf of the government of Canada for abuse and cultural losses to former students...
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UNDER THE NORTHERN SKY: Mushkegowuk Council Declares Emergency To Deal With Addictions
By Xavier Kataquapit www.underthenorthernsky.com An epidemic of addictions has led Mushkegowuk Council in north eastern Ontario to declare a state of emergency. A crisis has occurred including issues of homelessness, limited access to shelters, the lack of mental wellness and too few addictions supports in the council’s territory. Myself and our First Nations leaders have been watching as this crisis has been developing over the years to the point where it is killing and severely impacting people in our communities as well as our members living off reserve. Things have gotten to the point where it is making our communities unsafe and resulting in so many tragic endings for my people. I am hopeful these days as I see more of our people with addictions education and experience being involved...
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Ironmen defeated by host Stratford Irish
By Sam Laskaris Writer The Six Nations Ironmen hit the road this past Saturday and managed to outshoot their hosts, the Stratford Irish. But the Ironmen, who held a 29-28 advantage on the shot clock, were downed 5-2 by the Irish in the Northern Premier Hockey League (NPHL) match held at Stratford’s William Allman Memorial Arena. “You can outplay somebody and then dominate the game but that doesn’t necessarily translate to wins,” said Six Nations head coach Ryan Davis. The Ironmen played some of their best hockey on Saturday in the middle frame, outshooting Stratford 15-8. But the Irish scored twice in the middle frame while the Ironmen only managed one goal. “We had some good (offensive zone) time and some good possession,” Davis said. “And we outplayed them in...
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Snipers among those duped by false registrations for Arena Lacrosse League draft
By Sam Laskaris Writer President Paul St. John is considering some changes to the Arena Lacrosse League (ALL) draft process. This comes on the heels of the fact at least two teams, including the Six Nations Snipers, selected players that were falsely registered for this year’s draft held Nov. 15. The Snipers utilized their first-round pick, sixth over-all, on Justin Tavares, the son of John Tavares, the head coach of the three-time defending Mann Cup champion Six Nation Chiefs. As it turned out the younger Tavares never actually registered for the draft. That’s because he’s in Colorado and is a freshman with the University of Denver men’s field lacrosse squad. Thus, some other individual, for whatever reason, decided to pretend that Tavares himself was signing up for the draft. St....
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SPORTS BRIEFS: Styres matches rookie point production
By Sam Laskaris Writer Six Nations teenager Kane Styres has already tied the number of points he earned during his rookie junior season. Styres, who will turn 17 on Dec. 11, is in his second season with the Caledonia Corvairs, a Junior B squad that competes in the Greater Ontario Hockey League. Styres, a defenceman, collected a half dozen points, including one goal, in 42 games during his rookie season with the Corvairs. As for this season, Styres has picked up six points, all assists, in his first 12 regular season matches. Styres had been selected by the Barrie Colts in the 2024 Ontario Hockey League’s Priority Selections draft. He has yet to crack the Colts’ roster and has been honing his skills with the Corvairs. Styres’ next opportunity to...
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Thomas King’s revelation he is not Indigenous sends ripples through culture sector
By Nicole Thompson Thomas King’s revelation that he has no Indigenous ancestry sent ripples through Canada’s cultural sector, while raising questions about what responsibility a person has when they claim a heritage they say they cannot prove. The 82-year-old author of “The Inconvenient Indian” revealed on Monday that he is not part Cherokee on his father’s side, as he said his mother told him as a child. The same day, the Edmonton Opera announced it would no longer stage an adaptation of his 2020 novel “Indians on Vacation,” following conversations with Indigenous community members from Treaty 6 territory. Communications director Jelena Bojić said those conversations were not in response to any single article or revelation, but began several weeks ago when community members raised concerns about the production. She didn’t...
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Manitoba’s plan to tackle meth to include co-ordination, new resources: Kinew
By Steve Lambert Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew was applauded by municipal leaders Tuesday as he promised a crackdown on the distribution of methamphetamines, although details of the plan have yet to be revealed. Kinew told the Association of Manitoba Municipalities that his idea, alluded to in last week’s throne speech, will see a body set up to help co-ordinate drug enforcement among all police agencies in the province. “When we have other parts of the world sending new, higher-octane meth that is taking advantage of our vulnerable people here in Manitoba, we’ve got to push back,” Kinew told the convention. “And so we’re taking action. A meth task force — Winnipeg Police Service, RCMP, all the law enforcement agencies including First Nations, working together to bring the hammer down on...
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Cold November rain in the B.C. legislature puts First Nations’ rights into question
By Nora O’Malley Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Victoria, B.C. – This November B.C. MLAs punted into oblivion a pair of private members’ bills concerning First Nations. On Nov. 19, Independent MLA for Peace River North Jordan Kealy put forward the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Statute Repeal Act. His bill was blocked from advancing by a vote of 48-43. On Nov. 20, OneBC MLA for Vancouver-Quilchena Dallas Brodie pitched the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Statute Repeal Act, which introduced a motion to repeal the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a provincial holiday in B.C. Brodie’s bill was quashed with 86 ‘nays’ and three ‘yeas’. Spencer Chandra Herbert, minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation and NDP MLA for Vancouver-West End, called the two pieces...
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Lawsuit seeks damages against B.C., federal government over Cowichan title ruling
A proposed class-action lawsuit filed in B.C. Supreme Court says the provincial and federal governments had “long-standing” knowledge that unresolved Indigenous land claims threatened the security of property ownership in Canada. The lawsuit filed this week in New Westminster, B.C., alleges the recent decision by the court recognizing the Cowichan Tribes’ title over a swath of property in Richmond, B.C., has caused economic and ‘psychological harm” to members of the proposed class. One of the plaintiffs, Jasjeet Grewal, says in the lawsuit that he owns property in B.C. and claims title to the land is now uncertain because “all properties in British Columbia are now subject to claims of pre-existing Aboriginal title.” The other proposed representative plaintiff is John Doe, an unnamed Richmond property owner whose property is “directly located...
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Alert system for missing Indigenous women in Manitoba appears to be one step closer
By Steve Lambert The Manitoba government is welcoming a report on a potential Red Dress Alert system that could protect missing Indigenous women and girls. The federal and Manitoba governments have been looking at the idea, which would be similar to Amber Alerts for abducted children, under a pilot project run by a grassroots organization. A final report from the group says the proposed system could be in place next year and should be accompanied by a 24-hour call centre, professional help in communicating with police, and support for searches by ground, water and air. Manitoba Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine says the report is not asking anything of the province right now but the government is supportive of the idea. She says people have been asking for a Red Dress...
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Explainer on Alberta UCP legislature members facing recall petitions
Fourteen Alberta legislature members with Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative Party caucus are facing recall petitions from constituents. It’s the first time the province’s Recall Act has been used on provincial politicians. It was brought in under former UCP premier Jason Kenney as a way to empower citizens and hold politicians accountable between general elections. Under the legislation, a petitioner must submit a reason in 100 words or fewer about why they feel an MLA should be recalled. The person must live in the constituency and pay a $500 processing fee. There are no set criteria on what the reasons can be. If the petition is approved by Elections Alberta, the applicant has 90 days to collect enough names from people in the constituency to trigger a vote. The number...
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Carney says B.C. ‘has to agree’ on pipeline plan from Alberta
By Nick Murray British Columbia “has to agree” on any pipeline from Alberta to the Pacific coast, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Tuesday, as his government edges closer to unveiling the details of a new energy pact it has been negotiating with Alberta. In question period Tuesday, Carney was pressed by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to state when a pipeline would be built. Carney said a memorandum of understanding with Alberta — expected to be announced Thursday while the prime minister is in Calgary — would lay out “necessary conditions but not sufficient conditions” for a new pipeline. “We believe in cooperative federalism,” Carney said. “We believe the Government of British Columbia has to agree. We believe that First Nations rights holders in this country has to agree and support.”...
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Manitoba Premier Kinew asks PM Carney for sentencing, parole overhaul
By Steve Lambert Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has asked the prime minister for stiffer sentences for repeat or serial killers, citing the recent release of one killer that Kinew says “disgusts” him. In a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, Kinew said he also wants changes to the parole system in the wake of the release of Shawn Lamb, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the 2012 deaths of two Indigenous women — Carolyn Sinclair and Lorna Blacksmith — and was sentenced to 20 years the following year. Lamb was released earlier this month under statutory release — a provision under federal law that sees most inmates automatically let out after serving two-thirds of their sentence. Kinew said the release “is not justice.” “The release of Mr. Lamb disgusts many...
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Police clear protesters from Vancouver Island logging blockade
Police say they have arrested four people during enforcement of a court injunction prohibiting anyone from blocking or interfering with forestry activities in the Carmanah Valley of southwestern Vancouver Island. A statement from the RCMP on Tuesday says a blockade of people, vehicles and wooden items had been established along the Walbran Forest Service Road for several months. The unnamed protesters had issued a statement on Aug. 25, saying they had put up large wooden sculpture of a cougar as part of their effort to block logging trucks, and calling for the permanent protection of ancient forests across British Columbia. The clearing of the protest camp by police follows a B.C. Supreme Court ruling in September that granted the injunction to Tsawak-qin Forestry Limited Partnership, which is co-owned by Western...
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