M.D. LSR council writes letter of support for recovery centre
By Pearl Lorentzen, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeside Leader M.D. of Lesser Slave River council directed administration to write a letter of support for the Rising Above Slave Lake at its Dec. 3 council meeting. This was after Chris Noftall, Rising Above executive director, and Bruce Clark, senior chaplan, spoke to council about their plans. “What we are trying to do is build an addictions recovery centre in Slave Lake,” said Noftall. This will be the fourth Rising Above centre, with the first one started in Grande Prairie 18 years ago. “This program has been around a long time,” said Noftall, adding that almost everyone knows someone with addictions. The centre will have a six-month program with two facilities: a multi-bed residence and an office and teaching space. This is...
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Indigenous artifacts from the Vatican collection return to Canada
By Sidhartha Banerjee First Nations, Inuit and Métis leaders welcomed back dozens of Indigenous artifacts released from the Vatican collection at Montreal’s airport Saturday. The 62 items will ultimately be returned to their communities of origin as an act of furthering reconciliation. Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said it was an important and emotional moment for all First Nations, and she hoped it would be important for all Canadians. “We’ve come a long way, and we have a long way to go,” she said at the airport. The leaders were present on the tarmac while snowflakes fell as the artifacts, still in large crates, were lowered from the belly of an Air Canada jet. Woodhouse Nepinak, head bowed, placed her hand onto some of the packed...
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Prime Minister Mark Carney’s move to build trust implodes at AFN
By Carly McHugh Writer Prime Minister Mark Carney faced tough questions in his effort to rebuild First Nations’ trust during the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) annual assembly in Ottawa last week, but the effort wasn’t enough. Instead, Chiefs from across the country called for the immediate withdrawal of the Alberta-Ottawa energy deal. The vote came in spite of PM Carney telling the AFN improving First Nations housing and drinking water were at the top of his mind ahead of his address and question period Carney told the gathering the new Liberal government is committed to collaborating closely with First Nations communities to ensure their prosperity and resilience and strengthen nation-to-nation relationships. “In a more dangerous and divided world, Canada is choosing to build,” he said. “From major national projects...
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National Chief criticizes Carney, Canada in AFN assembly opening address
By Carly McHugh Writer National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak did not hold back in highlighting the missteps of Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Canadian government towards First Nations people, in her opening at the Special Chiefs Assembly on Dec. 2. “I can’t think of a better place to discuss the future of this country,” she said. From the Rogers Convention Centre in Ottawa, Woodhouse Nepinak used her platform to address a variety of issues the federal government has continuously ignored, despite requests from First Nations leaders across the country—especially with regards to the incoming federal budget. She also criticized Canada for missing their chance to make good on their expedition and lack of consultation on the major projects Bill C-5 earlier this year. “Last month’s budget was an opportunity...
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Ministers panel faces Assembly of First Nations Chiefs
By Carly McHugh Writer The final morning of the Assembly of First Nations’ (AFN’s) Special Chiefs Assembly began with an impassioned ministers’ panel that encompassed both reconciliation and the incoming, much-debated Budget 2025. Throughout the session, Chiefs and community representatives had the opportunity to engage Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, Rebecca Alty; Minister of Indigenous Services, Mandy Gull-Masty; and Minister of Finance, Francois-Philippe Champagne, on a variety of issues pertaining to both their respective regions and Canada’s First Nations as a whole. The panel first heard from Cold Lake First Nation Chief Kelsey Jacko, who inquired about outstanding agriculture benefits, reducing and limiting public access to First Nations funding, and failure to engage with the National Coalition of Chiefs (NCC) on the future of the nation’s children. While Minister Alty assured...
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Six Nations Elected Council research ethics committee
Six Nations’ Research Ethics Committee team is growing and using new technology to keep research projects on track. Zachary Miller, Executive Director of Data Analytics and Insights and his team highlighted changes to the Research Ethics Committee at the Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) General Council meeting on November 25. He said the committee is now overseeing dozens of studies, strengthening protection of community knowledge, and building new expectations for universities seeking to conduct research in the territory. The update, presented by Miller and Rachel VanEvery, Community Research Coordinator, outlined how the committee has evolved since being established by a SNEC resolution in March 2023. VanEvery said the expanded system is designed to ensure that “all research involving the community is ethical, respectful and culturally safe,” while maintaining control over...
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When bankers and social issues don’t mix…
Canada’s banker Prime Minister appears to be ruffling feathers, well, everywhere. But in particular at home. The Prime Minister didn’t get a warm welcome while appearing at the recent Assembly of First Nations (AFN) meeting where he found out it isn’t easy to go from a board room to politics. That kind of massive career shift means taking a step back from the corporate board room mentality and turning to a mentality of service versus profit. He didn’t help his cause any when he suddenly announced a pipeline being built across the country without consulting the rights holders sitting in front of him. National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, in her opening speech at the AFN’s annual general assembly Dec. 2 made it clear to both Carney and Canadian government officials,...
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Today in History
Dec. 10 In 2019, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s fledgling minority government survived its first test of confidence in the House of Commons. The Liberals — with the support of opposition MPs other than the Conservatives — passed “supplementary estimates” to ensure previously planned government programs got the funding they needed. Any vote involving money is traditionally considered a matter of confidence. The Conservatives, who had signaled their intention to bring down the government as soon as possible, voted against the estimates but Bloc Quebecois and New Democrat MPs voted in favour, as did lone Independent MP Jody Wilson-Raybould. Trudeau’s Liberals won 157 seats in the Oct. 21 election, 13 short of a majority in the 338-seat House. In 2024, University of Toronto’s Geoffrey Hinton and Princeton University’s John Hopfield received...
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UNDER THE NORTHERN SKY: We Need To Stand With First Nation Leaders
By Xavier Kataquapit On December 2, 2025 during a Special Chiefs Assembly hosted by the Assembly of First Nations, the chiefs from across Canada voted unanimously to adopt an emergency resolution tabled by British Columbia First Nations leaders to support upholding the current oil tanker ban on the pacific coast as well demanding the withdrawal of the agreement clearing way for a new oil pipeline to the coast of British Columbia. Both federal and provincial governments have been doing their best to divide and conquer in rapid fire meetings with First Nations across the country in negotiating agreements and handing out money. Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith signed a memorandum of understanding on November 27 to co-operate on energy, opening up the prospect of an exemption...
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Anderson registers first NPHL hat trick
By Sam Laskaris Writer Despite scoring his first hat trick in the Northern Premier Hockey League (NPHL) on Sunday, Brenden Anderson was not entirely happy. That’s because Anderson and his Six Nations Ironmen teammates were downed 6-4 by the visiting Strathroy Jets. The match was held at the Six Nations Sports & Cultural Memorial Centre. Anderson, a 22-year-old Six Nations member who is a forward with the Ironmen, was pleased with his three-goal performance. “It was pretty good,” he said. “I just wish we had won.” The Ironmen are now sporting a 5-7 record in their inaugural season in the NPHL. With the victory the Jets have now won eight of their first 11 matches. Strathroy’s roster this season includes forwards Brandon Prust and Rob Schremp, a pair of former...
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McGill cuts women’s lacrosse team
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase Women’s lacrosse is one of the 15 sport clubs and varsity teams that McGill University has decided to discontinue before the 2026–2027 season to reduce its yearly deficit. For Rachel Anderson, co-captain of McGill’s women’s lacrosse team, the decision to cancel the women’s lacrosse team was personal. As a Haudenosaunee woman from Six Nations, the lacrosse team was the closest she felt to home since moving to Montreal. “To me, it wasn’t just about losing a season,” Anderson said. “I think it was honestly about losing one of the few places on campus where I feel really grounded in my culture.” Anderson learned of the decision last week, when McGill Recreation announced it would be reducing its sports programs after a 2024...
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Bears down Snipers in Arena Lacrosse League opener
By Sam Laskaris Writer The Ohsweken Bears managed to prevail in a battle of local squads during the Arena Lacrosse League (ALL) season-opening game. The Bears downed the Six Nations Snipers 19-11 this past Thursday in a match staged at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena (ILA). Both the Bears and Snipers play their home contests at the ILA. Meanwhile, a third squad in the eight-team, Ontario-based ALL which also plays out of the ILA, prevailed in its season opener on Saturday. The Paris RiverWolves defeated the host Oshawa Outlaws 18-16. That game was held at the Outlaws’ home venue, Children’s Arena in Oshawa. The Bears only managed to win two of their 14 regular season outings last season and finished in the cellar of the ALL standings. But the Ohsweken club...
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Hill leads Thunderbirds to victory and enters NLL record books
By Sam Laskaris Writer Warren Hill could not have asked for a much better start to his National Lacrosse League (NLL) campaign this past Friday. Hill, a Six Nations member, backstopped the Halifax Thunderbirds to an 11-2 victory over the visiting Oshawa FireWolves. Besides picking up the W between the pipes, Hill also made a bit of history. He became just the third goaltender in the history of the pro league to allow just two goals in a single game. Bob Watson, a league hall of famer, had yielded just two goals in a playoff contest for the Toronto Rock. And current Buffalo Bandits’ goalie Matt Vinc, who will undoubtedly be inducted into the league’s hall of fame, had allowed just a pair of goals in a regular season match....
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Staats’ NLL future uncertain while his off-field conduct is investigated
By Sam Laskaris Writer It remains to be seen when, or if Six Nations member Austin Staats will be allowed to play in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) again. The NLL released a statement this past Friday about Staats’ status. The statement reads: “The National Lacrosse League has placed Austin Staats on investigative leave while it determines whether Staats committed a violation of League rules in connection with off-floor conduct. Staats will be ineligible to participate in League games until further notice.” The league’s statement raised plenty of eyebrows because the NLL had issued a release in mid-November stating Staats could resume playing in the pro circuit. “The National Lacrosse League, following a review of the available facts in connection with Austin Staats’ off-field conduct and associated legal proceedings, has...
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Wind turbine companies may return to bid in 2026
By Darlene Wroe, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Temiskaming Speaker DISTRICT – Two energy companies considering wind turbine projects in the area have decided not to proceed with bids this year. Both have decided to continue to monitor wind data in the area and to strengthen their discussions with area residents. ABO Energy has been developing an outline for a possible project in Temiskaming Shores (mainly in Dymond Township), and Horizon New Energy has been developing an outline for a possible project in Kerns and Hudson townships. Temiskaming Shores city council had given its support in September for ABO Energy to move forward with a bid. ABO has also established a partnership with Timiskaming First Nation on the project. Kerns Township had given its support in October for Horizon New Energy...
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Lumbee Tribe poised to gain federal recognition through Defense bill
By Graham Lee Brewer After decades of political maneuvering through Congress and government agencies, the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina may finally achieve federal recognition through the National Defense Authorization Act the House plans to vote on this week. If the legislation passes, the Senate could vote on final passage as soon as next week. The Lumbee’s efforts to gain federal recognition — which would come with federal funding, access to resources like the Indian Health Service and the ability to take land into trust — have been controversial for many years both in Indian Country and in Washington. But their cause has been championed by President Donald Trump, who promised on the campaign trail last year to acknowledge the Lumbee as a tribal nation. The issue of federal recognition...
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$1.3M salmon restoration effort in Nootka Sound could mend decades of heavy logging
By Nora O’Malley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Ha-Shilth-Sa Nootka Sound, BC – Optimism for the future of Chinook salmon is swimming up Muchalat River near the town of Gold River, B.C. in Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nations (MMFN) territory. Kent O’Neill, president of the Nootka Sound Watershed Society (NSWS), says he observed hundreds of fish using a newly restored gravel spawning pad at the outflow area of Muchalat Lake this fall. “It’s really encouraging for the first year. They’re figuring it out. It just takes a few generations, and they’ll figure out that this is one of the best spots in the whole system to spawn and they’ll all start showing up,” said O’Neill. Navigating a storm of challenges from historical logging practices that destroyed stream banks to droughty summers, Chinook salmon...
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Federal ministers claim Liberal caucus is united on pipeline agreement despite public disagreements
By Natasha Bulowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer Three Liberal ministers are maintaining the Liberal caucus is united, despite the recent resignation of former cabinet minister Steven Guilbeault and discontent among BC Liberal MPs whose constituents balk at the idea of a pipeline to BC’s coast. At a chaotic press conference this morning, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson and Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature Julie Dabrusin were pressed repeatedly on the caucus divisions caused by the Alberta-Ottawa agreement to work towards building a new pipeline. Dabrusin and Hodgson maintained there is no division and the caucus is united. “The caucus is supportive of the entire MOU,” Hodgson said. This all comes on the heels of Guilbeault resigning from his cabinet post over the...
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Conservatives, Liberals accuse each other of games as MPs debate pipeline motion
By Sarah Ritchie Liberal government and Official Opposition MPs accused one another of playing political games Tuesday as the House of Commons debated a Conservative motion aimed at pinning down the Liberals on whether they support building a pipeline to the B.C. coast. The motion, which was put forward by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, states that MPs support construction of a pipeline to carry Alberta bitumen to the coast, along with an “appropriate amendment” to the legislation that bans most oil tankers from the area off the northern coast of British Columbia. The motion is a more pointed version of the memorandum of understanding Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney signed last month. That deal, however, speaks of amending the tanker ban “if necessary” and cites environmental...
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Afro-Indigenous mom’s case against VACFSS has ‘cleared the way for other parents,’ says expert
By Brielle Morgan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, IndigiNews Justine sits in her kitchen, cradling her new baby girl, while her 14-year-old camps out in a room down the hall. Another daughter bounces up the stairs after coming home from school and scoops up Denaro, their yappy chihuahua. Nine years ago, this family was torn apart after workers from the Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society (VACFSS) decided it wasn’t in the girls’ best interests to live with their mom. Justine didn’t think so. The single mother — whom IndigiNews is identifying by a pseudonym to protect her children’s privacy — alleged she was discriminated against, filing a complaint with the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal against VACFSS. “In my heart, I knew I did nothing wrong,” Justine, an intergenerational survivor...
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