Homicide detectives investigate after Winnipeg man’s suspicious death
WINNIPEG,MAN-Homicide detectives in Winnipeg are looking into the suspicious death of a Saskatchewan man whose body was found behind a home last week. Police say they were called to the 700 block of Wellington Avenue on Friday for a report of “suspicious circumstances,” where they found 30-year-old Bronson Emery Dale Kequahtooway dead. Kequahtooway had been living in Winnipeg but was originally from the Zagime Anishinabek First Nation in Saskatchewan. Police say the man’s family has been notified and that the investigation continues. Anyone with information is to contact the Winnipeg police or Crime Stoppers. Media reports from the scene show a row of garbage and recycling bins partially covered with a black tarp with police tape surrounding the area. This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 31,...
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Sexual assault trial for Lake St. Martin First Nation chief begins in Winnipeg
By Brittany Hobson The chief of a Manitoba First Nation allegedly forced a young girl into a bathroom in his Winnipeg home, took photos of her and sexually assaulted her, court heard on the first day of the man’s trial. Christopher Traverse, who was the leader of Lake St. Martin First Nation at the time of his arrest last year, has been charged with sexual assault, sexual interference and child pornography stemming from the incident, which allegedly occurred in December 2023. Traverse has pleaded not guilty to the charges. A publication ban is in effect that restricts naming the girl or any other details that may identify her. The complainant, who was eight years old at the time of the alleged offences, provided testimony in provincial court on Monday in...
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B.C. North Coast First Nation to vote on historic constitution
By Radha Agarwal, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Prince Rupert Northern View The Lax Kw’alaams band has called a referendum for April 9 to vote on the proposed Da’ax Kw’alaams Man-Ayaawx Constitution, a momentous step toward establishing their own self-governance framework. “A Constitution will re-affirm and assert the rights of Lax Kw’alaams people. Only with the Constitution can we move away from the Indian Act,” said the band on its official social media handles. The Lax Kw’alaams community consists of descendants from the Nine Tribes of the Ts’msyen, which include the Gitlaan, Gispaxlo’ots, Gilutz’aaẅ, Gitandoa, Gitnadoixs, Ginax’angiik, Gits’iis, Gitzaxłaał, and the Gitwilgyoots. It has approximately 4,150 members and is located on the northwest coast of British Columbia near Prince Rupert. To exercise their rights to self-determination and self-governance, they will proceed...
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B.C. hunts for wasteful spending in review of health authorities
By Brieanna Charlebois British Columbia is reviewing health authority spending to ensure resources go to “critical patient services” and to minimize wasteful administrative costs. Health Minister Josie Osborne said Monday that the government wants to ensure that all authorities are best positioned to tackle the “complex challenges” facing the health care system. “There is no doubt that the health-care system is under a lot of strain right now,” she told reporters in Victoria on Monday. “These reviews will be undertaken in a very thoughtful, structured way, with input from health-care providers so that we can do the best job possible, making the best use of all resources to deliver health care for British Columbians.” The move comes amid a series of emergency room closures that have spread from rural communities...
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‘We’re in a dire time’: Treaty 8 director of sport on importance of teamwork podcast
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca FORT NELSON, B.C. — Cedar Welchin spoke of the importance of using sport to uplift the lives of First Nations’ youth in an appearance on Before the Peace. Welchin, who resides in the Fort Nelson First Nation (FNFN), is the former athletic director of Chalo School and is currently the director of sport of the Treaty 8 BC Sports Association. “I started this because there’s a real need for All-Native teams,” said Welchin. “I kind of pulled away what I was doing in the school to get more teams up in the north. “[Sports] are an expression of the commitments we have to our communities. Older people need to step up. It helps us to build strong, healthy communities through teamwork. We’re...
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Language research released for National Indigenous Languages Day
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Beaver language of the Dane-zaa people was one of nine different language families analyzed by a new report. The Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages in collaboration with Statistics Canada released the data on Monday, March 31st: National Indigenous Languages Day. According to the Treaty 8 Tribal Association’s website, Dane-zaa or the Beaver language – part of the Athabaskan family – is the dialect spoken among several bands in northeast B.C. These include Doig River First Nation, Prophet River First Nation and Halfway River First Nation. The report suggests the province has a “diverse group” of Athabaskan speakers with roughly three quarters of respondents surveyed – 75.9 per cent – living in B.C. able to...
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NDP calls out Mark Carney for Brookfield lawsuit with Mississauga FN
By Margaret Kirk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Sault Star Federal New Democrats are criticizing Prime Minister Mark Carney over a $100-million lawsuit between Mississauga First Nation (MFN) and a subsidiary of his former company, Brookfield Asset Management. Brookfield, a global investment firm specializing in renewable energy, claims to manage $1 trillion in assets and employs approximately 250,000 people across more than 30 countries. Carney served as vice-chair and head of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and impact fund investing at Brookfield from 2020 until 2025, when he ran for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada. The Centre for International Corporate Tax Accountability and Research has accused Brookfield of consistently paying low taxes, exploiting global tax havens, and relying on banking in Bermuda. At a webinar on Friday, Manitoba...
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Port of Churchill sees renewed interest as Canada looks to diversify trade routes
By Lauren Krugel Manitoba may be smack dab in the middle of the country, but its premier wishes to remind Canadians it’s a maritime province. “When you think of Manitoba, you think of the Prairies, you think of the bush, but did you know that you can get to saltwater as well?” Wab Kinew said in early February as the province and Ottawa announced a joint $80-million investment in the Port of Churchill. Trade routes that eschew the United States have become a focus as U.S. President Donald Trump continues to threaten Canadian sovereignty and subject businesses to tariff whiplash. One option is the rail-accessible deepwater port in Churchill, Man., near where the Churchill River pours into Hudson Bay. Kinew said investing in the port is one way to “Trump...
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Indigenous business grants help transform communities, UCP says
By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Macleod Gazette Grants aimed at Indigenous businesses are helping create jobs and nurture downhome success stories across Alberta, the legislature heard as the opening of an application process approached. The Aboriginal Business Investment Fund helps cover equipment and infrastructure purchases and upgrades, said Grant Hunter, the UCP member for Taber-Warner in the far south of the province. Supported businesses create jobs while generating revenue and economic stability within their communities, he added. Alberta’s 2025 budget allots $10 million for a program that has given financial boosts to 105 community-owned businesses since it began in 2014, said Hunter. Indigenous Relations Minister Rick Wilson called the fund “a game-changer for communities across Alberta.” Continued Wilson: “I can see the difference. This government is moving...
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Advocating for Indigenous youth through personality pageants
By Claire McFarlane, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cabin Radio Alisha Danielson is quick to say her participation in pageants has nothing to do with her looks. “I want to be judged on who I am and what difference I’m trying to make, rather than what I look like,” said Danielson. “That’s the biggest thing for me.” The 20-year-old is one of Yellowknife’s newest residents, having moved to the city earlier this month. She grew up in Prince Rupert, British Columbia and has ties to Kehewin Cree Nation in Alberta. Danielson was crowned Miss Queen Teen Alberta 2024, Miss Queen Teen Canada 2024 and, more recently, Miss Teen Universal Petite Canada 2025. In June, she will go on to represent Canada in her first international pageant, on a cruise from Florida...
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Utah becomes first state to ban LGBTQ+ pride flags in government buildings and schools
By Hannah Schoenbaum SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah became the first state to prohibit flying LGBTQ+pride flags at schools and all government buildings after the Republican governor announced he was allowing a ban on unsanctioned flag displays to become law without his signature. Gov. Spencer Cox, who made the announcement late Thursday night, said he continues to have serious concerns with the policy but chose not to reject it because his veto would likely be overridden by the Republican-controlled Legislature. Starting May 7, state or local government buildings will be fined $500 a day for flying any flag other than the United States flag, the Utah state flag, military flags or a short list of others approved by lawmakers. Political flags supporting a certain candidate or party, such as...
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Manitoba to look at potential outreach efforts for U.S. researchers, says Kinew
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says his government is looking at ways to recruit scientists and researchers from the United States. Discussions continued Friday with provincial and territorial leaders and Prime Minister Mark Carney on addressing tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump. Kinew says his government is aware of funding cuts under the Trump administration to universities and research institutions and plans to do more outreach about the matter. The NDP government has been running ads in the U.S. to recruit nurses as the province tries to bolster health-care staffing numbers. Kinew says the government is investing in research and post-secondary institutions and that if U.S. academics move to Manitoba, they would be free to conduct research in various areas. Kinew did not provide specific details on what recruitment efforts...
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Ontario judge grants injunction to keep consumption sites open for now
By Liam Casey -CP-An Ontario judge has granted an injunction to keep 10 supervised consumption sites open while he considers a Charter challenge of a new provincial law that bans the sites from operating within 200 metres of schools or daycares. Justice John Callaghan of the Superior Court of Justice said all sites slated to close under the new law by April 1 can remain open until 30 days after he decides the case. “The constitutional issues in this application are complex,” Callaghan wrote. “My decision will require some time. Thus, I have reserved my decision on the Charter and other constitutional issues and the judgment will be released in the coming months.” The Neighbourhood Group, which runs the Kensington Market Overdose Prevention Site in downtown Toronto, launched a lawsuit...
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Newfoundland destroys textbooks with inaccurate information about Indigenous people
Education officials in Newfoundland and Labrador recently ordered the destruction of thousands of textbooks because they contained inaccurate information about the province’s Indigenous population. The move came after the government’s Indigenous education advisory committee decided the books “did not accurately reflect the cultural reality” of the province. The Education Department says the committee found that the books erroneously stated that Turtle Island — a name for the North American continent used by some Indigenous people — is a creation story that applies to all Indigenous people. As well, the committee found that the books incorrectly said that all Indigenous people are exempt from paying taxes or paying for a university education. The books, used by French immersion students, included stereotypical references to Indigenous eating habits, and incorrectly claimed that all...
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B.C. Premier David Eby walking back tariff bill after ‘anxiety’ from stakeholders
By Darryl Greer British Columbia Premier David Eby’s government is walking back a key portion of its controversial tariff response law, admitting the proposed legislation “didn’t get the balance right.” Eby said Friday that the legislation known as Bill 7 needs appropriate “safeguards” after a wave of criticism about potential overreach. “My interest in being able to move quickly to respond to the threat that British Columbia is facing got the better of … my understanding that the safeguards that people are calling for need to be there as well.” He said the province has emergency authority to respond to natural disasters, and he wanted to be able to have a similar response for actions by U.S. President Donald Trump. But he said a key portion of the law is...
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‘Greedy’ pop star Tate McRae pockets a leading four wins at Junos pre-telecast ceremony
By David Friend Darren Metz of Haisla hip-hop duo Snotty Nose Rez Kids said he was caught in the moment of his first Juno win for the pair’s sixth album “Red Future.” It landed rap album of the year at the Juno Awards industry gala Saturday. “I had a good cry walking here,” Metz said in the press room standing beside his collaborator Quinton Nyce, known as Yung Trybez. “When you work so hard towards something for so long, and then finally get it, all the emotions you endured throughout that journey just come out.” Inuk singer-songwriter Elisapie extended the celebration for her pop covers collection “Inuktitut,” which saw her translate hits by Blondie and Metallica to her native tongue. Last year, the album helped her win contemporary Indigenous artist,...
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The Latest: Trump effect: Fewer Americans now see Canada as a close US ally
-AP-President Donald Trump is citing his authority over diplomatic negotiations as he seeks Supreme Court approval to deport more immigrants to be imprisoned in El Salvador. And he cited protecting national security to justify ending collective bargaining with labor unions across most of the federal government. JD Vance and his wife are due to visit an American military base in Greenland on Friday in a trip scaled back after an uproar among Greenlanders and Danes over the uninvited guests. And an executive order Trump signed Thursday night puts Vance in charge of rooting out “improper ideology” at the Smithsonian Institution ‘s many museums, in his latest move against the pillars of America’s civil society — universities, science, the media and the law — that he considers out of step with...
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Workshop on “violence free future” could be intense at times
By Carl Clutchey, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Chronicle-Journal Participants in a workshop at Fort William First Nation may emerge feeling they’ve taken an important first step towards “a violence-free future.” That’s the hope of organizers of the two-day event, which starts Saturday morning at the band’s community hall. The forum is to be overseen by SBE Group, the 30-year-old Thunder Bay agency focused on “empowering First Nation communities across North America.” The workshop is open to adult Fort William First Nation band community members. It’s the first time SBE Group has conducted a workshop at Fort William First Nation that specifically addresses the issue of violence. “We encourage people to attend just by themselves, or as a couple,” SBE Group chief executive officer Allison Moulson said on Thursday. She...
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Poilievre, Singh hit campaign trail as Carney speaks with Trump, premiers on tariffs
By Dylan Robertson Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh are on the campaign trail, proposing ideas on housing and crime as Liberal Leader Mark Carney deals with U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threats. Trump says he had “an extremely productive call” Friday morning with Carney, adding that he and the prime minister can find common ground in fields like politics and business. Carney will be virtually speaking midday with premiers, after Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on automotive imports. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is pledging to impose life sentences for what he calls large-scale instances of human trafficking, smuggling large numbers of guns or trafficking fentanyl. He will hold a news conference in Nanaimo, B.C., and says in campaign video this morning that he wants to “ensure...
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Parents of slain Manitoba woman hope search for remains in landfill can start soon
By Brittany Hobson -CP-Albert Shingoose never wavered in his belief that the unidentified victim of a Winnipeg serial killer who was given the name Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe, or Buffalo Woman, was his daughter Ashlee. He would travel from his family home at St. Theresa Point Anisininew Nation in northeastern Manitoba to the province’s capital to comb the streets in the hopes of finding his daughter. As the days, weeks and months passed, the father came to the horrific conclusion that the quiet, caring girl he loved was likely a victim of serial killer Jeremy Skibicki. “I knew at some point that Ashlee was Buffalo Woman,” Albert Shingoose said Thursday. His fears were confirmed this week when Winnipeg police officers travelled to St. Theresa Point to tell Albert and Theresa Shingoose that...
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