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SNEC catching up with proposed Indigenous Health legislation
Six Nations is gearing up for a fight against the Federal Government’s proposed Indigenous Health legislation. Clairissa Pietron, SNEC’s strategic advisory and systems analyst presented information on the proposed legislation, which has been in the works since 2021, to Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) at its General Council meeting on September 12. The purpose of the presentation was to give SNEC the opportunity to take a stance and form an official position on the proposed legislation. “I just wanted to make sure we can kind of bring us all to the same level of understanding when it comes to the proposed legislation,” she said. She quoted an Indigenous Services correspondence that said, “the indigenous health legislation is an opportunity to establish overarching principles as a foundation of federal health services...
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SN Elected Council looking into if it can co-sign $30 million loan
Six Nations will investigate the possibility of stepping up to support The Kawenni:io/Gaweni:yo Elementary and Secondary School by co-signing a loan. Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) voted to have Wayne Staats, director of accounting to find out how SNEC could and if they could cosign a $30 million loan for the school to start construction of its building They passed the motion at the General Finance meeting on September 18. “I know they’ve had great success attending at these banks.. interested in giving them a loan but council would have to cosign on their behalf,” Councillor Hazel Johnson said. Johnson, who says she is one of four SNEC councillors who sit on the board of the school, but she’s the only one who attends meetings regularly. She also says she...
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Six Nations overager commences final junior season with Toronto Jr. Canadiens
By Sam Laskaris Writer Brenden Anderson has dropped down a level for his final season of junior hockey eligibility. But the 20-year-old Six Nations member is still doing his best to impress as he still plans to move up in the hockey world. Anderson, a 6-foot-6, 210-pound forward, had spent the bulk of the past two seasons in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He joined the then Hamilton Bulldogs, a franchise which has since relocated to Brantford, during the 2021-22 campaign. And then after starting last season with the Bulldogs he was traded to the Sarnia Sting. Anderson, however, didn’t even bother reporting to the Sting camp this year. That’s because he would have been one of 11 overage players (those who are 20 and in their final season of...
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COLUMN Sam Laskaris – BEHIND THE ACTION – Justin Martin
By Sam Laskaris Writer One just never knows who is watching. That’s why it’s prudent to try, if possible, to be performing at your best at all times. For example, take the case of Justin Martin, a 25-year-old lacrosse player from Six Nations. By no means is 25 old. But Martin admits he had started to question whether he would ever fulfil his lifelong dream of playing professionally in the National Lacrosse League (NLL). Martin, who spent the spring and summer toiling for the Six Nations Rivermen, a Senior B squad that competes in Ontario Series Lacrosse, is one step closer to fulfilling his goal now. That’s because it was announced this past Friday that he has signed a contract with the NLL’s Toronto Rock. The Rock are one of...
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Indigenous Sport and Wellness Ontario youth leadership programcoming to Six Nations
Indigenous Sport and Wellness Ontario (ISWO) wants to bring a program to inspire, educate and give youth more confidence. Danielle Johnson, Standing Bear Program Manager for ISWO presented options for bringing the program to Six Nations in a variety of capacities to Six Nations Elected Council at its General Council meeting on September 12. The program is a youth leadership program developed by ISWO, aimed at strengthening athletes and community wellness by “empowering and supporting Indigenous youth in making positive changes. Standing Bear provides a culturally relevant framework for the development of confidence, purpose, identity, and support networks.” Johnson said in 2017 they surveyed 550 athletes at the North American Indigenous Games and athletes expressed a desire for leadership opportunities, cultural knowledge and employment opportunities in their communities. “The youth...
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Weekend of fund raising runs and lots of colour
Six Nations running track got a good workout this past weekend with two ambious runs to raise money for charity. The Walk For the Park was held to raise funds to build a memorial park honouring all former students of the Mohawk Institute Indian Residential School or “Mushhole” as it has become known. Organziers have been working to raise funds to develop the Mohawk Village Memorial Park with a variety of events. Later that same day Miles General took to the track with a group of runners to raise money for the Terry Fox Run....
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Six Nations Chiefs win Mann Cup
By Sam Laskaris Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Six Nations Chiefs’ perfect record in the Mann Cup national lacrosse championship remains intact. Since it was founded in 1993, the Chiefs, a Senior A men’s squad from the Six Nations of the Grand River in Ontario, has made seven appearances at the Canadian final and won the cup each and every time. The Mann Cup is contested between the Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) champs from Ontario and the Western Lacrosse Association (WLA) champs from British Columbia. The Chiefs captured their seventh title on Sept. 13. Six Nations defeated the host New Westminster Salmonbellies from British Columbia 11-9 in Game 5 of the best-of-seven series. The Salmonbellies, who hosted all of the matches in the Mann Cup final at the Queen’s Park...
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Six Police investigate vehicle roll over in school yard
OHSWEKEN,SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND RIVER- Six Nations Police are investigating a vehicle rollover on Third Line Road that occurred Sunday, Sept., 10th, and saw a vehicle leave the roadway and tearing out a portion of a fenceline in front of Oliver M. Smith Elementary School. Police, along with Six Nations Fire and Emergency Medical Services, attended the scene Sunday, September 10,, at approximately 8:20 p.m., where they found one individual at the scene with serious injuries. The person was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Witnesses at the scene told police other occupants of the vehicle fled the area before police arrived. The Ontario Provincial Police K9 unit was brought in to track potential injured parties but no individuals were located. The investigation remains ongoing, and charges are...
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Six Nations Fall Fair is back and building
Six Nations Fall Fair working to make a comeback when small crowds attend By Lisa Iesse Writer SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND – The Six Nations Fall Fair hit its 154th year this year with some serious community fun. The fair returned this past weekend, starting Friday (September 8) to Sunday taking over the sports and recreation grounds at 1738 Fourth Line Road and inside the Dajoh and the arena. It’s the longest running Indigenous Fair in Ontario, Six Nations. Agricultural Society president Leslie McDougall told Turtle Island News. Outside the fairgrounds were full of smiling faces hopping on the ferris wheel, or showing off their muscles with some rock climbing, or just kicking back on a giant spinning strawberry. Just as dazzling, were the trade show booths along with...
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Six Nations Elected Council attempt to honour athletes disorganized, lacks communication, Elected Chief fails to attend
Six Nations’ attempt to recognize and celebrate the community’s athletes was well received, but some councillors believe it was poorly planned, executed and attended. Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) opted to plan a celebration for local athletes to recognize their contributions to different sports after North American Indigenous Games athletes and others came looking for financial contributions in June and reconfirmed a celebration with a parade in late July. SNEC settled on coordinating the event with the fair on September 9, but Councillors Helen Miller and Sherri-Lyn Hill were the only ones who attended. Councillor Miller voiced her concerns about the event’s planning, coordination and execution at the Political Liaison Committee meeting on September 11. Elected Chief Mark Hill, who originally suggested the event was not in attendance. SNEC councillors...
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Six Nations Elected Council working to build relationship with politicians and academics SNEC told
Six Nations is working toward building relationships with local and federal politicians as well as academic leaders to have community issues front and centre for those making decisions inside and outside of the Haldimand Tract. Elected Chief Mark Hill and political advisor Christopher Mahon gave an update on meetings with politicians at the Six Nations Elected Council’s (SNEC) Political Liaison Committee meeting on September 11 and said they are expecting visitors. Mahon said the federal Minister of Indigenous Services Patty Hajdu planned to visit Six Nations on Tuesday, September 12, but they haven’t worked out all of the details. Mahon said an itinerary would reach SNEC councillors late Monday in preparation for the Tuesday visit. It will include stops at various locations on Six Nations as well as lunch with...
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Six Nations getting into aggregate industry
Six Nations is digging into the aggregate industry and coming up with cash. The Six Nations Consultation and Accommodation Process Team (CAP TEAM) held an online public consultation through Facebook Live on September 6 to start the public consultation process. Peter Graham, consultation supervisor for the CAP Team explained that an old quarry in Haggersville will once again see crushed rock (aggregates) removed from the land. “The property in question is just southwest of Haggersville. There was a previously existing quarry at this site that hasn’t been in operation for a decade or two, now the successor company which is to open the quarry, because it is considered a new quarry by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry there is a duty to consult on it,” he said. Graham...
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Six Nations Election coming
Six Nations is gearing up for an election, at least as close as we get to one here. The band elections will be held in early November and candidates now have two weeks to declare. It’s been a long four years since we have had an election. Since then the current council has itself undergone change and likely some faces won’t be returning. Firstly the council lost a member when former councillor Wendy Johnson quit to take a job with Kimberly Murray. Murray is the special interlocutor charged with co-ordinating the government’s response to the unmarked graves identified at a number of former residential school sites. The two women met when Murray worked for Six Nations’ Survivors Secretariate and Johnson was a Six Nations council member. The current council has...
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Letters: Helen Miller On Tackling Six Nations Housing Crisis
Tackling Six Nations Housing Crisis – Aug. 30, 2023 In introducing the tiny homes initiative Matt Jamieson, CEO, Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation said: “Community members here face multiple obstacles in owning their own home on the territory.” This is so true. Six Nations of the Grand River Elected Council (SNGREC) should be doing whatever we can to help people get a house. Unfortunately, over the years housing has turned from a social need into a business with stringent criteria and restrictive policies that prohibit people from getting a house rather than helping them. So far this year 37 people have been turned down at housing, for various reasons. Luckily, if people can jump through SNH’s hoops, they have a chance to redeem themselves and qualify for...
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Six Nations band election coming in November
Six Nations may be heading to the election polls in two weeks to bring in a new band council. Turtle Island News has learned the Chief Electorial Polling Officer (CEPO) met in a closed door session with Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) Monday to announce election dates. In addition the Six Nations Election Code committee presented the results of a vote taken at the SNEC annual general assembly two weeks ago confirming there will be 12 councillors elected for a four year term. Election Code committee chair Audrey Hill said the they had talked to over 400 people during the committee’s deliberations before putting the questions they developed to the community. The CEPO will hold nominations September 23, just two weeks away and Oct 6 will be the first poll....
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Six Nations building more housing units
Six Nations is building more dedicated housing for community members to slash the housing waitlist with sustainable, suitable and affordable homes. Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) approved the creation of another 16 units for Social Services (with an option to expand by eight units in the future) for an Alternative Care Program at its General Finance meeting on August 23. The units will be part of a partnership with Six Nations Housing who were approved to build a 28-unit elders complex with care. The new Social Services building will be a two-storey building with units of different sizes catering to older adults who are faced with caring for family members, both adults and youth. Arlyss Skye, director of Social Services said older adults living in the elder complex would not...
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Late Six Nations softball player to be inducted posthumously into national hall of fame
By Sam Laskaris Writer A former Six Nations softball star has landed in Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. It was announced last week that the late Phyllis Bomberry is one of 11 individuals that comprise the 2023 induction class for the national hall. An induction ceremony will be held Oct. 19 in Gatineau, Que. The event will also be livestreamed. Bomberry, who died in 2019, will be inducted posthumously via the Athlete category. “From the courts to the fields, from the ice to the octagon, the Class of 2023 is a testament to the relentless pursuit of greatness,” said Cheryl Bernard, who is the president and CEO of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. About 225 individuals had been nominated by the public to be inductees this year. Those selected were...
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Stallions register pair of victories despite being short-staffed
By Sam Laskaris Writer Not many showed up. But that didn’t seem to matter for the Six Nations Stallions, who managed to win their first two contests of the Ontario Senior Men’s Field Lacrosse League (OSMFLL) this past Saturday. Just 11 Stallions players were available for duty for the contests, which were held at Norton Park in Burlington. The Six Nations squad registered a convincing victory, 14-3, over the United Lacrosse Club from Kitchener-Waterloo, in its opening match. The Stallions then eked out a 13-12 win over the Orangeville Generals just a few hours later. “I thought we did well, considering we only had one substitute,” said Wes Whitlow, the Stallions’ player who sits atop the OSMFLL scoring race after racking up 13 points in the two outings. Whitlow compiled...
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