Controversy After Naskapi Hunters Harvest Endangered Caribou
By Patrick Quinn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Nation After the Cree Nation Government condemned the unauthorized hunting of caribou in the Nichicun and Lac Catalogne areas of Eeyou Istchee by members of the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach, Quebec’s Ministry of the Environment announced it has opened an investigation into the incident. The province’s wildlife protection agency has requested action to document the alleged activities and “offence files could be filed for judicial consequences.” Although several sources confirmed that Naskapi hunters killed 200 caribou in mid-February, it’s unknown how many were from the endangered woodland Caniapiscau and Témiscamie herds as they’re known to mix with migratory caribou. “At this time of year, it is likely that the animals are a mixture of the two ecotypes,” said Martin-Hugues St-Laurent, professor of...
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Construction of Ancient Forest interpretive centre to begin this summer
By Abigail Popple, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Rocky Mountain Goat Longstanding plans for the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation’s interpretive centre at the Ancient Forest/Chun T’oh Whudujut Provincial Park are coming to fruition. The First Nation released a request for proposals on March 7th inviting small businesses and local contractors interested in helping build the centre. The over 4,000 square foot space will be powered with solar energy generators and include accommodations for staff, as well as accommodations that can be rented to tourists. The First Nation also plans to have a local gift shop at the building, according to project coordinator Sultanur Ashikin. “The idea is we will hire or we will encourage our local small businesses [and] community members to participate in a program where we will be...
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Parents of slain Manitoba woman hope search for remains in landfill can start soon
By Brittany Hobson The parents of a slain Manitoba woman say they hope the search for their daughter’s remains can begin soon. Albert and Theresa Shingoose say they’re pleased that police have identified their daughter, Ashlee Shingoose, and have determined that her remains are likely in the Brady Road landfill in Winnipeg. She was previously unidentified as one of four victims of serial killer Jeremy Skibicki, who was sentenced to life in prison last year. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew and Winnipeg police say the landfill will be searched. Albert Shingoose says a landfill is not a burial ground and people are not garbage. He says a successful search would bring his daughter home. “It was good to hear where my daughter is now. Now we all got to work hard...
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Timeline of 4 women slain in Winnipeg, search of landfill for remains
WINNIPEG-CP-Winnipeg police announced Wednesday the identity of the fourth victim of serial killer Jeremy Skibicki. They say the remains of Ashlee Shingoose are likely in a landfill in Winnipeg. Here is a timeline of the case: March 15, 2022 — Police say an unidentified woman is killed on or around this date. May 1, 2022 — Morgan Harris, a member of Long Plain First Nation living in Winnipeg, is last seen in the area of Main Street and Henry Avenue north of the city’s downtown. Police say the 39-year-old was killed on or around this date. May 4, 2022 — Police say Marcedes Myran, 26, also of Long Plain First Nation and living in Winnipeg, is killed on or around this date. May 14 or 15, 2022 — Police say...
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‘This was his very last painting’: Late Innu Nation artist Patrick Nuke’s work displayed at Confederation Building
By Anasophie Vallee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Telegram The last piece of artwork that the late Innu artist Patrick Nuke ever created will have a permanent home in the halls of Newfoundland and Labrador’s centre of government. The Innu Nation commissioned Nuke to create a piece representative of the Innu way of life, a project he completed shortly before he passed away on March 11, 2023. “He passed away maybe a month or two after,” explained Jodie Ashini, the cultural guardian for the Innu Nation. “This was his very last painting.” Just over two years later, on March 25, 2025, his vision was showcased at Confederation Building, part of a larger collaboration between the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and Indigenous governments and organizations throughout the province. Nuke’s painting...
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Nuclear waste plan safe, proponent reiterates
By Carl Clutchey, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Chronicle-Journal The prospect of loads of spent nuclear-fuel rods being hauled by transport trucks or rail cars through rural Northwestern Ontario to a future remote underground storage site remains a touchy topic, despite the project proponent’s latest assurances. In unveiling its 2024 annual report this week, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) said “years of technical study” has shown that “used (nuclear) fuel can be safely transported to the (storage) site” just west of Ignace. But some citizen-based environment groups that remain opposed to the plan begged to differ on Tuesday, calling the NWMO’s claim “grossly irresponsible.” Wendy O’Connor, a member of the Thunder Bay-based We The Nuclear Free North, said “concerned groups and individuals” are not reassured . . . given...
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First Nations moving forward with infrastructure for child and family services
By Pearl Lorentzen, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeside Leader Three ‘back lakes’ First Nations are moving forward with the infrastructure stage of protecting children under a child and family law created by the First Nations. On April 11, 2023, Loon River First Nation, Lubicon Lake Band, and Peerless Trout First Nation (PTFN) signed an agreement with the governments of Canada and Alberta for these three nations to protect children under their own laws. These are three of the First Nations within the Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council (KTC). On May 12, 2023, KTC Child and Family Services (KTCCFS) started protecting children under that law, which is called Awas’ak Wiyasiwewin Child Law. This included re-branding KTCCFS as Awas’ak Family Services and setting up temporary offices on and off-reserve. Part of...
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Inuit iglu true symbol of the North, says Rankin Inlet resident
By Darrell Greer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Kivalliq News It was a pleasant day for Mike Shouldice recently, when he and his wife, Monica, visited the large iglu (qaggiq) in Rankin Inlet, sponsored by the Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre. Shouldice said the qaggiq was at least 20-feet wide and fun to visit. He said it was large enough to hold a family group and hosted various activities for people to enjoy. “They had drum dancers, people throat-singing and all sorts of things going on in there,” said Shouldice. “They also had lots of food, such as stew, tea and bannock. It was great. We sat there and yakked with everybody. “As you know, they’ve built those here before but, these days, you do see them less and less.” Shouldice said...
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Nunavut candidates prepare for spring federal election
By Kira Wronska Dorward, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News With the federal election set for April 28, who’s running in Nunavut? Right now, there are only two confirmed candidates as of Wednesday.Current Nunavut MP Lori Idlout announced on March 24 that she had officially launched her re-election campaign “with a clear commitment to keep standing up and advocating for Nunavummiut,” she wrote in a release. Idlout is pledging to keep working on her goals of long-term sustainable funding for Inuit families, reforming Nutrition North to lower food costs, and getting more homes built. Earlier this month, both Idlout and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh were in Iqaluit where they announced the party’s plan for Arctic sovereignty and building up Nunavut’s infrastructure.”Our plan includes better schools, more reliable power, and improved...
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Powwow celebrates Stone Pipe Days at Lethbridge Polytechnic
By Alexandra Noad, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lethbridge Herald Lethbridge Polytechnic is hosting their annual Stone Pipe Days, which commemorates the day the institution received its Blackfoot name. In 2017 Peter Moccasin, Kainai Kaahsinnooik (Grandparent) gifted the then-Lethbridge College with the Blackfoot name Ohkotoki’aahkkoiyiiniimaan, which translates to “stone pipe,” along with a stone pipe which is used in Blackfoot culture in sacred ceremonies and offerings. Jordan Head, Indigenous cultural advisor for Lethbridge Polytechnic, says the collaboration between the Nisitapi (Blackfoot) people and the polytechnic is important because their culture was not recognized until the 94 calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was released in 2015. “In the past the culture of Nisitapi was not really recognized until the last 10 years because of the TRC,” said...
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New animal shelter design will be ‘basic’
By Roger Varley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Uxbridge Cosmos Council was provided an update Monday on the progress being made to construct the long-awaited new animal shelter for Uxbridge and Scugog. Mike McCullough, who was hired as the project manager for the new shelter, told council that drawings for the building have been completed and an architect hired to develop the project. McCullough said it had been decided “to keep it as basic as we could.” To that end, the new building will be constructed with insulate concrete forms to provide efficient insulation. McCullough said a brick-and-mortar building would cost as much as $10 million. In a separate report, clerk Debbie Leroux said ICF building materials will generate cost savings related to heating and cooling. McCullough went into detail...
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Pediatric care in Alberta underfunded and putting kids at risk: medical association
By Matthew Scace -CP-Alberta doctors are warning of “catastrophic” consequences for children’s physical and mental health if the province doesn’t boost funding for pediatric care. The Alberta Medical Association says nearly half of pediatricians are considering retirement and that a quarter of them are thinking of leaving Alberta or reducing patient care responsibilities. It blames the situation on several factors, including low pay and intense workloads for doctors caring for children. Dr. Sam Wong, president of the pediatrics section for the association, says recent flu seasons have become more distressing for children and patients because of wait times verging on 12 hours. “There is always the risk that a child will decompensate in the emergency waiting room and actually have an outcome that is catastrophic because they were not able...
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Study finds mismatch between job seekers and jobs
By Pearl Lorentzen, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeside Leader Part of a series of articles on regional studies done by an advocacy group representing municipalities and First Nations in the Lesser Slave Lake region. A workforce study of the Lesser Slave Lake region found that there are many people looking for work and many people looking for employees, but the job skills don’t line up with the jobs being offered. “We have a significant mismatch …,” says Jennifer Churchill, Alberta North Central Alliance (ANCA) executive director. “We do have a labour shortage,” but also a lot of people looking for work. The study was done by Ballad Group for ANCA, which is an advocacy group representing five municipalities and five First Nations in Northern Alberta. These are the Town of...
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B.C. introduces new mining claims framework to ensure First Nations consultation
By Brenna Owen -CP-British Columbia has introduced a new framework for consultation on mining claims, but the B.C. Assembly of First Nations regional chief says it “does not come close” to the collaborative approach outlined in the province’s Indigenous rights law. In an op-ed published by the Vancouver Sun, Terry Teegee says B.C.’s law adopting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples reflects a “duty to consent,” going beyond the duty to consult First Nations on issues affecting their lands, and the new mineral framework represents “a step backward.” A statement from B.C.’s Mining Ministry says the changes to the mineral tenure system were required to align with a 2023 B.C. Supreme Court ruling, which established that First Nations must be consulted at the time of claim...
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Black ash trees the focus of new project to combat emerald ash borer
By Ethan Braund, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Woolwich Observer A new initiative aims to protect black ash trees, now considered endangered, from the invasive emerald ash borer that has wrought havoc on ash tree populations. “It’s an insect that’s been around for a while, and it’s probably one of the more well-known invasive species present here in Canada,” said Vincent La Tassa, project lead at the Invasive Species Centre, of the insect threatening the trees. Black ash has a cultural significance that adds to the urgency of protecting the species, he noted. “With this specific project, we’re trying to highlight the impacts it’s had on one species of ash tree, called black ash. And it’s because of this invasive insect that the black ash tree has been added to the...
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Billboard campaign to bring Juanita Migwans home gains momentum
By Jacqueline St. Pierre, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Manitoulin Expositor M’CHIGEENG—In the quiet heart of Manitoulin Island, a mother, daughter and beloved friend has vanished, leaving behind only questions, aching hearts and a community unwilling to let her story fade. Juanita “Winnie” Migwans, 31, was last seen on October 4, 2024, walking along Riverside Drive in M’Chigeeng. She had no phone, no identification, and no belongings with her. Since then, the silence surrounding her disappearance has grown heavier by the day. But in that silence, voices have risen. From kitchen tables to council chambers, from online fundraisers to a roadside where a billboard now stand tall, the people of M’Chigeeng and beyond have rallied behind her name. Two separate fundraising efforts—one rooted in M’Chigeeng First Nation and another driven...
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Canada says it will fund Jordan’s Principle for First Nations kids through 2026
By Joe Bongiorno -CP-Ottawa says it will continue to fund Jordan’s Principle to support First Nations children through 2026 as some First Nations chiefs decry what they call cutbacks in services. Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu announced the extension in a press release Saturday, about 24 hours before a federal election campaign is expected to kick off. The principle is intended to assure that Indigenous children can access government-funded health, social or educational services regardless of where they live and without seeing their cases bogged down in jurisdictional disputes. No specific spending amounts were provided in the latest announcement, but Hajdu said the government has poured $8.8 billion into the principle since it was established in 2016. “More than 8.9 million products, services, and supports have been approved since 2016...
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As federal election campaign kicks off Sunday, Carney to seek seat in Nepean
By Nick Murray -CP-When the federal election campaign kicks off Sunday, Mark Carney will be seeking a seat as a Liberal MP in the House of Commons to represent the Ottawa riding of Nepean. The Liberal party confirmed the move on social media late Saturday. Carney is expected to visit Rideau Hall on Sunday to ask Gov. Gen Mary Simon to dissolve Parliament and hold a spring federal election. Voters will cast their ballots on April 28, according to a Liberal source with knowledge of the plan. The Nepean riding has been held by Liberal MP Chandra Arya for the last decade, but the party recently revoked his nomination. Carney will be running in a riding adjacent to his main rival, Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, who is seeking re-election...
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Ontario court to hear Charter challenge on supervised consumption site law
By Liam Casey -CP-An Ontario court will hear arguments Monday from a Toronto supervised consumption site challenging the legality of a new provincial law that will soon shut down 10 such sites and prevent new ones from opening. The province passed legislation last year that banned consumption sites deemed too close to schools or daycares. The Neighbourhood Group, which runs the Kensington Market Overdose Prevention Site in downtown Toronto, launched a lawsuit in December along with two people who use the space. “Safe consumption sites are not a perfect solution, but they are part of the solution,” the group’s lawyer, Carlo Di Carlo, said in an interview. “It’s something that will minimize deaths and the spread of infectious disease and that will allow people to continue their fight to recover....
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Tapping the untapped: Pangnirtung Fisheries a possible model for other communities
By Kira Wronska Dorward, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News This is the second in a series of stories looking at Pangnirtung Fisheries and how it’s helping the community by providing jobs and developing the economy. Jackie Maniapik oversees the youth employment program at Pangnirtung Fisheries in his role as production manager. He said the goal is to start new employees young and eventually move them into a full-time role. “We’ve been receiving more applicants – the parents have been calling to see if their children can apply for a job here,” said Maniapik. “At the moment, we have approximately eight, but we want to double or triple that by the end of the season.” He was encouraged by the management to apply for his position in the past year....
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